Back to the Michigan State Spartans Newsfeed

Game Theory: Going for Two with the Lead

Two years ago, I wrote an article on when to go for two when trailing. There's a lot of math involved there (and this one will have a bit too), but a brief summary on late-game strategy:

  • If you need a two-point conversion, it's often best to do it early - sometimes there are alternate paths to success if the two-point try fails early, but postponing the conversion puts all your eggs in one basket.
  • If down 8, 11, 15, 18, 19, 22, 23, or 24 before the touchdown, you should always go for two.