The TRAIN

Submitted by sdogg1m on

I know this is kind of a snowflake thread but please don't negbang me to hard.

The train play: I expect to see more of it. When I say see more of it, I think other teams will copy it. Why? It is a well designed goalline play where the advantages are keeping the defense from setting properly and having almost no time to discover the alignment. Before this plays existance I would rarely see an unsettled defensive formation.

The discussion surrounding this play is that it is "fun" but I think it was meant to diguise a typical goalline play in attempt to boost the success rate of said play; any play. Definitely worked on Saturday in the sole time it was put into use.

I admit I am a noob when it comes to dissecting plays so I may be wrong on the advantages. I don't remember in my 25 years of watching football seeing anything other type of formation that rivals it... Anyone else?

Basically posted this for discussion.

Brian's observation of the play:

People are friggin' pumped for a novelty formation you can't even snap the ball from, and it turns out that is the correct approach. Butt popped wide open as Illinois resorted to man coverage and the ultramesh route won against it.

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BlueinOK

October 24th, 2016 at 6:49 PM ^

I like it because it placed so many TEs on the field with a defense not knowing how to react in that short time. How do you defend a five TE set?! With the personal lining up quickly?!



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lawlright

October 24th, 2016 at 7:12 PM ^

Much of what defenses do is reliant on keys made off formations and personnel. The "TRAIN" helps disguise formation definitely and personnel to an extent while giving the offense an ability to somewhat read defensive and personnel keys of their own. It's also fun and unique which can be part of the joy of college football.

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maizenblue92

October 24th, 2016 at 7:14 PM ^

New England Patriots. 2 years ago the Pats copied Kiffins play that sprung open a tackle eligible receiver. I could see them copying it to create match up problems for there tight ends and interchangable slot WRs. 

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BG Wolverine

October 24th, 2016 at 7:18 PM ^

Careful, might get flagged for intent to deceive. Seriously it's an awesome goal line play especially with 5 tight ends like Saturday. No time for the defense to identify and line up properly. Wide outs would take too long to get set.



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Alton

October 24th, 2016 at 8:13 PM ^

Rule 9-2-2-b:

"No simulated replacements or substitutions may be used to confuse opponents. No tactic associated with substitutes or the substitution process may be used to confuse opponents."

That was the rule associated with the notorious "intent to deceive" call.  This formation has nothing to do with substitutes or the substitution process; it can be done just as easily without substituting, so it is clearly not "intent to deceive."

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