College Football History: The Wishbone - Part 1

[@chaunceychappelle2173]

Man, I am so thankful you took the time to do this. Afghanistan, Iraq, an Embassy assignment, jumped out of an airplane, repelled out of a helicopter... all began as wishbone quarterback in the south. I ended up playing at The Citadel that set a rushing record or two and definitely was smashmouth, option football in the Southern Conference early 90s.. Option football is about life. I said that to Charlie Taffe years ago. Making choices; the unpredictable nature of any and all things. This helps explain. This is well done. Thank you so much.

[@jpb1801]

"Option football is about life." And, I would add, confusing the defensive ends so they eventually make a mistake every play, stumbling into error after error, being demoralized and then replaced. Good wishbone option teams can force a defense to keep swapping defensive ends until they find a pair who are not mesmerized by the offense. Remember when Emory Bellard took over the coaching reigns for Westfield High School in Houston, Texas...it was the most excruciating game I was ever in. We had to go to court to challenge a tie on penetrations and we were ranked #3 in the Houston Area...we only had one DE that could really stop them, and so they'd run to the other side. Yes, I got to play in a game against a HS team run by the creator of the Wishbone playing triple option. Nearly went to The Citadel but had never heard of it before, wish I had now. :D

[@ben-jam-in6941]

@chaunceychappell2173 I’ll say Thank You sir!! Your list of willfully sacrificed time away from home and your loved ones while serving this Great Republic deserves much more than just a simple thank you typed on an iPhone. I hope you have saw enough thankfulness from enough citizens who at least try and be grateful even if our politicians and bureaucrats don’t seem as interested. I was off my rocker and hooked horribly on opioid pain pills and playing wannabe rock star from my late teens until I was around 33 when I had my first failed real attempt at cleaning up but it hit me with a recognition of lost time and years.. I feel off quickly and only found the guts, professional help, and other factors to give sobriety a real chance again at 38 and I’m glad I can say I’ve been 100% sober since 11/24/20. Point of telling all that is when you’re living in the haze of being at least slightly under the influence of opioids up all the way to probably coming close to death .. well all those years are like they didn’t exist and instead of having the maturity of a 41yo man I’d say I think like a 20-24 year old but feel all the bad. Two things I look back at with remorse the most often is causing loved ones to not trust my word and that I didn’t serve my country. I’d always say I’d be ready to go if we had a draft bla bla. It would have done me so much good and I will regret it and feel like I let other better men down. The Bronze Age and all Military history (especially WW2 western front) took the place of my pain pill addiction so maybe keeping the facts from getting lost to bad outside influences and anything else will be something I can help preserve. I’m sorry this got long trying to just explain one thing takes me forever. May the rest of your long life be lived in peace enjoying things that make you happy.

[@ben-jam-in6941]

I wrote you a longer comment than I’d like to have saying thank you for your service to the Nation and a few things about myself. It put it up for a moment because I started editing out spelling mistakes. I thought I’d got it close to looking eligible and sent it back for it to just completely disappear. Well it was longer than expected anyway. May you find nothing but peace in a long happy life free of wars.

[@chaunceychappelle2173]

@@ben-jam-in6941 I am being cyberstalked; all information relating to me and for me is being disrupted. It's about January 6th. Amazing how this story alludes to what I have done to expose a few things. I am completely at peace about things. Those disrupting obviously see what is coming that they can not stop. Unless.

[@dfuller81]

I remember when The Citadel beat my Hogs in 1992. Frank Broyles fired the coach next day lol.

[@bishlap]

Still my favorite offense to watch, and when performed perfectly, UNSTOPPABLE, especially in short yardage situations.

[@drvincentedwards7210]

Navy is fun to watch.

[@TSmith-ns45]

Coach Royal (Texas) used to say, “When ya pass, three thangs kin happen and two of ‘em are bad!” 😂

[@Sandman2007]

I thought that was Woody Hayes.

[@spconrad9612]

Nope, it was Darrell Royal.

[@Sandman2007]

@@spconrad9612yeah I looked it up and it was actually General Neyland.

[@ElSantoLuchador]

​@@Sandman2007 I looked it up too, and it was actually Woody Hayes. At least if you trust Wikipedia.

[@Sandman2007]

@@ElSantoLuchadorthey credit all three.

[@tima.478]

We ran this during my high school career, 1981-1984. I was the left HB 6'1" 210lbs. My buddy was the right HB 6' 205lbs. Our fullback was a 5'9" 230lb. battering ram. Needless to say, we flat ran over people!

[@billwilson3665]

What kind of speed?

[@tima.478]

I ran a 4.4, my buddy was closer to a 4.3, he always had me by a step and I don't remember what our FB ran, but he had decent speed, too. @@billwilson3665

[@barrywatts875]

We converted to the Wishbone and power I after getting beat up by the Wishbone, in highschool. I was 5'-4/ 150lbs. and halfback. Having good linemen is one thing but when you have two linemen in the backfield blocking for you, it's even better. No one could touch me until I was 10-15 yards down field.

[@tima.478]

That wishbone is bad news for defense If you have some talent coming outta the backfield!@@barrywatts875

[@shaylaknowlton9711]

210 is different I guess nowadays 😂

[@williamford9564]

This series is great. I was 10 years old in 1969 and one of the first college football games I saw on TV as the Texas Arkansas game. I was hooked right there on the wishbone offense.

[@mwright_boomer]

That’s awesome. I fell in love with it as a teenager when my dad showed me old OU games.

[@yeildo1492]

The first game I was ever excited to see as a little kid. Great, great game. I really enjoyed Terry Frei's book Horns, Hogs, and Nixon Coming. It is loaded with good info.

[@dakotaslim]

I was 10 in '69 also. The first game that I remember watching was Texas vs. some team that I can't remember. I decided that I wanted to be James Street. Still love the Wishbone.

[@gottabighit1]

Same here. LOL I was 9 in '69. This is when I began watching the Horns and the Cowboys. True story.

[@wapiti3750]

I got my first stinky finger in 1969, so it was a memorable year for me too.

[@xray86delta]

Texas-Notre Dame in the 1970 cotton bowl, following the 69 season, was the first college football game I ever watched as a child! It was so exciting watching the wishbone!😂

[@ScottCopeland-y8k]

OU with Billy Sims, David Overstreet and Kenny King. What a backfield!

[@LoydKline-uw4no]

Jimmy Johnson & 1980s Miami hurricane 🌀 would've thrown white towel & white flag on football field against 1975 🏈 Oklahoma & Billy Sims kenny king , thomasLott, Elvis peacock& Barry Switzer late 1970s Oklahoma wishbone offense

[@ralphemerson497]

This is so true about the college football games on Saturday during the late 60s and early 70s. Only the three channels available, ABC, CBS and NBC. Remember vividly every Saturday afternoon my father on his recliner tuning into ABCs Wide World of Sports. Good times.

[@LanceCriminal1337]

My dad is an old guy, 77 and I’m 32. He constantly talks about running the wishbone, every time I just laugh and call him old. Me never really knowing how bad ass it was, and as a browns fan, I’m starting to agree with my dad, having Chubb and Hunt in the wishbone would be fucking awesome

[@thebadguyswon-w7n]

Air Force used to run this offense back in the 80s and it gave Notre Dame fits when Faust was coach.

[@robertlevine2827]

I'm sure it did. Notre Dame is a Catholic school and, well, Faust sold his soul to the Devil.

[@Bob-d5j]

Everyone gave Notre Dame fits when Faust was coach. Biggest mistake ever made in college football.

[@barrywatts875]

Emory Bellard was at Mississippi State in the 1979-85 but every SEC team ran his offense and most college football teams in America. I remember watching Barry Switzer's Oklahoma Sooners run the Wishbone better than anyone else. Julius Caesar Watts and Billy Sims were unbelievable at the Wishbone Option.

[@Gary-zt9cp]

Tear away jerseys!

[@dougconley]

Bring back the Wishbone!! 😊

[@LoydKline-uw4no]

Barry Switzer 1970s/ 1980s, Billy sim & joe Washington, Jamie hollieway, Kenny King. Elvis peacock, thomas Lott,, unstoppable wishbone offense style, Jimmy Johnson & 1980s Miami hurricane 🌀 would've thrown white towel & white flag on the football field

[@Loydstardeli2017]

Tom Osborne kind of retired the wishbone offense

[@stevebutler8387]

My high school coach tried to run the wishbone in 1973. I played fullback and had to lineup in that 4 point stance, I HATED IT! It was so hard to move sideways rather than the 3 point stance. So glad he dropped it

[@temijinkahn511]

I believe the wishbone to be a terrific High school offense. Pro set and I formation require require power runners or a skilled quarterback to dominate. The wishbone can be run successfully by teams from smaller schools with limited size and speed. With limited pools of talent, where decent throwing quarterbacks and decent pass blocking lineman in combination is rare, the misdirection and reduced reliance on the passing game can lead to a more successful program using the wishbone.

[@jeffcummins1408]

What an incredible video! A scholar's approach to offensive football. Well done, sir!

[@williamt256]

Yes, but a scholar should know professional has been played since the 1870s, but a great video anyway.

[@Hilbert123]

Scholar's approach? Lol. The guy who made this video displayed that he doesn't know or understand what the T Formation is or its history within the first two minutes. It's the oldest and simplest of all formations from which all other formations are derived.

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

During the glory years of the wishbone, Texas, Alabama, and Oklahoma really made it shine. It was a thing of beauty, and exciting to watch. As the narrator notes, the QB is the key, and Street was one of the best. I don't think it was ever attempted in the pros, but I"m not sure about that.

[@WalterWhiteFootballSharing]

Not the bone but NFL was ruled by option football single wing 1920's-1930's College too. It's a truly beautiful offense with the music in this highlight video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXfQoIdnh7CDntU&ab_channel=wingedt

[@JohnnieWalkerDread]

Chicago Bears ran it.

[@shauny2285]

I saw Bill Parcells have his "scab" players run it once during the '84 NFL strike.

[@claiborneeastjr4129]

Thanks for that info. Guess it never really caught on in the NFL as they are more pass-oriented.@@shauny2285

[@eddieweaver4773]

Back when Texas was having so much success with the wishbone Bear Bryant called his close friend Daryl Royal about learning it. He took a very top secret trip to Texas and picked Royal's brain for a few days. He took that knowledge back to Tuscaloosa where he told his staff and players they would learn this offense but keep it totally under wraps. I still remember watching the first time they ran it and the announcer sounding like he was in shock "ALABAMA IS IN THE WISHBONE !!!" 😅

[@ralphlivingston894]

Really fun series of videos. “The key to the wishbone, even more than speed, was the amount of time the O-line had to hold their blocks”… Barry Switzer. (It was considerably less than traditional offenses!)

[@roberthudson1959]

Which is why the service academies were still running the wishbone in the 21st century. Weight limits kept the offensive linemen from being good power blockers, but short, precise blocks were an entirely different story.

[@vernonhowell4485]

We ran the wing T in highschool. We went 10-2, 11-1, 8-3 when I was on varsity. I loved the wishbone back in the day! Real smash-mouth football back then.

[@floridapmi]

In the 70's NBC's only games they showed was the Rose and Orange Bowls, CBS only showed the Sun and Cotton Bowls. ABC was the only network you got a game and maybe three times a year they would have a doubleheader.

[@grampajim1595]

I grew up watching Barry Switzer's Oklahoma squad score 60 and 70 points a game with this evil formation Despite being old, with a good throwing QB capable of throwing to the wide outs, this could still work

[@mikepalmer1971]

The flexbone is a modern variation of this.

[@kylefunderburk4194]

With the new clock rules, I can see some programs adopting old school offenses, especially some P5 programs that already don't produce a ton of NFL talent. The rules no longer allow for running a ton of plays, so why not go the opposite way and turn back the clock. I don't know if anyone will run with wishbone primarily, but I can see some teams adopting it for short yardage and late game clock burning.

[@kenjf1009]

Always took OU on the "card" giving 45 points to Rice or whoever. Everyone knew Barry wasn't pulling his first team til he was up 54.

[@LoydKline-uw4no]

Billy Sims & joe Washington &Thomas Lott, Elvis peacock, Kenny King, Jamie hollieway, etc etc. Barry Switzer wishbone offense 1970s style

[@davidhollfelder9940]

Back in my day, we called the wishbone the bait and switch. Our answer was pure man coverage .. stay with your man, then pursue the ball carrier.

[@jimakin3541]

The Wishbone originated as the Houston Veer and was co-opted by the University of Texas that they re-named the "Wishbone".

[@jefferyroy2566]

The inventor of the veer was Bill Yeoman, who built one of the best college football programs in a major city. Most college football programs are based in medium-sized cities and smaller towns. At least Emory Bellard gets a mention. The wishbone used by Darrell Royal at Texas was run by an all-white team until Julius Whittier arrived in their title season of 1969. He didn't receive much playing time until the 1972 season, catching their only receiving TD that year. Can you imagine that now?

[@BradTaylor-n8t]

Not completely, but there were similarities

[@Gary-zt9cp]

Just like novacaine . Give it time and it works... Denzel, remember the titans

[@BradTaylor-n8t]

@@Gary-zt9cp I still need novacaine from playing in that offense. Hahaha

[@shootingstar2001]

Ironic considering Houston set passing records running the run and shoot in the late 80s

[@driverslqqk7940]

Excellent Breakdown of one of colleges most infamous formations on offense this was a spectacular cutting edge in college football for its time I love your portrayal and explanation of how and what makes this offense so successful😊

[@TerlinguaTalkeetna]

Coach Royal " The real mark of a man is how he treats a person that can do nothing for him " I still believe that, I still love Coach, what we called him on the golf course out at Willie's Pedernales country club.

[@richardnash1079]

I met Coach Royal twice as a student. It was like meeting "Royalty" in all the best ways.

[@kravenofspider]

It can still work with the right personel inside the 5 and on two point conversions.

[@rodmma1707]

and in chew clock late in game situations

[@KeithCooper-Albuquerque]

Excellent job on this video, Matthew! As a long-time OU fan, you're bringing back the memories!

[@chestermarcol3831]

Love the wishbone. A thing of beauty...

[@aaronayers5151]

Ran it in highschool. I can still call blocking assignments for every play lol

[@stevelogan5475]

Oklahoma had this offense down to a science, maybe threw the ball 10 times in a game , I always liked watching them years ago , air force academy still runs the wing T which is similar.

[@stevelogan5475]

@matthewright thank you

[@Sandman2007]

Or the Flexbone.

[@ronscott7]

and when they did throw it they had Keith Jackson at TE. Only the Hurricanes were able to stay with them

[@yeildo1492]

Great stuff! I am pretty sure that Bill Yeoman was running the Veer in 1968. (don't bet any real money on that) Slick Street.... Quite a player! On the way to that 1969 game, Royal asked his def coord what play the DC really hated to see. The DC responded the counter option. And that is the play that Texas ran for that 2 pt conversion.

[@mwright_boomer]

Good info!

[@yeildo1492]

@@mwright_boomer Signs of a misspent youth.....

[@44D33L]

The Wishbone is a simplified version of the Veer.

[@mikehawk4856]

This channel is about to blow up. Amazing content and underrated

[@mwright_boomer]

Much appreciated 😎

[@estebanmorales6568]

It didn't.

[@wesleyhackney]

You guys really made a day of it that’s hard core. I’ve been so busy recent weeks I’m afraid I’ve missed a great fall pompano run. I figured you were in fort Pickens but then when the park ranger guy showed up that confirmed it o just love that stretch of beach

[@re8746]

Jamelle Holloway of OU was very good in the option.

[@LoydKline-uw4no]

Brilliant wishbone options quarterback

[@tacticalmattfoley]

The difference between the T-formation and the true Wishbone were the angles the wishbone produced. My father was on the first HS coaching staff that installed and very successfully ran the Wishbone in the state of Alabama starting in 1968. I also coached this offense at the HS level up until the year 2001.True Wishbone aligns the backs with heels at five yards, FB arms extended to touch each halfback's shoulder pads and the fullback taking one step forward. The QB performs the following steps: hang step, balance step, open step and extended open step depending on the specific play....almost every step was demonstrated in the video clips. This became an issue because it took a lot of time to learn those steps. So, the Houston veer was merged with the Wishbone to produce what people still run today at the military academies. The plays run are determined by split rule with the QB taking an extended open step every time (except with the midline which, for the QB, is a modified hang step). For inside veer, the splits are 3-4-4 while the outside veer, run only to the TE side, is 1-1-2. Inside veer read is the first defender outside the guard while the outside veer read is the first defender outside the tackle...don't block the read or it will be a FB give every time. The FB's track is the outside hip of the guard for inside veer and inside hip of the tackle for outside veer. Then, coaches fused wing-T concepts with the modern option offense to give a double-wing formation utilizing traditional Wishbone plays and counter plays that came straight from wing-T offenses. The military academies are masters of fusing all three offensive concepts into an offense which works for them. The modern spread offense is basically the Wishbone run from 4 yards deep in the backfield. The options are on the perimeter "right now" instead of the QB running the ball to the perimeter depending on read keys. The reads are still the same: read's shoulders turn down, toward the ball..pull; read stays on LOS or read's shoulders turn out..give.

[@antonioberuff5033]

Great information

[@stevethornbrugh9417]

The video I never knew I needed. Thanks for the history.

[@eldonn4871]

If I remember right, Coach Emory Ballard led San Angelo Tx to the state 5A championship with this offense formation.

[@winnhill3736]

I had heard he was credited 4 creating the wishbone.I heard that about him when he was head coach at Mississippi state and I am a "dawg" fan

[@hsafranify]

God bless the late Emory! I talked him for a long time on the phone in the early 90's. He invented the Wishbone; even though he originally called the formation by another term. He told me that he made a mistake when he became the head coach at Texas A & M. He tried running the Tbone because he thought it would help running backs get a jump on short pass routes as opposed to the straight Wishbone(did not happen).

[@tommywoodard4612]

San Angelo won state in 1966 under Coach Bellard, but it wasn't with the wishbone. They ran an I formation with Terry Collins playing tailback. The uniqueness of his offense in 1966 was that his offensive lineman had no splits, they lined up toe to toe across the offensive line...never saw another offense ever do that, personally speaking. Texas for 3 seasons in a row went 6-4, so there was a great deal of pressure on Coach Royal to end those years of frustration, and he asked Coach Bellard to come up with an offense that could utilize the incredible running backs he had a recruited to Texas. Hence the wishbone offense was invented. In '68 Texas opened with a tie with Houston, and a loss to Texas Tech...then a slight adjustment was made (moving the fullback back one more yard), and we moved super Bill Bradley to first split end, then as a defensive back and brought James Street in to run the wishbone. The results? We won 30 in a row and two national championships and four SWC championships.

[@davecody4326]

Dkr was a favorite golf partner, thanks for sharing

[@craigbfolksinger]

GOAT 🐐 video you could make a case for Bud Wilkerson being GOAT 🐐 coach

[@Murph_.]

0:38 - My favorite play of all time.

[@ulysses8785]

Great subject and great presentation.

[@brittking3990]

What is it about offensive schemes and Oklahoma? Wishbone was Mizzou and OK…run and shoot Texas, and now the dominant pass happy single back (or no back) air raid. Thanks Mike Leach rip my good man!! 😇

[@ccsportsfan7886]

excellent

[@ronscott7]

1985 Oklahoma Sooners ran this to perfection. Jamelle Holloway was so fun to watch

[@mwright_boomer]

Holieway’s my favorite Wishbone QB

[@cwengl]

Great series. Thank you.

[@woodsidetj]

Played a Wishbone team in high school (Midland Lee). As an outside linebacker, when both the fullback and near side halfback are coming after you with a full head of steam on an off-tackle play and the other halfback right behind them, it’s terrifying. Literally nothing you can do about it. Your fate is sealed. Coach: “Plug that hole!” Me: “Yeah, that ain’t happening.”

[@tima.478]

You ain't neva lied bruh...lol!

[@BradTaylor-n8t]

So true, bro. I was a TE in the wishbone and I didn’t get many catches, but man I could block. Haha

[@tima.478]

You were a vital piece of the wishbone, then. A TE that can effectively block, with a wishbone backfield is key! @@BradTaylor-n8t

[@JerryFerko]

Matthew ,,,,, thank u ...Great stuff .........

[@jefferyroy2566]

A very comprehensive video according to my recollection. I had started watching football in 1966, viewing the few games shown on TV (as compared to the post-cable era). The only omission is the veer offense, designed by Bill Yeoman at Houston, a more pass-friendly system. In their 100-6 victory over Tulsa in 1968 (yes, you read that right), the team rushed for 555 yards and threw for 207 and 5 TDs (one by future country star Larry Gatlin). The fact this game and Yeoman are ignored is worth noting.

[@brianarbenz1329]

Well done, easy to follow video. Thanks.

[@jakehanes5588]

Very cool video. Thanks for making this.

[@Coverblue6]

Wow. Great vid and explanation. I played high school football in calgary and of course cfl rules, everything is shotgun and pass heavy. Well we were blessed with a huge oline and powerful runners. We were always in wishbone and unstoppable even if we had three downs we averaged 7 yards a shot. We got to provincials but fell short. Lol. Undefeated prior to that though. Hardly threw the ball. It tripped a lot of opponents out not being in shotgun.

[@mwright_boomer]

@@Coverblue6 Running the bone with only 3 downs sounds like it’s not for the faint of heart! Maybe the slightly wider field helps with getting backs out in space?

[@Coverblue6]

@@mwright_boomer It was downright rare. No team used it. Not many cdn teams go under center these days. Not sure how much you know about the Canadian football league. We do shotgun way before it is a thing in the nfl. Probably approx 15 years before it caught on to the nfl and college. Now that is all you see especially at the college level. And I am fine with it! Love how we air the ball out!!! To answer your initial question…. We were so bloody big up front. Hell, we even did no huddle. The defense didn’t know how to stop it. Good point with the wider field but lot of the success was running it up the middle. Lots of times we went for it in 3rd down.

[@mwright_boomer]

@@Coverblue6 Man now I wanna see that on tape haha

[@SuperChuckRaney]

James Street went to my High School, same HS as Matt McCounaghey, Longview High School. We turned out Raider QB Jeb Blount right after Street. He won a SuperBowl ring with them.

[@mwright_boomer]

Alright alright alright!

[@SuperChuckRaney]

@@mwright_boomer Allllright. Best thing about high school girls? I get older, THEY stay the same age. Alrightttt.

[@scottl.1568]

Fuckin' good old days... Sadly the only teams that run it now are Army and Navy😢

[@timburr4453]

very informative thank you

[@RedRedDaDon]

Its too bad that the Cornhusker 30 for 30 documentary was never released.

[@metroplexchl]

Very well done. Very well explained.

[@rcl1955ca]

I would love to see teams run some version of this today, it would give the DC’s something new to think about. Plus I’d love to see more teams under centre, nothing annoys me more than seeing a team in the shotgun in short yardage situations. Run some more sneaks or power ‘l’. Give teams something they’ve never seen before.

[@Shahmar]

A beautiful thing to behold💖💖

[@johnrains8409]

Bill Yeoman ran an offense called the veer, which was a triple option very similar to the "Y". Biggest difference was veer continued to utilized a running back split receiver. However, when the split back was not split, it was almost identical to the bone. Don't recall if they fudged the fullback depth for lining up.

[@markgraham2312]

That was excellent.

[@terryhill4732]

SMU had one of the best wishbone QB's I ever saw run it with Eric Dickerson and Craig James behind him in the early 80's

[@Finarphin]

At 0:25, is that Oklahoma vs. California, 1954?

[@mwright_boomer]

Yep! Good eye

[@rogerwilliams5366]

Wow! Very impressive! I was wondering who those teams were.

[@Finarphin]

Sports Illustrated, in one of their earliest issues in 1954, covered that game and ran photos of it. I remember seeing that issue once, and the uniforms were very distinctive. Oklahoma won, something like 26-14 on their way to an undefeated season (win streak). @@rogerwilliams5366

[@samsung-eh4dv]

We had a similar formation in high school. We called it the dead T.

[@hsafranify]

I hope you all have had a chance to read author Terry Frei's book called "Horns, Hogs, and Nixon"

[@Bamruff62]

I miss the wishbone offense. I wish it could come back, but many coaches say it won't work. Supposedly, defenses are too fast today. The quarterback gets beat up too much.

[@mwright_boomer]

I’d love to see somebody try it again at the collegiate level.

[@gray3641]

There are a ton of small town Southeastern and Midwestern high school teams out there that have mastered it

[@8ch-Ivy]

In the 80’s, the Miami Hurricanes provided the blueprint for stopping the wishbone. Speed.

[@natturnertv]

Those coaches are lazy. The option will work today because it does slow down the defense. Defenses fly now because it's either pass or run with 1 back. So they drop or chase one guy. The option slows them down because they don't know who has the ball.

[@natturnertv]

@@mwright_boomer Check Air Force, Navy and Army.

[@lucyw3270]

Super great. Thanks

[@hollywoodpotato5289]

The greatest offensive formation in history. Jamelle Holieway was the greatest. However, Jimmy Johnson figured it out. Respect to all who mastered and stopped it.

[@Shawn5150-dh8fq]

I personally like the inverted v formation. No one has ever gained positive yardage from it but it is still used extensively at all levels. Only one team has yet to figure how to run it though or they may have won an extra game!

[@wildforthecats661]

Slick Street killed the Hogs. Nixon was a whammy, showing up at halftime.

[@BigDave131]

The Longhorns played sloppy and uninspired against the home team Razorbacks (who were a very good football team and really fired up) for most of the game . The Longhorns scored 15 unanswered points to beat the talented and fired up Arkansas Razorbacks 15 to 14. Great game between #1 and #2 and #1 finally pulled out the victory.

[@DavidKent-d7o]

Wishbone inventor The wishbone was invented in Texas - but not where most people think. In '68, Texas offensive coordinator Emory Bellard installed the wishbone in Austin - 16 years after the offense was invented. Spud Cason, today a legendary football and golf figure in Texas, debuted the full-house wishbone formation at Fort Worth's Monnig Junior High School in 1952. Cason, now 76 and suffering from Parkinson's disease, invented the wishbone. It just didn't have that name yet.

[@fesd4386]

Sir, that math does not add up. Mr. Cason would've been 5 years old when he invented the wishbone. With all respect.

[@AOkie68]

Spud might have invented but Barry perfected. Texas did beat the Sooners w the being fair

[@zumalot]

Thank you. Coach Cason "invented" the formation in 1951-1952 when Monnig Jr. High opened. I believe the name wishbone came from a Houston sports writer around 1969. Coach Royal and Coach Cason became friends. There are game films of early Monnig football which can prove the existence of what was later called the wishbone dating back to 1963-1964. Coach Royal was well aware as was Coach Switzer. Coach Cason did not "invent" or run the option. Finally there is a letter typed on UT white paper with burnt orange letterhead from Coach Royal saying "thanks for letting us borrow your formation". Coach Bellard, Coach Royal and Coach Switzer should be given much if not all credit taking what was the "Monnig T" to big time college football along with the name wishbone and triple option. I recall many more coaches at the college level having success with the wishbone. Coach Cason passed away 9/11/2001 in Texas. With all due respect please give credit where credit is due and thank you.

[@anthonymarquez2035]

If I was a college coach, I would implement this every so often in the game the difference would never be ready for it#coloradobuffaloes

[@Salt_Ed_One1]

We ran the wishbone offense in the early 70s, and went 9-0 in my senior year.

[@richstex4736]

The team at my high school at the same time implemented the wishbone; but the coaches seemingly ignored the fact that there was no wishbone talent on campus. That was the first class ever to go 0-Fer in district play. 😄

[@tuzonthume]

Will Stein is using this on the B1G for the Oregon Ducks in 2024, only it's a Quad option with a corp of tight ends and Wide receivers that aren't afraid to block too. Yards after catch is another element nobody is prepared for this year. Gabriel hardly throws to anyone on the fly but he's averaging over 400 yards passing each week.

[@mwright_boomer]

@@tuzonthume Rooting for that guy this year

[@tuzonthume]

@@mwright_boomer Rooting for Dan The Man Lanning, Will Stein. and Tosh Lupoi to hang out for awhile myself!!

[@tuzonthume]

@@mwright_boomer Will Stein deserves accolades [but no offers DAMMIT] His RPO is old school and apparently a lost art to the defenses of the B1G in 2024. To me Gabriel's 'scrambling' TD runs look more like a perfectly executed change-up Texas vs. Oklahoma wishbone than a broken play. Especially the ones vs both Michigan teams, So much for defensive tradition.

[@drivebyquipper]

The worst thing to happen to college football is overtime. It's more exciting to have to make the decision to go for the win or settle for a tie. Overtime is a sandlot rule.

[@drivebyquipper]

@gr5382 Ties suck, so go for the win. The rest of that is not logical. Who wants vacant lot rules to ruin the game?

[@drivebyquipper]

@gr5382 People like you have ruined football and you aren't any fun to talk to. Lol!

[@carsondyle6116]

I agree with you completely.

[@chuxbuxx5780]

Put that pipe down NOW

[@drivebyquipper]

@@chuxbuxx5780 If you had an original thought, it would die of loneliness.

[@Contramundum429]

I want to write a book called “Fake,Fake,Feed- 56 Years of Option Football”. What a crazy title.

[@jvseibel]

This was pretty great!

[@dannyyork1142]

Played highschool football in Cincinnati area in early 80's. We played #2 team in state , undefeated, rolling up 40-50 points a game. They ran wish bone. At halftime we was up 14-0, they had-11 yards of offense. Total for the game was like 50 yards total off for the night. How did we do it..... easy. Both 3 techniques pinched to inside of centers hip eliminating full back dive. Defense end takes qb, then conerback takes pitch guy, usually tailback. That's how you shut down wishbone. Of corse defensive end, and cornerback can't get hooked, or blocked. Simple.

[@mwright_boomer]

Well done! Simple, not easy, as attested by the incredible success that the offense had for two decades

[@GraeVTrain]

I think the only FBS school that has ever relocated was Wake Forest when the university moved from Wake Forest, NC to Winston-Salem, NC. But even then, that happened in 1950's. 0:23

[@mwright_boomer]

@@GraeVTrain Oh that’s an interesting bit of info 🤔

[@eldonn4871]

Very well done and accurate.

[@imscobol]

Way too loud music at the end, but very good primer!

[@TheLEGODUDE456]

Now I get it! Thanks…really interesting!

[@anonymike8280]

I remember seeing a game a long time ago where Notre Dame stuffed the wishbone. Long ago, but I concluded that the wishbone was more of a test of preparation and football IQ for the defense than an unbeatable innovation. There's a reason why the wishbone, the veer, the shotgun and other innovative offensive schemes have tended to disappear. Defensive coaches eventually solve them and it goes back to what pocket passers, running backs and receivers can do with the football.

[@44D33L]

Consider this - it took an icestorm, Joe Montana and a bad call for the Irish to beat Houston in the Cotton Bowl. Two major reasons why college teams quit running option offenses. 1) hard for college offensive linemen to handle top flight penetrating linemen 2) lack of QBs that can throw on the run. Having a modern QB that can throw on the run puts the teeth back into the triple option. It could definitely succeed at the college level today with a QB that can throw and run.

[@kenjf1009]

Probably Ara Parseghian's Notre Dame 1971 Cotton Bowl team

[@anonymike8280]

@@kenjf1009 I believe so.

[@romeofthewing9626]

I do miss the wishbone

[@MRBell-kg4kr]

The 1969 Texas team was the last all white team to win a championship

[@BigDave131]

Yes. The Longhorns had a black freshman named Julius Whittier on the team, (who later became an attorney) but back then, freshman could not play on the varsity team.

[@jamebrooke894]

I'm 67 years old now, I'd rather WATCH COLLEGE FOOTBALL then the NFL.

[@BigDave131]

So would I. And I am also 67 years old.

[@jamebrooke894]

@@BigDave131 AS of today!!

[@stratplayr6997]

I remember college football in the 70's & 80's - it seemed like EVERYONE was running the wishbone back then. However, I never liked watching the wishbone. To me it's kind of maddening to have the QB doing the bulk of all the running and sprinkle in some occasional passing. It's like watching a high school game where the entire team has only one good player.

[@fateagle4life]

The Split T was a variant of the Notre Dame Box.

[@MesaperProductions]

Subscriber #819! I really like your content.

[@billymidgett4064]

The bone has rushing records because they never passed.Today’s spread formations run a variety of triple options

[@mwright_boomer]

Almost nobody passed back then. They set rushing records in an era when everybody was running the ball. And yes the triple option still lives!

[@cosmo1eleven855]

But you don't really see any pitch outs in today's game.

[@ChuckBdigital]

So is Emory Ballard the actual creator of the formation?

[@mwright_boomer]

Certainly seems so from the research I’ve done

[@ChuckBdigital]

@@mwright_boomer cool! Great series

[@zumalot]

Respectfully no.

[@ChuckBdigital]

@@zumalot who do you think it is

[@zumalot]

@@ChuckBdigital I know it was Charles "Spud" Cason in1951-1952. One time 48 games without a loss. Thanks for asking.

[@chandlerwhite8302]

Serious question, in defending the wishbone, why would you not just go after and hit all three backs on every play? Assign two defenders to each potential ball carrier, tell them to always assume that player has the ball, and knock their teeth out? And ALWAYS knock the quarterback doen on every single play, no matter who has the ball. Especially if they never pass out of the formation, like Auburn and Alabama in the 80’s.

[@mwright_boomer]

Good question. I think that’s kind of what ND tried to do in the 70’s with some success, but I think it’s easier said than done. I don’t have enough football knowledge to know why for sure, but my thinking is that if it were that easy, some of these Wishbone teams wouldn’t have been as successful as they were.

[@8avexp]

@@mwright_boomer Notre Dame used a " mirror" defense in the 1971 Cotton Bowl, disrupting the wishbone attack. It was a man-to-man defense, with each player assigned to a certain offensive player.

[@GeoAce777]

Come at them STRONG or don't come at all!!!!

[@SaltyChip]

I bet if you had the right players, the wishbone could work if used at the same rate as the dolphins used the wildcat back In 08. Heavy use of misdirection could really set up some holes if used enough.

[@weldonwenturine3395]

Penn st always stopped the triple option

[@timDavidson-os1kj]

Play fast, good on heel DBs. Wishbone still works

[@AnrhonyMitchell]

😃 AWESOME

[@johnhardman825]

One thing that help Texas was the tear away jerseys. NCAA outlawed them.

[@urbanlegendsandtrivia2023]

Joe Namath was an athletic freak who actually had almost perfect passing form and almost perfect footwork to throw that old huge Spalding JV5 football. Some schools wouldn't throw a single pass with that awkward blimp of a football. A lot of people don't realize that fact. He would destroy the modern era.

[@shootingstar2001]

Those knees were shredded

[@bikeyclown4669]

Good old smash mouth football.

[@alphadawg4792]

Meat on the hoof.

[@Gary-zt9cp]

You all run the bone?

[@nedludd7622]

Was the Power Sweep made famous by the Green Bay Packers developed or used in college football?

[@NoPlaceForTheDead]

Based on this video, bad tackling is key to the success of this formation. These defenders weren't told that they are allowed to wrap and drive.