I simply do not understand how Petersen, who is a true offensive tactician, hasn't embraced the simple mathematical advantage that having a QB that is a true threat in the running game gives an offense.
Clemson's passing offense is stunningly simple. They utilize relatively few concepts. But so much of it is based on RPOs and tags off of running plays, that even a defense like Bama's struggles with it. And the use of the QB in the running game helps to even the numbers up, or even give the offense a mathematical advantage (based on reading at least one defender, and often two) on basically every run.
I suspect the reason Petersen hasn't embraced it is because of the risk to the QB posed by carrying the ball a lot. I don't think that is a big enough concern not to take full advantage, but I guess he does.
Of course having really good receivers helps too.
