CKD Tendency Of Close Games

[BAMARICH]

This is why Im on the fence with DeBoer( and Grubb) They seems to go very conservative second half if we are leading, killing momentum instead of going for the kill shot by milking the clock and conservative or bizarre play calling. I miss the days we just kept rolling up the score..our second half scoring average is barely at 10, or maybe under, in conference games. That makes for very nerve-racking watching!

You know, it sort of hearkens back to the Stallings' era when "a win was a win"... no matter how big the point spread. I give CKD credit here - he's been successful with this strategy. We're just used to how games typically played out under Saban. Now? Gotta keep the Tums handy.

 

[92tide]

We do seem unable to put the game away when we have a healthy but not insurmountable lead. Last year, we were up 28 on Georgia, and they came back and it needed a counter-miracle for us to win it. Giving up big leads into a nail-biter or outright loss has been common.

We are 1 play from a loss far too often.

I see CrimsonAudio says it is NIL, surely that plays a factor. The weak running game (possibly also NIL-related) is a major factor, we can no longer "take the air out of the ball" as Saban used to say. Maybe it is something to do specifically with DeBoer. I wish it would change, perhaps it won't.

the momentum in last year’s uga game changed when we tried a first down trick play around mid field and lost yardage when we could have iced the game. We ended up 3 and out and punting iirc

 

[tusks_n_raider]

i believe if we wouldn’t have shanked the punt when up 17-0, this would have ended up a much more comfortable win

I think both issues happened bang bang in succession.

We were beginning to run all over them and mixing in timely passes and keeping them off balance and guessing.

Then Grubb called a dang WR Reverse Flea Flicker for a mid range out route.

I’m not even sure you can find that nonsense play in the NCAA video game without creating it.

It just blew up the whole flow of the game and then either right after that or maybe the next possession we had that major shanked punt.

The whole game’s momentum changed off that stupid and unnecessary trick play.

 

[Methylred]

I think both issues happened bang bang in succession.

We were beginning to run all over them and mixing in timely passes and keeping them off balance and guessing.

Then Grubb called a dang WR Reverse Flea Flicker for a mid range out route.

I’m not even sure you can find that nonsense play in the NCAA video game without creating it.

It just blew up the whole flow of the game and then either right after that or maybe the next possession we had that major shanked punt.

The whole game’s momentum changed off that stupid and unnecessary trick play.

Grubb’s trick plays have two major problems:
1. They rarely work.
2. He calls them at the worst possible time.

As soon as we find a rhythm on offense, he can’t help but to step on his own… umm… richard.

 

[BamaFan6462]

In my opinion, what contributes to a lot of our "close game" issues is the OC not fully taking advantage of windows of time during games to put the game away. When everything is going our way, the defense has yet to stop what has gotten us to that point, we will completely waste multiple series. Then, as games usually do, the flow or "momentum" changes, the windows where everything was going our way closes and the game is still in a competitive balance. It has been an obvious pattern all season long. If we could have punch one more touchdown in to go up 24-0 Saturday, when everything was flowing our way, that game would have been over. But, the playcalling changed, we went away from what got us the 17-0 lead and wasted multiple series before halftime.

My observation as well. He wasted a good amount of time against OU before halftime almost like he was counting on a sure FG. The 45 to 60 seconds they allowed to run down off the clock was as big of a reason for that loss as turnovers. That’s a bad habit that needs to be corrected.

 

[BamaFan6462]

You know, it sort of hearkens back to the Stallings' era when "a win was a win"... no matter how big the point spread. I give CKD credit here - he's been successful with this strategy. We're just used to how games typically played out under Saban. Now? Gotta keep the Tums handy.

To an extent. The problem with Stallings was run twice up the middle on first and second down, then an obvious pass on third and long. If you want a run heavy offense, that’s totally fine but Stallings typically recruited offensive linemen that averaged 20lbs less than the average DL at the time and we lost games that should have easily been wins with a different coach. Stallings even admits he was too stubborn for his own good and we lost games because of it.

 

[BamaFan6462]

the momentum in last year’s uga game changed when we tried a first down trick play around mid field and lost yardage when we could have iced the game. We ended up 3 and out and punting iirc

Kind of reminds me of a similar thing against Auburn the other night.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

we can all save time and repones in this thread by stating its due to Grubb.
think about it, what is the common denominator at Washington and Alabama with close games??
am I blaming everything on Grubbs, no, but he is the OC and we have seen enough of his " play calling" this season to surmise he's the issue.

 

[Elefantman]

Grubbs likes to play, "Let's see if THIS will work!"

Reminds me of the few times I played Madden. I would run a fake punt on 2nd and 3 just to see what happens.

 

[92tide]

Reminds me of the few times I played Madden. I would run a fake punt on 2nd and 3 just to see what happens.

i hope he doesn't read this and get any ideas

 

[jashleyren2]

I can't accept that this is just parity in the sport. I'll make two points about Ohio State in 2025: first point.-they've played essentially -0- one score games. No one has really come close to threatening them. Are they not in the same sport? 2nd point - the Big 10 has no parity to speak of. The bottom dwellers are deep in the barrel.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I can't accept that this is just parity in the sport. I'll make two points about Ohio State in 2025: first point.-they've played essentially -0- one score games. No one has really come close to threatening them. Are they not in the same sport?

Not if you look at their weak schedule...

When Bama has played weak teams they've scored almost at will.

2nd point - the Big 10 has no parity to speak of. The bottom dwellers are deep in the barrel.

Because football doesn't mean as much up there. Only the premier programs are willing to spend what it takes to be relevant.

To wit, seven of the top 10 NIL spenders in 2025 were from the SEC - only two were from the B1G while the other was from the ACC: https://247sports.com/longformartic...es-nations-top-25-spenders-241949240/#2564355

 

[Windsortide]

If CKD can win 4 close games in a row, I will be a happy camper.

 

[editder]

i hope he doesn't read this and get any ideas

When were we ever in second and three?

 

[editder]

If CKD can win 4 close games in a row, I will be a happy camper.

Me too. I don’t mind a close win against top competition. But when every single game turns into sheer, white-knuckled terror it makes for a tough season.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I understand the sentiment but I mean, Bama is 4-1 in one-score games in 2025 - the other seven games were decided by more than one score...

 

[crimsonaudio]

I'm honestly unsure that the criticism that CKD has a tendency of having 'close games' is accurate.

I'd have to dive deep into results for the last five years to prove one way or the other, but I already posted the 2024 results.

I'm not sure the perception matches reality.

 

[Elefantman]

We are spoiled Bama fans. Our perception is we should beat rank teams by at least two scores and unranked team by at least four.

 

[BAMARICH]

I understand the sentiment but I mean, Bama is 4-1 in one-score games in 2025 - the other seven games were decided by more than one score...

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It’s not the issue of “one score games”… it’s how deep the game goes prior to it being more than one score. Games under CKD with Grubb as his OC often go down to late in the 4th. Again, we wouldn’t be surprised about this against competitive teams. The issue is we let subpar teams like South Carolina and Auburn stay in the game too long when we should be putting them away far earlier.

 

[BAMARICH]

I'm honestly unsure that the criticism that CKD has a tendency of having 'close games' is accurate.

I'd have to dive deep into results for the last five years to prove one way or the other, but I already posted the 2024 results.

I'm not sure the perception matches reality.

It seems to primarily be with Grubb as the OC. Go back and look at the play by play of each game. You’ll see how CKD’s teams (with Grubb) regularly allow their opponents to remain “in it” late in the 4th.