How Did Vols Become a Rushing Juggernaut?

[ButchPlz]

Yes, it is as we all proclaimed during the off-season: for defenses we are "pick your poison."

And so they've picked. If they can prevent the long strike and keep our runners from breaking the big one, they'll make their stand in the red zone. Now it's our move in the strategic chess game.

That strategy by defenses puts a premium on blocking by receivers, as that's the difference between a 40-yard run toward the red zone, and a run all the way to the end zone. It's also another reason we miss Bru.

I'm also wondering if (someone who played O-line please confirm or educate me) run blocking takes a bigger toll on our O-linemen. That might explain why we slow down and take a breather (but without substitutions) when we get to the red zone. Yes, it also gives defenders a chance to rest, but maybe it's just as necessary for us. Without substitutions, we're at least keeping from bringing in a specialized red zone group package.

I also remember from last season that 13 plays at our pace was considered the limit for our offensive linemen, according to Coach Elarbee.

I was a guard in high school, mainly serving as the pulling guard (almost like a fullback that lines up on the line). Run blocking is harder than pass blocking, but it shouldn't be something that requires additional rest unless we were literally just running old-fashioned wedge plays all the time.

 

[deezvols]

Mack and Elarbee earning those checks

 

[vavolfan6]

Huepel's offense has always been predicated on spreading the receivers out wide and getting a numbers advabtage inside the box. This is who we are and always have been under Huepel.

We have some good rbs, but as long as we have someone to run between the tackles well (like Wright) and someone to compliment that style with a scat/receiving threat back (like Sampson), we should have plenty of success.

We have some good talent on the bech, particularly the Khalifa kid. Cam Seldon is intriguing as well. And Nico is a natural runner. So we could even be better next year.

 

[volnbama_]

It's nice to see that Huep and Co. can adjust their offense on yearly basis to match the teams strengths. That's something you see the elite coaches be able to do consistently.

I’d say we run the ball as much as we did last year. Heupel’s offense is always going to lean heavy on the run

 

[pimo1]

Juggernaut is nice, but a little much. I would use a consistent running game. Just sayin'

We are 7th in the nation we were 20th last year 12th the year before. for the last few years we have averaged over 200 a game. That's pretty juggernauterrish especially in todays game. Most of the teams ahead of us pretty much just run. Airforce the leader at 290 to our 220 has thrown the ball 40 times.. this whole year. Liberty with former Vol Kaidon Salter at QB is second.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Did you notice the blue font?????

Nope. My bad I just paid attention to the word and it being orange

 

[loosecannon]

We just kept running

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

We just kept running

Nebraska almost won 3 NCs in a row doing jt

 

[cyclevol]

We were a good rushing team last year. It is the hugest misconception about Heupel that his offense is pass happy. It's predicated on establishing the run and everything builds on that. Nonetheless, people just can't get the importance of the run to us into their heads, and our own fans sadly are the worst about it.

We were, but we hit so many quick strike TD's, that we didn't have as many opportunities to run. I mean 2 running plays and a 50 plus yard TD pass has an affect on the run stats!

 

[KINGSVOL]

Yes, it is as we all proclaimed during the off-season: for defenses we are "pick your poison."

And so they've picked. If they can prevent the long strike and keep our runners from breaking the big one, they'll make their stand in the red zone. Now it's our move in the strategic chess game.

That strategy by defenses puts a premium on blocking by receivers, as that's the difference between a 40-yard run toward the red zone, and a run all the way to the end zone. It's also another reason we miss Bru.

I'm also wondering if (someone who played O-line please confirm or educate me) run blocking takes a bigger toll on our O-linemen. That might explain why we slow down and take a breather (but without substitutions) when we get to the red zone. Yes, it also gives defenders a chance to rest, but maybe it's just as necessary for us. Without substitutions, we're at least keeping from bringing in a specialized red zone group package.

I also remember from last season that 13 plays at our pace was considered the limit for our offensive linemen, according to Coach Elarbee.

I would add, played some OL guard and tackle, Run plays are more difficult strength wise because most of the time you are trying to move your opponent, BUT pass blocking gets you winded! You have to adjust to their movement, especially the tackles! Notice are guys don't get gased after 4 or 5 successive run plays, the meter goes empty AFTER we take the big shot down field. Last year we hit it for a TD, this year we get 10-30 yards and keep going!!!!

 

[Bassplayer30074]

I would almost go a step further and say we "run" it 55%. I would almost consider some of our passes to the flat as a toss sweep. I don't think I've seen us run anything that resembles that this season. Either way, what they are doing seems to be working. Go Vols!!

 

[KTrain]

Our O-Line is not 2-Deep 5*s. But they sure play like it (with the exception of too many penalties).

Whoever recuited our 3 RBs deserves a raise.

It also helps that our 6-5 235 QB runs like a deer and upon arrival delivers punishment.

Josh Hueple has always been a run first offense just disguised by all the spread and quick pace.

 

[Big Orange#1]

Juggernaut is nice, but a little much. I would use a consistent running game. Just sayin'

??? Hard to be better than #1 in the SEC. I would say considering the competition that probably makes you the best rushing team in the country

 

[Devo182]

What HELPS is deploying the GOAT run scheme. It always has been and still is the best rum scheme out there.

Said it as soon as he was hired, only once has he not had two 5+ ypa runners each season. While we only had that once in the prior decade.

Pure numbers game - have fewer blockers and your odds of a successful run increases. More blockers, less successful.

 

[sjt18]

Our O-Line is not 2-Deep 5*s. But they sure play like it (with the exception of too many penalties).

Whoever recuited our 3 RBs deserves a raise.

It also helps that our 6-5 235 QB runs like a deer and upon arrival delivers punishment.

Heupel is really, really, really, really good. He knows how to create opportunities whether running the ball or throwing it.

Small is an average RB but effective in this O. Sampson and Wright are above average and GREAT in this O. The OL as you note just has to play together and take advantage of the opportunities created by the scheme.

 

[sjt18]

Juggernaut is nice, but a little much. I would use a consistent running game. Just sayin'

The Vols have been over 200 yds rushing in 6 of 8 games.... that's better than "consistent running game". Just sayin'

 

[ftsandersvol]

 

[GreveHaller]

all you young bucks, soak this in as much as you can. This is one of the seasons you will talk about years down the road. Its very reminiscent of the season with Chuck Webb, Aaron Hayden, and Charlie Gardner as well as Little Man Stewart and the Travis'.

 

[WiseOlVol]

Starting O-line being almost all (or all) seniors helps.

But I'd say our trifecta of RB's actually have pretty good field vision. I've seen all of them make cuts to more bountiful running lanes with success.

For most of his Alabama coaching career, Bear Bryant started only Seniors at OL.

 

[VolForLife83]

Our O-Line is not 2-Deep 5*s. But they sure play like it (with the exception of too many penalties).

Whoever recuited our 3 RBs deserves a raise.

It also helps that our 6-5 235 QB runs like a deer and upon arrival delivers punishment.

Good recruiting, coaching, and the right pieces from the portal along with seniority I suppose?

 

[sami]

How Did Vols Become a Rushing Juggernaut?​

Because this has been the core of Heupel's offense all along, regardless what the 'experts' and media hacks believed, and he has recruited and schemed to that end. All the big pass plays last season got the ink, but it was still running the ball effectively that was and is the engine of this offense.

 

[BaldBiker]

We actually have 4 backs that could start.

Actually...maybe 5. One of the Freshmen is out for the season...from I think pre-season.

 

[Doberman]

Scheme. Spread’em out. Throw deep frequently. Back the safeties off. Run it.

Simple and smart.

 

[YankeeVol]

Because Joe ain’t it

 

[Remy]

We are top 5 in the country and #1 in the SEC in rushing. It’s more than just consistent.

"You are who/what your numbers say your are." The Big Tuna/Bill Parcells