Gattis and tempo question.

Submitted by JFW on March 26th, 2019 at 10:44 AM

So, I've been reading the articles on Gattis and the new no huddle offense he's installing. 

I choose to be optimistic. So no 'I'll believe it when I see it' for me. The evidence seems to show that this is in fact a sea change offensively. 

On the surface I like it. We have two coordinators who sound like a football version of Horatio Nelson. 'Bring the enemy to battle....on our terms...'

With that said:

What is the opinion out there. Will we look like OSU? 

I hate to say it, but I have to ask, is there a version of no huddle that can be slow? We aren't known for our speed currently.

Are any MgoCoaches out there worried about the transition costs coupled with the drop off in talent on the D? 

I really hope this settles and and lights some fireworks. If only because I'm tired of changing coordinators and tweaking schemes. I'd love to have the identity as a high powered O that can still bruise, and a tough D. 

 

isai

March 26th, 2019 at 10:52 AM ^

I think the wear on an inexperienced D is a valid concern.  However, no huddle does not have to translate into fast paced.  They can still operate at the speed they are comfortable given the circumstances.  I see that it provides more options.  They can go fast if the situation dictates.  They have more time to adjust the play to the defense.  They can get poor matchups "locked" onto the field.  They can also run the ball and snap with under 5 left on the play clock.   I think many offenses do better no huddle...including the Lions.

DrMantisToboggan

March 26th, 2019 at 10:53 AM ^

No huddle and tempo are two different things, not huddling just gives you the ability to go tempo.

I think we will mostly be in the “hurry up and wait” mode of keeping the personnel on the field, getting to the next line without huddling, but then getting the play and formation from the sideline. We will go fast at times, but I don’t think we will be in constant tempo mode. We can lock the defense on the field without truly going fast.

Alabama was only 85th in adjusted tempo last year.

DrMantisToboggan

March 26th, 2019 at 11:29 AM ^

I think the thing that will be pivotal will be having a do-it-all TE. The ability to effectively run out of a lot formations without changing personnel really hinges on a TE who's nearly as effective in blocking as he is as a receiver. 

To be able to stay in 11 personnel for a whole drive, while moving the TE from in-line, to out wide, to the slot, etc. is really great. My money would be on Eubanks becoming "the guy", but my sample is pretty limited still.

DrMantisToboggan

March 26th, 2019 at 1:24 PM ^

That's the question. I've heard that he's done well there in practice, but he hasn't been asked to do a ton of it in games. 

McKeon has been inconsistent in his blocking in the past, and slimmed down some this offseason, so I'm skeptical that he's going to be a consistently good blocker this year. Hopefully I'm wrong.

We really need one of those two to put it all together this year though.

4th and Go For It

March 26th, 2019 at 3:41 PM ^

Gattis also said the line was a strength this year, which it certainly could be if Runyan continues to improve and whoever wins the RT job is functional to good and can improve throughout the year. 

I wonder if they'd be able to still use the TEs mainly as pass threats and use playcalling and tempo to keep the D off balance enough that somewhat lackluster TE blocking can do the job  well enough? All the TEs on the roster are basically 6' 6" and between 230-250 lbs, so none of them seem likely to be strong blockers, though I agree Eubanks seems to have the best shot of the bunch.

ldevon1

March 26th, 2019 at 11:36 AM ^

As simple as it sounds, we will have to wait and see. People forget, we have a few weapons that fit into different packages, and if we sub, we have to give the defense the opportunity to sub also. The main advantage I see is getting the play from the sideline once the defense is set. The guys will look over and get any adjustments the OC deems necessary. 

UMFanatic96

March 26th, 2019 at 11:00 AM ^

No-huddle does not equal Tempo or fast-paced play. All it does is give you the option to run a play quickly or tempo if you want to. Alabama and OSU are examples of teams that won't huddle, but they still usually don't snap the ball until the play clock is under 10.

Having a no-huddle style allows you to be more flexible with how you run your offense and adjust better depending on the game situation. For example, Michigan wouldn't be taking up as much time as possible before running a play when there's less than a minute to go and they don't have any timeouts like last year. 

Gattis even stated that the offense is a PRO-STYLE no huddle. They won't be turning into Oregon or Indiana where they try to snap the ball as quickly as possible with 5 wide-outs. I would recommend checking out Alabama's offense from last year or even Penn State's. 

They aren't completely redoing the offense. They're updating it to make it better, more flexible, and one where we don't run the ball up the middle every first and second down.

Dizzy

March 26th, 2019 at 12:28 PM ^

Running on first and second down isn't necessarily a bad thing if you have a creative running game. It gets you to third and short, controls the clock, wears down a defense, rests your own defense, keeps your quarterback healthy, and limits backbreaking turnovers by college quarterbacks.

It's not flashy but teams like Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Michigan State have built overachieving programs on it. It's also gotten us 10 wins three of Jim's four years here. 

FatGuyTouchdown

March 26th, 2019 at 11:04 AM ^

Yes, a lot of no huddle schemes can slow it down. It doesn't have to be up tempo in an Oregon style of play, the reason teams go no huddle is to trap the defense on the field with their designated personnel, and can create matchup problems, while designating the pace to suit the offenses preference.

befuggled

March 26th, 2019 at 11:19 AM ^

Gary Moeller came out in the game against Notre Dame in 1990 running no huddle. 1990. The year after Bo retired.

I think this team can play without huddling.