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Aug1
The Spread Offense
One of the major changes that Tim Brewster and his staff have made since taking over the Golden Gopher football program is the implementation of the spread offense. What exactly is the spread offense, and why the tactical change for Minnesota? The most basic answer to the first part of that question is that “spread offense” is both a title and a definition. The spread offense “spreads” offensive threats across the field, often with three, four, and five receiver sets, in order to exploit weaknesses and openings in the defense. There are many variations of the spread offense, but the basic goal is usually to take advantage of offensive speed and athleticism in the open field.
Mike Dunbar is the offensive coordinator for the Gophers, and the primary architect of the Gopher’s spread offense. Dunbar had several successful years running Northwestern’s spread offense during the early part of this decade, and in 2005 coordinated the fourth most productive offense in the nation. Dunbar’s version of the spread offense utlilizes running plays more so than other programs, but in a different way than Glen Mason’s Gophers. Mason’s Gophers were primarily a straight-ahead running team. Quite simply, Mason’s Gophers ran a smash-mouth offense that didn’t use fancy tricks and was intended to wear down the defense by physical contact. I cannot remember Mason’s Gophers running a single passing screen play over ten seasons. With Dunbar’s spread offense, running backs will occasionally run straight ahead but are also used for deceptive draw plays, screen passes, pass blocking, and even receiving routes. Basically, the new Gopher offense is best serviced by all-purpose running backs in the mold of LaDainian Tomlinson opposed to a power running back with a running style similar to Jerome Bettis.
Fast, athletic wide receivers are essential to the spread offense. Plays are designed to force the defense to cover multiple eligible receivers in order to create confusion for the defense, exploit weak links in the pass coverage, and draw linebackers into coverage to open up the middle of the field for running plays. The Gophers encounted one of the most extreme pass intensive spread offenses in the 2006 Insight Bowl versus Texas Tech. Texas Tech wore down the Gopher pass coverage by the second half and orchestrated the biggest comeback in Division I-A bowl history.
The best quarterbacks for the spread offense are usually in the all-purpose mold, too. Rich Rodriguez is going to implement the spread offense at Michigan, and consequently talented freshman quarterback Ryan Mallett transfered to Arkansas. Why? Mallett is a pocket quarterback not suited for the spread offense. Besides being proficient pocket passers, quarterbacks in the spread offense generally need to be able to run the ball effectively and make plays outside of the pocket.
One of the drawbacks of the spread offense is that it requires high levels of speed, skill, and playmaking abilities. If the weakest links on the defense are on par with offensive talent, the defense will usually win. The spread is also a more complicated offensive scheme, which can take time for college students to learn. In 2007, the Gophers had an offensive team built for simple power football and were transitioning to an entirely new approach. Although the Gopher offense was very productive, expect even better performance as players learn the system and new talent is brought in to meet the needs of the spread offense.
So, let’s address the second part of my question at the beginning of the article: Why the tactical change for Minnesota? Based upon what I’ve read, heard, and seen, here are the reasons I believe are behind the change:
- The spread offense requires fast, talented players. Quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs should all see increases in end-of-year statistics. Multiple receivers will usually be used in any given game. Recruits that want to showcase their skills will be drawn to a program that does exactly that.
- Many NFL teams run versions of the spread offense. In this day and age, the spread offense best prepares players for the NFL. Thus, more talented recruits should be interested in the program.
- The spread offense is fun to watch. The variety of running plays, pass plays, and occasional unexpected trick plays keep the members of the audience who aren’t die-hard football fans from becoming bored. Once Minnesota starts winning, the spread offense could potentially bring more fans to games and expand the Gopher Nation.
- The spread offense is difficult to defend. Strategically, the offense can exploit weak links in the defense and create opportunities for big plays. A deep rotation of receivers can wear out the opposing pass coverage, too.
- In opening up the field, the spread offense gives coaches and players more weapons and plays by which to outsmart the defense.
The forward pass was not legal until 1906. The spread offense has potential passing threats on almost every play and is the latest iteration in the evolution of offensive thinking. Well, maybe not the newest anymore…if “A-11″ becomes a common term. For now, the Gophers have made a step in the right direction with Mike Dunbar and his spread offense.
8 Responses to “The Spread Offense”
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Do FUSS August 2nd, 2008 at 9:34 pm
You get to post your thoughts but others cannot? You are un-American!
Brewster is a LOSER and will always be a LOSER
Go ahead and delete. I will be back
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A. Realist August 2nd, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Base upon what we witnessed in 2007, the results of dunbar’s spread did not produce Big Ten wins. Until Big Ten wins are achieved in significant numbers, this offense would have to be called the least effective offense in the Big Ten. After all, it is all about Big Ten wins. Until I see evidence that this offense can produce a lot of Big Ten wins, I am realistically skeptical of the effectivness of the system or of the ability of this staff to make the system work in Big Ten play.
Time is wasting. No coach gets a free pass. All Big Ten Coaches need significant numbers of Big Ten wins or they do not last.
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A. Realist August 4th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I fear that with so many programs now running some version of the “spread” that competition for “spread” style players will mean that the best of the best, speediest of the speedy and the players that would be needed to become a top-notch “spread” offense will stay in places like Florida, Texas, LSU, USC, Texas Tech, and even head out to Michigan, Notre Dame, OSU and the usual suspects. What will be left to be recruited to Minnesota will be less than what is needed. Because, Minnesota High Schools don’t turn out too many “spread” top-of-the line candidates.
Too many of the players will have to be recruited and the typical types of players that Minnesota high schools typically turn out will not be good matches for dunbar’s version of the spread.
I fear that brewster’s dreams of dunbar’s spread will turn out to be a disaster. How many Big Ten teams are now running some version of the spread? Certainly in the big Ten, OSU and Michigan are always at the top of the Big Ten when it comes to being able to recruit nationally.
Those great offensive lines that Minnesota is usually able to come up with will not be the types of lines that dunbar’s spread coast offense will want to utilize. Unfortunately, that is the type of line that Minnesota High Schools can produce.
Also, if too many players have to be brought in from too far away, some of the situations that occur at iowa and sometimes wisconsin and yes, at Minnesota will continue to present themselves. It’s too bad, but, things happen all too often. iowa is having a terrible time right now. Ferentz is certainly on a hot seat at iowa. Certainly brewster is under a lot of pressure to start winning significant numbers of Big Ten Football games.
He will live…or…die by how well he can convert this program into a “spread” program. He didn’t do well at all when he forced the issue in 2007. 2008 could be a year of living very dangerously for Mr brewster if he fails to beat iowa, NU and Indy in the dome. He will NEVER have an easier schedule or a schedule with 3 of the 4 home Big Ten games being against a very weak and troubled iowa squad, Indy and NU. Even Michigan is in the first year of a coaching change. However, I highly doubt that Michigan will tolerate going winless in Big Ten play even if they are totally changing to a new offensive, spread. The good peopel from Ann Arbor would totally revolt if the Corn/Blues went 0-8 in Big Ten play…no matter what the excuse.
I fear the spread is not a good choice of offenses to run at the U of Minnesota now…or ever. Minnesota high schools just don’t turn out enough spread players. Never have and…never will.
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Darell Cobb August 13th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Test Message 14B:
Just what the world needs; another Homersoda Brewster Rah Rah site….
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Week 1: Minnesota vs. Northern Illinois « Buck Bravo’s Gopher Football Blog August 29th, 2008 at 4:18 am
[...] a year of running the spread offense under his belt, I expect Adam Weber to have a strong showing at quarterback and showcase his [...]
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Week 3 Recap: Gophers’ Show Inexperience in Victory « Buck Bravo’s Gopher Football Blog September 14th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
[...] Green, Xzavian Brandon, Brodrick Smith and Da’Jon McKnight are learning the complex Gopher spread offense and fine tuning their skills. Adam Weber will need more options than Eric Decker and Jack Simmons [...]
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[...] Big Ten for points allowed, total yards per game, and passing yards allowed. What happened? The spread offense relies on multiple offensive threats “spread” across the field in order to isolate and [...]
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This dunbar went to spread-coast Pergatory February 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
In case you missed it, brewster finally got a brain and fired dunbar. The spread is dead at Minnesota.
The spread at Minnesota was the most stupid idea I have ever seen related to Gopher Football.
Now, we are counting down the games until brewster can be replaced.
