Back when the ten-second rule was a hot button issue, Nick Saban stood behind the proposal with reasons of his own (mostly because it put the defense at a disadvantage substitution wise), however, Saban and new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin took college football junkies by surprise by using some no huddle principles in their win over West Virginia this past weekend.
Lane Kiffin had the offense ready for some no huddle, and finally had to use it about midway through the second quarter when Blake Sims (starting his first game under center for the Tide) had some issues relaying the formations and play calls in the huddle. While they certainly didn't seem to have the same sense of urgency at the line of scrimmage as most no-huddle teams, they still managed to get in nearly 20 more plays than they averaged in 2013.
As Saban explains it, their no-huddle isn't like what you see at Texas A&M or Ole Miss. While most teams use the up tempo pace for an advantage, Saban sees the no huddle as a way to communicate more effectively.
"We weren't really trying to go fast. We can go fast, but to me, for us, it was a communication issue." Saban explained in an AL.com piece.
"It's easier to communicate when you're going no-huddle because you just have code words and short words for plays and passes and that kind of stuff. It eliminates the communication in the huddle, it makes it easier for the quarterback, so that's the reason that we went to it to settle Blake (Sims) down in the game."
Instead of the popular hurry-up no huddle, AL.com writer Michael Casagrande has tabbed the Tide's version as the "no-huddle, no-hurry" and with Kiffin pulling the trigger on offense, it's here to stay...even if it remains to be in small doses, it has its clear advantages.