Coin Toss Strategy
If Michigan wins will they receive or defer? I can see them not wanting to start out on offense because it could give Tate a bit to settle down (if he's starting) or just because they don't want to start with a 3 and out. But I can see UM not wanting to start out on D and give up a FG/TD on their first drive, especially if Tate starts and he's thinking he has to go down and score or else. So, will they defer or receive and does it depend on the starting QB?
August 30th, 2009 at 5:31 PM ^
I think they will go offense first, I really think the offense will be the stronger portion of the team. Should start with your best foot forward.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:31 PM ^
I can see Michigan simultaneously not wanting to give up points or having a 3 and out as well. Basically, I don't think this matters at all.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:41 PM ^
I know it doesn't matter but I thought it could turn into an interesting discussion.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:42 PM ^
As long as they dont win the toss and choose "kick" like on the Beanie Bowl video...
August 30th, 2009 at 5:52 PM ^
was making a joke with RR, who had probably just told him moments before to never choose "kick"
August 30th, 2009 at 8:23 PM ^
I was a captain, so was our QB. We won the toss.....he chose to kick, not defer, but to kick - meaning we kicked off to start the first and second half.
This was in the playoffs.
It was my last game ever - by three points.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:53 PM ^
If so, this proves that they really are the smartest guys on the field
August 30th, 2009 at 10:17 PM ^
Is this a true story? If you say you want to kick, they make you kickoff both halves? This seems ridiculous and my sarcasm radar may be out of wack.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:26 AM ^
If you win the toss, you get first choice in the first half... The other team gets first choice in the second half. if you use your choice to "kick," you can be certain the other team will not be so foolish in the second half.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:28 AM ^
No, its the rules. Each team gets a choice to kick or receive. So if you choose kick, that's your team's choice and in the 2nd half the other team can choose to do whatever (kick or receive). Obviously, the other team will probably choose to receive.
If you defer, you basically say you want to receive the ball in the 2nd half, as the other team won't choose "kick". If they do, they're giving you the opportunity to receive both halves.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:53 PM ^
Kick the ball away, play defense. Get the ball in the 2nd half. Always play defense first.
August 30th, 2009 at 10:20 PM ^
I always go with that. Granted, I only get to use that in a video game, but it is still my strategy. Who knows, maybe the defense will give the freshmen QBs something exciting to take their mind off the pressure. It's not a big deal, though, for Tate. He seems to have no pressure on him, even though if he turns out to start, he will have the weight of every Michigan fan in the world on his shoulders. Sleep well this week Tate and Denard, you will need it.
August 30th, 2009 at 5:56 PM ^
Receive or kick, either way we will score a TD before our offense or defense steps on the field.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:08 PM ^
In the beanie bowl the player who won the toss chose to defer. I am sure that RR did not give the player who won the toss permission to make his own decision. He was coached to say "defer" if he won the toss. I assume that will be the same strategy used on Saturday.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:18 PM ^
Here's why the Beanie Bowl toss isn't indicative of anything:
The coin toss was scripted so that the 1st team offense went first (that is, they didn't actually let the outcome change, they just pretended the White team won the toss so that the Blue team received). But they scripted it so that the winning team deferred. So they practiced deferring, but actually sent the offense out first when given the choice. You can draw an equally valid inference either way.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:42 PM ^
We've always defered as far as I can remember.
August 30th, 2009 at 6:57 PM ^
Never take the ball in overtime if the wind is against you.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^
Marty
August 30th, 2009 at 8:16 PM ^
Send the offense out first. 8 play, 70 yard drive culminating in a Hemingway TD from Tate. 7-0 good guys. Ballgame.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:18 PM ^
In terms of strategy, I see an early field position battle(as opposed to a shootout). I've got to believe whoever starts, we will see a heavy dose of Minor early, especially if we're looking at a true freshman.
Looking into the crystal ball, I see Denard taking snaps in the redzone. I see Sheridan handing off to Minor and Brown and throwing horizontal passes to Odoms when we are in the lead or tied(for better or worse). I see Forcier throwing the ball downfield when we are behind(high risk/reward). What I hope we do not see is 3'rd and long with Sheridan under center. Just as bad would be a cold Forcier thrown into the game on third and long.
August 30th, 2009 at 8:50 PM ^
"Tails Never Fails."
August 30th, 2009 at 8:59 PM ^
I always say tails never fails. And I say always kick first because if you're down at half you get the balll, if you're ahead at half you get the ball.
August 30th, 2009 at 9:34 PM ^
Well we should obviously pick to receive and get the ball both times then.
August 31st, 2009 at 12:37 AM ^
Defer defer defer. You're always going to want the extra possession in the 2nd half rather than the 1st half, especially since you're going to hopefully have lots of offensive adjustments thrown in to exploit the defense with your extra possession.
Also, choosing receive (when you win the toss) is kind of a dick move. Yeah, you can do it, but you'd better win the game by a lot because you're basically saying "F you, we're going to take the ball, and we're going to score". That's all fine and good when you're Florida and playing the Citadel, but normally its not going to happen.