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Yes, and if we are using the classic 2-3-2 format, bama loses game 5 and the series at home.
4 yards per carry so I guess Bama is down to about 3 out of 10 now.
Well I didn’t look it up when I wrote that. The guy who called me lazy was dead on. It sure seemed like Alabama was able to run the ball at will so I’m surprised by that number.
Clemson clearly out played them, but there were more than one miracle catch made and a guy that blew an ankle while battling a receiver at the LOS which resulted in a TD. BTW, I hate Alabama. It might be more out of jealousy than anything but I love to see them lose. Also, I can't see Bama doing something like calling a run on 4th down with the field goal kicker when they needed 6 yards. I think Clemson still wins by 5, but I think it would be a lot closer than that game.
Time of Possession in the first half was 19 minutes Bama, 10 minutes Clemson with the remaining 60 seconds divided between them. I was floored by that stat at the half considering the score. Bama was definitely grinding it out and controlling the clock better than Clemson, but Lawrence and the TO made all the difference.
Another somewhat related variable- Alabama made a lot of decisions in the second half that made the final margin much bigger than if they'd played straight up (or come up with better red zone play calls). Their first three drives of the second half all ended on failed fourth down conversion attempts deep in Clemson territory. Clemson wasn't forcing three and outs, they were the definition of a "bend but don't break" defense. And most football fans know that "bend but don't break" defense is a mirage, it's mostly just luck.
Psssssst......they play TWO halves. TOP was split 31/28.
I realize they play 2 halves, smart ###. Had JB's buddy said first half, his argument would have a shred of credibility as Bama controlled the clock big time. Second half, not so much.
It is, but I'm not sure if it's in the way you mean. Third down conversion rate isn't a particularly useful stat when it comes to evaluating the relative strength of teams or predicting their futures. It's got way too much randomness and variance. Other stats (sack rate, average passing yards/attempt) are better at predicting future third down conversion rates. Link
You are probably remembering when Clemson had a solid lead already. There were some nice runs but more due to Clemson playing pass up by 21.
He was. If he continues to improve, he’ll be the most coveted #1 pick in at least a decade. There haven’t been any since Luck/Newton in 2011/2012. Some good QBs but none of those Manning level QBs.
Your friend is blinded by bias.
It's been mentioned already but Lawrence wears 16 because of Manning (UT days). He studies film like Manning and is said to have a keen ability to quickly retain what is studied. I've watched every Clemson game this year and he has routinely made pre-snap audibles based on defensive alignments/blitz formations like he was a senior.
Time of Possession is useless but also have to consider that Clemson lost a possession because of a pick six. The pick six was because of a great play by the CB and a great defensive call by Venables. So Alabama benefits on TOP in the first half because Clemson outcoached and outplayed them in that example.
Not trying to predict anything. This is a tale of the tape. 3rd down conversion absolutely matters when trying to figure out what went right, what went wrong. Clemson converted 67% of the time; Bama 30% on 3rd. It matters.
Patriots will tank after Brady retires, Belichick will step down, hand the reins to McDaniels and the Patriots will draft Lawrence 1.01. Take that to the bank brohans.
It was mythical when Bo spoke about it 30 years ago, and its still mythical today, whatever playoff system they've put in place in the meantime, and it will always be so as long as college sports are tied to academic institutions. The only thing that's changed is that all of the great bowls have lost all meaning and tradition. How do I know this? Because Ohio State won the Rose Bowl this year, defeating the Pac 10/12 Champion, and no one thinks they had a great season.
