First we have Meyer. Though I am no fan of his personality and off-the-field comments, I do admire and respect his coaching abilities. He's coming off of three straight losses - something neither of his two predecessors ever did at UF. With an extra week to prepare he did what some coaches would consider un-thinkable: make significant changes 2/3 through the season. Why? Because what they had been running was not working. And change he did. He used three different QB's; not in a series or quarter rotation but throughout the game. It was tough at first and a few hiccups were obvious but he took the risk then placed trust in his players and staff. It paid off. UF won the game in OT (darn it).
On the other side of the field Richt's players struggled the first half, scoring only once. By half-time the Bulldog QB had thrown an interception and fumbled another. Was he pulled at half? Were changes made to the offense? No. Richt continued to take risks and keep pushing and keep trusting his players. Georgia dominated the 3rd and 4th quarters, going into the 4th down 28 - 10, and tied the game in regulation. And to start OT did they go conservative and just settle for the field goal given their always on place kicker? No - they went for it all on the first play in OT then again on the third. They took risks and trusted in the players.
And fans respect coaches and teams that try to win instead of trying not to lose.
EndZone
I also caught part of the Oregon - USC game and saw similar traits in the coaching of Chip Kelly. Heading into half-time the Ducks are up 22 - 17 with under two minutes to go...a point where most teams run a play or two, let the seconds tick off and go into half-time with the lead. Not Kelly. He knew that USC had the crowd, the home team advantage, and some momentum. So what did he do? He threw the ball down the field, going for (and getting) one last score before the half. He didn't take a knee and let the clock tick away. He knew every second would count in a game like this and a season like this. That is how he has played all year...non-stop, taking risks, setting high expectations and expecting only the best from the guys that he trusts.
Other coaches (cough...BYU) could learn a thing or two.