I'd Like to Solve The Puzzle!
I think I finally figured out what the Arkansas offense reminds me of... only took me 2 years to do it. Maybe a lot of Hog fans already beat me to the punch. The Hogs are a one-trick pony. Well, technically 2 tricks if you count DMAC and Felix Jones separately. Now granted, when that trick is working, it's magnificent (South Carolina). It's explosive, it can score a lot of points, inflate the stats and everyone loves that. But the inherent problem for the 2007 Razorbacks is that they are, in essence, a wishbone team.
Have you noticed how the Dead-T and Wishbone are slowly being fazed out of college and high school football? It's not often that style wins a state title or a national championship anymore. Why? Because not only is it a philosophy that is too antiquated, but it's not sexy for the athletes, and it only works under certain conditions. If you have a lead, 3 yards and a cloud of dust is your best friend. You control the clock, wear down the defense, and keep the other team's offense sitting on the pine. But what happens when you fall behind? Or when you really need to score in a hurry?
Granted, Arkansas isn't a wishbone team by formation. But, I think they are in philosophy... and it's their downfall. That mentality only works these days when combined with a creative mind. Rich Rodriguez is doing it at West Virginia with Steve Slaton and Pat White. The Mountaineers have been to a BCS Bowl and are heading that way again. Gus Malzahn is a friend of Rodriguez and brought that mentality to Arkansas and the team exploded in 2006. They passed efficiently when needed, but devoured defenses because predictability was out the window.
2007, Malzahn is missing and so is the creativity. The idea of '3 yards and a cloud of dust' is a smokescreen for a lack of coaching and development. Last Saturday the trick worked against a horrible defense. But the Vols were prepared, motivated and disciplined. Once the Hogs fell behind, they were finished. Why? Because the Hogs version of the wishbone means the QB and the wide receivers cannot win you a game. They are managers and window dressing for the ground game. That hasn't changed at Arkansas for years.
The bottom line is simple: all things being equal, the Hogs are getting outcoached more times than not. The conservative philosophy about dedicating your life to the run is problematic. Air Force and Navy still run like hell, but that's because their talent shortage helps them level the playing field.
Someone on the Hill needs to realize that something is missing. Look around. Mississippi State is rising. Kentucky is evolving, Vanderbilt is bowl eligible. Kansas has blossomed, so has UConn, Arizona State, Missouri, Oregon, Cincinnati, Virginia, Illinois, Texas Tech, South Florida, shall I keep going? A few years ago were any of these programs doing anything? Nope. 2006 does not a turnaround make for Arkansas. The simple truth, no matter what side of the argument you stand on, is that in the age of parity, tons of schools are passing Arkansas by.
Just like the Hog defense lives and dies by the blitz (vs. Tennessee they died by the way), their offense lives and dies by the run. This season, everyone is dying a slow death, mostly the fans.
Agree? Disagree? Send me your thoughts: sports@4029tv.com
Have you noticed how the Dead-T and Wishbone are slowly being fazed out of college and high school football? It's not often that style wins a state title or a national championship anymore. Why? Because not only is it a philosophy that is too antiquated, but it's not sexy for the athletes, and it only works under certain conditions. If you have a lead, 3 yards and a cloud of dust is your best friend. You control the clock, wear down the defense, and keep the other team's offense sitting on the pine. But what happens when you fall behind? Or when you really need to score in a hurry?
Granted, Arkansas isn't a wishbone team by formation. But, I think they are in philosophy... and it's their downfall. That mentality only works these days when combined with a creative mind. Rich Rodriguez is doing it at West Virginia with Steve Slaton and Pat White. The Mountaineers have been to a BCS Bowl and are heading that way again. Gus Malzahn is a friend of Rodriguez and brought that mentality to Arkansas and the team exploded in 2006. They passed efficiently when needed, but devoured defenses because predictability was out the window.
2007, Malzahn is missing and so is the creativity. The idea of '3 yards and a cloud of dust' is a smokescreen for a lack of coaching and development. Last Saturday the trick worked against a horrible defense. But the Vols were prepared, motivated and disciplined. Once the Hogs fell behind, they were finished. Why? Because the Hogs version of the wishbone means the QB and the wide receivers cannot win you a game. They are managers and window dressing for the ground game. That hasn't changed at Arkansas for years.
The bottom line is simple: all things being equal, the Hogs are getting outcoached more times than not. The conservative philosophy about dedicating your life to the run is problematic. Air Force and Navy still run like hell, but that's because their talent shortage helps them level the playing field.
Someone on the Hill needs to realize that something is missing. Look around. Mississippi State is rising. Kentucky is evolving, Vanderbilt is bowl eligible. Kansas has blossomed, so has UConn, Arizona State, Missouri, Oregon, Cincinnati, Virginia, Illinois, Texas Tech, South Florida, shall I keep going? A few years ago were any of these programs doing anything? Nope. 2006 does not a turnaround make for Arkansas. The simple truth, no matter what side of the argument you stand on, is that in the age of parity, tons of schools are passing Arkansas by.
Just like the Hog defense lives and dies by the blitz (vs. Tennessee they died by the way), their offense lives and dies by the run. This season, everyone is dying a slow death, mostly the fans.
Agree? Disagree? Send me your thoughts: sports@4029tv.com
posted by Mark Lericos at 12:21 AM
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