The Auburn Tigers offensive coordinator, Gus Malzahn, left the team in December to become the head coach at Arkansas State. Malzahn's offense is widely considered as a variation of a Hurry Uptempo Spread Offense (HUSO), lining up the quarterback in the Shotgun instead of under center and spreading out the defense with three wide receivers. He has had major success as the OC for the Tigers, including helping win a BCS National Title in 2011 over the Oregon Ducks and shattering many offensive school records. A debate has picked up among Auburn fans on message boards across the web, however, concerning whether the Tigers should switch to a more pro-style offense. There has also been debate about which type of pro-style offense Auburn should run...West Coast offense, I-formation offense, or a Multiple Set offense. The West Coast offense has the quarterback mostly under center and is characterized by using short, horizontal passing routes instead of running the ball to "stretch out" a defense in order to open the potential for long runs or long passes. Auburn ran this type of offense under Offensive Coordinator Al Borges during its undefeated 2004 season.The I-formation offense consists of the quarterback under center with a fullback and halfback lined up directly behind him. It is characterized as a run first and run heavy offense that utilizes play-action to freeze linebackers to open up the vertical passing game. Auburn has ran the I-formation several times in its history and has been very successful when doing so.The Multiple Set offense consists of a playbook borrowing from all the different offensive styles. It utilizes a mixture of the Spread, West Coast, I-form, Single Back, and Pistol formations in its attack of a defense. It is the most complicated of the offenses and has the potential to consist of the largest playbook. In today's NFL, it is the offense that is run by most teams making it the true pro-style offense of the modern game.Personally, I would love for us to go to a multiple set offense. It is much more versatile and allows an offense the opportunity to line up in a formation best suited to defeat the opposing defense. Examples of teams running the Multiple Set offense includes the LSU Tigers and the Washington Huskies. But what do you think? Should Auburn ditch the Spread for a Pro-Style Offense? If so, which type?
I'm not the biggest fan of the spread. I think it's a gimmick offense that shouldn't be used by national powers. So what do you think? Can the spread offense win championships on a regular basis?
Through week 11 of the 2011 college football season, the Oregon Ducks find themselves ranked number four in the BCS rankings and one place behind the Alabama Crimson Tide. Both teams have one loss and are contending for a spot in the BCS National Championship. The two both lost to the same opponent, the LSU Tigers. The Ducks lost to LSU in the Cowboys Classic season opener in Dallas, Texas, but have since won nine games in a row including wins versus the #18 Arizona State Sun Devils and the #4 Stanford Cardinal. The Ducks have the 8th best offense in the nation, but the 63rd best defense...it is typical for teams that run an uptempo spread like the Ducks to suffer in defensive statistical categories due to quick scoring and less time of possession.Alabama, on the other hand, lost to LSU in week 11 at home 9-6 in overtime. The Tide missed 4 field goals, 3 in regulation and 1 in overtime. Bama has won 10 games including against #6 Arkansas Razorbacks, #12 Florida Gators, and #23 Penn State Nittany Lions. Alabama has the #1 defense in the nation and #35 offense. Are the Oregon Ducks better than the Alabama Crimson Tide?
In week 1 of the 2011 college football season, the Oregon Ducks once again had their uptempo spread offense stymied by an elite defense. Prior to the BCS National Championship Game versus the Auburn Tigers last season, the 2010 Ducks offense generated the following numbers and rankings led by their star running back LaMichael James, who finished 3rd for the Heisman Trophy Award:2010 Oregon Ducks Statistics prior to the BCS Championship GameRush Offense: 303.38 yards per game - 4thPassing Offense: 233.67 - 49thTotal Offense: 537.50 yards per game - 1stScoring Offense: 49.33 - 1stLaMichael James statistics prior to BCS National ChampionshipRushing Attempts: 281Rushing Yards: 1682Averaging 6.0 yards per carryRushing Yards per Game: 140.2Touchdowns: 21Long: 76As the statistics suggest, the Ducks are known for their rush offense. In their first twelve games of 2010, it was one of the best in the nation. Often it seemed unstoppable. The tempo of their offense was regularly described as "too fast and too conditioned" for any defense to handle. They were even predicted to run all over the Auburn Tigers, the #1 rush defense from the SEC, in the BCS National Championship Game. However, pundits were wrong and Ducks fans were left disappointed as Nick Fairley and the Auburn front seven dominated the line of scrimmage and allowed the Ducks to gain only 75 total yards on the ground and only 19 total points - 228 rushing yards and 21 points less than their season average. James, the Doak Award Winner, looked pedestrian. He only had 13 carries for 49 yards and averaged only 3.8 yards per carry - 99 less yards and 2.2 less yards per carry than his season average. Also, the Ducks were incapable of scoring a rushing TD after several attempts from within the five yard line, and James was tackled for a safety by Auburn's Mike Blanc. Simply put, Auburn's defensive line dominated the game.On September 3, 2011, the Ducks faced the LSU Tigers in the "Cowboys Classic" in Dallas, Texas, and once again their uptempo spread offense was controlled by a defense considered elite by college football analysts and fans. The LSU defense only gave up the following numbers to the Ducks offense and James:Oregon Ducks Statistics vs LSU Tigers DefenseTotal Yards: 335Rushing Yards: 95Passing Yards: 240 Scoring: 27LaMichael James statistics vs the LSU Tigers DefenseRushing Attempts: 18Rushing Yards: 54Averaging 3.0 yards per carryTouchdowns: 1Long: 13The Tigers defense and special teams punished the Ducks causing four turnovers - 3 fumbles and 1 interception. In the beginning of the 2nd quarter, LSU's Tyrann Mathieu forced Oregon's Kenjon Barner to fumble on a punt return and picked it up for the Tigers first touchdown. However, the Ducks were still in the game at this point, entering half time trailing 13 to 16; but in the 3rd quarter, the Tigers defense took complete command of the game and basically put it away. In a matter of six minutes, beginning at the 9:00 minute mark, the Ducks trailed 30-13 after the LSU offense was able to capitalize and score touchdowns following back to back fumbles by Oregon's true freshman WR/RB De'Anthony Thomas. The Ducks were able to put together a 14 play, five minute drive in the beginning of the 4th quarter to score a quick TD and only trail by 13 points. Next, the Ducks defense caused the Tigers offense to go three and out, giving life and hope to the Ducks, but they would have to score in a hurry on their next drive for a realistic shot at coming back as there was only a little over six minutes left in the game.The LSU defense, however, prevailed once again, forcing Oregon to punt after three plays. Following the punt, the Tigers crushed U of O's hope for a comeback by scoring another touchdown. The final score of the game read 40-27, though, the Ducks added a touchdown with only 14 seconds left to play...in other words, they scored junk points while the LSU defense was in a soft prevent. Since Coach Chip Kelly has arrived at Oregon, it seems we are constantly being told the Ducks offense is the best in the country and the best anyone will face. As previously noted, they often have been labeled as "unstoppable." These claims are not unfounded. When the Ducks play teams in the PAC 12 or inferior out of conference opponents (Portland State, for example) that do not have extra time to get ready, their offensive numbers have been through the roof. This is, however, misleading. In 2010, they faced teams with the 119th, 118th, 115th, 94th, 86th, 84th, 71st, and 69th ranked Total Defense. In other words, 2/3 of their schedule consisted of teams with a total defense ranked in the bottom half of the nation. The other four of the Ducks opponents ranked 56th, 35th, 22nd, and 18th. So really, the Ducks only saw two defenses ranked in the top 25 in the entire 2010 regular season. So this leads to the following questions...Is the Ducks uptempo spread offense really as good as advertised? Is it capable of playing with the so called "Big Boys" of college football? If so, is it only stopped when the Ducks face teams with superior talent? If the Ducks were able to recruit better players, would this offense work?To state it in another way, do the Ducks lose big games because their offense is a "gimmick" or is it because the other teams are simply better and once Oregon is able to add more elite talent to their roster they will be able to beat those teams? OR Simply, Can Chip Kelly's offense defeat elite defenses with better talent?For more information and reading on this topic, see the following:ESPN's Ted Miller: Oregon still hasn't arrivedThe Register Guard's George Schroeder: The gap between college football’s good and great just got biggerThe Register Guard's Ken Woody: Ducks in over their heads: LSU dominates 40-27FOX Sports' Thayer Evans: Oregon flops on another big stageSports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel: LSU Defense Makes Early StatementThe Oregonian's John Conzano: Heisman hopes dead for Oregon's LaMichael JamesThe Democratherald.com's Jesse Sowa: Oregon football: Ducks haven't reached elite status yet
2010 Oregon Ducks Statistics prior to the BCS Championship Game
Rush Offense: 303.38 yards per game - 4th
Passing Offense: 233.67 - 49thTotal Offense: 537.50 yards per game - 1stScoring Offense: 49.33 - 1stLaMichael James statistics prior to BCS National ChampionshipRushing Attempts: 281Rushing Yards: 1682Averaging 6.0 yards per carryRushing Yards per Game: 140.2Touchdowns: 21Long: 76
Oregon Ducks Statistics vs LSU Tigers DefenseTotal Yards: 335Rushing Yards: 95Passing Yards: 240 Scoring: 27LaMichael James statistics vs the LSU Tigers DefenseRushing Attempts: 18Rushing Yards: 54Averaging 3.0 yards per carryTouchdowns: 1Long: 13
Last season, the California Golden Bears held the Oregon Ducks offense to its fewest points (15) and fewest total yards (317) in Strawberry Canyon, CA. This year, the Bears will try to do it again, but this time they must travel to Autzen Stadium in Eugene, OR. The Ducks offense is once again putting up ridiculous numbers. Since the LSU game, LaMichael James has been on a roll. He currently has the fifth most rushing yards with 613, but is first in yards rushing per game at 153 yards. However, last year against Cal, James was only able to gain 91 yards on 29 carries for an average of only 3.1 yards per carry. If it weren't for a 64 yard punt return by Cliff Harris, the Ducks may have lost the game. Hopefully this time the Golden Bears don't play sissy football and fake injuries like soccer players. That still leaves a sour taste in my mouth. THIS IS FOOTBALL, A MAN'S SPORT!Ducks Retro Uniform vs CalStat Comparison of Both TeamsCalifornia Golden Bears Season Statistics Through Week FiveRushing Offense - ranked 50; 161.00 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 22; 295.25 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 25; 456.25 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 15; 39.50 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 9; 78.25 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 79; 236.00 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 27; 314.25 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 55; 24.25 points given up per game Oregon Ducks Statistics Through Week FiveRushing Offense - ranked 6; 299.50 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 59; 234.25 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 6; 533.75 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 1; 52.00 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 93; 181.25 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 44; 208.25 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 77; 389.50 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 59; 24.50 points given up per gameAutzen Stadium in Eugene, ORThe Bears seem to have the rushing defense to slow the Ducks uptempo spread offense like it did last year. If they can take away the Ducks rush game, then they can pull off the upset. However, this is unlikely to happen in Autzen at night. The Ducks are favored by 24 points, and though I think they will win, I doubt they will be able to cover that spread. The Bears should be able to slow James down enough to keep the game close, but it won't be enough!Go Ducks!
With the advent of the Spread Option Offense, teams are beginning to run up to the line of scrimmage to snap the ball as fast as they can after their previous play has come to an end. Their ball carrier will jump up after being tackled and look for the line-referee to give him the game ball so he can spot it for the next play to begin as quickly as possible. The purpose of such an offense is two-fold. One, it wears out a defense that is constantly being forced to be on the move and prepared. Secondly, it does not allow defenses to get set and substitute players as they need. This is where I see a major problem in the rules as they currently are today. Simply put, it is ridiculous that this is allowed. Defenses use different personnel for different down and distance situations. This requires the substitution of players between plays. With the fast-tempo Spread Offense, defenses can't substitute and must use the same personnel. The rule as it is today, requires the offense give the defense enough time to substitute only if the offense substitutes. Otherwise, they can substitute but do so at their own risk. If the defense doesn't get on and off the field quickly enough between plays, then it could be penalized for too many people on the field or an illegal substitution. Furthermore, if caught by one of these offenses not set and ready because you are still substituting players, then you are in trouble because they are probably going to score on the play in which you aren't ready.Personally, I think these offenses are simply taking advantage of the absence of a rule that should be in place requiring offenses to allow a reasonable amount of time for substitution except for end of game situations. These offenses rely on misdirection, moving parts, and catching the opposing team not ready and out of place just as much as they depend on blocking and breaking tackles. They hope to catch the opposing D resting or lazily getting set for the next play to exploit them for large chunks of yardage at a time. The personnel and formations a defense uses for 2nd and 8 and 2nd and 4 are completely different. In the 2nd and 8 situation, the defense might choose to worry about the pass more and have an extra DB in the game. Conversely, on 2nd and 4, the D might want to line up in a more traditional run stopping formation that requires or utilizes less DB's. If on the 1st down play they had decided to go with a pass coverage formation and their opponent was able to get an 8 yard play, then they are screwed on the next play. They have 5 DB's in the game and can't substitute in a LB, for example, to help on run support on the 2nd and 2 play. This isn't even playing football at this point. It's playing a cat and mouse game hoping to catch your opponent snoozing. It is clearly taking advantage of a rule not in place that should be. It is ridiculous that only the offense can freely substitute between plays if they run a fast-tempo spread option. And yes, I do realize that technically so can the defense, however, the quick snaps effectively take that technicality away. Personally, I do think it should be required by all offenses to give Defenses enough time to substitute. What the offenses for the Oregon Ducks and Auburn Tigers, ironically the two teams most likely meeting in the BCS Championship Game, do to defenses is borderline cheating. It really isn't the way football was intended to be played. The game has always been about and will always be about two teams that line up on opposite sides, that beat the hell out of each other, and then the better prepared and more athletic team/individual usually wins and goes home. It was a tough and hard fought game that didn't rely on gadgets, gimmicks, or getting around the system.
In week four, the Oregon Ducks will be chasing their 13th conference win in a row when they go to Tuscon, AZ to play the Arizona Wildcats. The Ducks recovered from their opening season loss against the LSU Tigers by blowing out two straight non-BCS opponents in Autzen Stadium in Eugene, OR. The Ducks uptempo offense is led by Darron Thomas at quarterback and LaMichael James as the feature back. After a slow start, James had 204 yards on only 12 rushing attempts and three touchdowns against the Missouri State Bears. Freshman De'Anthony Thomas has also developed into quite the play maker so far early in the season. He has 170 yards rushing and 153 yards receiving for three touchdowns. Stats Comparison for both teamsOregon Ducks Statistics through Week ThreeRushing Offense - ranked 8; 261.00 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 31; 278.67 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 6; 539.67 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 5; 50.67 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 107; 214.33 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 10; 145.00 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 62; 359.33 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 51; 22.33 points given up per game Arizona Wildcats Statistics through Week ThreeRushing Offense - ranked 116; 55.67 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 5; 364.00 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 54; 419.67 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 92; 21.67 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 84; 173.00 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 111; 300.33 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 111; 473.33 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 83; 28.00 points given up per game Arizona Stadium in Tuscon, AZThe Ducks are favored by 15.5 points on the road at night in Tuscon, AZ, and I think they are going to crush the Wildcats. Arizona is struggling on both sides of the ball, but what is most damning for them is they are ranked 111th in total defense. The Ducks are going to score a lot of points in this game and because Arizona's offense is inept; they probably will easily beat the spread. The atmosphere at night in Tuscon might cause some early miscues, but this Ducks team has too much for the Wildcats to handle. The only hope for the Wildcats is for senior quarterback, Nick Foles, to have a career game. On the season, Foles has completed 95 passes out of 126 pass attempts for 1,049 yards, seven touchdowns, and zero sacks. Foles has also been sacked seven times already this year. If his line can give him time to find open wide receivers, Foles can hit them. However, covering the pass is the strength of the Ducks defense, so I don't think Foles will be able to find his rhythm.The Ducks win big this week!
There are several different offenses teams choose to use as their base offense. Which one do you believe is the best?
The first PAC 12 Championship Game will be held on Fri, Dec 2, 2011 at 8:00 PM ET when the UCLA Bruins travel to Autzen Stadium in Eugene, OR to play the Oregon Ducks. The Bruins are 6-6 and are coming off a 50-0 blowout loss to their main rival, the USC Trojans. UCLA has been far from stellar this season, and even suffered an embarrassing loss to the non-BCS Houston Cougars in week one. On the other hand, the Ducks have had a pretty good season. To some Oregon fans, this season might be somewhat of a letdown. Last year, the Ducks were undefeated in the regular season but lost to the Auburn Tigers in the BCS National Championship Game. Many, if not most, Ducks fans were expecting to make it back to the big game again, but had their dreams shattered after losing to the LSU Tigers in week one. The winner clinches a bid to go to the Rose Bowl to face the winner of the Big 10 Championship Game. As 30½-point favorites, is there anyway the Ducks can actually lose to the Bruins? Seriously, does UCLA have any shot at pulling the major upset?UCLA Bruins vs Oregon Ducks Who wins the 1st PAC 12 Championship Game?
The Crimson Tide go to Columbia, SC this weekend to face the Gamecocks. This will be Bama's 3rd game in a row against top 25 SEC opponents. They escaped #10 Arkansas in Fayetteville as Ryan Mallett threw 2 interceptions, one leading to the Tide's winning touchdown. This past Saturday, they beat down #7 Florida in Tuscaloosa. They go on the road again and South Carolina is a very tough opponent.Should Bama be on upset alert? The Match-up: Alabama:Offense ranks: #20 total offense with 464 yards; #16 scoring offense at 38 points per game; #17 rushing 230 yards per game; #46 passing offense with 234 yards pergame Defense ranks: #20 total defense giving up 292 yards per game; #1 scoring defense allowing only 9 points per game; #19 rushing defense allowing 101 yards per game; #3 pass efficiency defense at 90 South Carolina: Offense ranks: #55 total offense with 390 yards; #50 scoring offense at 31 points per game; #54 rushing 169 yards per game; #63 passing offense with 222 yards per game Defense ranks: #71 total defense giving up 369 yards per game; #33 scoring defense allowing only 18 points per game; #41 rushing defense allowing 128 yards per game; #83 pass efficiency defense at 134
LSU has won all four of its games this year primarily through defense and special teams. Their offense is quite terrible. If you've watched any of their games, then you know what I mean. The scheme is very dry and unimaginative. It just doesn't seem to have too much creativity and grit to it. Maybe it is just me, but I used to really enjoy watching their games. However, watching their offense struggle against cupcakes like Vanderbuilt and a maligned UNC defensive front was awfully boring.I think it is about time, Les Miles made some changes to the scheme and direction of the offense. This has been an issue, albeit not as severe as today, for a few years at LSU...great D and some great players on O but no productivity.Do you agree? Do the LSU Tigers have one of the most boring offenses to watch this year?
LSU has won all four of its games this year primarily through defense and special teams. Their offense is quite terrible. If you've watched any of their games, then you know what I mean. The scheme is very dry and unimaginative. It just doesn't seem to have too much creativity and grit to it. Maybe it is just me, but I used to really enjoy watching their games. However, watching their offense struggle against cupcakes like Vanderbuilt and a maligned UNC defensive front was awfully boring.
I think it is about time, Les Miles made some changes to the scheme and direction of the offense. This has been an issue, albeit not as severe as today, for a few years at LSU...great D and some great players on O but no productivity.
Do you agree? Do the LSU Tigers have one of the most boring offenses to watch this year?
Posted by Bryan FischerMichigan no longer plans to run a fast-paced, spread offense under new coach Brady Hoke, but the Wolverines are running a fast-paced, spread-over-the-country recruiting plan. They continued their recruiting success Sunday, adding the commitment of Nashville (Tenn.) offensive lineman Blake Bars after his second unofficial visit to Ann Arbor."Overall I had a great feel for it," Bars told Scout. "I felt like I would fit in well. They have a great program. I really like coach Hoke and his staff. The academic support is there. I also really like the campus. I feel like all three of those things factored into my decision."Not to be overlooked, a key factor in the 6-foot-5, 275-pound tackle's decision to commit to Michigan was Hoke's ability to convey a sense of family to the out-of-state player."While we were up there we sat in coach Hoke's office for 45 minutes," Bars said. "He talked about his philosophy and what he looks for in players. He said he keeps his players in check athletically, academically and off-the-field. He said he would be like a second family to us. Bars held offers from schools such as Clemson, Florida, Penn State and LSU. His father was a linebacker at Notre Dame; he does not, however, have an offer from the Irish. His older brother is a defensive end for the Nittany Lions, so he certainly has a good college football pedigree. The verbal pledge from Bars is Michigan's 18th for the class of 2012. He also becomes the fourth offensive lineman to commit to Hoke and the Wolverines.
Michigan no longer plans to run a fast-paced, spread offense under new coach Brady Hoke, but the Wolverines are running a fast-paced, spread-over-the-country recruiting plan. They continued their recruiting success Sunday, adding the commitment of Nashville (Tenn.) offensive lineman Blake Bars after his second unofficial visit to Ann Arbor.
"Overall I had a great feel for it," Bars told Scout. "I felt like I would fit in well. They have a great program. I really like coach Hoke and his staff. The academic support is there. I also really like the campus. I feel like all three of those things factored into my decision."
Not to be overlooked, a key factor in the 6-foot-5, 275-pound tackle's decision to commit to Michigan was Hoke's ability to convey a sense of family to the out-of-state player.
"While we were up there we sat in coach Hoke's office for 45 minutes," Bars said. "He talked about his philosophy and what he looks for in players. He said he keeps his players in check athletically, academically and off-the-field. He said he would be like a second family to us.
Bars held offers from schools such as Clemson, Florida, Penn State and LSU. His father was a linebacker at Notre Dame; he does not, however, have an offer from the Irish. His older brother is a defensive end for the Nittany Lions, so he certainly has a good college football pedigree.
The verbal pledge from Bars is Michigan's 18th for the class of 2012. He also becomes the fourth offensive lineman to commit to Hoke and the Wolverines.
Tyrann Mathieu of the LSU Tigers has easily been the nation's most exciting defensive player halfway through the 2011 college football season. He has been an absolute beast and a game-changer in the Tigers biggest games this year! In the season opening showdown, "The Cowboys Classic" vs the Oregon Ducks, the touchdown he scored on special teams after taking the football from punt-returner De'Anthony Thomas was the deciding play of the game. Against West Virginia, Mathieu tipped Geno Smith's pass for an interception giving his team the ball inside the WVU five yard line and recovered another fumble around midfield...both plays changed the momentum of the game in LSU's favor. When the Florida Gators were in the redzone and trying to get back in the game, once again Mathieu stepped up for his team and got an interception.LSU Tyrann Mathieu "The Honey Badger" T-Shirts for SaleHe has literally been all over the field racking up 43 tackles (30 solo), 1.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, 2 interceptions, and 2 touchdowns so far through week seven, and he has done so, arguably, against the nation's toughest competition. The knock against "The Honey Badger," as he has been nicknamed, is that he plays on defense. Only one defender, Charlie Woodson, has ever won the Heisman Trophy, and it was supposedly due to Woodson also being a dynamic returner on special teams. Mathieu has also been a dynamic special teams player. Though he has not returned any kicks like he did twice last year for a touchdown this season, he has created two fumbles on punts; returning one for a touchdown. Mathieu will also be showcased on the national stage at least two more times this season, if not three. On November 5th, he'll face the #2 Alabama Crimson Tide, and on November 25th, the #10 Arkansas Razorbacks. He may also get a chance to play in the SEC Championship Game if LSU wins the Western Division title. It is in these games that it is most important for him to show his talents because the entire nation will be watching.Can Tyrann Mathieu win the Heisman Trophy Award?
Watch video feature on Oklahoma's 24th College Football Hall of Fame selection. NORMAN, Okla. -- In honor of Clendon Thomas' recent selection to the College Football Hall of Fame, we take a look back at his remarkable career and the impact he had on the storied tradition of Sooner football. An Oklahoma City native, Thomas was a key figure in OU's historic 47-game winning streak. As a unique, triple-threat halfback and great defensive back, Thomas played a key role on Oklahoma's back-to-back national championship teams in 1955 and '56. Part of OU's success came from its innovative "hurry-up" offense at the time. Years later, Thomas described it by saying: "It was just a mental attitude that we were going to make the other guy give before we would give. It worked beautifully, and we won a lot of ball games." The Sooners were 31-1 during Thomas' three varsity years. As a halfback, he rushed for 2,156 yards, never averaging less than 6.3 yards per carry. A two-time All-Big 7 performer, Thomas led the nation in scoring in 1956. In 1957, he earned All-America status while finishing ninth in the Heisman voting. Last month, Thomas received some surprising news at the Sooner Spectacular when he was announced as a member of the 2011 College Football Hall of Fame Class. "I was a lucky young man," Thomas said upon the announcement. "I got to play for the best coach in the United States in Coach (Bud) Wilkinson, and I had great teammates. It was a privilege to come out of high school and play for one of the best teams in the country." For all of his accomplishments, we salute Clendon Thomas, OU's 24th selection to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Watch video feature on Oklahoma's 24th College Football Hall of Fame selection.
On September 17, 2011, the Auburn Tigers will visit Clemson, SC to play the Clemson Tigers. Last year, Auburn was able to defeat Clemson in overtime after Clemson missed a field goal in overtime. This year, Clemson will be looking for revenge at home. Both teams have started the season 2-0. The Auburn Tigers find themselves ranked 21st in the AP Top 25 and 19th in the USA Today Coach's Top 25 poll, but Clemson is not ranked by either. Though both teams are thus far undefeated, only Auburn has actually played a ranked opponent.In week 1, Auburn slipped by Utah State by scoring two touchdowns with less than 3 minutes left in the game. In week 2, they played Mississippi State, ranked #16 in the AP and #17 in the USA Today Coach's Poll. Auburn looked horrible in their first outing and seemed destined to be in for a long season. However, the Tigers made major improvements between weeks one and two and the young team was able to get a win against a veteran bulldogs opponent. Auburn still did not look great or championship caliber, but they did look as though they could compete with anyone and make every game they played tough for their opponents. One thing is for sure, Auburn will not and does not give up and teams will have to play to the last second against them.Clemson, on the other hand, looked more impressive in week one against the Troy Trojans than they did in week two against the Wofford Terriers. They defeated the Trojans like they should by a margin of 43-19, but they struggled against the Terriers. Clemson was behind at half time, and entered the fourth quarter only leading 28-27. The final score was 35-27, but the Terriers should never have been in this game. Wofford is a far inferior team, and Clemson was barely to defeat them at home. Stat comparison of the two teamsAuburn Tigers Statistics through Week TwoRushing Offense - ranked 59th; 156.50 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 71st; 216.00 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 76th; 372.50 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 27th; 41.50 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 118th; 280.00 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 56th; 209.50 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 111th; 489.50 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 103rd; 36.00 points given up per gameClemson Tigers Statistics through Week TwoRushing Offense - ranked 31st; 206.00 rushing yards per gamePassing Offense - ranked 33rd; 266.00 passing yards per gameTotal Offense - ranked 28th; 472.00 total yards per gameScoring Offense - ranked 36th; 39.00 points per gameRushing Defense - ranked 107th; 280.00 rushing yards given up per gamePass Defense - ranked 42nd; 192.50 passing yards given up per gameTotal Defense - ranked 90th; 411.00 total yards given up per gameScoring Defense - ranked 58th; 23.00 points given up per gameAuburn's statistics and stat rankings are horrible in comparison to Clemson, however, you can not forget Clemson has yet to be challenged so I would not read too much into them. I think it is more important that Auburn improved, while Clemson seemed to have regressed between weeks one and two. I expect Auburn to drastically, once again, this week. They are a very young team that has a lot to learn and has already gained a lot by already playing two games. The lines opened up with Clemson favored by 3. From what I've seen thus far this year, Auburn will leave Clemson with a victory and be 3-0 when week three is over. For a great reading on the history of this match-up, see History Surrounds Auburn-Clemson Series.UPDATEOuch. That one hurt. It has been such a long time since we lost, I forgot how bad it sucks. We started off great playing power football and running the ball a lot, and that gave us a 21-7 lead. Dyer had 10 carries for 86 yards and 2 TD's. However, after the first drive in the 2nd quarter, he didn't get the ball again until around the nine minute mark in the 3rd quarter. We started running a more conventional spread and they dominated it. That's my instant reaction at least. Their offense also wore our defense down and took it to us. We couldn't stop anything. It was embarrassing. I'm going to rewatch the game and will write a full update tomorrow.
Larry King
March Madness
Natasha Fame Leslie
Ryan Seacrest
Sanu Dellafiore
John Armstrong
Fred Hanna
Georgia Hester
