Let Jacksonville State’s and Tennessee’s losses this weekend be a reminder to coaches everywhere: Playing not to lose guarantees losing.
Let’s start with the FCS’ Gamecocks. After Auburn tied the game at 20 apiece with under a minute remaining, the Tigers committed what could have been a fatal error by booting the kickoff out of bounds and giving Jacksonville State the ball at their own 35-yard line with 39 seconds and one timeout left.
Having ripped through the Auburn defense all day and needing only about 30 yards to have a legitimate field goal opportunity, it was just assumed that Jacksonville State would go for the win in regulation.