How Might Sets Change in 2013
A year ago, Nebraska entered the season with three letter winners at running back and three more at tight end to go along with at least half a dozen at wide receiver. That allowed the Huskers to do just about anything with personnel. They could line up with four or five wideouts or use two tight ends and a fullback. They could put multiple I-backs in the backfield. This season there's not as much experience at all of these positions. So what might we expect this season based on who's coming back?
NU again will have a half dozen receivers that have caught passes coming back. They also have three fullbacks with experience. The tight end position isn't nearly as deep as before and only two running backs return with experience. That would suggest more three and four wideout sets.
The Huskers could still run plenty of the classic I formation. You can run split back sets with a fullback. You can go with a lot of shotgun, pistol, and empty backfield sets. You could tweak the two-fullback power-I by swapping out a tight end for a receiver.
Nebraska made plenty of plays a year ago in the running game without two tight ends on the field. The key is so often receivers that can block. Quincy Enunwa can usually physically overpower any defensive back that lines up across from him. Despite his lean frame, who can forget the lick that Kenny Bell laid on a Wisconsin defender in the Big Ten championship game? Blocking may be the ticket to playing time for the rest of the wide receiving corps.
Clearly, tight end will be a position to watch this spring and into the fall. So many formations require at least one tight end and you can't ask or expect the returning Jake Long to play every snap this year. If the Huskers don't find a lot of depth at the position early, then expect to see more sets without a tight end in 2013.
3/14/2013
If necessary we have the talent and depth needed to come back to the option. I was actually surprised I didn’t see more of it last year. Don’t get me wrong, I like the fact that we throw the ball with more accuracy now. However, without the option, Martinez may continue to think that winning the game will be left up to his throwing capability and his scrambling. Others have pointed out that it’s the fumbles last year that were frustrating. Though they are correct, that is the kind of thing that happens when a player things that winning the game is completely up to them.
Bring back the option plays to allow Cross and company to take the pressure off of Martinez and make us a more rounded threat. That would be my two cents.
Besides, good option ball tends to keep defenses on their heals, gets them winded, and opens up the passing game.
Austin, TX
3/14/2013
It would be good if we had more than one running back right now…the great opportunity for Heard to take over this spring in Abdullah’s absence is now gone and we are left with a bunch of question marks. Yeah, I’m still bitter about it…
I’m sure Cross will be a great RB, but we should be stacked at that position. Hopefully the freshmen pan out fast!
3/18/2013
Why didn’t we run more option last year? I was always looking for it, but I don’t think we ran it once did we? I love the option. Maybe it’s just that it’s past it’s time, but who knows how to defend it? No one. No defenses see it much. Ga Tech uses it extensively and posts good numbers. And when run well, it’s as close to unstoppable as it gets. It was good enough for Osborne. It’s something that has to be practiced and practiced and practiced however. Maybe it’s the kind of thing that if your going to run some option, you have to devote a lot of time to it, and that’s not the best use of the time spent, unless it’s going to be your main type of offense.