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Weighing the option Readers say archaic offense isn't only scheme with problemsPosted: Monday June 02, 2003 11:17 AM
Long-time readers of this column -- both Frank and Bob -- know well my opinion about the option offense's place in today's game. Mainly, that teams (read: Nebraska) will no longer be able to thrive without a more balanced offense (which Nebraska is trying this year) due to the ever-increasing athleticism and versatility of defenses. Allow them the opportunity to key in on one aspect of your attack and you're not going to get very far. But there can also be some underlying benefits -- and corresponding negatives with other offenses -- which Terry Ashton of Oxnard, Calif., alludes to with this thought-provoking question: Do the teams that run the option just have coaches that aren't interested in moving on up to the NFL? Or do schools run the option because they can have their pick of the best option QBs in the nation, and don't have to recruit against the other schools who are all after the four-star classic NFL types? What I dislike about the sophisticated NFL offense for college students is, we fans have to go through the down cycle after you lose your senior pro-style QB to graduation. And if you screw up in recruiting, you end up with a complicated offense and a senior QB who is not NFL material. I'm a Bruin. Terry, you're right in that offensive coaches who run true option systems (as opposed to mixing in some components) probably don't have pro aspirations. That's why Nebraska, at least until this year, has had such continuity on its staff. But besides the Huskers, these days it's really only the service academies and a handful of other teams running the option, and they do so mostly to mask an underlying lack of talent. It's much like the Princeton offense in basketball -- if well executed, it can level the playing field against an athletically superior team. As for the point about pro-style offenses, I think any team is going to suffer a drop-off after losing an accomplished quarterback who's been running the system for three or four years, no matter the system. It's probably true that some of these offenses are getting a bit too complex for college, but for the most part that's what the elite QB prospects want. They want a system that will prepare them for the NFL. And if the kid has the smarts, he can pick it up pretty quick. Just look at some of the QBs recently -- Dave Ragone, Philip Rivers -- who have excelled despite going through multiple offensive coordinators during their career. The best approach is probably what Jim Tressel has done at Ohio State: run a conventional offense, but keep it simple until the quarterback gets some experience. Craig Krenzel was afforded the chance to develop slowly and became more confident as the season went on. Now this season he'll be given significantly more freedom.
As a lifelong Washington State University fan, I'm wondering how you gauge the Cougars' Pac-10 prospects under Bill Doba this year. I see them finishing third. The transition should be fairly seamless and there is still considerable talent in Pullman, but the Cougars suffered quite a few key losses, most notably Jason Gesser (see above about losing veteran QBs), but also Outland Trophy winner Rien Long, All-Americas Derrick Roche and Marcus Trufant and top receiver Jerome Riley. Jermaine Green and Devard Darling are two nice complements for new QB Matt Kegel and the defense should still be decent, but I can't see Washington State being on quite the same level this season as most peoples' projected top three in the Pac-10, USC, Washington and Arizona State. I'm in such a good mood today (as will be explained later) that I'm actually going to answer two "How do you think my team will do this year?" questions this week.
What do you think of Wisconsin? I think they could be a real surprise team if the defense gels and the offense looks explosive with Sorgi, who throws a nice ball, has a nice receiving corps even without Lee Evans, who if he returns will only add more value, and a running attack that is more than just Anthony Davis. Agreed that the Badgers could be a surprise team. Lest we forget, this is a team that did win eight games last year (granted, only two in the Big Ten) and has the vast majority of its talent returning. Davis is one of the top running backs in the country, Jonathan Orr and Brandon Williams emerged as quality receivers last year and a lot of experience on defense. The biggest question in my mind is Sorgi. On the positive side he has a ton of experience for a guy going into his first year as the full-time starter. The bad news, it hasn't necessarily been overwhelmingly good experience -- 0-5 as a starter in place of Brooks Bollinger over the past three years. As a senior, though, you've got to think he's equipped for a breakout. If he can deliver even some of the fourth-quarter magic that defined Bollinger's career, Wisconsin should be good for 9-10 wins.
Will there ever be another Joe Paterno or Bobby Bowden? I can't see that today's college football is more cutthroat than eras past. Sure, there is more media coverage with more exposure, but if a coach is successful, with the right school, and embodies integrity and respect, then why not? No, there will not. Not at the highest levels, at least. You're right that the profession has long been cutthroat (Notre Dame's Terry Brennan lost his job in 1958 just a year after ending Oklahoma's 47-game winning streak, on Christmas Eve no less). What makes the job different today is the crush of non-football demands -- speaking engagements, media obligations, intensified recruiting, player discipline, et al. Lots of 16-hour days. The only way Bowden can still do it is by delegating most of the actual football duties to his staff. And Paterno is simply a freak of nature. The other factor to consider: When you're making $1-2 million a year from the time you're 40, it makes it a little easier to retire at 58.
I am a worried Hokies fan. Miami has not even formally left yet, but just the uncertainty is costing VT recruits already. With the Nike camp in Blacksburg, and a preseason top 10 team, this could have been our best opportunity to date to secure blue chips. My question is: What can VT do about it? Where do they go?
I'm sure the school is just as panicked as you are. This is a crisis for Virginia Tech football, no question about it, and the recruits have every reason to be concerned. The best thing the coaches can do is reassure them that the resources are in place to compete for a national championship regardless of which conference they end up in. It'll take one heck of a sales job -- fact is, it's going to be a lot, lot harder if the Big East loses its BCS status. But what the Hokies can emphasize are their immediate prospects. The talent is in place to make a national run the next couple seasons, before Miami and Co. leave, which would further bolster their national reputation and attractiveness and perhaps ensure they remain part of the BCS beyond 2005.
Forget about 2003 for a minute and look ahead to 2004. With a lot of programs losing various important players, would you say that the biggest contenders for the Orange Bowl are Penn State, Miami, Arizona State, USC, Texas, Georgia, Florida, and Virginia Tech, and Hawaii and Oregon State the darkhorses? Hold on a second, I think ... is that? ... yep, sure enough. My head just exploded. Apparently you've done more research on this (some) than I have (none). I'm just starting to prepare for 2003. Just off the top of my (damaged) head, though, most of those seem pretty reasonable. Miami, USC, Texas and Georgia are all teams with young talent that you'd expect to be even better next year. My only objections would be Penn State, which, as many regular readers know, I doubt will compete for titles again anytime soon, and Hawaii, which would be darn near impossible under the current system. This is a complete crapshoot, though, so while we're at it I'd like to throw out a few other contenders: Indiana, Baylor, Kansas, Rutgers and Wyoming. Well, my loyal readers, I regret to inform you that the 'Bag, or more specifically its author, will be on vacation for the next several weeks. I'd be all broken up about it, too, if not for the fact I'm going on vacation. Please keep those questions coming, though. I'll need something to write about next time. Adieu, for now. Stewart Mandel covers college sports for SI.com. To send a question or comment for Stewart's Mailbag, click here.
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