Thoughts on College Football's Week 7 and NFL Week 6

 

Thoughts on College Football's Week 7 and NFL Week 6

1. Best of the Week

Best Game: Oregon vs Washington

Most Big Ten athletic directors after watching these two heavyweights fight it out, knowing they'll never play in the Big Ten title game after this season.


This game had everything. Momentum swings, a quarterback battling injuries, big defensive plays, awesome atmosphere, crazy Oregon uniforms. It was amazing. I can't wait to go to Seattle and see that atmosphere here in the next few years after seeing a game like this.

Best Player: Quincy Williams (LB) - Jets

The Jets are 3-3 without Aaron Rodgers, played the Eagles on Sunday without Sauce Gardner, and got the upset win. Quincy was everywhere, getting 12 tackles, several key stuffs that made the Eagles get pass happy, and got a fumble recovery. J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS!

Best Uniform: Tampa Bay Buccaneers


I really enjoy these and I'm so glad the NFL helmet rule is now changed and the Bucs can wear these again. They work well in the Florida sun and I love the old Bucs logo on the helmet and the field (that BEAUTIFUL Florida grass). I seem to be picking a lot of losing teams for best uniforms, I guess "look good, feel good, play good" does not always work. 

2. Kick the Field Goal to End the Half

Have you ever seen a quarterback tell his coach that they shouldn't go for it on 4th down? NFL Films knows that isn't as good of a story. Coaches preach aggressiveness, and I believe they are correct in doing so. But the head coach's job should be to manage the reigns of their players and play callers, to channel that aggression in pursuit of the greater goal.

Lanning cost his team the win by not kicking the field goal to end the half. He admitted as such in the post game. The benefit of having the team backed up into the end zone is moot if the clock runs out. Let's get some points on the board.

3. The Age of the Super WR1

Receivers used to be fast or big, play inside or outside, and have one side of the field they always line up on. Now, we have 6'3", 215 lb, 4.4 40-yard dash freaks lining up outside, in the slot, coming in motion, and making plays all over the field. It's not even just the guys on Sunday's. Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze are monsters all over the field and will be next year in the NFL. It's so cool to see their diverse route trees, their willingness to be lined up anywhere and to block downfield, and the talent to do it all with such ease.

4. Play of the Week

North Carolina is having their best season since 1997 thanks to some great recruiting inroads and the blossoming of Drake Maye into the likely number 2 overall pick in next year's NFL draft. They also just got Tez Walker back and he is a top flight receiver. But like many great passing teams, UNC bases everything off the ability to run the football, and sometimes the best way to get your best receiver the ball is to hand it to him on an end around with blockers out in front. This is another great example of a team getting their star receiver an opportunity to make a play, as we discussed in thought three above.


  • UNC starts out with a tight end (dot 1) in the H-back position on the same side of the running back, two receivers close to the line of scrimmage on the same side (dot 2) and Tez split in close up top (dot 1).
  • Teams now go to the extremes when setting up their splits by either having all of there receivers close to the line or as far out wide as they can be. With the receivers in close, the defense likes to play off a bit because there can be a lot of crossing routes and pick plays, and every receiver can run an outbreaking route. Couple this with the Hurricanes having 8 men in the box a there is a lot of room to the outside.
  • At the snap, Maye fakes the handoff to the running back (dot 1) while the backside guard pulls to block and the tight end fakes that direction as well (dot 2).
  • The backside tackle (dot 3) also fake pulled but has already reversed course to be a lead blocker for Tez on the end around (dot 5).
  • The two receivers who were split in close (dot 4) are sealing the edge by blocking the edge player and the linebacker.
  • Maye hands the ball off to Tez (dot 1), who now has two lead blockers in the tight end (dot 2) and the tackle who reversed course (dot 3).
  • Blocking receivers, the way to an elite ground game. Here we see the receivers engaged well to set the edge (dots 4 and 5).
  • Look and how far the play is making it before Walker is even touched. This is a well-timed play that is based off the ground game and a nice way to get their best playmaker a lot of easy yards.

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