Auburn and Ohio States "spread" offense not = finesse

quote:

---

While the spread undoubtedly has changed college football, it hasn't yielded many national champions. Of the nine most recent winners, only three fall under the spread offense umbrella -- two teams (Florida and Ohio State) coached by Urban Meyer; and Auburn, where Malzahn served as offensive coordinator in 2010. The common belief among many coaches is that while the spread is the great equalizer, championship teams still must be overpowering up front.

"Some of these [spread] teams are nothing but loose plays, throw the bubble screen, throw the smoke screen," Alabama coach Nick Saban said. "They will run the zone play to keep you honest, but everything is spread out. Everything's four wide. Everything's finesse, to get you in space and make you miss a tackle.

"But those guys [Auburn and Ohio State] will bloody your nose if you don't watch out."

Both the Buckeyes and Tigers have spread elements in structure. But they operate under the principle that has defined football for generations: "When do you break the man across from you?" Ohio State offensive coordinator/line coach Ed Warinner asks

---