I especially enjoy the Coaching/Game Theory section of this column and I'm typically in agreement with your thoughts. But I'm surprised you didn't mention the decision to pass on 3rd and 2 with 40 seconds left in the first half. By that time TCU looked content to let the Bears run out the clock due to the favorable down and distance ev…
I especially enjoy the Coaching/Game Theory section of this column and I'm typically in agreement with your thoughts. But I'm surprised you didn't mention the decision to pass on 3rd and 2 with 40 seconds left in the first half. By that time TCU looked content to let the Bears run out the clock due to the favorable down and distance even though TCU still had one remaining timeout. As Wilcox is a coach who likes to limit the opponents' possessions, it seemed odd not to try to deny TCU another possession, particularly because they would start the 2nd half with the ball.
I actually thought that play was fine, although I was surprised about it because I thought we were going to run the clock down. Our downfield pass game was working for us that day and it could have resulted in defensive PI as well. If it doesn't work, we'll just punt on the next play and TCU likely won't score in less than a minute (Which turned out to be false. Defense sucked). If it gets intercepted, it will be just like a punt as well.
Ugh, I actually jotted that down in my game notes and then forgot to include it in the column. Yeah, that playcall didn't make sense, particularly since Cal threw a short pass on 2nd down and let the playclock wind all the way down. Either you're trying to score our you're trying to run the clock out, and Cal managed to pick neither.
"For what it’s worth, my bigger complaint was that Cal chose to place the ball on the right hash, then called a designed QB rollout to the short side of the field with only one receiver on that side. It might have been the single worst play-call of a day that was otherwise quite solid in that regard." Please do a breakdown this week. I DVR-ed the game and did watch that play 2x so far and can't understand Musgrave's rationale. What did he see to think it was a good play? It's the first half and should they line up for this play without a clear mismatch, he can readily take a timeout and change.
I agree with the Coaching/Game Theory of these post. I was also surprised we decided to pass on that down and distance but I assume that Wilcox thought his defense would be able to keep TCU from scoring with such little time left on the clock.
I think remember the last time or really ever seeing a team score a TD that quickly before halftime…….with a running play. Just baffling.
There's certainly a clear trend of our defense getting burned by draw plays in what seem like passing situations. Nevada converted 3rd and 6 last week on a draw I think and I remember Oregon State doing it several times in years past. Probably something the D should prepare for going forward!
Amen! That call baffled me. Too much risk if it doesn't work out. Worse case if you run and don't get the first down is that the clock keeps running (or TCU takes its last TO). I feel like Musgrave is trying to outsmart himself and that's always dangerous.
I especially enjoy the Coaching/Game Theory section of this column and I'm typically in agreement with your thoughts. But I'm surprised you didn't mention the decision to pass on 3rd and 2 with 40 seconds left in the first half. By that time TCU looked content to let the Bears run out the clock due to the favorable down and distance even though TCU still had one remaining timeout. As Wilcox is a coach who likes to limit the opponents' possessions, it seemed odd not to try to deny TCU another possession, particularly because they would start the 2nd half with the ball.
I actually thought that play was fine, although I was surprised about it because I thought we were going to run the clock down. Our downfield pass game was working for us that day and it could have resulted in defensive PI as well. If it doesn't work, we'll just punt on the next play and TCU likely won't score in less than a minute (Which turned out to be false. Defense sucked). If it gets intercepted, it will be just like a punt as well.
Ugh, I actually jotted that down in my game notes and then forgot to include it in the column. Yeah, that playcall didn't make sense, particularly since Cal threw a short pass on 2nd down and let the playclock wind all the way down. Either you're trying to score our you're trying to run the clock out, and Cal managed to pick neither.
"For what it’s worth, my bigger complaint was that Cal chose to place the ball on the right hash, then called a designed QB rollout to the short side of the field with only one receiver on that side. It might have been the single worst play-call of a day that was otherwise quite solid in that regard." Please do a breakdown this week. I DVR-ed the game and did watch that play 2x so far and can't understand Musgrave's rationale. What did he see to think it was a good play? It's the first half and should they line up for this play without a clear mismatch, he can readily take a timeout and change.
I agree with the Coaching/Game Theory of these post. I was also surprised we decided to pass on that down and distance but I assume that Wilcox thought his defense would be able to keep TCU from scoring with such little time left on the clock.
I think remember the last time or really ever seeing a team score a TD that quickly before halftime…….with a running play. Just baffling.
There's certainly a clear trend of our defense getting burned by draw plays in what seem like passing situations. Nevada converted 3rd and 6 last week on a draw I think and I remember Oregon State doing it several times in years past. Probably something the D should prepare for going forward!
Which begs the question: Is Musgrave calling the plays & does Wilcox occasionally override the calls in cases like this?
Amen! That call baffled me. Too much risk if it doesn't work out. Worse case if you run and don't get the first down is that the clock keeps running (or TCU takes its last TO). I feel like Musgrave is trying to outsmart himself and that's always dangerous.