This week’s ‘Inside the Game’ choice was a no brainer. Tomorrow, one of the biggest games in the BCS season will be played when the Florida Gators travel to Louisiana to take on the #4 ranked LSU Tigers. This epic game could have National Title implications, and very possibly a preview of the title game in January. In a game like this, when the eyes of the nation will be watching, the shoulders of each teams quarterbacks are feeling mighty heavy. Let’s take an EverydayQB inside look at what each quarterback will have to do to lead their team to victory.

John Brantley (Gators): Coach Urban Meyer and the Gators will make the right choice and not start Tim Tebow, letting him fully recover from his concussion in last week’s game. The Gators need Tebow completely healthy for the rest of the season and they can recover from a loss to the Tigers on Saturday. Enter Tebow’s backup, John Brantley. Brantley is a different type of quarterback than Tebow, but no slouch. This sophomore quarterback was highly recruited out of high school and is slated to be the next great qb at Florida when Tebow goes on to the NFL. In order to be successful, Brantley has to play his style of football. The offense won’t change much, but Brantley is not the athlete Tebow is. Brantley needs to control the football and make cautious and intentional decisions with the ball. Brantley needs to play well enough to give the Gator defense a chance to win the game for them. Tiger stadium will be an extremely hostile environment for Brantley, and he must focus and be poised as the starting quarterback.

Jordan Jefferson (Tigers): Jefferson has had a great year for the Tigers so far, with a 62.5% completion percentage and 7 touchdowns coming into Saturday’s game. He had a solid game in the Tigers win against Georgia last week and needs to have another solid performance on Saturday night. As the home starting quarterback, one of Jefferson’s goals must be to put points on the board early, forcing the Gators to play from behind and wonder if they can be a #1 team without Tebow. Jefferson must distribute the ball and maintain a solid and consistent rhtyhm to the Tigers offense. With the support the exceptional Tiger defense on his side, Jefferson needs to play mistake free football to give his team a chance agains the Gators.

This game is a close one, and a potential BCS Championship Game matchup. LSU has the slight advantage because of location and Tebow’s questionable health. The Gators defense rises to the occasion, but the Tigers edge out the #1 team in college football.

EverydayQB prediction: Gators 24, Tigers 27 (8:00pm ET, CBS)

October 21st will mark the 1 year anniversary of the EverydayQB! Thank you for reading and making this blog a success so far. There are so many blogs out there and so many different people writing so many different things. I am thankful for readers like you that are interested in how sports and football are valuable to our everyday lives.

As a thank you for contributing to the growth of the EverydayQB community, we want to have another grand prize giveaway in celebration of 1 year on the web. But this time, instead of having you leave comments which make you eligible for the drawing, we’d like to here more about what you think about the game of football and quarterbacks.

So here’s the deal. Email The Everyday QB (ryan@everydayqb.com) and share what you think are some of the most important attributes of a great quarterback, athlete or leader. By sending the email, your name will be placed in a box to be eligible for the drawing on October 21st when we will give away an authentic NFL Jersey of your choice, a great gift for Christmas time or to wear to support your team!

The emails can be text or video, but must contain at least a paragraph of your thoughts and beliefs on what makes a great athlete, quarterback or leader. On October 20, we will post all of the submissions in a blog post for everyone to see, kind of a collage of values that make great leaders and athletes.

If you have a website or blog that you are affiliated with, don’t be shy to add that onto your email and we’ll link it with your name.

Thank you again, for making EverydayQB a meaningful and successful moment in people’s everyday lives.

This week in our ‘Inside the Game’ breakdown we’re going to take a look at a big game on Saturday with the #9 and #11 teams going face to face in an important match up to stay in the top 10 and BCS hunt. The first time since 2005 that both teams are ranked going into this game, both Miami and Virginia Tech have started out strong and are looking to bring their programs back into the upper echelon of football programs in the nation. This game will be a turning point for both teams. Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks from each team and what they must do for their team to come out on top.

Jacory Harris (Hurricanes): This sophomore quarterback is seeing the field well and finding the mismatches that have helped his team to a 2-0 record. Miami is averaging 35.5 points and leads the ACC with 465.0 yards of total offense per game. Harris has done a great job of spreading the ball around to his vast array of talented receivers and running backs, making it difficult for defenses to put pressure on Harris. Harris needs to continue his exceptional play that he has shown in his games against Florida State and Georgia Tech. Getting out to a good start, getting all of his weapons in sync and moving the ball down the field will be important early, to put the Hokie defense on their toes.

Tyrod Taylor (Hokies):Even though the Hokies lost their first game to #5 Alabama, Taylor has responded well and led his team to two consecutive victories, including a game winning touchdown pass last week against Nebraska. This junior quarterback needs to use the home field to his advantage, getting the crowd involved early and putting doubt into the Hurricane defense that they can contain him. The Canes will try and pressure Taylor into making mistakes with the football. He must remain poised and get the ball into the hands of his top reeiver, Ryan Williams, who already has 6 touchdowns on the year. Tyrod has a lot of pressure on him to lead his team to win this game, and he must use his feet and his arm to make a statement on the national stage.

Both teams will come out firing and both quarterbacks will play well. Even though the Hokies are at home, the Hurricanes seem to be on a road to meet destiny. This great game will have a phenomenal finish, but the Canes will come out on top.

EverydayQB prediction: Hurricanes 24, Hokies 17

After analyzing these two contrasted offenses, the veer and the spread, its time to choose our winner. Which offense is better functioning with a greater chance of success? As with most things, it depends:

It depends greatly on the mentality of the coach involved. If an ‘old-school’ coach is of the mindset that football is about running the football and running it often, the veer is the way to go. If run repetitively and with precision, coupled with a few passes that connect for big yards, the veer can be a very effective offense ran in high school and sometimes college programs.

However, by far, the spread offense is becoming an effective and quickly growing offense used by many teams and programs across the country. The spread offers a better variety of packages and plays that keep a defense on their heels. The option to easily run or pass out of the shotgun, while giving the qb plenty of vision to see what is in front of him, makes this offense extremely viable. Short passes and quick runs lure the defense in for the deep vertical routes to open up.

Quarterbacks in the spread are changing the type and requirements needed for playing the game of football in the qb position. Gone may be the days of the ‘running’ qb or the ‘pocket’ qb. Instead, quarterbacks are asked to have the ability to throw the ball down field AND make good running decisions with the football.

As defenses adjust and react to the spread and its growing popularity, it will be fascinating to watch the game of football evolve again, just another reason why this sport is one of the greatest in the world.

Last Friday night I had an opportunity again to see the Gladstone Gladiators, a predominantly veer team, play a high school football game. It was interesting, however, as the game progressed, that their offense took on a new look, an evolved one, where the quarterback was in the shotgun and the running back was next to him. “Its the Spread offense!” I said to myself, “The Veer team is running the Spread!”

After the game one of the coaches assured me that the formation they were in that resembled the spread was definitely not anything close to the spread offense. So here’s a look at what the spread offense is and how it developed.

Definition: The spread offense begins with a no-huddle approach with the quarterback in the shotgun formation much of the time. The fundamental nature of the spread offense involves spreading the field horizontally using 3, 4, and even 5-receiver sets (some implementations of the spread also feature wide splits between the offensive linemen). The object of the spread offense is to open up multiple vertical seams for both the running and passing game to exploit, as the defense is forced to spread itself thin across the field (a “horizontal stretch”) to cover everyone.

History: The father of the spread offense is Rusty Russell, a graduate of Howard Payne University, in Brownwood, Texas, and coach of Fort Worth’s Masonic Home and School for orphaned boys. Russell began coaching Masonic Home in 1927, and due to the fact that his teams were often over matched physically by other schools, they were called the “Mighty Mites.” While there, he deployed the earliest form of a spread offense to great success. The Spread is not an offense used by teams at all levels of the game.

Strengths: The strength of the Spread offense is its ability to, as it implies, ‘Spread’ the defense and isolate defensive backs on receivers. Furthermore, it provides running options that give quarterbacks and running backs a chance to hit holes vertically and with vision. The Spread also can incorporate receivers into the running game by bringing them in motion as a part of sweep plays or triple options.

Weaknesses: The Spread can be unproductive if players do not take care of the football. Making smart passing decisions in the secondary and having effective hand offs are critical to the Spread’s success. Furthermore, if a center can’t snap the ball efficiently and with accuracy there can be problems with timing and ball handling.

Personnel Needed For Success: The Spread offense needs receivers who run disciplined routes with good spacing. Running backs must be able to hit wholes with confidence and be able to catch the ball on screens and quick swings. A line that can protect and give the quarterback time to throw down field is also important.

What The Quarterback Must Do: The QB MUST make good decisions with the football. The spread will not be successful is a QB is indecisive or throws into a crowd. The QB must also be willing to run the football downfield and pick up 3-4 yards when needed, keeping the defense honest and taking pressure off the running backs and receivers.

Stay tuned for tomorrow when I explain which offense I think is the better one and why…

Today we’re going to look at one of the most popular and long standing offenses in the game of the football. the veer offense is an offense of ball control, minimizing mismatches and forcing the defense to play their assignments. Let’s take a look at this offense:

Definition: a running offense that involves the option of a quarterback and two running backs. The Veer option is generally regarded as a “triple option“. It is designed as a Four back attack with one player taking a dive course, one taking a pitch course and another being a lead blocker on the perimeter of the offensive formation. The QB makes reads on defensive players and then distributes the ball according to the defensive reaction to the offense

History:Most authoritative sources credit Bill Yeoman with the invention of the Veer in 1964, and he ran that offense with the University of Houston Cougars for 25 years. He installed the offense, which led to multiple conference titles and unprecedented success.

Strengths: The Veer offense is effective because it seeks to isolate individual defenses players, forcing them to make a decision and reacting to that decision. It is also effective because it can be practicing and ran with precision by most teams. The veer forces defenses to play assignment football and capitalizes on their mistakes.

Weaknesses: The veer can break down if the offense players involved make poor decisions with the football. A pitch in football can create turnovers. Furthermore, the veer can be constricted to running to the ‘wide side of the field’, therefore making them predictable and easier to stop.

Personnel Needed For Success: The Veer must have offensive linemen who can create space by getting a good push off of the line, running backs who keep space between themselves and the quarterback and receivers who can block downfield.

What The Quarterback Must Do: The quarterback must be a run threat and make good decisions with the football. A qb in the veer offense needs to make appropriate reads and not be afraid to be hit by the defensive end while pitching the football to the running back.

On Friday night I had the opportunity to watch a high school football game in the area. The Scappoose Indians hosted the Gladstone Gladiators in an epic battle at the beginning of the season. Both teams have quality programs and athletes. It was great to immerse myself into the high school football atmosphere, under the lights on a perfect night with the smell of cut grass and sausage dogs.

The game was a perfect example of two of the most eccentric types of offenses run in football today. An old style, that’s been around since the beginning: the veer, or ‘option’ offense, up against the new and fast paced ‘spread’ offense. The game on Friday night was a great chance to watch both of these offenses at work and see how they played out against each other in a football game.

So this week, the EverydayQB will be doing a breakdown of both offenses, a description of each, their strengths, weaknesses and the personnel needed in order to make the offense work. We’ll take a look at some of the best players to play within these offenses and what has made them so successful.

So if you are a player, a coach, or just a football fan, check back over the next couple days to learn more about these two dynamic offenses.

Both Mark Sanchez and Matthew Stafford experienced the NFL for the first time on Sunday. Each worked hard in the pre-season, earning the starting jobs for the Jets and the Lions. Each had their first games on Sunday. One went well, one not so well. What was the defense in these two games? The EverydayQB has followed Sanchez and Stafford from draft day to opening day, touting each as quality quarterbacks with bright futures. But their placement has been everything, and each will see how much of a difference having a good defense makes on yoru performance and success. Here’s why:

Mark Sanchez opened his NFL career against a talented team in the Houston Texans. Sanchez, the fifth overall pick in this year’s draft, threw for 272 yards and a touchdown, Thomas Jones scored twice, and the Jets shut down Houston’s high-powered offense in a 24-7 win Sunday. Coach Ryan’s defense was a steel trap, allowing Sanchez to relax and ease into the game without having the pressure of having to perform immediately. Sanchez did the little things right and got the ball into the hands of people who made plays for him. A combination of Sanchez’s poise and the tough Jet defense made Sanchez’s day a success.

Matthew Stafford’s first start had its ups and downs. The 2009 top overall draft choice was 16 of 37 for 205 yards with three interceptions, two by safety Darren Sharper, the other by linebacker Scott Shanle. The biggest issue for Stafford was that the Lions were constantly behind the entire game. Having to play from behind changes the mindset of a quarterback. You are more prone to throwing down field and forcing the ball, creating opportunities for interceptions. The lack of quality play from the Lion’s defense made Stafford’s opening day one he’d like to forget.

So what does the future hold for these two rookie starters? It depends on their team’s defense. If the Jets can continue to hold teams to limited points, Sanchez will prosper and thrive in a successful environment and, if the Lions don’t pick up their defense, the black hole named Detroit could swallow Stafford alive. Only time will tell.

This week’s ‘Inside the Game’ matchup is sure to be one of the great games of the season: Michigan vs. Notre Dame. Both teams are recovering from mediocre programs and both coaches need this win as a feather in their hat. Both teams are looking to show that they are back to the elite level that they once were. This is a difficult game to pick. Here’s what each QB must do if they team is going to win on Saturday.

Tate Forcier (Wolverines): Forcier is a young quarterback that has been named the starter for this week. He had 3 TDs and a 65% completion percentage last week in Michigan’s win over Western Michigan. Forcier is a freshmen who has less experience on a big stage compared to Jimmy Clausen on the Irish. Playing at home will make it a little easier in his first big game. Forcier will need to be equally sharp this week against the Notre Dame defense. He must play mistake free football in order to give his team a chance to win.

Jimmy Clausen (Fighting Irish): Clausen was equally impressive last week, with an 85% completion percentage and 4 TDs in their shutout against Nevada. Clausen must utilize his offensive weapons in order to win this game. He has the experience and skills to be a great quarterback. How he handles the rowdiness of the Michigan fans and gaining momemtum for his team early will prove important. Furthermore, his movement in the pocket and ability to escape the pressure that the Wolverines will put on him will determine how well he adjusts to their first big game of the season.

Look for Clausen and Forcier both to have great games, with Clausen having just a little more experience and offensive tools to get the win.

(N Dame at Michigan–Saturday 9/12, 3:30 PM ET ABC)

EverydayQB pick: Wolverines 31, Fighting Irish 35.

As football season is in full swing now, the rest of America is beginning to catch football fever. High schools are back in school and Friday nights will be filled with games and dances, while Saturdays offer the suspense and excitement of college football, leaving the NFL to show us how its done on Sundays. Every weekend will be full of great football.

For some reason this year I’ve been very excited to watch football. I love hanging out at home, on the couch, watching big games. I also enjoy going to see games in person, when my schedule permits. My wife enjoys watching games in person much more than on tv and I think I might have some ideas as to why.

Going to a football game engages all of your senses and creates an atmosphere of enjoyment, memories and excitement. Here are some of the sights, sounds and smells of the football game experience:

1. The Sights: Bright colors, clean cut grass and bright lights engage the corneas in a mystical display of visual stimulation. As a player, seeing the stands full raises your stomach in your throat, but gives you a feeling of importance and value. The movement and coordination of a football play is a beautiful thing to watch, seeing young men in coordinated moves attempting to best one another.

2. The Sounds: Pep band music, cheers of the crowd and helmets colliding bring the fan into a array of sounds in the game of football. As a kid, I can remember singing along to all of the pep band songs, pretending to play by trumpet or trombone. The hush of the crowd before a big play or the roar when their team hits the endzone creates a sometimes deafening, but thrilling experience.

3. The Smells: Hotdogs, hamburgers, sweat and grass make football games a potpourri of sensational smells. Smell, one of the strongest ways to evoke memories, make football games an experience you won’t forget. College fans tailgate before games, cooking all kinds of meats, and the smell of popcorn from the concessions mixes well with the player’s sweat and fresh cut grass and leather pigskin.

Perhaps these sights, sounds and smells arouse in you the same love of the game I am trying to portray. Perhaps they don’t. But if they don’t, may they at least paint a picture for you as to way the game of football is special to so many, and may it pique in interest in your heart to join the fans and experience a sight, sound or smell of this amazing sport.