The Clutch Factor

[WarEagleChemE 99]

One of the hallmarks of great teams is the ability to win close games. A great offense isn’t just the ones with the points, stats, and highlights. It must be able to execute a game-winning drive with everything on the line. Similarly, a great defense can get a stop when it needs it most. In 2013, Auburn pulled out some great, even magical, wins in clutch moments. Unfortunately, they were one stop away from a national championship in the most important defensive series in Auburn football history.

 Going into 2014, the message to the team was that we would be “13 seconds better.” They would go beyond being a great statistical team; they would clutch out those elusive close games. And in a cruel twist of irony, nothing could’ve been farther from the truth. Since 2014, Auburn has statistically been... not clutch at all. Let’s take a look at the record:

Auburn is 3-10 when trailing/tied in close games going into the 4th quarter (8 points):

Wins:

2014 South Carolina (tied)

2016 Ole Miss (trailed by 2)

2016 LSU (trailed by 1)

Losses:

2014 Wisconsin (trailed by 4)

2014 Mississippi State (trailed by 8]

2015 Alabama (trailed by 6)

2015 Arkansas (trailed by 7)

2015 Ole Miss (trailed by 7)

2015 Georgia (tied)

2016 Georgia (tied)

2017 Clemson (trailed by 8]

2017 Georgia, SEC Championship (trailed by 6)

2017 UCF (tied)

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Overall, since 2014, Auburn is 9-13 in games decided within one score (8 points) or less:

Wins:

2014 Kansas State (won by 6)

2014 South Carolina (won by 7)

2014 Ole Miss (won by 4)

2015 Louisville (won by 7)

2015 JSU (won by 7)

2015 Kentucky (won by 3)

2016 Vanderbilt (won by 7)

2016 LSU (won by 5)

2018 Washington (won by 5)

Losses:

2014 Wisconsin (lost by 3)

2014 Texas A&M (lost by 3)

2015 Arkansas (lost by 8]

2015 Ole Miss (lost by 8]

2015 Georgia (lost by 7)

2015 Mississippi State (lost by 8]

2016 Clemson (lost by 6)

2016 Georgia (lost by 6)

2017 Clemson (lost by 8]

2017 LSU (lost by 4)

2017 UCF (lost by 7)

2018 LSU (lost by 1)

2018 Tennessee (lost by 6)

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This is not acceptable if we want to compete at higher level. The ability to win close games against good teams is a prerequisite for being an elite football program. While Malzahn was able to pour it on quite heavily against some teams in 2017, when Auburn needed a drive at the end of the Clemson game, we couldn’t get it. We couldn’t get a drive in the 4^th quarter of the LSU game. We couldn’t finish against UCF. Similarly, we couldn’t get the stop against LSU this year (granted they were aided by questionable penalties, but we still had 4^th and 7). 

The bottom line is that when the game is on the line, we aren’t getting it done. In college football, rankings/reputation is based solely on wins and losses. And often times, the difference between a win and a loss is razor-thin. It comes down to which team has the clutch factor.

 

[Gene Loblaw 636]

Haven't felt confident that AU could come from behind for a win since NM14 was on campus. Even then, the defenses were so bad then that the confidence was always shaky. Stidham gives everyone zero confidence that he can get things done in crunch time. The dude is just a front runner and doesn't care if the team loses.

[Aucater 152]

16 minutes ago, Gene Loblaw said:

Haven't felt confident that AU could come from behind for a win since NM14 was on campus. Even then, the defenses were so bad then that the confidence was always shaky. Stidham gives everyone zero confidence that he can get things done in crunch time. The dude is just a front runner and doesn't care if the team loses.

thats the problem when your leader won't stick his jewels in the same place your expected to then the whole team doesn't  try to play any better.

[Gene Loblaw 636]

1 minute ago, Aucater said:

thats the problem when your leader won't stick his jewels in the same place your expected to then the whole team doesn't  try to play any better.

Even in the championship game against FSU, NM14 led the team on what should've been a game winning drive. The defense just failed us. So weird how the times have changed since then. As I have absolutely zero hope now when the offens takes the field. But i was so calm when Nick Marshall was taking snaps under center.