The Wildcat Formation

[Matt Dillon]

The Wildcat which has been so successful for us, going back to the days of Randall Cobb, seems to have been shelved this season. Does anyone have any idea why?

[Lighthouse]

I've noticed it also but have no idea why it's not being used. Kemp was very successful running the Wildcat.

[teamchemistry15]

I think the main reason it was successful with Cobb was because the defense had to respect his arm as well. Maybe Dawson or Stoops just don't trust our line enough to open up the necessary holes on a consistent basis?

[UKFBFAN]

At the Quarterback Club, didn't Coach Dawson say, "I don't like the wildcat?" I think he also said, "You might see it." Does anybody else remember that?

[VirginiaBlue]

Dawson has never been a fan of the wildcat. Not sure why, just about everybody who tries it has some degree of success with it.

[gerntz]

The Wildcat which has been so successful for us, going back to the days of Randall Cobb, seems to have been shelved this season. Does anyone have any idea why?

While we've had success with it at times, I'm not sure it's been "so successful" without data comparing to non-wc plays. Is there any data? If it was "so successful", I'd think we'd be smart enough to go with it, coaches likes or dislikes not withstanding. And we don't have Cobb.

I know JJK did great with it last year vs. SC, but we haven't done it much if any since. Has to me more than dislike for it imo.

Who runs it as their base O? Anyone?

[Matt Dillon]

While we've had success with it at times, I'm not sure it's been "so successful" without data comparing to non-wc plays. Is there any data? If it was "so successful", I'd think we'd be smart enough to go with it, coaches likes or dislikes not withstanding. And we don't have Cobb.

I know JJK did great with it last year vs. SC, but we haven't done it much if any since. Has to me more than dislike for it imo.

Who runs it as their base O? Anyone?

I don't know if anyone runs it as their base, and I'm not suggesting we should either. I don't watch a lot of fb, other than UK, but the times I do watch it seems a lot of teams run it at least once a game. When you have a player, like Jojo, it seems to me used once or twice a game, in certain situations, it could be an important part of the off. I also wonder why we don't throw to the TE more often, so what do I know?

[Blue Heaven]

It's a formation for those with offensive ineptness. It's easy to defend. You have to have a player who can throw the ball.

[Spiritof96]

I don't know if anyone runs it as their base, and I'm not suggesting we should either. I don't watch a lot of fb, other than UK, but the times I do watch it seems a lot of teams run it at least once a game. When you have a player, like Jojo, it seems to me used once or twice a game, in certain situations, it could be an important part of the off. I also wonder why we don't throw to the TE more often, so what do I know?

We don't throw to the TE because Patrick either doesn't see him running wide open for a 10 yard gain or chooses to throw elsewhere. I don't care where the play is supposed to go, seeing the wide open guy is a big part of being successful at QB.

[gerntz]

We don't throw to the TE because Patrick either doesn't see him running wide open for a 10 yard gain or chooses to throw elsewhere. I don't care where the play is supposed to go, seeing the wide open guy is a big part of being successful at QB.

Actually, he hasn't much gone out on routes but rather has blocked.

[VirginiaBlue]

As an uneducated fan with just enough x-and-o knowledge to get by, the wildcat offers the following: (1) a guy who is capable of running the football an extra microsecond for finding the hole (2) a QB out in the flat who can take a lateral pass and find the pass defense fooled (3) hopefully, a bit of confusion for the defense as they have to make quick decisions.

[Spiritof96]

Actually, he hasn't much gone out on routes but rather has blocked.

He was open all night on Thurs...

[gerntz]

He was open all night on Thurs...

Well Towles was 27 of 44 with at least 6 drops & a few thrown away. Conrad caught 3 of the 27. What else do you want?

[Spiritof96]

Well Towles was 27 of 44 with at least 6 drops & a few thrown away. Conrad caught 3 of the 27. What else do you want?

I don't understand your question.

The question was asked, "Why don't we trow to the TE more?"

I responded, because Pat goes elsewhere with the ball.

You then replied, "Actually, he hasn't much gone out on routes but rather has blocked."

I pointed out that he was reliably open on pass patters on Thurs. (at least three times when the ball was forced downfield for an incomplete pass)

You then come back with the above.... ?

[fastkat]

It's a formation for those with offensive ineptness. It's easy to defend. You have to have a player who can throw the ball.

On the Stoops call in show last night he said that they used that because they had difficulty converting on 3rd down and scoring in the red zone. This year we have been effective in those situation. Plus Dawson likes the ball to be in the hands of the QB