OT: Army's offense

[dbrocket]

It had me really intrigued for a minute. Like, as long as you get 3 ypc, or 2.5 once you reach the 50, it's murder. And there are so many possibilities, it'd be hard to hold them to less, if they had better athletes. Plus, hot-damn would that time of possession mesh with our sort of defense.

Then, they got a holding penalty. 2nd and 17. "Ohhhhh. Riiiiiight. They're screwed."

Plus, tough to play good defense when the offense you practice against every day doesn't throw it.

 

[Mr Deeds]

Army's First team Defense does not go up against Army's offense. They go up against the Army scout team offense, who each week runs the playbook of the upcoming team.

 

[SHAWKER]

I don't mind other teams running the triple option but if Iowa did I would not enjoy it.

 

[StormHawk42]

I love watching unique offenses but there's a reason it's not run by the best teams. The 2010 Orange Bowl was a good example of that.

 

[dbrocket]

Army's First team Defense does not go up against Army's offense. They go up against the Army scout team offense, who each week runs the playbook of the upcoming team.

Right, but the guys on the scout team are recruited for an option. So, they don't likely have anyone who can simulate a good passer or receivers who can simulate being threats in the receiving game - since their focus is recruiting guys who can block.

 

[HawkCapt1912]

I love watching unique offenses but there's a reason it's not run by the best teams. The 2010 Orange Bowl was a good example of that.

It's a tough offense to defense with a week of prep. Norm had a month to prepare and grew up defending the option. He knew how to dismantle it, and it showed.

 

[El Simbolo]

It had me really intrigued for a minute. Like, as long as you get 3 ypc, or 2.5 once you reach the 50, it's murder. And there are so many possibilities, it'd be hard to hold them to less, if they had better athletes. Plus, hot-damn would that time of possession mesh with our sort of defense.

Then, they got a holding penalty. 2nd and 17. "Ohhhhh. Riiiiiight. They're screwed."

Plus, tough to play good defense when the offense you practice against every day doesn't throw it.

I figured it was over too when they got that penalty

 

[TouchdownMyPants]

I always wondered why the US Military Academies all ran unique, run-based offenses. My assumption has always been that it offers them a differentiator that allows them to compete against teams w/o getting players who can focus 50/50 on football and grades (even though most universities focus like 80% on football and 20% grades at best). The soldier/students have ridiculously grueling schedules. No getting high on the weekend and having a GA take your test for you.

Does anyone know if they use these offenses to cause a unique mismatches vs. opponents who use more modern offenses or if it is more steeped in tradition?

 

[Hawkfan_08]

I always wondered why the US Military Academies all ran unique, run-based offenses. My assumption has always been that it offers them a differentiator that allows them to compete against teams w/o getting players who can focus 50/50 on football and grades (even though most universities focus like 80% on football and 20% grades at best). The soldier/students have ridiculously grueling schedules. No getting high on the weekend and having a GA take your test for you.

Does anyone know if they use these offenses to cause a unique mismatches vs. opponents who use more modern offenses or if it is more steeped in tradition?

I'm guessing this goes for all of them but their scheme is due to not having huge o lineman. Football is the secondary purpose, not their primary purpose for school and there is no way our big boys could do their required basic training. I had a buddy play basketball at Air Force as a "big" at 6'7". His options for what he could do at the academy were limited since he was to big pilot most the jets.

 

[bojihawk44]

I always wondered why the US Military Academies all ran unique, run-based offenses. My assumption has always been that it offers them a differentiator that allows them to compete against teams w/o getting players who can focus 50/50 on football and grades (even though most universities focus like 80% on football and 20% grades at best). The soldier/students have ridiculously grueling schedules. No getting high on the weekend and having a GA take your test for you.

Does anyone know if they use these offenses to cause a unique mismatches vs. opponents who use more modern offenses or if it is more steeped in tradition?

The option is the great equalizer. Allows teams with less talent to compete at a much higher level when it's executed properly. I know most people don't enjoy watching it, but I'm surprised that more schools don't employ it. Especially at places where it's harder to recruit and get talent.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

I love watching Army's offense which, as others have alluded to, is also its best defense because it keeps the other team's offense on the sidelines. I think it's brilliant. Army ran only nine different plays in the bowl game, they have an undersized line, and yet they blew their opponents off the ball on almost every play. A ten-win season, a win over Navy...Army is rollin' along.

I've wanted Iowa to schedule the academies for decades. Iowa played Air Force back in the 50s, but otherwise I don't think they've ever played in football. It would be great to have a home-and-home and visit West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs. But with the mindset of KF and GB, it ain't gonna happen.

 

[cocoem]

I love watching Army's offense which, as others have alluded to, is also its best defense because it keeps the other team's offense on the sidelines. I think it's brilliant. Army ran only nine different plays in the bowl game, they have an undersized line, and yet they blew their opponents off the ball on almost every play. A ten-win season, a win over Navy...Army is rollin' along.

I've wanted Iowa to schedule the academies for decades. Iowa played Air Force back in the 50s, but otherwise I don't think they've ever played in football. It would be great to have a home-and-home and visit West Point, Annapolis, and Colorado Springs. But with the mindset of KF and GB, it ain't gonna happen.

Same mindset that 98% of other college staffs

 

[kcgolfer]

I'm guessing this goes for all of them but their scheme is due to not having huge o lineman. Football is the secondary purpose, not their primary purpose for school and there is no way our big boys could do their required basic training. I had a buddy play basketball at Air Force as a "big" at 6'7". His options for what he could do at the academy were limited since he was to big pilot most the jets.

Bingo. They normally don't have the big bodies. Fun offense to watch though.

 

[Eternal Return]

That was the best bowl game so far this year. Fun to watch Army's offense chug and chug and chug--never knew which play would be called and it mostly didn't matter because they picked up about 7 yards every play. And Rashad Penny, holy crap, he's going to make some NFL team really happy next year.