Do you find yourself more relaxed on third downs than prior years?

[Eric15]

It's not your imagination. We are absolutely killing it on third down this season (2nd in the country just behind Miami). Over the past decade we have fluctuated between mediocrity and nightmarishly bad on third downs. Here's our national ranking each year.

2024: 2
2023: 80
2022: 99
2021: 116
2020: 123
2019: 75
2018: 58
2017: 81
2016: 71
2015: 121
2014: 112

College Football Stats - College FB Team Third Down Conversion Percentage | TeamRankings.com

College Football third down conversion percentage, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

 

[BomberOrange]

At the GT game I turned to my son and said this exact thing. I feel we will get every 3rd down now which is amazing considering our recent past.

 

[Dcuse]

It helps immensely when it's 3rd and 3,2 or1.

 

[javadoc]

It's not your imagination. We are absolutely killing it on third down this season (2nd in the country just behind Miami). Over the past decade we have fluctuated between mediocrity and nightmarishly bad on third downs. Here's our national ranking each year.

2024: 2
2023: 80
2022: 99
2021: 116
2020: 123
2019: 75
2018: 58
2017: 81
2016: 71
2015: 121
2014: 112

College Football Stats - College FB Team Third Down Conversion Percentage | TeamRankings.com

College Football third down conversion percentage, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

Hopeful, not relaxed.

 

[upperdeck]

I would rather never have a 3rd down.

Having a QB that makes more accurate throws helps. As well as having a system that gets the main guys in better spots helps. still wish 3rd and shorts could more often be simple runs but baby steps

 

[RF2044]

No.

But I DO feel more confident about our ability to convert.

 

[David321]

McCord factor

 

[texascpa]

Hell yes. Last year, I would sigh of exasperation on third down, figuring if Shrader didn't run it, we weren't getting it. Now, run/pass, it don't matter, good chance we are converting.

 

[rocklloyd]

100%, i said it in another thread. 3rd and long hardly phases me. In prior years, i'd be jokingly suggesting quick kick on 3rd down to gain field position.

 

[SanDiegoCuse]

I feel so much better but I wouldn't say relaxed.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

I actually am so relaxed on 3rd downs now, I take a quick nap.

I also love that I don't care where we get the ball, I'm confident we can drive the distance.

I've been telling everyone this for years but passing attacks are magical.

 

[kingtidge]

Generally, yes.

However, nothing about last week's game made me feel comfortable.

In fact, I couldn't bring myself to even rewatch it.

 

[Rautins07]

More relaxed on 3rd downs, more relaxed with a 2 minute drill, more relaxed when we need a big/important drive.
Trouble with my bowels when special teams trot on the field.

 

[NKR1978]

It's not your imagination. We are absolutely killing it on third down this season (2nd in the country just behind Miami). Over the past decade we have fluctuated between mediocrity and nightmarishly bad on third downs. Here's our national ranking each year.

2024: 2
2023: 80
2022: 99
2021: 116
2020: 123
2019: 75
2018: 58
2017: 81
2016: 71
2015: 121
2014: 112

College Football Stats - College FB Team Third Down Conversion Percentage | TeamRankings.com

College Football third down conversion percentage, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

I thought 2018 was the gold standard! That's crazy.

 

[dwilmont44]

I am surprised at the 2018 ranking. Felt like Dungey could get 5 yards every play whether it be his legs or a quick pass.

 

[Crusty]

I am surprised at the 2018 ranking. Felt like Dungey could get 5 yards every play whether it be his legs or a quick pass.

Felt like we would get a false starts or a play called back for holding!

 

[SU91]

Not just third downs, but third and longs. We can actually convert with McCord. Third and short has been challenging for us for several seasons, forget about third and 7+, those were automatic punting situations. Having better players, scheme, and play calling has undoubtedly made watching third down more enjoyable this year. It’s mostly McCord.

 

[kcsu]

It starts with Kyle and Nixon but we also have a ton of weapons and if we only need 5 yards or so we are really tough to defend

 

[bigmike]

Compared to the last few years, I feel like this most of the time. I largely credit many fewer first and 15 or 20’s.

 

[Offthedome]

Confident, but not so much relaxed. I'm talking 3rd and 18 - I still feel confident that we can convert. Even with Dungey I didn't feel this confident. With him, I hoped it was a broken play so he could run like a demon down the field.

I'm never relaxed watching a game. It's kind of pathetic.

 

[Dinkyspond]

It's not your imagination. We are absolutely killing it on third down this season (2nd in the country just behind Miami). Over the past decade we have fluctuated between mediocrity and nightmarishly bad on third downs. Here's our national ranking each year.

2024: 2
2023: 80
2022: 99
2021: 116
2020: 123
2019: 75
2018: 58
2017: 81
2016: 71
2015: 121
2014: 112

College Football Stats - College FB Team Third Down Conversion Percentage | TeamRankings.com

College Football third down conversion percentage, by team.

www.teamrankings.com

amazing nugget here

 

[BillSU]

Yes. With McCord at the helm I do feel more relaxed - he reads defenses very well and most of the time we, because of his arm or Le Quint's legs, we move the chains.

 

[Chip]

I'm definitely much more relaxed on 1st and 20.

 

[UpstateSM]

I've never even considered using "I am" "relaxed" or "Syracuse Football" in the same paragraph

 

[Tony DeFranco]

No, I find myself in a deep panic knowing that our punt team in coming on the field followed by the defense