Is the UpTempo Offense the best strategy for SMU?

Harry · September 9, 2015

I understand that the main purpose in moving to a more "uptempo" offense this year is to get off more plays.

I wonder, if in this particular game it is the best strategy. It will be an interesting chess match on Saturday.

We have always had a potent running game. We have some terrific running backs and depth. It seems to me a ground attack that eats up the clock and keeps Matt Davis off the field could bode well. It also would give our defense more rest and make adjustments since they haven't yet played a real game and been in real game situations. If we get our offense going and can run the ball, I have no problem with a long drive that burns an entire quarter up leaving Davis on the sidelines.

Now of course, if we were to fall behind, the uptempo would be a good strategy and could serve us well giving us more plays and opportunities to score and catch up.

It just seems to me that using the uptempo has a place, I just wonder if it is in our best interests in this particular game.

Ben Gooding · September 9, 2015

I would personally eat clock while keeping the tempo concept. Rush to the line and eat clock and the threat of actually going tempo is always in play. I would tempo at opportune times and tempo to the line to eat clock. I expect to see just that tbh.

UNT90 · September 9, 2015

I don't think anyone will be talking about a new, uptempo offense after about 3 possessions against SMU.

Mean_Green09 · September 9, 2015

Of course we are going to see up-tempo. What we don't want to see is what happened to Texas this past weekend. Running the same offense at a quicker pace. Not getting your best players enough touches.

I see what you're getting at about running uptempo against a team that does it better. We can't afford to have quick 3 and outs.

What I hope we see in Saturday is McNulty distributing the ball the play makers in space and a healthy does of the backs. Wilson in particular needs 15-20 touches. Wear them down.

jtm0097 · September 9, 2015

What if the up tempo is just a cover up strategy for a power running attack?

MeanGreenTexan · September 9, 2015

You can still run the ball using an uptempo. I expect to see a LOT of Wilson.

SMU did this very thing to Baylor in the 2nd quarter last week.
Baylor only had the ball for a few minutes in the 2nd quarter. Of course, Baylor also had SMU stopped several times, but were hurt by dumb penalties to keep the drives going.