Spread offense will take some growing into

Ross Johnson

Published Wednesday, July 16, 2008

When Urban Meyer accepted the head-coaching gig in Gainesville, critics were skeptical.

They argued Meyer’s spread-option offense he used at Utah and Bowling Green couldn’t work against the speedy defenses in the Southeastern Conference. Now, as he enters his fourth season with the Gators, he owns a national title, an SEC championship ring, a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback and a likely top-five preseason ranking.

So much for spread offenses not working in the SEC.

In 2005, the offense was admittedly shaky. Florida lost to Alabama, LSU and South Carolina and scored over 30 points against only three SEC opponents — Mississippi State, Kentucky and Vanderbilt.

But once Tim Tebow took the reigns of the offense and Meyer implemented most of his players to carry out plays, the Gator offense began rolling in 2007 — scoring 30 or more points in 11 of 13 games — and will look to continue shredding defenses in 2008.

The spread can work in the SEC. Teams just need the right players to execute it.

So when Auburn lines up in Tony Franklin’s shotgun spread Aug. 31 against Louisiana-Monroe, don’t expect the Tigers to immediately put up 600 yards of offense and score 40 points.

Tommy Tuberville made a wise decision hiring Franklin in order to keep up with the ever-evolving college football world. However, the Tigers’ offense is made up of players primarily suited for the I-formation. It will take a few years of recruiting for Franklin to be truly happy with the offense.

Auburn fans were able to get a sneak peek of Franklin’s plans for the Tiger offense in the Chik-fil-A Bowl. Spring practice only brought up more questions, however.

Can last season’s productive wide receivers — Rod Smith, Montez Billings and Robert Dunn — be involved in every play? There hasn’t been consistent wide out play since 2005, and since Franklin will likely let the team loose in the passing game, these three receivers must step up and guide the way for the younger core.

Will Auburn’s offense become more imaginative? We all know Brad Lester, Ben Tate and possibly Tristian Davis will be given plenty of carries. But putting a playmaker like Mario Fannin under center, as Tuberville has alluded to, would be a huge advantage for the offense. Keeping opposing defenses in check with gimmick plays will be essential to moving the ball on the ground and taking pressure off the inexperienced quarterbacks.

Will the Tigers finally have a passing game defenses will be scared of? It’s probably not likely this year. Burns and Todd will be fine, but their lack of experience in SEC battles will be enough for Franklin to opt out of a passing play and simply choose to hand it off more often than not.

These question marks on the new spread offense will be enough for the Tigers to lose some games this season.

A productive running game and solid decision-making from the quarterbacks will be the difference in an SEC West title and an also-ran status.