Unless you grew up in the 70's and 80's watching a lot of college football, chances are you probably aren't that familiar with how the Triple Option (or Flexbone Option) offense works. I by no means consider myself an expert on the Triple Option, but we did run the Triple Option offense in high school with great success so I've had a bit of exposure to the offense that Rob Mulla so affectionately calls a "gimmick". So here's what to watch for when the Hokies are on Defense that will be key to a VT victory in Hotlanta.
1) Stopping the Dive OptionThe #1 option in the Triple option or Flexbone option defense is the Dive Option. This entails of the QB handing off to the fullback (or B back) who takes the ball right up the middle (usually through the 0-2 gaps, see graphic below). This is the quickest hitting play in the option offense and can be great in short yardage situations, but a missed tackle here and an over-pursuit by the linebacker there and this is a home-run play right through the heart of the defense. Georgia Tech has a great B-back in Jonathan Dwyer who has huge, big-play potential. Dwyer averages 6.5 yards per carry, which in case math isn't your strong suit, that's a first down every other time he touches the ball. Dwyer is a powerful runner capable of breaking tackles and capable of making guys miss. Fortunately, Bud Foster did a great job of shutting down Dwyer early in the game last year and Dwyer spent much of the game sidelined with an injury. Look for Bud to plug the middle again and make the Yellow Jackets find their success somewhere other than right up the middle.
2) Playing Disciplined DefenseThe Triple Option forces Defenses into as close of a "man-defense" as you will get in the game of football. Defensive linemen especially are usually responsible for gap control on the line. Referring to the graphic above, the defensive end on the right would line up across from the Tackle "T" either in the 4 or 5 gap and would be responsible for gaps 4-5 looking to turn the ball back inside toward the rest of the defense. This is how they have been practicing for months and what is ingrained in their minds. Against the option however the defensive end's responsibility is now the Quarterback. The QB is keying off of either the Defensive Tackle or Defensive End on each play. What the DT and DE do will dictate what the QB does with the football. If the DE comes straight down the line of scrimmage on the snap of the ball, the QB will keep the ball and look to pitch to get the ball to the outside. If the DE comes upfield into the backfield, the QB will give to the B-back on the Dive option. When the QB comes down the line of scrimmage our DE's absolutely must play disciplined defense forcing the pitch or making a fundamentally solid tackle if the QB chooses to keep the ball. Defensive Tackles, Linebackers and Safeties have similar responsibilities that I won't go into but you get the point. This week is a complete shift from every other week of the season. You don't need to get caught up in looking for if everyone is playing their specific responsibilities, but look to see if our defensive players are flying around and playing loose. One of the biggest advantages of the Triple Option offense is that it causes defenses to think so much that they play slow, tentative football. If our guys are flying to the ball, communicating well (especially key playing away from home) and tackling with precision, we will be well on our way to shutting down the GT offense.
3) Establishing the Run to set up the PassIf we've heard Frank Beamer say this once, we've heard him say it 1,000 times. This has been and always will be his offensive philosophy (and yes, he does have one). So far this season we have been relatively effective in doing this. When we didn't do it well (Bama, Nebraska, Duke) we had mixed results. Against quality competition, if we don't get the running game going early, we don't fair well offensively. Against Duke, Tyrod was able to make up for 9 in the box by throwing over top of the less-athletic Duke DB's. While GT is no Bama on defense, they are closer in talent athletically to us than Duke is. So in order to have success in the passing game, we are going to need success early from Ryan Williams. GT is not a good defense, but they do have play makers on that side of the ball. DE Derrick Morgan #91 is a force and will give our Offensive Line all they can handle. Safety Morgan Burnett #1 is also a play maker in the secondary. But as a whole I have not been impressed by the GT defense all season long. Look for the Hokies to establish the running game early and exert themselves physically in order to dictate the tempo of the game. Also know that the GT defense knows that establishing the running game early is Priority #1, so look to see if we hit on a big play over top of the defense within the first few possessions when GT is stacking the box against the run.
As I said in the Hokie Huddle podcast, I like our chances in this game to win with disciplined defense and patient but explosive offense. Let's get out of Hotlanta with a win and go into the bye week healthy and ready for the home-stretch of the schedule.
Go Hokies!
