(10-04-2013 11:15 AM)bigblueblindness Wrote:  

(10-04-2013 10:59 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  

(10-04-2013 10:53 AM)Hokie4Skins Wrote:  Kentucky tried the air raid under Hal Mumme and SEC defenses adjusted to it relatively easily.

But they couldn't tackle the offensive lineman he had playing QB...

I miss that guy. He is still a favorite.

What's not to like about a QB that could knock over a bulldozer?

(10-04-2013 10:51 AM)JRsec Wrote:  

(10-04-2013 10:25 AM)Rabbit_in_Red Wrote:  I disagree on some level. Certainly a couple of turnovers helped, and Louisville had the higher octane offense in that game...their defense wasn't able to hardly stop ANYTHING we did but the run. Even in plays where they knew we were going to throw, where we HAD to throw, they were giving up large sums of yardage. Their defense was exposed. Everyone knew their offense was mediocre at best...and I LIKE the Gators!

Another thing about SEC defenses is that they seem primarily geared towards stopping the run, probably because SEC offenses tend to be so run heavy. IF UK were to actually get the needed players to make it happen, their using an "Air Raid" style offense could give today's SEC fits because "why in the hell are they THROWING on 2nd down!?" Capable passing teams are the ones that I've noticed tend to do the best against SEC defenses in out of conference match ups. Don't plan on winning if you're coming in there with a power run first mentality...they see that every week.

Fair enough. But do remember to take rules changes into consideration as well. Press coverage is more difficult now due to contact beyond the line of scrimmage being taken away (and I'm not talking about the prohibition on such contact when the ball is in the air). The emphasis on targeting is having some impact. Anytime a kid has to pause to think about how he is going to hit a ball carrier it takes away some of his natural aggressiveness. While the emphasis on reduced head shots is needed, when you add that to liberal interpretations of horse collar tackles, the touching of the face mask, the liberal rules on holding by offensive players, the quicker pace of the game, it was inevitable that defenses everywhere, including the SEC, were going to suffer. When a back is coming at you with his body leaning forward and his head low, if you don't have forward momentum of your own he's going to break your tackle. If you hesitate because of fear of penalty he has the advantage. It takes it toll because your best approach to tackling him is to get lower and drive into him, but if he leads with the crown of his helmet you are likely to hit his head with yours, or grasp the first thing you contact, his helmet, long before you can hit his waist and wrap up his legs. The balance between offensive and defensive advantages is now clearly lost in favor of the offenses.

What I see this year is that the officials are swallowing their whistles on all but the most flagrant defensive pass interference calls.