63 Percent - Consistent QB (over) usage

[KrAzY3]

To reiterate, DeBoer's offense is QB centric. It relies heavily on the QB, you mention Penix only had 35 carries right? Well, that still only put him 9 carries behind the #2 rusher.

Once you bake those 35 carries into the 391 rushing attempts (that's the number I get) you come up with this. The quarterback (almost entirely Penix) kept the ball on 63% of the plays. That aligns almost perfectly with the 35% number we saw from the NFL, correct? Well may you said it's Milroe and was an anomaly, let's check it out and see.

So, we do the same thing with Alabama this year and what do we get? We get the quarterback keeping the ball exactly 63% of the time, again. It's DeBoer's offense. It's not Grubb, it's not Milroe, it's the offense.

Milroe's ineffectiveness doesn't change the fact that DeBoer's system is QB centric. Grubb carries that system to the NFL and it does the same thing, Sheridan used it and it does the same thing. That's how it works.

Edit: Just for fun let's do it one more time. How about DeBoer and Grubb's first year at Frenso State. Quarterback kept the ball on 67% of the plays. It's the system...

This is a post I made almost exactly one year ago. I wanted to show it to highlight one particular issue, that it's not necessarily the OL, the RBs, the QBs, or even the OC. It's just how this system works. I also was too lazy to work it all into this post, but you can see the stats. I think the context is fairly obvious as we're discussing tendencies and Grubb specifically.

I ran the math today for this season, here's what it came out to for the 2025 season: 63.84% QB usage rate.
Ty actually had the second most "rush attempts" (combination of scrambles and sacks) on the team.

To reiterate, we're going from that Washington 2023 team, to the Alabama 2024 lead by Milroe with Sheridan as OC, to Alabama in 2025 with Grubb as OC and Ty as QB. Yet the QB usage rate is virtually identical!

I think this can be fixed, but it requires a deliberate attempt to break the trend. Changing OC, QBs, OL, RBs, that doesn't seem to change the tendencies much at all. To put it another way, in 2023 Penix was third on the team in rush attempts, in 2024 Milroe was first on the team in rush attempts, in 2025, Ty was second on the team in rush attempts. This demonstrates the chronic under-use of RBs. I don't think you can expect true development in this area until there's a shift in priorities.

 

[TideMan09]

This is a post I made almost exactly one year ago. I wanted to show it to highlight one particular issue, that it's not necessarily the OL, the RBs, the QBs, or even the OC. It's just how this system works. I also was too lazy to work it all into this post, but you can see the stats. I think the context is fairly obvious as we're discussing tendencies and Grubb specifically.

I ran the math today for this season, here's what it came out to for the 2025 season: 63.84% QB usage rate.
Ty actually had the second most "rush attempts" (combination of scrambles and sacks) on the team.

To reiterate, we're going from that Washington 2023 team, to the Alabama 2024 lead by Milroe with Sheridan as OC, to Alabama in 2025 with Grubb as OC and Ty as QB. Yet the QB usage rate is virtually identical!

I think this can be fixed, but it requires a deliberate attempt to break the trend. Changing OC, QBs, OL, RBs, that doesn't seem to change the tendencies much at all. To put it another way, in 2023 Penix was third on the team in rush attempts, in 2024 Milroe was first on the team in rush attempts, in 2025, Ty was second on the team in rush attempts. This demonstrates the chronic under-use of RBs. I don't think you can expect true development in this area until there's a shift in priorities.

Awesome post my friend & you're spot on brother..

It's a coaching philosophy problem, can it be fixed sure it can, buttttt, will it be fixed is the million dollar question..

 

[denver]

The lack of use of good skilled players is a major issue. Good WRs, RBs, TEs etc want to see the ball...if they are not, then they will find greener pastures...this trend hurts player recruiting either in the portal or even out of HS...it is not a good trend...and it is now two seasons in a row. Distributing the ball to playmakers is key.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The lack of use of good skilled players is a major issue. Good WRs, RBs, TEs etc want to see the ball...if they are not, then they will find greener pastures...this trend hurts player recruiting either in the portal or even out of HS...it is not a good trend...and it is now two seasons in a row. Distributing the ball to playmakers is key.

And the same applies for good running backs. We're not going to win (long term) in the SEC with being as pass dominant as we are and as run deficient as we are. We have to sacrifice some of the passing game to get a running game and if that means losing some four and five star WR's then so be it. Indiana seemed throw the ball just fine on us with two and three star WR's.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

And the same applies for good running backs. We're not going to win (long term) in the SEC with being as pass dominant as we are and as run deficient as we are. We have to sacrifice some of the passing game to get a running game and if that means losing some four and five star WR's then so be it. Indiana seemed throw the ball just fine on us with two and three star WR's.

Yeah they are incredibly balanced and have several reliable playmakers who aren’t 4 and 5 stars.

They have over 3,000 Rushing yards and over 3,000 passing yards.

They have a 1,000 yard RB and another with almost 900 and another close to 500

Their Top two WRs have over 700 yards each and 3 other WR around 400-500 yards each.

They get a lot of their guys involved and I’m sure that’s also helpful if a player is having an off game…. He’s not your only guy and others pick up the slack.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

This is a post I made almost exactly one year ago. I wanted to show it to highlight one particular issue, that it's not necessarily the OL, the RBs, the QBs, or even the OC. It's just how this system works. I also was too lazy to work it all into this post, but you can see the stats. I think the context is fairly obvious as we're discussing tendencies and Grubb specifically.

I ran the math today for this season, here's what it came out to for the 2025 season: 63.84% QB usage rate.
Ty actually had the second most "rush attempts" (combination of scrambles and sacks) on the team.

To reiterate, we're going from that Washington 2023 team, to the Alabama 2024 lead by Milroe with Sheridan as OC, to Alabama in 2025 with Grubb as OC and Ty as QB. Yet the QB usage rate is virtually identical!

I think this can be fixed, but it requires a deliberate attempt to break the trend. Changing OC, QBs, OL, RBs, that doesn't seem to change the tendencies much at all. To put it another way, in 2023 Penix was third on the team in rush attempts, in 2024 Milroe was first on the team in rush attempts, in 2025, Ty was second on the team in rush attempts. This demonstrates the chronic under-use of RBs. I don't think you can expect true development in this area until there's a shift in priorities.

Wow! That's pretty spot on right there.

 

[bamaga]

This is a post I made almost exactly one year ago. I wanted to show it to highlight one particular issue, that it's not necessarily the OL, the RBs, the QBs, or even the OC. It's just how this system works. I also was too lazy to work it all into this post, but you can see the stats. I think the context is fairly obvious as we're discussing tendencies and Grubb specifically.

I ran the math today for this season, here's what it came out to for the 2025 season: 63.84% QB usage rate.
Ty actually had the second most "rush attempts" (combination of scrambles and sacks) on the team.

To reiterate, we're going from that Washington 2023 team, to the Alabama 2024 lead by Milroe with Sheridan as OC, to Alabama in 2025 with Grubb as OC and Ty as QB. Yet the QB usage rate is virtually identical!

I think this can be fixed, but it requires a deliberate attempt to break the trend. Changing OC, QBs, OL, RBs, that doesn't seem to change the tendencies much at all. To put it another way, in 2023 Penix was third on the team in rush attempts, in 2024 Milroe was first on the team in rush attempts, in 2025, Ty was second on the team in rush attempts. This demonstrates the chronic under-use of RBs. I don't think you can expect true development in this area until there's a shift in priorities.

The problem, we heard the new OC talk about running the ball more back in August. I think he even referenced the idea of Joyless murderball. That lasted exactly one drive into 2025. I’m not sure if the current staff can actually teach , implement an effective running game. CKD maybe/probably should embrace the idea of an actual running game coordinator.

 

[KrAzY3]

The problem, we heard the new OC talk about running the ball more back in August. I think he even referenced the idea of Joyless murderball. That lasted exactly one drive into 2025. I’m not sure if the current staff can actually teach , implement an effective running game. CKD maybe/probably should embrace the idea of an actual running game coordinator.

I think you are making a very good point, that shows the problem and solution.

First, the fact that Grubb has actually stated he wanted to run the ball more is a positive sign. For instance, Alabama was actually better at running with the backs in the 2024 season yet they still didn't do it more often! So there wasn't even the desire, it was Milroe, Milroe, and more Milroe and even if he was delivering the game to the other team, Miller and Haynes were basically just a change of pace. So the first thing is they need to want it to be different and there's hope there.

But, as you get into the other problem. I don't think this staff has the ability to develop said run game and actually it's fairly logical. They're good at setting up a passing game and pretty much everywhere they go they develop passers and improve the passing game. That's their thing, that's two thirds of their offense. It just happens to atrophy the running game.

Final game of 2023 season: 46 yards rushing, 2.3 YPC
Final game of 2024 season: 68 yards rushing, 2.3 YPC
Final game of 2025 season: 23 yards rushing, 1.4 YPC

You end up in the same basic place. But, they have nearly 1.5 million staff salary freed up. They don't have a hard cap on coaches, so yes they can bring in a run coordinator, they can make other staff changes. I don't think it even needs to be a change in head coach or OC, just bring in some guys that know how to establish a good running game and I think you can reverse the trend. They have to want to though, no sign up until this year that they did so there is hope.

 

[NorCalTide]

I think you are making a very good point, that shows the problem and solution.

First, the fact that Grubb has actually stated he wanted to run the ball more is a positive sign. For instance, Alabama was actually better at running with the backs in the 2024 season yet they still didn't do it more often! So there wasn't even the desire, it was Milroe, Milroe, and more Milroe and even if he was delivering the game to the other team, Miller and Haynes were basically just a change of pace. So the first thing is they need to want it to be different and there's hope there.

But, as you get into the other problem. I don't think this staff has the ability to develop said run game and actually it's fairly logical. They're good at setting up a passing game and pretty much everywhere they go they develop passers and improve the passing game. That's their thing, that's two thirds of their offense. It just happens to atrophy the running game.

Final game of 2023 season: 46 yards rushing, 2.3 YPC
Final game of 2024 season: 68 yards rushing, 2.3 YPC
Final game of 2025 season: 23 yards rushing, 1.4 YPC

You end up in the same basic place. But, they have nearly 1.5 million staff salary freed up. They don't have a hard cap on coaches, so yes they can bring in a run coordinator, they can make other staff changes. I don't think it even needs to be a change in head coach or OC, just bring in some guys that know how to establish a good running game and I think you can reverse the trend. They have to want to though, no sign up until this year that they did so there is hope.

Only because I like to ask AI such questions:


High-level defenses like those in the SEC or the "Swarm" style defense Indiana utilized in 2024/2025 are built to destroy the exact concepts I just mentioned if you run them vanilla.
Here is the calibration. SEC defenses are "Spill" defenses (they dive under blocks to bounce runs outside) with elite lateral speed (Linebackers who can outrun your Pullers). To run on them, you cannot just "execute" better; you have to punish their specific rules.
Here is how to adjust those three concepts for elite competition:

1. Adjusting Pin & Pull: The "Bash" Concept (Back Away)​

The SEC Problem: Against Alabama or Georgia, if you pull a Guard to the edge, their Linebackers are fast enough to beat your Guard to the spot. If you try to outrun them, you lose.

• The Calibration: Run "Counter Bash".
• How it works: Your Offensive Line pulls right (Power/Counter scheme). BUT, your Running Back sprints left on a sweep path.
• Why it works against Elite Speed: The fast SEC Linebackers see the RB sprint left and instinctively flow that way. This "Bashes" (conflicts) their run fits. The QB then keeps the ball and follows the pulling linemen into the void left by the Linebackers. You use their own speed against them.

2. Adjusting "Duo": The "Glance" RPO​

The SEC Problem: SEC defenses (and Indiana) will load the box with a Safety (the "fit" player). In standard Duo, you leave him unblocked for a WR to handle, but SEC Safeties shed WR blocks instantly. You cannot run Duo into a 7-man box if you can't block the 7th man.

• The Calibration: Tag Duo with a "Glance" Post.
• How it works: The QB reads the Safety who is rotating down to stop the run. If that Safety bites on the run, the QB pulls and throws a bang-post (Glance) behind him.
• The Effect: After you hit this twice, the Defensive Coordinator must back that Safety up. Once the Safety backs up, you now have the numbers advantage to run Duo down their throat again. You don't block the extra defender; you read him.

3. Adjusting the H-Back: The "Wham" Block​

The SEC Problem: SEC Defensive Tackles (the 300 lb 5-stars) are coached to "split" double teams. If you try to use a standard Zone or Gap double-team on a player like that, he will anchor and destroy the play.

• The Calibration: Use "Wham" schemes.
• How it works: The H-Back aligns as a wing. On the snap, the Guard intentionally lets the big Defensive Tackle go free. As the DT charges upfield thinking he has a sack, the H-Back blindside "whams" (traps) him flat.
• Why it works: Elite defensive linemen are aggressive. Wham plays use their aggression/penetration against them to open massive trap lanes.

 

[BamaInCummingGA]

I think you are making a very good point, that shows the problem and solution.

First, the fact that Grubb has actually stated he wanted to run the ball more is a positive sign. For instance, Alabama was actually better at running with the backs in the 2024 season yet they still didn't do it more often! So there wasn't even the desire, it was Milroe, Milroe, and more Milroe and even if he was delivering the game to the other team, Miller and Haynes were basically just a change of pace. So the first thing is they need to want it to be different and there's hope there.

But, as you get into the other problem. I don't think this staff has the ability to develop said run game and actually it's fairly logical. They're good at setting up a passing game and pretty much everywhere they go they develop passers and improve the passing game. That's their thing, that's two thirds of their offense. It just happens to atrophy the running game.

Final game of 2023 season: 46 yards rushing, 2.3 YPC
Final game of 2024 season: 68 yards rushing, 2.3 YPC
Final game of 2025 season: 23 yards rushing, 1.4 YPC

You end up in the same basic place. But, they have nearly 1.5 million staff salary freed up. They don't have a hard cap on coaches, so yes they can bring in a run coordinator, they can make other staff changes. I don't think it even needs to be a change in head coach or OC, just bring in some guys that know how to establish a good running game and I think you can reverse the trend. They have to want to though, no sign up until this year that they did so there is hope

This staff, as it is currently made up, is not capable of changing this because they don't know HOW to implement such a system.
In my opinion they need to bring in some coaches or consultants to help them as long as they are not too proud to do so.
To the point, yes, they are going to HAVE to figure out that you HAVE to be able to run for good gains and not 1.2 - 2.2 yrds per carry.
I like Coach DeBoer {not saying whether or not he's the long term solution or not} and hope he is successful at Alabama. But for him to get there he's gonna have to swallow some pride and make some hard/tough choices.

 

[KrAzY3]

This staff, as it is currently made up, is not capable of changing this because they don't know HOW to implement such a system.
In my opinion they need to bring in some coaches or consultants to help them as long as they are not too proud to do so.
To the point, yes, they are going to HAVE to figure out that you HAVE to be able to run for good gains and not 1.2 - 2.2 yrds per carry.
I like Coach DeBoer {not saying whether or not he's the long term solution or not} and hope he is successful at Alabama. But for him to get there he's gonna have to swallow some pride and make some hard/tough choices.

Fortunately I think there's a shift in people recognizing the problem. When I first started bringing it up, there was a derisive, almost "ok boomer" tone to a lot of the responses. Now I think people can really see the pressure it puts on a QB when you ask he do that much. If you want him beat up, and playing against defenses that know they only have to stop the QB, sure keep at it, but I think there's enough people that see the problem to at least apply a lot of pressure to address it.

If I were in DeBoer's shoes, instead of an extension I'd just ask for more resources for the portal and the staff. I'd bet on myself, say hey you let me address this issue and you'll be begging me to sign an extension. I think the target should be, we want at least 40% of the offense to come via the ground and we want to be able to average 5 yards per carry (something DeBoer has never done). That's not an unobtainable goal, 27 teams did it last year, but it isn't hitting targets like that, that would matter so much as having that sort of an attitude.

If that happens, I think he's going to bring in the guys to make the necessary changes. I do believe it just takes that kind of commitment.

 

[NorCalTide]

Fortunately I think there's a shift in people recognizing the problem. When I first started bringing it up, there was a derisive, almost "ok boomer" tone to a lot of the responses. Now I think people can really see the pressure it puts on a QB when you ask he do that much. If you want him beat up, and playing against defenses that know they only have to stop the QB, sure keep at it, but I think there's enough people that see the problem to at least apply a lot of pressure to address it.

If I were in DeBoer's shoes, instead of an extension I'd just ask for more resources for the portal and the staff. I'd bet on myself, say hey you let me address this issue and you'll be begging me to sign an extension. I think the target should be, we want at least 40% of the offense to come via the ground and we want to be able to average 5 yards per carry (something DeBoer has never done). That's not an unobtainable goal, 27 teams did it last year, but it isn't hitting targets like that, that would matter so much as having that sort of an attitude.

If that happens, I think he's going to bring in the guys to make the necessary changes. I do believe it just takes that kind of commitment.

Sports is a copycat industry. 3/4 teams left can play defense AND run the ball in an old school way. The pendulum is swinging back a bit. KDB is not dumb and I expect he will adapt.