So you've got one last chance to knock off a rival who's deemed itself too good for your conference. You're the huge underdog, you're at home and you're in overtime. Your opponent has already scored a touchdown, so a field goal does you no good. How many runs do you call to start the first overtime?
How about three straight?
That's right. On first down, knowing they needed a touchdown, Ronnie Weaver up the middle for five yards. They then ran Ronnie Weaver up the middle for four yards. They then ran Ronnie Weaver up the middle for zero yards.
They might have tried it again. But, alas, a penalty pushed them back five yards, leaving them a fourth-and-6. To their credit, the Knights then tried to pass, but QB Michael Greco couldn't find an open receiver. So he ran up the middle. He was stopped inches short of the first down.
Weaver must have been tearing it up on the ground earlier in the game, right? Um, not so much.
Well, you know somebody liked that play-calling.
That wath a great offenthive therieth!
The only change Dr. Lou would have made: All of those runs should have been quarterback draws.
Speaking of coaches resigning from glory programs before their first game... Mike Price also made an interesting call as an underdog in UTEP's This is as Close as We'll Come to a Bowl against Texas. Down 14-6 early in the second quarter and stopped at the Texas 48, UTEP decided to rely on the breathlessly described "strong leg" of Jose Martinez.
EPIC FAIL.
Martinez not only missed the 65-yarder, it landed in the waiting arms of Quan Cosby, who is notably a Texas player. None of the UTEP players, however, seemed to realize this, as Cosby returned the ball to the Miners' 35. It took Texas five plays to convert the de facto turnover into seven points.
But give Price credit for sticking to his guns. Down 42-13 with less than 9:30 to go in the fourth, Price again sent Martinez out to try for a long field goal, this time from 52 yards out. Martinez missed again.
Not that Texas fans were thrilled with their coaching, either. SBN colleague Burnt Orange Nation labeled OC Greg Davis as the offense's LVP.
In this case, we saw a version of the latter, especially on offense in the third quarter, when Texas time traveled to 2007, complete with the "We're gonna pass with McCoy whether it's a good idea, a bad idea, or a wholly nonsensical idea" game plan. ... [I]f you're looking for reasons why losses may await the 'Horns against Missouri, OU, Texas Tech, Pokie State, or Kansas look no further than last night's disappointing stretches of offensive football.
Hooray empty-feeling 29-point wins!
So much for balance. Remember when Florida was going to run fewer Teb-draws to protect their Heism@n quarterback?
Yeah, that lasted a long time.
I commented during the game that Dan Mullen was calling plays like an eight-year old on Xbox. There was too many Tebow carries (13 out of 27 for the team) and there was never enough protection. Why not run more six-man lines or keep more backs with Tebow to protect him? His health should not be sacrificed to maintain the scheme.
SPREAD UBER ALLES!!!! For the record, the run numbers for Tebow over two games in the "less Tebow-run-oriented" Florida offense.
Does Dr. Lou get to all of these would-be Notre Dame coaches?
Gripe of the week. From SBN colleague The Ralphie Report, on Colorado's game against FCS opponent Eastern Washington:
Like I said yesterday EWU showed us how the run the spread offense.
Now, that's confidence in the coaching staff.
Sorry if I missed your favorite/least favorite coach. These are the best of the week, but there are plenty of coaches making boneheaded calls every week. If you see one you want me to highlight, drop an e-mail to garnetandblackattack --at-- gmail --dot-- com.