Josh Heupel responds to Ryan Day’s attempt to throw a wrench in Vols' offense
Earlier this month, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was asked what changes he'd like to see come to college football. The Buckeyes' head coach said he'd like to see the college game adopt the same hash marks as the NFL (where they're closer together). The idea is that putting the hash marks closer together […]
Earlier this month, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was asked what changes he'd like to see come to college football.
The Buckeyes' head coach said he'd like to see the college game adopt the same hash marks as the NFL (where they're closer together).
The idea is that putting the hash marks closer together would prevent some of the wide splits we see some teams use.
Under Josh Heupel, the Tennessee Vols utilize wide splits in their high-powered offense. The wide splits give the Vols the ability to read the defense's coverage and adapt their play call based on what the defense is presenting.
On Thursday at SEC Media Days, AtoZ Sports' Austin Stanley asked Heupel about his thoughts on Day's comments.
"I don't know that it necessarily affects what we do," said Heupel. "At the end of the day, we play some portion of the game, 10 percent of it, in the middle of the football field….at the end of the day, I'm not looking for any changes inside of college football on the playing field. We had the play clock one this year. [I] think the game is elite the way that it is as far as the on-field product. But I'm open to any changes, too."
It certainly sounds as though Heupel prefers to keep things the way they are — and why wouldn't he, the Vols just had an incredible offensive season — but he's also open to adapting to any changes the game may bring.
I wouldn't look for any changes to occur in college football anytime soon — especially since the high school game uses the same hash marks as the college game. And most high school players that are going to play in college aren't going to reach the NFL, so it doesn't make sense to gear the college game toward the NFL in that sense.
By the way, a source close to Tennessee's football program told me that there isn't any concern about the hash marks being changed because even if they were changed (which isn't expected to happen), UT doesn't think it would have a negative impact on their offense.
Finebaum gives Josh Heupel a title that will anger opposing college football fans
Paul Finebaum gave Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel a title that will anger opposing college football fans
Featured image via Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK
