College football: Spread Option Vs. Pro-Style Offense

[Tailback U]

I am looking for a fight.

In my opinion, the spread option offense being run in places like Oregon, Florida, West Virginia, and many other schools is not as difficult to execute as a pro-style offense that so few colleges seem to be running efficiently these days.

The spread option is based on more on speed and individual talent rather than execution like the pro-form offense.

The spread option attack allows teams to create 1 on 1 matchups all over the field a bit easier while forcing defenses to also focus on containing the mobile quarterback simultaneously.

The pro style offense is more based on execution because a greater emphasis is put on the quarterback's ability to read defenses, developing playaction, and pass protection.

Why else is it that we are seeing an increase in spread offenses and a decrease in the pro-style offense in the college game?

Do you guys agree, disagree, or feel that neither offense is "easier" to run than the other?

[Esjay]

You answered your own question. It's very hard to find an 18 year old QB who can run the pro style offense as well as some kids run the spread.

[Archer]

I would imagine it's easier to recruit athletic beasts who have to make few reads

[Tailback U]

Well then should teams that run the pro-style offense like USC deserve more credit for the type of offense they are running?

And does it take credit away from a guy like Tim Tebow who runs a simpler offense and has a plethora of talent all around him?

Also, do you think more and more teams are going to start running the spread offense scheme? I mean, why should USC continue to run this type of offense when they can obviously recruit with the best of them and run the same scheme since it is much easier than trying to find and develop a pro-style QB.

This is the reason USC tends to lose 1 or 2 games a season to teams that they aren't supposed to lose to. There really is no other excuse for losing to teams like Washington and Stanford because USC is so much more talented than them. Comes down to execution rather than team talent.

[Vinsane]

USC loses those games because they just flat out get outplayed. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the scheme.

This.

[Senser81]

I am looking for a fight.

In my opinion, the spread option offense being run in places like Oregon, Florida, West Virginia, and many other schools is not as difficult to execute as a pro-style offense that so few colleges seem to be running efficiently these days.

The spread option is based on more on speed and individual talent rather than execution like the pro-form offense.

The spread option attack allows teams to create 1 on 1 matchups all over the field a bit easier while forcing defenses to also focus on containing the mobile quarterback simultaneously.

The pro style offense is more based on execution because a greater emphasis is put on the quarterback's ability to read defenses, developing playaction, and pass protection.

Why else is it that we are seeing an increase in spread offenses and a decrease in the pro-style offense in the college game?

Do you guys agree, disagree, or feel that neither offense is "easier" to run than the other?

What about the Georgia Tech/Navy/Air Force triple option?

[Senser81]

This is the reason USC tends to lose 1 or 2 games a season to teams that they aren't supposed to lose to. There really is no other excuse for losing to teams like Washington and Stanford because USC is so much more talented than them. Comes down to execution rather than team talent.

Last I checked, USC has won a few more national titles than West Virginia, and Michigan is once again at the bottom of the Big10 standings with Dick Rod organizing their spread.

[NAHSTE]

I think you can successfully blend elements of both. See Ohio State, Georgia and LSU for examples of offenses that blend power elements, pro style elements and spread elements.

Sadly, these all seem like shitty examples right now, since all three are having down years on offense, but when the right personnel is in place a pro/spread hybrid can have great success.

[JeremyHight]

The best team ever in my opinion (Miami with... well, every 1st round draft pick for the next 3 years) ran the pro style offense. Is it tough? Yes, but will a solid QB and a great O-Line, you can tear apart anyone. A spread option can still be beat because a lot of the guys are built for one thing, speed. Speed can always be beaten with a nice balance of speed and power.

[FedEx227]

I would imagine it's easier to recruit athletic beasts who have to make few reads

Indeed. I think that plays into a lot of why some smaller schools or mid majors run the spread. It allows them to grab recruits that might not be great quarterbacks or whatever in the grand scheme but are athletic and fast enough to fit perfectly into the spread.

West Virginia ran into a rough patch, Rich Rod came in and brought the spread and they won something like 4 conference titles in 6-7 years.

[Sportsbuck]

I think you can successfully blend elements of both. See Ohio State, Georgia and LSU for examples of offenses that blend power elements, pro style elements and spread elements.

Sadly, these all seem like shitty examples right now, since all three are having down years on offense, but when the right personnel is in place a pro/spread hybrid can have great success.

I still say my favorite offense of all-time was that 2006 Buckeye squad...

One play we could four wide with four current NFL starters at WR (Ginn, Gonzalez, Hartline, Robiskie), and Antonio Pittman who was more than servicable as a back, and the next we'd bring Beanie or Pittman in off the bench and line up in the power I.

When a Jim Tressel coached offense is in the top 30 in the nation in total offense, its a very special offense.

[Tailback U]

I pretty much agree with what everyone has said.

Just wanted to get a general idea of what most fans think regarding the offenses in CFB today.

[FedEx227]

I see no problem in mid majors using it to level the playing field and attempt to compete with the big dogs despite lesser recruits.

I'm kind of on the fence about the big schools using it, because they really don't NEED to. Texas obviously did and I really think Ohio State should think about adapting to it.

[Sportsbuck]

I see no problem in mid majors using it to level the playing field and attempt to compete with the big dogs despite lesser recruits.

I'm kind of on the fence about the big schools using it, because they really don't NEED to. Texas obviously did and I really think Ohio State should think about adapting to it.

Ohio State will never go to a pure spread under Tressel... he wants to be as versatile as possible.

The 3 WR, 1 RB, 1 TE will probably be the Bucks base offense until Tressel retires... he likes it because you could run the spread, pro-style, or even power schemes out of it.

[ChemTheThriller]

The triple option is the future!