Does the "trap game" exist in today's football?

[8timechamps]

I was having a conversation with a person that is a ND graduate, and I made the comment that Purdue gave them everything they wanted, and that wasn't good (for ND). He immediately responded by saying "it was a trap game".

His logic was that between Michigan and Michigan State, the team was distracted, and not really ready for Purdue. I know what a "trap game" is, but I'm not so sure they exist in today's college game.

There was a time when teams could find themselves in a close game against an opponent that shouldn't be playing them close. But, nowadays (as Stoops loves to say), every team has athletes that can play.

I'm not saying that teams can't go into a game ill prepared, and lose. However, I don't think that was the case with ND last week. First, trap games traditionally don't happen early in the season. Second, Purdue has typically played well against ND. Finally, ND was coming off of a loss. If you can't get prepared after a loss, to face a team you should beat, there's a problem.

I don't think the Purdue game was a "trap" game. I don't think ND was ill prepared for Purdue. I think ND isn't what they were last year, and a very mediocre (possibly bad) Purdue team exposed that.

Trap game my ***.:black_eyed:

[BigTip]

I think that coaches will be ready for every game. But maybe the players can be lulled into subpar performances.
"We should beat these guys easily. I can't wait for NEXT week's game against...."
A coach can coach until he's blue in the face about being ready THIS week, but since I have a college age son that listens to NOTHING I say, I can imagine it might be hard for a coach to motivate his team against a lesser opponent. They will just nod their heads and say, "Yes Coach" while not really listening because they are dreaming of glory verses the marquee team to be played in two weeks.

[The Ghost of Mex]

I do believe in the trap game. I can't see it or feel it, but its there. Lurking in the shadows...

Purdue was not a trap game.

[Collier11]

100% Yes

[Collier11]

see Michigan after ND

[ouwasp]

Back in the Big 8 days, I hated it when OU played Kansas. They would always play out of their minds, and it was usually the week after Texas. That was a trap game. (the same blue birds would always roll over for Nebraska every yr)

I would say Tech a few yrs ago was a trap game. Looking ahead this yr, perhaps ISU fills that role. At home, after the 3 game stretch everyone is talking about, after Baylor, before the closing games at KSU and OSU.

In those games it important for the favored team to get off to a good start and maintain a lead.

I think trap games still exist, just maybe not as often. As to the Purdue-ND match, those are two in-state schools battling one another. I wouldn't consider that a trap game. ND knows darn well how much Purdue would relish that victory...and they wouldn't want to listen to that garbage for the next 12 months either.

[8timechamps]

I think that coaches will be ready for every game. But maybe the players can be lulled into subpar performances.
"We should beat these guys easily. I can't wait for NEXT week's game against...."
A coach can coach until he's blue in the face about being ready THIS week, but since I have a college age son that listens to NOTHING I say, I can imagine it might be hard for a coach to motivate his team against a lesser opponent. They will just nod their heads and say, "Yes Coach" while not really listening because they are dreaming of glory verses the marquee team to be played in two weeks.

I too have a 19 year old son. And now that I'm imagining him on the practice field, and a coach trying to get him ready for a game...I'm beginning to rethink my stance.

[8timechamps]

see Michigan after ND

Was that a trap game, or is Michigan just not that great?

Since both Michigan and Notre Dame were challenged by lesser opponents, I wonder if they were both "down", or if they just aren't that good.

[8timechamps]

Back in the Big 8 days, I hated it when OU played Kansas. They would always play out of their minds, and it was usually the week after Texas. That was a trap game. (the same blue birds would always roll over for Nebraska every yr)

I would say Tech a few yrs ago was a trap game. Looking ahead this yr, perhaps ISU fills that role. At home, after the 3 game stretch everyone is talking about, after Baylor, before the closing games at KSU and OSU.

In those games it important for the favored team to get off to a good start and maintain a lead.

I think trap games still exist, just maybe not as often. As to the Purdue-ND match, those are two in-state schools battling one another. I wouldn't consider that a trap game. ND knows darn well how much Purdue would relish that victory...and they wouldn't want to listen to that garbage for the next 12 months either.

I was thinking of the OU/KU games of the Big 8 days when I was writing the first post.

I know it's not always easy to get teams "up" week in and week out, but it just seems like in today's game, trap games aren't as plentiful as I remember them being (specifically in the Big 8 days).

[OU_Sooners75]

I wouldn't call it a trap game. I would call it a hang over game.

Hung over from a loss to your arch rival.

ND really doesn't have any "trap games." Their schedule is riddled with some decent opponents every week.

[Salt City Sooner]

Had Pachall not broken his arm I'd have had no problem calling TCU a trap game for us (I still have an eye on it, but not quite as concerned as before). You know the guys are going to spill their collective guts trying to get a win in South Bend, & right after the 'frog game is the RRS, & you know they're salivating for the chance to step on some 'horn throat again. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a letdown sandwiched in between the 2. It's just hard as heck to bring the A game every single week.

[BoulderSooner79]

I think trap games are as much on the coaches as the players. Multiple head coaches have admitted peeking at tough opponents strategies while preparing for a lesser opponents they play next. (They only admit it after the fact). I can imagine it's tougher to focus on a detailed game plan to optimize results when it is apparent your team is superior in most areas. The flip side of that coin is the underdog coach is a hero if he can take down the big dog, so he's looking for the perfect scheme no one else has tried.

[OU_Sooners75]

Had Pachall not broken his arm I'd have had no problem calling TCU a trap game for us (I still have an eye on it, but not quite as concerned as before). You know the guys are going to spill their collective guts trying to get a win in South Bend, & right after the 'frog game is the RRS, & you know they're salivating for the chance to step on some 'horn throat again. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a letdown sandwiched in between the 2. It's just hard as heck to bring the A game every single week.

It may not be the October Gauntlet of 2000, but it will be challenging.

But have faith. This team seems to be playing with a chip on their shoulder so far this season!

[salth2o]

Trap games, look ahead factor, exit exist. Watch the Vegas lines and they are easy to spot.

[8timechamps]

Maybe a better question would be "Was the Purdue/ND game a trap game for ND?".

I say no. The biggest reason is because ND was coming off of a loss. If you can't get up for a game after a loss, when can you?

[Breadburner]

No such thing.....

[Collier11]

Was that a trap game, or is Michigan just not that great?

Since both Michigan and Notre Dame were challenged by lesser opponents, I wonder if they were both "down", or if they just aren't that good.

Mich beat one of their biggest rivals and then played a crap team and almost got beat...that is the definition of a trap game

[Collier11]

I wouldn't call it a trap game. I would call it a hang over game.

Hung over from a loss to your arch rival.

ND really doesn't have any "trap games." Their schedule is riddled with some decent opponents every week.

tomato, tamato...if you come out flat against a lesser team following a high intensity rivalry game or "big game" that is how you define a trap game

[OU_Sooners75]

I wouldn't call it a trap game. I would call it a hang over game.

Hung over from a loss to your arch rival.

ND really doesn't have any "trap games." Their schedule is riddled with some decent opponents every week.

tomato, tamato...if you come out flat against a lesser team following a high intensity rivalry game or "big game" that is how you define a trap game

No, I consider a trap game before a big game against your arch rival or big time opponent.

I would have considered Tulsa a trap game had it been this weekend and not last weekend.

I would call a game after a big game a hang over, since the team gets all pumped and puts a lot of energy into it.

[agoo758]

Was that a trap game, or is Michigan just not that great?

.


I'm pretty sure they are better than a last play stop in the Redzone against Akron.

[BoulderSooner79]

Without "trap game" and "hangover game" we would come up 2 short on sports cliches. You've got to know your cliches.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

swagger

[stoops the eternal pimp]

finish

[stoops the eternal pimp]

moxie

[Breadburner]

Matriculate

[XingTheRubicon]

what if it's windy

[BoulderSooner79]

110% effort

[Collier11]

finish

isn't this your specialty Step? Quick and Efficient

[8timechamps]

So, for those that said Michigan's close game against Akron was a trap game. How do you explain their poor performance against mighty UConn?


I think it's very possible that Michigan just isn't very good this year.

I know we're not supposed to play the comparison game, but this is what I noticed in the past few weeks:

Three weeks ago:
Michigan beats Notre Dame in a close game.

Purdue escapes a close game with Indiana State (20-14)

Two weeks ago:
Michigan escapes a very close game with Akron.

Notre Dame has to rally in the fourth quarter to beat Purdue.

Last Saturday:
Purdue gets throttled by Wisconsin.

Notre Dame escapes a close game with Michigan State.

Michigan escapes a close game with UConn.


That's a lot of trap games.

[Collier11]

You are making this far too complicated my man, just cus you play bad doesn't make it a trap game and just because it is a "trap game" doesn't mean you play bad. A Trap Game is merely a game that you are set up for failure due to a big game prior or after, there are other factors but again, it doesn't always hold true. OU always plays pretty well after Texas so the rule isn't fool proof

[8timechamps]

You are making this far too complicated my man, just cus you play bad doesn't make it a trap game and just because it is a "trap game" doesn't mean you play bad. A Trap Game is merely a game that you are set up for failure due to a big game prior or after, there are other factors but again, it doesn't always hold true. OU always plays pretty well after Texas so the rule isn't fool proof

My point is more about Michigan than any other team (the other games were just observations).

I've watched some of the last three Michigan games, and they were supposed to be much better than they've played. I could see the Akron game being a "trap", but to come out the very next week and look so bad against UConn...that's just the mark of a team that's not that great.

[BoulderSooner79]

I watched the KU/La Tech game and I felt trapped.

[8timechamps]

I watched the KU/La Tech game and I felt trapped.

That game was brutal (but I watched it!).

I found myself pulling for KU. La Tech had the game won until the RB fumbled.

[BoulderSooner79]

That game was brutal (but I watched it!).

I found myself pulling for KU. La Tech had the game won until the RB fumbled.

You'd think we would turn off he TV or look away. But it's like a train wreck, we can't.

[8timechamps]

You'd think we would turn off he TV or look away. But it's like a train wreck, we can't.

I'm terrible this time of year. But, I make up for it during the off season.

I always try to watch some of the conference teams (if they're on). I just got stuck watching the KU game (in the 4th), and I couldn't stop. The same thing happened in the Virginia Tech/Marshall game (that went to 3 OTs).

I have the CFB illness.

[Salt City Sooner]

That game was brutal (but I watched it!).

I found myself pulling for KU. La Tech had the game won until the RB fumbled.
I felt BAD for that kid. He flat out spilled his guts on that play; looked like he carried what seemed like half the KU D for about 5 yards or so, only to cough it up. Tough break.

[8timechamps]

I felt BAD for that kid. He flat out spilled his guts on that play; looked like he carried what seemed like half the KU D for about 5 yards or so, only to cough it up. Tough break.

Me too. Although I found myself pulling for KU (like cheering for a friends disabled kid in the Special Olympics), I couldn't help but feel bad for the kid.

I was watching the game with my 13 year old son, and right after that happened, I made the comment that "one play or one player doesn't win or lose the game" (trying to brighten up the situation). My kid replies "I don't know dad, it sure looked like he lost the game on that play". Kinda hard to come back with anything after that.

[BoulderSooner79]

Me too. Although I found myself pulling for KU (like cheering for a friends disabled kid in the Special Olympics), I couldn't help but feel bad for the kid.

I was watching the game with my 13 year old son, and right after that happened, I made the comment that "one play or one player doesn't win or lose the game" (trying to brighten up the situation). My kid replies "I don't know dad, it sure looked like he lost the game on that play". Kinda hard to come back with anything after that.

I had the same feeling on that play. The kid gained a tough 1st down they really needed to win the game with a great run. He had the ball tucked in with the 3 points of contact and was holding on for dear life. The defender just made a great play to leverage the ball out. If there should be any blame, it should go to the knucklehead QB that fumbled through the endzone on a previous series in the 4th qtr. He made a good run and was being escorted out of bounds inside the 5. It would have been 1st and goal. He got greedy and moved the ball into the wrong hand trying to do that stretch to the pylon thing. He exposed the ball to the defender who slapped it out of his hand for the fumble/touchback.

[8timechamps]

I had the same feeling on that play. The kid gained a tough 1st down they really needed to win the game with a great run. He had the ball tucked in with the 3 points of contact and was holding on for dear life. The defender just made a great play to leverage the ball out. If there should be any blame, it should go to the knucklehead QB that fumbled through the endzone on a previous series in the 4th qtr. He made a good run and was being escorted out of bounds inside the 5. It would have been 1st and goal. He got greedy and moved the ball into the wrong hand trying to do that stretch to the pylon thing. He exposed the ball to the defender who slapped it out of his hand for the fumble/touchback.

Absolutely! I had forgotten about the touchback. I know it's not uncommon for players to reach out with the ball in an attempt to break the plane, but I still don't like it.

Kevin Sumlin's mantra "Score WITH the ball" may be the single most important pieces of advice for an offensive player.

Getting back to the kid fumbling at the end, if I remember correctly (I watched a lot of football, so I'm not sure if I'm mixing my games up), the defender that forced the fumble, happened to be in the right place at the right time. Seems like he was actually laying under the back and ended up in perfect position to pull the ball out.

[TXSooner]

there's so much media and communication now - twitter, fbook, web - that teams know about each other's strengths and weaknesses. this blunts the "trap" concept.

[BoulderSooner79]

Absolutely! I had forgotten about the touchback. I know it's not uncommon for players to reach out with the ball in an attempt to break the plane, but I still don't like it.



There's a time to reach and a time to protect the ball. This QB had 2 defenders on his right hip and he wasn't that close to the goal. He moved the ball to his right hand just as a defender came in with a chop on his right arm. If the ball stays in his left arm there is zero chance of fumble - selfish play.

[opksooner]

Say! Maybe we catch ND looking ahead to ASU. Ya think?

[8timechamps]

There's a time to reach and a time to protect the ball. This QB had 2 defenders on his right hip and he wasn't that close to the goal. He moved the ball to his right hand just as a defender came in with a chop on his right arm. If the ball stays in his left arm there is zero chance of fumble - selfish play.

That's right, I was thinking about the Texas/KSU game (the fumble where the defender was on his back).

[BoulderSooner79]

Say! Maybe we catch ND looking ahead to ASU. Ya think?

I would like our team to cause their fans to claim that after their team takes a beating. Maybe it will appear in their meltdown postings :surprise:

[Scott D]

So, for those that said Michigan's close game against Akron was a trap game. How do you explain their poor performance against mighty UConn?


I think it's very possible that Michigan just isn't very good this year.

Devon Gardner is trying to do too much instead of letting the game come to him. I'd argue they're a better team than they've played of late.

[8timechamps]

Devon Gardner is trying to do too much instead of letting the game come to him. I'd argue they're a better team than they've played of late.

Since you live up there, I'm sure you have access to more information than I do (unless I really search for it online). From what I understood, Michigan had been really improving their talent, and I expected them to play much better than they have thus far.

It's funny, because when I flipped over to the UM/UConn game, it was 21-7 UConn, and I told my kid "UM will come back and win this in a close one"...sure enough.

I think that alone speaks for what they're capable of, regardless of the team, if you can come back like that, on the road, you have to be at least decent. I just want them to beat Ohio State.

[Scott D]

Since you live up there, I'm sure you have access to more information than I do (unless I really search for it online). From what I understood, Michigan had been really improving their talent, and I expected them to play much better than they have thus far.

It's funny, because when I flipped over to the UM/UConn game, it was 21-7 UConn, and I told my kid "UM will come back and win this in a close one"...sure enough.

I think that alone speaks for what they're capable of, regardless of the team, if you can come back like that, on the road, you have to be at least decent. I just want them to beat Ohio State.

Up here it's pretty amusing. Michigan fan is upset because as they put it, any Gardner pass right now seems to be 50/50 on whether it will end up in the hands of a Michigan receiver or an opposing defender. Michigan State fans are upset because the offense has completely regressed from the glory days of Kirk Cousins. Nobody around here talks about that school down south called Ohio if they can avoid it.

[8timechamps]

Up here it's pretty amusing. Michigan fan is upset because as they put it, any Gardner pass right now seems to be 50/50 on whether it will end up in the hands of a Michigan receiver or an opposing defender. Michigan State fans are upset because the offense has completely regressed from the glory days of Kirk Cousins. Nobody around here talks about that school down south called Ohio if they can avoid it.

Interesting perspective.

Although, I can understand the avoidance of anything tOSU. They'll have to get their play up if they want to make a run at the Buckeyes.

[Statalyzer]

It does not exist, it's confirmation bias when it happens and the plenty of times it doesn't happen we ignore. You're going to over-perform in some games and under-perform in some. When a team under-performs and had a really big game right before that or right after that (hardly statistically unusual), we call it "trap game" to explain something that needs no extra explaining.


Absolutely! I had forgotten about the touchback. I know it's not uncommon for players to reach out with the ball in an attempt to break the plane, but I still don't like it.

I hate the touchback rule. There is a consistent way to handle fumbles that go out of bounds without being recovered: offense gets it at the worst possible of the two spots A)spot the fumble occurred B)spot it went out of bounds, and that rule ought to suffice for the whole field.

[BoulderSooner79]

I hate the touchback rule. There is a consistent way to handle fumbles that go out of bounds without being recovered: offense gets it at the worst possible of the two spots A)spot the fumble occurred B)spot it went out of bounds, and that rule ought to suffice for the whole field.

It is a bizarre rule. I assume it was called that way because it used to be that a ball fumbled forward would be marked at the spot it went out of bounds. It didn't seem right to give a team a score if they fumbled forward to get it, so it was ruled a touchback in that case. Then the fumble rule was changed to exclude any yardage advantage, but the touchback rule remains. It's an oddity now, but it's a quirk that adds risk and intrigue. It applies often enough that all fans know the rule. I don't see it changing but it seems odd for a team to get possession without recovering the ball or stopping a team on 4th down.

[8timechamps]

I hate the touchback rule. There is a consistent way to handle fumbles that go out of bounds without being recovered: offense gets it at the worst possible of the two spots A)spot the fumble occurred B)spot it went out of bounds, and that rule ought to suffice for the whole field.

Unlike this year's targeting rule issues, this has been around for a long time, and nobody seems to be interested in changing it. It's ridiculous.

[aurorasooner]

Re: Does the "trap game" exist in today's football? If it does exist, then next week will confirm it. Playing TCU between Notre Dame and the RRR is going to be a tough one. I did notice they stomped SMU today but I think it was pretty close early. I'm glad this one is in Norman and not in Ft. Worth or Jerry World.

[BoulderSooner79]

Next up: trap game. DOOMED!!

[Collier11]

TCU is at home, not a trap game