One thought that snags me while watching Nebraska play is that although we run the ball an awful lot, it seems like Tim Beck does not really get the value of the run game. It's like in his mind, it takes too long. It's too predictable. The defense can just load the box and stop it because they know what's coming. Oh no, we'll have to punt a few times.
You have to look at it more holistically. We're a defensive team. The run game, executed smartly, is a gift that keeps on giving. It's dependable (unlike our passing game). It offers variety. It bleeds clock––the master of the game––wears down the opposing defense, neutralizes the opposing offense; meanwhile, it lets your defense rest and adjust and if nothing else sets up field position. Between the defense and special teams (which has been winning the field position battle and scoring points all season) you don't have to dial up complicated downfield passing plays, especially when Purdue showed weakness against the option. (Here I recall Osborne saying that in his offense, an option was like a pass play.)
I'm not calling for heads or anything, and I'm more than happy to listen to any explanation of why what Beck is doing is obviously the best thing to do, but I'll leave it at this: I don't understand Tim Beck. I never have. I suspect I never will. I don't understand his system or why he tries to randomly alternate between every conceivable play type when his team can't reliably execute the snap. We all know what Armstrong is and what he's best suited to do. Beck either doesn't see it or won't accept it; he certainly is not game planning to the strengths of his personnel, and as talented as Nebraska is (partial credit to Beck for that), we are not talented enough to play like we did yesterday and roll through the rest of our schedule.
+1!
Excellent post that was very well articulated.
You are correct about Osborne and his views on the option in his offense. Back then they specifically viewed the option as extension of their passing game. Was it technically a running play? Yes, but to them it was a more effective & safer play than an actual pass for several reasons:
- They expected each option to gain them 6-7 yards. Run effectively, or if the defense is caught out of position, and these option plays have the potential to go the distance in a blink of an eye.
- It's a safer play than a pass because if executed correctly by the QB, the pitch will be going forward slightly down the line of scrimmage, so even if it was a bad pitch it would still be considered incomplete rather than a fumble.
- It freed the offensive line to fire off the ball and to block aggressively downhill, imposing their will on undersized linebackers.
- It gave their offense an identity that fit the culture of the Nebraska program & its fan base.
I think out of your entire post the comment that I thought was most spot-on in its simplicity was
"Tim Beck does not really get the value of the run game."
Does he come up with at times some brilliant running schemes? Absolutely he does...see the crazy zone-read / speed option he ran a few years ago against Michigan. With that being said I do believe his views on how to use the running game drastically differ from how many of us would like to see Nebraska's run game being used.
Anyway, great post Husker_x! I look forward to reading more of them.