Should Harbaugh have used his final TO?

Submitted by 1464 on
Lost in the sea of takes following the devastating defeat was a question that I had during the game. When OSU had third and goal at the end of regulation, why didn't Harbaugh call a timeout? We'd have had 30 seconds on the clock and with all things being equal, Lewis gave is great field position. Could have won it in regulation with a walk off field goal. The downside would have been OSU got their play in on third down, but so would Michigan. Seems that taking the TO would have a net positive outcome in most instances.

UofM626

November 28th, 2016 at 2:16 PM ^

To the TV at him to take the TO as we would of had about 30 seconds left. I'm jut so disgusted still today at the outcome! Love the boys for there effort but extremely disappointed with the outcome and the Refs, clock management and some mistakes. I'm just salty still.

jmblue

November 28th, 2016 at 3:10 PM ^

I was thinking the same at the time.  There wasn't quite as much time as you suggest, though - the third down play ended with 24 seconds, and there probably would have been a lag of a couple seconds before the clock was stopped for our timeout.  The kick took five seconds, so upon the kickoff there'd probably be 16-17 seconds left.  After Lewis's long return we would have been in single-digit seconds.  

I'm not sure if there would have been time for a play and FG attempt, or just a Hail Mary.  I would have liked to have found out though.