Saturday night I was watching the Oregon game where a worse situation than ours came up:

Oregon 2nd QTR drive which began at 2:47. They ended up facing 3rd and 29.

They passed (unsuccessfully) and keep in mind, that is with their possibilities at QB.

Why would they pass (it was really just giving it to the QB and letting him try to make something happen.)

They were also inside their own 10 yard line, not out at their own 20. Much greater risk AND with time left for the other team to score.

I remember watching that play and thinking "Why didn't we put the ball in TH's hands like they did Mariotta?"

Ours was from our 20. It was midway through the 2nd QTR. We went way conservative.

Not too many top programs go that conservative on 3rd and long unless they are inside their own 10 and giving the punter room.