CNNSI Article About the Option Offense at GT

by JG2112 on Sep 10, 2009 8:57 AM CDT

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/andy_staples/09/09/georgia-tech/index.html?eref=sihp

This is an article posted within the past day or so which focuses upon Georgia Tech's use of the wishbone option offense. I think it's a pretty good explanation on how difficult it is to prepare for this kind of offense. It also makes me wonder whether we are at a disadvantage since we played a spread style offense last week, and now only have 6 days to prepare for such an intricate offense. Not sure where I come down on this, but I may have felt a lot better had we scheduled Air Force as our opener and Syracuse second.

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Me thinks...

…this whole preparation thing is overrated. These guys have been playing football all their lives. I’m not saying it is completely worthless, but the effect is only marginal. Find the guy with the ball, tackle him. I know I’m oversimplifying it, but it just isn’t that hard when you have the athletes we do. I’m not saying that Air Force won’t have some success moving the ball, but I don’t think preparing for it for 2 weeks or 6 days really makes a big difference.

by rencito on Sep 10, 2009 4:45 PM CDT reply actions

You're freaking kidding me, right?

Are you watching the game tonight? Gimme a break Rencito.

“….when you have the athletes we do.” RIght.

Those athletes gave up 20 points to a Duke PG and a team playing 20 scholarship athletes short last Saturday that went 3-9 in 2008. Now those athletes are going to play a triple option offense that requires defensive discipline on at least four different options on each play. If one person falters, boom goes the dynamite. And the team has 6 days to prepare for it.

Speaking of athletes, how about last Saturday? Navy put up 346 yards on Ohio State. Let that sink in. There are at least 12 five-star recruits on the Buckeyes roster, and I am willing to say the majority of Navy’s players are one and two star recruits. Result of game: 4 point victory for the football factory Ohio State.

Look back to 2008. The team that shut down Georgia Tech completely in 2008 was LSU, who had 5 weeks to prepare. Care to remember those 300 rushing yards Tech put up on Miami and Georgia?

by JG2112 on Sep 10, 2009 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions

If you read what I posted...

“I’m not saying that Air Force won’t have some success moving the ball, but I don’t think preparing for it for 2 weeks or 6 days really makes a big difference.”

That was my point. You really think LSU prepared for 5 weeks solely on Georgia Tech? I highly doubt they would spend all their preseason planning for one of 12 games on their schedule. Not. Buying. It.

I’m saying your whole preparation worry is overrated. I don’t think it is any doubt that Minnesota has better overall team speed (hence my comment about having the athletes we do). You got it right when you say the option depends on discipline. That is what you do when you have a disadvantage in team speed. You rely on deception and exploiting the other team’s lack of discipline. I would assume the Gophers defense would practice against Gray more this week which can only help.

But you evidently agree with me (at least in part) since you are picking the Gophers to win.

by rencito on Sep 11, 2009 11:08 AM CDT reply actions