Shanahan’s Impact on College Ball Mixed

↵Last week, Mike Shanahan’s decision to go for two remained a storyline secondary to Ed Hochuli’s mistake and apology show. And while fans disputed whether Shanahan’s move -- down one near the end of regulation, he go for two and the win -- was the right one to make, it was universally seen as ballsy.
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↵N.C. State coach Tom O’Brien had a similar opportunity today. Red-shirt freshman QB Russell Wilson delivered a baby to George Bryan’s cradle with a minute left to pull the score to 24-23. O’Brien took the tie and, eventually, overtime. The Pack triumphed nonetheless, once East Carolina QB Patrick Pickney got smacked in the back on the first series of OT. Andrew Brown of N.C. State rumbled it in on the third play of the Pack’s chance. And just like that, Shanahan’s new wisdom suffers a blow and ECU’s BCS-buster status disappears. I miss the Pirates already.
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↵Meanwhile in West Lafayette, Central Michigan found itself in a similar position. And the Chippewas went for it. And got the two-pointer. Success! ... Oh, except Purdue’s Desmond Tardy returned the kickoff to midfield, and the brilliant Kory Sheets took it 46 yards on the next play for an 18-second TD drive. Central Michigan, with a whole minute left, made it to Purdue territory, but Dan LeFevour fired off an interception to seal the loss.
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↵So early Saturday, one team followed Shanahan’s lead and lost; another ignored the new the conventional wisdom and won. Hmm.↵