Michigan Punter

There were 10 seconds left on the clock, and you are only up by 2 on your end of the field.  I don't see someone being able to successfully run out 10 seconds without the SIGNIFICANT chance that the opponent gets a game winning fieldgoal opportunity from it.

As for the original post..the standard (we had a lot of opportunities to put the game away as a team and didn't.  This didn't come down to one play type of statement is what I would do.  Sadly, our society through the aid of anonymous media has become one where those who don't try anything and accomplish nothing feel 100% comfortable with criticizing those who try and don't succeed.

My freshman year of high school, our kicker missed a game winning FG that was well within his range as time expired. There was no social media at the time(no internet to speak of)but the natives were starting to get restless in the stands. Our HC calmly walked out to the middle of the field, picked up the kicker, and walked off the field with his arm around the kicker's shoulder. That by itself did a lot to diffuse the situation.

I think the OP is talking about what would you do for the player AFTER the case...now that he is the target of ire from Big Blue "fans"

I am not sure I agree with that one.  All the kid needed to do was catch snap and pooch it.  He didn't catch the snap.  That was his only mistake on the play.  I suppose one could make an argument had he been able to just FALL on the ball, then MSU would have less of a chance to win because they would have had 8 seconds left around the +40.  So they would have needed to make another play or two.  But in discussing that you also introduce the idea that a bad/dropped snap may occur into the heads of the players. 

The chances of what happened (low snap, muffed catch, get hit while standing up and spun around so that ball pops out of hands and into MSU player who is almost in full stride for a scoop and score).... that would be a hard one to go over in a time out.

It is actions like this that have basically turned me into the "anti" fan unless I have an actual connection to someone/some group competing in a contest.  The looks I get when I ask people why they are a Saints fan, or an LSU fan or whatever are great..especially when I point out to them that they actually have very little to no VESTED interest in the competition and outcome, and when I ask them why the accomplishments of those you don't know matter to you.

A HC is second guessed about everything. Had Harbuagh tried to run out the clock and the player fumbled or was unsuccessful in running the clock out and MSU scored to win people would have said he should have punted and so on etc. In that situation there was a worse case scenario for every decision. If he gets the punt off(in bounds) than there is no issue since they didn't have a returner deep.

How many punters are in that situation to begin with honestly? Something he hadn't exactly practiced before I bet. Feel for him just like the Texas Punter.

I saw a guy that was a championship coach go for it on 4th and 2 in the state finals to make sure his punter was not put in that situation. About 30 seconds left and they got the first down but a terrible spot by the official gave the ball to the opponent who scored a TD on 2 plays. He said he was afraid what might happen to a punt so he took the chance. Took all the heat for the decision. I really think michigan should have gone for it on 4th and doubt MSU could have made the 60 yard FG

Disagree, too many bad things can happen on punt, the ball was on +48 and 10 seconds, run a controlled pass play or a sweep and burn time or just line up heavy and get the first down, game over show some nads!

And nothing bad can happen on any of those plays?

The punter handles the ball very few times and even fewer with big time game winning pressure. I would rather my players determine the outcome. I was saying this before the punt, too. Run the ball, make them beat you with a long FG not a blocked punt or run back.

I was saying the same thing actually but he would be questioned either way if they lose.

"Your Players" did.  They couldn't get a first down to run out the clock remember?   The odds of being stopped on 4th and 2 are significantly greater than the odds of a scoop and score due to a muffed punt attempt.  So while you may say a long FG (or a Hail Mary) is unlikely, I would argue it is much MORE likely that you are giving them a CHANCE to beat you by going for it than you are by punting it away.

MSU FG kicker was not very good. That has a lot to do with my decision. Still think punt is too high risk in that situation.


KICKING STATISTICS
Name XPM XPA XP% FGM FGA FG% 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50+ LNG PTS
Michael Geiger 26 27 96.3 5 9 55.6 0/0 1/2 3/6 1/1 0/0 47 41

According to @espnstatsinfo, Michigan State had a 0.2% chance to win (1 in 500) before Michigan's punt attempt.
Read more at www0.scoopnest.com/user/espn/655550177512726528#f8jS2fwotqyJs2ST.99

Hard to argue with those odds.

Yes, but I would argue that by running a regular play, you have a MUCH MUCH higher probability of given them a CHANCE to "have to beat you" than you do but just executing the pooch punt.  Especially in big boy college football

While I think you might be right, if you run a regular play and fumble it and Mich St scoops and scores, we now are arguing that they should have just punted.