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Willie Taggart talks what goes into making fourth down decisions

By Kelvin Hunt

TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 01: Florida State Seminoles fans during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL - OCTOBER 01: Florida State Seminoles fans during the game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Doak Campbell Stadium on October 1, 2016 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Jeff Gammons/Getty Images) /
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Willie Taggart may be changing how FSU fans look at certain fourth down situations in 2018.

FSU football was known for having some of the best kickers in the game under the old regime with both Dustin Hopkins and Roberto Aguayo being NFL Draft selections.

Both were excellent from long-range and often used  to convert long field goals on stalled drives. However, it’s always more efficient for teams to score touchdowns opposed to settling for field goals.

FSU went for it on fourth down 24 times and converted first downs 12 times (50 percent conversion rate over the past three season.

Coach Willie Taggart has a much more aggressive approach and we chatted with about it in part of our exclusive interview earlier this week.

ChopChat: You’ve gone for it on fourth down 55 times over the past three seasons with 35 conversions (63.6 percent). Talk about what goes into those decisions to go for it in those situations.

"Willie Taggart: “I think it all depends on the momentum and how the game is going. From the 45 yard line going in those are certain areas where you don’t mind going for it, but I think it all depends on how the game is going, depending on how your defense is playing. I think all those things play a factor. I do consider how the game is being played.”"

Thoughts

That’s certainly welcome news to hear as FSU clearly settled for too many long field goals or punted on their own side of the field to only net about 20 yards of field position.

It’s clear Taggart has a good feel for when to go for it on fourth down with his incredible conversion percentage over the past three seasons.

There are positives in going for it even if the conversion doesn’t happen. Let’s say the offense is on the opponents 30 yard line and go for it on fourth down and get denied.

Well, FSU football usually fields a good to elite defense so the odds of them allowing the opposing offense to go 70 yards for a touchdown are fairly low.

Odds are the defense will hold with the FSU offense getting the ball in decent field position to put another offensive drive together.

Also, fourth down conversions can be demoralizing for opposing defenses. There’s a reason Willie Taggart offenses have averaged over 35 points per game over the past three seasons.

Next: How New Staff Could Impact Special Teams

It’s going to be exciting to see what happens with the caliber of athletes he has on the roster at FSU.

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