[Husker] The Offense

[Nick Chevance]

> On Oct 16, 2009, at 8:16 AM, David Strong wrote:
>
>> Here is an article from Omaha.com about the offensive game plan in the
>> Missouri game.  The author makes a pretty strong arguement that it sucked.
>>  Watson said we kept throwing because Missouri was stacking the box.  This
>> guy says if you look at the film, Missouri did so only on 16 out of 67 plays
>> and 7 of those were in the final drive when we were eating clock.  The basic
>> question was....why so many spread formation passing plays when:  1. it was
>> pouring ...and more importantly 2.  it wasn't working.
>>
>> My take at the time....SW called a lousy game.  But we won.  Keep Green
>> warmed up.
>>
>> Dave

You know, I gotta defer to someone who says they've watched the game
film.  I haven't.  Been meaning to this week, but just haven't got to
it.  But it seemed to me that most tackles of our backs were done by
the safeties, and according to the play-by-play, it was pretty even (9
tackles by safeties and 12 by linebackers).  That says to me that
Mizzou was loading up, keeping the safeties up near the line.  I guess
its how you define stacking the line - do the defensive players need
to be within 5 yards, 7 yards, 10 yards of the line of scrimmage?  I
don't know.  I guess to rebutt this I'm gonna have to watch the game
again.

But I do find it odd that it was 16 of 67.  Unless it was on 16 first
downs - the idea would be to stop Nebraska from establishing a run
game on first down, making us throw on second and third downs.  And
here's a telling statistic - Nebraska first down plays - 19 runs, 7
passes.  Were we favoring the run on first down in that game?

But to the question of why we need a run game, I guess it goes to sort
of an accepted principle of football (certainly one of Watson's) that
a balanced attack will win you more games than an all run or all pass
attack.  The stats showed that Nebraska was 50% run/pass (32 run - 34
pass attempts) while Mizzou was a little pass heavy (43 passes vs. 35
runs).  And common sense tells you that if you only pass, the defense
throws 8 guys in the pass patterns and rushes three.  If you only run,
11 guys up near the line.  I would also bet that if you run to set up
your passing game or pass to set up your running game, the defense
won't be able to overplay either.  And I would further argue that even
if you aren't that successful running, it still tends to keep the
defense honest.  But if you favor a run on first down, it makes it
easier for the defense to put you in second and long most of the game.

But this game should be a good indication of what's to come.  TTech
doesn't have a great defense, but they are good.  Probably on a par
with Mizzou.  They don't have a great offensive line, so they tend to
throw quickly, like Mizzou, to negate that defensive rush.  But our
corners and linebackers have been very good on coverage.  So I see us
with a big advantage on defense.  It will come down to how well our
line blocks, stays away from multiple holding and silly procedure
calls, and how well Zac can manage the offense on a cool, dry field.
If we fail this week, it won't be the weather, and not likely the
TTech defense that causes us problems.

I don't like the spread, but I tend to agree with Mr. Nolan.  We have
the ability to put this game away early.

Nick
-- 
“Rene Descartes walks into a bar.
The bartender asks, "Would you like a beer?"
Descartes answers, "I think not." And promptly disappears.”
          Harlan Ellison