Coaching decision question...

[goldvol]

Since we've had a few days to digest the game, I had a question about in game clock management right before halftime. With 1:42 left in the first half, we stop Ohio on 2nd down at the 44 yard line. At this point, we have 2 timeouts, and I was thinking call a timeout here, and then call a timeout after 3rd down, and you have 1:30 left to get some points on the board. At the time I wasn't happy with the decision.

Then, I was listening to Alabama Ole Miss on the radio. Ole Miss was up 24 to 3, got a unsportsmanlike penalty and kick the ball out of bounds. Alabama starts at the 50 yard line and scores in 3 plays. Next possession for Ole Miss is similar to the Ohio possession. Please see below.

KO, - (2:10) Alabama kicks off. Touchback. Ball on MISS 25.

1-10, MISS25 (2:10) Akeem Judd rush middle for 2 yards to the MISS 27.

2-8, MISS27 (1:39) Akeem Judd rush left for 2 yards to the MISS 29.

-, MISS28 (1:32) Alabama time out.

3-6, MISS29 (1:32) Chad Kelly rush for 3 yards to the MISS 32.

4-3, MISS32 (1:24) Gary Wunderlich punts. Eddie Jackson returns 85 yards for a TOUCHDOWN. Ole Miss penalized 15 yards. Adam Griffith PAT - GOOD.

MISS DRIVE TOTALS: 3 Plays, 7 Yards, 1:05 TOP

From above, after a failed second down with about 1:30 left, Saban does call a timeout. This gives Alabama more time to get some more points on the board. Of course, they did happen to run back that punt for a score.

Now, I am not trying to give ammunition to the Negavols or Butch doubters. I honestly want to know if you would prefer to use the timeouts and have a chance to score before the half, or take the timeouts and the lead with you to half time.

I haven't seen this discussed yet, but I imagine it would have been talked about in the game thread. Thoughts?

 

[Boca Vol]

OP, you're not allowed to question ANY coaching decisions! UT is 3-0!!!

Now go cheer for UF, Bama, UGA, or Vandy.

 

[ALGator]

I think every team should have a starting head coach and several backup head coaches. If one sucks, fans could vote to start another coach in his place EVERY WEEK

 

[goldvol]

I know the big differences are:
1. The score: Alabama was trying to mount a big comeback
2. The field position: We got pinned in at the one with the ensuing punt.
3. Number of timeouts: Alabama may have had 3 , giving them 1 to use on offense, compared to just 2 for us.

 

[Volnukem]

Since we've had a few days to digest the game, I had a question about in game clock management right before halftime. With 1:42 left in the first half, we stop Ohio on 2nd down at the 44 yard line. At this point, we have 2 timeouts, and I was thinking call a timeout here, and then call a timeout after 3rd down, and you have 1:30 left to get some points on the board. At the time I wasn't happy with the decision.

Then, I was listening to Alabama Ole Miss on the radio. Ole Miss was up 24 to 3, got a unsportsmanlike penalty and kick the ball out of bounds. Alabama starts at the 50 yard line and scores in 3 plays. Next possession for Ole Miss is similar to the Ohio possession. Please see below.



From above, after a failed second down with about 1:30 left, Saban does call a timeout. This gives Alabama more time to get some more points on the board. Of course, they did happen to run back that punt for a score.

Now, I am not trying to give ammunition to the Negavols or Butch doubters. I honestly want to know if you would prefer to use the timeouts and have a chance to score before the half, or take the timeouts and the lead with you to half time.

I haven't seen this discussed yet, but I imagine it would have been talked about in the game thread. Thoughts?

I would say that the major difference here is that Bama was down 21 points. When you are ahead, take the lead into halftime.

 

[goldvol]

I would say that the major difference here is that Bama was down 21 points. When you are ahead, take the lead into halftime.

Yeah, I mentioned that just above your post, which I am sure you hadn't seen yet. Small correction, at that point they would have been down 14, not 21 (24 to 10).

And to your second point, I understand taking the lead into halftime, and that's part of the reason for my question. But being the better team, I hated taking a 2 point lead into halftime instead of trying to get some points on the board. I can see being happy with a 2 point lead against an even opponent.

 

[Jax_Vol]

I know the big differences are:
1. The score: Alabama was trying to mount a big comeback
2. The field position: We got pinned in at the one with the ensuing punt.
3. Number of timeouts: Alabama may have had 3 , giving them 1 to use on offense, compared to just 2 for us.

Alabama has a great offensive line. They don't really have to worry as much about the huge negative play.


On the other hand, the Vols O-line has been pacing themselves in preparation for the gators.


Right now, we have more of a Bob Neyland type team. Punt it to the other team and let them make the mistake.

 

[goldvol]

Another positive about making them punt is the opportunity to block it. When is the last time we blocked a punt? (curious, not trying to disparage)

 

[goldvol]

OP, you're not allowed to question ANY coaching decisions! UT is 3-0!!!

Now go cheer for UF, Bama, UGA, or Vandy.

I think every team should have a starting head coach and several backup head coaches. If one sucks, fans could vote to start another coach in his place EVERY WEEK

I know you guys are joking, but I am looking for some football discussion here ilot:

 

[UneducatedGuess]

When you are losing a football game you need points.

When you are winning a football game you don't need points as bad

See the difference?

 

[VOL 4 Life 83]

I said the exact same thing in the gameday thread and got absolutely roasted by the Butch defenders. He plays scared, always has and always will. We could have easily put 3 points at a minimum on the board with 1:30 to go in the half.

 

[goldvol]

When you are losing a football game you need points.

When you are winning a football game you don't need points as bad

See the difference?

I do see the difference, and I noted as such. I also think that when you are the better team, having a 2 point lead is not good enough when there's an opportunity for more.

But, I am definitely open to the idea that running out the clock is the best decision. So I will put your vote down for running out the clock.

 

[goldvol]

I said the exact same thing in the gameday thread and got absolutely roasted by the Butch defenders. He plays scared, always has and always will. We could have easily put 3 points at a minimum on the board with 1:30 to go in the half.

Yeah, I figured someone must have brought it up at the time. I try to avoid this place during the game, because I am what most would call a "sunshine pumper", always holding out hope til the end.

I don't know if he's playing scared, or if he just didn't think about using the timeout there. If he didn't think about it as an option, then that's a problem. I am ok with the decision if he thought about it and thought it wasn't the right decision with the circumstances.

 

[UneducatedGuess]

I do see the difference, and I noted as such. I also think that when you are the better team, having a 2 point lead is not good enough when there's an opportunity for more.

But, I am definitely open to the idea that running out the clock is the best decision. So I will put your vote down for running out the clock.

Based on the halftime interview, Jones seemed to want to reset given all the injuries and the teams mediocre effort and focus. Perhaps he didn't want any mistakes that could jeopardize that lead or force his exhausted defense back on the field.

I prefer scoring but the team I saw last Saturday is a dangerous one. They seemed to hang it up after drive one. I don't like the culture of complacency and entitlement sprinkled around in spots on that team.

 

[jakez4ut]

the difference is mindset....aggressive vs. conservative. sometimes it's the nature of the coach, sometimes it's situational football that dictates the approach.

in this case, i agree with what's been said, situation dictated the aggressiveness at the end of the half.

 

[Boca Vol]

I know you guys are joking, but I am looking for some football discussion here ilot:

OK...Sorry!:cray:

Back to the discussion...Yes, Bama was down and they completely flipped the game right before half-time. Similar to the UT/UGA game last season. UT was way behind and needed to make something happen.

Spurrier & Meyer were pros at using the time just before halftime to get a score. They capitalized on teams letting up and letting the clock run out...and BOOM! Score.

 

[goldvol]

Based on the halftime interview, Jones seemed to want to reset given all the injuries and the teams mediocre effort and focus. Perhaps he didn't want any mistakes that could jeopardize that lead or force his exhausted defense back on the field.

I prefer scoring but the team I saw last Saturday is a dangerous one. They seemed to hang it up after drive one. I don't like the culture of complacency and entitlement sprinkled around in spots on that team.

Thanks. I missed the halftime interview, so that is helpful to understanding what Butch thought at the moment.

 

[SandoVOL]

When you are losing a football game you need points.

When you are winning a football game you don't need points as bad

See the difference?

ala Oklahoma Florida Arkansas last year, great strategy Butch

 

[goldvol]

the difference is mindset....aggressive vs. conservative. sometimes it's the nature of the coach, sometimes it's situational football that dictates the approach.

in this case, i agree with what's been said, situation dictated the aggressiveness at the end of the half.

Yes, I agree with this. I just want to see if Volnation agrees with the decision, and if Butch had even thought about using the timeouts there. I'm assuming your last sentence is talking about the Bama game? Thanks for your insight.

 

[goldvol]

ala Oklahoma Florida Arkansas last year, great strategy Butch

Good counter point there! I think those are examples where I would be ok with going into halftime with a slight lead, but not against an inferior Ohio team. But, a great coach would probably be trying to get points no matter who the opponent is.

HAPPY 1000th POST to me! ilot:

 

[McDad]

But, a great coach would probably be trying to get points no matter who the opponent is.

HAPPY 1000th POST to me! ilot:

If our offense was clicking along this year like it did the second half of last year, I would have taken the time out and tried to score points. But with our special teams miscues and our offense which sputters and (luckily) recovers their own fumbles, the last thing that I want to do is take that chance deep in our end after the opponent punts. Trust the defense to make the play because that is our strongest unit right now.

I have never coached so TIFWIW.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yes, I agree with this. I just want to see if Volnation agrees with the decision, and if Butch had even thought about using the timeouts there. I'm assuming your last sentence is talking about the Bama game? Thanks for your insight.

yes.

i don't think Butch considered using the time outs. by nature, he's more conservative, especially with a lead.

if you want to see how he was in situational football, i'd go back to the UGA game last year, and see how he managed the 2nd quarter, being down like Bama was.

 

[goldvol]

If our offense was clicking along this year like it did the second half of last year, I would have taken the time out and tried to score points. But with our special teams miscues and our offense which sputters and (luckily) recovers their own fumbles, the last thing that I want to do is take that chance deep in our end after the opponent punts. Trust the defense to make the play because that is our strongest unit right now.

I have never coached so TIFWIW.

That's about how I feel, too. Thanks

yes.

i don't think Butch considered using the time outs. by nature, he's more conservative, especially with a lead.

if you want to see how he was in situational football, i'd go back to the UGA game last year, and see how he managed the 2nd quarter, being down like Bama was.

Thanks!

 

[TN Outlaw]

It's always been said you can't score enough points in the 1st half. Should always have an aggressive mindset in the 1st 2 qrts. Even if up 38-0. Only time that would not be the case IMO is if your team is making a plethora of mistakes or if you feel your damn lucky to have the points you have vs the opposing team or if your players mindset needs to be adjusted like if their down on theirselves or in shock per something that just took place on the field.

I'd say mistakes, mindset, and field position after Ohio's punt dictated going into half with what we had.

I wish I knew a lot more as I'm just not wise enough in the ways of big boy coaching. Ive coached some pee wee level so I'm just barely above Butch's level so I'm just not the guy to ask. 😊

 

[The Tall Gguy]

Butch and Co were just trying to ESCAPE that game Saturday. It just wasn't our day (just like the Appy State game and half the VT game), but somehow we won. We have said it now 3 weeks in a row, but hopefully they can figure something out this week at practice.