Do You Have To Stop The Option To Win The NC?

[JBB]

The two most powerful offenses in the FCS are option attacks. Not many teams could stop them. The NDSU BISON played them both and shut them down.

The option in and of itself is fatally flawed. Assignment defense, deception and any missmatch along the offensive line spells the end, as long as the teams are athletically well matched. Thats the key to a lot of option teams: They have better athletes.

If a coaching staff is unable to recruit good enough players, or unable to "scheme" the option and exploit its fatal flaws, or both, it spells doom.

In the FCS, at least for the foreseeable future, if you cant stop the option you arent going to Frisco. If your team does get to Frisco it will probably face a great option attack.

[SuperHornet]

Well, theoretically someone could get a lucky draw and avoid those teams who predicate their offense on the option.

But I don't think you can focus totally on the option, either. There are a zillion companion plays and variations that one has to consider as well. You have to stop the dive first (if it's a true triple option). Then you have to have both someone to take the quarterback and the pitch man. The assignments change somewhat if the offense changes the holes they hit or swtich over to the Oregon Veer or even start screwing around with belly plays. In addition, all of these plays can turn into play action, end around, or any number of other things. The defense has to be prepared for ALL of those. How many defenses can do all of that? NDSU didn't have to this time around. Who's to say that they (or anyone else for that matter) won't have to next time?

BTW, this isn't intended as a slam on NDSU because every team facing an option team has to consider this. Of course, if an offense declares itself as an "option team," that is often half the battle. Sometimes, however, an offense will eschew a full-blown option attack, yet include the option (or some variation of it like a G option) as a tool within whatever philosophy they hold. Generally, these teams either predetermine the fake or dispense with it altogether by resorting to speed option (often out of single-back). If such a team springs the option at a key time after having not used it very much, it could break big, even against a team that has done well in the past against big-time option schools. Of course, that sword cuts both ways as miscues on the pitch become more likely as these teams do not drill option as much. Risk vs. reward, so to speak.

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's not quite that simple, JBB.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

With how much the spread offense is use or a version of it, I would think that any team that makes a run to the NC will run into a team that uses some version of the "spread offense".

Georgia Southern and SHSU are going to be very good next year; good chance the NC next year will play one or both next year.

IMO, they are the favorites next year.

[JBB]

I agree, and thats what prompted my post. The FCS has 2 outstanding option teams. The road to the championship probably goes through an option team as much as it goes through Fargo and the insanely popular Fabulous Fargo Dome.

The option is indeed ubiquitous from its purist form to all its variations. Its biggest weapon is deception: Inside/outside?
Keep-pitch-pass. Its most deadly tactic: misdirection. I think now its used more in its bits and pieces than an entire offensive scheme.

One of the most deadly plays in the NDSU arsenal is from the option. Its a fake dive with a pass. It beat North West Missouri State in the D2 playoffs and it beat SHSU with the pass to DJ McNorton set up by the fake kick.

If these teams continue with it, Its likely some teams that run the option less sucessfully, like Cal Poly, might become a desired opponent. Everybody will want the practice. Might help their price.

[AZGrizFan]

With how much the spread offense is use or a version of it, I would think that any team that makes a run to the NC will run into a team that uses some version of the "spread offense".

Georgia Southern and SHSU are going to be very good next year; good chance the NC next year will play one or both next year.

IMO, they are the favorites next year.

Final Four Prediction:

Montana
NDSU
Ga Southern
SHSU

[kalm]

No, you can can outscore it too.

It seems like nearly every team we faced this year either had a duel threat QB and/or ran some variation of it. So I think D.C.'s are getting accustomed to defending it and are starting to adjust.

[SloStang]

I agree, and thats what prompted my post. The FCS has 2 outstanding option teams. The road to the championship probably goes through an option team as much as it goes through Fargo and the insanely popular Fabulous Fargo Dome.

The option is indeed ubiquitous from its purist form to all its variations. Its biggest weapon is deception: Inside/outside?
Keep-pitch-pass. Its most deadly tactic: misdirection. I think now its used more in its bits and pieces than an entire offensive scheme.

One of the most deadly plays in the NDSU arsenal is from the option. Its a fake dive with a pass. It beat North West Missouri State in the D2 playoffs and it beat SHSU with the pass to DJ McNorton set up by the fake kick.

If these teams continue with it, Its likely some teams that run the option less sucessfully, like Cal Poly, might become a desired opponent. Everybody will want the practice. Might help their price.

Yeah Cal Poly has not been successful with the triple option. Oh wait they were one of the top offenses in the FCS in yards and scoring in 2007 and 2008. In 2008 the averaged 44.4 points and 487.5 yards a game. In 2007 they averaged 39.3 points and 487.1 yards a game. In 2011 they were respectable averaging 32.4 points and 385.7 yards a game.

[grizzaholic]

I agree, and thats what prompted my post. The FCS has 2 outstanding option teams. The road to the championship probably goes through an option team as much as it goes through Fargo and the insanely popular Fabulous Fargo Dome.

The option is indeed ubiquitous from its purist form to all its variations. Its biggest weapon is deception: Inside/outside?
Keep-pitch-pass. Its most deadly tactic: misdirection. I think now its used more in its bits and pieces than an entire offensive scheme.

One of the most deadly plays in the NDSU arsenal is from the option. Its a fake dive with a pass. It beat North West Missouri State in the D2 playoffs and it beat SHSU with the pass to DJ McNorton set up by the fake kick.

If these teams continue with it, Its likely some teams that run the option less sucessfully, like Cal Poly, might become a desired opponent. Everybody will want the practice. Might help their price.

Yeah Cal Poly has not been successful with the triple option. Oh wait they were one of the top offenses in the FCS in yards and scoring in 2007 and 2008. In 2008 the averaged 44.4 points and 487.5 yards a game. In 2007 they averaged 39.3 points and 487.1 yards a game. In 2011 they were respectable averaging 32.4 points and 385.7 yards a game.

I will say it so JBB won't have to.

What did Cap Poly do in those years? Did they win Chippers?


I love it/hate it when Montana plays Cal Poly. Love it because the game will be extremely good, hate it because Cal Poly brings it.

[citdog]

better be able to stop the DOGBONE next season.

[SloStang]

Yeah Cal Poly has not been successful with the triple option. Oh wait they were one of the top offenses in the FCS in yards and scoring in 2007 and 2008. In 2008 the averaged 44.4 points and 487.5 yards a game. In 2007 they averaged 39.3 points and 487.1 yards a game. In 2011 they were respectable averaging 32.4 points and 385.7 yards a game.

I will say it so JBB won't have to.

What did Cap Poly do in those years? Did they win Chippers?


I love it/hate it when Montana plays Cal Poly. Love it because the game will be extremely good, hate it because Cal Poly brings it.

They took bowl bound Wisconsin to OT in 2008 and lost to the FCS runner-up Montana when our FG kicker missed a game winning 27 yard FG with less than a minute to play. No they did not win Chippers, but they were a top ten team.

[grizzaholic]

I will say it so JBB won't have to.

What did Cap Poly do in those years? Did they win Chippers?


I love it/hate it when Montana plays Cal Poly. Love it because the game will be extremely good, hate it because Cal Poly brings it.

They took bowl bound Wisconsin to OT in 2008 and lost to the FCS runner-up Montana when our FG kicker missed a game winning 27 yard FG with less than a minute to play. No they did not win Chppers, but they were a top ten team.

I know. You should have won that game against Montana. Cal Poly is always good. I am the last one to ever doubt them.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

I will say it so JBB won't have to.

What did Cap Poly do in those years? Did they win Chippers?


I love it/hate it when Montana plays Cal Poly. Love it because the game will be extremely good, hate it because Cal Poly brings it.

They took bowl bound Wisconsin to OT in 2008 and lost to the FCS runner-up Montana when our FG kicker missed a game winning 27 yard FG with less than a minute to play. No they did not win Chippers, but they were a top ten team.

Last years game vs. EWU was epic!

You know who I should contact to get a copy of that game?

[BDKJMU]

With how much the spread offense is use or a version of it, I would think that any team that makes a run to the NC will run into a team that uses some version of the "spread offense".

Georgia Southern and SHSU are going to be very good next year; good chance the NC next year will play one or both next year.

IMO, they are the favorites next year.

Final Four Prediction:

Montana
NDSU
Ga Southern
SHSU

You have to have a defense to make the semis.

[blueballs]

better be able to stop the DOGBONE next season.

If y'all learn to throw it a little bit you have a chance to be pretty good.

[blueballs]

With how much the spread offense is use or a version of it, I would think that any team that makes a run to the NC will run into a team that uses some version of the "spread offense".

Georgia Southern and SHSU are going to be very good next year; good chance the NC next year will play one or both next year.

IMO, they are the favorites next year.

Final Four Prediction:

Montana
NDSU
Ga Southern
SHSU

I wouldn't be so quick to annoint GSU. They lost 3 starting o-linemen (losing Maxwell and Moore are HUGE) and their starting QB. The QB position is wide open heading into spring and fall.

When you combine that with the pitiful pass defense GSU exhibited in the playoffs you have a big question mark.

IMO GSU goes into 2012 ranked no higher than 3rd in the conference and 15th nationally.

[eagleskins]

Final Four Prediction:

Montana
NDSU
Ga Southern
SHSU

I wouldn't be so quick to annoint GSU. They lost 3 starting o-linemen (losing Maxwell and Moore are HUGE) and their starting QB. The QB position is wide open heading into spring and fall.

When you combine that with the pitiful pass defense GSU exhibited in the playoffs you have a big question mark.

IMO GSU goes into 2012 ranked no higher than 3rd in the conference and 15th nationally.

I think we will be a lot better this season. More of Hatcher guys gone and a whole lot more speed on offense. Don't forget Mann lost his job about halfway through the season, so only two lineman. We will get much more production out of QB this season.

[Skjellyfetti]

You have to have a defense to make the semis.

Not really. 2007 Appalachian State. We gave up over 400 yards of offense and 29.5 points per game during the playoffs.

Also showed during that run that you don't have to actually stop the option... just sit back and wait for them to fuck up and give the game to you on a silver platter.

[BearIt]

With how much the spread offense is use or a version of it, I would think that any team that makes a run to the NC will run into a team that uses some version of the "spread offense".

Georgia Southern and SHSU are going to be very good next year; good chance the NC next year will play one or both next year.

IMO, they are the favorites next year.

Final Four Prediction:

Montana
NDSU
Ga Southern
SHSU

SHSU will have a much tougher road next year. With their schedule, they will not get a seed and will be hitting the road early to one of the western seeded teams (Montana, NDSU). The final 4 will be Montana, NDSU, Ga Southern and ODU.

[BDKJMU]

Final Four Prediction:

Montana
NDSU
Ga Southern
SHSU

SHSU will have a much tougher road next year. With their schedule, they will not get a seed and will be hitting the road early to one of the western seeded teams (Montana, NDSU). The final 4 will be Montana, NDSU, Ga Southern and ODU.

Yeah right. I see Montana's game notes from their UNI game indicates only 7 of 11 starters offense and 2 of 11 defense returning. You don't lose 9 senior starters on defense and have a very good defense.

GSU has to come up with a QB to run an offense that isn't easy to run and is very turnover prone if you don't have the right type of guy running it.

[BearIt]

SHSU will have a much tougher road next year. With their schedule, they will not get a seed and will be hitting the road early to one of the western seeded teams (Montana, NDSU). The final 4 will be Montana, NDSU, Ga Southern and ODU.

Yeah right. I see Montana's game notes from their UNI game indicates only 7 of 11 starters offense and 2 of 11 defense returning. You don't lose 9 senior starters on defense and have a very good defense.

You left out that we also have a brand new OC and DC.

Of course, the new OC and DC are better than the guys from last year. Plus, the bench will finally get to be on the field demonstrating that they are bigger, faster and stronger than last year's squad.

[BDKJMU]

Yeah right. I see Montana's game notes from their UNI game indicates only 7 of 11 starters offense and 2 of 11 defense returning. You don't lose 9 senior starters on defense and have a very good defense.

You left out that we also have a brand new OC and DC.

Of course, the new OC and DC are better than the guys from last year. Plus, the bench will finally get to be on the field demonstrating that they are bigger, faster and stronger than last year's squad.

New OC and DC can mean a drop off, esp in the 1st year.

And yeah, ok.

[ewudood]

They took bowl bound Wisconsin to OT in 2008 and lost to the FCS runner-up Montana when our FG kicker missed a game winning 27 yard FG with less than a minute to play. No they did not win Chippers, but they were a top ten team.

Last years game vs. EWU was epic!

You know who I should contact to get a copy of that game?

Ditto. I'd LOVE to get a copy of that game...

EWU played some seriously epic games that season. They were a VERY fun team to watch, especially with Beau's confidence in Bo on those 4th downs.

[BearIt]

You left out that we also have a brand new OC and DC.

Of course, the new OC and DC are better than the guys from last year. Plus, the bench will finally get to be on the field demonstrating that they are bigger, faster and stronger than last year's squad.

New OC and DC can mean a drop off, esp in the 1st year.

And yeah, ok.

Apparently the sarcasm didn't come across.

[Screamin_Eagle174]

New OC and DC can mean a drop off, esp in the 1st year.

And yeah, ok.

Apparently the sarcasm didn't come across.

Couldn't get past the sand in his vaj from 2008.

[BDKJMU]

Apparently the sarcasm didn't come across.

Couldn't get past the sand in his vaj from 2008.

Not as much sand as is in your VJ from 2011.