After this post, I am moving on to the playoffs in the continued hope that Ryan Day and co will surprise me and prove many of us wrong. Look, I am no X and O expert so cannot intelligently critique the offensive game plan but, intuitively, it was shocking and seemed geared towards playing to their strength. I was in disbelief as I watch the game and, like many of you am cycling through the stages of grief.
As a sanity check on my impression (and many of the assessments I have read here) that the game plan played directly to their strengths, I asked for AI to offer an assessment which I have pasted below. If you don't want to skim through all of it, it will probably not shock anyone that AI said to avoid slamming into the A gap and pass more...
My input: I am interested in what a strategy or game plan would be for the college football playoff. Here is the scenario: 1. Team has a solid passing QB, 2 RBs that are among the top 2 in the entire league, 3 wide receivers that are at the top of the league, average tight ends, average tackles and weak/below average guard and center play. The QB is an above average runner as well. 2. The team has an above average defense and below average special teams including place kicking This team is entering a college football playoff and needs to exploit the advantages it has at wide receiver and minimize the weakness in their interior offensive line. My question is, based on historical tackle football strategy, what type of game plans or strategies would one employ to protect this weak interior offensive line and to leverage the strength at wide receive and running back:
AI Response:
To craft a winning strategy for a team with a weak interior offensive line but standout players at wide receiver, running back, and quarterback, you'd need a game plan that maximizes your strengths while protecting your vulnerabilities. Here are some strategies based on historical football tactics:
1. Maximize Quick Passing Game (Short to Intermediate Routes)
Why: With a weak interior offensive line, your QB may not have time for long-developing plays. Quick, short passes allow the ball to get out of the QB's hands before the defense can collapse the pocket.
How: Utilize quick slants, hitches, and screens to your top receivers.
Incorporate RPOs (Run-Pass Option) to keep the defense guessing and exploit mismatches.
Rely on high-percentage throws like shallow crossers, drag routes, and quick outs.
Use timing routes where the QB releases the ball after a 1- or 3-step drop to minimize exposure to pressure.
2. Emphasize Play Action and Bootlegs
Why: Play action can help slow down the pass rush, as defenders hesitate to crash the pocket, anticipating a run. Bootlegs (rolling out the QB) take the pressure off the interior O-line by moving the pocket.
How: Use the play-action passing game to freeze linebackers and safeties, opening up passing lanes for your talented receivers.
Roll the QB out to either side (particularly behind your stronger tackles) to avoid direct pressure from the middle of the line. This can also leverage your QB's mobility.
3. Utilize Misdirection and Draw Plays
Why: Misdirection can exploit an aggressive defense looking to penetrate the middle of your line, while draws and delayed handoffs take advantage of over-pursuit.
How: Incorporate counters, sweeps, and misdirection runs to keep the defense off-balance. If the defense focuses on collapsing the middle, you can hit them on the perimeter.
Run draw plays from shotgun formation to take advantage of aggressive pass-rushers and open up running lanes for your talented RBs.
4. Leverage the RBs in the Passing Game
Why: Since you have two of the best running backs in the league, incorporating them into the passing game takes advantage of their talent while minimizing pressure on the interior line.
How: Use screens, swing passes, and option routes to your RBs, allowing them to operate in space.
Implement RB wheel routes or angle routes to challenge linebackers in coverage, particularly if you can isolate them against a weaker defender.
5. Formations that Protect the Interior Line
Why: Strategic use of formations can help minimize the exposure of your guards and center by either moving the pocket, adding extra blockers, or spreading out the defense.
How: Use 11 personnel (1 RB, 1 TE, 3 WRs) or even 10 personnel (1 RB, 0 TEs, 4 WRs) to spread the field. This can force defenses to take extra defenders out of the box, reducing the pressure on your interior linemen.
Incorporate tight ends and RBs in pass protection, chipping on edge rushers or assisting interior linemen with double teams when necessary.
6. Run to the Outside and Utilize Zone-Blocking Schemes
Why: Zone-blocking schemes allow offensive linemen to move laterally rather than rely on straight-ahead power. This can reduce the impact of weak interior blockers and create lanes for your running backs to exploit outside gaps.
How: Focus on outside zone runs, stretch plays, and tosses to take advantage of your RBs' speed and vision. These plays are less reliant on the center and guards and more on lateral movement and edge blocking.
Use sweeps, jet sweeps, and end-arounds to force defenses to defend horizontally and stretch them thin.
7. Utilize the No-Huddle or Tempo Offense
Why: A fast-paced, no-huddle offense can wear down opposing defenses and limit their ability to substitute, particularly keeping pass-rushers on the field who might otherwise rotate.
How: Run a tempo offense to prevent the defense from adjusting or substituting players effectively, tiring out the defensive line.
By keeping the defense on its heels, you can exploit mismatches in the secondary and take advantage of fatigued pass rushers.
8. Be Creative with Motion and Shifts
Why: Pre-snap motion can confuse defenses and reveal their coverages, giving your QB a clearer picture of where to attack.
How: Move your WRs or RBs pre-snap to reveal man or zone coverage and create favorable matchups.
Utilize motion to help the interior line by getting defenders out of the box or creating favorable angles for your tackles to block.
9. Defensive Strategy Complement
Why: You have an above-average defense, so controlling the clock and keeping your defense fresh is critical.
How: Focus on sustaining drives with a balanced attack, relying on the short-passing game to move the chains.
Complement your defense by using your running game to control time of possession, giving your defense longer rests and preventing your opponent from capitalizing on your weaker special teams.
10. Minimize Special Teams Exposure
Why: With weak special teams, especially place kicking, you need to limit situations where they can become a liability.
How: Avoid long field goals; aim for touchdowns instead of settling for field goals when in the red zone.
Be more aggressive on 4th downs, especially in short-yardage situations.
Use directional punting or fair-catch strategies to minimize the risk of poor punt coverage.
Summary
The key to your game plan is protecting the weak interior offensive line through quick passes, play action, and rolling the pocket. You should focus on leveraging the strength of your wide receivers and running backs, while also using creative formations, tempo, and misdirection to keep the defense off-balance. On defense, maintaining solid play will help cover for the below-average special teams.
Then I added this final inquiry: so, one more clarification, should I avoid running into the a gap?
ChatGPT said:
Yes, you should generally avoid running into the A-gap (the space between the center and the guards) given your weak interior offensive line. Running plays designed for the A-gap would expose your biggest vulnerability: poor guard and center play, which makes it more likely that defensive tackles and blitzing linebackers will collapse the interior quickly.
