This is what Christensen is doing.

[theman]

Against Boise, TCU, Utah, and Texas; Dave Christensen never gave a second thought to actually competing or trying to win the games. In each of these contests his gameplan was too simply run out the clock and shorten the game as much as possible. Now against quality opponents shortening the game is a good gameplan, but Christensen is not trying to win. He's taking it way too far and the players know when the coaches don't have confidence in you. The problem is that to keep the clock running, Christensen would keep the ball on the ground with no chance of gaining a first down. Taking a chance throwing for the first down, would then allow you to burn more clock if you made it; also giving you a chance to win if you complete passes. It was embarrassing to hear Gary Patterson say at HALFTIME that he was just trying to run out the clock and not run up the score.

Now we have some easier competition. I will be judging Christensen heavily this week.*and rest of the year* his honeymoon is now up..

 

[Cornpoke]

It's not a bad plan. Get this season over with, the quicker the better. I think DC is looking to the future knowing we can't compete with most of our competition right now. The key is going to come down to recruiting and getting the guys he wants to play in his system.

For example, I play NCAA 2011 on my ps3, I started my dynasty with Wyoming, I wasn't focused on winning with the current roster, which is rated terrible, as I was with getting my recruiting board setup with the guys I wanted. I don't run Wyoming's playbook so I basically threw away a couple seasons to start getting the guys I needed for my system, The Shoot-Bone, A hybrid Run & Shoot/Flexbone offense.

Not the best example, but I think it gives a good explanation as to what DC is thinking. Now if he lands the recruits he needs, We will become competitive again. I don't see us switching Offensive schemes or coordinators like Joe Glenn Did. I think we stay the course with his idea & system, then the results will come.

 

[The Virginian]

It's not a bad plan. Get this season over with, the quicker the better. I think DC is looking to the future knowing we can't compete with most of our competition right now. The key is going to come down to recruiting and getting the guys he wants to play in his system.

Coach Christensen has a plan. I spoke with a parent of one of the players a couple of weeks ago and he told me that several players have left the program because they can't hang with the discipline. Remember that big kid from Georgia? According to this parent, he left because he didn't want to put in the work. Remember back to when he was hired, he spoke of his program and how he's going to approach building this program? Kevin McKinney confirmed that in the CBS-C program "College Confidential". Kevin said that when they interviewed him, DC was far and above superior to all the candidates they interviewed for the job. "He came in with a plan on how he was going to build this program. He has a stong vision."

Remember, there are only 65 scholarship players on this team, the same number allowed for FCS. I have full confidence that DC will get the players he needs to fullfill his plan, it's just going to take some time. Just look at DC standing on the sidelines, he looks like a man ready to pass another kidney stone. This losing is killing him, but he has faith in his approach. We need to have the same.

 

[Cheywypoke]

I have absolutely no problem with trying to shorten the game and running the clock against the high powered teams on our schedule. You gameplan to keep the score close with the hope that you "might" have an opportunity to win a close game at the end. Unfortunately, the defense has been on the field an awful lot, has worn town and TCU/BSU/Texas/Utah has been able to score. Shortening the game is definitely a better option that trying to get into a shootout with those schools.
Back in the day before the shot clock, Air Force would sit on the ball passing it back and forth in the backcourt running literally 5-6 minutes off the clock during a possession. The result was damn boring basketball. Air Force would still lose with scores like 34-32. But at least they had a chance to win at the end and I'm sure they would rather lose by 2 than by 26.
Sure its pretty obvious that the Cowboys get pretty darn conservative against teams that are expected to blow them out. I think part of the philosophy is that he's saving his team and is playing things close to the vest during those games. I also believe the gameplan will be much different against teams that we actually have a chance of beating. I also beieve that he doesn't give a rats ass if the recent games haven't been "entertaining" enough for some people.

 

[Pittsburgh Nellie]

For example, I play NCAA 2011 on my ps3, I started my dynasty with Wyoming, I wasn't focused on winning with the current roster, which is rated terrible, as I was with getting my recruiting board setup with the guys I wanted. I don't run Wyoming's playbook so I basically threw away a couple seasons to start getting the guys I needed for my system, The Shoot-Bone, A hybrid Run & Shoot/Flexbone offense.

Not the best example, but I think it gives a good explanation as to what DC is thinking.

With all due respect, this whole analogy made me kind of chuckle. In fact, it reminded me of this-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpmIBJ_MKas

 

[laxwyo]

For example, I play NCAA 2011 on my ps3, I started my dynasty with Wyoming, I wasn't focused on winning with the current roster, which is rated terrible, as I was with getting my recruiting board setup with the guys I wanted. I don't run Wyoming's playbook so I basically threw away a couple seasons to start getting the guys I needed for my system, The Shoot-Bone, A hybrid Run & Shoot/Flexbone offense.

Not the best example, but I think it gives a good explanation as to what DC is thinking.

With all due respect, this whole analogy made me kind of chuckle. In fact, it reminded me of this-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpmIBJ_MKas

Funny stuff Pitt.

 

[Stuck]

I have absolutely no problem with trying to shorten the game and running the clock against the high powered teams on our schedule. You gameplan to keep the score close with the hope that you "might" have an opportunity to win a close game at the end. Unfortunately, the defense has been on the field an awful lot, has worn town and TCU/BSU/Texas/Utah has been able to score. Shortening the game is definitely a better option that trying to get into a shootout with those schools.
Back in the day before the shot clock, Air Force would sit on the ball passing it back and forth in the backcourt running literally 5-6 minutes off the clock during a possession. The result was damn boring basketball. Air Force would still lose with scores like 34-32. But at least they had a chance to win at the end and I'm sure they would rather lose by 2 than by 26.
Sure its pretty obvious that the Cowboys get pretty darn conservative against teams that are expected to blow them out. I think part of the philosophy is that he's saving his team and is playing things close to the vest during those games. I also believe the gameplan will be much different against teams that we actually have a chance of beating. I also beieve that he doesn't give a rats ass if the recent games haven't been "entertaining" enough for some people.

I agree 100% with everything you said.
I'm glad DC hasn't done like Hauck did at UNLV. After the Nevada game he had 21 players that were questionable to play the following weekend. I think they would have had a good shot at beating CSU if they hadn't abused all their resources trying everything possible to win unwinnable games. I think DC tests the water first to see if he wants to jump in.
I was very impressed with our performance verses the Falcons and they had Tew for all 4 quarters! SDSU got off easy with him out!