here is Auburn's problem...

[Coach34]

Teams that run a Spread offense need to have a direction, just as any offense does. But in the Spread, you have to decide what you want to be: a) a run-first spread team or b) a pass first spread team.

If you are going to be a "fun-first" spread team, your QB has to be a threat to run the football if you are going to be successful. You can out-number people in the box by spreading the field if your QB is a runner. But, if he isnt, then its equal numbers. You have no advantage over the defense numbers-wise. This limits the number of runs and what you can do offensively.

Auburn has average WR's and they realize that. They want to be a "run-first" spread team and control the football. That is Tubby's personality- running the football. They have the wrong QB running the offense for they are trying to do. They need to go with Burns if they want to stay with their curent philosophy to give them some more options offensively, OR they keep the other guy in and start throwing it 40-45 times a game.

They are caught in-between identities and therefore they have none.

 

[dawgatUSM]

I'm going to disagree. I mean, I get what you're saying... But when Burns is and has been in there, they've been equally inept. Honestly, the problem with Auburn's offense is the fact that they do entirely too much east to west crap. The will not, and I mean, WILL NOT do that successfully against an SEC defense. They did it fine against Southern Miss... But it's just a totally different level of speed in this league, and those gaps do not open as wide or stay open as long against slower teams. If they wanted to be successful, they should have never fired the OC they had. He had been a successful coach there for years... I'm not against the spread, because it has qualities that I think can be helpful to any team... But in this league, if you are not a threat to line up and run it down somebody's throat... you will be awful

 

[Coach34]

I'm not saying Burns is a good QB or anything like that. But if they want to be a "run-first" spread team, they HAVE to have him in there. Because they have the other guy in there, they are forced to go east-west too much (we are in agreement). By Burns being in there, you add option and traps to your offense, not to mention the Iso with the back on the LB and the QB as the TB.

They are running East-west so much BECAUSE they arent using the QB as a running threat- thereby negating their advantage of being a Spread team in the 1st place.

 

[jackbaddawg]

F auburn.

 

[rebelrouseri]

don't even really run a complete run or pass based spread). </a><a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/">http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/

 

[patdog]

When he's been in there and they've tried to run option, he's sucked at it. Which is surprising because being a good runner, you'd expect him to be at least a decent option QB. But he seems to slow down when he's running the option.

You're right about them not having an identity. They look at least as confused as we do on offense. It's pretty obvious they don't have a clue what they need to be doing. And Tubberville saying at halftime that they need to throw the ball deep was just mystifying. Who the hell does he think he has at QB who can throw the ball deep? I don't know who his 3rd team QB is, but I'd take him on the deep ball sight unseen over Todd or Burns.

 

[basedog]

The problem with Auburn's offense is there offensive line! They can't run block nor can they pass block. I agree about having average wide-outs but that ain't the most important position on offense. Now as for as QB's, they lack confidence and being shuffled around ain't helping, I do blame coaching for the QB problems.

Fans make to much into what kinda offense or defense is being played, I have said this 100 times, it's about the fundamentals which includes playing smart. Even coaches in today's era try to contemplate the game plan and the schemes being run! Bear Bryant and the Joe Pa's of the world were the best in their day cause they made it simple and they stressed blocking, tackling, fundamentals, team ball, being in shape (weight lifting and running), just the basic's of 101 coaching football.

C'mon on!!

 

[DowntownDawg]

....and see that the Spread is not always the answer. And to take it one step futher, not only are they trying to run it with the wrong qb, they are tryin to run it with the wrong tailback most of the time. Ben Tate is not a spread tailback. Lester is, or could be. If you are going to run the run based spread, they need to have Burns and Lester, and just commit to that. Think about a typical handoff out of the shotgun that has the running back crossing in front of the qb. With Tate that is extremely slow in developing, and as you said, the defense doesn't have to respect Todd keeping it.

On the other hand, if you get into a 3rd and 8, I'm sure the Auburn coaches don't feel like Burns can get a first down. People looked at West Virginia and thought "That looks easy. We can do that." Well, it turns out #1) They are going up against Big East Defenses (much slower and weaker than the SEC #2) Their offense was not seen very much, so defenses had problems preparing for it (i.e. Georgia Tech syndrome) #3) Steve Slaton is an NFL starting tailback -great player, and #4) Pat White was a heisman trophy candidate - great player.

Trying to run that in the SEC with average personnel is not so easy. The same concept applies to the passing spread. If you are going to throw it that much, you'd better have a damn good qb and solid receivers. Auburn has neither.

You are finally seeing what we would look like trying to run the Spread, and you can only adapt your personnel so much. Now, Omarr Conner and Jerious Norwood should've been running it, and that's all there is to it. Carroll/Lee and Dixon? Not so much.

 

[8dog]

that Tony Franklin is known for. And that spread is a pass-first spread.

 

[Frances Drebin]

...they are trying to run an offense for which they don't have the personnel to run, at QB, RB, WR, and especially OL. Burns can't throw it a lick, so he's not a dual threat. Lester fits the mold for RB in the scheme, but he's been banged up, and Tate is more of a power runner. The OL is too slow.

 

[Coach34]

but as far as us, I think we could be a "pass-first" Spread team that mixes in some I formation with Lee at QB. But to do that:

1. We would have to have a new offensive coaching staff
2. It would have to start being developed during the Spring
3. Stick to it no matter what to show recruits you are serious about it.
4. Recruit for it.

Our current staff would not do that. The transition would be tough in the beginning, but it wouldnt be any worse than we have been doing. It would be attractive to recruits, and they would start winding up on our campus. Basically, we could follow the Texas Tech model.

Am I saying that is the best way? Not really, I would prefer a run-based Spread offense. But either one would make us better than we are in the long run. What we are doing now is not working and unacceptable...

 

[DowntownDawg]

that what we are doing now would beat that, and I can't make that argument. And I also agree that it will take a different coaching staff, period to be successful. I just don't think that the Spread is the answer. We don't have the personnel for that. Woodson ran it successfully at UK, but we don't have anybody that resembles a Woodson. I think your bias for offense is getting in the way again of what it takes to field a winning football team at Mississippi State, but I'm not going to go down that road again. We've been there before, and the rest of the board doesn't care about seeing that argument again.

 

[GloryDawg]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Is a QB that can run. In order for the spread to work you have to have the running threat from both the QB and running back. Look at WV. That's why it worked there. Both the running back and QB could run. This opens up the passing game. Auburn offense was built around the run. It will take a few recruiting classes to get the personnel they need.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"></p>

</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Yes I admit that I am a dumb *** but I thought I would add to the conversation anyways.</p>

</p>

 

[8dog]

Is it harder to find a qb that can sling the ball around in a passing spread or is it harder to find enough offensive linemen to enable you to line up and run over people in the I?

 

[DowntownDawg]

...and I have always thought it was easier to put together an offense featuring a big O-line and a big back like Jackie had in the late 90's than it would be to do anything that had a bunch of finesse to it, whether it is the spread or what Spurrier was running at Florida. I just think in Mississippi you're going to have more success like that, because not only do you need a stud qb, you've got to have some competent receivers, and the bigger names are going to get the skill players.

 

[8dog]

our receivers are our best unit, and frankly, I'd like to see Lee get a chance to throw it around. I don't think you need a stud QB to do this. Its getting harder and harder for us to put together an o-line that is competent.

 

[Todd4State]

but I agree with you. I think that we could run some pro-style I formations but at the same time, we could run some 4-5 WR spread stuff.

I really think you would get the best of all worlds by doing that. You would be able to run when you have to, but at the same time, you could throw the ball around if you were behind.

 

[whatever.sixpack]

Auburn's problem is simply that they don't have a QB, their wideouts are fine. The reason the spread has become so popular is because all of these great offenses have had great players that would've been good in any offense. West Virginia lost to Pitt last yr when White and Slaton were injured, and this year they've regressed tremendously without Slaton, who is very underrated, his NFL career is showing how good he is.
Take Chase Daniel out of the equation, Missouri becomes average, same goes for Tebow and Harvin at UF. Oklahoma and Texas are going to be awesome no matter what they run.
The other teams that run the spread and have success also have great coaches that know offensive football (Belotti at Oregon, Leach at TX Tech) If we start running the spread with someone who knows nothing about it and a team that doesn't have the personnel for it, that wouldn't be any different from Croom trying to get Woody to run the WCO when he's never had any experience in it.
Also, defenses are going to start gearing to stop the spread now that everyone is going to it, and if we stick w/ something traditional, people aren't as prepared for it, just like we weren't for GA Tech and UGA wasn't for Bama
On the other hand, if we could get someone like Mike Leach or another coach that has had tremendous success with something untraditional, I'm all for it.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...and that's one area where Croom has failed miserably in his recruiting. The lone player with good potential is Sherrod. Strauder's been ok, but the right side of our line is weak as hell with Gates and Saulsberry.

 

[DowntownDawg]

...right? I mean, we usually keep a back in for protection, but we get in the shotgun with 3 WR's and a back or 4 wides fairly often don't we?

 

[Todd4State]

...right? I mean, we usually keep a back in for protection, but we get in the shotgun with 3 WR's and a back or 4 wides fairly often don't we?

it looks like we are trying to run some pro sets with some spread option formations.

I'd like to run something more like a cross between Southern Cal and Texas Tech. Or actually, something more like Jimbo Fischer when he was at LSU.