No-Huddle Epidemic Continues to Spread Across Big 12

Yes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but this is getting ridiculous. First, Colorado announced its intentions to utilize a no-huddle offense in 2008. Now we get more information about Oklahoma and their desire for a speedier offensive approach. These two teams join Missouri, Texas Tech and Kansas as other Big 12 teams running some version of a no-huddle approach.

The shift to a quicker offensive tempo is based in large part on the success that this sort of attack has had in recent years.

The top eight college football offenses in 2008 ran versions of a no-huddle. Four of those -- Missouri, Houston, Texas Tech and Tulsa -- ran more than 1,000 plays (OU ran 975). Tulsa (1,126) and Missouri (1,112) led the nation in total plays.

This means we can probably expect more in the way of outrageous scoring come Big 12 play. 76-39? 65-51? 59-43? But other than concession vendors who can complain about more plays and more scores per contest?

Back in Oklahoma, the Sooners have been slowly implementing the no-huddle this spring. In the team's most recent scrimmage the up-tempo attack led to "volatile" results.

Keith Nichol and Mossis Madu produced back-to-back gainers of 20 and 12 yards, then Nichol threw an interception to Jonathan Nelson.

Bradford hit Quentin Chaney for 19 yards on third-and-6, but was sacked three plays later.

Nichol hooked up with Chaney for 16 yards on third-and-10 and scrambled for 5 yards on third-and-2, but Justin Johnson lost a fumble on the next play.

"Today was about as game-like as we've had with the no-huddle as far as the referees and the clock and everything going," Bradford said. "I think we did move the ball pretty well. We did have some penalties that hurt us, but I thought our tempo was good today and guys for the most part, we were on the same page."

In Colorado, on the other hand, the defensive staff has realized the benefits that practicing against a no-huddle approach could have come fall.

"It's awesome," defensive coordinator Ron Collins said. "It's so good for us to get out there and have to face that every day because we're going to see a lot of it during the season."

We as Big 12 fans are going to see a lot of it too. Suddenly no-huddle is the new black, and everybody's wearing it.