Not only does the Run and Shoot program’s defense not play well against power running teams but psychologically they aren’t prepared to be physical or adapt to the grind of a difficult game.

The current Big 12 and Pac 10 model is for the individual offenses to score touchdowns but what usually happens is both teams are scoring touchdowns. It becomes a shot out and often times the team with the ball last wins.

Conversely, when the offense is dictating their physical will (versus their tactical will…) the game is usually over. That was brilliance of the old Big 8 run option teams. Oklahoma, Nebraska and later Colorado beat you up physically, ground you down mentally and attacked you on defense. Add in, great athletes and witness the national championships. If Paul Johnson can recruit like Switzer, Osborne and McCartney– he’s going to compete for one as well because he understands that football is as much about mental toughness as innovation or great strategy.

The other school hasn’t had a losing record since the 1970s. Only two excellent head coaches in that timespan. Keep it simple. Run the ball. Practice intensely. Play excellent special teams. Make fewer mistakes.

For kids who play offense, defense, and special teams, a simple system works much better.