Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Columnist takes poke at Bielema
Los Angeles Times columnist Chris Dufresne says Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema may be out of touch with today’s college game.
“The Big 12’s outburst of the week was Texas Tech Coach Kliff Kingsbury tossing kerosene on a philosophical flame after his team defeated Arkansas, 35-24,” Dufresne wrote. “Kingsbury is a disciple of the spread offense. Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema is a dinosaur who thinks football is won in increments of inches and blood drops.
“The spread offense is here to stay, no matter how desperately a few coaches try to close their eyes and blink it away.
“Three years ago, Bielema and Alabama Coach Nick Saban led a revolt against up-tempo offenses by suggesting a rule change that would require a 10-second delay between plays to allow for substitutions.
“It was a direct assault against high-octane programs such as Oregon, Auburn and Texas A&M. And it backfired.
“A few college programs remain power based. Stanford Coach David Shaw remains stubbornly staunch and has been heavily criticized for his conservative philosophy. But after less-than-inspiring performances against Northwestern and Central Florida, Shaw loosened his grip last weekend and orchestrated a masterful upset at USC.
“Michigan State is winning with power football and Jim Harbaugh, now at Michigan, will always try to win that way.
“However, conventionalism is definitely on the run. Arkansas was so adamant in its power philosophy that it put five offensive linemen on the cover of this season’s media guide. But now the Razorbacks have lost consecutive games, at home, to unranked teams from Toledo and Texas Tech, with high-powered Texas A&M on deck.”