Having watched the game again, I can pretty confidently state that the biggest play of the game was not a play at all.
Oklahoma does not run a true no-huddle. It lines up quickly and, if the defense is not prepared, runs an immediate play. If the defense is properly aligned, then Bradford backs off center, looks to the sideline to signal in a play, and then signals the play to his WRs. In a true no-huddle, either several plays are called in advance when no time can run off the clock (such as after an incomplete pass) and are run consecutively, or the plays are called by the QB as he approaches the line and signalled by him to his WRs as he approaches. A true no-huddle also appears to have a wider complement of plays, the Oklahoma offense seemed to just have a few "quick-hit" plays it would revert to if the defense had not yet lined up. So, the key to me was Strong recognizing this and making certain that the defense was aware enough (and conditioned enough) to be in a proper alignment before Oklahoma was ready to snap the ball. As a result, Bradford was continually walking away from center. I will count the number of times when I watch the game a third time, but I believe that this happened almost 2/3rds of the time. Receiving the play from the sideline and then signalling the new play to the WRs took almost every second of the 35 second clock for Bradford, dramatically reducing the number of plays that Oklahoma could run. I had read that Oklahoma had been averaging 88 offensive plays, it may have had half of that against us. Who would have thought that the key to controlling the tempo of the game against Oklahoma was as simple as the defense lining up quickly and properly? None of the analysts (even after the game), but apparently our coaches figured it out. -Zeb On Jan 11, 2009, at 10:13 PM, Shane Ford wrote: > 5 biggest plays of the BCS Championship Game > > > By Robbie Andreu > Gainesville Sun Staff writer > > Published: Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. > Last Modified: Sunday, January 11, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. > > > Ahmad Black's interception > > Major Wright at the right spot > > Torrey Davis comes crashing through > > Percy's big run > > Tebow to Nelson > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
