From Cam Newton to Robert Griffin III to Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick, many of the NFL’s most exciting young quarterbacks are frequently running systems and schemes that haven’t been seen much at this level, and they’re finding great success in doing so. One of the most intriguing elements that’s shown up to some extent in most of these new attacks is what’s known as the zone read. Might this be San Francisco’s ticket to Super Bowl success this weekend?

Four big-name quarterbacks wound up on the wrong side of the score this weekend and many have already blamed each of them for their team’s respective losses. It’s understandable, quarterbacks get much of the attention in any game, win or lose. However, just as pivots are often heaped with undeserved praise following poor performances in a win, they often get undeserved criticism after turning in a solid showing in a losing effort. Andrew Bucholtz explains.

When Johnny Manziel won the Heisman Trophy, he proved that freshman players are capable of playing at an elite level. Does this mean that the NFL should revise its rule that draft-eligible players must be out of high school for at least three years, or should Manziel continue to excel, proving his first season wasn’t just a flash in the pan?

With a convincing win over top-ranked Alabama last weekend, Texas A&M may have shown that teams competing in the SEC need not rely on defense-oriented strategies. With Heisman candidate Johnny Manziel leading the attack, the Aggies may have found a way to break away from tradition, using a pass-first strategy. We’ll have to wait and see how long it carries them.

Many college football teams are having success this season not by fielding intense offenses, but instead by shutting down the opponents’ attack with superb defenses. Looking back at recent national champions suggests that defense may, in fact, be the way to go when building a program. Is strong defense really that much more valuable over a potent offense?

Dr. Robert Cantu is a leading neurosurgeon and an expert when it comes to concussions and sports. His book, “Concussions and our Kids,” provides a thorough analysis of the problem and offers possible solutions for sports-related concussions – or at least ways to mitigate them, and does so through detailed explanations and examples. Trust us, it’s worth your time.

When a football team wins, many are quite to attribute the victory to one good play or solid drive courtesy of the quarterback. Yet, in some cases, like Michael Vick’s lackluster performance against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, the quarterback is given praise where praise is not due, and that’s something Andrew Bucholtz believes needs to stop.

The West Virginia Mountaineers may be ranked outsite the top-10 in both the AP and coaches’ polls, but they’re still among the favorites to win, despite the fact they’re moving into the Big 12. Head coach Dana Holgorsen looks to lead his team to the promised land, as he is more familiar than usual with his new conference rivals.

When it comes to selling the on-field product, the NFL has a lot of work to do in promoting off-the-field content as well. From recruitment to public relations to management to fan events, there’s a lot of work to be done to make sure the stands stay packed and the teams keep winning. Andrew Bucholtz explains.

The Penn State story continues. The school has decided to remove the statue of fallen legend Joe Paterno, while NCAA president Mark Emmert is alone issuing sever sanctions against Penn State. This potentially opens up a world of new issues, as Emmert is skipping the usual investigative process and instead is taking matters into his own hands.