[stupac2]

Finally, your #3 is demonstrably at odds with reality.    If ever there was a team NOT built for overtime, it is this Stanford offense.  We are 127th out of 128 in red zone scoring efficiency in the entire FBS.  Giving us the ball on the 25-yard line is a recipe for disaster, not success.  How can anyone, especially our coaches, think that just getting to OT was the right strategy?  If Shaw "trusts his defense" then try the FG and if we miss, trust the D to stop Utah from getting in FG range.  He needed to channel Herm Edwards there, but did not.  "You play to win the game."

I don't think this is right. I mean, yes, our offense has been bad in the red zone, but we weren't against Utah. And we were dominating in the second-half, but our starting field position had been so bad we didn't get anything to show for it. I think that, in that moment, trusting our defense to keep them out of the end zone in OT was a really good bet, and in that case you love our odds. I don't think Shaw could see their sudden offense competence in OT coming given what had happened previously.

Anyway, my overall point is that this is clearly debatable and the whole "SHAW IS SUPER CONSERVATIVE" meme is just clearly false. Shaw's probably not in the top 50% of conservative coaches, even though he's sometimes more conservative than I'd like. But there are many who are much, much worse.

[stupac2]

Finally, your #3 is demonstrably at odds with reality.    If ever there was a team NOT built for overtime, it is this Stanford offense.  We are 127th out of 128 in red zone scoring efficiency in the entire FBS.  Giving us the ball on the 25-yard line is a recipe for disaster, not success.  How can anyone, especially our coaches, think that just getting to OT was the right strategy?  If Shaw "trusts his defense" then try the FG and if we miss, trust the D to stop Utah from getting in FG range.  He needed to channel Herm Edwards there, but did not.  "You play to win the game."

I don't think this is right. I mean, yes, our offense has been bad in the red zone, but we weren't against Utah. And we were dominating in the second-half, but our starting field position had been so bad we didn't get anything to show for it. I think that, in that moment, trusting our defense to keep them out of the end zone in OT was a really good bet, and in that case you love our odds. I don't think Shaw could see their sudden offense competence in OT coming given what had happened previously.

Anyway, my overall point is that this is clearly debatable and the whole "SHAW IS SUPER CONSERVATIVE" meme is just clearly false. Shaw's probably not in the top 50% of conservative coaches, even though he's sometimes more conservative than I'd like. But there are many who are much, much worse.