4th and 1: Devil's advocate

I think if we are on the other side of the 50, we go for it in spite of our struggles. Risking getting stuffed within spitting distance of FG range is a tough call.

Exactly. If we'd gone for it and didn't gain it, this board would've been lit up demanding LK's head. Main thing is that a gamble like that has to make sense with all the game variables.

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It really wasn’t. You needed one yard. We immediately gave up field position & they scored anyway. It was predictable. Kentucky was playing with 4 downs themselves on the other side at that point.

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We lost two yards on the last run play we ran, two plays prior. Gaining that yard wasn’t even approaching a guarantee.

With the money you’re paying this roster you have to be able to get one yard against Kentucky

I have no doubt Lane Kiffin of last year goes for it. He’s been more conservative here. That’s what I don’t understand?

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Defense had also done a good job all half limited passing plays. But Bakers got two kryptonites - running QBs and late in the half.

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It won’t hurt my feelings if Baker gets a head coaching job next year. I’ve seen enough of him. Who is going to pay him what he makes here? He will probably have to take less money or the same amount. Let’s hope he wants to be a head coach. Lane needs a fresh start.

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It really wasn’t. You needed one yard.

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And if you don't get it you give the ball back to UK where they have to gain about 10-15 yards to get in FG range, with PLENTY of time to go 43 yards for a go ahead TD. This wasn't an easy call to go for it in the moment. Juxtapose that with something like what LSU had in 2012 where they were leading Alabama, at the ball inside the Alabama 30, and needed just a 1st down to win the game. Les played conservatively, missed the FG that would have still left it a 1 score game, and ultimately lost.

Given the field position last night I understood the punt and the thought of having to make UK go the length of the field without a TO to either score a TD (which they had not done in the second half) or get in position for a potentially long game tying FG by a kicker who had just missed two FGs.

The takeaway is that while he has moments of great performances, Baker's defenses can't be trusted to get an end of game stop.

In 2024 LSU led South Carolina 36-33. With a roughly 1 minute on the clock SC was able to drive 44 yards for a game tying FG attempt. The kicker missed up, but Baker's passive defense gave him a chance.

In 2024 LSU at Florida LSU kicked a FG in the 4th to cut Florida's 4Q lead to 20-16 with 5:00. LSU needed a stop to get the ball back to try to win the game. On the ensuing possession UF went 75 yards on 3 plays to secure the win.

In the bowl game last year LSU scored a TD to tie the game at 28-28. The defense allow a FG and TD on Houston's next two drives to put the game away.

LSU needed key 4Q stops vs. Ole Miss and Kentucky this year. He could not get them. You can see the trend. LSU is either dominant from start or struggles in the 1st half. If the latter, Baker has generally been good in the 3rd quarter to make adjustments. But when there is must have stop in the 4th his defenses fail to get it more often than not.