The Spread Thread

[Redwood Forrest]

I remember Tubs saying (toward the end of the season) something about one thing that really hurt them this year was that when they switched to the Spread it meant their D had to go against the Spread in practice......and then something about it causing the D to get soft. I guess he meant Arkansas, W. Virginia and etc.

I am guessing he meant the D didn't get to smash-mouth in practice, but instead was running all over the place, trying to keep up with a bunch of receivers.

X & O people, is there any merit to that?

I was wondering if that had anything to do with the Big 12 having poor D's this year.

 

[BamaBeta]

Seems plausible, but not a complete answer for the lack of Defense in the Big XII. If the defenses were practicing against the spread and played mostly teams that employed a spread offense, they would be able to defend against it better. Then when playing a more traditional, pro-style offense the defense would fold late for lack of physicality.

It does seem like a good reason as to why Big XII teams do poorly in bowl games, but again not the complete story. Missouri runs a spread offense and did poorly last night against Northwestern. The wildcat offense was able to run all over the Mizzou tigers but failed to capitalize.

I believe that Oklahoma will lose their bowl game and a direct contributor will be the soft defense if it is not the deciding factor. I am not a full Xs & Os guy so I cannot offer a full explanation.

 

[bamacooper]

With the proper coaching, physicality is gained in the weight room and drills. I think Urban Meyer has proven that you can have a physical defense that practices constantly against the spread. Given the right recruits, you might even see it come to the Capstone. I don't think a CNS defense would go soft just because he was running a spread offense.

 

[Tokolosh]

when they switched to the Spread it meant their D had to go against the Spread in practice......
I am guessing he meant the D didn't get to smash-mouth in practice, but instead was running all over the place, trying to keep up with a bunch of receivers.

What happened to having practice squads do their best to mirror the upcoming opponant for the ones to practice against? Seems that has usually been the MO and I don't know why it would be different now except in scrimmage situations.

 

[GulfCoastTider]

Execution, Execution, Execution.

It doesn't matter if you're running the spread or the Danny Ford three and a cloud of dust scheme. If your OL can block their men and your skill guys can run their routes and catch the damned ball, you will be successful.

Same goes with defense. If your DL can get off their blocks and your skill guys can make and finish tackles, you will stop the other team.

The game of football is not terribly complicated. It's won and lost on the line of scrimmage, and whoever executes the best usually wins the game.

Urban Meyer's spread is successful because Florida has good fundamental football skills and they execute. They block well. They run well. They throw well and they catch the damned ball. Tony Franklin's spread was a dismal failure because Auburn had lousy football skills and they failed to execute. They couldn't catch a cold with a fishnet.

AND another thing (whilst I'm on a soapbox): If the offense is not performing, the defense will struggle. If the defense is not performing, the offense will struggle. If both the offense and the defense are playing well, special teams are in positions to take small risks for large rewards. If neither unit is performing, special teams are put in risky situations with potentially large consequences. It's a total team effort. Some coaches get it. Some don't.

This is why the Malzahn hire doesn't worry me a bit. It's why the Kiffen hire worries me even less. Neither program seems to see the big picture.

 

[FreeBro]

What happened to having practice squads do their best to mirror the upcoming opponant for the ones to practice against? Seems that has usually been the MO and I don't know why it would be different now except in scrimmage situations.

You are exactly right! That's what I was thinking. I only played college ball at one school, but I think most do what you said. We only went 1s v. 1s in the spring and in August. Some schools do a short goal line period, 1s v. 1s, and that is pretty smash mouth, but VERY short(maybe 10 plays, max). If Tubs this then he's full of crap!