Running Up the Score
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 20:37
Every time a team continues to pile on the points long after the game is out of reach, crybabies who belong on hippie communes where competition is forbidden complain about running up the score.
I like running up the score. I believe in running up the score, in demoralizing your opponent so viciously that they trble in fear the next time they face you.
Why am I bringing this up?
Because in college football, running up the score can be a necessity.
If Texas had any chance of making a claim at the AP portion of the national title, they needed to absolutely demolish Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl Monday night. They didn’t. We did get a thrilling game which Texas won on a briliant final drive, but in seizing victory from the jaws of defeat, the Longhorns already very slim championship hopes were dashed.
USC did what they had to against Penn State, but even their effort will not be enough since Utah dominated Alabama more than the 31-17 final score shows. Coupled with their undefeated season, the Utes performance might actually be enough to sway some AP voters. But in generating excitement Texas failed. They needed to run up the score.
And as long as the BCS is in place teams will need to do so to help their rankings throughout the season.
To be fair, college football isn’t the only sport where running up the score is a wise proposition. Baseball’s perpetual possibility of coming from behind means no score is ever safe.
ernessa
says:
January 7th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Um… it sounds exciting. But what exactly is running up the score?
P.K. Brooks
says:
January 7th, 2009 at 4:05 am
It's interesting that you posted this today. Bruce Boudreau, coach of the Washington Capitals complained about the Flyers having run the score up against them in their last meeting in which Philadelphia won 7-1.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/arti...
Boudreau brought it up in a press conference prior to tonight's game in an apparent attempt at gamesmanship that seemed to motivate the Flyers more than it did the Capitals. Despite the incendiary words, the Caps needed OT and the shootout to beat a Flyers team that was so riddled with injuries at the forward position that they had not one, but two defenseman playing as forwards.
natebarlow
says:
January 7th, 2009 at 4:11 am
Running up the score is when you continue to press and try to score more points even when you're already destroying the other team and the game is for all intents and purposes over. Not every blow up can be attributed to running up the score; sometime the disparity between teams is so great that the better team will continue to score even with scrubs and backups playing, not even trying to score. Running up the score is when you continue to push for those points.
ernessa
says:
January 7th, 2009 at 4:22 am
oh yeah, they used to hate when we did that in roller derby, too. in all fairness it does make for a less interesting game. i hate the lakers, but i love when they are up then only sort of up and then pull off the win anyway.
Gairzo
says:
January 7th, 2009 at 5:29 am
Ernessa, that roller derby game was one of the most entertaining events I've witnessed in L.A.. Once I got over the visual thrill of seeing hot women on skates, I was struck at how mean you guys got. I'm serious, I saw elbows, welts on faces, blood, snarling. Really cool stuff. When I was a pup, me and my dad used to watch that and wrestling–when it was REAL!
On running up the score…Nate, you have a delicious cruelty in some of your posts. I'll make it a point to never make you angry. I agree, though. Somebody runs it up on you, shut up, channel it inward, and make it your life's purpose to make 'em pay. Athletes today are such whiny little children, aren't they?
natebarlow
says:
January 7th, 2009 at 6:17 am
I agree that it doesn't make for a more interesting game, but from a strategic standpoint it's the best thing to do.
Of course, it is highly enjoyable when your team is slaughtering their archrival.