[OutsiderFan]

There is a very simple way to determine if a 4th down decision in a game is a good one or a bad one. 

Bad decision: the fans on the other team want you to do it
Good decision: the fans on the other team hope you don't do it

In 2010 when Stanford was steamrolling Oregon and led 21-0 when The Ducks faced a 4th and 1 from their own 30 yd line.  While Stanford fans were surely saying "they're crazy to go for it," the reality is they were really hoping Oregon would punt instead.  That was a good decision to go for the first down.

When Stanford faced 4th and 6 from the Utah 35 with less than two minutes left, there isn't a Utah fan in existence that was hoping Stanford would kick the FG or go for it on 4th down.  They all were breathing giant sighs of relief that Stanford punted.  That was a bad decision. 

[OutsiderFan]

There is a very simple way to determine if a 4th down decision in a game is a good one or a bad one. 

Bad decision: the fans on the other team want you to do it
Good decision: the fans on the other team hope you don't do it

In 2010 when Stanford was steamrolling Oregon and led 21-0 when The Ducks faced a 4th and 1 from their own 30 yd line.  While Stanford fans were surely saying "they're crazy to go for it," the reality is they were really hoping Oregon would punt instead.  That was a good decision to go for the first down.

When Stanford faced 4th and 6 from the Utah 35 with less than two minutes left, there isn't a Utah fan in existence that was hoping Stanford would kick the FG or go for it on 4th down.  They all were breathing giant sighs of relief that Stanford punted.  That was a bad decision.