The season can start now... Midline Thread

[Fatmike91]

lol except against Clemson (especially Clemson) and Ugag we have two problems - their DTs and DEs are so athletic that if we option one of them he can hit the BB, but if QB pulls it he will let go of BB and chase down the QB. OR, one of the other Dline we aren't optioning will beat his block and blow up the BB so the read key is free to attack the QB directly.

Except...we beat Clemson in 2011 by running midline all night long. They couldn’t handle it.

Tech stopped running midline (why?), it’s not because it didn’t work on Clemson.

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[1BearJACKET]

Except...we beat Clemson in 2011 by running midline all night long. They couldn’t handle it.

Tech stopped running midline (why?), it’s not because it didn’t work on Clemson.

/

Except for Byerly and Jordan the QBs since then have been undersized or the lighter QBs were just so dang fast that the powers that be thought midline wasn't needed.

 

[wreckrod]

Except...we beat Clemson in 2011 by running midline all night long. They couldn’t handle it.

Tech stopped running midline (why?), it’s not because it didn’t work on Clemson.

/

Lol 2011 was 7 years ago. They had Kevin Steele as their DC. Since then Clemson's recruiting has been absolutely insane. And they have Venables now and he plays the option with the tools he has available as well as anybody.

Their entire D line this year is slated to go in the first round of the draft. There are plenty of NFL defenses that don't have a line comprised of 1st rounders.

Watch last year's game in the first half. We didn't run much of anything because their defense just ate our lunch all game long.

 

[wreckrod]

Except for Byerly and Jordan the QBs since then have been undersized or the lighter QBs were just so dang fast that the powers that be thought midline wasn't needed.

I do think some of the reason we've gone away from midline is that with JT and Taquon you have smaller, more nimble QBs and they operate in space better. Breaking tackles and running through arms just isn't their game, so it's silly to force that. Also, the angle is steeper so the midline read is even harder and more nuanced. JT could do it, but I don't know if Taquon really can or not.

If we had a bigger bruiser-type QB in there like a Nesbit or Jordan it'd make more sense to run midline. I don't know the spread option if-then rules well enough to know what makes you run midline (other than having an unblockable DT).

 

[boger2337]

I firmly believe midline requires a top tier in shape Oline. I don't think we have had one since 2014. This year should be better. I really believe the Adidas hype along with the hiring of woody has lit a fire in our teams ***. They look more in shape now (august) than we did against jax state last year.

Our boys seem tired of losing and realised it starts with them. Conditioning is huge in an option offense. Especially on the line. Can't expect to get to the 2nd level if you're completely winded at the end of the 1st.

Benson has dropped some lbs this offseason and has said he feels better than ever and gained some speed. (Think Dwyer esq speed) I think when he breaks away this year he wont get caught from behind as often.

 

[RamblinWreck92]

LOL

For those not in on the joke, #88 was left unblocked intentionally as the dive key in the midline option.

which is why that play doesn't work against Clemson and the mutts, who have DTs that make that tackle. Giving a DT a free shot at a runner isn't generally a good idea.

 

[Longestday]

The option is based on free shots at runners... except the ball is not given to that runner, it is “optioned” off to the guy that is not taken.

The midline requires a good ride of the mesh to make the defender commit, else the defender can change targets. The best have a “long mesh time” that forces the commit. JT could “ride” the mesh very well.

It does not work well when you don’t make your blocks due to jimmys and joes. The midline is made to defeat talent on the inside as he becomes optioned. But if you cannot block the DE or the other OT because they are all lord of the rings tree people, nothing will work well.

 

[JacketFromUGA]

which is why that play doesn't work against Clemson and the mutts, who have DTs that make that tackle. Giving a DT a free shot at a runner isn't generally a good idea.

Oh you were serious?

The DT has a free shot at the b-back true. That’s why it was a “keep read” as in the b-back doesn’t have the ball...

Or are you concerned with the DT being able to tackle both the QB and BB at the same time? I only remember seeing that happen like twice in the 10 years we’ve had this offense.

 

[g0lftime]

So most teams try to take part of an offense away to force them to become more one dimensional. Now we do that by choice with a very limited passing game. What do our opponents try to take away from our running game to make that even more one dimensional. The BB or the pitch? Stopping OL from reaching the LB?

 

[RamblinWreck92]

Oh you were serious?

The DT has a free shot at the b-back true. That’s why it was a “keep read” as in the b-back doesn’t have the ball...

Or are you concerned with the DT being able to tackle both the QB and BB at the same time? I only remember seeing that happen like twice in the 10 years we’ve had this offense.

Wait, you are seriously debating that it's a good thing to intentionally let DTs have untouched shots at our ball carrier at the LOS?

LMAO - this happens at least twice a game or more. Not sure how much GT football you are watching. Normally this play does not work as well as this video would indicate. Handoffs up the middle aren't usually good for more than a few yards, especially handoffs to the fullback Nice at the goalline but not great on 1st & 10.

 

[AE 87]

Wait, you are seriously debating that it's a good thing to intentionally let DTs have untouched shots at our ball carrier at the LOS?

LMAO - this happens at least twice a game or more. Not sure how much GT football you are watching. Normally this play does not work as well as this video would indicate. Handoffs up the middle aren't usually good for more than a few yards, especially handoffs to the fullback Nice at the goalline but not great on 1st & 10.

Friend, it seems that you really don't know what you're talking about.

All our option plays leave a defender unblocked as a read key. The DT had a clear shot at the QB in the first two, so the BB got the ball. When the DT went after the BBack in the third clip, the QB kept it.

The unblocked guy gets a clear shot on someone without the ball not the ball carrier.

 

[alentrekin]

Wait, you are seriously debating that it's a good thing to intentionally let DTs have untouched shots at our ball carrier at the LOS?

LMAO - this happens at least twice a game or more. Not sure how much GT football you are watching. Normally this play does not work as well as this video would indicate. Handoffs up the middle aren't usually good for more than a few yards, especially handoffs to the fullback Nice at the goalline but not great on 1st & 10.

Yes, seriously. This is how option football, particularly midline, works. It's cheaper to option a guy who you'd have to double team. See VT 2016.

 

[Longestday]

@RamblinWreck92 The following may help a little in understanding how the offense works (the second play of the first video is perfect). You are right... from time to time a missed read by the QB can result in a smashing of the guy with the ball by a unblocked person. This is the same for other read option by spread teams.

 

[RamblinWreck92]

am well aware of all that and it's one of several reasons (again) why this scheme can't and won't ever be competitive with the elite teams on our schedule as well as another reason why those same sorts of elite teams don't run this offensive scheme.

 

[TromboneJacket]

am well aware of all that and it's one of several reasons (again) why this scheme can't and won't ever be competitive with the elite teams on our schedule as well as another reason why those same sorts of elite teams don't run this offensive scheme.

You’re right. Instead, why don’t we switch to a scheme that requires either an NFL quarterback or an NFL offensive line to execute successfully? If only someone had told us to use one of the schemes everyone else is using maybe we would have won several national championships in the last ten years

 

[AE 87]

am well aware of all that and it's one of several reasons (again) why this scheme can't and won't ever be competitive with the elite teams on our schedule as well as another reason why those same sorts of elite teams don't run this offensive scheme.

LOL

For those who don't get the joke, we've discussed the OffFEI data over the last several years showing GT and Navy as two of the most efficient offenses.

 

[Whiskey_Clear]

am well aware of all that and it's one of several reasons (again) why this scheme can't and won't ever be competitive with the elite teams on our schedule as well as another reason why those same sorts of elite teams don't run this offensive scheme.

 

[tech_wreck47]

am well aware of all that and it's one of several reasons (again) why this scheme can't and won't ever be competitive with the elite teams on our schedule as well as another reason why those same sorts of elite teams don't run this offensive scheme.

Wait, what? GT has been a top 25 in offense efficiency 6 out of the past 10 years with 2 top 3 finishes...... There has also been many games where the offense has been competitive against elite talent. Schools don’t run it because it not “cool” not because it doesn’t work though. Your opinion has no facts to back it up.

 

[awbuzz]

The option is based on free shots at runners... except the ball is not given to that runner, it is “optioned” off to the guy that is not taken.

The midline requires a good ride of the mesh to make the defender commit, else the defender can change targets. The best have a “long mesh time” that forces the commit. JT could “ride” the mesh very well.

It does not work well when you don’t make your blocks due to jimmys and joes. The midline is made to defeat talent on the inside as he becomes optioned. But if you cannot block the DE or the other OT because they are all lord of the rings tree people, nothing will work well.

Please copy this and post throughout the season if needed.

 

[Skeptic]

Tell you the truth, I don't recall.

Selective memory is, as we have discovered with this football program, a beautiful thing.