I think it’s been a number of years since the last triple-option/veer oriented team
has come out as #1 in the final polls; Nebraska in 1997 is what comes to my mind,
but they may have “modernized” things by then. Since then (if then was then)
almost all top I-A teams have had balanced offenses, with the triple-option the
realm of smaller schools like Air Force. Will we see a triple-option (or the like) team
ever win it again, or has that offensive style been selected out of the game (or the
very top tier at least)?
West Virginia is definitely a run-oriented team, and they were ranked #3 in the BCS just a few weeks ago. It’s not the old 'Bone like Nebraska used to run, but there are definitely hints of the Veer, IIRC from watching their game against Louisville. Their QB often lines up in the Gun and has an option give to the tailback. If he decides to keep it, he may have an option pitch as well. I believe Urban Meyer pioneered this style of spread-run offense back at Utah and Bowling Green. He’s also carried it with him to Florida, and they’re still in the hunt for a national title. Ohio State looks like they’ve been influenced by it a bit, as they often line up in the spread and let Troy Smith get out of the pocket. I think they remain a pretty balanced offense, though.
So to answer your question, I believe a run-oriented team can and will win the NCAA again, just not using the Wishbone.
It all depends on your definitions. As was noted there’s always a lot of teams that use a very high percentage of running plays. This year there are several who have 3 running threats on the field at all times if you include the QB. True, the Wishbone, T-formation, Triple Option and such are probably not coming back any time soon, but there’ll be a new system invented which is thought to be unstoppable on the ground but that team might still pass more than 6 times a game like the teams of old.
Still, Nebraska and Oklahoma and Penn State back in the day had the benefit of not playing in the BCS era. For all it’s flaws it does succeed in matching dominant teams at the end of the season and forces stronger non-conference scheduling. Those famous Nebraska teams finished seasons frequently in which they didn’t play a single power team who you’d expect to force them out of the run. All-in-all there’s more parity in both tactics and athletic ability than there once was and the fact that you can’t avoid tough games any more makes one-dimensional dominance as unlikely in the NCAA as it is in the NFL.
EVER? Well, that’s a long time, so we should never say never.
However, the main problem with the wishbone is this: nowadays, players gravitate to the school they think gives them the best chance of making it to the NFL. Since nobody in the NFL runs the option, most top high school players don’t want to go to colleges that employ it.
I mean, Tommie Frazier had a fantastic college career, but you haven’t heard his name on Sundays, have you?
Well, I liked most of your post — but this is way off base. Tommie Frazier would have been a GOD on Sundays (and I’m not even a Husker fan) were it not for his blood clots. It wasn’t because he came out of a running system.
In Nebraska’s 93-97 run, NU went 60-3 and played plenty of tough teams.
In 94, they ran through #3 Miami with Sapp and Ray Lewis and Colorado with Kordell and Heisman winner Salaam. Both finished in the top five.
In 95, they beat four Top Ten teams by an average 49-18… including #2 Florida 62-24 in the Fiesta bowl.
In 97, they won the Big XII and beat more ranked teams than Michigan (who shared the title), including #3 Tennessee with Manning 42-17.
What happened after?
After 97, Tom Osborne left, and his successor Solich was never able coach the power-I/option offense as well (although we did finish #2 in 1999 and Crouch won the Heisman in 2001). While there were many factors (foremost being Solich was a terrible recruiter), it basically came down to other teams figuring out Solich’s offense by stacking 11 in the box.
Now, the current coach Callahan is trying some variance with the West Coast Offense, with mixed results (often game-to-game).
I don’t think an exclusively-running team will ever win it all. Defenses are just too fast. And talent is more spread-around these days.
On Tommie Frazier, he just recently made headlines in Nebraska. he tried coaching, at Baylor and Doane (NAIA in Nebraska), but it didn’t work out so well. He just “resigned” from Doane after going 3-17 in 3 years. He was trying to instill a Div-IA powerhouse work ethic with NAIA non-schollie players. There were only 40 players in the roster for his final game. Ouch!