Blowouts: Shows of bad sportsmanship?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

The winning team shouldn't embarrass the other team if the lead is high, I grant that, but neither should they embarrass *their own fans* by going out and deliberately playing a crappy job just so they won't score.

I mean, would you expect a winning football team to just stand around on the field doing nothing? Or a baseball team to deliberately swing and miss the ball for every at-bat? Even if there's a commanding lead, the game must still be played.

the only reason you shouldn't run up the score is if you have an agreement from the other team not to win.

If you have a WHAT?

 

[Nerys Ghemor]

I'm sorry, but if your team can't measure up even after the opposing team empties the bench, they deserve every point scored against them as a reminder of why they need to do better. As long as the team that's continuing to score is not a) cheating or b) leaving their starters in beyond a reasonable period, they do NOT owe the other team some kind of protection of their "feelings." Getting blown out like that should be an incentive to do better. Period.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

the only reason you shouldn't run up the score is if you have an agreement from the other team not to win.

If you have a WHAT?

Laying back on scoring allows the other team to come back and possibly win. It would be unfair if you stop scoring to be nice and then they win the game. Therefore, the only way it would be fair is if the other team agrees not to win the game, that way it can be as close as anyone wants to not be embarrassed.

 

[buffyscrubs]

I suggested that some night next season, he actually run up the score

 

[Dorian Thompson]

It *is* possible to run up a score. Rick Neuheisel used to be the head coach at Colorado. I forget which team the Buffs were playing, but they scored a touchdown in the final seconds to make the score 48-0.

Colorado went for 2. Now that's f'ing obnoxious.