3 yards and a cloud of dust is a failing philosophy

[nelsonmuntz]

There is so much wrong with our play calling that has been well documented on this board, but I think we need to move beyond just the run/pass dichotomy. Even if UConn was going to run 100% of the time, its play calling is still stupid. UConn has a quick 170 pound running back that it is running between the tackles in straight ahead off tackle or iso's between the tackle and guard or guard and center. McCoombs strengths are his shiftiness and quick acceleration, but in crowded human piles in the middle of the field, neither of those traits can be exploited. There are no delays, no misdirections, just Deleone's belief that our big uglies can move their big uglies.

College football has spent the last 20 years proving that wrestling matches in the middle of the field result in low yards per carry unless one side is significantly superior physically, because the pile attracts the entire opposing defense very quickly, and it becomes more difficult for the ball carrier to find an opening. This is why we have spread offenses. Wide splits between linemen and using the entire line of scrimmage, sideline to sideline, for attacking the defense result in isolations in space that enable small, quick backs like McCoombs to exploit their strengths. Rather than have to get by a linebacker in a 3 or 4 foot wide hole between the guard and tackle that is closing quickly, why not have the guard and tackle open with a 5 foot split that quickly gets larger? Why not give McCoombs 5-10 horizontal feet to work with?

Chip Kelly, Chris Ault and Rich Rodriguez have won the argument on the best running philosophy. Do you see many coaches switching from a spread to a traditional pro-style running game? Even the pro styles have spread principles. This isn't a choice between two competing styles, it is a choice between one superior and one inferior style.

So why does our staff insist on its 70's style, condensed, move the pile offense?

 

[husky210]

So you don't like 4th and 1s?

 

[Calhoun's Court]

Geez it worked for ND in the 40's

 

[noeynox]

When Pasquolini arrived he talked about an offense with explosive plays that gained big chunks of yardage on first and second down. In year two what he has trotted out there seems to be the antithesis of the offense he described.

The move to wide open quick striking offenses is evidenced even in the nfl. Defensive players are too, quick, big, fast, and strong, for the old school run up the gut on first and second down philosophy that Deleone has been hell bent running this year. Offenses have generally evolved as defenses learn to defend and shut down offensive schemes. Deleone and P are enamored with the wildcat like its a new thing. When the dolphins brought back the concept of the single wing , it was something that hadn't been seeing in so long, that defenses didn't know how to defend it. In case they haven't noticed, teams have learned to defend the zone read/wilcat play, ESPECIALLY, in situations where they know its coming. Maybe they think that since its been so long since teams try to run up the gut on first and second down, that it would catch opposing coordinators off guard?

Whatever the case, your post is spot on. It is not that we run the ball so much, it is how we choose to try and run. Predictable, running between the tackles with a 165lb running back. They try to use him like the Giants used Rodney Hampton in the late eighties, early nineties.

I thought P was a sound hire, but I'm having serious doubts if he thinks that the way Deleone is running this offense is the way to go forward.

 

[Waquoit]

And when it's less than a yard, they went to the pitch where the RB gets the ball 5 yards deep. Just stupid.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

So you don't like 4th and 1s?

UConn's entire offense is designed to get 1 yard on a play when the defense knows what's coming, so I don't have a huge problem with 4th and 1.

 

[zls44]

So you don't like 4th and 1s?

I like 1st and 10 more.

 

[UConnDan97]

I like 1st and 10 more.

That's why the philosophy should be "FOUR yards and a cloud of dust"! You get a lot more 1st and 10s...