College Football - Championship Week (Dec. 6)

[snoodmonger]

If you're punting from the opponent's 45, the odds are very, very good you can down it at the 15 or better again. Even if you kick it out of the end zone it's only 5 yards worse off, and you've wasted about 15% of the remaining time on the clock doing so. Mistake in execution more than decision-making IMO

 

Factor also that they were kicking to Tyreek Hill, though, who can exploit a tiny mistake into a TD. He already had two returns for TDs this year. I think it was a terrible decision.

[Guest]

If you're punting from the opponent's 45, the odds are very, very good you can down it at the 15 or better again. Even if you kick it out of the end zone it's only 5 yards worse off, and you've wasted about 15% of the remaining time on the clock doing so. Mistake in execution more than decision-making IMO

 

Factor also that they were kicking to Tyreek Hill, though, who can exploit a tiny mistake into a TD. He already had two returns for TDs this year. I think it was a terrible decision.

 

If you're worried about a return, then the best decision is to max protect and tell your punter to kick it as far as he can. The 6-10 seconds are worth the extra 5 yards.

[snoodmonger]

If you're punting from the opponent's 45, the odds are very, very good you can down it at the 15 or better again. Even if you kick it out of the end zone it's only 5 yards worse off, and you've wasted about 15% of the remaining time on the clock doing so. Mistake in execution more than decision-making IMO

 

Factor also that they were kicking to Tyreek Hill, though, who can exploit a tiny mistake into a TD. He already had two returns for TDs this year. I think it was a terrible decision.

 

If you're worried about a return, then the best decision is to max protect and tell your punter to kick it as far as he can. The 6-10 seconds are worth the extra 5 yards.

 

Agreed. They didn't do that. Hence, it was a terrible decision. And I don't think I'm Monday Morning QBing here. If I'd have been watching the game in the moment, I would have said it was foolish to risk putting the ball in Hill's hands a second time. If running clock is important, do what you just described. Instead, they punted it to Hill again, he fielded it, and he was gonzo. Terrible, terrible decision by the coaches.