Impact of missed FGs under Mullen

[kired]

What difference would it make if we had hit 100% of our FGs since 2009?

The only games that we even come close to winning are Auburn 2013 (we still lose by 1), and South Carolina 2011. We technically lost that game by 4 (USC took a safety as time expired) and we missed FGs from 40 and 53.

You could even throw in an extra FG in every game we missed one and it still would only affect those two games.

 

[BiscuitEater]

What difference would it make if we had hit 100% of our FGs since 2009?

Came really, really close to a possible loss in the Egg Bowl when Sobiesk missed a 39 yarder at the end of the game. Just because we haven't lost a close game when we missed a FG, doesn't mean it can't happen. And, I would just like to have a lot more confidence knowing that "IF" we needed say ... a 39 yarder to beat OM at VH ... we would have SOMEONE step up and drill it.

 

[Confucius Say]

I have said before how lucky we were that our sucky kicking did not cost us a game last year. Hard to dodge that bullet two years in a row. We make 47% of field goals this year, it will likely cost us a game.

 

[mdbryant2010]

We have been super lucky but that will run out if we don't turn that ship around.
Also is it possible while maybe not missing those field goals it's changed at times our game plan or plays. You have to think in the back of Mullens head he was thinking let's not be in a field goal situation.
Just curious as I may very well be wrong.

 

[LawDawg97]

I understand what you're trying to argue, but you can't discount that the whole

game changes when something like a missed field goal happens. In the 2013 Auburn game, we missed our field goal on our second drive (if memory serves) and Auburn turned right around and completed a 70 something yard touchdown pass after taking over from that spot. IF we make the field goal, we kick off to them instead of them taking over and who knows what happens - they might fumble the kickoff return, might call a different play and stall the drive, etc.

Could have changed the game completely. Doubtful final score ends up 24 -23. Space time continuum and all.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

We won more games because we made a FG than we lost where a missed FG made the difference. We were two field goals away from being 4-8 last year (we made a FG in the Ark and UM games).

 

[Hammer Down]

If we had been up 23-17 instead of 20-17, we could have played that entire last Auburn drive differently. Mullen knew that if they made a FG and tied it up, there was a 99% chance we would lose in OT. Never play for OT on the road unless absolutely necessary. That opened up the whole field for Malzahn's 2-minute offense to operate.

However, I also realize that if we had a made a FG here or there, the complexion and sequence of the game changes, and we may not even be in a winning or losing situation. So you really can't judge by that.

I honestly thought our special teams were decent in 2009 and 2010. I can't remember 2011. 2012 is when I remember giving up big returns and then last year the placekicking was bad.

 

[dannyripms]

I don't think you

can really look back and say what games it could of won or loss. Because you have to also take into account coaching decisions that might of been changed due to FG. Also the momentum of the games could of changed. We just need to start making them so their won't be any what ifs

 

[SwampDawg]

Spot on. Also it has to be a mental letdown for the team. They line up for an attempt and I bet most of them think "Not this **** again."

 

[FlyMaroon]

A large majority of the impact is not seen on the scoreboard, as others have pointed out. I can recall many big drives that chewed up lots of clock that we got nothing out of it due to missed FGs, LSU & Bama last year come to mind. Big letdown for offense, D has to work on a shorter field, and it's just bad mojo. Biggest gripe on Mullen for me. Don't we have decent, proven JC kickers on every damn team in the state?! Give one a scholly! It shouldn't be this hard.

 

[MedDawg]

If we went back farther with 100% MSU FGs, we wouldn't have fired Croom...

At least not when we did. With no missed MSU field goals, in 2008 we would have won the 3-2 Auburn game and the 14-13 Kentucky game and gone to a second straight bowl game.

 

[QuadrupleOption]

At least not when we did. With no missed MSU field goals, in 2008 we would have won the 3-2 Auburn game and the 14-13 Kentucky game and gone to a second straight bowl game.

Same with Felker's last year. I believe we were a couple of missed field goals from 6-5 or 7-4.

 

[maroonmania]

game changes when something like a missed field goal happens. In the 2013 Auburn game, we missed our field goal on our second drive (if memory serves) and Auburn turned right around and completed a 70 something yard touchdown pass after taking over from that spot. IF we make the field goal, we kick off to them instead of them taking over and who knows what happens - they might fumble the kickoff return, might call a different play and stall the drive, etc.

Could have changed the game completely. Doubtful final score ends up 24 -23. Space time continuum and all.

Also if we had made the FG we likely don't go for 2 points after our first TD which cost us an additional point. That game is no worse than tied at the end of regulation if we had a decent kicker. Auburn made all 3 of their FG attempts and at least one of those were from long distance.

 

[Drebin]

What difference would it make if we had hit 100% of our FGs since 2009?

The only games that we even come close to winning are Auburn 2013 (we still lose by 1), and South Carolina 2011. We technically lost that game by 4 (USC took a safety as time expired) and we missed FGs from 40 and 53.

You could even throw in an extra FG in every game we missed one and it still would only affect those two games.

Missed FGs have a much bigger impact than you indicate here. Just take the Auburn game, for example. Yes, at the end the day, three more points wouldn't be enough. But if we make that FG, it would've change the whole dynamic of the game.

 

[thekimmer]

OK so we were lucky......

Making 47% of FGs still stinks to high heaven and always will. Poor kicking does cost a team wins and always has. Ask bama about that one re: LSU in 2011 and auburn 2013. If we indeed play at a higher level this season, missed FGs will increasingly come into play in deciding between winning and losing.

Also, think of the times we went for it on 4th down well inside FG range because we had so little confidence in our kicking game.