1st half scenarios- 4th down

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

So let's say we have the ball anywhere inside the OSU 30 in the 1st half, but it is 4th and long (>5 yds). Game is either scoreless or tied.

Should Iowa look to take the points on most chances they get? Should they go for it every time and potentially run a greater risk of leaving points on the field? Should they go for it towards the end of the half?

What are you doing if it was your call, and what do you think Iowa will do?

 

[soybean]

4th and 5, or anything longer, at the 30 yard line in the first half with score tied you kick it and take the points. At any point in the game at 30 or inside in the 2nd half if you are down by more than 3 you go for it.

Saturday against Ohio State you take points whenever they are there for the taking if by doing so it will bring you to with one score, or better yet, extend your lead. Iowa will not be able to chase after points that arn't "there". On the otherhand if the Hawk have an extended drive, say 10 plays or more, underway a reasonable gamble inside the Buckeye 10 might be worth it, especially when trailing by more than 3 late in the game.

I predict that this Saturday Iowa will score two TD's and kick four FG's. The Iowa defense will allow Ohio State three TD's but just one FG. Iowa 26 Ohio State 24

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

4th and 5, or anything longer, at the 30 yard line in the first half with score tied you kick it and take the points. At any point in the game at 30 or inside in the 2nd half if you are down by more than 3 you go for it.

Saturday against Ohio State you take points whenever they are there for the taking if by doing so it will bring you to with one score, or better yet, extend your lead. Iowa will not be able to chase after points that arn't "there". On the otherhand if the Hawk have an extended drive, say 10 plays or more, underway a reasonable gamble inside the Buckeye 10 might be worth it, especially when trailing by more than 3 late in the game.

I predict that this Saturday Iowa will score two TD's and kick four FG's. The Iowa defense will allow Ohio State three TD's but just one FG. Iowa 26 Ohio State 24

That's about what I was thinking.

I think this is a game where you take the points, especially at that mid-level between the 10 and the 30.

Some insta-reaction fans will complain and presumably use hindsight if Iowa goes for field goals instead of touchdowns, but the fact is, if Iowa's defense comes to play, then the offense has to come away with points when they're there, even if that means settling for field goals.

And obviously it's dependent on the situation. Like you said, if they get inside the 10 and it's 4th and goal from the 9, you'd be fine with them going for it. But the way Iowa tends to game plan these kinds of big contests, they will probably look to take the points.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

4th and 5 against OSU in the 1st half? Kick.

This only matters if Iowa can get to the 30.

 

[mustang_horsepower]

New Kirk will do a fake fg......

 

[HerkysDad]

You are expected to lose... so don’t just lay down and let it happen. I would rather go out fighting than what we did in Columbus a few years ago.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

The answer totally depends on the other factors: score, are we moving the ball with any success, what's the offensive trend.

For example, We're on their 30 after a 5 play 60 yard drive (started on our ten) and we're looking like we can move the ball with reasonable success...it's tempting to go. If we're down 2 scores...even more tempting. If we got the ball on their 30 after an interception, previous offensive possessions have been...well..offensive....kick for the points.

The bottom line...the farther behind you are, the more tempting. The more success you've had offensively, the more tempting. The closer the score and/or the more you've struggled offensively, the less tempting.

Also, a fake is always on the table.

In general, as a massive underdog, you probably need to play aggressively to make things happen. We really have nothing to lose tomorrow....play like it. The real question is this: How big of an underdog are we? The spread is just a representation of the betting public's opinion (or the Vegas oddsmakers thoughts on the betting public's opinion). We hung with the same team that they got lucky to beat, we're playing at home, and anything is possible. But our success vs PSU was with a better offensive line and a healthy Butler and Jewell.

Go back to 2012 against Nebraska. We sucked that year, nebby was pretty solid. We're within a score, late in the 4th, on their 32 with the wind and time running out. To me it was obviously our last shot to beat them. We were underdogs, had struggled offensively all game and were highly unlikely to get back into scoring position. We punted. While less impactful to the program than taking a knee vs tOSU in 09, it pissed me off more. Going for it there was a no brainer. The season was a total loss, no chance of a bowl, we literally had nothing to lose. Why in the hell do you punt it there even if it's a low percentage play?

This crap is always hard, especially with Iowa. We can suck vs Central Michigan and then beat a blueblood in the same season. Who knows?

 

[General Tso]

No guarantee you get the points either way. See northwestern game. Nothing to lose tomorrow, go for it. Fetal position football ain't gonna win tomorrow.

 

[HawkAlum2002]

If it's scoreless or tied, definitely take the points. Any lead is a good lead if our defense is playing well.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

So let's say we have the ball anywhere inside the OSU 30 in the 1st half, but it is 4th and long (>5 yds). Game is either scoreless or tied.

Should Iowa look to take the points on most chances they get? Should they go for it every time and potentially run a greater risk of leaving points on the field? Should they go for it towards the end of the half?

What are you doing if it was your call, and what do you think Iowa will do?

is it scoreless or tied?
If it is 0-0 kick
If we miraculously put up 21 already then i might say go for it

 

[Eternal Return]

So let's say we have the ball anywhere inside the OSU 30 in the 1st half, but it is 4th and long (>5 yds). Game is either scoreless or tied.

Should Iowa look to take the points on most chances they get? Should they go for it every time and potentially run a greater risk of leaving points on the field? Should they go for it towards the end of the half?

What are you doing if it was your call, and what do you think Iowa will do?

Depends on the weather.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Wow, how insightful, lol. You should be a coach, lol. What a waste of time reading. Don't you have some fries to make???

No. I'm a sandwich artist...we don't sell fries. /sarcasm

While (Muskie5 == "douche")
LaughAtHisIdiocy();

 

[Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo]

You lost Ol' Doodle after "...we have the ball inside the OSU 30..."

Thank you, thank you. You've been a great crowd. Doodle will be here all week. Two shows on Friday and Saturday. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Try the veal.

 

[Muskie5]

The answer totally depends on the other factors: score, are we moving the ball with any success, what's the offensive trend.

For example, We're on their 30 after a 5 play 60 yard drive (started on our ten) and we're looking like we can move the ball with reasonable success...it's tempting to go. If we're down 2 scores...even more tempting. If we got the ball on their 30 after an interception, previous offensive possessions have been...well..offensive....kick for the points.

The bottom line...the farther behind you are, the more tempting. The more success you've had offensively, the more tempting. The closer the score and/or the more you've struggled offensively, the less tempting.

Also, a fake is always on the table.

In general, as a massive underdog, you probably need to play aggressively to make things happen. We really have nothing to lose tomorrow....play like it. The real question is this: How big of an underdog are we? The spread is just a representation of the betting public's opinion (or the Vegas oddsmakers thoughts on the betting public's opinion). We hung with the same team that they got lucky to beat, we're playing at home, and anything is possible. But our success vs PSU was with a better offensive line and a healthy Butler and Jewell.

Go back to 2012 against Nebraska. We sucked that year, nebby was pretty solid. We're within a score, late in the 4th, on their 32 with the wind and time running out. To me it was obviously our last shot to beat them. We were underdogs, had struggled offensively all game and were highly unlikely to get back into scoring position. We punted. While less impactful to the program than taking a knee vs tOSU in 09, it pissed me off more. Going for it there was a no brainer. The season was a total loss, no chance of a bowl, we literally had nothing to lose. Why in the hell do you punt it there even if it's a low percentage play?

This crap is always hard, especially with Iowa. We can suck vs Central Michigan and then beat a blueblood in the same season. Who knows?

You should run for office. 5 paragraphs and you never said a thing that helps anyone or clears anything up.

No. I'm a sandwich artist...we don't sell fries. /sarcasm

While (Muskie5 == "douche")
LaughAtHisIdiocy();

I appreciate your sarcasm, and I hope you appreciate that my insult was meant to be hyperbolic. I just wanted to fit in.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

You lost Ol' Doodle after "...we have the ball inside the OSU 30..."

Thank you, thank you. You've been a great crowd. Doodle will be here all week. Two shows on Friday and Saturday. Don't forget to tip your waitress. Try the veal.

Well then you're gonna miss a good game today...........because it's already been taken care of.