Running on 3rd and long.

[Volizona]

Listen, I’m thrilled that we pulled out victories against Florida and Bama. However, I am still confused as to why Heupel keeps trying to run on 3rd and long. I’m not talking 3 and 3 or 4, I’m talking about 3 and 8, 3 and 10 or more. Seems like we are wasting 3rd downs a lot by not even trying to throw it. I’m not a football strategy genius at all. Can anyone explain a strategic reason we keep doing this? It doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone.

 

[BillyHoyleVol]

Mitigates loss or turnover. Let your punter do his job by flipping the field and put it on your defense to get stops. It’s sound with the way the defense is playing, but unfortunately we’ve found ourselves in that position WAY too often. Maybe we can build a little off the momentum of the second half and start to get some things going on offense. I don’t think we can play a field position game for 4 quarters against Georgia.

 

[Other_Guy]

The only time I get frustrated is when he does that and I'm thinking "ok he's doing that to make 4th more manageable." And it's at or past midfield but then he punts. I'm wondering what was the point?

 

[Vol8188]

Listen, I’m thrilled that we pulled out victories against Florida and Bama. However, I am still confused as to why Heupel keeps trying to run on 3rd and long. I’m not talking 3 and 3 or 4, I’m talking about 3 and 8, 3 and 10 or more. Seems like we are wasting 3rd downs a lot by not even trying to throw it. I’m not a football strategy genius at all. Can anyone explain a strategic reason we keep doing this? It doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone.

Depends on the exact play. For example there was a third and about 7 in the fourth on their side of the fifty. You run it there because if you get 3-4 yards you’ll go for it on 4th. We lost a yard so we punted.

We’ve had other situations were we run on 3rd on long because we were backed up near our own end zone, so we ran the ball to avoid a safety.

 

[Vol8188]

The only time I get frustrated is when he does that and I'm thinking "ok he's doing that to make 4th more manageable." And it's at or past midfield but then he punts. I'm wondering what was the point?

Which one specifically are you talking about

 

[Prayivm3rcy]

Believe it or not there are times where it's better to concede a drive than it is to give the defense a chance to make a big play that alters the game. In some cases if your QB isn't reading the defense well on that drive or the OL is struggling I can understand not forcing it and putting the game into the hands of your defense until you figure it out on offense

 

[EZE]

Depends on the exact play. For example there was a third and about 7 in the fourth on their side of the fifty. You run it there because if you get 3-4 yards you’ll go for it on 4th. We lost a yard so we punted.

We’ve had other situations were we run on 3rd on long because we were backed up near our own end zone, so we ran the ball to avoid a safety.

Heupel plays chess…while the VN armchair QBs are thinking about how to get in the king row.

 

[sami]

Mitigates loss or turnover. Let your punter do his job by flipping the field and put it on your defense to get stops. It’s sound with the way the defense is playing, but unfortunately we’ve found ourselves in that position WAY too often. Maybe we can build a little off the momentum of the second half and start to get some things going on offense. I don’t think we can play a field position game for 4 quarters against Georgia.

Agree. The trick is to be more effective on 1st and 2nd down to create short yardage situations on both 2nd snd 3rd downs, which will open the playbook up and take advantage of Nico's mobility while keeping the defense on its heels.

 

[lukeneyland]

Because our punter and defense are very effective at flipping the field position battle. Sampson also is capable of breaking off a 50 yard run at any moment. Heupel is doing what he thinks is best and I believe in his judgment

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Haven't seen anyone mention it's also because we have an elite RB. Box is lighter on 3rd and long usually, combine that with the D not expecting run, it can be successful.

 

[LouderVol]

Probably to avoid putting Nico in a bad situation. 3rd and Long most teams are going to blitz, and you need time for routes to get there, as well as smart quick decision making by the QB. With some of the problems Nico has had, and the way the defense is playing, the best play is trust your Defense.

its still a better play call than dumping it down to a TE on 4th & 22 in the 4th quarter, on your side of the field with the game on the line.

 

[volplaya8]

He is relying on defense but guess what it beats ducking it down to your RB on 4th and 22 and not punting….hahahahaha…thanks DeBoer!

 

[RockyTop140]

Mitigates loss or turnover. Let your punter do his job by flipping the field and put it on your defense to get stops. It’s sound with the way the defense is playing, but unfortunately we’ve found ourselves in that position WAY too often. Maybe we can build a little off the momentum of the second half and start to get some things going on offense. I don’t think we can play a field position game for 4 quarters against Georgia.

I think our defense will start off strong against Georgia, but if we have a first half like we have the past few games, they will get worn down. Absolutely have to sustain drives in the first half.

Unrelated point, but it’s awesome how Heupel has changed the identity of this team throughout the season. Started the season going uptempo, now we have slowed it down some to give our defense time to rest since that is clearly our strength. The best part is if we are ever pressed to score these players can switch to up tempo whenever needed.

 

[TopDog4TN]

Listen, I’m thrilled that we pulled out victories against Florida and Bama. However, I am still confused as to why Heupel keeps trying to run on 3rd and long. I’m not talking 3 and 3 or 4, I’m talking about 3 and 8, 3 and 10 or more. Seems like we are wasting 3rd downs a lot by not even trying to throw it. I’m not a football strategy genius at all. Can anyone explain a strategic reason we keep doing this? It doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone.

to go along with what others have already said, about if you get a decent gain in a favorable spot on the field then you have the opportunity to go for it on 4th down.

when we do this on our own side of the field, with our line the way it is currently, you can't let the defense think you're just going to drop back and pass it every 3rd and long because they will just find different ways to draw up and deal pressure every 3rd down. Sometimes you catch them blitzing and you run right past the blitz for a good gain because they dialed up pressure for a pass.....this also give opportunities later to actually pass in 3rd and long because they may a little more worried to bring pressure on 3rd because you ran right past their blitz the last time.

Play calling is as much about keeping the opposing coordinator on their heels to where they can't guess what's coming in each situation as it is anything.

 

[C-south]

Listen, I’m thrilled that we pulled out victories against Florida and Bama. However, I am still confused as to why Heupel keeps trying to run on 3rd and long. I’m not talking 3 and 3 or 4, I’m talking about 3 and 8, 3 and 10 or more. Seems like we are wasting 3rd downs a lot by not even trying to throw it. I’m not a football strategy genius at all. Can anyone explain a strategic reason we keep doing this? It doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone.

Because they plan on going for it on 4th down with a decent gain.

 

[wmcovol]

Listen, I’m thrilled that we pulled out victories against Florida and Bama. However, I am still confused as to why Heupel keeps trying to run on 3rd and long. I’m not talking 3 and 3 or 4, I’m talking about 3 and 8, 3 and 10 or more. Seems like we are wasting 3rd downs a lot by not even trying to throw it. I’m not a football strategy genius at all. Can anyone explain a strategic reason we keep doing this? It doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone.

sometimes it’s field position, etc. Sonetimes it for ball security. After the holding call on Brazzell, it was 3rd & 5, & he ran. I believe he would have gone for it on 4th down if they’d gained 2 or more. They lost 3. Heupel appeared very pissed after that play. Vols then punted Bama deep which worked in their favor.

 

[WoodsmanVol]

Coaches are coaches instead of armchair coaches for a reason.

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

I don’t think we can play a field position game for 4 quarters against Georgia.

I get what you’re saying because of quality of opponent, but don’t be surprised if that game is a rock fight, defensive struggle type game with 40ish total points scored. Like us, their strength is their defense. They were able to put points on the board against Alabama because that secondary is gravy and against Texas because their average starting field position was probably the Texas 40. It will be surprising if that game isn’t a field position game.

 

[GAVol]

3rd and long is when bad things happen.

 

[98_please]

What I actually don’t understand here is not the 3rd and longs, it’s the fact that us “armchair” coaches can clearly see that we run the ball 95% of 2nd and longs and that’s what ends up putting us in 3rd and longs. Like seeing some different options this last game but you know If we see it, the professionals (Arky, Florida, Bama all loaded up) do. Love this team, but have to change tendencies at some point to put yourself in better 3rd down spots.

 

[ivorydr]

The 4th and 22 call had a very good chance of making a first down if Williams had even chipped a block on Gibson. He completely whiffed or didn't even try. It was Gibson that made the tackle. The thing that frustrates me is that if we fail to complete a pass on first down, we are running up the middle on second down every time, which is very predictable.

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

Listen, I’m thrilled that we pulled out victories against Florida and Bama. However, I am still confused as to why Heupel keeps trying to run on 3rd and long. I’m not talking 3 and 3 or 4, I’m talking about 3 and 8, 3 and 10 or more. Seems like we are wasting 3rd downs a lot by not even trying to throw it. I’m not a football strategy genius at all. Can anyone explain a strategic reason we keep doing this? It doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone.

I guess it's because we have a good defense and he's just milking the clock.

I would like a high percentage pass though.

 

[Hank Bukowski]

Listen, I’m thrilled that we pulled out victories against Florida and Bama. However, I am still confused as to why Heupel keeps trying to run on 3rd and long. I’m not talking 3 and 3 or 4, I’m talking about 3 and 8, 3 and 10 or more. Seems like we are wasting 3rd downs a lot by not even trying to throw it. I’m not a football strategy genius at all. Can anyone explain a strategic reason we keep doing this? It doesn’t seem to be fooling anyone.

Honestly, I’ve asked the same questions. My only guess is that we hope to catch the defense off-guard and bust one long enough to move the chains…as unlikely as that may seem given the odds. Now I wanna go look up our stats on 3rd down conversion…


Edit: We are 35th among FBS teams in 3rd down conversion.

 

[chuckiepoo]

Honestly, I’ve asked the same questions. My only guess is that we hope to catch defense off-guard and bust one long enough to move the chains…as unlikely as that may seem given the odds. Now I wanna go look up our stats on 3rd down conversion…

Please. Report back.

 

[Orange931]

I think our defense will start off strong against Georgia, but if we have a first half like we have the past few games, they will get worn down. Absolutely have to sustain drives in the first half.

Unrelated point, but it’s awesome how Heupel has changed the identity of this team throughout the season. Started the season going uptempo, now we have slowed it down some to give our defense time to rest since that is clearly our strength. The best part is if we are ever pressed to score these players can switch to up tempo whenever needed.

Will they get worn down? I’m not so sure about that. The Bama game proved that they refuse to quit and proved that they didn’t get worn down. With the way we rotate and don’t miss a beat, I think we’re good going the distance. I’d like blowout games, but this defense is deep and elite.