Malzahn Offense Explanied

[au_weagle 0]

The last couple of weeks I have heard a couple of people not truly understanding how the read option and Gus's offense in general works. I gonna give it my best shot to lay it all out.

First, I will start off with a basic spread style, like the one Oregon runs. Obviously, they like to spread the field to creat as much open space as possible. When they line up with 4 wide, teams usually play a nickel personel package (5 defensive back). This leaves 6 defenders in the box...with 5 offensive linemen...why will this work? They don't block one guy, that's why. When Oregon runs to the right, they leave the defensive end unblocked on the backside. All linemen flow to one side as a group. If he chases after the back, the QB keeps it. If not, you've got 5 on 5 on 1/3 of the football field. You have heard this basic description on college football live many times. And if you decide tho put a standard 4-3 defense on the field.. that leaves 4 reciever on 4 defenders...a quarterback's dream. The only problem is when you have players on the field that can pursue to the ball...like the SEC and Tony Franklin. That's why Oregon's offense, though it would still be good, would not be the best in the country in the SEC.

Malzahn and Auburn differ from this scheme mainly in the blocking scheme above anything else. They use schemes very similar to those power running teams like Bama and LSU. They pull the guard, run trap and power plays, where they run through a specific gap, whereas with other spreads, he patiently waits for a hole on his 5 on 5 matchup. Not so successful in the SEC. Auburn gets downhill. The strong side guard and center crash down on the tackles, and the weak side guard pulls in to the gap as a lead blocker on the linebackers. Lutz can also be a lead blocker. As Ole Vince Lombardi said...a seal her, and a seal here, ans an ALLEY.

And here's the thing that some coaches haven't picked up on. Auburn switches up on the person they leave unblocked. Yes, the tackle may pull one play and leave the decision to the unblocked defensive end on who to chase after. But they switch it up. On most wildcat plays, Cam Newton reads whether the linebacker runs after McCalebb. This leaves the enitre defense on their heels, not just the weak-side end. On the 70 yard TD against LSU, theiur All SEC linebacker stayed planeted to watch Cam, leaving the only guy with a chance at McCalebb to be the safety on the opposite side of the field. Who thinks that's possible? Yeah I didn't think so.

[jl2426 1]

Cam Newton. Malzahn offense explained.

[AuburnEngineer 0]

Cam Newton. Malzahn offense explained.

Sounds like a Bammer 

[au_weagle 0]

Yeah did he see we were top 25 offense with no-top25 talent before Newton showed up?

[taylojo 0]

I need pictures au_weagle.  I'm spoiled now.

[TigerProwl24 0]

Cam Newton. Malzahn offense explained.

[au_weagle 0]

Sorry Im not Stat. I don't have freeze frames of broadcasts. Stat can you help us out with an Oregon play, and traditional AU power play, and the Wildcat run against LSU? I know it's tough to write out.

[jl2426 1]

Woaaah.  Little jumpy before the Ole Siss game I see.  Gus clearly runs the offense around Cam, and that's fine with me.  Without Cam, we would still have a top 25 offense, just not as... good. 

[taylojo 0]

Oregon's read

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5732450&categoryid=2564308