Tempo is about knowing when to speed up and slow down

After watching the first year of Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s offense, we saw a lot of different things from him. We also saw some similar things that that the Huskers ran the previous year from former coordinator Shawn Watson.

The tempo was at various times different under Beck. Nebraska ran a lot of no-huddle offense, which is not to be mistaken for a hurry up offense. Just because a team is not huddling up before the snap does not necessarily mean they are in a hurry to run plays. The hurry up offense is more reflective of how many (or few) seconds are left on the play clock when the ball is snapped.

Personally, I liked the way Beck went about calling the offense last year in regards to the tempo. I like how Beck would be up in the skybox, see the play develop, and relay the plays from above down to the field. In a way, it was like how the Huskers been running the offense since 2004, but the tempo was much higher, and it showed with how quickly they lined up.

Because of the way Beck and Bo want balance, I think Beck needs to be in the press-box so he can see more, as opposed to previous Nebraska offenses where it wasn't necessary to have someone in the pressbox overseeing every play.

Although it was not on the level of an "Oregon-Blur" offense, I think it suits Nebraska well given its offensive talent is based on a mix of speed and power. It seemed the Husker offense worked more efficient the faster coaches called the plays in, as at the end of the play, guys were looking toward the side-line, read the signs, got the play, and they were lined up ready to go again within seconds as guys subbed in and out quickly.

It's just another way to wear out a defense, and as Husker fans know all about wearing out opposing defenses.

I'm guessing head coach Bo Pelini saw how some offenses ran their spread/no-huddle against him in previous years, especially Oklahoma and Oklahoma State in 2010, that he decided to incorporate it himself for the offense. Oklahoma State in 2010 was ridiculous against a very solid Nebraska defense, and Oklahoma in the Big XII title game simply wore the Husker defense out, but the offense in the second half didn't do the defense any favors.

I want to see the up-speed tempo continue to keep defenses gassed, off-balance, and would welcome more of it under Beck.

However, I believe if Nebraska is up by 7 or 10 or something to that effect, especially up in the fourth quarter, we need to slow it down, and possibly even come out of a huddle to wind the clock down in our favor. The Huskers should use the tempo to get up in the game, or to come back, but once Nebraska is in a comfortable situation, I think it should use its slowest gear to grind it out and frustrate opponents as to not getting used to the tempo we are running. The Huskers don't need to run a high-tempo offense especially if they are struggling on the road, or trying to close a game out. I think the tempo should be predicated on situation and how the offense is performing.

I thought the no-huddle/hurry up was mostly effective last year. I think Nebraska needs to expand on it and keep making adjustments that both the players and coaches are comfortable with but there are times though when huddling up can be very good for a team too, especially if the game isn't going your way and the players need to refocus. (This is where team leaders really need to make their voice heard).

What I would love to see Nebraska use is a no-huddle/hurry up power rushing offense out of multiple I-formation sets. Have the base plays be ISO, Power O runs, and counters off of those plays. Then have our passing game consist of play-action passes and quick drop backs. Sprinkle in the option here and there, along with some draws and screens.