Why does the squib kickoff even exist?

[Awsi Dooger]

It boggles my mind every year. You've even got clueless commentators who call for it.

I remember when Dan Fouts was quarterbacking the Chargers and he said he used to pray the opposition squib kicked. It's gift field position. Tonight's UCLA game is a classic example. Virtually the only way UCLA could avoid victory in regulation was to be petrified and squib kick with 27 seconds remaining.

Mission accomplished: Surrender the ball on the 43 yard line, plenty of opportunity for a tie FG. And it only took 4 seconds off the clock. If you kick deep it takes a great return to manage the 43 yard line, plus many more seconds are lost.

Where's that Devin Hester vs. Tiger Woods thread? Maybe Hester plays for every team right now, inspiring all the squib kicks.

You only squib kick with a few seconds remaining, when time will run out during the squib kick. Otherwise it's totally clueless regarding probability.

I hope UCLA loses in Overtime, so the squib kick bites their ass.

[Awsi Dooger]

1. UCLA wins anyway

Welcome to a road game SEC.

I'd fire any coach who squib kicks, abuses the fade pass, or throws screens on 3rd down.

[BlooInBloo]

2. I guess that's why you're just talking on internet forums...

:P

[Awsi Dooger]

3. Do the right thing

Let's see, in overtime UCLA was an underdog. They were more than a TD underdog going into the game, so that means they were at least a 3/2 underdog in overtime.

Now contrast that to 27 seconds remaining with a 3 point lead. At that point you're more than a 90% favorite. In fact, virtually the only way to nullify that type of edge is with a squib kickoff.

You can't play results. The right path leads to the favorable result much more often than not. I'm frustrated when the fundamentals aren't understood. Like posters who fixate on state polls even when they are garbage, based on liberal/conservative percentage in that state. This is similar. There's no way a coaching staff should not understand that a squib kick prevents victory.

[trumad]

4. I think the squib is what got Cam fired from the Phins.

The dude called for it probably 80 percent of the time because he felt his team was weak on kickoff return defense. It was bloody madness and I came close on several occasions from putting my foot through my big beautiful 65" LCD display. It never worked and gave the opposing team the ball wonderful field position usually on the 40+ yard line.

It reflected just how scared the guy coached and his inability to fix the problem.

[Redbear]

5. It was a smart decision given that UCLA's kick coverage was poor all night

On the four previous kickoff returns, the Vols averaged 31.5 yards per return, and the average UT starting field position after a UCLA kickoff was their 35 yard line.

Neuheisel sacrificed about 8 yards of field position and increased chances of a tie to virtually eliminate the chance of a TD return and a loss.

[Forkboy]

6. Because "squib" is just fun to say.

That's my theory anyways. :)