If you defer you get the opportunity to have back to back possessions and scores, which can be 14 point or more swings and set the tone for the game and half. Also opportunity to start on a short field. Deferring is most always a solid choice.
I've always thought the visitor should have the ball first, like baseball (well, they're on offense). A coin toss is a very silly way to determine something that is not a game of chance.
I wonder if anyone has ever studied w/l as it relates to who kicks off the game. ... or just who wins the toss because it's a chance to play to your strength early.
Aside from that, I like kicking off because it challenges your D to start the game off with a stop. Get that one stop and you're off and running!
Of course, we don't ever get that stop, and our offense has yet to score on an opening drive, so who knows what would work.
Last Edited: 10/8/2018 11:14:42 AM by Deciduous Forest Cat