Spread offense has one foot in grave, Michigan's difficulties give it a nudge

by Doug Lesmerises/Plain Dealer Reporter
Thursday November 20, 2008, 9:16 PM

Carlos Osorio/Associated PressFirst-year head coach Rich Rodriguez implemented the "spread offense" for the Wolverines. Could Michigan's woes be a sign that the spread offense is on its last legs?

COLUMBUS -- Two weeks ago, Michigan football coach Rich Rodriguez was referred to as "kind of the godfather of the spread offense," by Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald.

Watch any mob movies, and you're sure to come across a few bullet-riddled corpses.

This may sound strange when coach Mike Leach's version of the spread has Texas Tech near a national title game, but Michigan's struggles this season while Rodriguez has implemented his system into college football's winningest program might be a sign: The spread, in fact, is dead.

The scheme was designed to give underdogs some hope, when a team could open up the field by recruiting a smaller quarterback with a sharp mind and a quick release, and a handful of speedy receivers. But the offense intended to confound the big boys has now been adopted by the big boys, and that may have started its demise.

By the time Michigan takes the field against Ohio State on Saturday, the Buckeyes will have already seen seven versions of the spread this season.

Continue reading "Spread offense has one foot in grave, Michigan's difficulties give it a nudge" »

Top Games: No. 9 Boise State 45, Idaho 10

by Associated Press
Sunday November 16, 2008, 12:24 AM

MOSCOW, Idaho -- Boise State usually moves the ball through the air, but Jeremy Avery had other plans Saturday against rival Idaho.

Avery rushed for a career-high 156 yards, the first Bronco back to top 100 this season, and Boise State piled up 315 yards on the ground in crushing Idaho, 45-10, to keep alive its hopes of returning to a BCS bowl.

"The running game was huge," said quarterback Kellen Moore, who between handoffs completed 23 of 31 passes for 210 yards.

Boise State (10-0, 6-0 Western Athletic) won its 10th straight over the Vandals and clinched at least a share of its sixth WAC title in the past seven seasons.

Continue reading "Top Games: No. 9 Boise State 45, Idaho 10" »

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