One can always hope your opponent is stupid like Nebraska vs UCLA in 2010. Nebraska's captain was given the choice and said "we will kick off". They did and then UCLA had option in second half and chose to receive. UCLA had the same luck vs Texas in 2014 when UCLA won the toss and deferred and Texas chose to kick off which gave UCLA the ball to start both halves. I don't think whether you receive or defer makes much difference overall though deferring can be beneficial against stupid opponent. Still 90% of college coaches chose to defer.
Opening Kickoff: Better to Receive or Defer?
- Thread starter StillGold
- Start date
Not really talking about this year but how many times did we win the toss and took the ball only to go 3 and out, many many many times. It was almost like we didn't really have any intention to do anything with the ball.
Say the teams each score on each possession. If you go first there is a chance you end up with the ball last, too. I don't see how you don't get that.
Receiving is a Win/Win for Iowa. Since most everyone defers, when teams win the toss against Iowa, knowing Iowa wants to receive, so they elect to receive just to throw Iowa off, then KF's in their head. So we either start with the ball like we want to, or we gain a mental edge right off the bat.
When our offense is horrible, like it has been the past few years, it's better to defer I think, but not this year.
If the wind is supposed to be a factor on Friday (think i saw 15-25mph) I think you have to Defer. Make them choose and then you get your pick. If they choose to receive take the wind and pin them deep.
I was at a HS game earlier this year when it was really windy and wet. The coach told the players they wanted to defend a goal. I guess the official tried talking the kids out of it, but the coach wanted to defend the goal with the wind. It worked they stopped them and the punt went all of 10yds.
I was at a HS game earlier this year when it was really windy and wet. The coach told the players they wanted to defend a goal. I guess the official tried talking the kids out of it, but the coach wanted to defend the goal with the wind. It worked they stopped them and the punt went all of 10yds.
I'm a defensive minded person and I've always preferred to defer. If I have a good defense I have confidence that they will stop the opponent on the first drive. Then I will rely on my offense to score on the first drive.
To me there is nothing more demoralizing than getting stopped on your first drive, giving up points on your first defensive stand and then having to kick the ball away to start the second half.
To me there is nothing more demoralizing than getting stopped on your first drive, giving up points on your first defensive stand and then having to kick the ball away to start the second half.
