Nov 24 | at Southern Cal

[ThePiombino]

Has anyone else had this happen to them?: a friend tells you that SC will win, but offer no explanation as to why.

Is his name Mark May?

 

[woolybug25]

Worst case scenario for first drive of the game is a turnover by our offense. That's what would give them the most confidence. Play defense first

I would argue that the worst case scenario for the first drive would be to give them the ball, only to have them march down the field and score.

 

[gkIrish]

I would argue that the worst case scenario for the first drive would be to give them the ball, only to have them march down the field and score.

I don't see how that's worse than a turnover. Especially a pick 6.

We all know their defense is bad. They give up yards, points, you name it. The last thing you want is to give that defense confidence. Like someone else said...their offense thinks they will score. They have scored a lot this season. I don't feel like looking it up but I bet they have scored on their first offensive drive in at least 5 games. And it's not like our defense is going to quit if they give up 7.

Put your best unit on the field first and give yourself a chance to make offensive adjustments at halftime if necessary.

 

[Grahambo]

If I was head coach and I won the toss, I would defer to the 2nd half. I always prefer getting the ball 2nd half but I also think starting on defense first you allow EG to settle his nerves before coming into the game. I think thats what BK did in the OU game.

 

[arrowryan]

I've always thought that taking the ball first is a silly mood, especially for us. Our best stregth is defense so put them out on the field first to set the tone for the whole game

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I would always play defense first. I think having the ball at the start of the half is important for momentum.. whether it be momentum to extend a lead or to get back in the game. Plus, first drives always seem to be shaky in big games.

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

Interesting debate. I always want the ball to start the 2nd half, but that is probably just the NCAA Football video game coach in me.

I would take the ball first because kicking to USC and then letting drive for a touchdown would be awful, as wooly says. Also, if the Irish take the kickoff and Golson leads a touchdown drive, I think the game could be over before it even really gets going.

If USC wins the toss, would they take the ball? I have no idea about Kiffin's tendencies.

 

[woolybug25]

I don't see how that's worse than a turnover. Especially a pick 6.

We all know their defense is bad. They give up yards, points, you name it. The last thing you want is to give that defense confidence. Like someone else said...their offense thinks they will score. They have scored a lot this season. I don't feel like looking it up but I bet they have scored on their first offensive drive in at least 5 games. And it's not like our defense is going to quit if they give up 7.

Put your best unit on the field first and give yourself a chance to make offensive adjustments at halftime if necessary.

I was talking about them scoring being worse than a turnover. If that turnover turned into a td, then the TO would certainly be worse, but if we are that confident in our defense, than that shouldn't automatically be the case. Worst case scenario we turn it over, then our defense is in the same spot it would have been in. But best case, we score first and put them on their heels. The likelyhood of Wittek being uncomfortable and mistake-prone go dramatically up if he has to play from behind.

If we are being conservative, then sure, lets kickoff. But if we want to put them on their heels and take them out of their gameplan, then its important to strike first in my opinion.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

I was talking about them scoring being worse than a turnover. If that turnover turned into a td, then the TO would certainly be worse, but if we are that confident in our defense, than that shouldn't automatically be the case. Worst case scenario we turn it over, then our defense is in the same spot it would have been in. But best case, we score first and put them on their heels. The likelyhood of Wittek being uncomfortable and mistake-prone go dramatically up if he has to play from behind.

If we are being conservative, then sure, lets kickoff. But if we want to put them on their heels and take them out of their gameplan, then its important to strike first in my opinion.

I see your point Wooly but I think the odds our in our favor that we can still strike first even with kicking off.. Best case scenario - We kickoff, USC goes 3 n out, we score on our first drive. That still puts Wittek on his heels and gives us the ball at the half.

 

[Rocky2820]

I'm typically of the mindset to kickoff first when you have a good D. In this case going against a first-time starter, I would definitely kickoff first because he will probably be filled with nerves to start the game - so put him in right away and see if he can deal with those nerves. If I had supreme faith in our offense to go right down and score I might feel differently, but IMO we have a better chance of stopping them on D than scoring on O with that first possession. Plus, I love getting the first possession of the second half.

 

[TheChosen1]

Chicago Colleges Blog - ESPN Chicago

 

[North Buffalo Irish]

Iowa State looks exactly like USC. Watching them play WVU right now is making my blood boil.

And I still have to make it through the night and all day tomorrow.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Another question is what does $C do if they win coin toss? I say they take ball first.

 

[scUM Hater]

I am just wondering how high in air the official will throw the coin. The higher he throws it the better. Gets it closer to Jesus.

 

[AllGoldEverything]

I'm typically of the mindset to kickoff first when you have a good D. In this case going against a first-time starter, I would definitely kickoff first because he will probably be filled with nerves to start the game - so put him in right away and see if he can deal with those nerves. If I had supreme faith in our offense to go right down and score I might feel differently, but IMO we have a better chance of stopping them on D than scoring on O with that first possession. Plus, I love getting the first possession of the second half.

THIS THIS THIS

 

[greyhammer90]

well it's official. We've talked about everything we can for this game.

 

[arndtjc]

ND wins by 20+, book it...

 

[Grahambo]

well it's official. We've talked about everything we can for this game.

If you don't win the toss, what side of the stadium do you defend first!?

 

[irishog77]

Is it more strategic to run on the first play of the game...or pass??????

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

We will establish the run hence dominating in the trenches. That is how we beat SC....

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

I'm typically of the mindset to kickoff first when you have a good D. In this case going against a first-time starter, I would definitely kickoff first because he will probably be filled with nerves to start the game - so put him in right away and see if he can deal with those nerves. If I had supreme faith in our offense to go right down and score I might feel differently, but IMO we have a better chance of stopping them on D than scoring on O with that first possession. Plus, I love getting the first possession of the second half.

I agree with you Rocky. Go Irish!

 

[NDdomer2]

Take the ball if we win toss. I think we can do a lot of damage against their D and it keeps their offense off the field. If we punt we could periodically pun them deeper than a touchback.

 

[BobD]

I'm at work and this customer I'm helping is wearing a USC jacket. Over charging is unethical?? Hmmmm.

 

[NDFANnSouthWest]

I'm at work and this customer I'm helping is wearing a USC jacket. Over charging is unethical?? Hmmmm.

LOL.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm at work and this customer I'm helping is wearing a USC jacket. Over charging is unethical?? Hmmmm.

But upselling isn't. I'm sure that there are a few items he "has to have"....

 

[RyCo1983]

24 Hours!!!!!!!!!

I am pumped my friends! PUMPED!

 

[greyhammer90]

hell yeah.

 

[gmnysdad]

I want the ball first. For whatever reason, it seems like evrytime we kick off to start it takes the D a drive to adjust. Against Miami and OU it took mistakes, then we settled down. I do not want to expect a mistake.

 

[woolybug25]

I'm going fishing in the morning in my favorite spot in Colorado. I did this before the OU game and scUM game too. I feel like the extra positive karma I send out into the universe when I get out into the mountains puts things in the proper perspective. I sit down to watch the Irish after a great day of fishing, and I feel like only good things can happen.

It will be a magnificent day, my friends.

 

[Grahambo]

I'm going fishing in the morning in my favorite spot in Colorado. I did this before the OU game and scUM game too. I feel like the extra positive karma I send out into the universe when I get out into the mountains puts things in the proper perspective. I sit down to watch the Irish after a great day of fishing, and I feel like only good things can happen.

It will be a magnificent day, my friends.

Do a little extra fishing for me because I feel like I have gone off my path this week. I could use a little help in my positive karma department.