Technically, the term "Spread" has more to do with offensive line gaps, but what I'd like to talk about is the pass-first version using shotgun snaps and primarily one-back sets with 3-5 WR.
OU, MU, OSU, and KU were supposed to kick ass this year. What happened? Is the "Spread" attack as we know it going the way of the Dodo?
From what I understand, the Spread was designed to compensate for weak OL play. The idea being, if you run enough receivers out into the pattern, there will be someone open before the D-Line can get to the QB. The angles for running the ball to the outside are better because of the deep handoffs. No arguing that some teams have had success with it. On paper, it's all well and great, but it does have some very basic issues.
1. It is nearly impossible to generate an interior running game. In most defensive sets, there are 7 defenders in the 'box', and you only have 5 linemen to block them. Draw plays work if the LBs drop back into a zone, but you're not going to burn them on that two plays in a row, so no consitency. It's alot easier for a defense to make their reads knowing that you're basically never going to try to pound it up the middle.
2. It's horrendous in the red-zone. DB's can tighten-up their coverage because they don't have to defend the deep sideline routes. You get more tipped passes and INTs. Shotgun snaps will always be dicier than a direct exchange (more turnovers and stalled drives). Does an OL that mostly pass-blocks in practice and games have a handicap when they're trying to punch it in on the goal-line?
3. Pressure, pressure, pressure. In high pressure situations, the more complicated tasks tend to break-down first. Simpler is always better when everything's hanging on one play. QB throwing mechanics, timing routes, shotgun snaps... just too many things to **** up. Sure, if everything goes right, you can beat ANYONE. But realistically, you're more likely to drop games you shouldn't because you're running some Rube Goldberg abomination of an offense.
4. Point #3 kind of ties in with this last thought. Consistency is king in college ball. There is no playoff system. A 8-4 NFL team still has a chance of getting hot, making a playoff run, and winning the whole enchilada. A 8-4 college team is stuck playing in the 'Weedeater Also-rans Bowl'. In college, you simply can't afford to drop games to inferior teams. That happens way too much when you set out to throw the ball 40+ times per game.
