If we lose

by **Nacho** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 8:54 am

If we lose to ECU then we are in deep trouble at 2-5. We are only favored by 1.5 so anything is possible in this game. I get the feeling that a lot of you think we have this in the bag. We pulled off a near miracle at UAB. I am very concerned about ECU. They can beat us. We are not head and shoulders above them by any means. In fact we are probably evenly matched. Coaching decisions could make the difference in a close game--like when to go for 2. That said my new prediction is

SMU 24.5
ECU 23

by **BUS** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:05 am

Cheese out Nacho. I sure hope NOBODY thinks this game is a slam dunk win. Hell, with this team you never know which team will show up.

Could we beat ECU - yes and look good doing it.

ECU sould also come out and itch slap the pony and win by 21.

Do you really think pony fans are that confident after the win last week?

I just think people have a little hope after seeing this team play well in two games. ( TCU and UAB ) Hopeful but not confident.

This team still has a ton to prove to me, and apparently you too.

by **Hoop Fan** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:18 am

SMU 48 ECU 0. On the seventh touchdown, Bennett goes for 2 early in the 4th because the chart says so, but DMart gets stacked at the line of scrimmage. Arrrrrrrrrg. Its a joke Pirate fans.

by **Nacho** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:33 am

That was good HF. Seriously do you think Bennett would go for 2 if we were trailing 21-19? I'm guessing he would go the 1 thinking that ECU wouild score 12 and then we would need 2 TDs to win.

I don't want to get into another long disucssion about 1 vs 2 point plays but these charts are based on what would happen one move out not 4 0r 5 like in chess. Say a team is up by 5 they want to go up by 7 in case the other team scores a TD (and extra point to tie the score). Their thinking then goes from there. 'nuff said. I hang up my 2 point ramble, until we blunder again.

by **Hoop Fan** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:48 am

If its the fourth quarter, I'm pretty sure he would because at 21-19 you can still win with a field goal. And you could give up a field goal and still win with a touchdown. If its the second quarter, I would hope he would kick the extra point.

And what good is the chart if it just looks at the current situation? Football is a chess game, the coach has to be feeling the game and looking ahead. As I've said, my biggest problem with the chart is it uses average conversion rates. Average success rates dont apply to SMU.

by **Nacho** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:58 am

I think it sends a very bad message to the players when obviously you should go for 2 but settle for one because you don't think the team can make a 2 yard play.

The players must know something about the logic of a 2 point play having done them in middle and high school for 7 years. I can tell you for a fact that High Schools don't hesitate to go for 2 when it is called for.

In the pros the 2 point conversion rate is 40%. Ours is no doubt lower but I still think you have to go for it when it is warranted. The worst that could happen is that you would miss it and be forced to throw a 31 yard pass for a winning TD with no time remaining.

by **Hoop Fan** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:08 am

well, you might have a point there, I'm only here to say there are no absolutes. Having said that, I just dont think you are destroying the players confidence when you kick an extra point when you are already up by 5. In fact, I think it can be equally argued that going for 2 makes you look like you dont have confidence in your defense because you think they are going to give up a touchdown and you are playing for a tie, instead of just going ahead with business as usual and the PAT. There is [deleted] for tat on every side of this debate. I just think there is plenty to grill Bennett about if you want to, but this isnt one of em. My opinion.

by **Nacho** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:20 am

I think we have to agree to disagree on this one but all the experts are on my side. It's not an emotional issue. Just cold hard numbers. It's like if you boss came in and said , We are doing fine. The company is in great shape. You might correct him and say, But sir the numbers say we are on the verge of bankruptcy. He then replies, Hogwash my young fellow. I've been here for a long time and I have a feel for this. We are in great shape. I think this was an exact or near exact exchange at Enron.

by **Hoop Fan** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 10:31 am

wait, you raised the notion that what the coach does effects the psyche of the team. I just agreed and said it effects the defense's psyche too. Now you say its about cold hard numbers. I honestly dont know who the experts are or what they all would say. If you think the chart is statisically sound and have no skepticism about its assumptions and relevance, then you're right, we will never agree on this issue. But thats ok I think. Maybe I'm warped, but I view it as a fun debate, and something that is debatable.

by **PG Pony** » Thu Oct 13, 2005 9:34 pm

The key is to start out smoking and build some mo. Enough of this playing from behind. ECU is having a down year and there is no reason why we can't take them. Romo needs to play mistake free ball.

by **White Helmet** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:11 pm

Hmm play from ahead, mistake free ball, its a Coach Cliche Cornicopia. How about, If we score more than the other team we will win. The key to that is to play good defense and move the ball on offense. We just have to be in the right place and make plays...See everyone can do it.

by **Caballo** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 12:23 pm

We also need to give 110%, play with abandon, and leave it all out there on the field. We have 60 minutes to play and a lifetime to remember.

But most of all:

"Pain heals. Chicks dig scars. Glory . . . lasts forever." -Shane Falco.

That last one was for you Thad.

by **Bergermeister** » Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:04 pm

I believe that's WRECKLESS abandon.....

If we lose

If we lose

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