Buck Bravo

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.