Identity
- Thread starter jflores
- Start date
Just for the heck of it I was looking at the size of UCF's Olinemen. Thems some big boys playing that tempo.
Well their QB is about 5-8 and 160 lbs. I don't know what he's listed at, but he's tiny.
I read it correctly the first time. You're not capable of a nuanced discussion.
Lots of good thoughts in the tread.
The more I think about it the more I think identity has more to do with execution than anything else.
Today, Lee is a 54% passer averaging 7 yards per attempt (81st in the country) and almost 16 incomplete passes per game. That's ugly, approximately 20% of Nebraska's plays are incomplete or intercepted passes. If Lee were at 65%, we're watching an offense with about 4 more complete passes a game and an extra 50 yards passing. If he was more efficient or if his receivers were able to haul in the drops, we're probably having a different conversation.
UCF, on the other hand, is at 69.9% averaging 11 yards per attempt and 8 incomplete passes per game. Amazing efficiency.
The thing about running a spread offense is that it allows you to get a numbers advantage based upon the defensive scheme, either running or passing. If you're 4 wide, the defense has to decide to press man to man and put 7 in the box, or have safety help and only 6 in the box. If your qb can run, the zone read is really hard to stop in this situation. 5 OL vs. 4 DL, 2 LB vs a running QB and RB.
The teams that were able to stop Oregon (in the Kelley/Frost era) tended to have great DL play: USC, Stanford, Auburn (2010 title game), and OSU (2009 Rose Bowl, 2014 title game). But, what teams don't struggle against great DLs?
So, to me, the reason it feels like Nebraska has no identity is because the passing game is so inefficient. If 20% of the offense is incomplete or intercepted passes, it's hard to feel like they have a consistent plan and are getting things accomplished.
The more I think about it the more I think identity has more to do with execution than anything else.
Today, Lee is a 54% passer averaging 7 yards per attempt (81st in the country) and almost 16 incomplete passes per game. That's ugly, approximately 20% of Nebraska's plays are incomplete or intercepted passes. If Lee were at 65%, we're watching an offense with about 4 more complete passes a game and an extra 50 yards passing. If he was more efficient or if his receivers were able to haul in the drops, we're probably having a different conversation.
UCF, on the other hand, is at 69.9% averaging 11 yards per attempt and 8 incomplete passes per game. Amazing efficiency.
The thing about running a spread offense is that it allows you to get a numbers advantage based upon the defensive scheme, either running or passing. If you're 4 wide, the defense has to decide to press man to man and put 7 in the box, or have safety help and only 6 in the box. If your qb can run, the zone read is really hard to stop in this situation. 5 OL vs. 4 DL, 2 LB vs a running QB and RB.
The teams that were able to stop Oregon (in the Kelley/Frost era) tended to have great DL play: USC, Stanford, Auburn (2010 title game), and OSU (2009 Rose Bowl, 2014 title game). But, what teams don't struggle against great DLs?
So, to me, the reason it feels like Nebraska has no identity is because the passing game is so inefficient. If 20% of the offense is incomplete or intercepted passes, it's hard to feel like they have a consistent plan and are getting things accomplished.
No I wouldn't say it's finesse play but it's also not an offense based around gutting the defensive front even though those sorts of plays are utilized. The finesse comes in with the spread concept. It's just not a batter and bruise type offense in general, that isn't a bad thing either. I'm also not arguing here against Frost or the offensive system, if he were the coach here and successful then I'm all for it because that is all any of us want. I just think a lot of people think we're going to somehow magically become some meat grinder on the offensive line and that isn't likely with the system they run. They run some cool stuff though, go check out some of UCF's TD runs in the red zone and you'll see some pretty cool power type runs out of the SG with a lead blocker. I'm not opposed to that by any means.
On some level we're talking about style vs production. Keep in mind that the service academies and GT don't really run a "power" rushing attack either but consistently lead the nation in rushing production.
For context, here's how Frost offenses have compared to Wisconsin.
2013: OU - 3rd; UW - 13th
2014: OU - 10th; UW - 3rd
2015: OU - 5th; UW - 88th
2016: UCF - 101st; UW - 26th
2017: UCF currently is at 223 yards per game and they lost a 4th Q in a game with a big lead due to weather which actually skews their stats lower. Wisconsin is currently at 257 ypg.
With the exception of year one at UCF, Frost's offenses compare favorably in rushing production to Wisconsin.
For context, here's how Frost offenses have compared to Wisconsin.
2013: OU - 3rd; UW - 13th
2014: OU - 10th; UW - 3rd
2015: OU - 5th; UW - 88th
2016: UCF - 101st; UW - 26th
2017: UCF currently is at 223 yards per game and they lost a 4th Q in a game with a big lead due to weather which actually skews their stats lower. Wisconsin is currently at 257 ypg.
With the exception of year one at UCF, Frost's offenses compare favorably in rushing production to Wisconsin.