I have confidence in the BIG XII. This season we have seen the beginning of the defense turning the tide against the offensive imbalance we have been experiencing conference wide. West Virginia's 3-3-5 has proven to be the most effective defensive formation yet to stifle the Air Raid and the Briles vertical attack. It has proven to be more effective than Patterson's 4-2-5. Watch tape of the last month or so or watch the games this weekend, everybody is running a version of the 3-3-5 at times now.
When the corners (and the nickel back) play press man it tends to disrupt the hitches and screens on the flanks. The defensive line must achieve penetration in this scheme to place at least a bit of rush in the QB. A greater emphasis have been placed on defenders that actually want to tackle. As stupid as it sounds, there were many players on the starting defenses at the beginning of the season who were not inclined to want to tackle. With the defensive backs being responsible for the short flank game the safeties and linebackers do not necessarily have to commit closer to the line of scrimmage pre snap. And that kills the Briles (and Gilbert) vertical attack. Of course the better your personnel the more effective this defense will be.
Also, Tech and TCU have decimated the spirit of their defenses by attempting to run at perpetual tempo. I think both of those teams will play much more deliberately on offense next season in order to shorten the game and to relieve their defenses. When Tech quits being an Air Raid based offense you will know the effectiveness of the Air Raid as it was has passed its zenith. Hell, even Mike Leach is emphasizing running the ball at Washington State.
I am relieved. The era of pinball offense in the BIG XII is coming to an end.
