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New Offenses and the Decline of the SEC
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:27 am
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:27 am
I can't help but wonder if it is mere coincidence that the SEC seems to have fallen off a bit with the rise of the new offensive style within the league.
I'm not saying it's true, but I wonder.
These spread offenses seem more unpredictable. When they're on, they allow lesser teams to compete above their level, and when they're not they allow very good teams to fall on their face. I suppose that's true with any offense, but I think it's compounded with these new spreads. I think the result is a lot of 7-5 teams.
I understand there are a ton of variables within each offense, and we can't paint them all with a broad brush. But, I do remember the days of SEC teams matching up against B12 teams and being confident the SEC team would stifle those offenses with good defense, and ball control offense.
Anyway, I'm not sure I'm on board with my own theory. Just looking for thoughts and actual football discussion.
I'm not saying it's true, but I wonder.
These spread offenses seem more unpredictable. When they're on, they allow lesser teams to compete above their level, and when they're not they allow very good teams to fall on their face. I suppose that's true with any offense, but I think it's compounded with these new spreads. I think the result is a lot of 7-5 teams.
I understand there are a ton of variables within each offense, and we can't paint them all with a broad brush. But, I do remember the days of SEC teams matching up against B12 teams and being confident the SEC team would stifle those offenses with good defense, and ball control offense.
Anyway, I'm not sure I'm on board with my own theory. Just looking for thoughts and actual football discussion.
12
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:30 am to Teague
quote:
When they're on, they allow lesser teams to compete above their level, and when they're not they allow very good teams to fall on their face
I agree with that. Auburn's offense is either very good or it's awful.
But QB play this year hasn't been very good and a lot of teams were starting freshmen or starting backups because their starters went down.
This post was edited on 12/2/16 at 8:31 am
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:35 am to DuncanIdaho
Spread it around, throw it 65 times, QB oriented offenses don't win titles in any league.
You don't win titles by winning games 55-50. It's pretty and cute and gets a lot of fans in the seats, TV cameras on you, talked about on Gameday but.....
Defense, control the clock, stop the run, secure the ball.
Oh, and neither do the uni's. You never hear this question. Will Bama have an alternate uni this week?
If players are consumed with the uni they are wearing they aren't consumed with the game. I know the players "love" it and it "hypes" them up. Yea, long enough for Jonathan Allen to knock the shite out him and he forgets his uniform.
Millienials like the sling it around and see all offense.
And get off on the uniforms. They are usually talking about how plain our uni's are when they are watching us win the national championship.
You don't win titles by winning games 55-50. It's pretty and cute and gets a lot of fans in the seats, TV cameras on you, talked about on Gameday but.....
Defense, control the clock, stop the run, secure the ball.
Oh, and neither do the uni's. You never hear this question. Will Bama have an alternate uni this week?
If players are consumed with the uni they are wearing they aren't consumed with the game. I know the players "love" it and it "hypes" them up. Yea, long enough for Jonathan Allen to knock the shite out him and he forgets his uniform.
Millienials like the sling it around and see all offense.
And get off on the uniforms. They are usually talking about how plain our uni's are when they are watching us win the national championship.
This post was edited on 12/2/16 at 8:37 am
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:36 am to Teague
I think it's less about systems and more about bad QB play. It seems like teams that did have QB spot figured out suffered injuries. Half the teams in the SEC West saw their starter go down: Sean White (AU), Trevor Knight (A&M) & Chad Kelly (OM). Then you have Mississippi State breaking in a new starter, UGA with a true freshman, UF with injuries and South Carolina taking half the season to switch to Bentley. SEC QB play is in a funk right now but there's lots of talented freshman in the league: Jalen Hurts, Shea Patterson, Jacob Eason & Jake Bentley. I think you will see better out of SEC next season
Doesn't matter the system if you don't have a QB due to injury or bad development
Doesn't matter the system if you don't have a QB due to injury or bad development
This post was edited on 12/2/16 at 8:38 am
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:39 am to Teague
It is notable how many teams in the Top10 right now are either ones with better defenses than offenses like Michigan, Wisconsin, Colorado or ones that are at least pretty balanced.
Regarding the SEC, QB play may be just as much of an issue though, which is ironic since some of the "systems" are purported to make plugging in an effective QB easier.
Auburn, Florida and LSU all seem to have defenses that could see them competing for a playoff spot if they had better QB play all season.
Regarding the SEC, QB play may be just as much of an issue though, which is ironic since some of the "systems" are purported to make plugging in an effective QB easier.
Auburn, Florida and LSU all seem to have defenses that could see them competing for a playoff spot if they had better QB play all season.
This post was edited on 12/2/16 at 8:45 am
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:39 am to DuncanIdaho
I think the QB play this year is a good point. But, I could also say that QB play wasn't AS important in traditional offenses.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:39 am to Teague
Yes the new spread attacks can be dominant if coached by the right people and used by the very best skilled players available. But they have a habit of being predictable if there is not enough variability within the playbook. The defenses have been inconsistent outside of Bama, LSU, Florida and Auburn, especially against the run. Back just a couple of years ago, the SEC had the best defenses in the country, but those teams are not as numerous as they used to be. A huge problem for the conference has been that the East is down and has been down since 2010 or 2011. I don't see it getting any better in the near future. But at least the Rant can dick ride Bama to another possible title, right?
This post was edited on 12/2/16 at 8:40 am
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:40 am to Teague
I think you can probably point to a lack of quality starting quarterbacks as the flagship schools combined with the Saban effect making everything that isn't an undefeated or 1-loss season a failure.
During the SEC's heyday of the 2000s, look at the QBs that were in the league: Chris Leak, Tebow, David Greene, Stafford, Jamarcus Russell (go ahead, laugh), Erik Ainge, Connor Shaw, Jay Cutler, Eli Manning, and the list goes on and on.
Now, the SEC has what, 2 or 3 guys who would maybe be all-conference in the other P5 leagues? Swag and Hurts, but I think even his success has more to do with his mobility rather than his passing skills.
Two of the power players in the league are starting Purdue transfers, while Georgia just moved on from a Virginia transfer. Dobbs has been a decent player, but far too inconsistent to guide Tennessee to more than a .500 SEC mark.
Then you throw in Saban, who has turned the SEC West into a series of 1-game seasons for his opponents, knowing that if they fall to Bama, they're basically 2 games behind in the division and Bama has only lost more than 1 SEC game once since 2008. Not to mention the national championships that go along with it.
During the SEC's heyday of the 2000s, look at the QBs that were in the league: Chris Leak, Tebow, David Greene, Stafford, Jamarcus Russell (go ahead, laugh), Erik Ainge, Connor Shaw, Jay Cutler, Eli Manning, and the list goes on and on.
Now, the SEC has what, 2 or 3 guys who would maybe be all-conference in the other P5 leagues? Swag and Hurts, but I think even his success has more to do with his mobility rather than his passing skills.
Two of the power players in the league are starting Purdue transfers, while Georgia just moved on from a Virginia transfer. Dobbs has been a decent player, but far too inconsistent to guide Tennessee to more than a .500 SEC mark.
Then you throw in Saban, who has turned the SEC West into a series of 1-game seasons for his opponents, knowing that if they fall to Bama, they're basically 2 games behind in the division and Bama has only lost more than 1 SEC game once since 2008. Not to mention the national championships that go along with it.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:40 am to Teague
quote:
I could also say that QB play wasn't AS important in traditional offenses.
That is definitely the case.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:43 am to Teague
Even Spurrier
When he came into the league nobody could defend the post corner routes he threw constantly. SEC defense were stationary at the LOS and stopped the run.
Spurrier had very few 3 step drops. His were 7 step, long developing patterns. Now, with the speed rushers in the SEC and pass rushing defensive lines, his non-mobile QB's would be eaten alive. What did Wuerffel run the 40 in? Doug Johnson, Shane Matthews?
Those guys would be broke in half by mid season.
It's why he changed to misdirection at South Carolina vs drop back, deep, long developing routes.
When he came into the league nobody could defend the post corner routes he threw constantly. SEC defense were stationary at the LOS and stopped the run.
Spurrier had very few 3 step drops. His were 7 step, long developing patterns. Now, with the speed rushers in the SEC and pass rushing defensive lines, his non-mobile QB's would be eaten alive. What did Wuerffel run the 40 in? Doug Johnson, Shane Matthews?
Those guys would be broke in half by mid season.
It's why he changed to misdirection at South Carolina vs drop back, deep, long developing routes.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:45 am to Teague
quote:
I think the QB play this year is a good point. But, I could also say that QB play wasn't AS important in traditional offenses.
Maybe but it's still pretty important. Most teams ended up one dimensional this year because they lacked a capable passer. Doesn't matter what system you run if everyone knows what's coming
Jalen Hurts isn't all that great a passer but Bama is so loaded on defense they cover for his mistakes. Rest of SEC did not have that luxury
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:45 am to TouchdownTony
ugh you're so right bama wins all them games because their players have all the want to and heart and desire and laser focus and grit and determination and not because it is an entire 85 man roster made up of #1 recruiting classes spanning nearly a decade roll tide pawl
-a brain damaged moron
-a brain damaged moron
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:46 am to TouchdownTony
quote:
Oh, and neither do the uni's. You never hear this question. Will Bama have an alternate uni this week?
If players are consumed with the uni they are wearing they aren't consumed with the game. I know the players "love" it and it "hypes" them up. Yea, long enough for Jonathan Allen to knock the shite out him and he forgets his uniform.
Millienials like the sling it around and see all offense.
And get off on the uniforms. They are usually talking about how plain our uni's are when they are watching us win the national championship.
WTF does this have to do with anything
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:47 am to TigerPaw1
quote:
WTF does this have to do with anything
I was wondering that myself
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:53 am to TouchdownTony
quote:
Even Spurrier When he came into the league nobody could defend the post corner routes he threw constantly. SEC defense were stationary at the LOS and stopped the run. Spurrier had very few 3 step drops. His were 7 step, long developing patterns. Now, with the speed rushers in the SEC and pass rushing defensive lines, his non-mobile QB's would be eaten alive. What did Wuerffel run the 40 in? Doug Johnson, Shane Matthews? Those guys would be broke in half by
Hell, 1995-96 Nebraska broke the will of that Florida team. It wasn't too much longer after that when Spurrier went to more of a focus on his defensive players. He knew that you can't give up 62 points and win a championship.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:54 am to TouchdownTony
quote:
Millienials like the sling it around and see all offense.
And get off on the uniforms.
You know millenials are the ones currently playing and being recruited to college teams right?
Posted on 12/2/16 at 8:57 am to TouchdownTony
quote:
Oh, and neither do the uni's. You never hear this question. Will Bama have an alternate uni this week?
If players are consumed with the uni they are wearing they aren't consumed with the game. I know the players "love" it and it "hypes" them up
What a crock of shite.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 9:04 am to silverstreak02
quote:
ow, the SEC has what, 2 or 3 guys who would maybe be all-conference in the other P5 leagues? Swag and Hurts,
I'd argue that Austin Allen has the talent and skill set to be all conference in the other P5 leagues but the Arkansas O-Line has been so pitiful he's taken a horrific beating this year and isn't playing nearly as well as he did at the start of the season.
Posted on 12/2/16 at 9:05 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
You know millenials are the ones currently playing and being recruited to college teams right?
It's like blaming millennials for participation trophies that are given out by their parents to not hurt their feelings.
"Hey, I'm gonna take a shite all over you for something I did and blame you for it. Sound good?"
Posted on 12/2/16 at 9:09 am to Teague
Hey, you chose to bring us and A&M in with our quick hit spread offenses. There's no doubt a high rep quick snap offense will tire a defense over time. It opens teams up to collapse. When a team gets 60% more series a game it creates more variables.
I agree entirely that it may not be a Playoff championship formula, but it does create higher upset opportunities and injuries for that factor due to more snaps.
I agree entirely that it may not be a Playoff championship formula, but it does create higher upset opportunities and injuries for that factor due to more snaps.
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