re: Mad Hatter 2005-08 v. Les Miles 2009 - Present

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his first several seasons of foot-to-the-floor aggression

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Largely a myth. He went for it on fourth because he had a high percentage back who could pick those two yards up, and defenses that weren't quite what we've become used to. He was still very conservative in other aspects of the game.

2012 vs Bama featured some of Miles' most aggressive moments. His decision making is more a reflection of personnel, not years he's been on the job. If this year's OL is as dominant as projected, we'll see a lot of short yardage 4th down nods and people will say "DA HAT BACK BABY," but it will have just been a calculated risk that was favorable based on the percentages.