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It’s also easier to stop a running game by throwing numbers at it. We watched teams load the box against us and dare us to throw for years. It’s easy to dedicate more guys to stopping the run when the offense doesn’t stretch the field vertically AND horizontally. A big component of the Air Raid system is using really wide splits for your receivers. It forces defenses to cover the entire field and pretty much takes defensive backs out of the equation as run defenders. Everything is about gaining a numbers advantage. Keep as many defenders out of position to defend the run and it’s basically your 5 linemen, QB and running back against a defenses’ front 4 and 2 linebackers. 7 vs 6. It’s how Art Briles was able to consistently dominate teams on the ground even though he was running an “Air Raid” system.
I recommend checking out the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl for anyone who thinks you can’t dominate the run game with an Air Raid system. Baylor was down to a third string quarterback and their #1 running back and receiver were also out. Briles used a crazy combination of receivers lined up at QB and set an all time bowl game rushing record. They rushed for 645 yards against UNC while only attempting 17 passes. All simply because they had a numbers advantage pretty much the entire game. UNC knew Baylor couldn’t throw the ball but they couldn’t just leave guys uncovered to send the extra man to defend the run.
I recommend checking out the 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl for anyone who thinks you can’t dominate the run game with an Air Raid system. Baylor was down to a third string quarterback and their #1 running back and receiver were also out. Briles used a crazy combination of receivers lined up at QB and set an all time bowl game rushing record. They rushed for 645 yards against UNC while only attempting 17 passes. All simply because they had a numbers advantage pretty much the entire game. UNC knew Baylor couldn’t throw the ball but they couldn’t just leave guys uncovered to send the extra man to defend the run.