Deferring to 2nd half is stupid

[camp_steveo]

Coaches refer to it as ‘the middle 8’. Amazing how many games are won/loss in the middle 8. Steal points to end the half, first drive of 2nd half sets the tone to finish games.

All that said, absolutely makes sense to take the ball first this game. Everyone has scored on UGA 1st drive. Take the ball, score, and Neyland is rocking.

I didn't realize that UGA has given up a TD on first drive of last 4 games.

 

[Kylo]

Speaking from a Ouji board, I guess

Lol. Possibly.

 

[Snapper58]

Confused about how far “back then” goes. In my 29 years I have always seen the strategy be to take the ball first in the second half.

The General would want to have the choice in the second half. Depending on field conditions and how the game was going, he was even known to kick in the second half because of his defenses.

 

[SN-A-C Orange]

Nobody believes that Beck has any skill. Usc, auburn, Florida, Missouri, Ole miss, and Kentucky haven't beat anyone.They haven't played in Neyland yet. I see the Vols winning sat.

You have not factored in the referees yet and their in depth training that took place this past week.
I'm afraid the SEC office has been busy reminding the referees NOT to take the game into your own hands and take Georgia out of the hunt for a ThreePeat.
For us to win, 1) we have to be phenomenal and 2) the crowd has to be the 12th man on every down, because Georgia will have 11 players and 2 or 3 roaming referees on the field at all times and 3) the referees will have to call a lady justice type of game (which frankly, I think is impossible).

 

[JRich]

This thread only has a 50% chance of being relevant.

 

[Vol8188]

We’ve played better in the first half of big games against Missouri and Bama for example than we have in the second half.

So you think getting the ball less in the second half will help us?

 

[fossilfiction]

No way. The advantages of getting the ball to start the second after having it in the first is too important. You can easily go from tied to up 14 with back-to-back possessions. That can completely change a game.

 

[just bob]

I like getting the ball to begin the second half. If we're winning, great. If we're losing, glad we get the ball.

 

[LargeOrange1]

That's it.

If I was CJH and I won the toss Saturday, I am taking the ball. This offense needs to score as often as possible, and you can't risk even a single possession.

Take the ball coach Heup, if by some wild chance you are reading VN these days.

Get the ball and go out there and punch UGA's defensive front right in the mouth while our O-line is fresh. Set the tone and hopefully get some points on the board, but whatever you do, don't defer to the 2nd half.

I know a bunch of ya'll will disagree, but I remember when no one did that. It was common sense back then. You win the toss, you take the ball.

Or have some giant ️️ by deferring but on-side kick it. I remember Munchkin Saban doing that to Fulmer one year. Bama recovered and scored a TD....they kept momentum the whole game too. Pull out all the freaking stops tomorrow

 

[Caz]

I agree, take the ball and hope to score with the rush of adrenaline because we know last week we were limited in offensive touches and we have yet to show halftime adjustments when we have the ball or defensively. Go for it and play to win!

 

[camp_steveo]

Or have some giant ️️ by deferring but on-side kick it. I remember Munchkin Saban doing that to Fulmer one year. Bama recovered and scored a TD....they kept momentum the whole game too. Pull out all the freaking stops tomorrow

I like they way you are thinking!

It reminds me of when I was in the army and we had this one CO who was a little crazy. I think he had pissed hot for coke once when he was a 2nd luey, but that may have just been a rumor.

 

[Zues1]

Seems Spurrier used to go on offense in the first half of they won the toss.
I'm I remembering that correctly?

 

[DeepSpringsVol]

I have always been take each game as its own and determine based off weather conditions and crowd environment. The questions I have for your folks is this......

If you are the underdog against a stout opponent on your home field. Assuming the crowd lives up to expectations do you prefer to take the ball and home with scripted plays go score and elevate the crowd noise when opponent takes the ball. Or do you prefer while you know the crowd is amped defer and hope you can force their offense into some penalties at los and back them up?

I ask this because in theory I prefer deferring to second half for reason you guys have discussed of possibility with time management you might be able to steal a score before half then open second half and get more points. However when you face a superior team there is the chance of sure we can get ball in second half but if they made the move on us early our crowd could already be out of the game and it won't matter.

No wrong answer but I am interested to see your thoughts.

 

[OrangeSquid]

Coaches refer to it as ‘the middle 8’. Amazing how many games are won/loss in the middle 8. Steal points to end the half, first drive of 2nd half sets the tone to finish games.

All that said, absolutely makes sense to take the ball first this game. Everyone has scored on UGA 1st drive. Take the ball, score, and Neyland is rocking.

And every one of them still lost. If we take the ball and score, I agree Neyland is rocking. If we go 3 and out, it goes south fast.
Kick first, defend and hold them to a 3 and out while the defense is fresh, it goes to our favor and we get it first in the second half.
Either way, VOLS need to bring it!!!

 

[CINCYVOL]

What are the percentages on getting the chance to 'double up' when deferring to the 2nd compared to when receiving the ball in the 1st half?

Anyone know? Would be interesting to know that.

You can’t double up if you don’t get the kickoff to begin the 2nd half. That’s literally the lynch pin for doubling up.

 

[camp_steveo]

You can’t double up if you don’t get the kickoff to begin the 2nd half. That’s literally the lynch pin for doubling up.

I was asking what the percentages are for the number of possessions a team gets when they receive the ball vs deferring to the 2nd half.

One of my points is that the likelihood is the Vols get at least one more possession just by taking the ball first.

 

[wmcovol]

Or have some giant ️️ by deferring but on-side kick it. I remember Munchkin Saban doing that to Fulmer one year. Bama recovered and scored a TD....they kept momentum the whole game too. Pull out all the freaking stops tomorrow

It helped that Saban’s staff recognized that the Tenn lineman on the kickoff was breaking back BEFORE the ball was kicked. They knew they had it & planned it all week.

 

[hUTch2002]

I didn't realize that UGA has given up a TD on first drive of last 4 games.

Didn’t work well for Florida.

 

[secking]

And every one of them still lost. If we take the ball and score, I agree Neyland is rocking. If we go 3 and out, it goes south fast.
Kick first, defend and hold them to a 3 and out while the defense is fresh, it goes to our favor and we get it first in the second half.
Either way, VOLS need to bring it!!!

IF can make them go 3 and out, sure. But, they’ve scored on their first possessions too. Offensive #s are staggering, #1 in nation in 3rd downs. Defense is top 5 in stopping 3rd downs. They don’t punt much, only 24x this year. Majority of the 24 in 4th qtr when 2nd string is in. For reference, TN 39x.

I just think it makes sense to create your own momentum. I wouldn’t bank on defense creating it unless can create a turnover. That’s the key to winning, will have to force turnovers, the equalizer.

 

[DrTNT]

That's it.

If I was CJH and I won the toss Saturday, I am taking the ball. This offense needs to score as often as possible, and you can't risk even a single possession.

Take the ball coach Heup, if by some wild chance you are reading VN these days.

Get the ball and go out there and punch UGA's defensive front right in the mouth while our O-line is fresh. Set the tone and hopefully get some points on the board, but whatever you do, don't defer to the 2nd half.

I know a bunch of ya'll will disagree, but I remember when no one did that. It was common sense back then. You win the toss, you take the ball.

Respectfully disagree.