POWERSPREAD

1ST QUARTER

Great Power Spread (Aggressive Flexible Variety)  by Oregon on both Offense/Defense AND Special Teams with the use of “Swingate” for the 2 Pt Conversion and an 8-3 lead, but fantastic clutch plays by FSU’s top talent to keep the game close. First on D, there was a big 4th down play by an experienced and talented secondary. Then great running by top recruit Davon Cook and passing by Heisman Winston.

The difference so far has been Jimbo Fisher’s lack of commitment to the Power Spread near the goaline. His idea that power running is best from a 2 back Pro Set proved faulty once again. On 4th+Goal Fisher suddenly went with a Speed Option left that Winston got stopped JUST SHORT of a TD! This is the fractured, multiple PRO mindset I talked about in my preview. No mesh, no rhythm.

2ND QUARTER

Again, great PS by Oregon, driving from their own goaline with a mix of power and spread all over the field. But again, big time play by the top talent of FSU (along with some fine coaching). And again they are stymied near the goaline as Fisher gets too conservative. So far, Winston and Cook are having monster games against the nice D Schemes of Oregon, but they need to go more PS near the goaline, whether it’s more up tempo or simply more deception – less timing. Timing takes great execution, which becomes even more difficult with a shortened field and the psychology of defending against a Touchdown. Deception and Spread creates far more opportunity for Core Power which always works down close. But not out of 2 Back sets with everyone knowing where the ball is going!

FINALLY, the Ducks stopped working the middle and adjusted to the outside space in both run + pass. Combined with a speedier up tempo than they were running earlier, FSU, even with their great talent and experience, simply couldn’t stay with Oregon on a late drive. Because the Ducks finally had their rhythm back, they finished the drive, riding their momentum right into the endzone! 18-6!

FINALLY, Fisher took off the handcuffs. More uptempo rhythm and variety of play call. More great passing/running by the Winston/Cook Combo! Whew. Talented team. 18-13. Could be in for a big ending!

HALFTIME

FSU’s experienced coaching staff and talent were clutch for most of the half as Oregon’s staff were a little off trying to exploit the middle of the field too often against an FSU Defense that wasn’t conceding the middle. Plus, the players, inexperienced at this level of a game, weren’t finishing drives. In a way it was a feeling out period for Oregon, but once the staff made adjustments right before the half, the players flourished like they have all year!

To FSU’s credit they relied on their big talent combo of Winston and Cook on offense and experienced secondary on D. No huge mistakes and a lot of “talent” plays. Big Interception at the end almost led to 3 more pts. Surprising 3rd down missed catch by their #1 WR Rashad Greene, then missed FG by a very talented Kicker. Can’t always rely on talent!

Bottom line – Fisher needs to take off the handcuffs and go more Power Spread in the 2nd Half. If he waits too long this game could get away. I don’t think he’s going to wait as his Offense already showed more PS on the last 2 drives of the half. If this keeps up we will have a wail of an ending to the first ever playoff game! Both teams will play better in 2nd Half – FSU Scheme, Oregon players, but remember this – Oregon isn’t the quality of team FSU defeated in amazing comebacks during the regular season – not even close.  OREGON 18-13.

3RD QUARTER

FSU more great stuff from Winston. Fisher more aggressive as predicted, but it’s not simple. That’s the tough thing about Multiple Offenses, they aren’t as cohesive in concept and scheme as PS, thus requiring far better execution. True Freshman Cook, who was fantastic the 1st Half, fumbles to kill a good drive to start the 2nd. As for Oregon, they have figured it out. Now continuing with the Outside-In use of Space, the Ducks continue the quick Up Tempo and hit two big pass plays followed by a power Read Option off tackle for the Touchdown! 25-13. Now FSU really needs to stay aggressive.

And they do. After a great delayed blitz scheme by the Oregon D, FSU comes right back down the field with it’s multiple passing spread, riding the right arm of Winston. This time Fisher stays more aggressive inside the 20 with a play-action bootleg left Winston who hits Rudolph in the flat for an 18 yd TD. 25-20. PRO offenses depend largely on timing, requiring great execution by the Quarterback – no exceptions. Lucky for FSU they have Winston. Arguably the best.

And now the Simple Brilliance of PS is on full display. The packaged play concept. In the continuing HurryUp Tempo, Oregon runs the same look twice in a row to the right – hitting the short WR for a 1st down, inducing over-aggression by the Secondary to hit the long WR for a Touchdown on the very next play. THEN using the same type of package to the left on the next series after yet another Cook fumble for another TD! Unbelievable Simplicity in Aggressive Flexible Variety that is natural to the Power Spread! So hard to stop for ANY Defense. 39-20.

Now what – more Aggression and a complete breakdown of the opponent. This is the true power of the Power Spread. What the famous Ohio coaches called MORALE(Talent,Technique,System), I call PS(Team,Time,Space). Of course I put Space first, followed by Time and Team, because it’s the surrounding environment that makes the Team. Provide a conducive environment and you always have top Morale – not from yelling or amateur psychology.

Right on cue, a 4th+Short pass out of a Double Twins Set where Oregon faked a big blitz that confused Winston a bit. The now High Morale 3 man rush put on the pressure, caused a terrible fumble and 58 yd return for a TD by Tony Washington. How’s that for Morale?           45-20.

And now a complete meltdown as Winston throws an Interception. Just a massive amount of Energy, Morale, Momentum, whatever you want to call it. The final effect of PS if executed properly. The coaches started a bit slow, got a feel for what FSU was going to do on D, then went to work.

4TH QUARTER

Now the Power part of the Power Spread. Mariotta for a big TD run. Another Fumble Recovery. 4 straight runs capped by a Tyner TD run. 59-20. Still No Huddle by Ducks so as not to kill too much momentum, but definitely the slower No Huddle to eat up some clock. It’s all in the Balance at the end of the day. But the room for error in that Balance is far greater for the Power Spread ideal than for the old PRO Ideal. End of Story.

OREGON 59  FSU 20

POWERSPREAD, POWERSPREAD, POWERSPREAD! TEAM TEAM TEAM!                         Not Quarterback. Though Mariota’s not bad. 🙂

Like I said and many felt, Oregon wasn’t the same type of team that FSU was used to coming back on throughout the season. This was a full PS Team that will lay down the hammer once they gain the upper hand. No comeback indeed.

Create a balance within Space and Time for the Team to flourish with Aggressive Flexible Variety. It’s not about the Tempo – that’s the 2nd part. It’s using the whole Field both on the ground and through the air, then Tempo. Within this environment, the Team can flourish to the extent of their abilities. The Balance is the elusive part, but when found – whew – just like E=mcc – it’s explosive!

~PS