with a vote looming Thursday.... let the debate begin.... http://espn.go.com/college-football...crimson-tide-says-pace-play-bears-closer-look the great thing about college football is how it adapts. Bobby Bowden introduced a play in the early 90's that was a large part of their success with a running back flaring out, the qb hitting him in stride at the line of scrimmage, and the RB would get about 15-20 yards....every time. It's because noone knew how to defend it. Eventually, they figured out a way and the pass is not all that effective anymore. Spurrier got ate up with that play one year "choke at Doak" but instead of politicking for a rule that says you can't thow to the running back but xx number of times" Spurrier adjusted to it. and that put pressure on Bowden to continuing to develop new ways to move the ball. It's the greatness of football.... Nick Saben has created a dynasty with crushing defenses.... and teams and coaches like Auburn and Oklahoma figured out how to counter that defensive scheme.... now, instead of Saben trying to figure out a new way, he wants to change the rule so it favors his style more. he can preach "safety" all he wants.... but lets be honest here, why he's doing it. 2 teams... in a row.... exposed him and beat him..... and that's.just.not.fair.
the reason that I prefer college ball over the NFL is the pace of the game and trick plays. Let the game evolve and try new things. We're finally starting to see the athletic QB get respect within the NFL instead of being condemned for the ability to run as well as throw. Johnny Football was entertaining to watch as were RG3, Newton, Tebow and others when they were in college.
I agree... adjust to the game's evolution. Saben and bama fans are just upset they were unable to adjust to it. of course, I'd be upset, too if the self-proclaimed best team in college football this year dropped 2 in a row.... surely it can't be from getting outcoached by Auburn..... or the Sooners.... surely, it's because they were going too fast for the way the game wwas designed. funny, at least 2 teams for both AU and OU had no problems adjusting to the pace.... now, I see they tabled the rule vote til later..... any word when that is?
it absolutely is.... coaches adjust, when others figure you out, you adjust again, and you do that for your entire career. The good ones can, the others can't. Saben is a good coach, but he doesn't want to change what has worked for him in the past. Other teams figured it out.... now he wants to take that ability away from them.... not by adjusting and getting better, but by trying to politic a rule that prevents it.
RichRod's having a little success with his fastball approach but I don't like it even tho I'm an Arizona alum. I like offenses and defenses to both be ready when the ball is snapped and I don't like having defenses being worn out by the end of the 3rd Quarter. And I don't like the games for TV because there are just so many plays and points scored (with resulting commercial breaks) that games now seem interminable.
it means you have to adjust, be deeper on defense, and #shockingly, have your defense in shape. My team, FSU, adjusted to it. In fact, we had a player that was very good, but was EXHAUSTED and sucking wind late in the 4th when AU scored a go ahead touchdown with :53 seconds left in the game. They kept attacking the backup that was filling in for our all American. But then FSU exploited their weakness, too, by throwing to a 6'6 reciever being covered by a 6'0 corner.... it's part of the game... exploiting your opponent's weaknesses. Bama couldn't/wouldn't adjust and lost 2 in a row.... and now, instead of trying to adjust, Saben just wants to outlaw the 2 minute warning offense.... When Bear Bryant got beat by USC because the black players on USC ran circles around his white running backs.... Bear didn't try to petition the NCAA to prevent black athletes from playing, instead, he started recruitting black running backs himself, that had formerly gone to Grambling, or Southern, ect.... Bear adjusted. Saben cries...
The ultimate decider will be the fans of course, but I think it's time to shorten the game. 4.5 hour football games (meaning 3.5 hours are spent on commercial and other time-outs) is nuts. I hate watching the Oregon Ducks play and now my Cats have adopted the same system. They are losing my interest.
I've seen many adjustments through watching college football. FSU used to drop 70 points a game on opponents like lousiville, etc. Even when we travelled to Mich to face a top 5 wolverine school, we still gave up 40 something points AND STILL WON. That's when putting a 100 on a weak opponent was necessary so you wouldn't drop in the polls. Giving up 50 didn't matter, not scoreing at least 60 did. The recruitting for high powered offenses occurred as a result. the game changed, defenses got better and scores of games got lower. It's the natural progression and evolution of the game. You may give up on it... many others won't, and there are always new fans that love this system. FSU in 93, when they won the title, Charlie Ward (our QB) gave an interview about what made them successful. They basically ran a their 2 minute drill offense the entire game..... the hurry up. This was 20 years ago. Defenses adjusted and so did FSU. We won another title in 99 on the backs of a crushing defense that held offensive powerhouse Michael Vick and Virginia tech down. it's time for Sabin to sack up and prove he's the best and is able to adapt like Bear Bryant did.
