Right now, in the SEC you basically have the 6 top teams who are running pretty different offensive schemes. Bama, Georgia and LSU and still more traditional, pro-set teams. But then TAMU, Auburn and Ole Miss are more of the modern model.Simple fact is a guy like Coach Stallings would be toast in this era of football. I think it is definitely challenging CNS as well. Imo, if you ever see the NFL go all-in with these type offenses and devalue the QB position much the same way they have with the RB position because of the higher risk of injury but also being able to effectively utilize a player at the position who has a lower passing skill, then we will absolutely have to change our philosophy. In my mind if that comes to fruition, I think the playing field will be as level as it has ever been because realistically at that point a kid will have a shot at playing in the NFL from any program in the country especially if they are a skill player or defensive back.
I dont know what to really make of this change. If I am CNS, I am inclined to become even more embolden on my philosophy of having a dominating running game because you will find few teams tooled defensively to stop it. However, this interim phase is pretty difficult to manage because we face as many spread offensive teams as we the traditional power pro-style attacks. But in reality defensively you almost have to have 2 different defensive platoons for either offensive approach.
As BET mentioned, alot of they guys who naturally would be top-flight DBs are now coming up through the ranks as WRs and as a result you are seeing passing efficiency at the collegiate level at a level that I have never seen it before. I am telling you the offensive synchronization that I say from A&M the other night was very impressive. Same goes for Auburn as well but with a different approach. We are trying to dismiss are losses based on facing a hot QB - but I dont agree with that premise at all. I think we are beginning to see the QB position played at a level that you can necessarily count defensive schemes that are designed to affect the QB without sacking him as a sound strategy anymore. There a lot of really good basketball players who work tirelessly to make shots with a hand in their face or while being hand-checked. I think we are seeing QB play throughout the country being developed along the same lines. If you are not touching the QB you are more than likely going to get torched nowadays. And offensive formations and hurry up schemes have made it virtually impossible to touch the QB with any regularity.
So yes, it seems we need to have the ability to play against both, with relative success. We can't win the west without beating both kinds of philosphy, much less winning the SEC championship which looks like it might be Georgia.
ONe thing is sure. If Bama ever goes for a wholesale change in philosophy it'll be met with strenuous debate and the earth will rumble with many old-timers turning over in their graves.