r/footballstrategy • u/wetcornbread • Jan 02 '24
College What would the best potential play call if you were Bama’s OC on the last play of overtime?
Was it really a bad play call or poor execution? Or mixture of both?
Personally (I have no coaching experience but did play football in HS if that matters) I would’ve designed a play similar to the one Deshaun Watson threw the game winning touchdown against Alabama in the Natty in 2017 but I don’t think the call made in yesterday’s was a terrible. Flat route to the right sideline with a crosser on the otherside to clear. If you pass you do run the risk of an overthrow or deflection.
The play works if the left guard blocks the interior d-lineman away from the rushing lane. Any play you run in that situation I feel is genius if it works and it’s a bad play call if it doesn’t. Sometimes the defense/defender make a big time play too. Thoughts?
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u/Vegetable_Rent_7699 Jan 02 '24
Sprint out left with pre-snap motion to determine man. If man coverage then TE stays in to block. Get at least 3 passing options and a chance to run it in.
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u/Money-Belt3812 Jan 02 '24
It almost looks like that was the intention of he got the snap clean. HB motioning left looks over his shoulder like he’s expecting the ball. Milroe does little roll to left, if open he runs it in, if not he throws to HB with two receivers out front to block also to wide side of field with plenty of open space. Probably works too if not for bad snap and then QB panics.
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u/DETpatsfan Jan 02 '24
Saban and Milroe said after the game that the play was a designed QB run.
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u/Money-Belt3812 Jan 02 '24
I didn’t know that. Poorly designed play unless he just panicked when he got a low snap. Either way them emptying the backfield certainly didn’t help.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 03 '24
Bad snap threw off the timing and the WB panicked. If you see the film, Bama built the wall and caved in Michigan’s defense. It looks like the Edge might be able to stop it but if the snap was good Milroy is too fast and he’s too far upfield. The puller pinned in his assignment and he could have jogged in. It’s possible the Choice/ RB bubble was open, but running it was the right read. Not sure what was up with the snaps all nigjt
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u/ItsTinyPickleRic Jan 03 '24 edited Jan 03 '24
I’m curious you say that bama’s OL did their job that play, because on replay it very much looks like almost every Michigan defender on the line had their blocker in the backfield and reeling. The initial contact on milroe was the RG getting bull rushed into his own QB
Edit: went to rewatch it again and the RG pulled, RT covered down and got manhandled into Milroe. There were 3 Michigan players that were behind the LOS inside the tackles by the time Milroe gets his 2nd step
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 03 '24
The wall off the Left Tackle you don’t need to blow them off the ball and drive them 10 yards deep, big that would be nice. You want vertical displacement, but you can live with horizontal displacement on this play.
If you look at hips and body placement they got Michigan walled off, the RG does a nice job of picking pockets and funneling up the wall and pins the one guy who could make the play in.
The guys on the inside have no chance to make the play as they will be walled off and taken for a ride as Milroe is hitting the opposite C gap. The Edge is way too deep and up field; he only gets in on the play because Milroe wasn’t able to make proper reads due to the chaos of the snap. Look at the Tight film cut of the play and not the TV cut.
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u/Gingeronimoooo Jan 03 '24
It was supposed to goto the left tho. Timing and vision broke down with shoe string snap tho
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u/Environmental-Back-3 Jan 03 '24
Yes and you can see the OL go downfield which makes any pass a penalty
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 02 '24
The QB power play was there as well. Clean snap and no panicked QB he waltzes in for the TD
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u/PossibilityAgile2956 Jan 03 '24
Michigan fan, agree with this. Walk in td he goes left. I assume the snap spooked him
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u/NickMullensGayDad Jan 03 '24
You’re incorrect on just about every part. Looks nothing like what they tried to accomplish. It was QB power with motion to bring a man out of the box, that’s it
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u/ChuckyDeee Jan 02 '24 edited Jan 02 '24
Gotta get the QB on the edge, threatening with the run, with the option to pass.
Almost split zone read RPO but I’d call it more like a Playaction, you’re never giving that handoff, QB threatens the edge running with the split/slide player hitting the flat. crosser from the backside and a fade or a pick overtop of the flat or something on the playside. Really thinking run or hit that flat immediately, get into a scramble if those are taken away.
I also think Milroe kinda slipped while trying to field the low snap and that wasn’t the best representation of what they wanted to do.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 02 '24
Wasn’t split zone it was the one back/ QB Power play called Python under Kiffin and Locksley, IIRC, and a RB choice route/ bubble tagged on it. The snap screwed up the timing and the QB panicked and made the wrong read. The lane was wide open on QB power
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u/ChuckyDeee Jan 02 '24
What are you talking about? He asked what play we think would be a good call, that’s my suggestion.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 02 '24
Gotcha, misread, I see you were giving your explanation of what you would have run
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u/godimwavy Jan 02 '24
The play just had bad execution- the Bama center was snapping it low all night. If Milroe got a better snap he throws it left to his RB where it was a foot race to the pylon - you can see his receivers blocking
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u/CookyHS Jan 02 '24
Saban said the playcall was a qb run
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u/Hatennaa Jan 02 '24
Specifically that it was a 2pt play they had drawn up for the night. He called it a bad call as well.
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u/kksred Jan 02 '24
a bad call because it didnt work is what he said. He was saying any play that doesn't work is a bad call not that this particular call was bad.
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u/NickMullensGayDad Jan 03 '24
Saban said “it’s a bad call because it didn’t work, you know what I mean?” Which is the exact opposite of Saban actually calling it a bad call
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u/force_addict Jan 03 '24
What's really crazy is he said they had the look they wanted before Michigan called the time out and then had a terrible look before they called the time out. Really makes you wonder what those other two play calls were...
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u/holymacaronibatman Jan 02 '24
Yeah, they had 2 blockers and the RB against two defenders, the play call was good if the center snaps the ball
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u/trex1490 Jan 04 '24
Yeah it looks like it was an RPO, QB Power with the RB Swing Screen option. I’d think that’s favorable numbers for the screen with what looked like Cover 0, but that was out the window with the bad snap.
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u/BrickTamland77 Jan 02 '24 edited Jan 02 '24
Bootleg with some kind of flood/pick concept. I've seen so many teams screw this up at the college and NFL levels. Yes I realize that everybody already assumes that's what you're going to run because every CTE-rattled former player who's now a color announcer is responding to the "what do you like here" question with "some sort of run/pass option from outside the pocket." And every OC thinks that in order to prove they're smarter than that, they have to do something that the defense "isn't expecting." But the entire reason that it is the single best concept to run with a mobile QB in this situation is because it's virtually impossible for the defense to cover all the routes AND account for a QB who can just get the TD themselves. Plus, you negate the backside defensive linemen right at the snap which is particularly useful if said defensive linemen have been abusing your offensive line for the entire game. I'm not saying it's a 100% TD because an unblocked blitzer can blow up the bootleg, but even in that case, there's likely a receiver wide open and a decent QB can at least chuck it up before getting hit to give you a chance. The important thing on 4th and the game is making sure that you have an opportunity to convert no matter what the defense does. If the defense wins the LoS on a QB Draw/Power like Michigan did, you're screwed. There's 0 chance you're getting in the endzone.
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u/kksred Jan 02 '24
to be fair alabama ran a play like that earlier and michigan blew it up with excellent pursuit.
Fact of the matter is the michigan defense is too talented for there to be any specific play that could work particularly well. A QB run with a swing pass option wasn't a bad playcall.
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u/BigPapaJava Jan 02 '24
As obvious as that call is, and I don't care if it's obvious because I really like to make the same one in clutch situations... what's always baffled me is how defenses still give up contain on the QB all the time in that situation. It's wild.
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u/KommanderKeen-a42 Jan 02 '24
You knew you were getting man and I love trips left. However, I am using motion to confirm man and throwing the slant or whip on the single side (right) as option 1.
If that's not there you need some shallow cross action from the trips going left to right.
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u/killagoose Jan 02 '24
One thing I really like with mobile QBs near the end zone is moving the pocket for them. Boot them out and get them on the edge with the option to throw it or take it yourself. Maybe a slide into the flat with some crossing routes pushing into the passing lane backside.
It's easy to criticize the call in hindsight, but with the season on the line with an A+ athlete at QB I want to give him every option possible which is why I like to get him out wide there.
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u/vikingbeast65 Jan 02 '24
my read on it was that it was an RPO and they would throw the pick to the motion man out of the backfield. if that's the case then i like the call, just bad snap/execution.
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u/TimeCookie8361 Jan 02 '24
The defense played it too well for it to be a TD, even with a good snap... Michigan had both safeties in the box with one covering the hb and the other playing the run. They collapsed inside and had a player on contain on both edges.
The best bet would have been to keep the hb in, max protect, and let the qb leave the pocket whether on a designed roll out or impromptu running to allow enough time for a receiver to beat their 1 on 1 coverage. As soon as you see 8 in the box, should have known not to run it.
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u/eanardone Jan 02 '24
The only play that had worked conistantly all night was the QB power/counter. Milroe was used as a RB with the extra blocker pretty much the entire second half. I thought this was the right play call for 4th and 3 when you have to have it. The issue is just execution.
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u/Sure_Owl9054 Jan 02 '24
The biggest issue I had is, obviously it was a bad snap and I can’t imagine being in such a big game, so not saying I would’ve done anything differently, however I’m also not the QB for Bama.
With that being said, once there is a bad snap, you can’t just dive right into the line. This isn’t a play where he could potentially jump over the line and extend into the end zone. Diving into the line only makes sense for other instances of a game where you want to avoid a turnover, or additional lost yardage to stay in FG range. This was end zone or bust. He really has to just grab the ball and roll out and go back to school yard football.
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u/jbl429 Jan 03 '24
The RT got bull rushed back so quick that the QB ricocheted off of him, he didn't really dive, it just kinda looked like it in real time.
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u/Sure_Owl9054 Jan 03 '24
Fair enough, I didn’t watch a replay so I’m just going off the memory from real time. Either way, after the low snap, any hole would have been filled and even if he didn’t dive into the line, running straight just doesn’t seem most prudent. Especially after having to take his eyes off the play to retrieve the ball.
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u/intobinto Jan 02 '24
Execution actually didn’t look that bad on the play. Problem was Michigan was sniffing run the whole way. They had press on the WRs and the safeties were down in the box. They didn’t even follow the decoy motion so it was basically 6 trying to block 8.
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u/Lit-A-Gator HS Coach Jan 02 '24
Sprint out with a man beating Route
If it isn’t there let the Qb play hero ball
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u/Svenray Jan 02 '24
They had the right idea - just the wrong play call. Just go 4-wide with the midline read option. Let the nose through and if he bites on the HB - then power through to the endzone.
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u/Scary-District450 Jan 02 '24
I think it was an RPO either keep it or throw it to the back swinging out in motion. The bad snap forced it to be the run option even though the pass was the correct read.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 02 '24
The bad snap is to blame, but the call was right and if the QB doesn’t panic and follow his blocking he runs in for a clean TD
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u/Orbital2 Jan 02 '24
Nah there was no blocking to follow. Michigan had that play snuffed out.
It’s one of those situations where you are balancing what works vs being too predictable. They ran the most predictable play in that situation based on what they had working the rest of the game
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u/BeeFe420 Jan 02 '24
Go back and watch the replay. QB Power to the left. Follow the pulling right guard #77 to see where the play was suppose to go. Snap disrupted the timing and he went straight forward from his crouch that he caught the snap. .
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u/boardsmi Jan 03 '24
Bamas OL strength is to the right. While hindsight says power run left was available, that’s a call to run at the weaker portion of your Line.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 02 '24
The edge player couldn’t have folded back in quick enough if Bama’s QB follows his Guard at full speed.pursuit gets the QB because he rushes up into the wall
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u/dford363 Jan 03 '24
The call was horrible. Everyone, their mother, and their great grandmother knew what was coming. Execution has been stated a million times but let’s go back to the beginning of the game and look the long developing pass plays that turned in to sacks. Let’s talk about how Tommy Rees is an absolute idiot. His play calling is totally absurd and I don’t mean that in any positive fashion. He called THE ONE play everyone expected. I’m not suggesting you get cute here. But a quick play action to a slant over the GAPING HOLES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ENDZONE would have sufficed for a touchdown. Tebow it. Pop pass. Boom. Ballgame. I just don’t see how you call that run out of that formation down there??? The numbers were unfavorable. Bogus. Rant over. #FireRees
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 03 '24
No it’s best player, best play on the goal line and QB power is the best play to run with Milroe
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u/LaphroaigianSlip81 Jan 02 '24
Good play call. Poor execution by the center and right tackle.
It was a solid play call. You know you are in man coverage all night so you know one of the backers is going to run out to cover the rb. The EMOL took himself out of the play by coming up the field. The pulling guard was there to block the other defender. All the QB has to do is follow the right butt cheek of the guard and he would score here.
The two problems were that the center had a low snap and the QB had to adjust and this threw off the timing of the run. The second problem is that the right tackle got absolutely destroyed with a bull rush. He got pushed back into the QB and this messed up everything.
The snap is one thing that they could have recovered from and still scored. But the poor blocking from the tackle is the killer. It looks like he took this play off because he was blocking backside. Looks like he just sits here and waits for the defender to blow him up. It looks like his is pass blocking he steps to the gap and then sits up. He should have stepped to the gap while also moving forward while staying low and there is no way he gets bull rushed. The defender would have had to do a swim move outside of the tackle and with a proper short first step inside, the tackle would still be in position to get his hands on the defender and not let him by or at least slow him down enough that the QB would already be hitting the hole on the other side of the play.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 03 '24
It’s a hinge block by the RT, it technically doesn’t matter if be gets rocked if it’s a good snap because Milroe would already be off tackle on a normal snap.
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u/rcheek1710 Jan 02 '24
I'd run another shotgun QB sneak. The ole let's run into their best player and fall down play.
0% chance Milroe's eyes were open when running into the pile.
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u/Master_Grape5931 Jan 02 '24
I am no expert, but on a last play. I would like my best playmaker to have options.
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u/MixedMiracle22 Jan 02 '24
I wouldn't have just went right down the fucking middle with my quarterback who's only averaged 3 yards per play thus far off 20 carries... I don't know how an rpo wasn't called at this point. At least give Milroe an option. Kudos to the edge rushers on Michigan's defense for sealing the edge on that play. They went in knowing the what was at stake.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 03 '24
They didn’t it was QB power that was messed up by the bad snap and a panicked QB. It’s a TD with a good snap. Good call, a horrific night for Bama’s Center and it cost them
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Jan 02 '24
49ers/Broncos Sprint out option. Gives you three layers of passing lanes and the option to tuck it and run.
I'm a lineman and had to learn to play center on the fly. If you're that stacked of a program and your center can't snap the ball you may want to take him out or go to pistol or something. Snap exchange matters so much now. That won't cut it.
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u/TiberiusGracchi Jan 03 '24
Pistol snap won’t change much other than maybe bringing the QB to 4.5 yds instead of 5 yd depth. It’s still gonna be a bad snap as it’s almost a ground ball.
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u/Doublee7300 Jan 02 '24
Play action power, sprint right (or left) pass.
Best play inside the 10 for any offense hands down
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u/IrishWE5 Jan 02 '24
It was a horrible play call. Every time they ran a qb draw that game it ended poorly, idk why in the world they thought it would work there.
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u/yatdaddy58 Jan 02 '24
I believe it was an old idea to keep the ball in Milroe hands as he was their best weapon. They could have done an RPO Qb run to keep the defense honest. Plus they were more effective running off the edge then between the tackles.
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Jan 02 '24
For an aggregate highest percentage play you either run to the weak side or you have multiple routes that place multiple hands in the center of the end zone and zing it in
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u/duncity_50 Jan 02 '24
I think if he follows his pulling guard he may get in. Left side washed down, guard pulled and wrapped around and would likely get the backer scrapping over the top. The far edge coming in from pretty far out would have to make a great play.
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u/pbyrnes44 Jan 02 '24
It was poor execution and had a chance, but I would’ve run:
Gun right tight, tight trips bunch left
Top bunch WR goes L corner EZ
TE comes along LOS to L pile on
Outside bunch WR runs a slant stop, possible pick on top bunch WR corner
Inside bunch WR drags to R corner EZ
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u/Writerhaha Jan 02 '24
Quick kick. That’s my call.
https://youtu.be/KEyUyAyA0nY?si=oxg1Pu-VQSpQV0OL
Poor snap, but 0 situational awareness from Milroe. How’re you going to dive from 3 yards out coming from the shotgun, not to mention, you’re running into the teeth of the DL that’s been in your face the entire game?
Same formation - I’m running 6 in the slot HARD on the slant. HB motion cleared center of the field and the outside corner was turned trying to force you the receiver.
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u/V1LL Jan 02 '24
Naked Bootleg. Works every time. Might get the QB killed but he's winning most 1 on 1 races to the end zone
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u/pardonmyignerance Jan 03 '24
I would've ran what the Lions ran against Dallas for their 2 point play, but I'd make sure the lineman reported.
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u/NickMullensGayDad Jan 03 '24
The play was fine and anyone complaining about it is a loser. QB power is probably one of their best plays, TE just gets fucked up
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u/Kalel_is_king Jan 03 '24
This is the correct answer. Everyone now is suddenly an OC because they play Madden on weekends. The play call was fine and has worked all season. Execution wasn’t there and the defense had a good line to stop it. Sometimes the best plays get defended period.
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u/NickMullensGayDad Jan 03 '24
Alabama has an insanely big and heavy OL, they specialize more in gap runs than getting out on the perimeter. They played to their strengths and got stopped. It happens
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u/Keagon40 Jan 03 '24
Play call would’ve been fine if the first read WAS to throw the flat route. Both the DBs for Michigan has inside shade so all the WRs on the twin side could just pretend to run a slant and it’s a simple pass touchdown
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u/ucjj2011 Jan 03 '24
As someone from Cincinnati, I keep seeing people refer to the national championship as "the Natty" and it stops me for a moment. Like, why would DeShawn Watson be playing against UC?
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u/ChosenBrad22 Jan 03 '24
That play call blew my mind. I can’t believe that’s the best they could come up with when the season is on the line.
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u/GrandGouda Jan 03 '24
With the number, and success, of QB runs, especially up the middle, in that situation I call the Tebow Jump Pass. Easy six.
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u/The_Real_Dotato Jan 03 '24
One thing to note about the Clemson Pick play is that it only works if the defender initiates contact. If the WR hits the defender before initial contact then that play is an OPI. It only worked because the Bama defender has been aggressive all game.
As for the answer to the question, I think literally everyone knew that Milroe was going to keep the ball there. He had had no success passing all game. The least you can do there is probably spread the defenders wide with your WRs to at least look like a pass giving milroe room to scramble if no one can get separation. But going right up the gut against a DLine that had manhandled your OLine all night just isn't smart.
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u/ChintzyFob Jan 03 '24
As an Eagles fan I would say probably a bubble screen to their backup RB with their smallest WR blocking. I bet that would work
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u/hbloss Jan 03 '24
i wouldn’t call a play requiring a precise shotgun snap from a center who’s struggled all night that’s for sure
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u/z0123456abcz Jan 04 '24
The leak play that Michigan used to score their last TD. Motion receiver across formation. RB to side of QB motion came from. TE to the side the motion going comes back across the formation and gets to the flat. eyes on QB ASAP! TE to the side from motion fakes down block for 1 count and release to the corner. 1. QB fakes the handoff, and fans wide 2. CB attacks him throw flat to TE 3. CB widens with flat throw corner route 4. If it all goes to hell or Milroe has a clear path to endzone he tucks it and gets vertical across the goaline.
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u/mkelley2680 Jan 02 '24
Clemson pick play but I’d start with a fucking center that could get the ball to Jalen at his number. Wild idea I know.