I compiled some play-by-play listings for Florida in 2007 a while ago, so I went back and looked and the Gators only threw on first down about 20% of the time against Tennessee. It was the lowest percentage of all the games I got around to. In the Auburn game, it was close to 50% passing on first down.

Regarding the 3rd and 16 square in arguement, the DC can go one of two ways. He can play back and hope that futility reigns and they don’t pick up the 1st down with the square in- let’s say the offense doesn’t screw that up 6 out of ten times. He can also opt to play up and arduously defend the square in hoping the offense screws up the deep ball which they will, let’s say, seven of ten times. Here’s a breakdown:

square in: 60% success rate, allows 1st down
deep ball: 30% success rate, allows 1st down and OMG big yards, possibly a TD

BIg plays for points cost people jobs. Of course you don’t have to be a pussy about it and just blitz all the time.

Swear to god, when my daughter (born in Tuscaloosa, by the grace of God), gets old enough to appreciate both the inside trout and the OSU run game, I will make her recite these sweet lines in her valedictorian address at Oxford (and, hey, Sister State, that doesn’t mean you!!!).

I don’t have a retort to your comment. I’ve heard mixed reviews from Panther fans on PR and the majority seems to fall on the negative side of the fence.

I know he’s got large shoes to fill but I feel confident with our players he will do more than fine; anxious-yes, nervous-not really. I would not feel as confident if not for three reasons:

1) This was the second time Tubs tried to lure PR away from Pitt, the first time was in ’02. What’s the story you ask? Well PR was Tubs first choice for a new DC but he did not want to become “nomadic”, which I respect, and he stayed. Our SECOND choice was a man named Gene Chizik out of Central Florida who you could say Tubs made his career what it is, TIFWIW.

2) His last game coached as a Panther showed what he could do when his team executed plays (you knew this was coming and I don’t want to stress this b/c it’s not a BIG reason for my confidence).

3) Bottom line, it’s always Tub’s top-ranked defense, just different DC on the sidelines, he’ll make sure of that.

Good luck next year, McCoy’s a beast.

Me = FAIL!

Thanks for the Joe Kines video. Whaddya gotta do Joe? “Get back in there and play.” I’ll take that every day of the week.

Just watch Paul “I was born with a pogo stick” Rhoades this year.

RE: the sweet science of football…it all makes sense untill you are making the calls…the ole boys at OU (06 Fiesta) thought that 3 down and 9 back was all brains untill they let a hook and lateral tie the game. Then of course, the infamous two “no pressure” defensive efforts the last two plays of the game. While OU D was garbage in that game, those aren’t bad calls unless BSU makes rediculous plays, which they in fact, did. There is something to be said for unpredictability (mad hatter-esque unpredicability) in defensive play calls. Ultimately, it is on the DC to either play “power poker” percentages or simply pull the calls right out of his ass, can’t say either will give you a consistant job.

73 DAYS!

It would be interesting to see if the ratings of the various hires in and around the NCAA. What is Norm Chow’s or Will Muschamp’s rating? How does Major Applewhite or Jimbo Fisher really contribute to their team? What about new hires like Auburn’s Tony Franklin – what was his rating at Troy?

Inquiring minds want to know.

I’m an offensive coordinator destined to suffocate under the weight of my own angst.