I probably should've started a new thread for this post, but tire of the same topics popping up on 10 different threads, and didn't want to be guilty of it myself. I believe the difference in the game last night had everything to do with speed, but not like MOST people interpret speed. Team speed is a term often used to describe teams like LSU, UF, and USC. Where I think the OSU coaching staff made a big mistake was in thinking that team speed means fleet footed wideouts and RB's. The team speed that stuck out to me last night was the guys on the defensive line that were wearing 90's on their jerseys! Numerous times, the Heisman winning QB was flat out run down from behind by these 260-280 lb "speed merchants". OSU's whole defensive philosophy proves that they respected the speed from the offensive specialist. They rushed only 3 guys all night, and had 8 drop back in a ridiculously loose zone that Chris Leak was able to pick apart. As some AU posters have pointed out, if they would've just gotten in Leak's face a time or two, things could've been much different, as he is prone to make many more mistakes when under pressure. Fact is, he saw NO pressure all night, and the pundits this morning are praising the UF O line! Yes, they played well, but they weren't exactly put to the test. It's been said many times on this forum and other places as well...speed kills. But it's even more dangerous when it's misinterpreted or overlooked. Every major college program has speedy wideouts, some faster than others. But when referencing the above mentioned teams, including our Tigers, team speed takes on a whole new meaning, and I hope that the Jim Tressels' and Chollie Wies' of the world never do figure that out.:geauxtige
This post is so true it's not even funny. Florida's D-line especially surprised me. Not necessarily on how good they are (you have to be to play in the upper echelons of the SEC) but the way they never quit running towards the ball carrier. We are used to seeing this type of defensive play, but to see it at it's best against a highly touted Big Ten (read Big Eleven) offensive powerhouse really put it into perspective. Troy Smith is used to being able to outrun defenders which is how he was able to have some of those spectacular roll-out/reverse field/throw across field plays. Any good SEC team has a nasty D-line and Mr. Smith and the OSU O-line got to see that first hand last night. On the other side Florida's offense was on point last night maybe for the first time all year. I've always respected Chris Leak, I think he a stand-up guy and it's nice to see him ride off into the sunset with a National Championship. Of course I would rather see JR instead.
It's not about them figuring anything out. They know where the fastest big men are. On the Gulf Coast at or below 30 lat line. You get a tropical to semi-tropical climate and a young man stays warm and active 10-12 months out of the year. Advantage state of Florida. Up in Ohio, it's 5-6 months where you don't freeze your nuts off. And how many kids up north get out there in that and run and work out. And what effect does it have on the muscles (in that cold) related to speed. :shock: By the time a young Gulf Coast man is in his prime (they do grow until age 22 I am told by the doctors) he's years ahead of his Ohio counterpart in development. They're peaked by Senior year and blowing them away in Bowl Games. Southern Air and lots of Sunshine = Best Football & Best Football Players in America, as related to strength and speed. And one more thing that helps the speed is using those Nike shoes to take a few tenths of a second off the forty time. Did anyone here know that when young kids come to the LSU camps, they get exposure to all the tools and the regimen needed to develop that speed. By the time they are in tenth or eleventh grade and attending LSU summer camps, the ones who have been performing according to the training regimen are watched closely and given even greater regimens for self-development. These usually spill out to field performance and end up with a scholarship offer. It's a small state and everybody is watching everyone else. LSU knows who's got game*. LSU knows who's got speed*. *They get a ticket to Gladiator Academy. See ya in Tiger Stadium.
Interesting perspective. Also I would think that practicing in 90 degree plus and the humidity factor might come into play for the Southern schools. Anyone who's tried to sprint in mid summer after a nice rain can attest to the burning lung syndrome. It's not just about speed but stamina too.
