It's 4th & 10
It’s 4th & 10 with a minute remaining, and Michigan trails by one point. There are no time-outs remaining. The ball is centered between the hash marks, there is no wind, and the field is dry. What yard line would be the tipping point between attempting a field goal, and going for it?
As a point of reference, Rodriguez has said that his kickers can make 50-yarders in practice (he doesn’t say how often), which would make the 33 yard line the outer limit. Given their performance to date, I doubt that he would actually try it from that distance with the game on the line.
But what distance would he attempt? I am guessing that he would certainly try a 40-yarder; much more than that, and I think he would take his chances with Denard.
What do you think?
October 7th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
Never punt.
Problem solved.
October 7th, 2010 at 9:20 PM ^
Defense holds them to a quick 3 and out and Denard gets a couple plays to score. Though I can't imagine a situation where Denard would be held to a 4th and 10.
October 8th, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^
1 min remaining? Say its 10 seconds mininum for a punt, then we're left with 50 seconds. That's 2 kneel downs by Sparty for the win. Great strategy.
I don't know if it's early and I'm missing the sarcasm, but either way its not funny.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:22 PM ^
Sometimes I kick FG's.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:23 PM ^
if i actually think about this - i just know ill end up in a fetal position in my office rocking back and forth.
October 7th, 2010 at 9:10 PM ^
This is actually a strategy presently employed in the NCAA. It is followed by the players looking around at one another unsure about what to do as time ticks down, which is sometimes followed by an impromptu substitution of 1/4 of the players on the field. Then either the clock winds down or someone gets a penalty for something.
Ask the folks in Baton Rouge what they think of the "Fetal Position" stratagem.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:25 PM ^
I would say that a 35 yard FG would be the limit for me. Anything inside of that, kick the FG.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^
I thought those were taken out of the playbook this year?
October 7th, 2010 at 8:30 PM ^
I don't remember us using that play this year; I thought that it went the way of the of the drop back passer.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:28 PM ^
But I do know there is no way in hell that I'd want to have to make that decision.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:31 PM ^
we have a whole new play book in place for field goals, and it reads: DENARD!
October 7th, 2010 at 8:33 PM ^
... not an inch further. Unless Denard is kicking, in which case 50 yards
October 7th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
Denard would just start making a kicking motion pick up the ball run to the goal posts, throw the ball through, run back, then finish the kicking motion.
They'd never know.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:42 PM ^
40 would have to be the absolute limit. Any farther and you go for it, preferably that nifty little fake draw we love to do with Drob throwing a slant to the slot(look I rhymed) down the middle!
October 8th, 2010 at 8:09 AM ^
Alliteration.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:37 PM ^
October 7th, 2010 at 8:37 PM ^
15-yard line until further evidence is presented that Michigan's kickers can boot something longer on a consistent basis.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:37 PM ^
I don't think our offense has failed to get any yards on the first three downs...anybody have a chart of 4th down yardage on the year so far? I say we go for it on 4th down and anything if we are outside of an extra point distance..
October 7th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
And the funny thing is... If we are in extra point distance that means we are around the 3 yard line. Would you rather try a field goal from there or give the ball to Denard and say get me 3 yards? If the ball is not centered I think that's a reasonably difficult decision
October 7th, 2010 at 8:38 PM ^
has anyone seen what nebraska's linebackers are doing tonight? that David is brutal!
October 7th, 2010 at 9:12 PM ^
Brutal in a good or bad way? I'm assuming in a positive manner, since it's only 7-3 with 4 mintues to go before half and Nebraska's defense has on gave up 114 yards so far. Nebraska is gonna be a great addition to the Big Ten next year!
October 7th, 2010 at 8:46 PM ^
on whether they have attempted a FG earlier in the game and what the result of that attempt was.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:47 PM ^
This makes me really hope that this never happens, because it may result in a mild heart attack for me, but I would say the 25 yards line. That would make it a 42 yarder.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:53 PM ^
44 yard field goal. Philip Brabbs FTW.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:55 PM ^
the only time we'll be kicking it through the uprights Saturday is for extra points....touchdown after touchdown after touchdown.
October 7th, 2010 at 8:58 PM ^
i'd give Broekhuizen a shot from 45 yards.
October 7th, 2010 at 9:02 PM ^
Do you use tums or rolaids on an hourly basis?
Life is good, Michigan football is good - enjoy !
Go Blue !
October 7th, 2010 at 9:08 PM ^
I would like thinking about this scenario a lot more if it were tied and not a deficit. That being said, I am not going to think about it.
LALALALALALALA
October 7th, 2010 at 9:13 PM ^
as close as the offense can move the ball. if they score then they score.otherwise kick with as little time left as possible...isnt that what everyone does?
October 7th, 2010 at 9:15 PM ^
35 yarder.
October 7th, 2010 at 9:26 PM ^
you have to attempt the field goal. I know our kicking game pretty much blows, but yeah, i would still attempt the kick...then probably would close my eyes and pray...
October 7th, 2010 at 9:29 PM ^
October 7th, 2010 at 9:52 PM ^
Around 40. We'd have to be inside the 25.
October 7th, 2010 at 10:33 PM ^
October 7th, 2010 at 11:02 PM ^
Denard must be the holder (wink wink)
October 8th, 2010 at 12:24 AM ^
Anywhere outside the red zone I say hello no, go for the first down. Unless one of our kickers has hit a fg from outside the 20 earlier in game, maybe 2 fgs, I'd be a little more confident. But with only our current fgs to judge by I say go for the first down. I trust our offense way more than i do our kickers at this point.
October 8th, 2010 at 12:47 AM ^
Ten yard line. Even then, I would rather take my chances on the ball in Denard's hands. A jab step to the middle of the field followed by a pass to a wide-open Roundtree would be my choice right now.
October 8th, 2010 at 7:43 AM ^
Between the 25 and 15 yard lines I would kick the FG. Inside the 15 I go for six. Outside the 25 yard line I pooch punt and pray the D can prevent a 99-yard drive.
October 8th, 2010 at 8:50 AM ^
A better question is:
In the same scenario, do you have Denard pass or run?
October 8th, 2010 at 9:20 AM ^
If you're anywhere close to the goal (maybe within the 20) kick it. Other than that, give it to Denard, or perhaps put that 'heavy' package we saw earlier this season with Will Campbell in the backfield. 1 yard, you'd think you can get it with this offense.
October 8th, 2010 at 9:18 AM ^
When we win the game by 3 touchdowns.