Coach - 

Adjustments are constantly at the forefront of a coach's mind. How can we put our players in the best situation for success? That’s the focus behind the clinic presentations we feature in this Week 3 match-up of Boston College and Missouri.

MATCHUP: #24 Boston College Eagles vs. #6 Missouri Tigers

This week is a new matchup and as anyone in football knows, winning is hard. This BC team has shown early signs of life and a revival of the program potentially after coming out playing strong and sending FSU to an 0-2 start to their season. 

For BC, this is a statement game. The ACC needs a trademark winand if you're going to runaway as a darkhorse conference favorite as the season goes this could be the way to do it. 

That conference right now is about as wide open as it comes. Bill O’Brien will have something dialed up here certainly. But expect them to come out firing after a 56 point week 2 showing.

On the other end of the spectrum, what Eli Drinkwitz has done with that program is exceptional and this team really is not getting the attention it likely deserves. This team can put up points in heaps, but they also aren’t afraid to control the game and run wild. 

If you need reference look back at their 200+ yard rushing performance and handling of the Buckeyes in the bowl game. Regardless, prepare for a battle and a game that could propel these programs to new territories and respect on the national level. 

Let’s take a look at some insight on scheme from both programs.

Boston College Head Coach Bill O’Brien - Empty

Video: Bear 2 Lane (Toggle, Option, Stick, Chop)

Empty presents a variety of options and attacks from both perspectives. This is why it becomes a necessity for defensive practices and offensive implementation. Couple this from either perspective and understand the personality of the individual coordinator that you face. There are realistically two approaches that you are going to take in defending this: you are going to add pressure and force short throws only or you are going to drop 7-8 and attempt to maximize your coverage. 

This offensive scheme can be weaponized by applying Coach's insights to force opponents into predictable scenarios. It offers a versatile run game, short-yardage extensions, and diverse passing patterns. By understanding how to attack opponents and incorporating small adjustments into standard packages, teams can out-leverage defenses and exploit key game-planning opportunities for success.

The empty package is likely already part of the existing playbook, but how are the patterns and attack plans being used? What is the thought process behind incorporating it into the game plan? 

These elements can be refined and better utilized through the concepts and protections Coach employed during his time at Alabama.

Missouri OL Coach Brandon Jones - Outside Zone Teaching Progression

Video: Running the Outside Zone

There are programs that can be defined as having certain personalities and sometimes with that there are personality plays. In this case that is what Missouri has established. The rushing attack is going to fuel the team and everything else will branch off of that. 

Having plays and coaching plays to the idea of establishing how the game is going to go is something all coaches can take advantage of. Realistically you all are going to find a play that fits this year for some it may be the bubble screen or a glance RPO concept, it could also be buck sweep or duo. Whatever it may be it could be something you already run well but, build on that through the season and incorporate it into the way that you talk, motivate and run practice/game plan.

 Establish that you are going to execute this no matter what and turn that into the tone setting play much like Missouri does. 

From this the offense opens up, it establishes confidence and is something that you can fall back on at any point in the game. Confidence is a factor that many do not build into their plans but understanding its place and how it fits into your program can be an ultimate gamebreaker for your season. 

Empty - Bill O’Brien

Outside Zone Teaching Progression - Brandon Jones

Enjoy the Game!

Coach Grabowski, Coach Kauffman & the CoachesClinic Team