Northwestern Unbalanced Formation Comes Up Big

Northwestern’s season opening win Saturday against Nebraska was a clinic in football coaching in several ways. Today’s All 22 Tuesday install will focus on the Northwestern unbalanced formations that they used to confuse Nebraska. Before we do that we want to tip our hats to the Mike Bajakian and the offensive staff for several things.

The first thing is just how balanced they were (are) on offense. A quick glance at the stats shows us that the Wildcats threw the ball 38 times and ran it 47 times. The stats a re a little deceiving because Northwestern milked the clock late in the game. They also ended up with 214 yards rushing. You win most games when you do this.

Regardless of what the announcers, the media or the fans say, this is the second thing that impressed us. Bajakian understands how to shorten a game and how to manage the clock with a lead. His NFL experience gives him a leg up on many college coordinators these days that only know how to make yards but don’t understand how to win in certain situations.

Yes Unbalanced Formations Work In The NFL Too

Finally, the third thing is just how creative they were with their unbalanced formation packages. This play was so well coached that the eligible tackle actually threw his hand up pre snap to make sure the Nebraska safety and corner saw him. The boundary safety was keying the eligible tackle on what looked like quarters coverage.

More All 22: FSU Executes This Around Flea Flicker. Let’s See How…

When Northwestern’s eligible tackle blocked, the safety pulled the trigger to insert on the run. That was all it took. What he didn’t understand was the the #2 receiver to the strong side was eligible. The Nebraska boundary safety never saw #1 Raymond Niro from Northwestern until he ran past him. Both backs were chipping in protection to insure that the quarterback Ryan Hilinski had time to get the ball off.

When you click on this play drawing you will see that we take you to two plays back to back. The play before this pass, Northwestern ran another unbalanced formation. They picked up ten yards when the Nebraska defense failed to adjust their front. Then Bajakian came right back with this play action pass for 6.

Click Below To See 2 Plays Back To Back Where Northwestern Used Unbalanced Formations