Spread offense taking its lumps

Gary Pinkel's Missouri offense seemed to be at the top of the class. With stars like quarterback Chase Daniel and receiver Jeremy Maclin, the Tigers appeared unstoppable. So did many other Big 12 spread attacks. But even then, Pinkel warned the day would come when the league's defenses would have their revenge against the spread. "Don't think that defenses aren't going to figure some things out to do," Pinkel proclaimed during Big 12 media days last year. "Historically, there's been no perfect offense or defense. "Don't count defenses out just yet." A year later, Pinkel looks like a prophet. One season after Big 12 offenses supplied the biggest scoring boom in college football history, Big 12 defenses are striking back. Scoring is down 25 percent overall in conference games, and the output of 10 teams has dropped by 11 percent or more. "I said last year that it would be difficult to maintain this for much longer," Pinkel said this week. "And it has been." Changes in defensive recruiting philosophy is one reason why defenses are finally catching up. But a precipitous drop in offensive talent in the Big 12 can't be overlooked. Especially at quarterback. Some, like Daniel and Texas Tech's Graham Harrell, graduated. Others, like OU's Sam Bradford and Baylor's Robert Griffin, have been sidelined by injuries. Last year, seven of the league's quarterbacks ranked in the Top 20 nationally in passing efficiency. This year, only Texas' Colt McCoy can make that claim. "I always look at the quarterbacks," said Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. "Last year in our league, we had a bunch of experienced quarterbacks. "If you've got a quarterback, you've got a chance. If you don't have a quarterback..." The quarterbacks still around also don't have the same skill players to throw to they did last season. Maclin and Tech's Michael Crabtree moved on to the NFL. And two of the league's top returning playmakers, Oklahoma State wideout Dez Bryant and OU tight end Jermaine Gresham, who together totaled 35 touchdowns last season, have been non-factors. Gresham underwent season-ending knee surgery after suffering a cartilage injury the week of the opener. And Bryant was suspended for the season by the NCAA after only three games. But offensive personnel is only half the story. "We've been inconsistent (on offense) with new guys at a lot of positions," said Red Raiders coach Mike Leach, who is credited with bringing the spread to the Big 12 when he was hired by Bob Stoops to be OU's offensive coordinator in 1999. "But defenses are working on something." What defenses have been working on is finally coming to fruition: The recruitment and development of players with skill-sets that counteract the spread. Nowhere was that more evident than in Norman last weekend. In the fourth quarter, OU sophomore defensive end Frank Alexander acted like he was about to rush Texas A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson. But after the snap, Alexander dropped back into coverage, and racing 30 yards downfield with a receiver, Alexander was there to bat down Johnson's pass. Said Stoops: "I think getting speed to match up in space gives you a better chance against the spread." And more and more Big 12 defenses are finding ends who cover the pass like linebackers. And linebackers who run like safeties. "You could see it coming," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said last week. "I realized it about the middle of last year. "Defenses were catching up."