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Toughest call for a head coach.

Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:29 pm
Posted by geauxkoo
Member since Oct 2021
1634 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:29 pm
Was watching highlights of JD and the 2 point conversion vs Bama was one of the highlights. That was a tough call.

It got me thinking about Tom Osborne in the game against Miami, the national championship game, when he went for 2. Nebraska did not convert and lost the national championship game as a result.

How about several calls that Chris Peterson made in the Fiesta Bowl, against Oklahoma, when he was with Boise State. I think it was 2001.

What say you? What play call do you think was the most gutsy play you've seen a head coach call?
Posted by Off McVoy
Member since Feb 2006
4835 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:32 pm to
Osborne kicks the XP and he wins the natl championship. It’s not the popular opinion but I believe you HAVE to kick there.
Posted by KennabraTiger
Kenner, LA
Member since Sep 2013
7638 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:35 pm to
Chris Peterson Boise State against Oklahoma was 2007. Gutsy play calling and it paid off
Posted by TDsngumbo
Member since Oct 2011
48480 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:38 pm to
I think the 2pt conversion call you mentioned was gutsy as frick.
Posted by tigerforever7
Baton Rouge
Member since Aug 2012
1178 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:42 pm to
Les throwing for the end zone against Auburn in 2007 when 1 second was left on clock. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
Posted by geauxkoo
Member since Oct 2021
1634 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:47 pm to
When Osborne made that call, there was no overtime. He absolutely would have won the natty if he simply kicks the xp.

That makes the call even more badass.
Posted by oldskule
Down South
Member since Mar 2016
23103 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:49 pm to
Your 5 star qb gets busted for smoking weed….
Posted by rpg37
Ocean Springs, MS
Member since Sep 2008
53443 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:52 pm to
quote:


Les throwing for the end zone against Auburn in 2007 when 1 second was left on clock. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.


I feel like this is overrated in comparison to the others cited. If the pass is incomplete, you kick the FG anyway. From 40 yards out, the kick should be made - either way, it's made at a much higher probability than a two-point conversion.
Posted by Lacreus
30A
Member since Aug 2025
680 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 7:58 pm to
Only JD could have pulled that play off. Any other QB would have fricked it up and it would have made Kelly look like a moron for calling it.
This post was edited on 9/5/25 at 7:59 pm
Posted by ReverendJeffro
Mandeville,LA
Member since Dec 2013
1199 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 8:21 pm to
How about LSU and Les Miles against Auburn. Flynn to Byrd??? Maybe not as dramatic as the others...... nevermind someone already said it.
This post was edited on 9/5/25 at 8:24 pm
Posted by jtweezy
Natchez, MS
Member since May 2008
333 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 8:28 pm to
Osborne’s call took way more balls than Peterson. If Nebraska kicks the extra point the game ends in a tie and Nebraska wins the national championship. But Osborne went for the win. Peterson made some great calls, but really had nothing to lose.
Posted by Bayou
Boudin, LA
Member since Feb 2005
41236 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 9:04 pm to
More Sports forum
Posted by Ironhead985
Member since Jun 2013
9445 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 9:47 pm to
Sean payton calling an onside kick to start the second half of a SuperBowl. No bigger stage, no bigger balls.
Posted by Tangineck
Mandeville
Member since Nov 2017
2695 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 10:16 pm to
quote:

Sean payton calling an onside kick to start the second half of a SuperBowl. No bigger stage, no bigger balls.


Agreed, not many coaches have the balls it takes make that call. If indy recovers and scores on the short field, he'd still be being mocked as an idiot.
Posted by Fat Bastard
2024 NFL pick'em champion
Member since Mar 2009
87544 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 11:45 pm to
it was a hook and ladder for the TD on 4th and 18 with just 18 seconds left then in OT a 4th and 2 TD pass, then the statue of liberty play for the 2 point conversion. he knew he could not hang with the OU horses through overtimes so he went for it.

Posted by LSUSkip
Central, LA
Member since Jul 2012
24717 posts
Posted on 9/5/25 at 11:49 pm to
Saban taking out Jalen.
Posted by MidCityTiger
Baton Rouge
Member since Dec 2004
783 posts
Posted on 9/6/25 at 12:00 am to
Way before Osborne, in 1959, LSU, then #1 and on a winning streak that spanned three seasons, went for two against Tennessee late in the game. Billy Cannon was ruled short of the goal, which he refuted all his life. We lost 14-13.

Many believed LSU would have retained its #1 ranking had it simply kicked the extra point and left Knoxville with the tie.

When asked about this, Paul Dietzel said, “We didn’t go to Tennessee to play for a tie.”
Posted by redfishfan
Baton Rouge
Member since Oct 2015
5329 posts
Posted on 9/6/25 at 12:27 am to
The whole 1 second on the clock thing is so bullshite and you know it.
Posted by Meauxjeaux
102836 posts including my alters
Member since Jun 2005
45542 posts
Posted on 9/6/25 at 4:24 am to
Les Miles taking a knee in the third quarter vs Ole Miss.
Posted by otowntiger
O-Town
Member since Jan 2004
16685 posts
Posted on 9/6/25 at 4:32 am to
quote:

Osborne kicks the XP and he wins the natl championship. It’s not the popular opinion but I believe you HAVE to kick there.
no you don’t. Everyone should hate ties. I’m glad they changed the rules so there aren’t anymore. Always massively respected Osborne for that decision.
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