Georgia Tech Football: 5 reasons the option is running on empty

Nov 30, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs safety

(39) and cornerback

(2) tackle Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back

(25) during overtime at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 41-34 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

#4 – Familiarity Becomes the Enemy of the Option

The first time any team — even the really good ones — face an option offense, it’s almost comedic. The offense seems almost able to run at will, even for an entire game. But when you face an opponent every year, and you run the same thing every year, good teams figure out how to put a stop to it.

The element of surprise has been removed.

A team that runs the option well will still be able to get some yardage numbers racked up, even against a familiar opponent, but keeping the chains moving with regularity will become much more difficult.