Coach ,

For Sonny Dykes, there’s always been a process in place for determining what his offense will look like in the next season. It starts with the offensive line.

What you are able to do in the run game and the passing game is dictated by the physical measurables and athletic ability of the offensive line.  

For example, if you have a big line it means utilizing bigger splits. Coach Dykes talked about the line at Texas Tech that had huge splits. The line backpedaled and could take on the bull rush and the QB and big throwing lanes. This type of line is more suited to base blocking and inside zone.

The smaller athletic line requires tighter splits allowing for combos. This line can be better at gap schemes with pullers, pin and pull, and wide zone because of the athleticism they possess.

Coach Dykes talks about building around the offensive line in this video:

Video: Start with the OL

Coach Dykes then looks at the receivers in the program.  A smaller quicker receiving corp is best suited for option routes, crossers that let them run away from defenders, and concepts that create one on ones with bigger defensive personnel.

The bigger receivers are going to get isolated as well, but now it’s their ability to use their bodies to get a 50-50 ball or use their body in space.

The quarterback, of course, can give any offense a different dynamic when he is a runner. It opens many more schemes like the read game and forces a defense to account for him on both the run and the pass.

What about the tight ends? Coach Dykes loves them. He coached one we all remember Rob Gronkowski. Coach Dykes points out that the most tight end-friendly offense is the Air Raid because all routes start with the Y.

The tight end forces a defense to defend more gaps and thus has again become a popular way to attack defenses created to stop the spread.

As Coach Dykes points out, the most important aspect of any offense is that your best 11 are on the field.  Don’t play a tight end if your slot receiver is better. Find a way to get the slot on the field and get the ball.

The Horned Frogs took down a powerful Michigan team and now have their sight set on the Georgia Bulldogs.  

This will be another fun game to watch and learn from.

Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski

P.S. I will be at AFCA next week. You can find me Sunday and Monday at the Catapult booth. Please stop by and say hello.