Big Ten and the Spread offense

[Taosman]

Wisconsin runs a great "system" and recruits to run it. Give them credit for having a distinct identity. Knowing who they are/what they will run.
They do like their QBs to run some. That adds to the run game.
When you run your QB much your really taking a big chance of wrecking your offense with one injury.
(that's why Illinois has 2 running QBs)

 

[utgrad73]

Wisconsin runs a great "system" and recruits to run it. Give them credit for having a distinct identity. Knowing who they are/what they will run.
They do like their QBs to run some. That adds to the run game.
When you run your QB much your really taking a big chance of wrecking your offense with one injury.
(that's why Illinois has 2 running QBs)

OK, if this sounds a little oxygen deprived, I apologize. Winter sucks and my fireplaces are consuming the O2 from my living space.

We should run Henton and pass TB. Or vice versa, keep it mixed up. Then if we get JP, we can run, pass, run & pass. Rotate in three QB's and its a freaking free for all that no one can stop.

I heard Pryor say when asked about his decision yet (i.e. tOSU) - "it's a good place". A good place to run and pass and practice for the NFL! It's a good place to become a great QB. We need him but I would expect a full diet of Henton and Boeckman rotating in and out next season. TP would be a bonus, that JT will find a spot for. Fit the player according to abilities and gameplan.

 

[Steve19]

Look at it this way, does the perception of the SEC ever hang on Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, or South Carolina? By the same token the fact that Purdue and Northwestern have been running the spread for a while isn't going to change perceptions of the Big Ten. It takes a change at a Big Ten banner-carrier to do that.

But, we're not running the spread?

 

[bassbuckeye07]

This has been said but the read option spread is horrible when you are down multiple scores. Does anyone want Juice Williams running their 2 min offense down 10 points ??? no... Its nice for clock controll but it is over rated fo sho IMO. Its cool sometimes but when its 70% of your offense you end up stubbing your toe once or twice a year to teams like Pitt or Iowa.

 

[DaddyBigBucks]

But, we're not running the spread?

For the most part we didn't run the spread in '07, but we certainly ran a version of it in '06.

I have said many times in the past that, like any other "innovation" in football, the spread will eventually become one of the things that people do. Granted, teams will continue to have to focus on one thing or another; but the most successful teams will run whatever offense fits their personnel, and the spread will be just one of those packages.

Tressel is already there. To him it is already something that is just one of many packages that he will use when they fit the personnel.

A few other teams are already there with him. A few others will catch up soon. Still others will latch on to the spread until everyone's defense is geared to stop it (and even longer in some cases).

The single wing came and went for a reason. The T-formation came and went for a reason. The wishbone came and went for a reason.

Now people think that football evolution will just stop? Are the people who run the spread exclusively so mind-bogglingly arrogant as to believe that they have achieved perfection in offensive strategy? Do we have any reason, apart from their baseless claims, that this is anything other than the latest wave?

Some coaches think they are at the forefront because they are running the "hottest offense". Others can already see past it. Which kind of coach do you want running your favorite team's program?

 

[utgrad73]

Tressel will find a way to use the "three" QBs that we will have, going slightly out on a limb. Fit the packages to the personel or whatever. That's the neat thing about this game - always something new to see.

 

[808 Buck]

In theory everyone would be good at everything.

There are only so many practice hours, you have to focus on something

Wisconsin runs a great "system" and recruits to run it. Give them credit for having a distinct identity. Knowing who they are/what they will run

Give everyone more reps against it thus making it more familiar

Well done thread. These quotes are right on the money. The truly great programs develop players to fit the system. The truly great coaches, at times, will adapt that system to fit the talent pool available. In terms of defending any scheme, you want to try to make your opponent play "left-handed." Make them beat you with something other than their base philosophy. Game speed formation recognition, reading blocking schemes, diagnosing plays, are all critical to defending any offense. As stated above, the more reps you get, the more comfortable you will get defending it. But, and I'm a little old-school in this, if your team gets off blocks correctly, pursues with proper leverage, and tackles well, you will be in pretty good shape. Win the turnover battle, and I don't give a damn what offense is being run.

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

I agree, football will still come down to execution and mistakes, the team that executes with the fewest mistakes will most often win without strange circumstances or a large talent differential.

tOSU lost to Illinois with better talent, and to LSU with probably a push, or close to it, the difference, obviously turnovers, penalties and execution.

WVU with rr's invention, the speed/read option lost to a fairly equal USF and lost to Pittsburgh who had arguably less talent than WVU. Once again poor execution (and some arrogant playcalling) and mistakes.

Once over the learning curve, it comes down to those two things. And it appears to me that with the style of the spread (at least rr's) there is higher potential/probability of turnovers when facing equal talented teams.

DBB is right, I remember the dominating Nebraska teams, thought of as the team of the Century by some, and like innovative offenses before, defensive coaches figured out the solution, be it smaller faster players, or big wide bodies up front to clog the line of scrimmage, or playing nickel as your base package.

Isn't it great to be blessed with a coach and staff who know more than one way to beat you and will adjust the schemes to fit the personnel, much more refreshing than if the coach said "we are going to run X, it's all I know"

 

[CapnStubby]

The spread offense was created out of lack of talent on the Offensive line.

We do not have that problem but we do need some help on offense. What we need is a mobile QB or maybe a QB system that can mix it up a bit.

Match that with our talent on D and FEAR tOSU

 

[Boston9]

After seeing some of the replies, I thought I'd give a few more cents worth

I think rr and the Illini's version of the spread is very, very dangerous IF the QB can do more than run. If the QB completes enough passes to keep defenses honest, then it keeps running lanes open. Juice had an outstanding game against the Buckeyes, not so much agains USC. Pat White is not a very adept passer, so when WVU ran up against an athletically equivalent team, they lost, because he was unable to keep the defenses honest.

The spread is a great equalizer, if the QB can pass AND if he can stay healthy through all the punishment he incurs. That may be why the premiere programs do not run it (also why the NFL O-Coords treat it like the plague) I would think you need at least two QBs adept at running it because over the length of a season it takes luck to stay healthy, just ask Tebow about his shoulder and Pat White about his entire body, Juice got dinged up as well, just not against tOSU

The health issue is a great point, just ask Dennis Dixon & the O Ducks about that.

 

[FookMichiganTGJ]

Defending the spread offense simply comes down to discipline. Assuming a basic triple option/veer outta the gun, the defensive tackles must tackle dive always, the defensive end or OL must feather the pitch meaning bascially sit on the line of scrimmage and a corner or safety will have pitch back. However because of the many options within the system is someone doesnt do thier job bad things happen. Meaning a corner getting blocked turnes into 15 yards up the sideline, or not tackling dive becomes a 25 scamper up the middle. Thats why the spread can be so dangerous and make teams look "slow"

Lack of exucution such as 1/7 = Loss

 

[GoodLifeSean]

Defending the spread offense simply comes down to discipline. Assuming a basic triple option/veer outta the gun, the defensive tackles must tackle dive always, the defensive end or OL must feather the pitch meaning bascially sit on the line of scrimmage and a corner or safety will have pitch back. However because of the many options within the system is someone doesnt do thier job bad things happen. Meaning a corner getting blocked turnes into 15 yards up the sideline, or not tackling dive becomes a 25 scamper up the middle. Thats why the spread can be so dangerous and make teams look "slow"

Lack of exucution such as 1/7 = Loss

Pretty much, these offenses require the defense to be fundamentally sound. However, due to the pitching, often problematic blocking schemes, and frequent misdirection turnovers are often created.

I played in two formations when I played, A spread attack and an old fashioned Wing-T. The T hit quicker, and while there were exchanges it was generally easier to block as the play was right behind you. The shotgun and spread is often difficult to block because it is a lot easier to run around and change direction 5 yards from the play. I don't know many lineman I've ever known, talked to, or read about that liked blocking in a spread offense. And that in all reality will be the eventual death of the spread, I mean seriously you look at where the top OL recruits are verbaled to... USC, OSU, ND all pro-style with full back. I haven't seen too many going to Mich, WVU, or the ilk

 

[GrizzlyBuck]

Pretty much, these offenses require the defense to be fundamentally sound. However, due to the pitching, often problematic blocking schemes, and frequent misdirection turnovers are often created.

I played in two formations when I played, A spread attack and an old fashioned Wing-T. The T hit quicker, and while there were exchanges it was generally easier to block as the play was right behind you. The shotgun and spread is often difficult to block because it is a lot easier to run around and change direction 5 yards from the play. I don't know many lineman I've ever known, talked to, or read about that liked blocking in a spread offense. And that in all reality will be the eventual death of the spread, I mean seriously you look at where the top OL recruits are verbaled to... USC, OSU, ND all pro-style with full back. I haven't seen too many going to Mich, WVU, or the ilk

Nice perspective Sean, people usually point to the fact that it is tough to get an elite QB to run the spread because the elite ones want to play for money in the future (insert jokes here ) If it also is difficult for O-linemen and playing in this scheme stunts their growth toward the NFL, then they to will eventually shy away from speed option/read option teams.

 

[shetuck]

Sporting News: Pryor's commitment a sad day for spread

Pryor's commitment a sad day for spread

Matt Hayes
March 27, 2008

Say this much for young Terrelle Pryor: The high school phenom already has turned the college football world sideways.

And the impact is more significant than you think. On the surface, there are bragging rights and championship dreams. When Pryor, the nation's No. 1 quarterback recruit, finally chose Ohio State over Michigan last week, it was a huge boost for the Buckeyes' national title hopes and a kick in the groin to Rich Rodriguez's teardown project at Michigan.

Now come closer, everyone. See the big picture. When Pryor said playing at Ohio State would prepare him better for the NFL, the spread option offense -- the fad that has overtaken college football -- took a haymaker to the nose.

This isn't about coaching ability. Ohio State's Jim Tressel and Rodriguez are among the game's best offensive minds and could teach your yellow Lab to run an 8-yard drag route.

The point is this: The spread offense -- the scheme that is nothing more than the triple option from the shotgun and the scheme Rodriguez has used to change the face of the game -- doesn't prepare quarterbacks for the next level. When was the last time a triple option quarterback made it big in the NFL? Here's a hint: never.

cont'd...

 

[cincibuck]

It seems to me that you run the spread for two reasons:

1. You don't have the talent the other guy has so you spread him out, hope that he hasn't had time to practice for this game because his "big" games are with non spread teams.... makes perfect sense.

2. You have a unique athlete and you want the ball in his hands as often as possible. Texas with VY, WVU with Pat White, Oregon with Dennis Dixon, OSU with Teddy Ginn and Troy's junior year.

If the talent can throw the ball at all it makes the offense just that much more effective and the great thing is that your most talented player touches the ball every play. If he's a game breaker like VY, Pat White, Dixon, or Ginn you have that many more shots at taking it all the way on any given play.

Something tells me that we're going to see some spread at OSU the next couple of years. It may not be the primary line up, but you can bet it will be in there simply because TP can score from anywhere on the field. It ain't like Tressel hasn't seen the spread or used it before.