Shotgun formation on obvious running downs

[PPat74]

We have been doing this the last two years and it drives me absolutely crazy. 3rd and short why not just get under center so your running back has a head steam when he gets the ball? We aren't fooling anyone and it hurt us a few times last night. Am I alone on this?

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

Totally agree. I noticed it on the 3rd and 1 and was like "seriously"?.
Ofcourse UK got stuffed.

 

[El Gato Calvo]

Yeah, it takes 3rd and 1 and turns it into 3rd and 4

 

[Glenn's take]

I agree but it isn't just us. It's becoming the norm.

 

[BlueTick2]

I agree but it isn't just us. It's becoming the norm.

UK is not the only team that does this,
doesn't make sense to me either.

 

[K_TIME]

Have to agree...but this is a downside to the air raid scheme. But to be fair, we're in pistol formation of shotgun vs. a full 4 yards back of C for more traditional air raid shotgun formations.

 

[Dreklie]

Towles has been under center for like 3 plays this year that I can recall (pikespeak and brianpoe will be around shortly after looking it up to correct me) IIRC he fumbled 1 and the other 2 plays were QB sneaks with minimal gain ... Towles probably doesn't feel comfortable under center.

 

[brianpoe]

Towles has been under center for like 3 plays this year that I can recall (pikespeak and brianpoe will be around shortly after looking it up to correct me) IIRC he fumbled 1 and the other 2 plays were QB sneaks with minimal gain ... Towles probably doesn't feel comfortable under center.

I believe you are correct in the number or at least type of plays.

But this has no bearing on QB being comfortable, this is the offense design.

I wish they would mix it up more.

As Drek stated, the whole word knows when we go under center it is a QB sneak.

 

[KyCatFan]

If we go under center for obvious run plays then you also give it away what we are going to do. Unless you want to throw in some passing plays from under center to make the defense unsure of what we are going to run. The problem is you make Towles have to know a bunch more plays and I thought they said they took plays out already to make it easier for him. Maybe we need to just run more delayed hand offs. Keep the defense guessing at what the play will be.

 

[Big_Blue_1018]

One formation that really bugs me is the inverted wishbone out of the shotgun. You have two wide receivers and three guys in the backfield that never runs routes. Pretty easy to defend the pass when you only have to cover two guys.

 

[Katwatcher]

This is very good question. I don't think you should run any formation that gives away your intent. Going under center gives offense more options and makes it more difficult to know what the offense is going to run.

The shotgun-spread formation gives the QB a little more time to spot an open receiver, but eliminates the QB sneak which is used in short yardage situations. I personally like the QB under center, but most teams are going with shotgun. There are good arguments for both.

 

[CatFanInTheBathtub]

I remember Tebow maybe took 1-2 snaps under center in 4 years at UF and they did pretty well. It's about Jimmie's and Joe's

 

[BlueRaider22]

When have we had an o-line that was dominate or reliable enough that would enable us to line up and shove it down someone's throat?