The Most MISUNDERSTOOD Offense in College Football...

The Triple option is one of the most interesting systems to watch in college football. The way it can slow a game down and make an inferior team equal as large underdogs. In the 90s, Nebraska dominated with the offense and now the service academies have seemed to build a special tradition around it. Every year, we all huddle around our TVs to watch the Army-Navy game to watch a technical masterpiece. But why do the service academies run the triple option and why is the stigma around it wrong? In this video I will answer both those questions along with much more.
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Twitter: @jrobrien_28

[@EmbracetheGrind]

Do you find the triple option offense exciting?

[@tufoinproductions]

Yes

[@matthewwelsh294]

It is an outdated dull offense

[@noneworkatall]

Yes

[@KoachKardo]

It will be the next offense into the NFL , the same way they had to accept the Spread.

[@baronvonbear8285]

@@matthewwelsh294 lol 0 football IQ

[@Ezees23]

I remember when Auburn ran the wishbone - with Bo Jackson and Lionel "li'l train" James as HBs. It was a thing of beauty, IMO. Hell, I still watch GTs "flexbone" offense reruns and highlights as I smile and run them in slo-mo so that I can see the play developing.....

[@TheTrombonism]

I love option football. I think it is great and it is sad to see so many college and even HS programs getting away from it. I am most familiar with the split-back veer rather than the wishbone/flex one system, but they are all triple option systems that I think are proven to work.

[@jonsquier8268]

The new rule changes and blocking rule changes have castrated this offense.

[@heatherphillips5983]

What Tf are ya on about, even spread pass first offense that is always in shotgun all run at least a couple versions of the veer and wishbone style, the just do them from the gun.

[@johnsergesketter5196]

I enjoy the triple option. The flex bone is my favorite iteration of it because it also is the foundation for the Run & Shoot. Favorite offense though is the Single Wing. These offenses are great equalizers.

[@jmath1978]

Wing t!

[@theEWDSDS]

​@@jmath1978OH NO You have dug up a fossil my friend, RIP the wing T

[@larryd9549]

I played in The Delaware Wing-T (a version of the triple option) in high school, so I was very familiar with the offense I used to give guys fits running the Navy Flex-bone in EA Sports NCAA Football series of games

[@puffdutchtwo]

Been looking for different playbooks to run in NCAA rn run balanced is my go to but wanna run option any suggestions

[@richardwalters5294]

One more thing I forgot in my last comment if I'm not mistaken I believe those Nebraska teams in the 90s particularly the 1995 team scored an average of 52 points per game so I guess you're right running for 400 yards. I'm pretty sure Georgia tech a few years back was pretty damn good with it as well. I know Oklahoma ran that wishbone style option attack in the 80s and I believe the fear started in Texas under Darryl Royal if I'm not mistaken I could be wrong on that one but it'd be nice to see the triple option come back for sure

[@t_ylr]

It's kinda funny that Jeff Monken has the opposite offensive philosophy of Todd Monken at UGA. There's pros and cons to the triple option. It's really hard to play DB in college so you wanna take advantage of that. Even a team like Georgia that wants to run the ball is throwing the ball 2/3 of the time cause it works.

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

So many positive things can be gained by throwing the ball with the way the game is called now. A rushing attack is needed to prevent being one-dimensional, but nobody is trying 3 yards and a cloud of dust that comes with the triple option.

[@joshuaroberts1287]

An important aspect to triple option success is also having a solid defense that can stymie an opponent and keep them from getting more than 2 TDs ahead when offense is struggling to figure things out. Also, a solid special teams unit that doesn't give up short field to opponent and also helps shorten the field for the offense. The flexbone version would absolutely be successful at big schools that could recruit top 40 talent but as you said, passing is what most want to see and also, most top QBs, WRs, & TEs (which aren't always used in triple option) want to play in an offense that plays good foundation for the pros. There are exceptions of course. QBs don't get reps reading coverage or fine tuning passing touch, accuracy. Receivers spend more time blocking and run a more limited route tree in triple option, often being unrefined at doing so. Its a 'team concept' offense that requires discipline and many hot shot young players don't have the discipline - another reason the academies have more regular success.

[@theEWDSDS]

The stuff you mentioned at the start is the main draw back of it. The nature of it forces a long, dragged out drive full of ~5 yard gains. Really relies on being ahead or tied to be effective, because if you dig a hole with it it's very hard to get out. Sorry if I just spit out a word salad

[@richardwalters5294]

I love the video brother but I may be a little bit biased growing up in Nebraska cornhusker fan. These are dark days definitely in the frost of winter definitely with the pun intended oops I meant punt

[@andrewbowles9753]

Great formation for strategy in the early game at manageable down and distance. Not great for hurry up or playing from behind. The being said it is perfect for bleeding the clock/possession management.

[@yeildo1492]

I've coached the Wishbone, split back veer, run option from the I, and liked them all. The idea of not having to block every DL guy is appealing. Now I am a Def Coord and let me tell you that I hate the Flexbone. If we have a Flexbone team on the schedule I'll work on that all summer. You are not getting that stuff done in a week. We know the San Jose St coaches. A few years ago they worked on Navy all spring and over the summer. They held Navy to their fewest yards and SJS won the game. They got a new DC and he did not work on the Flexbone in spring and over the summer. SJS got killed. I think Navy had 500 rushing yards.

[@HeWhoIsNamedPatrick]

I’ll take a Nebraska offense from the mid 90s against any defense all time in college football and they’ll still score 35 to 40 points a game.

[@BigfoxN-A-chiccenhouse]

‘01 Rose Bowl…

[@philpfeiffer5475]

Funny that you mentioned Coastal Carolina in your video. I am a CCU alumnus. I took my Dad up to West Point this past November to watch CCU play Army. They ran it down CCU's throats all game, only called one or two passes, and CCU had absolutely no answer for it. It was amazing, and frustrating, to watch.

[@harrymiram6621]

Those who say option-oriented football don't really understand/enjoy NCAAF history. Recently, when Paul Johnson was Georgia Southern, his teams wracked 30+ points/400+ yard games w/regularity! That led him to Hawaii. While there, he picked protégé Ken Niumatalolo. Consequently, Every NCAAF program has some variation of Johnson's spread option, be it wishbone/flexbone or Run/Pass Option. Don't like triple-option football? You don't understand NCAAF....

[@anthonydecarvalho652]

Thee triple option, it's my favorite offense. I would love to see someone bring it to the NFL. They say it's not possible, but it could be done. I remember reading that when Vivce Lombardi went to the giants he was told you can't run constantly in the NFL because the defense line were to strong and to quick. But he had been a physics teacher and he new better.

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

Defenses are too fast in the NFL. Both QB and pitch man would get destroyed trying to run triple option against players like Miles Garrett. Sure, might break off a big run here or there, but too often it would get blown up. Mounting injuries and teams would say, "fuck the option."

[@mattyharsh4393]

I think I could be done but I issue I think front office managers have with it is they don’t want to risk hurting their QB by using him as a primary runner

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

@@mattyharsh4393 you can't get top line talent to agree to play in a triple option offense. That 100% is the sole reason why it's not seen in college (with a handful of exceptions) and pros.

[@mattyharsh4393]

@@nevergiveupnevergivein7655 idk about that. Most OL would prefer to run block rather than to pass block

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

@@mattyharsh4393 run block. Not triple option blocking. It's completely different.

[@FrankeeLee223]

Yes ! I love it. Football 🏈 for me is the run game.

[@jchase5468]

We ran the wing T and it was exciting as all get out…we had a handful of passing plays but mostly running plays but we spread the ball around so it was always fun

[@jessepruit8385]

And it still wins!

[@jeffhughes7311]

A 60 yard run is a thing of beauty but as a Georgia Southern long time fan, season ticket holder and alumn, a 90 yard drive, that eats up 8-10 minutes of the clock, is also a thing of beauty!

[@paytonwilkerson955]

As a Georgia fan, it was always annoying to watch whenever we played Georgia Tech lol.

[@djjohnneybbadd]

The Triple Option won my son's the hs state championship . It was beautiful to see a bunch of 5 yards runs turn into 10,15,20 and then the defense breaks mentally and physically. Then everything is an 80 yard TD run and controlling the clock. You'll never see a team that looks as beaten as one that' had the ball shoved down there throat play after play.

[@JoeCab]

Since they outlawed the cut blocking, the triple option has lost its advantage over bigger/more talented teams.

[@JoeCab]

The service academy teams have very strict standards to get in. The biggest one is that you have to have no dependents. So all the 4 and 5 star athletes with baby mommas are out. Also you pretty much have to be an Ivy League candidate.

[@genestippell1833]

The game will always be about numbers. The defense will always have an advantage because there will always be 1 unblocked defender (the ball carrier can't block for himself). If the quarterback is not a threat because he just hands off the ball the defense now has two unblocked defenders. Defensive coordinators are always looking to find schemes that move the unblocked defenders closer to the ball while offensive coordinators are trying to creat blocking schemes that leave these defenders behind, away from the ball. So what can offenses do? As long as the qb has the ball, there is only one unblocked defender. Go way back to the days before the pure drop back qb, three backs lined up behind the center, any of which could receive the snap and everyone else blocked. 11 vs 10. Have the weak side end attack a safety, leaving his man behind and now we're even in numbers. So what else to gain a numbers advantage? The offense can leave a play side defender unblocked and design plays where no matter what he does he's wrong, thus, the option. Hmm... Pretty good. Now with the weak side end leaving his man behind and a play side defenderr being optioned, the offense is now even in numbers at the point of attack. To this day EVERYTHING is still about numbers!!! A good fake that attracts a defender is as good as a block. Finding ways where an offensive player can occupy two defenders is another strategy. The pros were adverse to the pure option because the qb was a long term investment receiving a ton of money. At that level, all 11 guys on defense evolved to be bigger, faster athletes who can run plays down, the qb will be consistently taking big hits. Ok for a qb who starts a year or two in college but not so good for durability in the pros. So what has evolved, with the rule changes, is the offenses are demanding more from the quarterback. The days of the quarterback just being a statue like joe namath and that era are gone. So are the pure option runners. But an athletic qb became more essential. Driills and tecniques needed to be developed and taught. The offenses spread out, shifted, motioned, etc. But underneath it all still lies the fundamental desire to gain a numbers advantage.

[@NNNNN1870]

Football is 100 percent physical, 20 percent cerebral and 1000 percent mentality. Tom took Nebraska farm raised boys as linebackers, Boyd Eppley turned them backers into mammoth lineman with the mind of linebackers. Seek and destroy.

[@FodorPupil]

NU fan here. Most beautiful offense EVER.

[@robthornton7357]

Love this!!! Subscribed!!

[@JoeCab]

2:13 chair force and navy give more leniency for weight than Army.

[@tonycampbell4982]

More running less passing. The soft offenses of today passing all the time are boring!

[@explosivereactionstv7414]

When it works, damn if anybody can stop it.

[@JoeCab]

Defenses these days can’t tackle, they dive at the turf. They titty bump ball carries hoping to land the big hit. They don’t keep their head up wrap up and drive their feet. Plus defenses are mostly focused on speed they have 1 300 pound lineman, 4 linebackers and 6 defensive backs.

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

Other than the fact that RPO and triple option have a running component, they have nothing else in common. There is no pitch play in the RPO and there is no QB run. The "run" of RPO is referring to leaving the ball in the belly of the running back. Then there is the pass component, which is not any part of the triple option. QB run is a key part of the triple option, but it's not a designed part of the RPO. QB designed run options in a non-option offense are zone read plays. The only similarity here to a triple option offensive play is that the QB reads the defense as the play develops to decide what action to take. There is no pitch option for a zone read. It's basically keep the ball and run or pass to a receiver. These triple option coaches trying to say that it's basically the same are just talking up triple option offenses.

[@mattyharsh4393]

A lot of RPOs have the zone read built in as another option. I’ve seen RPOs where teams will send the RB to the flat to see if a LB follows and if he does the QB will hit the gap all while the linemen are run blocking

[@codeasy403]

My favourite offensive

[@kirkchalmersjr.2199]

I love that offense.

[@luisvilla799]

The reason they run it because they don’t have the athletes to run other types of offense undersized to layers they use speed and other abilities

[@porterwake3898]

Triple option: Don't block two guys. React to what those two guys do.

[@JCreole]

Always liked the wishbone….👍

[@MoetheBossPlayer]

The Flexbone is Trash 😂 The Nebraska I form option was the best at least they can lineup and run the ball traditionally with different runs like sweeps and tosses and counters and power o runs.

[@berrywalton3918]

GREAT OFFENSE...most people dont run it because it is not sexy enough!!!!

[@tyresecocking9418]

There is something hilarious/absurd seeing the football player kicking in doors in what is supposed to be some middle-eastern community. Like imagine the infidels were running around in nike pro combat gear and helmets, I would be real thrown off as the enemy

[@RebelfanfromBamaland]

Anybody can zone block. Takes minimal brain power. Takes a smart player to know and understand veer schemes and make adjustments pre play and during the play. Which is why it’s not ran much these days. Todays Players aren’t smart enough to do anything other than zone block and rely on athleticism alone

[@stevenfarnesi9126]

The best offense there is.

[@cornfednebraskaneer]

I wish we would do it again.

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

No you don't. Nebraska would never again get a 4* or 5* offensive commit out of high school.

[@cornfednebraskaneer]

@@nevergiveupnevergivein7655 we're on a 6 yearbook drought with a whole slew of 4 star kids. Maybe that isn't the issue...

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

@@cornfednebraskaneer you definitely won't get anywhere by regressing in recruiting.

[@cornfednebraskaneer]

@@nevergiveupnevergivein7655 we'd be fine

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

@@cornfednebraskaneer 🤦

[@sergiovillalva3395]

It's effective and productive. Its assignment football, one person on the D doesn't do their job and BOOM big play for the O. Most people don't like it (especially the youth player/people) because they think its antiquated and old but at the end of the day it wins games. Just ask SDSU losing to Army in the holiday Bowl. Army just ran all over them!!!

[@nevergiveupnevergivein7655]

It is antiquated. There is a reason only the service academies run it now. It's productive when you have inferior talent and undersized players. Why would a team like Ohio State run the triple option when it can get as much or more offensive efficiency by throwing the ball all over the yard? Big time high school athletes don't want to play in a triple option system because no one in the NFL has any interest in running the triple option. Why is that? Fans want to see big passing plays. NFL teams run the ball as a way to set up explosive passing plays. The triple option has one place and one place only in football now: Inferior team gives itself a chance to compete and keep a game close. That's it.

[@Kaeesoo]

i rather see a good run game tbh. imma cowboys fan🤣🤷🏽‍♂️

[@Muddybagclean]

Jesus Loves You

[@BabyBudders]

Such garbage

[@somebodyelse766]

No... That shit sucks...

[@atlantissurvivor1689]

You like guys. That’s why