Why Is Auburn's Offense So Effective Under Gus Malzhan

Many fans are wondering why Gus Malzhan's Auburn Offense is so effective. This article will explain some of the reasons and attempt to explain others. This article was written from observation only and all of the content of this article is the opinion of the writer. 

When one watches Auburn's new offense it looks simple. After all teams have been doing the same things for years. Gus Malzhan seems to be just another simple play coordinator. The truth is much different than the appearance. Malzhan does simple things through complex mis direction and camouflage. It is effective like no other offense has been since the dawn of the wish bone offense decades ago. 

The basic principles of motion in the offense are repetitive. The options available are endless. This is where the heart is. You can teach motion, you can teach complex motion. It is hard to teach different routes of complex motion. Malzhan has simplified the motion that must be absorbed by each player. It is much like a complex dance in a musical. Each player does a simple routine, but when all are put together it makes a complex show. This is what defenses are seeing. 

For zone defenses it presents a complex mix of moving offensive players that must be watched. For Man defenses it presents the problem of the players in motion clearing their defenders out for trailing play makers. The ball is extremely hard to follow in this offense and deception is practiced to perfection. 

Now add to that motion some speed of operation. This keeps regular substitutions from occurring for the defense. The defense is already taking more steps due to the spread out motion and now they can not be substituted for rest. The fatigue shows up in the big linemen first and then the linebackers. After a few drives like this the fan can see players hands starting to prop up with their hands on the thighs.  This presents another offensive advantage. When a defensive lineman starts with his hands on thighs instead of on the ground his center of gravity is not low enough. This allows the offensive linemen to stand them up and push open running lanes. This can occur in as little as one quarter. 

For all of this to work the drive must be maintained. Thus plays like reverses, half back passes, statue of liberty and overloaded zone plays are used. This allows for a little excitement also. These plays are considered risky out of normal offensive sets. The motion with Malzhan's offense makes these almost impossible to read for the defense. If the defensive player commits to the reverse it is a pass. If the defensive player goes for the quarterback the half back gets the ball running at an impossible angle to stop. There is also the pass where all the backs and receivers have moved out in overloads, crossing patterns, and come backs. Sometimes all of these at once with a back or receiver going long somewhere. This simply overloads the defense to the point that they get confused.

One of the greatest defensive minds in football Monte Kiffin looked lost and baffled when Auburn played Tennessee the eighth ranked defense in the nation at the time. The same defense that had given Florida fits and they were a top three offense at the time. I have not herd one defensive coordinator elude to a way to stop this offense. So far the only recommendation is to get the ball on Offense and control the clock and run off time. This has not been effective either. 

Auburn is uniquely qualified to operate this offense. All the tools are there. Chris Todd is a dual threat quarterback with a newly repaired throwing arm who makes good decisions. Ben Tate is a power runner with good hands. Onterio McCalebb is a slashing speed back with good hands. Mario Fannin is a combination power and slash Fullback and receiver with good hands. Darvin Adams is a deep threat wide receiver Kodi Burns is a wide receiver and quarterback.

Imagine an opposing Linebacker looking at the Auburn offense knowing he is facing a Fullback at wide receiver, a quarterback at wide receiver, a halfback that is faster than you are and can run and catch the ball, another half back that can run over your linemen as well as catch the ball and the quarterback is a dual threat with a good passing arm. Now add in the motion and the absolute endless number of options available to run against you. Add to this that there is another quarterback dual threat on the field. Then imagine the deceptiveness of the ball changing hands with multiple bodies blocking sight or did the ball stay with the quarterback. Maybe it was carried and lateraled to the second quarterback or is it about to be passed to the deep threat streaking down the field. Now add in the confusion and fatigue of doing this without the benefit of huddle and no time for substitutions. Repeat this 85 times and it is an average Auburn offensive game.

Maybe this in some way describes what this offense does to competent defenses. It was awkward against Louisiana Tech and some better against Mississippi State. It was limited against West Virginia and Ball State. It was ramped down much of the game against Tennessee. If Auburn ever opens it up for a full four quarters they might just find themselves on the field alone. The tempo in the first half of the Tennessee game forced two rest time outs and that was after one quarter. 

Auburn faces some awesome talent  when they play LSU and Alabama this year. Alabama is likely the best defense in the country this year and are three deep at every position. It will be interesting to see how the offense works against this kind of talent.Malzhan says it is the great talent equalizer. So far he has been right.