Evolution of Yurcich's Use of the T Formation

[CaliLION79]

Inside Penn State’s Playbook: Evolution of The T Formation - For The Blogy

What’s old (like really old) is new again, as Penn State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich’s 2021 flirtation with an antiquated alignment morphed into a full-blown infatuation in 2022. Sponsor: FTB’s Donors Club – the most direct way to support our efforts – is back for another year! (Sally...

fortheblogy.com

Interesting deep dive read (w/ clips!) on an old school formation made modern. Really shows how adaptable Yurcich is as a playcaller. At Oklahoma State he had no tight ends. At Penn State he's had 3 above-average tight ends on the roster the past two years. This year, he found a pretty creative way in the T to adjust his concepts to fit his personnel strength. Might be because the first impression in 2021 was soooo mediocre, but it feels like the fanbase never really gave Yurcich's creativity the attention/credit it deserved this past season. Thought he rebounded nicely from last year.

 

[doctornick]

So the question for this formation in 2023 is do we have the personnel to run it with Strange leaving? Can Khalil Dinkins step up (or one of the freshman TEs)? Or using an extra running back (though we are thin there)?

Or I guess you can put on an extra lineman on the line but there would be some tactical sacrifice if they couldn’t be counted on to be able to catch a pass.

 

[lazydave841]

So the question for this formation in 2023 is do we have the personnel to run it with Strange leaving? Can Khalil Dinkins step up (or one of the freshman TEs)? Or using an extra running back (though we are thin there)?

Or I guess you can put on an extra lineman on the line but there would be some tactical sacrifice if they couldn’t be counted on to be able to catch a pass.

Good question. I think it requires Johnson or Warren to move to FB and Dinkins to TE.

I'll give ya another wrinkle: KLS to FB. Good enough blocker, but can then be apart of the shifts. He could be tough to cover in the 1v1 with no safety help.

 

[CaliLION79]

So the question for this formation in 2023 is do we have the personnel to run it with Strange leaving? Can Khalil Dinkins step up (or one of the freshman TEs)? Or using an extra running back (though we are thin there)?

Or I guess you can put on an extra lineman on the line but there would be some tactical sacrifice if they couldn’t be counted on to be able to catch a pass.

It's a good question Doc. Early in the season Penn St used 6 OL when Theo wad injured, but going that route really limits the wrinkles/shifts you can do out of this. I think the guy is Rappleyea. High school competition wasnt the best where he played (new england prep school) but he looks close to a finished product physically and talent wise, like Carter on D last year...he's also the type of athlete Yurcich needs for what ever is next evolution wise with the T.

 

[doctornick]

Good question. I think it requires Johnson or Warren to move to FB and Dinkins to TE.

I'll give ya another wrinkle: KLS to FB. Good enough blocker, but can then be apart of the shifts. He could be tough to cover in the 1v1 with no safety help.

I thought about mentioning a WR option but since blocking would be the most important thing, you'd have to be confident in the player's ability to effecting occupy a defender. Could KLS or any other WR do so? Maybe, but I think I'd feel better with an extra OL players - if you shift out of it, that player could still mostly be used as a lead blocker for a screen but it would be obvious that he wouldn't be used as a TE/pass catcher.

I think the best case would be one of the TEs stepping up and being able to use three of them.

 

[GregInPitt]

I thought about mentioning a WR option but since blocking would be the most important thing, you'd have to be confident in the player's ability to effecting occupy a defender. Could KLS or any other WR do so? Maybe, but I think I'd feel better with an extra OL players - if you shift out of it, that player could still mostly be used as a lead blocker for a screen but it would be obvious that he wouldn't be used as a TE/pass catcher.

I think the best case would be one of the TEs stepping up and being able to use three of them.

Yep, talented TE's, along with great RB's, are the key.

Hopefully Dinkins is eating and lifting his way to 245-250 lbs right now so that his blocking gets on a par with his receiving skills. Cross might be another option for the 3rd TE as he is reportedly a pretty big and talented TE, but I'm betting we see a good bit of Dinkins this season. And some of Cross as both Warren and Johnson will likely be gone after the 2023 season.

But I'm also betting that Yurcich will be dreaming up some new personnel combo's that might include extra Olinemen as well.

 

[Wallace Breen]

Yep, talented TE's, along with great RB's, are the key.

Hopefully Dinkins is eating and lifting his way to 245-250 lbs right now so that his blocking gets on a par with his receiving skills. Cross might be another option for the 3rd TE as he is reportedly a pretty big and talented TE, but I'm betting we see a good bit of Dinkins this season. And some of Cross as both Warren and Johnson will likely be gone after the 2023 season.

But I'm also betting that Yurcich will be dreaming up some new personnel combo's that might include extra Olinemen as well.

I wouldn't hold your breath. he went to 12 personnel this year out of desperation due to poor offensive line and receiver play. It wasn't because he wanted to, he just didn't have three receivers that could be trusted and the offense line was beat early and often by Michigan and Ohio State. By his own words (and Franklin's) he has a strong preference for 10 and 11 personnel and wants tight ends to block. He impressed me this year by doing something nobody who is familiar with him thought he would ever do. Maybe he will surprise us again but I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[The Spin Meister]

Good analysis of the complexity on what looks like simple power blocking. Also, how Y has incorporated many options depending on how defenses adjust. I get the feeling this is just the start and we can expect much more unpredictable variabilities next year.

Maybe it’s best attribute is how it negates defense situational substitution. . Modern football has evolved into specialists at every position that play depending on down and distance, field position, clock time, strategy and more. This may force teams to play more of a straight up defense.

 

[tboyer]

So the question for this formation in 2023 is do we have the personnel to run it with Strange leaving? Can Khalil Dinkins step up (or one of the freshman TEs)? Or using an extra running back (though we are thin there)?

Or I guess you can put on an extra lineman on the line but there would be some tactical sacrifice if they couldn’t be counted on to be able to catch a pass.

They should be fine. Johnson and Warren both playing at such a high level now.
Funny how one PSU coach's name you don't see much is Ty Howle. That guy has done great work last two seasons.

 

[CaliLION79]

video version with the writer on a radio show