Baah, pfffttt, baah.
Converting third and short extends drives. Extended drives keep their offense off the field and increase the likelihood that ours end up in points or in more advantageous field position.
Outmanned or not, we have to convert third and two, third and one and not try to be adventurous on those calls. We had lined up and proven that nine times out of ten we could plow straight through the line for three yards. Do that.
Ok...I'm all over that sentiment, IF we match up physically.
Auburn on 3rd down, from the play by play:
3rd and 1 at AUB 45 Cameron Artis-Payne rush for 5 yards to the 50 yard line for a 1ST down.
3rd and 7 at LSU 47 Nick Marshall rush for 6 yards to the LSU 41. (Was this a designed run, or a scramble?)
3rd and 9 at AUB 26 Nick Marshall pass incomplete.
3rd and 1 at AUB 34 Cameron Artis-Payne rush for no gain to the Aub 34. (Rushing on 3rd and short is a different animal than rushing on 1st and 10)
3rd and 2 at AUB 30 Nick Marshall pass incomplete to Brandon Fulse. (Don't specifically recall this play...what type of call was it? Safe pass that should have been completed? Bomb? We were down 14-0, and on our own 30)
3rd and 10 at LSU 47 Nick Marshall rush for 5 yards to the LSU 42. (We were in 4 down territory, and failed to convert the following down)
3rd and 4 at AUB 38 Nick Marshall pass incomplete to Marcus Davis. (down 21 to 0, on our on 38)
3rd and 3 at LSU 49 Tre Mason rush for no gain to the LSU 49. (Again, 3rd and short is different from 1st and 10)
3rd and 2 at LSU 42 Nick Marshall pass complete to Sammie Coates for 14 yards to the LSU 28 for a 1ST down. (Down 21 early 3rd Q)
3rd and 1 at LSU 19 Tre Mason rush for 17 yards to the LSU 2 for a 1ST down.
3rd and 5 at AUB 30 Nick Marshall pass incomplete. (Down 28-7 Mid 3rd Q, from our own 30)
3rd and 5 at AUB 32 Nick Marshall pass complete to Marcus Davis for 11 yards to the Aub 43 for a 1ST down.
3rd and Goal at LSU 2 Tre Mason rush for 2 yards for a TOUCHDOWN.
3rd and 9 at AUB 15 Nick Marshall rush for 5 yards to the Aub 20. (down 35-14 early 4th Q)
3rd and 12 at AUB 10 Nick Marshall pass complete to Marcus Davis for 10 yards to the Aub 20.
3rd and 1 at AUB 33 Tre Mason rush for 2 yards to the Aub 35 for a 1ST down.
3rd and Goal at LSU 17 Nick Marshall pass incomplete to Marcus Davis.
9 plays on 3rd and 4 or less. 6 Rushing attempts. 4 conversions. Taking in to account the score and game situation, I think Gus generally agrees with your sentiment while at the same time not wanting to be totally predictable, and takes calculated risks when needed.
We're outmanned vs LSU, bammer, and UGA. Gus, like any play caller is not flawless, but I don't think that's anywhere near the top of the lists of reasons we don't win that game last night. Not even in the top 10.