FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[tommiegun]

"An offense like this must be the camera guy's worst nightmare."

Two words: Wide angles.

Quick comment.  Their offense looks like an inside veer attack, which is a lot different (and in my biased opinion, much less effective).  With the inside option, its the DT's and MLB's who are always tackling the fullback. The DE or OLB is left unblocked (depending on the defense) and should smoke the quarterback every play.  In an inside option, the game comes down to whether (1) the wideout on the option side can block his corner and (2) whether the pitch man can beat the safety who comes up to make the tackle.

My guess is that the athletes WW has are able to both beat Salisbury's wideouts and tackle the pitch man.  I'd bet they get burned on at least 1 long fake option pass for a touchdown, but figure it out and win 49-21.

Yes! I think this is crucial. I would think pounding the QB all afternoon could affect his decisions and pitches later in the game.

It might; but a well run option is really a test of mental endurance for both teams.  I think the key, as in almost every game, will be how Salisbury's O-Line holds up against (what I assume is) a much more physically gifted D-line.  If the Warhawk D-line consistently disrupts the Gulls timing in getting to the "option moment," good night/game over.  If not, an option attack is a great way for a less talented team to hang with a big dog.

I'm honestly a lot more excited about this game than my own team's game. 

[02 Warhawk]

Looking at their highlight clips, it seems to me it's predetermined who is getting the ball coming out of the hundle. Rarely (if at all) did I see a QB roll out with the RB then pitch it if there isn't a running lane. But rather the ball is pitched (handed off or kept) the second after the snap occurs.

When I heard triple option, I expected to see the wishbone formation, with the three backs in the backfield. When the QB takes the snap, he'll fake the hand off to the fullback, then roll out with RB...then pitch it off if needed. However, the sulisbury offense is something totally different.

If it's predetermined on who's getting the ball...is it still called on option offense??? Or is the QB making some sort of read on the defense that I'm not picking up?

[Pat Coleman]

In highlight clips you are going to get a very limited view. You're usually only going to see the plays that go perfectly.

[tommiegun]

I don't think its predetermined.  The qb probably has a really good idea about who is getting the ball before the play snaps, but on their option plays (they seem to run a lot of quick hitting pitches and traps, too, which are good complement plays) it seems like there is a decision being made.  Whether the decision is made before the snap or not is really irrelevant to the defense, anyway, since they don't know who is getting the  ball.

[emma17]

I don't think its predetermined.  The qb probably has a really good idea about who is getting the ball before the play snaps, but on their option plays (they seem to run a lot of quick hitting pitches and traps, too, which are good complement plays) it seems like there is a decision being made.  Whether the decision is made before the snap or not is really irrelevant to the defense, anyway, since they don't know who is getting the  ball.

To further that point, this style of offense works because whether the play is predetermined or the QB has the "option" to give, keep or pitch, the defense must still cover each of those possibilities, leaving fewer defenders at the point of attack.  This style puts a premium on sure tackling because there isn't always as much help. 

The triple option has always been my favorite offense, except when having to defend it. 

[02 Warhawk]

I don't think its predetermined.  The qb probably has a really good idea about who is getting the ball before the play snaps, but on their option plays (they seem to run a lot of quick hitting pitches and traps, too, which are good complement plays) it seems like there is a decision being made.  Whether the decision is made before the snap or not is really irrelevant to the defense, anyway, since they don't know who is getting the  ball.

To further that point, this style of offense works because whether the play is predetermined or the QB has the "option" to give, keep or pitch, the defense must still cover each of those possibilities, leaving fewer defenders at the point of attack.  This style puts a premium on sure tackling because there isn't always as much help. 

The triple option has always been my favorite offense, except when having to defend it.

meh.....outside of the high school level, you don't see championship teams run this offense. There's a reason for that.

It is fun to watch though, I'll give you that.

[WashedUp]

I don't think its predetermined.  The qb probably has a really good idea about who is getting the ball before the play snaps, but on their option plays (they seem to run a lot of quick hitting pitches and traps, too, which are good complement plays) it seems like there is a decision being made.  Whether the decision is made before the snap or not is really irrelevant to the defense, anyway, since they don't know who is getting the  ball.

To further that point, this style of offense works because whether the play is predetermined or the QB has the "option" to give, keep or pitch, the defense must still cover each of those possibilities, leaving fewer defenders at the point of attack.  This style puts a premium on sure tackling because there isn't always as much help. 

The triple option has always been my favorite offense, except when having to defend it.

It was one of my favorite offenses to defend, but that probably has to do with the scheme we used against it.  When we played Concordia-Moorhead we'd line up in a cover 2 shell and roll the coverage whichever way the back motioned, with the corner to that side blitzing to take away the pitch man.  Only time I ever got to blitz as a field corner and it really pissed off the WRs trying to block.

[tommiegun]

How many 10 yd. stops did you give up?

[WashedUp]

How many 10 yd. stops did you give up?

None, Concordia can't throw and Ziller was usually the safety rolling to the WR.

[warhawkguard]

I loved playing against the BONE in HS as a DE. I got to attack the QB every play. I forced the pitch before he reached the Tackle every time they were dumb enough to come my way. This was a Kewaskum team that usually had a ton of rushing yeards, but we beat them so badly at the line they were completely shut down.

I believe the Warhawks will enjoy a similar kind of satisfaction this weekend.

[dlippiel]

I loved playing against the BONE in HS as a DE. I got to attack the QB every play. I forced the pitch before he reached the Tackle every time they were dumb enough to come my way. This was a Kewaskum team that usually had a ton of rushing yeards, but we beat them so badly at the line they were completely shut down.

I believe the Warhawks will enjoy a similar kind of satisfaction this weekend.

dlip agrees, but just feels that U-Dub must stay focused and on point, because this Salisbury Gulls team is no joke. They are a very good football team and are capable of some serious offensive explosions when defenses get sloppy or top heavy. Again, dlip thinks Dub wins pretty comofortably but the Gulls are not a team to take lightly by any means...even an awesome purple one. 

[voice]

I loved playing against the BONE in HS as a DE. I got to attack the QB every play. I forced the pitch before he reached the Tackle every time they were dumb enough to come my way. This was a Kewaskum team that usually had a ton of rushing yeards, but we beat them so badly at the line they were completely shut down.

I believe the Warhawks will enjoy a similar kind of satisfaction this weekend.

dlip agrees, but just feels that U-Dub must stay focused and on point, because this Salisbury Gulls team is no joke. They are a very good football team and are capable of some serious offensive explosions when defenses get sloppy or top heavy. Again, dlip thinks Dub wins pretty comofortably but the Gulls are not a team to take lightly by any means...even an awesome purple one. 

Key to winning playoff football games, and for that matter, National Championships is to respect your opponent.  I have no doubt that the Hawks have the utmost respect for Salisbury and its triple option attack.  Nobody in the nation has had more success at the triple option as UW-River Falls had. 

WIAC defensive coordinators - led by UWW's Brian Borland have spent hundreds of hours over the year's disecting the triple-option. It will be interesting to see how the UWW "D" attacks Salisbury on Saturday.  I do know the Hawks possess an outstanding stable of linebackers led by Greg Arnold. 

It will also be interesting to see how Salisbury handles mid-30's with a rain/snow mix on Saturday?!

[badgerwarhawk]

As I've mentioned in the past I tend to be a worrier.  Especially when we're facing an opponent for the very first time.  Salisbury wouldn't be in round three if they weren't a very good team.  But one thing I never worry about is our staff and/or team taking anything for granted and/or looking past an opponent.  Regardless of the success we've achieved it's just not in our nature.  It's a cliche but in our case it's the fact.  I doubt that there is anyone right now who has more respect for Salisbury than our staff and team.  And I know that developing a game plan to beat the Sea Gulls is the ony thing that they are focused on.  We may or may not win but if we don't it will be because Salisbury outplayed us and not because we didn't take them seriously. 

I will now return to worrying in silence. 

[02 Warhawk]

Looking at their highlight clips, it seems to me it's predetermined who is getting the ball coming out of the hundle. Rarely (if at all) did I see a QB roll out with the RB then pitch it if there isn't a running lane. But rather the ball is pitched (handed off or kept) the second after the snap occurs.

When I heard triple option, I expected to see the wishbone formation, with the three backs in the backfield. When the QB takes the snap, he'll fake the hand off to the fullback, then roll out with RB...then pitch it off if needed. However, the sulisbury offense is something totally different.

If it's predetermined on who's getting the ball...is it still called on option offense??? Or is the QB making some sort of read on the defense that I'm not picking up?

It is not predetermined. I can tell you that from personal experience, I played at Salisbury and at times it might seemed predetermined, but it solely based on what the reads are. The only thing that is predetermined is the quarterback touching the ball first after the play is snap, after that it is all read, react, and execution. I can also tell you that from the highlight tape, most of those lineman were defensive lineman turned offensive lineman and that most of the players were sophmores and that it was the quarterbacks first year running the option.

good to know...thanks!

[warhawkguard]

Will the lousy weather affect Salisbury? Don't running teams prefer bad weather? Although the Hawks had little trouble last week in the constant rain....so, it is what it is...

Borland will have the team ready with the right schemes. They will just have to be disciplined and keep their assignments. This will be The Gull's first experience with a competent defense.

I wish I could watch the game in person, its going to be a good one!