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As some of you know, I'm pretty much a football nerd. And that our year is over, I got bored and with the help of @Carm I charted and looked at Nebraska's big games and conference games. Fluffs and B1G play.
Disclaimer. I don't pretend I'm 100% accurate on any of this. It's based on 20 years of coaching. Most of this is plain statistics, but if I get time, I'll add some clips/video later. Part of the large problem with looking at TV copies is the shear fact that the passing game is mostly pure guesswork. You can get a good idea based on prior knowledge, but some of it is just hard as hell to see unless there are different angles on a replay. So take all of this with a massive grade of slaw. The run game is a much different story as it's fairly easy to see for the most part. Also, my stats and yards per play could be very well off, as I take sacks into consideration for a play. Don't care.
I wish I would have charted more, but quite frankly, this wasn't a high priority to do so, but in terms of situations, personnel groupings (who was in...ie Bullock, WR splits) I could have broken this down into much more depth. But I didn't, and I'm sure opposing teams do...This is pretty general look at the offense in a very general sense.
As I mentioned, this is mostly just stats, but you can glean whatever you like from it. So here it goes...I hope you enjoy it.
It's no secret, Nebraska's offense has been under a lot of criticism, for a wide variety of reasons.
A few observations from the naked eye.
#1 - Nebraska still commits penalties in the most critical moments of games
#2 - The run game is wildly inconsistent. They have explosives, but the ability to gain 3+ yards seems to be a chore in many cases.
#3 - Perimeter blocking is pretty much a big fat bag of poo
#4 - TE blocking IMO is wildly inconsistent, and IMO, pretty damn shitty overall.
#5 - The Pass game pretty much mirrors the run game. Explosives, but very inconsistent.
#6 - IMO our WR alignments give a lot of information to opposing teams as to what is coming.
#7 - Pass Pro has deteriorated as the year as went off, probably mostly because of teams figuring our shit out and blitz heavy on 3rd down.
So, here goes complete nerd mode. The games that were charted are as follows
#1 - Vs. the Fluffaloes
#2 - Vs. the Fat Berts
#3 - @ Purdoodoo
#4 - @ Buttgers
#5 - @Indianus
#6 - @ Fuckeyes
#7 - Vs UCLabia
#1 - Formations. As far as personnel groupings, Fidone is in the game a lot, so when I say 10 personnel, well...it's really 11, b/c Fidone is in, but it's a spread set...so...deal with it.
10 Personnel - Think Spread 2x2 or 3x1 - Nebraska ran those formations 110 times
11 Personnel - Think 1 TE - On or Off LOS, 2x2 or 3x1 - 276 Times
12 Personnel - Think 2 TE - On or Off LOS, 2x2 or 3x1 - 98 Times
21/22/23 Personnel - Think FULLBACK - NEBRASKA FAN BONER - 28 Times
So, pretty much, in terms of personnel, we're really an 11 personnel team for the most part, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB most of the game. Which isn't/shouldn't be very shocking.
In terms of plays per game, of those 8 games, averaging 72 plays per game. High of 81 vs Indianus, low of 65 vs Buttgers. Pretty Standard. I was actually shocked Nebraska had 75 plays vs UCLabia with the shitshow of the 1st quarter.
Alright, now into the meat and potatoes of this shit. Another disclaimer....I don't care if the QB pulls and throws the ball on a shot, RPO, or perimeter screen. I categorize that as a run play, as the OL is blocking the run. If you don't like it....well...tough shit...I'm an OL guy, and that's how I do it.
In terms of Run/Pass Ratio (Which again, is skewed because how I categorize plays (I don't give a shit)). is 245/239. So pretty much a 50/50 split. Hooray (kind of) balance...but as Mike Leach said..."50/50 doesn't mean shit, balance is getting the ball somewhat equally to your 5 skill players...which we most definitely do not do.
The Run Game. IMO, Nebraska has very little in terms of anything that threatens the edges of the defense outside of gadgets and jets/flips.
So, in terms of Inside Run Plays, think Inside Zone, Duo, Power, Counter, Wedge, Influence Trap, Wedge
- Nebraska ran those 209 times total. For an average of 3.98 Yards per play, give or take a few points.
In terms of Outside Run Plays, think Outside Zone, Pin and Pull, Reverses, and Jets
- Nebraska ran those 46 times total. For an average of 4.7 Yards per play, give or take a few points
Overall, the run game accounts for about 4.22 yards per play. Considering Nebraska ranks right about 100th right in rushing yards per game...this is pretty shitty. And IMO, the big reason why is the Inside Run Game, and what they run the most.
Consider this, out of the 209 Inside Runs, 130 of those are Duo or IZ Where they average about 3.86 yards per play. Those are your identity runs, and quite frankly, they're a lot of feast or famine. A Ton of those, 78 of those, netted 3 yards or less....78 of your 130 is considered an inefficient run...That's 60% of what your identity is supposed to be...is inefficient. And therein lies the major problem of the offense IMO. Your identity runs suck.
Also, you've probably seen several Duo Runs where you're like..."WHY THE #$&# DID HE BOUNCE OUTSIDE" Well, that's the RBs read. Read the Mike, if he plugs...bounce...
For outside runs, that is where most of the explosives happen, think Barney's impact in the Jet/Flip and Reverse game.
In terms of MOST efficient Inside Run. It's most definitely the counter scheme, average just over 5 yards per play, and their power scheme is about 4.22 yards per play. Just from a layman's eye, their definitely better at gap scheme, than zone scheme. And I know....Duo is a gap scheme, so maybe I should say gap with a puller is our most efficient scheme.
So, Overall - in terms of Run Scheme, both inside and outside, Nebraska is average about 4.22 yards per play. Just above the efficiency threshold for a run play. But as I mentioned. I think Nebraska is much more feast or famine when it comes to run scheme. Has explosives, but not efficient enough. And their yards per play has steadily drawn down over the course of the season.
Next, Play Action Pass, which after looking at this, is probably what I'm most critical of besides the efficiency aspect of the run game.
Nebraska has basically ran 4 concepts of PAP plays....Spear (Which Satt loves, Nakeds (Which we suck at), Dice (Frost Term - But basically 3 Verts w/ checks) and Two Gadgets (Trick Plays).
#1 - Nebraska's has ran 30 PAPs in those 8 games. Not near enough considering our run game usage IMO. 8:1 ratio.
Nebraska has ran 5 Nakeds - usually a flood, with Q boot action with no protection (makes a lot of sense doesn't it w/ Raiola's mobility (sarcasm font). for a whopping 1.8 yards per play.
But Nebraska's most used PAP is definitely spear and its variations. Spear is essentially a deep crossing route highlighted by a Post and a deep crosser. It's explosive, and they've hit several explosives off of it. (15 Spears w/ 4 explosives) It averages 7.93 yards per play
They've ran what I call Dice (3 Verts, think Y-Cross) a whopping 4 times, 2 of which were explosive, average 9.5 yards per play. They also have ran 2 gadget trick plays, that average 11 yards per play.
Overall, Nebraska's PAP game is pretty lacking. It's basically spear, and again, it's the same as the run game...it's feast or famine...explosive, sack or incompletion. Which isn't necessarily terrible in the PAP game, as spear you're looking for an explosive. But holy shit, the naked game, averaging 1.8 yards per play, is flat out pathetic.
And Finally, the Pass Game - which I think there's some good things going on, and then...woof.
So, overall, in those 8 games, they've thrown drop back or screen (think slow, now perimeter screens) 209 Times. Averaging a robust (sarcasm font) 5.84 yards per play. And just like the run game, is wildly inconsistent, but explosive.
So, In terms of concepts, because I think in concepts of the world, and as I mentioned, the TV copies are just hard as hell to see what the hell is going at the time, these are my best guesses at concepts. You can see the Concepts and yards per play below.
Concept - YPP
2 Man - 5.74
Corner - 5.27
Dice - 5.04
Drag - 4.56
Flood - 9.69
Horizontal - 3.3
Movement - 1.89
Quick Game - 3.8
Screen - 6.17
Shot - 0
Touch - 3.29
Verts - 10.96
So, In terms of 2 man games...I'm thinking 2x2 and receivers not crossing the midline. This seems to be the most used in 2x2 formations, and probably the one that drives me the most nuts as I feel it puts a ton of pressure on Raiola, but that's just me.
Corner Concept - Think smash or snag mostly. Flat route with a Corner Route
Dice - Again, This was the hardest to chart, because asshole TV copies suck at showing routes, but I'm guessing it's a lot of Dagger, maybe Mills, but it's 3 routes working vertical, and because Nebraska appears to have little confidence in their OL holding up, they keep the TE and B in to chip the blitz before checking down.
Drag Concept - Think Shallow Cross, Mesh, or Drive Concept. Just from watching the games, I thought this was going to be one of their best concepts, obviously it's not, but it sure seemed like they got the ball out a hell of a lot more on time.
Flood Concept - It's an oblique stretch along the sideline, either weak or strong flood, but you've got a deep, intermediate, and shallow aspect. Probably their most consistent concept, hitting the corner route
Horizontal - This concept stretches the field horizontally across a 5-10 yard area. Think spacing. Overload the underneath zones and hit quick. Nebraska really sucked at this. A whopping 3.3 average.
Movement Passes - Think sprintout...Which I think if anyone watched the games saw how atrocious Nebraska was at sprint out, constantly not throwing the open dude., 1.89 average...YIKES.
Quick Game - It's frankly pathetic that this is 3.8 yards per play. Their quick game, frankly sucks. And they run one of the most popular concepts from Rhules time at Baylor, Stick + Slot Fade to trips with a backside two man game. Baylor made a TON of hay with this concept. And we haven't made shit. If you see Nebraska in trips...and Fidone is on the LOS in a nasty split...well, I can about guarantee Fidone is going to run a stick route, #2 is running a slot fade, #1 is short, and the backside you're either getting a backside box or sit/rail. And if my dumbass knows this...well then....you can about image what the other teams in the league know.
Screens...I'm not talking perimeter screens where the WRs flat out suck blocking the perimeter, I'm talking Tunnels, Slow screens. Actually, it's not been bad. 6.17 yards per play...not terrible...but ballooned because of 1 big play.
Shots...Think Fades - 2 Verts, Dropback and bomb it....we haven't completed a freaking one.
Touches...These are designed routes to get a specific receiver the ball IMO. Think tailback swing screens or the shallow screens that Fidone picked up a BS OPI on....Shitty, really shitty - mostly because of blocking...
And finally, my personal favorite - 4 Verts. I talked about this in the Baylor break downs, but they do run some vert concepts that Baylor ran. It's most 3 Verts with a Cross, but does employ some 4 verts. It's their best play in terms of yards per play.
So...That's it for now. I might try and grab some video and/or screen shots to give some better context. But...we suck on O because of consistency IMO.
Disclaimer. I don't pretend I'm 100% accurate on any of this. It's based on 20 years of coaching. Most of this is plain statistics, but if I get time, I'll add some clips/video later. Part of the large problem with looking at TV copies is the shear fact that the passing game is mostly pure guesswork. You can get a good idea based on prior knowledge, but some of it is just hard as hell to see unless there are different angles on a replay. So take all of this with a massive grade of slaw. The run game is a much different story as it's fairly easy to see for the most part. Also, my stats and yards per play could be very well off, as I take sacks into consideration for a play. Don't care.
I wish I would have charted more, but quite frankly, this wasn't a high priority to do so, but in terms of situations, personnel groupings (who was in...ie Bullock, WR splits) I could have broken this down into much more depth. But I didn't, and I'm sure opposing teams do...This is pretty general look at the offense in a very general sense.
As I mentioned, this is mostly just stats, but you can glean whatever you like from it. So here it goes...I hope you enjoy it.
It's no secret, Nebraska's offense has been under a lot of criticism, for a wide variety of reasons.
A few observations from the naked eye.
#1 - Nebraska still commits penalties in the most critical moments of games
#2 - The run game is wildly inconsistent. They have explosives, but the ability to gain 3+ yards seems to be a chore in many cases.
#3 - Perimeter blocking is pretty much a big fat bag of poo
#4 - TE blocking IMO is wildly inconsistent, and IMO, pretty damn shitty overall.
#5 - The Pass game pretty much mirrors the run game. Explosives, but very inconsistent.
#6 - IMO our WR alignments give a lot of information to opposing teams as to what is coming.
#7 - Pass Pro has deteriorated as the year as went off, probably mostly because of teams figuring our shit out and blitz heavy on 3rd down.
So, here goes complete nerd mode. The games that were charted are as follows
#1 - Vs. the Fluffaloes
#2 - Vs. the Fat Berts
#3 - @ Purdoodoo
#4 - @ Buttgers
#5 - @Indianus
#6 - @ Fuckeyes
#7 - Vs UCLabia
#1 - Formations. As far as personnel groupings, Fidone is in the game a lot, so when I say 10 personnel, well...it's really 11, b/c Fidone is in, but it's a spread set...so...deal with it.
10 Personnel - Think Spread 2x2 or 3x1 - Nebraska ran those formations 110 times
11 Personnel - Think 1 TE - On or Off LOS, 2x2 or 3x1 - 276 Times
12 Personnel - Think 2 TE - On or Off LOS, 2x2 or 3x1 - 98 Times
21/22/23 Personnel - Think FULLBACK - NEBRASKA FAN BONER - 28 Times
So, pretty much, in terms of personnel, we're really an 11 personnel team for the most part, 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB most of the game. Which isn't/shouldn't be very shocking.
In terms of plays per game, of those 8 games, averaging 72 plays per game. High of 81 vs Indianus, low of 65 vs Buttgers. Pretty Standard. I was actually shocked Nebraska had 75 plays vs UCLabia with the shitshow of the 1st quarter.
Alright, now into the meat and potatoes of this shit. Another disclaimer....I don't care if the QB pulls and throws the ball on a shot, RPO, or perimeter screen. I categorize that as a run play, as the OL is blocking the run. If you don't like it....well...tough shit...I'm an OL guy, and that's how I do it.
In terms of Run/Pass Ratio (Which again, is skewed because how I categorize plays (I don't give a shit)). is 245/239. So pretty much a 50/50 split. Hooray (kind of) balance...but as Mike Leach said..."50/50 doesn't mean shit, balance is getting the ball somewhat equally to your 5 skill players...which we most definitely do not do.
The Run Game. IMO, Nebraska has very little in terms of anything that threatens the edges of the defense outside of gadgets and jets/flips.
So, in terms of Inside Run Plays, think Inside Zone, Duo, Power, Counter, Wedge, Influence Trap, Wedge
- Nebraska ran those 209 times total. For an average of 3.98 Yards per play, give or take a few points.
In terms of Outside Run Plays, think Outside Zone, Pin and Pull, Reverses, and Jets
- Nebraska ran those 46 times total. For an average of 4.7 Yards per play, give or take a few points
Overall, the run game accounts for about 4.22 yards per play. Considering Nebraska ranks right about 100th right in rushing yards per game...this is pretty shitty. And IMO, the big reason why is the Inside Run Game, and what they run the most.
Consider this, out of the 209 Inside Runs, 130 of those are Duo or IZ Where they average about 3.86 yards per play. Those are your identity runs, and quite frankly, they're a lot of feast or famine. A Ton of those, 78 of those, netted 3 yards or less....78 of your 130 is considered an inefficient run...That's 60% of what your identity is supposed to be...is inefficient. And therein lies the major problem of the offense IMO. Your identity runs suck.
Also, you've probably seen several Duo Runs where you're like..."WHY THE #$&# DID HE BOUNCE OUTSIDE" Well, that's the RBs read. Read the Mike, if he plugs...bounce...
For outside runs, that is where most of the explosives happen, think Barney's impact in the Jet/Flip and Reverse game.
In terms of MOST efficient Inside Run. It's most definitely the counter scheme, average just over 5 yards per play, and their power scheme is about 4.22 yards per play. Just from a layman's eye, their definitely better at gap scheme, than zone scheme. And I know....Duo is a gap scheme, so maybe I should say gap with a puller is our most efficient scheme.
So, Overall - in terms of Run Scheme, both inside and outside, Nebraska is average about 4.22 yards per play. Just above the efficiency threshold for a run play. But as I mentioned. I think Nebraska is much more feast or famine when it comes to run scheme. Has explosives, but not efficient enough. And their yards per play has steadily drawn down over the course of the season.
Next, Play Action Pass, which after looking at this, is probably what I'm most critical of besides the efficiency aspect of the run game.
Nebraska has basically ran 4 concepts of PAP plays....Spear (Which Satt loves, Nakeds (Which we suck at), Dice (Frost Term - But basically 3 Verts w/ checks) and Two Gadgets (Trick Plays).
#1 - Nebraska's has ran 30 PAPs in those 8 games. Not near enough considering our run game usage IMO. 8:1 ratio.
Nebraska has ran 5 Nakeds - usually a flood, with Q boot action with no protection (makes a lot of sense doesn't it w/ Raiola's mobility (sarcasm font). for a whopping 1.8 yards per play.
But Nebraska's most used PAP is definitely spear and its variations. Spear is essentially a deep crossing route highlighted by a Post and a deep crosser. It's explosive, and they've hit several explosives off of it. (15 Spears w/ 4 explosives) It averages 7.93 yards per play
They've ran what I call Dice (3 Verts, think Y-Cross) a whopping 4 times, 2 of which were explosive, average 9.5 yards per play. They also have ran 2 gadget trick plays, that average 11 yards per play.
Overall, Nebraska's PAP game is pretty lacking. It's basically spear, and again, it's the same as the run game...it's feast or famine...explosive, sack or incompletion. Which isn't necessarily terrible in the PAP game, as spear you're looking for an explosive. But holy shit, the naked game, averaging 1.8 yards per play, is flat out pathetic.
And Finally, the Pass Game - which I think there's some good things going on, and then...woof.
So, overall, in those 8 games, they've thrown drop back or screen (think slow, now perimeter screens) 209 Times. Averaging a robust (sarcasm font) 5.84 yards per play. And just like the run game, is wildly inconsistent, but explosive.
So, In terms of concepts, because I think in concepts of the world, and as I mentioned, the TV copies are just hard as hell to see what the hell is going at the time, these are my best guesses at concepts. You can see the Concepts and yards per play below.
Concept - YPP
2 Man - 5.74
Corner - 5.27
Dice - 5.04
Drag - 4.56
Flood - 9.69
Horizontal - 3.3
Movement - 1.89
Quick Game - 3.8
Screen - 6.17
Shot - 0
Touch - 3.29
Verts - 10.96
So, In terms of 2 man games...I'm thinking 2x2 and receivers not crossing the midline. This seems to be the most used in 2x2 formations, and probably the one that drives me the most nuts as I feel it puts a ton of pressure on Raiola, but that's just me.
Corner Concept - Think smash or snag mostly. Flat route with a Corner Route
Dice - Again, This was the hardest to chart, because asshole TV copies suck at showing routes, but I'm guessing it's a lot of Dagger, maybe Mills, but it's 3 routes working vertical, and because Nebraska appears to have little confidence in their OL holding up, they keep the TE and B in to chip the blitz before checking down.
Drag Concept - Think Shallow Cross, Mesh, or Drive Concept. Just from watching the games, I thought this was going to be one of their best concepts, obviously it's not, but it sure seemed like they got the ball out a hell of a lot more on time.
Flood Concept - It's an oblique stretch along the sideline, either weak or strong flood, but you've got a deep, intermediate, and shallow aspect. Probably their most consistent concept, hitting the corner route
Horizontal - This concept stretches the field horizontally across a 5-10 yard area. Think spacing. Overload the underneath zones and hit quick. Nebraska really sucked at this. A whopping 3.3 average.
Movement Passes - Think sprintout...Which I think if anyone watched the games saw how atrocious Nebraska was at sprint out, constantly not throwing the open dude., 1.89 average...YIKES.
Quick Game - It's frankly pathetic that this is 3.8 yards per play. Their quick game, frankly sucks. And they run one of the most popular concepts from Rhules time at Baylor, Stick + Slot Fade to trips with a backside two man game. Baylor made a TON of hay with this concept. And we haven't made shit. If you see Nebraska in trips...and Fidone is on the LOS in a nasty split...well, I can about guarantee Fidone is going to run a stick route, #2 is running a slot fade, #1 is short, and the backside you're either getting a backside box or sit/rail. And if my dumbass knows this...well then....you can about image what the other teams in the league know.
Screens...I'm not talking perimeter screens where the WRs flat out suck blocking the perimeter, I'm talking Tunnels, Slow screens. Actually, it's not been bad. 6.17 yards per play...not terrible...but ballooned because of 1 big play.
Shots...Think Fades - 2 Verts, Dropback and bomb it....we haven't completed a freaking one.
Touches...These are designed routes to get a specific receiver the ball IMO. Think tailback swing screens or the shallow screens that Fidone picked up a BS OPI on....Shitty, really shitty - mostly because of blocking...
And finally, my personal favorite - 4 Verts. I talked about this in the Baylor break downs, but they do run some vert concepts that Baylor ran. It's most 3 Verts with a Cross, but does employ some 4 verts. It's their best play in terms of yards per play.
So...That's it for now. I might try and grab some video and/or screen shots to give some better context. But...we suck on O because of consistency IMO.
