...but I read where the coaches mentioned that Fannin may get some more looks from the tail back position (or maybe wildcat?).
Good idea? Bad idea? Of no consequence?
I like the idea myself. The stats show he carried it 6 times for 56 yards, but I only found 5 carries in the play-by-play. They were runs of 4, 16, 2, 15, and 7 yards. That's almost 9 yards per carry in a game that Auburn averaged 2.7 yards (of course sacks make that worse than it seems, but Tate averaged 3.8)
Up to this point, Fannin has gotten the ball most often on screens. They try to throw it to him out in the flat and let him make some moves in space. It isn't working so well these days. Often it's read by the defense and secondly I don't think out receivers are the best at sealing off the DB to give Fannin the space to begin with. How many times have we seen him hit within 1 second of catching the ball? (the answer is too many)
To me, the best pass plays to a back are the ones to Eric Smith that are beyond the line of scrimmage, not a screen to Fannin.
I also think Fannin does better from the backfield than he does in space. Seems strange, but in space he takes too much time trying to make someone miss and figure out the best route to take. From the backfield he just goes, hits holes and gets himself into space (different than catching the ball already in space).
Anyway, I hope he does see more time back there. Maybe he gets McCalebb's carries?