Counterplays
After the 1970 regular season, Texas looked well on its way to winning its 31st consecutive game and third consecutive national title in the Cotton Bowl Classic game versus the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. However, Ara Parseghian and his coaching staff put together the first known strategy for countering the Veer. Although the Veer can either be run on the interior of the line or on the edge, at this point, the veer was primarily run on the inside. The coaching staff implemented the following plan: focus the interior linemen and inside linebackers on stopping the dive back. Focus the outside linebackers and defensive end on stopping the quarterback as he cuts up the field. Focus the cornerbacks and safeties on stopping the pitch man (although they would have help from any defensive players who flowed to the ball). The strategy limited the Texas offense to 11 points, and Notre Dame won. However, it became clear after such a demonstration that the veer could be an effective weapon if used properly.
In the F.S.U.-Houston game in the Gator Bowl in 1968, the 'Noles brought the safeties up and they ignored the QB, running right by him at times, and crashed into the trailing back, usually Paul Gipson. This took the pitch option away. The Veer wasn't stopped but it was slowed. Florida State won the game 40-20.
Read more about this topic: Veer