🏈 Is the SEC scared of Gus Malzahn's offense? (Auburn Football Podcast)

[TerryP]

if he had all the players he wanted i doubt it would be so laughable as it was the last go round. they had/have a systemic problem that he will have to deal with. will it be a formidable offense after that? i think so. will it win championships? i don't think so.

A question, or point, that has to be considered is the number of players on the offensive side of the ball that are players he wanted. Even if we include the class of 2012, roughly 70% of that class committed when he was still on the staff at Auburn—and the majority of those that didn't commit when he was there are offensive linemen.

Now, one of the keys to his offense is having a quick guard. His offense uses a guard often by pulling them on the snap with the intent of a seal block on a defensive player in the back seven. Those linemen that committed after he left aren't kids that flipped, if I recall correctly.

Off the top of my head...

Avery Young is one we wanted as well. Who didn't want him? Patrick Miller was a fight between LSU and Auburn. We were recruiting Jordan Diamond as well.

Bottom line, those late offensive signees were kids that a lot of schools were after. It's hard to qualify them as kids he's "been saddled with."

 

[TerryP]

One thing worth noting as well.

While it's true Malzahn's offense was a "pass-happy" scheme at Arkansas and then Tulsa, he went to what was essentially a power scheme at Auburn. (One of the things that made me shake my head was reading and hearing how they were going back to a power offense in 2012 when their schemes were based on power.)

But, to my point. Even if their terminology changed, the type of linemen on their offensive front hasn't changed.

In the end it's a really simple scheme. The issue is having players who can line up and say "you know what we're going to do, stop it." When you have such a simple scheme on offense and it's coupled with the fact you don't find a superior advantage in personnel...what are you left with?

 

[Mahout]

Uptempo offenses: Utah, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Auburn, etc. have given us a fit...I'm not sure we have the sure fire antidote yet...

 

[bearsnest]

For the Gus Bus offense to be unstoppable must have a very good veteran offensive line, a very athletic running back with good hands, a superb athletic Q-back with running and passing skills, and an established receiving corp with extra emphasis on a very athletick tight end to get his offense into the top 10/20 offenses, currently at the barn does he have this? My thoughts is no as stated look at his last season at the barn, will the barn offense be better, I think it will but then where else can it go but up? With mediocre offense talent and a less than stellar defense he will be a 7-5 or 8-4 type coach, almost Shula like in nature

 

[TerryP]

Uptempo offenses: Utah, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Auburn, etc. have given us a fit...I'm not sure we have the sure fire antidote yet...

Two of the losses you've cited here weren't due to an up-tempo offense. Both Utah and Texas A&M jumped early and then were held in check for the final three quarters of both games. That wasn't due to an offensive approach, it was due to a lack of mental preparedness.

Ole Miss didn't give us fits. Auburn hasn't given us fits. Georgia and LSU did well when the turned the tempo up a notch against the Tide. And, the Tide did well against LSU and Georgia when we went up-tempo as well.

 

[psychojoe]

I don't see a Cam Newton lurking on the plains. Absent that, I am not worried.

Has anyone besides me noticed that we seem to be going to more athletic DL tpes who can run? I know you have commented on that, Terry.

 

[JoshB]

Two of the losses you've cited here weren't due to an up-tempo offense. Both Utah and Texas A&M jumped early and then were held in check for the final three quarters of both games. That wasn't due to an offensive approach, it was due to a lack of mental preparedness.

Ole Miss didn't give us fits. Auburn hasn't given us fits. Georgia and LSU did well when the turned the tempo up a notch against the Tide. And, the Tide did well against LSU and Georgia when we went up-tempo as well.

Agreed, Utah & TAM were two very different situations too I think. Utah was a combination of things. It seemed like they didn't even wanna be there, the big letdown from the SEC Championship loss and not being in the National Championship, and just flat out taking Utah lightly.

A&M was a situation of not preparing to the point where thinking using 3 safeties against that spread was going to be sufficient enough and players at time rushing up field too much rather than holding their position so if Football tried to escape there would be someone there.

 

[Bamabww]

A&M was a situation of not preparing to the point where thinking using 3 safeties against that spread was going to be sufficient enough and players at time rushing up field too much rather than holding their position so if Football tried to escape there would be someone there.

And John Football could do no wrong that day. He got several lucky bounces.

 

[bamaraider]

Uptempo offenses: Utah, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, Auburn, etc. have given us a fit...I'm not sure we have the sure fire antidote yet...

Alabama outscored Texas A&M 24-9 after the first quarter. Alabama just straight up imploded against Auburn in 2010, due to youth in the secondary and questionable/dumb playcalling by the offensive coordinator, they came back. Ole Miss jumped out early, but did you watch Alabama's offense that night? About as flat as it was against A&M in the first quarter. And against Utah, dumb Andre Smith mistake+ Mike Johnson getting injured= 8 sacks= JPW imploding. Then add to the fact the team looked like they did not even want to be there. Plus, Alabama's pass defense last year (and really pass rush), in 2010, and 2008 were not really the best we've had with Saban.

 

[JoshB]

And John Football could do no wrong that day. He got several lucky bounces.

I dont think I would say "lucky bounces", he made some pretty damn good throws that day against good coverage against times. With that said the 2nd half outside of maybe 3 throws he was held in check completely.

 

[rammerjammer]

I dont think I would say "lucky bounces", he made some pretty damn good throws that day against good coverage against times. With that said the 2nd half outside of maybe 3 throws he was held in check completely.

I agree....While Manziel may not be Tom Brady, he threaded the needle quite a bit on us and made some dang good throws.

As far as 2010 against the Barn, I heard that we had stole their signals hence the amazing first half we had against them. I have no idea if it is true, but that could certainly explain an awesome first half.

 

[Ump]

YAWN... more manure from the barn.

 

[Bamabww]

I dont think I would say "lucky bounces", he made some pretty damn good throws that day against good coverage against times. With that said the 2nd half outside of maybe 3 throws he was held in check completely.

I'll concede he made some clutch throws but when he was being chased around in the backfield, (maybe a defender hit him, don't remember) and the ball goes straight up in the air, he catches it, regains his poise and then throws a TD pass, there was a lucky bounce or two in that as well as skill.

 

[JoshB]

I'll concede he made some clutch throws but when he was being chased around in the backfield, (maybe a defender hit him, don't remember) and the ball goes straight up in the air, he catches it, regains his poise and then throws a TD pass, there was a lucky bounce or two in that as well as skill.

I would say yeah the bobble was a bit of luck, but the TD pass was a breakdown in coverage. We had that play sewed up, everybody was covered. The DB (Sunseri I think) saw Manziel scramble so he took off after rather than just sticking with his man (and there were crimson jerseys all around so there was no need to come after him) and Manizel just throw it to the wide open receiver at that point.

 

[bamaraider]

F:sauer055::sauer055:k A&M

 

[bearsnest]

The ATM loss to me was kind of like the loss to the barn in 2010, that loss was a great motivator for us, as will this be, we will be putting this unfinished business to bed in just a few weeks