Short yardage question

Because - With modern day SEC defenses, it's a usual thing to see 4 down linemen with 3 linebackers in the box. When an OC puts 5 WRs wide, you leave only 5 people maximum to block on the offensive line. No RB or FB to follow, only linemen. On defense, you can place a guy to cover every WR man-to-man, and still have 6 guys able to stop the run.

6 defenders > 5 blockers. It's a numbers game that doesn't usually work out in favor of the offense, especially if the defensive line or the LB corps is half decent/the offensive line is bad.

Of course, if it's the first time that you're running this play, it has a higher chance of success since the DC may not know what play is being run since 5 WR's usually indicates a passing play. There are a lot of plays that can be run with 5 wide. However, if the DC knows that a 5 WR QB sneak is a weapon that the OC uses, then all the DC has to do is drop his CB's and S's into zone or man coverage, set 2 LB's in zone coverage underneath (essentially 2 QB spies) and drop his 3 LB into a deeper zone coverage over the middle. If the DL gets any kind of push up front and blows the line up, the QB has nowhere to go.

You can get away with this type of play if your OL is great though, but most teams don't have 5 OL that can consistently block 6 people.

Also bear in mind that Spurrier had good QB's at UF, so DC's were scared of a short pass play and would commit less to stopping the run.

Zone blocking leaves backside DE unblocked as they dbl team DL playside, then going to 2nd level on LB's coming up. 5 on 5

Very true.

However, if the DC is smart and doesn't shift his OLB outside the box, then even though the backside DE is unblocked, both DT, all 3 LB, and the strong side DE can still feasibly make the play.

Also remember that any pass-rush DE who is quick COULD come around and get the QB from behind, especially if the other DL and LB's are able to blow up the line and cause the QB to try and switch directions. Emphasis on COULD since the probability of this is low, but not completely impossible.

I enjoy questions like this so thanks for your point

As a non-'Xs and Os' expert I wish there were more threads like this, but of course 'peacocking' would eventually happen. Ha.

Thanks OP.

What amazes me is there are still many teams that can't run the qb under center in those situations.

Personally I'd go 5 wide under Center giving the QB a RPO based on the leverage of the DB's.. if i had a stud WR ect look for a quick slant. But im just a reg Joe

This is true, Evan made a living off of these types of calls. Dude was hard to guard due to his size and speed, especially when matched up with undersized DB's and slow LB's.

and then there is the legendary jump pass that can be run out of this formation too. the key for it to be successful is to have a smart QB and someone the defense has to respect that pulls off a LB and then it makes it easier for a big QB to sneak in or try and push the pile.

Watch bulldogs vs bulldogs and I guarantee you will see something similar on a short yardage situation. Dan usually runs it out of shotgun though cause then Fitz can use his momentum and big frame to push the pile or even jump over it. sometimes he'll get under center but go between the tackle and guard instead of the guard and center. There is usually someone in motion too.

Fake jump pass? Got more than 1 yard here...