I think TOP matters more in the NFL

by Geoff, Tuesday, July 27, 2010, 03:09 (5797 days ago) @ APND02

NFL offenses are safer and more methodical. So many teams start taking less chances once they get into field goal range. Once a team gets the lead in the 4th quarter, many coaches will opt to run the football. They don't need style points: they need the win.

College offenses are much different. In many games, one team is clearly much more physically superior than the other team. Lack of quality depth means that the weaker team will probably fade in the 4th quarter. The better team has no interest in putting on the brakes once it takes the lead. Style points matter. If a player is in the running for the Heisman, then he's going to get additional reps to pad his stats.

I'd say there are more "big plays" in college football. Busted coverages, blown assignments, WR A is 5x faster than CB A, et al. As a result, many offenses can score from anywhere on the field. Now throw in fast-paced offenses like Kelly's, or Dick Rod's. Because of that, TOP doesn't really tell the whole story.