Josh Gattis points to analytics on fourth-down play-calling vs. Army
Michigan’s 2019 season almost took a disastrous turn in Week 2 against Army.
The Wolverines were supposed to crush the Black Knights by at least three touchdowns according to Vegas, and yet, it took an overtime period for Michigan to best Army.
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On Monday, Wolverines offensive coordinator Josh Gattis talked about the play-calling and decision-making on fourth-down against Army, referring to analytics multiple times:
#Michigan OC Josh Gattis explains the mentality behind the fourth down play calling. Maintains that if the analytics likes their chances on fourth down and he likes the playcall, he’s going to let it rip and hope his guys can execute. pic.twitter.com/xbKHZefj6U
— Anthony Broome (@anthonytbroome) September 9, 2019
Analytics are all great and well. And sure, you can’t argue with math. But if momentum is going one way and dictating what is and what isn’t working in a football game, analytics can’t simulate that.
Then again, who am I to say that Michigan shouldn’t be following what the numbers say? Gattis and the Wolverines have a bye in Week 3 before heading to Madison, Wis. in Week 4 to take on the Wisconsin Badgers on Sept. 21.
