[stupac2]

That was far too close. I am so pissed off at the way the 4th quarter was managed, a couple more good throws from that ASU QB and we're in overtime right now.

Except Shaw knows the QB we are facing. Wilkins is not Herbert. ASU fans have been livid with him for a while. Do I think Shaw should have thrown on 2nd or 3rd down on the second to last drive? Yes. But he played the odds, leaned on his D, and ensured we didn't give it away with a turnover or a pick-six (which we just had last game, and we all know how that changed the complexion of the game).

That's ridiculous. Wilkins can make those throws. The fact that he only does it half the time (or whatever) is no excuse for throwing up your hands and saying "eh I like our odds on defense". Costello's completion percentage was, what, 75%? Throw a quick ball to JJ and let him do some damage! Or to Irwin! Or try something with one of the fast youngsters! Hell even a tunnel screen to Speights! Just SOMETHING besides "we know we can't gain 10 yards in 3 telegraphed runs but we're gonna try anyway!" It would sort of be excusable on that last drive if he hadn't done twice just before that.

How many first downs did we have in the fourth quarter? One? It's completely inexcusable. That was godawful, stupid, "playing to not lose" coaching and I expect better from Shaw. I think I'm more pissed off with this win than the loss to Utah, because at least in that game it was fluky turnovers that killed us, something you don't expect to happen again. But this asinine conservatism could certainly happen again and I honestly thought we were passed it.

[stupac2]

That was far too close. I am so pissed off at the way the 4th quarter was managed, a couple more good throws from that ASU QB and we're in overtime right now.

Except Shaw knows the QB we are facing. Wilkins is not Herbert. ASU fans have been livid with him for a while. Do I think Shaw should have thrown on 2nd or 3rd down on the second to last drive? Yes. But he played the odds, leaned on his D, and ensured we didn't give it away with a turnover or a pick-six (which we just had last game, and we all know how that changed the complexion of the game).

That's ridiculous. Wilkins can make those throws. The fact that he only does it half the time (or whatever) is no excuse for throwing up your hands and saying "eh I like our odds on defense". Costello's completion percentage was, what, 75%? Throw a quick ball to JJ and let him do some damage! Or to Irwin! Or try something with one of the fast youngsters! Hell even a tunnel screen to Speights! Just SOMETHING besides "we know we can't gain 10 yards in 3 telegraphed runs but we're gonna try anyway!" It would sort of be excusable on that last drive if he hadn't done twice just before that.

How many first downs did we have in the fourth quarter? One? It's completely inexcusable. That was godawful, stupid, "playing to not lose" coaching and I expect better from Shaw. I think I'm more pissed off with this win than the loss to Utah, because at least in that game it was fluky turnovers that killed us, something you don't expect to happen again. But this asinine conservatism could certainly happen again and I honestly thought we were passed it.