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Tressel going for it on 4th and 1

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Did you agree at the time with going for it on 4th and 1?

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While I understand the rationale offered by others in this thread (LJB et al - the pro call vote) I have to vote no, on balance, I didn't like the call.

Both sides of the ball were having trouble. Getting the ball out of there on a punt with Florida forced to go a longer distance would put the burden on the Defense to perform. Meanwhile you get to coach the offense on the sidelines. If the D does its job, once the ball is back in hand you get another crack, with hopefully improved results.

As it was the call provided short field, further momentum to Florida (who needed none) - yielded a field goal (moral victory for the Defense under trying circumstances) and on the next Ohio State drive you all know what happened. Florida came out on D even more pumped up - soon after there was yet another score.

Lastly, I'll trust Tressel on this one, when asked about the call he was clear, yes, it was the wrong call.
 
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I understand why he did it, but unfortunately it's one of those things that when it doesn't work you look foolish. I agree with the people saying it was really the piss-poor 3rd down call that killed us...not going for it on 4th.
 
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I was talking to a friend on the phone during that weries and mentioned that 4th and 1 against Michigan in '01, we pulled our LG and ran Jonathan Wells behind him. Then came the sick feeling that Urban Meyer probably saw that play as well. Right call, wrong play. They knew exactly what was coming.
 
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I was fine with it. The clock was a factor in the decision. It was 24-14, and if tOSU got the first down and then scored in the last 4 minutes of the half, it's a one-score game at halftime and the Buckeyes would have had momentum. If tOSU punted, Florida would get the probable last possession of the first half and the opening possession of the second. Based on the way they were moving the ball, the game could be out of reach before tOSU saw the ball again. Obviously with 10 Florida points before the half after they stuffed the play, it didn't work out, but I understood JT's thinking and was glad he wasn't conservative there.
 
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THEWOOD;711996; said:
I was wondering why the refs never measured. Also why didnt JT challenge the spot of the ball....I mean he really didnt have anything to lose.
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agreed, we were closer to that first down then UF ever was to the TD that got reviewed.

That being said, I was fine with the call to go for it. As many others have said, the third down call was the strange one.
 
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I was ok with the call I would of liked the call had Pitman (the best RB) been the back and not Wells. There is an art to short yardage and Wells (in my opinion) has not learned it yet.
Would Pittman get the yard, I dont know but I like our chances more with him in that spot.
 
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Thump;711890; said:
Agree or disagree with the call at the time?
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I am forced to agree with it b/c had it worked I'd be singing JT's praises and genius. We are having this discussion because we know something that JT could not have known when he called the play: it did not work. Had it worked AND turned the game around (not likely I realize), I'd want the Pope to cannonize his ass.
 
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I disagreed with it because it was high risk and low reward. Even if tOSU had gotten the first down, they were still 70 yards from the endzone. If JT had faith that his defense could hold Florida to a FG, he should've had faith that they could hold Florida after a punt and get the ball back.

Yes, it only resulted in 3 Florida points, but:

1. Momentum
2. A 10-point game is a lot different than a 13-point game. Down 10, you're not that worried about having to settle for a FG. Down 13, having to settle for a FG means you still need two more scores.
 
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At the time I disagreed with it, so I voted "no." I thought they should try to ride out the half and get into the locker room only down 10. I don't have a problem with it. To play psychologist, Tressel was showing that he believed in his players. I thought it was gutsy and had it worked, we'd be saying what a great call it was or they'd have stuffed us on the next few plays and scored before the half anyways. Who knows? It turned out to be the tipping point in the game.
 
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buckeye68;712175; said:
I was ok with the call I would of liked the call had Pitman (the best RB) been the back and not Wells. There is an art to short yardage and Wells (in my opinion) has not learned it yet.
Would Pittman get the yard, I dont know but I like our chances more with him in that spot.
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wasnt wells problem.. i cannot believe that d lineman came through.. piss poor blocking all night. if wells dosent have to hop to the right he has enough momentum to get the first but bah who knows

i agree with the call. i dont think it was a lack of faith in the d. it was faith in our o-line to turn it up, and they continued to be pushed around.
 
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I think that Tressel's call went with how he controlled the game all night. He was definitely out of character IMHO. I do not know if he thought that it was going to be that tough or what. But the whole game he did not seem to be the guru we are used to. I did not think there was anyway that the offense would stay on the field after 3rd down. Tressel definitely surprised me a lot in his play calling and overall attitude.
 
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