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The Illusion of Success: Gus Malzahn's Offensive Rankings
Posted on 11/13/19 at 11:16 am
Posted on 11/13/19 at 11:16 am
Here are all of the Gus Malzahn offenses and their PPG rankings in FBS.
As Offensive Coordinator:
2006 - Arkansas - 30th
2007 - Tulsa - 6th
2008 - Tulsa - 2nd (scored 23 against Willy Robinson's Defense and a 5-7 Arkansas team)
2009 - Auburn - 17th
2010 - Auburn - 7th
2011 - Auburn - 70th
As Head Coach:
2012 - Arkansas State - 26th
2013 - Auburn - 12th
2014 - Auburn - 27th
2015 - Auburn - 75th
2016 - Auburn - 49th
2017 - Auburn - 27th
2018 - Auburn - 48th
2019 - Auburn - Currently 44th.
Gus has cracked the top 10 in offense 3 times, all as a Coordinator. Twice at Tulsa against terrible competition and once at Auburn with Cam Newton.
The more interesting thing about Gus's offense is what it actually requires to work. It needs two things primarily: 1. Better Talent on Offense. 2. A solid Defense.
The Defense is actually the primary driver of his offense. If the team has a great defense it allows the offense to get back on the field and wear the opposing defense down to let the superior talent take over. Schematically Gus has never been that great. Taking him at Arkansas would be terrible. He isn't innovative, he hasn't adjusted to the game and he relies on talent that his boosters provide. This season he has squandered an offensive line consisting of all seniors and a good defense. If Gus doesn't bolt somewhere after this season he will likely be fired after Auburn has a bad season next year with a much less capable offensive line.
As Offensive Coordinator:
2006 - Arkansas - 30th
2007 - Tulsa - 6th
2008 - Tulsa - 2nd (scored 23 against Willy Robinson's Defense and a 5-7 Arkansas team)
2009 - Auburn - 17th
2010 - Auburn - 7th
2011 - Auburn - 70th
As Head Coach:
2012 - Arkansas State - 26th
2013 - Auburn - 12th
2014 - Auburn - 27th
2015 - Auburn - 75th
2016 - Auburn - 49th
2017 - Auburn - 27th
2018 - Auburn - 48th
2019 - Auburn - Currently 44th.
Gus has cracked the top 10 in offense 3 times, all as a Coordinator. Twice at Tulsa against terrible competition and once at Auburn with Cam Newton.
The more interesting thing about Gus's offense is what it actually requires to work. It needs two things primarily: 1. Better Talent on Offense. 2. A solid Defense.
The Defense is actually the primary driver of his offense. If the team has a great defense it allows the offense to get back on the field and wear the opposing defense down to let the superior talent take over. Schematically Gus has never been that great. Taking him at Arkansas would be terrible. He isn't innovative, he hasn't adjusted to the game and he relies on talent that his boosters provide. This season he has squandered an offensive line consisting of all seniors and a good defense. If Gus doesn't bolt somewhere after this season he will likely be fired after Auburn has a bad season next year with a much less capable offensive line.
5
Posted on 11/13/19 at 11:24 am to Killean
It has appeared for awhile now that the game has been slipping him by on the offensive end and he also likes to get cute too often. He has really leaned on that defense the last few years.
I think Gus and Pittman would be a nasty combo. We would probably have a few games a year with over 300 yards of rushing. Problem is Gus would decide he wanted to throw the ball 30 times and costs us some games in that manner.
I wouldn't be mad with Gus if he can bring a good staff with him but I can think of at least 5 coaches that I would rather pursue than him.
I think Gus and Pittman would be a nasty combo. We would probably have a few games a year with over 300 yards of rushing. Problem is Gus would decide he wanted to throw the ball 30 times and costs us some games in that manner.
I wouldn't be mad with Gus if he can bring a good staff with him but I can think of at least 5 coaches that I would rather pursue than him.
Posted on 11/13/19 at 11:25 am to Killean
Thanks for the thread, Houston Dale
Posted on 11/13/19 at 11:57 am to Killean
Now list 2006-2019 for Arkansas coaches. If you present an argument, do both sides.
I want Norvell, but dont understand the Gus hate. I'm also an outsider, so I see things differently. I do understand the hate, but looking into it, Gus isnt a bad option if that's what it comes to.
I want Norvell, but dont understand the Gus hate. I'm also an outsider, so I see things differently. I do understand the hate, but looking into it, Gus isnt a bad option if that's what it comes to.
Posted on 11/13/19 at 12:07 pm to Killean
People stop talking about Gus.
Every fricking time.
Every fricking time.
Posted on 11/13/19 at 3:03 pm to Killean
quote:
The Defense is actually the primary driver of his offense.
Now some will take offense... pardon the pun... at this but you can see an example of it with Army this year.
Their all everything DC built a top 15 defense (with Army recruits!) and that set up their ball control triple option offense. When he left Army dropped off the face of the planet.
They were hoping to reach a NY6 bowl game this year based on their top 25 finish last year and they now have to win out to have a shot at any bowl game.
Now then. Some of us are Gus defenders. And some of us Gus haters. But I respectfully, to both sides, suggest that Gus goes as his defense goes.
If Gus is our head coach and we put up a top 20 or top 15 defense than we will win 8-10 games. The worse our defense is the more games we will lose and we can lose a lot of games.
Does everyone trust that Gus will have a top 20 defense at Arkansas? Because if the answer is no then we are going to be fighting for bowl eligibility every year.
Yes, he will do better than Chad. My cat can do a better job than Chad though and she just spent the last ten minutes sniffing an empty plate of food in case she missed something.
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