I was talking about inside and outside zone the other day. The person I was talking to tried to proclaim that "all the best running teams use power/man blocking schemes".
Oregon lead the nation in rushing, using outside zone as their man running play. The other 4 teams in the top 5 in rushing were all option teams.
Alabama was 2nd in the SEC in rushing, 48 yards behind LSU. Alabama is of course another zone rushing team.
South Carolina was 3rd in the SEC in rushing. Anyone else remeber the inside zone read clinic they put on against us?
Let's not forget the Florida teams under Urban Myer.
If you believe the best rushing teams in college football use power/man blocking schemes, you probably don't watch a lot of football.
I'm really not sure what point you are trying to make here... South Carolina uses the "We have Marcus Lattimore" concept. When he went out they relied heavily on the quarterback draw to gain much of their rushing yardage, which also helped keep defenses honest against their offense as a whole.
Florida under Meyer?... Im baffled as to how you think that offense compares to ours. They had 3 guys (Harvin, Rainey, Demps) who all run sub 4.4 and let's not forget the fullback they had at QB as well to help with that running game/spread offense.
Alabama and LSU are more on the point I think you are trying to make, but they both incorporate man blocking schemes as well, which is part of the reason they both have successful running games.. Oh wait not to mention the incredible talent both programs bring in annually on the offensive line and a top RB in the country each year. YOU obviously don't watch a lot of football if you don't think both Bama and LSU incorporate power run blocking schemes into their successful running attacks...
I understand there are benefits to the zone blocking schemes vs. man blocking but if you're going to make that point please do some homework. Oregon also makes me chuckle as they are an up tempo/spread team which we are not, and while yes they do have successful running attack, but much of that is due to the misdirection and uptempo pace they play at to catch the defenses off guard.
Our offense will improve in the running game this year for several reasons: JAY GRAHAM. Finally a veteran unit who is able to compete both mentally and physically at the line of scrimmage in the SEC. Our RB situation as a whole is better than a year ago as well with (Lane/Neal being the workhorses and Young to change the pace up in certain packages)
Also, in addition to both Bama and LSU who use power/man blocking in addition to zone schemes, Wisconsin who might be the best pure running team in the country on an annual basis would love to have this argument with you as well.
The point I'm trying to make here is that the good running teams know how to/are good at doing both.