Tag: football

The Big Ten is hoping for an upset win by Colorado which will open up a slot in the CFP that the winner of the Wisconsin /. Penn State game or even Michigan could fill.

Colorado vs. Washington: By the numbers

 

No one can argue (reasonably) that Jim Harbaugh is not a sore loser.  He most certainly is as well as being a little strange over all – if you know what I mean.  However, I cannot remember a coach being fired for being a poor lose or even a “little” strange.  What they get fired for is losing – period or some sort of true (even if minor – Gold Pants-Gate) scandal.  This is especially true if it is your chief rival.  So I don’t blame him for being sore and bitter if he thinks the officials calls lost him the game.  Meyer on the other hand would have himself to blame if OSU would have lost.  Special team problems – Missed field goals and the most ridiculous fake punt deep in OSU territory.

OK – Lets look at each of the plays Harbaugh is griping about:

1.  Defensive offside after OSU’s second interception.  I think he is right that the OSU lineman moved first.  You could argue that he never took his hand off of the turf but it looked like movement to me.
2. Unsportsman-like conduct penalty for throwing his clipboard.  Seems like a petty call in a big game.  I have seen similar episodes unpenalized.
3. Result of these 2 plays –  with the strength of the Michigan defense  – Possibly 4 points – difference between a TD and FG.
4. Interference calls –  To me interference is sort of like offensive holding – you can almost call it on every play.  The ball to Samuels looked like it was catchable.  The one Harbaugh thought should have been called could go either way.
5. Finally,  the big call.  Fourth Down and less than a yard to go in 2 OT.  Did JT actually get the first down?  If he does not get it – game over. I think clearly it looks like the ball crossed the lane of the first down.  You  would think with technology that this wouldn’t be open to interpretation. Sort of like balls and strikes  – just automate the process.  Put a tracker on the ball or do it with video mapping.

In the final analysis,  every team can expect to have some calls go their way and some calls go against them.  If it is a tight game like this then those calls could decide it.  I am betting that next year Harbaugh will be hoping to not have to worry about officiating being a factor.

osu-michigan-2016-play-by-play-and-stats

 

It has to be ONE of the greatest ever.  OSU – Michigan 1987 had a bigger comeback and 1975 was a terrific game.   OSU – Michigan 2006 had Number 1 against number 2.  The only game that comes close in my book was the Double OT National Championship game against Miami.  I LOVE College OT!

TODAY –  it is definitely the greatest win ever!

Hera is the 1 point to 2 point conversion chart developed by Dick Vermeil when he was the offensive coordinator at UCLA in the 1970’s.  Apparently this is still in use:

This was long before college overtime start in 1996.

Unless your team has demonstrated tremendous success on the 2 point conversion during the season OR you have just lost your starting QB (Even then it might be a bad idea: OSU-Mich 2013) I would want to give BOTH my offense and defense a chance to prove themselves in overtime.

1968-osu-mich-box-score