Auburn Game Revisited..

[57stratdawg]

I forgot we ran a fake punt on our own 23 up 21-0 on Auburn which failed.

Is that the worst play call in the history of college football?

 

[Paperdog]

Certainly debatable ....

I still think the Coach O Fourth and One call in the Egg Bowl is worse (but not by much)

 

[Drebin]

I forgot we ran a fake punt on our own 23 up 21-0 on Auburn which failed.

Is that the worst play call in the history of college football?

We are so lucky that didn't come back to bite us in the ***. Mullen can't help himself - he's good for one or two of those per game.

 

[thekimmer]

Yes we did and yes it was....

I forgot we ran a fake punt on our own 23 up 21-0 on Auburn which failed.

Is that the worst play call in the history of college football?

At the time it happened I remember screaming at our staff while watching on TV something to the effect of "WHAT IN THE $#%^%$ ARE YOU DOING!" My wife kindly reminded me that they probably couldn't hear me more than 300 miles away.

But seriously, it was really on par with the 4th and one that ogre went for in the 07 egg bowl. Both plays handed a team that was knocked back on their heels a chance to get back into the ball game. Fortunately we were able to overcome it.

 

[tenureplan]

In the 3-2 game, Croom punted on 4th and short on Auburn's side of the field and then the next possession went for it on 4th and 15 from our side of the field did he not? That has to rank up there.

 

[Drebin]

In the 3-2 game, Croom punted on 4th and short on Auburn's side of the field and then the next possession went for it on 4th and 15 from our side of the field did he not? That has to rank up there.

Worse than that...

aGAINst Georgia, Croom went for it on 4th down in his own territory and converted, and then marched to the Georgia 30, and punted on 4th down.

 

[aTotal360]

Dylan Favre agrees with this post.

 

[tenureplan]

"I just had a gut feeling"

 

[57stratdawg]

I could, maybe, sort of see that depending on the game situation, but yeah, that's pretty bad too.

 

[DawgatAuburn]

Here are all of our second half change of possession plays except the last pick Carroll threw when we never regained possession. Maybe the bold is what you are thinking of?


M 4-7 A21 Adam Carlson field goal attempt from 38 MISSED - short, spot at AU22,
clock 12:16.



M 4-1 A37 Wesley Carroll pass incomplete to B Henderson (Jerraud Powers).
--------------- 4 plays, 9 yards, TOP 01:32 ---------------

A 1-10 A37 AUBURN drive start at 08:38.



M 4-6 M24 Blake McAdams punt 37 yards to the AU39, Robert Dunn return 20 yards to
the MS41 (Blake McAdams).
--------------- 3 plays, 4 yards, TOP 01:59 ---------------

A 1-10 M41 AUBURN drive start at 03:37.




M 4-5 M27 Blake McAdams punt 23 yards to the 50 yardline, downed.
--------------- 5 plays, 20 yards, TOP 02:06 ---------------

A 1-10 A50 AUBURN drive start at 13:09.



M 4-4 M45 Blake McAdams punt 52 yards to the AU3, downed.
--------------- 4 plays, 18 yards, TOP 02:44 ---------------

A 1-10 A03 AUBURN drive start at 07:49.



M 4-1 A41 Christian Ducre rush for no gain to the AU41 (Tray Blackmon).
--------------- 4 plays, 9 yards, TOP 01:26 ---------------

A 1-10 A41 AUBURN drive start at 05:39.



M 4-15 M48 Wesley Carroll pass incomplete to Aubrey Bell.
--------------- 4 plays, minus 5 yards, TOP 01:09 ---------------

A 1-10 M48 AUBURN drive start at 03:40.

 

[MaroonNation]

If Richie Brown hadn't slipped down on that play then everyone would have been saying Mullen had ice water in his veins and he would have been celebrated for going for the jugular early.

 

[HD6]

Two 4th and 1's with Anthony Dixon and he never touched the ball. 17ing Croom.

 

[KurtRambis4]

What's

even more amazing is that comes from the guy that said we were going to run in down LSU's throat...

 

[tenureplan]

I could have sworn it was on their side, but yeah that must have been it. Not as bad I guess.

 

[Dawgzilla]

No, it was still a bad call. And if Brown had not slipped, Logan Cooke still has to make a good throw because there was another Auburn defender in the area who could have made a play on the ball.

 

[121Josey]

If Richie Brown hadn't slipped down on that play then everyone would have been saying Mullen had ice water in his veins and he would have been celebrated for going for the jugular early.

Nope. We would have asked if it was really worth it when we punted 4 plays later.

The year before he went for a 2 pt. conversion on the first score @ AU. Cost us in the end. Don't 17 up the game in the first half.

 

[WayboDawg]

In the 3-2 game, Croom punted on 4th and short on Auburn's side of the field and then the next possession went for it on 4th and 15 from our side of the field did he not? That has to rank up there.

That's #1 for me in regards to MSU. The punt I somewhat understood with it being a defensive struggle, but going for it on 4th and forever in our own territory was unforgivable with over 6 minutes left if my memory serves me. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was Croom's last season after I saw the play. Worst play call in history is probably either Saban's decision to kick against Auburn in 2013, or Tom Osborne's decision to go for two against Miami in the Orange Bowl back in '84 (which I totally understand why he did).

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

52 yard punt downed at the 3? Surely the record books are wrong.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Far from it. It's not even Mullen's worst call. Not challenging the illegal forward pass in the '09 Houston game and not ordering Tyson Lee to absolutely hand the ball off to Dixon against LSU that same year were worse.

 

[Lucky Dawg]

Definitely one of the worst I've ever seen, and I think it's important to remember that Cooke was a true freshman playing in I think his second or third game. He got completely leveled on that play. At the time, I was surprised his head was still attached to his body. If he'd been injured, who would have been punting?

 

[MarkDallas]

No call when you're up 21-0 can be named the "worst of all time." Worst call of all time must have the potential to lose the game on its own. Did you forget sarcasterisks?

I agree with UpTheMiddle: not even Mullen's worst call.

Although at the time, I did ponder for a moment if I could hit Dan Mullen with a coke bottle from where I was sitting.

 

[Bulldogg31]

Sun Tzu say it correct call.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
實而備之，強而避之，怒而撓之，卑而驕之，佚而勞之，親而離之，出其不意，攻其不備。

 

[EAVdog]

I could have sworn it was on their side, but yeah that must have been it. Not as bad I guess.

I am positive that happened vs Ga Tech.

 

[MSUDawg25]

Worst play call in history is probably either Saban's decision to kick against Auburn in 2013.

I can't see why this would be a candidate. Obviously in retrospect it didn't work out, but why not take a shot to win the game with time expiring? Even most of AU didn't see that coming. The only mistake was not having anybody speedy enough to tackle on the field. A returned kick to beat you is a possibility, but so is knocking that kick in over the crossbar to win.