tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31251534245205546112024-02-20T09:46:41.408-05:00BUCKEYE FOOTBALL ANALYSISA site dedicated to Buckeye X's and O'sBoulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-16590299722872494712010-09-17T09:26:00.000-04:002010-09-17T09:26:27.579-04:00I Moved!From now on I'm posting at <a href="http://alongtheolentangy.com/">alongtheolentangy.com</a>. I have even more great stuff over there, such as offensive and defensive breakdowns of Ohio State, in-depth play analysis, and analyzing an opposing team's schemes. I've teamed up with Tyler T., who also knows his x's and o's and does great game previews and other x's and o's analysis. Please check us out! Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-66818883582088196982010-08-27T08:56:00.000-04:002010-08-27T08:56:23.415-04:00The Ohio State Offensive Playbook Part III: The Zone SeriesZone blocking schemes and their corresponding play-action passes have become perhaps the primary staple of the Ohio State offense. OSU utilizes the zone scheme in both 'pro' and 'spread' style formations. The benefit for the offense, of course, is that zone plays are run largely the same for the players from both formations, while giving the defense two entirely different looks and taking advantage of the benefits each formation brings to running the zone scheme. For brevity's sake, I am going to split part III into two parts (call them part 3a and 3b if you will), so that I can focus on the particular aspects of the zone read. For starters, I am going to focus on the zone play from pro-style formations.<br />
<br />
<i>The Zone Scheme</i><br />
<br />
<a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Oklahoma-goes-on-the-run-to-beat?urn=ncaaf-196213" mce_href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Oklahoma-goes-on-the-run-to-beat?urn=ncaaf-196213">Zone running</a> actually encompass two different plays-the inside and outside zone. Ohio State primarily runs the inside zone, but will employ both.<br />
<u>Inside Zone</u><br />
Below is a diagram of the basic inside zone play, as well as a clip of Ohio State running inside zone. (H/T: Smart Football):<br />
<a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426047/IZ-run.gif" mce_href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426047/IZ-run.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Iz-run_medium" class="photo" mce_src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426047/IZ-run_medium.gif" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426047/IZ-run_medium.gif" /></a> <br />
<br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XpLWJY6Iy5w&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" /></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /></param><embed allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XpLWJY6Iy5w&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" allowScriptAccess="always" height="385" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XpLWJY6Iy5w&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" width="640"></embed></object> " width="640" height="385"> <br />
<i>More, after the Jump:</i><br />
<img class="mcePageBreak mceItemNoResize" mce_src="http://www.sbnation.com/javascripts/vendor/tiny_mce_3_0_7/plugins/pagebreak/img/trans.gif" src="http://www.sbnation.com/javascripts/vendor/tiny_mce_3_0_7/plugins/pagebreak/img/trans.gif" /><br />
To break this down further, <a href="http://smartfootball.com/" mce_href="http://smartfootball.com/">Smart Football</a> provides an excellent explanation of the zone scheme that I will not try to duplicate, but merely <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone" mce_href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone">cite in full</a>.<br />
<blockquote> <b>On zone plays</b>, the linemen keep the same blocking schemes, regardless of how many tight-ends or wide receivers they use . . . On all zone runs, the linemen must ask, "Am I ‘covered’ (is there a guy directly in front of me, aside from a linebacker set back a few years)? Or am I ‘uncovered’ (there is no one directly in front of me)?"<br />
</blockquote><blockquote> If "covered," there is very little "zoning" at all: The lineman’s job is to block the guy in front of them. Fans, commentators, and even coaches often overcomplicate things. The "zone" aspect comes in with "uncovered" linemen. If "uncovered," the lineman must step "playside" — i.e. the side the run is going to — and help double-team the defensive linemen along with his "covered" cohort. Once the two of them control that down defensive lineman, one of the offensive linemen slides off to hit a linebacker. It’s not that complicated. Indeed, let’s say the five offensive linemen are covered by five defensive linemen. In that case, each guy (save for maybe the backside offensive tackle) will just block the guy in front of them — there is no "zoning" at all.<br />
</blockquote>For the inside zone, the uncovered linemen are going to combo block more vertically.<br />
<blockquote> On the inside zone the runner aims for the outside hip of the offensive guard. Now, his read can vary by team. Some teams have him read that three technique defensive tackle, while others have him read the middle or "Mike" linebacker. In both cases the idea is for him to find the "vertical" crease — either straight playside off the guard’s hip or backside on a cutback.<br />
</blockquote>For those interested, <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2010/06/zone-blocking-run-hudson-ull.html" mce_href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2010/06/zone-blocking-run-hudson-ull.html">here is a more in-depth discussion</a> of offensive line rules in the zone game. Zone rushing plays both simply assignments for the offensive linemen, and provide the opportunity for tailbacks with good vision to find the hole, taking pressure off the offensive line.<br />
<u>Lead Zone</u><br />
Specific to Ohio State, it is important to note that the zone play can be run as a 'lead zone.' This simply means that out of the I formation, the fullback will lead block for the tailback rather than block backside. The offensive line's assignments stay the same. What that means in practical terms is rather than set up a particular linebacker for an 'ISO' block, the O-Line is going to block like the fullback is not going to be there, and then the fullback simply picks up whatever defensive player shows. The fullback is going to aim for the same place as the tailback--the outside hip of the playside guard. Generally he will block a playside linebacker. Ohio State employs the lead zone as much, if not more, than the 'pure' inside zone--it is one of the most frequent OSU run plays. Below are clips of Ohio State running lead zone.<br />
<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4sZOXwi4QqE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4sZOXwi4QqE?fs=1&hl=en_US" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4sZOXwi4QqE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> " width="480" height="385"> <br />
<object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QlXePYW1Cz8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QlXePYW1Cz8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QlXePYW1Cz8&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xd0d0d0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="385"></embed></object> " width="640" height="385"> <br />
<u>Outside Zone</u><br />
As noted, OSU employs the outside zone far less than an exclusively <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/10/geaux-hawkeyes-outside-zone.html" mce_href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/10/geaux-hawkeyes-outside-zone.html">pro-style zone team</a>. Nonetheless, it is worth saying a quick word. Here, again, is Smart Football:<br />
<blockquote> It gets a little trickier regarding the difference between inside and outside zones, though this involves technique, not assignment. (And this is where the rabbit hole begins, as there are a zillion coaching points to doing this well, but that is better discussed in a coaching DVD rather than this overview.)<br />
On outside zone plays, the offensive linemen take a bit more of a lateral first step and try to reach the defender across from them. He wants to get his body between the defender and the sideline. It’s important to note, however, that the very act of <i>trying</i> to reach the defender often gets him flying to the sideline, at which time the offensive lineman can then switch to driving the defender to the sideline. The runningback aims for a point outside the tight-end, though he can cut it upfield wherever a seam appears.<br />
</blockquote>Here is an accompanying diagram of the scheme:<br />
<a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426092/OutsideZone.gif" mce_href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426092/OutsideZone.gif" target="_blank"><img alt="Outsidezone_medium" class="photo" mce_src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426092/OutsideZone_medium.gif" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426092/OutsideZone_medium.gif" /></a> <br />
As one can see, the outside zone is attacking the outside hip of the tackle box. The outside zone is an outside to cut-up play, inside zone is a play side to cutback play.<br />
<u>Naked Bootleg</u><br />
From under center, the perfect accompanying play-action pass to the zone play is the <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html" mce_href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html">naked bootleg</a>. As I <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/osu-jersey-scrimmage-talkin-xs-and-os.html" mce_href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/osu-jersey-scrimmage-talkin-xs-and-os.html">previously noted</a>, Ohio State emphasized this play during the jersey scrimmage, and I expect it to be a major part of the offense this season, as it utilizes the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/07/maple-street-press-preview-out.html" mce_href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/07/maple-street-press-preview-out.html">combination</a> of OSU's inside run game, and the outside pass/run threat presented by Terrelle Pryor.<br />
<a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426100/bootleg.png" mce_href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426100/bootleg.png" target="_blank"><img alt="Bootleg_medium" class="photo" mce_src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426100/bootleg_medium.png" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426100/bootleg_medium.png" /></a> <br />
The top-left diagram demonstrates what Ohio State employed during the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/osu-jersey-scrimmage-talkin-xs-and-os.html" mce_href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/osu-jersey-scrimmage-talkin-xs-and-os.html">jersey scrimmage</a>. Ohio State would fake the inside zone from some variation of the I-formation, where the fullback would carry out his backside block and then release into the flat. Ohio State employed a weak-side flood route combination off the inside zone bootleg.<br />
<a href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426108/69.png" mce_href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426108/69.png" target="_blank"><img alt="69_medium" class="photo" mce_src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426108/69_medium.png" src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/426108/69_medium.png" /></a> <br id="1282913147254" /> <br />
<br />
The combination of the inside zone run play and naked bootleg attacking the backside flat will be a primary play-combination for OSU this season.<br />
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<b><i>This series can also be seen at <a href="http://alongtheolentangy.com/">AlongtheOlentangy.com</a>, where I will be posting my game breakdown and other thoughts this season.</i></b>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-83038632403248266952010-08-26T19:44:00.000-04:002010-08-26T19:44:47.752-04:00Movin' Day!<div style="text-align: justify;">I have the pleasure to announce this fall that I am moving my blog to '<a href="http://www.alongtheolentangy.com/">Along the Olentangy</a>' at Sports Blog Nation. There I will be teeming with fellow OhioState.scout.com insider '<a href="http://ohiostate.scout.com/">DontHateOState</a>' to provide even more in-depth x's and o's and analytical coverage. Not only will I continue to provide game reviews, but we will also provide in-depth game previews, x's and o's analysis of the Buckeye opponents, and much more. The new blog will provide the opportunity to provide everyone more coverage of the type provided here, but also a nice, clean format to make things even better. Thank you for everyone that has followed by posts over here, and I hope you continue to follow us at <a href="http://alongtheolentangy.com/">AlongtheOlentangy.com</a>. </div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-58877133726141764382010-08-26T19:37:00.001-04:002010-08-26T19:37:41.143-04:00The Ohio State 3-4Check out my <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2010/08/2010-preview-the-ohio-state-3-4.html#comment-151037" mce_href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2010/08/2010-preview-the-ohio-state-3-4.html#comment-151037">guest post</a> re the Ohio State <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2010/08/2010-preview-the-ohio-state-3-4.html#comment-151037" mce_href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2010/08/2010-preview-the-ohio-state-3-4.html#comment-151037">'half eagle/half under' 3-4</a> over at <a href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/" mce_href="http://www.elevenwarriors.com/">Eleven Warriors</a>. Thanks to Jason and the Eleven Warriors' gang for giving me the opportunity to post--they have been great to work with on this and on my article in the <a href="http://maplestreetpress.com/" mce_href="http://maplestreetpress.com/">2010 Buckeye Battle Cry</a>. Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-36186147957650798282010-08-22T14:19:00.000-04:002010-08-22T14:19:47.799-04:00OSU Jersey Scrimmage: Talkin' X's and O's...<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
I had the pleasure of watching the Ohio State jersey scrimmage yesterday with Bill Greene of <a href="http://ohiostate.scout.com/">ohiostate.scout.com</a>. Bill will have all <a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079&t=6245219">kinds</a> of <a href="http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/994665.html">good</a> information regarding the offensive and defensive personnel and looks, but I wanted to extrapolate on five offensive schemes that stood out yesterday. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>1. The Continued Expansion of the Rollout Play-Action Game</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As I've <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/07/maple-street-press-preview-out.html">previously touched on</a>, OSU clearly wants to continue with the success they have had with the outside play action passing game, based off their patented <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/2010-ohio-state-offense-dave-update.html">inside run game</a>. The beauty, of course, is that it both <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/01/constraint-theory-of-offense.html">constrains</a> the defense and puts Terrelle Pryor on the edge where he is the biggest threat. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ohio State is looking to build on this with the bootleg. Yesterday's scrimmage featured numerious <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/scheme-sizzler-fsu-and-jimbo-fishers-bootleg-with-receiver-motion">naked bootlegs</a> off the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone">inside zone</a> fake from under center. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MiqmNGoKjg1yPlV6kzUfWSRA6bHo0vM-NSSNq7o0T8Hn-pCLsj19t1VMiJy4Zi_hCHrS-4SH6hLrPumfdKZpiwAYrjPHdywWJzb__owlGLlxxMeXeYoaVe6UBxMv_EuIsdwiilXGv7A/s1600/bootleg.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MiqmNGoKjg1yPlV6kzUfWSRA6bHo0vM-NSSNq7o0T8Hn-pCLsj19t1VMiJy4Zi_hCHrS-4SH6hLrPumfdKZpiwAYrjPHdywWJzb__owlGLlxxMeXeYoaVe6UBxMv_EuIsdwiilXGv7A/s400/bootleg.png" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The top-left hand diagram is essentially what you would see. The fullback comes back to block backside and then releases into the flat. The nice feature of this play is that it looks precisely like the inside zone action. The pattern off of this was generally a <a href="http://bruceeien.com/offense/chow/CHOW.HTM">weak flood</a>:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZsScUP6buBR4dDUdKejC6gAYzBpMeRfPQLYwtujk8gmUHyYSgNx91K2scfg9MgC7Jor8kepSBF-KUZZZdxu4xAyfhUUfXznpCNgX1UksC1xX3QSR3UC8yxZvQTa1LHPcmmtQFPsG_JM/s1600/69.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXZsScUP6buBR4dDUdKejC6gAYzBpMeRfPQLYwtujk8gmUHyYSgNx91K2scfg9MgC7Jor8kepSBF-KUZZZdxu4xAyfhUUfXznpCNgX1UksC1xX3QSR3UC8yxZvQTa1LHPcmmtQFPsG_JM/s320/69.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Though this bootleg has long been an <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html">offensive staple</a> for many teams, it has been relatively underutilized by OSU and will be another successful way to both constrain defenses and take advantage of Pryor's abilities. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>2. The Outside Toss</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Another new edition to the play book looks to be an outside toss. OSU ran this play from one-back '<a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/11/formation-matching-bringing-safety-down.html">11</a>'</div><div style="text-align: justify;">formations to either a tight wing or trips' side. One time they ran this into an unbalanced trips formation. OSU blocked this as an <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone">outside zone play</a>. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The goal was to establish a seam through the wingback and TE getting outside leverage and hit it upfield quick. Again another example of OSU trying to do more to get outside the tackle box. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>3. Sprint Draw Series</i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ohio State continued to expand on their use of the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/ohio-state-offensive-playbook-part-ii.html">sprint draw run and play-action pass</a>. The OSU QBs and Oline did a very good job <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/The-long-decline-of-Steve-Spurrier-part-two?urn=ncaaf-185574">selling pass</a>. For instance, if they were running the sprint draw play to the left the QB would drop back and at the last moment reverse around and hand-off, rather than fronting out left after receiving the snap. In one instance Pryor pumped faked a quick pass and then handed off, as has become so prevalent in the NFL. The play was best on display on a 20 yard pass from Pryor to Stoneburner. OSU ran the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/ohio-state-offensive-playbook-part-ii.html">sprint draw pass with 3-verticals</a> and Pryor hit Stoneburner on a perfectly timed cut where Stoneburner split the two deep safeties. It again demonstrated the effectiveness of this play action pass at getting big plays out of the passing game.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>4. Shallow Crossing Routes</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">OSU also continues to expand on its horizontal dropback passing game by featuring a large number of shallow crossing routes. Specifically, OSU repeatedly ran what is known as a '<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/12/st-louis-rams-shallow-cross-concepts.html">drive</a>' route in West Coast nomenclature. Here, courtesy of '<a href="http://smartfootball.com/">Smart Football</a>' is a diagram of the key <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/12/st-louis-rams-shallow-cross-concepts.html">two man route</a>: <i><b> </b></i> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmobvpEOXFe5ItNL83k_kY3AueUcIuDTDIyFkQsX8XKAopH6bPZcoamda96MK8RLzIKHRYiQlbQGM3mxPp9YkLaMLtvDUO-zy75YR1O-_1agDzbTAkKWpkKzMNR_xRJYccqA9ykY2pjhE/s1600/man.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmobvpEOXFe5ItNL83k_kY3AueUcIuDTDIyFkQsX8XKAopH6bPZcoamda96MK8RLzIKHRYiQlbQGM3mxPp9YkLaMLtvDUO-zy75YR1O-_1agDzbTAkKWpkKzMNR_xRJYccqA9ykY2pjhE/s320/man.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <b><i> </i></b>Essentially, the outside receiver runs a shallow cross while the inside receiver (or tight end) on the same side runs a shallow-in. The QB can have <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/12/st-louis-rams-shallow-cross-concepts.html">several progressions</a>, but my assumption based on what I saw yesterday is that the QB is reading shallow cross to square-in. As Pryor progresses it is clear that OSU is more comfortable attacking the middle of the field.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>5. Unbalanced</b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The coaching staff also continues to use unbalanced looks to challenge a defense's soundess and keys. In particular, as previously mentioned, OSU likes using the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/ohio-state-offensive-playbook-part-ii.html">unbalanced twins I-look</a>. From this, one of OSU's favorite plays continues to be the fake sprint-draw to the lead side, then hit the FB on a <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/08/ohio-state-offensive-playbook-part-ii.html">quick weakside flat route</a>. <i><b> </b></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/o6lAnS35x9U?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/o6lAnS35x9U?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The play's simplicity belies it's effectiveness. A defensive secondary is generally going to roll to the unbalanced twins side, leaving the backside corner back responsible for the weakside. But the backside corner must deal with the most immediate threat, namely a releasing tight end. This leaves the full back flooding into the flat with only the linebacker to cover that zone. But that linebacker is held by the play fake, and generally a linebacker is subconsciously going to think run when he sees unbalanced. The play is very effective for picking up yards and takes advantage of Zach Boren's talents as a receiver. </div><br />
<br />
In sum, OSU continues to expand on where they were at the end of last season, featuring the inside run game and play action and roll-outs off of those fakes, and a quick, horizontal drop back pass game. The coaching staff is clearly continuing to expand the offenses possibilities with a veteran unit. Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-29345074591649292172010-08-13T16:39:00.000-04:002010-08-13T16:39:36.719-04:00The Ohio State Offensive Playbook Part II: The Sprint Draw Series<div style="text-align: justify;">The second play grouping I want to cover is the sprint draw (also known as lead draw) and sprint draw play pass. This play has long been a staple of <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html">pro-style</a> <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/020710dnspotaylor.3fbe060.html">offenses</a>, but has been relatively under-utilized by Tressel's offenses, given the amount of I formation OSU has run. However, the sprint draw and its accompanying play-action pass were more prevalent this spring and I expect it will likewise become a bigger part of the OSU arsenal this fall. The reason is two-fold: a) an offensive line well built to run-block this play; and b) as discussed below, the options the sprint draw play pass gives you in the passing game, particularly delivering the ball down the deep middle.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sprint Draw</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Sprint Draw is traditionally a <a href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2009/11/2/1112221/inside-the-clemson-offense-sprint">man or area</a> blocking scheme, though it can be run with a <a href="http://trojanfootballanalysis.com/?p=33">zone</a> scheme. Below is a basic diagram of the play. (<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html">Courtesy of Smart Football</a>). <b> </b> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX2MU4J3CJoaf_OrdIUudRYnnbS9kUtP97mmxiPqEGNrCJlKBSwHh_JYoiHx9sB2YTHG1uW1hsh9mhI1dqp5bMbCzi8vxPoRgqIFzh29b-BXbDtI29rjtTjTGopUhT7y2QFwMiQufP_A/s1600/leaddraw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNX2MU4J3CJoaf_OrdIUudRYnnbS9kUtP97mmxiPqEGNrCJlKBSwHh_JYoiHx9sB2YTHG1uW1hsh9mhI1dqp5bMbCzi8vxPoRgqIFzh29b-BXbDtI29rjtTjTGopUhT7y2QFwMiQufP_A/s640/leaddraw.png" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And here from '<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html">Husker Playbook</a>':</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOapJ-JZ4WlClBv0nWFsB0tJFc2B1abB-gv4mv1lK5cpglQY-cUxq-f8ZBId16gMLvGEu5sZGejdezWjHMwGl9wmEbKyw5n0HgnH_KzkasRqaAWegkEAvumNGcG0AGGwcOCqMbdxjkvEg/s1600/TightL47Draw.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOapJ-JZ4WlClBv0nWFsB0tJFc2B1abB-gv4mv1lK5cpglQY-cUxq-f8ZBId16gMLvGEu5sZGejdezWjHMwGl9wmEbKyw5n0HgnH_KzkasRqaAWegkEAvumNGcG0AGGwcOCqMbdxjkvEg/s320/TightL47Draw.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Teams vary in how much they have their offensive line set for <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/The-long-decline-of-Steve-Spurrier-part-two?urn=ncaaf-185574">pass block</a>, depending on how devoted they are to showing pass.. Here are the general line rules for the play from '<a href="http://www.shakinthesouthland.com/2009/11/2/1112221/inside-the-clemson-offense-sprint">Shakin' the Southland</a>': </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote>FST- Lead/base blocks End, could have help inside from the Guard (a "smash" call). If he slants (pinches inside to the center), then the tackle down blocks him. If he stays outside, the tackle may turn him out.<br />
FSG-If covered, slides and base blocks the DT. If uncovered, he lead blocks the DE with the FST. If the Nose is shaded to his A-gap (1-tech), he will combo with the Center.<br />
Center-If covered, takes the Nose Guard or Shade DT base. If uncovered, smash/combo blocks with the BSG on his man.<br />
BSG-If covered, base. If uncovered, combo block with the Center on the Shade or Nose.<br />
BST-Stays put, cuts off the backside pursuit.</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"> In so doing, the tackles are going to <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/The-long-decline-of-Steve-Spurrier-part-two?urn=ncaaf-185574">pass set,</a> and allow the defensive ends to come upfield, letting the defenders' aggressiveness take them out of the play. The key point is that on the playside defensive tackle, the two linemen are going to double and combo block through to the backside linebacker. Against a 4-3 under, that will be the Guard-Center on the playside NG, against a 4-3 over, it will be the Guard-Tackle against the '3' technique. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As to the backs,</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Although this is not always the case, the play is best when the fullback is assigned to ISO on the first inside LBer from the playside Guard over. He is blocking this play just like a traditional ISO, taking the LBer <a href="http://incolor.inetnebr.com/mays/iso.htm">head-on</a>. </li>
<li>The TB is going to take two shuffle steps, taking the ball as deep as possible. He is then going to read the playside double-team through to the FB. The TB's goal is to make the ISO'd LBer wrong no matter what by reading the FB's block and cutting off his backside.</li>
<li>The QB is going to open up (as opposed to Dave or ISO where he reverse pivots) showing pass. He is then going to deliver the ball deep to the TB and set up to play-pass.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> The benefits of the play are multi-fold:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>The sprint draw takes advantage of a strong, athletic offensive line that can control the line of scrimmage (See <a href="http://www.pnj.com/article/99999999/EMMITTSMITH/399990047/Lead-draw-carries-Emmitt-Smith-to-Hall-of-Fame">Cowboys, Dallas</a>).</li>
<li>The play allows a tailback to get the ball deep to use his vision and cut based off the line's blocks.</li>
<li>From the I-formation, the play can be run to equal benefit to the <a href="http://incolor.inetnebr.com/mays/sprintdraw.htm">strong or weak side</a>.</li>
<li>Sprint Draw, as discussed below, is a perfect complement to the <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/playing-pitch-and-catch-spurriers.html">sprint-draw pass</a>, which allows the QB to get a deep drop while providing the offensive line the benefit of the play fake, so that they do not have to hold their blocks on a 7-step drop. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">As noted, Ohio State ran this play more this spring than they did all last fall, previewing a play that will likely become a bigger part of the repertoire this year.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>Sprint Draw Pass</b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Part of the reason for the sprint draw's increasing prevalence is the passing play it sets up. The sprint draw pass was increasingly utilized by the Buckeyes last year and became more prevalent in spring. This play-pass has also long been a pro-formation staple, perhaps most famously utilized in the college game by <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/The-long-decline-of-Steve-Spurrier-part-two?urn=ncaaf-185574">Steve Spurrier's</a> '<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/playing-pitch-and-catch-spurriers.html">fun 'n' gun</a>' offense. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The beauty of the play is that it looks identical to the sprint draw run and allows the QB to get a deep drop. Yet it simultaneously holds the defensive front with the run fake, making the offensive line job's easier than with a <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/The-long-decline-of-Steve-Spurrier-part-two?urn=ncaaf-185574">7-step drop back pass</a>. The offensive line blocks identically to the sprint draw play. The backs also run sprint draw, with the QB again opening up, prominently extending the ball out for the ball fake, then pulling the ball away from the tailback and setting up to pass. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here, courtesy of JWinslow of ohiostate.scout.com's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insider's</a>' is video from OSU's fall practice. At the 1:48 mark one get's a good line-level view of OSU's line and backs running the sprint draw action (though it is a bit different since they are running this from an 'unbalanced set'). Note how the backside pass-sets while the frontside comes out aggressively run-blocking. Pryor opens up and delivers the play-fake before throwing into the flat.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="385" width="640"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/l-iX_1HYaDM&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/l-iX_1HYaDM&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Spurrier utilized this play to <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/playing-pitch-and-catch-spurriers.html">run</a> a WR read route where the playside receiver would run a curl vs. cover-3 and a post-corner route vs. cover-2. Ohio State, however, has embraced this play for different reasons. First and foremost, OSU is utilizing the sprint draw pass to run the '<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/three-verticals-and-converting-pass.html">three verticals</a>' route. Here is Smart Football with the play's basic description and design:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>In this play, here diagrammed from a base Pro-Set, the outside receivers will run post-corner routes, and the inside receiver, Y, will run a "middle-read" route, or "adjustable-8". The running backs will control the undercoverage with a shoot and a swing route. The outside receivers and the middle receiver have simple keys to help them adjust their routes based on the coverage and the leverage the defenders are using against them.</blockquote><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxZNHFweQxBrxkoR8VpMb6sPwtkF6WNzxNuwe8m6bPzKJ8hBa_4wZRHSQ_kA6_VGvMNatpWky59hIVXj1SHPwP89Up0JZ7xRKc220F7_VoRgadlhqrO3PxL74iWp9ZikF31iaRzJ3gMI/s1600/base.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxZNHFweQxBrxkoR8VpMb6sPwtkF6WNzxNuwe8m6bPzKJ8hBa_4wZRHSQ_kA6_VGvMNatpWky59hIVXj1SHPwP89Up0JZ7xRKc220F7_VoRgadlhqrO3PxL74iWp9ZikF31iaRzJ3gMI/s320/base.gif" /></a></div> The play is particularly effective against cover 2, because it is impossible for the two deep safeties to account for the three deep receivers, giving the offense a<a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/search?q=%22three+verticals%22"> 3 on 2</a> advantage and making this play a <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_archive.html">coverage beater</a>. <br />
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This key actor in this play is the middle receiver. Here again from <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/three-verticals-and-converting-pass.html">Smart Football</a>:<br />
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<blockquote>The middle-read receiver will take the fastest vertical release he can. He does NOT want to get slowed by the second level players. He will get a pre-snap and a post-snap look at the middle of the field. If the middle of the field is open (MOFO - cover 2, 0) he will go for it. If it is closed (MOFC - 1, 3, 4) he will run a square-in route.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2441/366/1600/cornerup.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2441/366/320/cornerup.gif" /></a><br />
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He will take the fastest release and push to a depth of 10-12. If he reads MOFO he will stick his outside foot and head for the nearest upright. He wants to catch the ball at 18-22 yards, and is expecting to get hit after he catches it.<br />
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If he reads MOFC he will plant hard at 10-12 and will stick his outside foot and make a 90 degree cut. If he reads zone he will try to make eye contact with the QB and find the window between the linebackers to catch the football. If he reads man he will burst and sprint away from his defender.</blockquote><br />
With this in mind, one can see why the Buckeyes are now utilizing this play--it takes advantage of Jake Stoneburner's receiving talents. Similar to what the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/grab-bag/smart-football-super-bowl-preview-manning-vs-brees">Indianapolis Colts like to do</a>, Ohio State can hold the linebackers and safeties with the sprint draw fake and then hit Stoneburner on the skinny post. OSU ran this play <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/04/spring-game-thoughts.html">repeatedly during the Spring Game</a> with Pryor throwing to Stoneburner. In particular, this play caught my attention then:<br />
<blockquote>Building on this, the most promising thing I saw in the Spring Game was a Pryor to Stoneburner connection on the 3-verticals route. The defense was playing a cover-2 man under. As described in the above article, Stoneburner read the cover 2 and broke to the post. Pryor read this perfectly, stepped up into the pocket, and delivered a strike before Stoneburner broke on his cut. It was very well executed and bodes well for OSU this year.</blockquote> The Sprint Draw 3-verticals pass play also gives OSU the ability to give the defense an <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-mexico-state-first-half.html">unbalanced</a> look and run the play virtually unchanged, as can be seen above in the fall practice clip. A defense seeing an unbalanced look with naturally think run play, and the run fake will only further underscore that belief. For the offense, the WR responsibilities are simply altered, with the inside receiver to the unbalanced twins side becoming the middle WR. Below you can see this play against PSU and how PSU's safeties were held in place by the run fake.<br />
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Tressel and company have done a nice job recently mixing unbalanced looks with more 'open' <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-mexico-state-first-half.html">spread</a> and pro-style concepts, confusing defenses who are thinking run first. This trend will likely continue this fall. <br />
<blockquote> </blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div> Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-64692325841526280982010-08-09T20:34:00.000-04:002010-08-09T20:34:25.715-04:002010 Ohio State Offense: Dave UpdateHere is a great additional resource for the Dave play: a copy of the <a href="http://www.footballtimes.org/Playbooks/2002%20Ohio%20State%20Offense.pdf">2002 OSU playbook</a>. Though outdated in some respects, the Dave diagram and rules hold as true today. The playbook gives the rules for each position and diagrams the play against nearly every possible defensive combination. Well-worth the read.<br />
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One will note, however, that this playbook does not contain the Dave rollout keep or play-pass, demonstrating how these were a nice adaptation by the coaching staff last fall. Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-54905206398642446352010-08-07T13:50:00.002-04:002010-08-07T16:14:05.470-04:00The 2010 Ohio State Playbook Part I: The 'Dave Series'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicbfzl11tMoaToji6waf9RCsp6ucSFHHlrIYdSiFS_z2RIDLxx-TmQLAxN97v_Z27vuICHV_10lzRYW9DT43qgn4Ro3YRxXqaG49VPfY5thooI952GguV4dLnrpP-d5MhaVaaVaE5HKQ/s1600/power_pro_yea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicbfzl11tMoaToji6waf9RCsp6ucSFHHlrIYdSiFS_z2RIDLxx-TmQLAxN97v_Z27vuICHV_10lzRYW9DT43qgn4Ro3YRxXqaG49VPfY5thooI952GguV4dLnrpP-d5MhaVaaVaE5HKQ/s1600/power_pro_yea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Based on my observations from last year and this spring what follows below is a discussion of the main plays that will likely constitute the 2010 Ohio State offense. This list is not comprehensive but is instead what I would consider some of the Ohio State offense's "base plays." This post is a follow-up to <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/07/maple-street-press-preview-out.html">my preview article</a> in Buckeye Battle Cry. There, I discuss the schematic framework the 2010 Buckeyes will likely bring to the table. Here, I look at some of the underlying plays that Ohio State will run. I will begin with the run plays and corresponding pass plays, and then preview some of Ohio State's primary pass patterns. Part I will begin by looking at the 'Dave Series.'</div><br />
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<b><i>RUN GAME</i></b><br />
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<i><u>The Dave Series</u></i><br />
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<b>Power (Dave) Play</b><b><i> </i></b> <br />
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Any discussion of the Ohio State run game under Tressel must start with the ubiquitous 'Dave' play (ofter referred to as the power-play in general nomenclature). Tressel is not alone in favoring this play--it is generally considered the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/explanation-and-cut-ups-of-the-power-o-run-play">most popular run play</a> in modern football. Tressel discussed the play in <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/pdfdocs/tressel_run_game.pdf">detail</a> at a coaching clinic, but the basics (<a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/explanation-and-cut-ups-of-the-power-o-run-play">courtesy of Chris Brown</a>) are as follows: <br />
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<blockquote><blockquote><ul><li><span style="font-size: x-small;">The lineman to the side the run is going (playside) essentially “down” block, meaning they take the man to the inside of them. For the guards and center, that includes anyone “heads up” or covering them, but for the playside tackle, he does not want to block the defensive end or other “end man on the line of scrimmage.” These lineman use their leverage to get good angles to crush the defensive lineman, and the fact that they don’t have to block a couple of defenders on the playside frees them to get good double teams and block the backside linebackers. To use Vince Lombardi’s phrase, the idea is to get so much force going that direction that they completely seal off the backside.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">They can do this because they get some help to the playside. First, the fullback (or, more often nowadays, some kind of H-back or other player) is responsible for blocking the otherwise unblocked end man on the line of scrimmage (“EMLOS”). He uses a “kick out” technique, simply meaning he blocks him from the inside to out, in order to create Lombardi’s famous “seal” going the other way.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">The final piece of the puzzle is the backside guard (sometimes nowadays a tackle). He pulls and “leads,” meaning he retreats, looks first for the fullback’s block to cut off of, and then heads into the crease looking to block the first defender that shows up — typically the playside linebacker. He can block him whatever direction is best; it’s the runningback’s job to find the open lane.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">The runner takes a lateral or slight delay step, takes the handoff from the quarterback, and follow’s the pulling guard’s block. As stated above, he wants to cut off that man’s block and get vertical quickly. It is a power play so he has to be willing to hit the hole fast; it’s not as much of a “read the defense” run as are <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone">zone runs</a>, though it is a good complement to it.</span></li>
</ul></blockquote></blockquote> Here is a basic draw-up of the play<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicbfzl11tMoaToji6waf9RCsp6ucSFHHlrIYdSiFS_z2RIDLxx-TmQLAxN97v_Z27vuICHV_10lzRYW9DT43qgn4Ro3YRxXqaG49VPfY5thooI952GguV4dLnrpP-d5MhaVaaVaE5HKQ/s1600/power_pro_yea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicbfzl11tMoaToji6waf9RCsp6ucSFHHlrIYdSiFS_z2RIDLxx-TmQLAxN97v_Z27vuICHV_10lzRYW9DT43qgn4Ro3YRxXqaG49VPfY5thooI952GguV4dLnrpP-d5MhaVaaVaE5HKQ/s320/power_pro_yea.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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OSU will run Dave from some variation of the I formation or from their "tight bunch" set where they have 3 TE/FBs bunch tight to the formation's strength (see below):<br />
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OSU can run this play either to the strong or weakside--though practically its more difficult to run weakside because they angles are so tight. The play also lends itself to better angles against a <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/penn-state-preview-penn-states-defense.html">4-3 over</a> rather than a <a href="http://trojanfootballanalysis.com/?p=308">4-3 under</a>, because of the difficult back block the center has against the backside 3 tackle (see the top left diagram above).<br />
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The downside of this play (which I have previously <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/osu-v-psu-ohio-state-offensive.html">discussed</a>) is that all the action is front-side so that OSU can find itself in a situation where back-side penetration breaks down the play. But OSU has taken steps to make Dave a more dangerous play, as discussed below. <br />
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<b>Dave Rollout Designed Run</b><br />
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As mentioned in my <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/07/maple-street-press-preview-out.html">Buckeye Battle Cry article</a>, Ohio State in 2009 developed a nice package to take advantage of the initial Dave action. Interestingly, Ohio State did not develop a series that attacked the backside pressure, but instead choose to further attack the front-side of the play action and put the force players in a bind. The first play they used to do this is a called fake Dave QB roll-out keep. This is actually an old play that T-formation teams used to run that OSU has successfully revitalized. OSU ate up chunks of yards calling this play against Oregon on the final drive. <br />
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This play looks exactly the same as Dave:<br />
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<ul><li>The offensive line to the front side is going to run the exact same play. Everyone through to the Center is going to down block to the inside gap. </li>
<li>The FB is going to again attack the EMOLS. As you can see watching the above play, however, the FB is going to try to 'influence' the OLB or DE to 'wrong arm' him like the defender is taught to do against the Dave play. The FB will then hook up and box him in if successful. </li>
<li>The backside guard is going to again pull, but this time rather than lead up inside the FB's kick-out block, he is going to pull around the FB and lead up on the outside 'force' player. </li>
<li>The QB is going to fake Dave and then get depth and run a sweep, following the backside Guard's block.</li>
</ul>One can instantly see the bind this puts on the outside defensive players. As noted, the OLB or DE is taught to come in hard when they see the TE down-blocking to clog the C-gap. But this play takes advantage of this aggressiveness by using the natural outside D gap that the defender is responsible for. Oregon's players came down hard on the Dave action, leaving a wide outside gap. It also puts the force player (the safety or corner) in a bind because they must think pass with the QB rolling out. Of course, it helps to have a QB that runs a 4.3 and that naturally wants to find the edge against the defense.<br />
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<b>Dave Rollout Pass</b><br />
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The final play that encompasses this series is the rollout pass off of the Dave play fake. This play looks identical to the Dave rollout-QB keep except that the pulling guard is not going to go downfield. Instead he is going to settle down outside the down blocks to create the pocket for the QB. And the QB is going to get more depth than he would when running the designed run so that he will have room to set his feet and step into the throw.<br />
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OSU likes running this fake into a 'twins' set, meaning two wide receivers to the same side. The base pattern they run off of this is a <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/the-smash-route-against-man">smash route</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoM6FSE-tO6yfkE6fTmycQ0ENXJ4Zzu9bomEkgkFioafMaSa3IJyRN9-8fIhMM4b-G3vwuAYvd-b7evX8eTrJC6mRBVZ7opZrRvjr7edJtB9DjUEqCgip109V9I7UBUarXjQLlVfGUUw/s1600/1SMASHGIF.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUoM6FSE-tO6yfkE6fTmycQ0ENXJ4Zzu9bomEkgkFioafMaSa3IJyRN9-8fIhMM4b-G3vwuAYvd-b7evX8eTrJC6mRBVZ7opZrRvjr7edJtB9DjUEqCgip109V9I7UBUarXjQLlVfGUUw/s320/1SMASHGIF.gif" /></a></div> <br />
This is one of the more popular route combination in college football, particularly against <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/the-smash-route-against-man">cover-2</a>. As one can see, it puts the cover-2 squat corner back in the disadvantageous position of having to cover a hi and low pattern, giving the offense a 2 on 1 advantage. <br />
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Ohio State also likes taking advantage of the '<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2007/12/add-little-hawaii-to-your-offense.html">switch</a>' concept to the two receiver side. Originally a run 'n' shoot concept, the switch, as Chris Brown describes:<br />
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<blockquote>Is, at core, a two man concept. Two receivers release and "switch": The outside guys angle inside for 5-6 yards before pushing vertical, while the inside guy runs a "wheel route" under the outside guy, rubs right off of his hip, and then turns up the sideline. That's when they play gets interesting. </blockquote> Finally, OSU will run essentially a variant of the smash where the inside receiver (normally Sanzenbacher) will run an out route and the inside receiver (Posey) will run a post-corner route. This combination led to the majority of OSU's big plays out of the pass game last year.<br />
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As noted, the play puts the front side defensive backs in a bind. Not only is it an effective pass combination against <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/the-smash-route-against-man">cover-2 or man</a>, but the defensive backs must also contend with the run threat from Pryor, exacerbated by the called run play.<br />
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Tressel and company have therefore figured out a way to take their favorite run play--Dave--and make it far more effective by adding the run-pass edge threat that Terrelle Pryor presents. Expect these plays to again be a large part of the 2010 offense.Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-6221298215161276892010-07-14T09:23:00.001-04:002010-07-14T09:25:38.325-04:00Maple Street Press Preview Out<div style="text-align: justify;">I'm giving myself a shameless plug and promoting the Maple Street Press' '<a href="http://maplestreetpress.com/">Buckeye Battle Cry</a>,' their annual in-depth preview for the 2010 Buckeye season. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT36llmsPYfOdB7qvwFOxeeXgWJHGOII5LwkbLsENgLktssU8aOAyQpXRxk4NWdRZcmdZ4TG0m6zAMo4AI9f2mYsvj22CexAWhrM9DhlGJU8InfCk41jsUkAgfLX4N3ZJji3nRizL4MZE/s1600/book79.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT36llmsPYfOdB7qvwFOxeeXgWJHGOII5LwkbLsENgLktssU8aOAyQpXRxk4NWdRZcmdZ4TG0m6zAMo4AI9f2mYsvj22CexAWhrM9DhlGJU8InfCk41jsUkAgfLX4N3ZJji3nRizL4MZE/s320/book79.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">I was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to write an article for the preview edition, titled "Meeting of the Minds: Jim Tressel, Terrelle Pryor, and the 2010 Ohio State Offense." The article previews the 2010 offensive scheme by reviewing the up's and down's of the 2009 season schematically, through the hodge-podge scheme against USC, to the attempt to run a "spread-to-run" offense against Purdue, and then culminating in the Oregon victory. I focus on what made OSU so successful against Oregon, namely adopting two 'series' based schemes built around the combined threat of the OSU inside run game and the pass/run threat Terrelle Pryor presents on the edge. I expect we will see more of this to come in 2010. But if you want to check out the full article I highly recommend picking up the magazine--lots of great stuff for the 2010 season!<br />
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My next project is--building on this article and after reviewing the spring game--is to lay out the primary plays that make up the Buckeyes' offense. </div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-39857730073691128002010-04-27T12:04:00.000-04:002010-04-27T12:04:49.035-04:00Spring Game ThoughtsI am going to focus in this post on my Spring Game analysis. But in a follow-up post I am going to expand and focus specifically on what is the Ohio State 'base' offense heading into 2010, both in terms of overall philosophy and specific plays. After watching this spring it is clear that Ohio State is building very specifically on the offense employed in the Oregon game going forward, which I will discuss in more detail in future posts.<br />
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But first, specific thoughts from the Spring Game. I re-watched and broke down the first half and did a play-by-play for the First Quarter. Here are my specific thoughts:<br />
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<ul><li> I will discuss this in more detail later, but it is suffice to say that Ohio State's downfield passing game has 'evolved' to transition from a more pro-style, downfield passing game, to what I would consider is a more-typical college based spread attack employed by teams like Texas and Oklahoma State. (See <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/colt-mccoys-texas-passing-game">here</a>). The focus of this is short, <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/09/organizing-pass-plays-as-concepts.html">horizontal</a> stretching routes, specifically the: <a href="http://sky.prohosting.com/cbbrown/2005/06/all-curl.html">all curl route</a>; the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/tressels-new-calling-ball-control-passing">double slant/snag combination</a>; <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/colt-mccoys-texas-passing-game">quick outs</a>; and the <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/putting-out-fire-zone-gunter-brewer_29.html">double scat</a> routes. (The play action passing game is more vertical, namely with flag/out combo, switch, and post/dig). OSU will then run a deeper horizontal stretch with the <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/three-verticals-and-converting-pass.html">3-verticals</a> route. I do not want to use the word 'revolution', but this represents a continued development of what OSU gradually included last year that peaked in the Oregon game.</li>
<li>Building on this, the most promising thing I saw in the Spring Game was a Pryor to Stoneburner connection on the 3-verticals route. The defense was playing a cover-2 man under. As described in the above article, Stoneburner read the cover 2 and broke to the post. Pryor read this perfectly, stepped up into the pocket, and delivered a strike before Stoneburner broke on his cut. It was very well executed and bodes well for OSU this year.</li>
<li>I am with those who think Stoneburner is legit. He needs to improve his 'scramble' reactions when the QB starts moving. But he is a threat down the seams and the deep corner and brings another dimension that allows OSU to expand their pass game in the way described above.</li>
<li>Adams has, in my mind, locked down the LT position. He is doing a great job sitting down in pass protection, being patient, and using his feet. Last year he would get in trouble because he would rush to get outside, and then the DE would beat him underneath. I am not seeing that any more. I also think Marcus Hall may need to move inside. He was constantly getting beat around the edge, and to me does not look to have the 'body' of a tackle. It may simply be youth, but I would like to see him perhaps move inside with Adams and Shugarts only juniors.</li>
<li>Boom Herron ran the best I have seen him run as a Buckeye. He stayed patient, kept his feet moving, and used his vision to find the hole as opposed to barreling into his blockers. He was also the quickest I've seen him. Jordan Hall again impressed me. He had a great cutback on the first carry he received, which again makes me believe that he has the best vision of any of the running backs.</li>
<li>The Defense played very vanilla up-front. They employed their usual array of coverages, but there was very little blitzing. This gave the QBs more time and exposed the secondary more-so than they may otherwise be.</li>
<li>The above may qualify what I say here. But I am now a bit concerned with the safety play. I thought the safeties were repeatedly out of position and getting beat deep because they are too flat in their breaks. I am not ready to pull the alarm yet because some of this were problems with the back-ups; I need to see Hines and Johnson together. But I do not think there is any doubt that OSU's defensive strength is in the front 9, and I expect you will see defensive schemes that reflect it.</li>
</ul>These are some quick thoughts, as I mentioned I will have an in-depth breakdown of OSU's offensive playbook coming soon. For those interested, here is a play-by-play breakdown of the First Quarter +<br />
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<div class="ii gt" id=":192"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First <span> </span>Scarlet Series:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>I sprint draw fake, 3 verticals.<span> </span>Hall beat around right side, Pryor had to throw short</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2d-10:<span> </span>Gun ace right-Good time, nice job by Adams sitting down and moving his feet.<span> </span>All curl play, Pryor anticipated Stoney’s cut and hit him right in stride.<span> </span>5 yd gain.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3d-5:<span> </span>Gun 4 wide.<span> </span>Nickel.<span> </span>2 high.<span> </span>Rolle comes A gap.<span> </span>Cover 1-robber.<span> </span>Double snag routes.<span> </span>Rolle beats Lindsey, Pryor doesn’t step into the throw and skips the in-route.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">First Gray series</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Gun split left.<span> </span>4-3 under.<span> </span>1 high.<span> </span>Lead zone left.<span> </span>Z Boren neutralizes Klein and Boom has a nice cut outside.<span> </span>5 yd.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2d-5:<span> </span>I-twins right.<span> </span>4-3 over plus 2-high.<span> </span>Sprint draw play pass right.<span> </span>Cover 1 man.<span> </span>Deep safety stays inside, Posey beats Torrence, PI. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Gun ace right strong.<span> </span>3-4 heads up.<span> </span>2 high.<span> </span>3 man pass dropback route.<span> </span>Q-Q-H coverage.<span> </span>The DBs took false steps, wide open but Guiton didn’t put air under it.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2d-10:<span> </span>I right.<span> </span>3-4 straight up.<span> </span>Sprint draw right.<span> </span>Offside.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2d-5:<span> </span>I left.<span> </span>4-3 over. <span> </span>2 high.<span> </span>Zip motion right to twins.<span> </span>Sprint draw right.<span> </span>Saine missed the cutback, instead tried to cut outside.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3d-7:<span> </span>Gun ace right strong..<span> </span>Nickel double eagle 2 high.<span> </span>Nickel blitz.<span> </span>Double slant/snag route combo made so famous during Oregon.<span> </span>Way too much DB slack in man coverage, easy pickings on the slant-route.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Gun ace tight trips strong.<span> </span>3-4 nickel.<span> </span>4 vertical pass pattern.<span> </span>Cover 3, Torrence never gets deep enough-nice catch by Washington.<span> </span>Deep safety No. 8 got stuck in no mans-land.<span> </span>Bad safety play for Scarlet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Second Scarlet Series:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Gun tight trips left.<span> </span>Nickel 2 high.<span> </span>Cover 2 man under.<span> </span>3 verticals.<span> </span>Great read by Stoney on the 3 verticals play.<span> </span>He saw the cover 2 so broke for the goal post between them.<span> </span>Fantastic job by Pryor stepping up in the pocket, never taking his eyes off downfield and hitting him on the cut.<span> </span>Most promising thing I’ve seen.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>I twins left.<span> </span>4-3 open plus 2 high.<span> </span>Fake Dave pass left.<span> </span>LBers bit the Dave fake.<span> </span>Very nice job by Browning getting his shoulders squared pulling.<span> </span>Nice change up in the route—ran a ‘switch’ route.<span> </span>Will fool teams expecting the flag-out combo.<span> </span>Fooled Sabino who was stuck in no-mans land.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Gun tight trips right weak.<span> </span>4-3 under 2 high.<span> </span>3 step ‘Texas double out route.”<span> </span>Great job by Pryor</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Gun tight trips left strong.<span> </span>4-3 open plus 2 high.<span> </span>Dropback.<span> </span>Q-Q-H coverage.<span> </span>Snag-flag combo.<span> </span>Clarke got stuck in quick sand.<span> </span>Pryor hit his spot and threw it right on time.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Second Gray Series</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Ace double tight wing right.<span> </span>3-4 shaded to the field (NG and backside in 2-I techniques).<span> </span>2 high.<span> </span>Draw.<span> </span>Great job by Brewster and Boren controlling and turning their men.<span> </span>4 yds.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2d-7: Gun 4 wide right.<span> </span>4-2 nickel 2 high.<span> </span>For whatever reason Mewhert did not get off on the snap count, leaving Bellamy basically untouched into the backfield.<span> </span>Sack.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3d-11:<span> </span>Gun split backs left.<span> </span>Nickel 1 high.<span> </span>Q-Q-H.<span> </span>Flood route left.<span> </span>Miller got out of position and Heyward was able to shed inside.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Third Red Series</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Strong I right.<span> </span>4-2 nickel.<span> </span>Playaction<span> </span>shallow cross “drive” route.<span> </span>M. Hall again got beat to the outside.<span> </span>Pryor ball batted.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2d-10:<span> </span>Gun 4-wide.<span> </span>Nickel 2 high.<span> </span>Double snag route.<span> </span>Hall got beat inside this time but Pryor stepped up and delievered the flag route.<span> </span>Q-Q-H coverage but the deep half safety never got over to his side quickly.<span> </span>Stoney in the slot running the flag route-tough in that position.<span> </span>Great job with Adams dealing with the swin move.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Gun ace left.<span> </span>4-3 over 1 high.<span> </span>Double curl-flag route.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">2d-7:<span> </span>Gun tight trips stron.<span> </span>3-3 nickel.<span> </span>4 verticals route.<span> </span>2 deep man under.<span> </span>Pryor throws the vertical to Stoney but doesn’t put enough air on it.<span> </span>Should have checked down.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">3d-12:<span> </span>Ace right:<span> </span>3-3 nickel. <span> </span>Adams overextended himself, getting beat inside quickly, forcing Pryor to dump off.<span> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Third Scarlet Series</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">1<sup>st</sup>-10:<span> </span>Lead draw-great quicks by Boom; best I have seen him run</span></div></div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-70639578037491383652010-04-17T19:27:00.001-04:002010-04-17T19:28:29.802-04:00The OSU 2010 Jersey Scrimmage<div style="text-align: justify;">I had the privilege of attending the OSU jersey scrimmage today. Because I was in the South Stands I had a good "video" view of the offensive and defensive schemes from directly behind the action.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I want to make one general point, then I'll turn to schemes and players.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Overall: I'm sure the CW out of this scrimmage will be that the offense and offensive line were not any good. But that is really an unfair reading. First off, the 1s did not play very much as a unit. And then of the snaps the 1s played, Pryor only played about half of those snaps. I personally saw Pryor play maybe 3 series. And then you have the fact that he is in a black jersey and cannot run. And then you add the fact that the 1s were largely working situations, like coming out of their own goal line. But all that being said, the first team offense largely did the job against the first team defense. They moved the ball running, Pryor had time to make plays, and the line worked pretty well together. There were some dropped balls, but the wind was terrible. The one's looked worse when Bauserman played, as he cannot help but get balls tipped. But where the offense really looked bad was the 2s and 3s against OSU's 2d and 3d string defense. But think about it--we are so loaded at DE and LBer how many of those guys would be starting for every other Big Ten Team: Wells, Thomas, Klein, Dorian Bell, Newsome, etc. So they were lighting up patchwork second and third team O-Lines. So you really can only expect so much.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Schemes:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Offense:</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> The offense is largely building upon what they did against Oregon. It is a really nice package built around several series from both the shotgun and I that have the common theme of being built around the inside running threat and outside run/pass threat of Pryor.</li>
<li>That means a combination of the 'spread', namely with tight trips or 3 wide, split backs, based around the zone read play and then the half roll passes off of that, and then the I-formation, based upon the Dave/rollout and sprint draw series. You will notice that all of these series have the common fact that they combine our inside running game with the outside run/pass threat bind that Pryor puts defenses in. So it plays to the teams strengths and really works well together. They all allow Pryor to get to the outside where he is such a threat. For example, we saw the fake Dave QB run play that Pryor just killed Oregon. That play puts the OLB in such a bind--does he screw down on the power play like he's taught to do, or does he stay outside to contain Pryor? As VB said, pretty much all you can do is tell your SAM LBer to just make a decision one way or another, don't get stuck in no-man's land. The Tight-trips shotgun formation also is such a threat to the defense. They put the HB to the tight trips side. That means you have 7 defenders to the strong side of the football that the defense has to acount for accordingly. But then, OSU can run inside zone back to the weakside, and also has Posey alone to that side. So a defense is put in the bind of both having to respect the numbers to the strength but accounting for what they may see to the weak side. </li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>OSU is consciously working hard to get the TEs and Running Backs involved in the passing game. OSU showed some unbalanced where Stoneburner would be to the weakside but then release into the pass route. Every pass pattern called was a 5 man route with the TE running seam, drag, or in routes. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Defense</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>OSU's defense has reached a point that they are all so comfortable with teh system and what they are trying to do that they are getting very complicated. Their base is 4-3 under personnel. But from that they go a variety of ways. Oftentimes they will play a 3-4, but they bump down one side into an '<a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/osus-3-4.html" rel="nofollow">eagle</a>' look with a 3 technique. The thing is, its really hard to figure out what their keys are. Sometimes they bump the eagle down based on formation strength, sometimes based on the field. Other times they played a straight-up 3-4. Still other times they showed a 4-3 over. Coverage-wise they are showing cover 1 press, but then often dropping to a lot of quarter-quarter-half coverage. </li>
<li>And the Defense was really bringing the heat today. Rolle and Homan were constantly x-blitzing, and they would often bring Williams around on a twist. Everything OSU is doing defensively reflects a staff and team that is confident in what they are doing and their ability. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Personnel</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>In the limited amount of action Pryor looked very comfortable in the pocket. He was stepping up, making his reads, and staying comfortable in the pocket. I remarked that he just looks much more comfortable and in control with everything.</li>
<li>Cameron Hayward is the leader of this team. He is extremely vocal the first one running down the field to participate in drills, the one in front cheering and hollering on the defense, and spurring people on. The defense takes on his persona and they were really animated and cheering each other on all day. IIt is funny, Simon is like Heyward's shadow, he tries to follow and mimic everything he is doing. The offense, by comparison, was pretty lacking in emotion. Now, part of this is just the defense between offensive and defensive football. But right now it is clear who the defense's leader is, the offense does not have someone as vocal. Heyward is poised to take another step forward and be the most dominant defensive linemen in college fb this year.</li>
<li>The defense flies to the football. It's hard to say certain people stand out, because they are running and gang-tackling everyone. </li>
<li>As I said, I thought the first team O-Line looked pretty good. I thought Miller may have gotten a few more snaps than Adams, but I thought Adams more than held his own. My personal sense is that Adams will be the starter and is playing better, but they are going to make him earn it. </li>
<li>I think Sabino has fully locked down the SAM spot. People need to realize that the 3 LBer positions are not interchangeable. You can play either the inside spots (Mike or Will) or the Sam spot. The Sam is now always on the LOS and is basically a mix between your traditional head-up on the TE linebacker and the nickel star player. Half the time he is playing in the "grey" area splitting between the end of the line and wide receivers, forcing everything inside. Sabino's athleticism allows him to do this and really gives the 3-4 look another dimension. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-31282491734698195782010-01-17T16:21:00.000-05:002010-01-17T16:21:58.288-05:00Rose Bowl Review: Ohio State's Offense<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I must admit that I did not predict this. I thought that Ohio State's goal would be to control the clock, make first downs and keep the ball away from Oregon. Ohio State succeeded on each account, to the tune of nearly <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=300012483">42</a> minutes of time of possession.. What I did not expect was that OSU would do so through an mix of quick dropback and playaction passing, the inside run game, and Terrelle Pryor's legs. When one reviews the tape, though, it becomes clear that OSU had a great gameplan for what Oregon was trying to do.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. This game contained a great chess match. As <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-defense-scheme.html">expected</a>, Oregon showed a variety of looks at OSU. But it can effectively summed up as follows:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Against Ohio State's pro formations, Oregon largely employed a 4-3 "<a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=117">open plus</a>" (3 and 5 technique strong with their strongside Lber over the TE and other Linebackers stacked) with their backside safety walked up as the 8th man. Oregon also heavily favored the strong-side of the formation.<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/daz8MpeSckg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/daz8MpeSckg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Against OSU's shotgun looks, Oregon mixed in heavy doses of 6 and 7 man blitzes with soft man coverage behind it, with looks where they would rush 3, leave their 4th linemen 'spying' Pryor, and play <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/attacking-coverages-in-the-passing-game">Quarter-Quarter-Half</a> coverage behind it to try and double Posey.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To break this down, Oregon brought multiple blitzes, but their favorite was a favorite for them all year; what some call a "<a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/08/fire-zone-defense-nu-veau.html">Florida</a>" <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/01/fire-zone-blitzes.html">blitz</a>, where two linebackers come off the weak edge with the line then stunting strong (though Oregon generally ran this with man coverage behind it). (H/T: <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/01/fire-zone-blitzes.html">Smart Football</a>).<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-854mCL9A5wO1Z7FuWwoYIup3SYxZ0aRtccL2rvGs0fiE89mxBR1xwA3hpUZTlvynKvuzRa6xh2f1hHDv1Plh_rf37DTktd2aSUjViTTHn_H5n3_ydP0m4XsZ_OsWYUKrtzWDrAUekfA/s1600-h/firezone.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-854mCL9A5wO1Z7FuWwoYIup3SYxZ0aRtccL2rvGs0fiE89mxBR1xwA3hpUZTlvynKvuzRa6xh2f1hHDv1Plh_rf37DTktd2aSUjViTTHn_H5n3_ydP0m4XsZ_OsWYUKrtzWDrAUekfA/s400/firezone.gif" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eMdaiXAQrAE&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eMdaiXAQrAE&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
Oregon's goal, as they made clear during the run-up to the Rose Bowl was to rattle Pryor. They then tried to mix in the Quarter-Quarter-Half coverage. This coverage, among other things, rolls towards one side of the field, allowing a team to 'bracket' the offense's best receiver.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BM0c1rDqeWdjIJodLrzTsM154zckDiUwFdeP74cIGYfS7hUdvi_-wR7i1olzN1czClJf4Wt4syOrcxxhjgLjeRGcNZpuPsKfRAf0__WVLIj63vUfZIe2G7OQ_xJFazoRIl3eDtxC3AI/s1600-h/qtrqtr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BM0c1rDqeWdjIJodLrzTsM154zckDiUwFdeP74cIGYfS7hUdvi_-wR7i1olzN1czClJf4Wt4syOrcxxhjgLjeRGcNZpuPsKfRAf0__WVLIj63vUfZIe2G7OQ_xJFazoRIl3eDtxC3AI/s320/qtrqtr.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Glig4xpDmMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Glig4xpDmMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <br />
<br />
Oregon mixed in this coverage, likely in the hope that Pryor would be rattled from all the blitzing and try to force balls to Posey. Oregon's ultimate goal was to take away OSU's inside power running game first, and make Pryor beat them with his arms and legs.<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Ohio State did a very effective job attacking these looks and had a great gameplan.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">--First, Ohio State just wore Oregon out by running one play that had a simple yet multifaceted <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/05/packaging-concepts-putting-beaters-to.html">coverage beater</a> to each side. It was a five man pattern featuring <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/05/packaging-concepts-putting-beaters-to.html">double slants</a> to one side and a '<a href="http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/28/smart-football-with-chris-brown-a-look-at-steelers-strategy/">snag</a>' combination to the other. Snag is a 3-man route where the outermost receiver runs a <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/09/snag-route-noel-mazzone-ny-jets.html">snag</a> or <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/putting-out-fire-zone-gunter-brewer_29.html">scat</a> route, the inner receiver running a flag, and the back releasing to the flat. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeRg-_W6cq2IuzERX3cAW3al9PO3IZiRDIN8GJrkDiQSUnQwmmFlK9pYnPCmwptK9HMPLeDh5kF3hzrtfJXMZou8S9E3L5Dn2IWuLNb64TvvfNqwZUO0RTfDJyof3RdhTC0wJn7X1u0A/s1600-h/ScreenShot032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzeRg-_W6cq2IuzERX3cAW3al9PO3IZiRDIN8GJrkDiQSUnQwmmFlK9pYnPCmwptK9HMPLeDh5kF3hzrtfJXMZou8S9E3L5Dn2IWuLNb64TvvfNqwZUO0RTfDJyof3RdhTC0wJn7X1u0A/s320/ScreenShot032.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is the play in full (you can also see above)<br />
<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This play provided Ohio State multiple benefits. First, it was part of the <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2007/01/notes-on-practicing-and-developing.html">quick passing game</a> so it allowed Pryor to throw before the blitz came. Second, putting these routes to each side actually provided '3' coverage beaters.<br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>It provided a man coverage beater in the double slants and a zone coverage beater in the snag.</li>
<li>Against zone, it had both a cover 2 beater in the slant and a cover 3 (or other 4 man underneath zone) beater in the snag.</li>
<li>Finally, it provided quick hot routes to either side against the blitz. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Ohio State gameplanned very well in designing this play against the myriad of blitzes they knew Oregon would show. The double slants were particularly effective against the loose coverage Oregon was playing behind their blitzes; sometimes it was like stealing.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rY1SvEMlGP0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rY1SvEMlGP0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This was the primary play OSU used to control the clock passing.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Second, OSU also did a nice job utilizing play-action. The next two primary plays they utilized fall into this category. First, out of shotgun, they used a quick <a href="http://sky.prohosting.com/cbbrown/2005/08/sprintouthalf-roll-passing.html">half-roll</a> off of zone read to hit the inside receiver on a <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/colt-mccoys-texas-passing-game">quick out</a> following under a fly route.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/nwjWN-Ifj5k&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/nwjWN-Ifj5k&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Third, Ohio State then looked to make 'big' plays off their I-formation play action passing game, particularly their 2-man smash routes off the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-mexico-state-first-half.html">'Dave' play-action rollouts</a>. OSU thus used their 'shotgun-spread' passing game to control the clock and their I formation play-action passing game to make big plays. While this may seem paradoxical at first, it is a tried and true rule for two reasons. First, in a pro-formation the offense has more pass protectors to give the QB more time to hit plays downfield. Second, the safeties creep up to stop the run, opening holes. As can be seen here, OSU was able to draw up Oregon's safeties who were continually playing run against OSU's I formation, allowing big plays. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZImUAIatRy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZImUAIatRy8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ohio State was also able to design plays to take advantage of Oregon's blitzes; for example the wheel route to Saine is one where they guessed correctly that Oregon was running their 'Florida blitz, leaving Saine streaking down the sideline past the dropping Defensive End.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/7LzdlHaU3rw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/7LzdlHaU3rw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Finally, Ohio State was able to get positive plays for Pryor running on the edge due to Oregon's emphasis on stopping the inside running game. Oregon's safeties were playing hard downhill, allowing Pryor get to the edge. The last drive was perhaps the best example with the called Dave rollout runs, but Ohio State was able to do so in the zone read game also. Oregon was selling out to stop the give, leaving the keep open in key situations. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lU-lSdu_5LI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lU-lSdu_5LI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">In all these instances, Ohio State perfectly gameplanned for what Oregon likes to do. Oregon could not get a pass rush with their defensive front, so they knew they needed to blitz. But to try to avoid giving up big plays, they played loose man coverage. OSU moved the ball up and down the field hitting quick slants and outs in front of that coverage, eating up chunks of yards and clock.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. It goes without saying that Pryor played a very good game. Perhaps most impressively, he did a very nice job diagnosing Oregon's coverage and blitzes, stepping into the pockets and hitting the quick routes. In addition, what sometimes gets overlooked--because he makes it look so easy--is just how important some of his individual efforts were running the football. Time and again he would pick up critical first downs. He did his best job yet of running North and South and running physically. That is very demoralizing to a defense and sustained multiple drives.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. Posey took his game to another level. I have at times been critical of the Wide Receiver's this year, particularly in being physical off the line of scrimmage, running crisp routes, and concentration. But Posey really showed marked improvement--he was extremely physical and went up and made plays. Because of this, as noted, Oregon went to quite a bit of quarter-quarter-half coverage. This opened things up for Dane on the quick outs and slants. Though Dane was still getting bottled up too often off the line against press coverage, he did a nice job making plays. The improved wide receiver play was nearly as important to the offense's success as Pryor.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. The offensive line played very, very well. There is no doubt that they became the strength of this offense by the end of the year. Oregon had no chance of getting pressure without blitzing. And, for all the exotic looks they saw, the Line largely did a good job of picking things up, other than Cordle and Shugarts occasionally getting beat off the edge by stunting linemen. They dominated Oregon in run blocking--Shugarts, Browning, and Ballard were particularly impressive; I think this was Ballard's best blocking game this year. And it was great to see the offense pick up every third and fourth and short. Oregon knew we were going to run the 'Dave' play but could not stop it. Everyone could see how pumped Tressel was about this on the last drive and it cannot be considered anything but a big step forward from where things started with the Navy game. The offensive line cannot be considered anything but a strength as OSU heads into next year. <br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/zPt9Zxv3dCE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/zPt9Zxv3dCE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. I hate ending on a negative note, but my one real critique is the tailback play. Though they did well in the pass game, they had bad games running the football. I cannot tell you how many big run plays were left on the field by Herron and Saine missing holes--it was disappointing to see (one example is on the 'Dave' play in the first video clip above-rather than following his Z. Boren kicking out in the 'C' gap where the play is supposed to go he runs right into the frontsides down blocks).<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/daz8MpeSckg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/daz8MpeSckg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
I have seen them have better games, but vision is neitherof their strong suits and I do not know whether that is something you can really 'develop.' To me, this is the major area that, as of now,will hold back OSU's offense going forward next year. It really puts a lot of pressure on the OLine to be perfect and Pryor to be a major factor with his legs. <br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Putting that aside, though, this was a very good performance by the coaching staff and offensive unit. OSU perfectly dissected what Oregon's scheme and devised a gameplan to both attack it and control the clock. Then, Pryor and the offense played at a high level throughout the game and repeatedly made key plays. A great victory and a good omen going forward. The Play-by-Play below.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">OFFENSE<br />
First Possession: 0-0. OSU 25<br />
1st-10: Gun Ace right strong. Oregon 4-3 tight under. 2 high.<br />
Dropback. OSU runs a snag/in combo. Oregon cover 2. No one open.<br />
Good protection. Pryor tries to force the ball, incomplete.<br />
2d-10: Gun trips right weak. Or3 3-4 Half Eagle 2 high. Fake zone<br />
left, bubble screen right. Nice block by T. Washington stalemating<br />
his man, letting Dane gain 5.<br />
3d-5: Gun. Ace right-H-back right weak. Or: Eagle, 0 high.<br />
Dropback. Ore twists up front, cover man robber. Browning pancakes<br />
DT, giving Pryor a running lane. Completely outruns the robber<br />
linebacker, then breaks the DBs ankles. 24 yd gain. Great run.<br />
Posey pancakes guy at the end.<br />
1st-10: Ace trey right: Fake zone left, half roll right. Oregon<br />
Q-Q-H coverage. Nice block by Ballard to establish the edge. Quick<br />
out to Posey for 5.<br />
2d-5: Gun-Ace right strong-Stoney as a tight flanker right. Oregon<br />
eagle weak 1 high. DT twist nickel blitz. Cover 1. Double slant to<br />
the left. Perfect call against the nickel blitz. Great throw by<br />
Pryor. 8 yd gain. Nice job by Cordle picking up and driving the<br />
nickel back inside, letting Pryor step up.<br />
1st-10: Ace trips right weak: Ore-Eagle to the TE 2 high. Ore only<br />
had 2 guys on OSU trips. Bubble screen to Sanz, good blocking, 7 yd<br />
gain. Unlike USC punished them for not covering up our WRs.<br />
2d-3: Gun trey left strong. Oregon Eagle strong. 1 high. Zone<br />
right. Great blocking by Shugarts and Browning at the POA. Shugarts<br />
manhandled the DE, establishing the edge, and then Browning locked up<br />
the LB. Very nice cut by Saine off of Browning. 6 yd gain, first<br />
down. Ore constantly aligning to TE, so we attacked to the weak<br />
side.<br />
1st-10: Gun, ace right stron. Oregon: 4-2-5 strong 2 high.<br />
Droback. Coverage beaters. Double slants to left side, ‘snag’ combo<br />
to right. Cover 4. Not a very good pattern by Sanz, not a great<br />
decision by Pryor-had Washington or Posey open.<br />
2d-10: Gun ace trey right strong. Ore Eagle trong. 1 high. Oregon<br />
double backer weakside blitz, slant strong. Man coverage. Fade stop<br />
to Posey (man coverage beater). Great throw, needs to be caught.<br />
3d-10: Gun tight trips right strong. Dropback. All curl route. Ore<br />
cover 2. Great protection. Cordle and Brewster lock up their man.<br />
Very nice job by Pryor checking down to Saine. And then great run by<br />
Brandon bowling over the DB for the TD.<br />
SECOND POSSESSION: OSU 7-0. OSU 3 yd line<br />
1st-10: Tight I left. Ore-4-3 under. 2 high. Dave left. Ore’s<br />
safeties came up immediately, nice job by Boom bouncing it outside. 8<br />
yd gain plus a facemask.<br />
1st-10: I twins right. Ore-3-4 strong. 0 high. Dave right. Pryor<br />
checked into it going the way where they had a 3 technique and a LBer.<br />
Big downblocks by Shugarts and Browning. Nice job pulling around by<br />
Boren, huge hole. 9 yd gain.<br />
2d-1: Gun tight trips right. Ore 3-4 under. Zone right left. Pryor<br />
should have kept. Ore slanted hard on the zone action, Brewster got<br />
beat across his face, 2 yd loss.<br />
3d-3: Gun double tight halfback left. Ore-nickel under 2 high. Zone<br />
read right. Ore scrape exchanges-they had the right call here, but<br />
Pryor just owns the LBer with a stiff arm and takes him to the ground.<br />
Nice block by Boom to get Pryor the first down. 5 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: I twins right: Ore-4-3 under nickel: 1 high. ISO right.<br />
Decent blocking at the POA, but not much movement, limiting to a 3 yd<br />
gain. Ore’s safety walked up at the last minute, stopping the play.<br />
2d-9: Gun ace right strong. Ore 4-3 under nickel. Fake zone right,<br />
double slants high, snag underneath. Cover 1. Pryor great throw to<br />
Dane on the inside double slant. 12 yd gain. This route beat Oregon<br />
like a tom-tom here. Offered Pryor a lot of options. Versus man it<br />
has a coverage beater-double slants versus cover 2, snag versus cover<br />
3. Versus man has two man beater routes in the slant and the snag.<br />
And also gives two-easy hot routes to each side versus the blitz.<br />
1st-10: Gun tight trips right strong Ore nickel over 1 high. Zone<br />
read left. Cordle and Boren didn’t sustain their blocks well, and<br />
Boom missed the hole. 3 yd gain. Offsides, though.<br />
1st-5: I twins right. Oregon 4-3 over and LBs shaded strong.<br />
Safeties at 10 yds. Dave right. Blocked perfectly to bounce it<br />
outside except the safety came up. I still think Boom should have<br />
bounced out instead of shoving his head in the hole. 2 yd gain.<br />
Oregon’s safeties were playing so aggressively when we were in the I.<br />
2d-5: I twins right. Ore 4-3 over. 9 guys within 7 yds. Sprint<br />
draw pass right. Shugarts got his pads down and got beat on the speed<br />
rush. Pryor tries to scramble around. If Cordle and Ballard stay<br />
with their guys Pryor has a big play but gets tripped up.<br />
3d-15: Gun ace right: Dropback. Flood left, option routes<br />
underneath. Cordle gets beat inside by Rowe. Pryor rolls right,<br />
somehow gets the ball off. Dane was open but he needed to come<br />
horizontal as he should on the ‘scramble’ drill. Incomplete.<br />
4th-Punt.<br />
<br />
Third Possession: 7-0 OSU 49<br />
1st-10: Gun split twins left. Ore 3-4 nickel strong. 1 high.<br />
Dropback. Oreg brought 6. “Florida blitz”—two off weak side, slant<br />
to strong, drop off the strongside. Cover 1. 3 verticals route with<br />
a HB wheel route. Saine against the DE in man coverage down the<br />
sideline. Great job by Pryor sliding in the pocket and hitting Saine<br />
on the fly. 45 yd gain.<br />
1st-Goal at the 4: Gun split unbalanced left, H-back otion right.<br />
Ore 4-4. Was going to be an outside zone away from the unbalanced,<br />
but bad snap by Brewster trying to reach block. Nice job by Pryor<br />
minimizing the damage.<br />
2d-6: Gun unbalanced double tight-H-back motion to the weak side.<br />
Ore Eagle 2 high. Fake outside zone bootleg right. Not a great block<br />
by Cordle establishing the edge. If Pryor is patient, Z. Boren comes<br />
wide open, but he forces the issue, 2 yd gain on a scramble<br />
3d-4: Gun unbalanced right, twins left stron. Ore-4-3 under. Load<br />
option right. If Pryor runs the play and actually options the<br />
playside linebacker Saine walks into the endzone untouched. But he<br />
danced too much with it trying to make a play. 2 yd gain.<br />
4th-FG.<br />
Fourth Possession: OSU 10-3. OSU 16 yd line.<br />
1st-10: Gun split backs left. Ore 4-2 under nickel. 2 high. Load<br />
option left. Ore’s safeties come flying up-Pryor needs to pitch the<br />
ball but instead gets strung out. Need the playaction off of that.<br />
2d-8: Gun ace left strong. Ore Eagle weak to field 2 high.<br />
Dropback. Same double slant/snag combo. Ore did a DT around stunt,<br />
double weakside blitz, Adams and Boren got caught in no-man’s land,<br />
letting the stunter come around unscathed. Ore likes bringing 2<br />
backers to one side, move the line the other way.<br />
3d-7: Gun ace left weak. Or-3-3-5. 7 man blitz. Dane gets<br />
manhandled at the line, so he doesn’t come free for the hot route.<br />
Protection was not terrible, Brewster did not maintain his block but<br />
Pryor forced it a hair too early. Dane was wide open if he is<br />
patient. 1 yd loss.<br />
4th-Punt<br />
Fifth Possession: 10-10. OSU 33<br />
1st-10: Gun trips right. Ore-3-4 to the field. Dropback. Double<br />
stunt twist blitz. OSU picked up the blitz, Dane did not turn around<br />
for the ball, though.<br />
2d-10: Ace bunch left. Ore-4-4 under to bunch. 1 high. Dave left.<br />
Big hole. Nice kickout by Ballard and pull by Browning. Boom ran<br />
outside the hole, then worked hard for 6 yards.<br />
3d-5: Gun split right. Ore 3-4 2 high. Dropback,. Ore drops 8,<br />
plays Q-Q-H. Pryor forces the rush upfield. Facemask. 15 yds.<br />
1st-10: Gun ace tight trips right strong-Ore 4-3 uneder. False start.<br />
1st-15: Gun motion to tight trips right, stron. Ore 3-4 to field.<br />
Fake zone left, Smash right. Pryor delivers right away to Posey on<br />
the snag route. 4 yd gain.<br />
2d-11: Ace right weak. Ore-4-3 over to field. 2 high. Dropback.<br />
Inside screen. Bad luck. Called a screen when Oregon dropped 7 into<br />
a cover 4.<br />
3d-11: Gun split backs right. Ore-3-3-5. Dropback. Ore rushes 2<br />
and spies Pryor. Ore drops into Q-Q-H. Doing it to double Posey.<br />
Great play by Pryor and Boom-Pryor moving to buy time, Boom by coming<br />
back inside when he saw him scrambling. 15 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Gun ace right stron. Ore-Eagle to strength. 0 high.<br />
Favorite play-double slants, snag. Ore double backer blitz, and<br />
stunt. Pryor hits Posey before the stunt man comes around on Cordle.<br />
Ore favorite blitz-Double LBer blitz to weak side, 3 technique to that<br />
side stunt around. 9 yd gain.<br />
2d-1: I left. Ore 4-3 under 2 high. Dave left. Big hole where the<br />
play is called-Ballard and Cordle collapsed down Oregon’s line. Saine<br />
hit it up inside for whatever reason. Still got the first down 2 yd<br />
gain.<br />
1st-10: Did not get set. 5 yd penalty.<br />
1st-15: Gun split backs right—Ore 4-4 under-Ore stunt left. OSU fake<br />
zone right, boot left. Flood right. Ore’s LB blitzed off the edge<br />
unblocked. Nice play by Pryor stepping up and great grap by Posey on<br />
the cross, using his strength to grab the pass. 8 yd gain.<br />
2d-7: OSU gun split left. Or-Eagle to the field. 1 high. All curl.<br />
Ore double LB A gap blitz, stunt. Cordle came inside to pick up the<br />
backer, letting the stunt man come around free. Pryor could not find<br />
anyone open. Kept it straight up the middle. Coverage sack.<br />
3d-7: Gun trips right. Ore-3-4-5. Ore stunt. Nice pick-up by<br />
Saine. Good job by Shugarts on the edge. Pryor gets outside and<br />
outruns 5 Oregon players and then runs over Ore’s DB. 6 yd gain.<br />
4th-1: Double Tight I-fly motion right. Ore goaline 4-4. Dave<br />
right. Great POA surge by Ballard and Shugarts opening a big hole.<br />
Shugarts dominated the ‘5’ technique. Nice lead blocks by the Borens.<br />
5 yard gain. Dominating statement. 1:51<br />
1st-Goal: Gun Ace right strong. Oregon 4-3 under 1 high. Dropback.<br />
4 man rush. Q-Q-H coverage. Post corner routes. Good<br />
protection-Oregon could not get pressure with just 4. No opening,<br />
threw it away beyond Posey.<br />
2d-Goal: Gun 5 wide, trips lef. Ore nickel shift strong 2-high. Ore<br />
had no one over Dane, Pryor tries to get a quick snap to throw the<br />
bubble. By the time Brewster snaps Oregon had re-aligned and shifted<br />
a man over. Then Dane tried to string it out. 2 yd loss.<br />
3d-Goal: Gun split back right. Ore-3-3-5. Ore rushes 2, plays a<br />
cover 1 robber with a spy on Pryor. Dropback, shallow cross, snag<br />
combo. No one open, Pryor tries to force it to Posey. Incomplete.<br />
4th-FG.<br />
<br />
SIXTH POSSESSION: OSU 13-10<br />
1st-10: Gun split back right. Ore-3-4 2 high. Dropback. Roll into<br />
Q-Q-H. Good protection, nice job by Browning and Ballard. Pryor<br />
holds the ball a long time, could have run for yards. Threw it away<br />
2d-10: Gun trips right. Ore 3-4 2 high. Dropback. ‘Drive’ crossing<br />
route combo. Rowe beats Shugarts spinning inside, but great pickup of<br />
him by Browning. Pryor does a very nice job stepping up in the pocket<br />
and throwing a crossing route to Sanz. 16 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Spike<br />
2d-10: Gun split back twins right. Ore 3-4. 2 high. Ore brings the<br />
‘Raider’ blitz. Stunting DT gets around Cordle, flushes Pryor in<br />
pocket. Throws it away.<br />
3d-FG<br />
<br />
SECOND HALF<br />
1st Possession-Ore 17-16. OSU 20<br />
1st-10: Gun ace left. Ore-4-3 overshift. 1 high. Motion to tight<br />
trips. Zone read left. Nice blocks at the POA. Brewster does not<br />
sustain his block quite long enough, but Cordle lets his guy go<br />
upfield and Boren gets to the second level and stalemates the LB. 5<br />
yd gain.<br />
2d-5: Gun trips right. Ore 4-3 over shifted a gap further strong<br />
(something they do often). 1 high. Bubble screen. Nice run by Dane,<br />
setting up the cut inside. 7 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: I twins left. Ore 4-3 open plus. Dave right. HUGE hole<br />
right where the play is supposed to go. Great kick out by Z. Boren<br />
and down blocks by Ballard and Shugarts. But for whatever reason<br />
Saine does not follow his lead blockers and instead runs inside into<br />
traffic. Could have been a big play, instead only 2 yards. The TBs<br />
left a lot of yards on the field.<br />
2d-8: I twins right. Ore Eagle 1 high. Fake Dave rollout left.<br />
Smash combo. Ore safeties bite on the fake. Pryor does a great job<br />
setting his feet and throwing a perfect ball over Posey’s back<br />
shoulder. 36 yd gain. 9:15 3d quarter<br />
1st-10: Gun tight trips right stron. Ore-Overshifted 4-3 over. 1<br />
high. Fake zone left, roll right. Smash route. Ore squeezes to the<br />
run, great job by Pryor delivering the ball before Ore’s OLB recovers.<br />
6 yd gain. Great use of playaction on this drive.<br />
2d-5: I twins left. Ore-4-2-5 look. 1 high. Stretch left. Really<br />
nice job by Cordle and Brewster locking their men and getting hats to<br />
the play side. Saine turns it up and gets 4.<br />
3d-1: Double tight I right. Ore 4-4 pinch 1 high. Dave left. Big<br />
push by Ballard on the frontside DE, great kickout and pull by Boren<br />
and Browning, and then really nice job by Saine sticking his nose<br />
right up the field for the first down. Ore had 9 guys in the box with<br />
their playside DE sitting in C gap and still did not stop it.<br />
1st-10: Gun motion to tight trips right stron. Ore-4-3 double A gap.<br />
Zone read left. Brewster gets tossed by the playside 1 technique,<br />
who blows up the play. Pryor should have kept the ball.<br />
2d-13: Gun tight trips right stron. Ore-3-3 2 high. Dropback.<br />
Flood left Ore brought 7-3 off the right. Dane and Ballard wide open.<br />
Dane had it but laid out and dropped it. Nice job getting rid of the<br />
ball,.<br />
3d-13: Gun ace left. Or-3-4. 1 high. Ore brings 7. Nice job by the<br />
right side of the line picking it up. Dane open on skinny post, but<br />
Pryor throws the hot route and Dane runs his route-miscommunication.<br />
Dane needed to cut off his break.<br />
4th-FG<br />
Second Possession: OSU 19-17. OSU 20<br />
1st-10: OSU I left. Ore 4-3 under 1 high. Fake Dave left. Ore bit<br />
hard on playfake. Nice job by Boren kicking out the end, Pryor<br />
stepped up in the pocket and delivered a strike to Posey on the out.<br />
Ballard ran a shallow cross. First time I’ve seen them run this play<br />
from a non-twins set. 15 yd out.<br />
1st-5 (offsides): Gun split backs left. Ore 4-3 over strong. 2<br />
high. Outsise zone right. False start<br />
1st-10: Gun split backs left. Ore 4-3 under 1 high. Fake outside<br />
zone left, boot right. May have had Ballard on the delay route, but<br />
Rowe stayed home and made the play. 5 yd loss.<br />
2d-15: Gun empty. Ore 3-3 shift to field. 1 high. QB draw. Nice<br />
initial set-up. Ballard did not have a good stalk block of Rowe, but<br />
Pryor drills him with a stiff arm that knocks a DE down. 6 yd gain.<br />
3d-8: Gun ace right. Ore-3-4. 1 high. 3 man rush. Cover 1 robber.<br />
Nice protection. Pryor has Posey going down the sideline but lofts<br />
it up and leaves it short. Interception. Herron’s guy had slipped<br />
but Pryor did not see him.<br />
Third Possession: OSU 19-17. OSU 12<br />
1st-10: I right. Ore 4-3 under 2 high. ISO right. Good blocking by<br />
J. Boren on the backside completely locking his man down. Nice cut by<br />
Saine and then runs over the safety and knocks his helmet off-their<br />
safeties were flying down all game. 5 yd gain.<br />
2d-5: I twins left. Ore-4-3 over 1 high. Dave right. Great<br />
kick-out by Z. Boren-huge hole outside by Saine missed the cut and ran<br />
into the defense. 2 yd gain.<br />
3d-3: Gun ace left. Oregon brings 7. Double slants left. Just a<br />
tad beyond Sanz’ reach.<br />
4th-Punt<br />
Fourth Possession: OSU 19-17. OSU 21<br />
1st-10: Gun ace left. Ore-4-3 over. 2 high. Dropback. Nice initial<br />
job by Cordle and Shugarts on the edges. Then amazing run by Pryor<br />
through an arm tackle for 12 yds. 12:10 4th.<br />
1st-10: Gun tight trips right strong. Ore 4-3 tight. 1 high.<br />
Corner blitz. Zone read left. Ore backside end did not respect the<br />
keep and ran Boom down from behind. Too bad because very good push<br />
from Shugarts and Browning. 3 yd gain.<br />
2d-8: Gun tight trips right. Ore 4-3 over tight. 1 high. Fake zone<br />
read left, boot quick out to Sanz. 5 yd gain. 11:25.<br />
3d-5: Gun ace left strong. Ore-3-3-5. 2 high. Giving Dane a 15 yd<br />
cushion. That is stealing. Double slant, snag combo.<br />
1st-10: I left. Ore 4-3 tight. 1 high. Dave rollout right. Boren<br />
and Boom run into each other. Pryor takes off back across the<br />
field-huge hole except Rowe is able to trip him up from behind for a 1<br />
yd loss.<br />
2d-11: Shift to Gun tight trips strong. Ore 3-3-5. Sprint option<br />
right. Pryor had the cutback, but slipped. 1 yd loss.<br />
3d-12: Gun ace right. Ore-3-3-5 2 high. Dropback. Double post,<br />
flood right. Ore 3 deep. Cordle gets beat off the edge, Pryor rolls<br />
outside, hits Ballard as he releases deep off the scramble. Amazing<br />
catch. 25 yd gain<br />
1st-10: Gun twins left. Fake zone right, boot left. Smash. Hits<br />
Dane on quick out. Incomplete.<br />
2d-10: Ace tight bunch left unbalanced. Ore 4-3 open plus. Dave<br />
left. Nice frontside blocking blocking down and locking up the<br />
frontside. Herron tiptoes a bit, gets 4.<br />
3d-6: Gun ace right. Ore 3-4 2 high. Ore all blitz-brings 7. Zone<br />
read left. The backside safety bit down enough for Pryor to get the<br />
edge and stiffarm him. He’s then able to outrun everyone else for a<br />
first down. Huge individual play by him.<br />
1st-10: I twins left. Ore-4-3 open plus. 1 high. ISO right. Huge<br />
hole on the right side. Shugarts pancakes the DE and Browning drove<br />
his guy down. Z. Boren then pancakes the LBer. Herron completely<br />
misses the hole and runs up Brewster’s back. I saw this WAY too many<br />
times this game. 2 yard gain.<br />
2d-8: Gun split back rights. Dropback. Ore Cover 2. Nice<br />
protection. Ore had no hope of getting a pass rush without blitzing.<br />
Stop-fade to Posey. Perfect throw and great catch. TD.<br />
<br />
Fifth Possession-OSU 26-17. OSU 27<br />
1st-10: I twins right. Ore 4-3 open plus. 1 high. Stretch right.<br />
Browning gets beat but for whatever reason Saine cuts inside. If he<br />
follows Boren he makes a positive play.<br />
2d-12: Motion to Gun tight trips strong. Ore-4-3 over. 1 high.<br />
Load option right. Pryor makes the pitch—should have done so earlier.<br />
Nice blocking by Washington on the edge. 10 yd gain.<br />
3d-2: Gun double tight strong right. Ore 4-2-5. 1 high. Load<br />
option right. Great run by Pryor getting up the field and running<br />
physical for the first down. 5 yd gain.Very nice job at the POA by<br />
Shugarts and Browning creating the hole. Shugarts kept his head<br />
playside and ran with the DE, and Browning wheeled and turned his guy<br />
inside.<br />
1st-10: Double Tight I left. Dave right. Saine again misses the<br />
hole. This play is a C gap play. The FB kicks out the pulling Guard<br />
seals. The TB needs to follow those two and run between them. It is<br />
a hole to bounce play. Again and again the TBs would run up inside<br />
right where the down blocks are taking place and miss big holes. 2 yd<br />
gain.<br />
2d-8: Double tight I left. Ore 4-3 open plus. 1 high. 3 min left.<br />
Fake Dave called run rollout left. Great job by Boren on the edge<br />
locking down the playside corner allowing Pryor to get around the<br />
edge. 7 yard gain.<br />
3d-1: Double tight I right. Ore 4-3 open plus. Dave left. Nice job<br />
by Browning pulling and sealing off the traffic and of Saine sticking<br />
his head in there for the first. 3 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Double tight I right. Ore 4-3 open plus. 1 high. ISO left.<br />
The safety filled immediately and made the play for a 1 yd gain.<br />
2d-9: Tight I right. Ore 4-3 over tight. Dave fake keep right.<br />
Great blocks by the Boren brothers-pancacked the playside LBer. Big<br />
space for TP to run 13 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Tigh I left: Ore 4-3 open plus 1 high. ISO right. Nice cut<br />
by Boom in traffic around Browning taking his guy inside. 4 yd gain.<br />
Victory Formation.</div><br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-84987667376400915882010-01-01T22:45:00.002-05:002010-01-01T22:54:36.839-05:00Rose Bowl Quick Game ThoughtsFor further discussion, go to Scout.com's Ohio State's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insider's</a>' Board.<br />
<br />
<br />
I will have a lot more to say after reviewing the film, but for now these are the things that jumped out at me. All in all a great victory--OSU did exactly what they had to do--set the tempo, controlled the clock, and controlled the line of scrimmage--and did so through their passing game. Very impressive<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><i>OFFENSE</i><br />
</div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>What a gameplan. I thought OSU would try and control the clock, which they did to the tune of nearly 42 minutes. I thought that Pryor would be called upon to make some big plays with his legs, which he did. In particular, the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html">fake Dave rollout</a> play was highly successful in the second half, both as a pass and called run. But I had no idea that OSU would control the clock through ball-control passing. Pryor continually moved the chains through short to medium drop back and half roll pass plays and OSU was highly successful doing so.</li>
<li>For those that complain that OSU does not have a 'sophisticated' passing game, or run 'sophisticated' routes, this game was the perfect tonic. True to form, Oregon play an aggressive <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-defense-scheme.html">blitzing style with soft man coverage </a>behind it. So what did OSU do??? Run underneath <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/05/packaging-concepts-putting-beaters-to.html">man-coverage beater</a> routes all night. <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/10/blog-post.html">Double</a> <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/05/packaging-concepts-putting-beaters-to.html">slants</a> were the most prevalent. Again and again OSU moved the chains by hitting the inside double slant before Oregon's man coverage could converge. OSU also featured bubble screens, running back arrow and wheel routes out of the backfield against man-coverage linebackers, <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/05/packaging-concepts-putting-beaters-to.html">seam routes</a>, quick outs off the zone read fake, and fade-stop routes, most famously on the last TD pass to Posey. OSU did a great job controlling the ball and moving the chains by featuring these routes. </li>
<li>From there, OSU did a nice job balancing by mixing in <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense.html">shotgun-spread type runs </a>with Pryor picking up some big third downs on the zone read, traditional <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-defense-v-ohio.html">I formation</a> football, and the heretorefore mentioned called fake- Dave run plays. </li>
<li>Perhaps most importantly, Ohio State stayed aggressive. On first down, Ohio State was extremely balanced, going 10-16 passing for 107 yards. They then did a great job on the game-clinching drive of using play-action called runs to get big first downs. </li>
<li>All that can be said about Terrelle Pryor is wow. Just a great, great game. Stepped up in the pocket, did a great job hitting the slants on time, and buying time with his feet to chheck down and hit the RBs on key underneath routes. Also did a nice job of checking to the bubble screen when it was there. Then when he ran, he largely ran the ball hard and sniffed out the first down market multiple times, and how about those stiff arms!?!? He deserves every accolade for this game, and I think it represented a culmination of all the little improvements I saw throughout the year--taking what the defense gives you both running and throwing, better mechanics, checking into the right play, and not forcing throws.<br />
</li>
<li>Posey and Sanzenbacher deserve as much credit as Pryor. I have been hard on them at times this year, but they took their games to the next level. Posey played very physical and caught balls in traffic. Oregon started cheating their coverage towards him and Dane came up big over the middle. Both did a nice job getting off the line, running precise routes, and reading the blitz. Big steps forward. <br />
</li>
<li>The Offensive Line also played a very big game. For the most part they handled the multidude of blitzes and stunts Oregon threw their way, giving Pryor time. OSU also time and again picked up critical short yardage conversions, never getting stopped on third and short. It was great seeing Tressel's reaction on the last 3d and 1 Dave play where OSU gained 4. Oregon knew it was coming and could not stop it. The line took a big step forward this year. <br />
</li>
<li>Brandon Saine and Jake Ballard also had critical catches. Saine again showed the threat he is out of the backfield, showing great hands and nimbleness. Ballard's catch was highlight reel-esque, a great contribution from someone who is mostly called on to block. All in all it was a great team effort and execution on the offensive side of the ball of a very nice gameplan.</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>DEFENSE</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li>Just an amazing performance by the defense. To deal with a short field most of the game, and hold Oregon to 17 points and 13 first downs is quite an accomplishment.</li>
<li>Schematically, OSU did a great job of mixing coverages and looks. We brought a lot of zone pressure, played quite a bit of <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense_253.html">cover 4</a> and quarter-quarter-half coverage, and kept Oregon guessing. Up front, we lined up primarily in an <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense_253.html">over front </a>to limit Oregon's reads.</li>
<li>The key to OSU's defensive success was <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense_253.html">winning</a> first and second down. And OSU did that by <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/01/rose-bowl-preview-final-thoughts.html">limiting</a> Oregon's primary play, the zone read. In fact, Oregon did not have success running this play all night. Instead they had to turn to their fly sweep and WR screens on the outside to move the ball. </li>
<li>OSU did so by doing what they have done all year--dominating the line of scrimmage. Heyward, Gibson, Worthington, and company came up huge controlling Oregon's offensive line and limiting Oregon's running lanes.</li>
<li>In so doing, OSU limited to Oregon to 3d and medium and 3d and long. And this was critical. Rather than letting Oregon go to their offensive identity, which is their running game, Oregon had to pass. And they largely had no success doing so against OSU. OSU's back seven's mix of coverages controlled Oregon's wide receivers and TE, and Masoli could not read coverages. Even when he had time he had no idea where to go with the football. Oregon had to rely on bubble and jailbreak screens to pick up third downs, which was only successful for so long.</li>
<li>What is particularly impressive is that the OSU defense did this defending essentially half of the field. The kickoffs and coverages were terrible and were effectively the equivalent of one or two turnovers. But the defense made up for it and held Oregon in check.</li>
</ol><div style="text-align: justify;">A great all-around game on both the offensive and defense, both in terms of scheme and execution. OSU controlled the clock, set the tempo of the game, controlled the line of scrimmage, and came up with big plays when they needed to. These are the things that win games against good teams and OSU succeeded at all of these tonight. I will have much more to say about this game as I review the tape, but for now lets enjoy the win! <br />
</div><i> </i> <br />
For further discussion, go to Scout.com's Ohio State's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insider's</a>' Board.Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-46563458959796455922010-01-01T10:38:00.001-05:002010-01-01T10:44:28.076-05:00Rose Bowl Preview: Final Thoughts<div style="text-align: justify;">For further discussion to Ohio State Scout's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/themes/scout2/post.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insiders</a>' Board. <br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Gameday...and some last minute thoughts before the Rose Bowl:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Special Teams</i><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>I never focus enough, relative to its importance, on special teams. I believe that special teams could be a factor in multiple ways today.</li>
<li><i> </i>Oregon's kick-off return unit has been fairly successful this year, averaging <a href="http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=204790739">24.5</a> yards per return. Ohio State's kick coverage unit, by contrast, has been susceptible to allowing long returns, most notably against Iowa. Ohio State must do a better job containing Oregon's kick-off returns--the last thing you want to allow a dynamic offense like Oregon have is the equivalent of 1 or 2 less first downs to make per possession.</li>
<li>On the flip side, Oregon has been susceptible to giving up sizable kick-off and punt returns. Ohio State, without Ray Small, must find a way to take advantage of this and get some positive plays out of the return game. Even if they cannot get a play as impactful as Small's first return against Penn State, they must get their offense a few free first downs.</li>
<li>It will be interesting to see whether OSU uses Aaron Pettrey or Devin Barclay to kick field goals. Oregon has been highly <a href="http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=204790739">successful</a> in the kick game this year, and Ohio State must be able to match them. </li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Final Thoughts</i><br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>I have said it <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense_253.html">before</a>, but I will say it again: turnovers will be critical. <i> </i> In particular, Oregon has been susceptible to fumbling and Ohio State's defense must force turnovers. OSU's defense has been successful all year at causing turnovers and they need to continue that trend today. By contrast, OSU must protect the football. OSU's defense can be successful against Oregon, but they must be kept out of unwinnable situations.</li>
<li>As Nebraska and Wisconsin reaffirmed this week, physical, dominant defense can stop good offenses, especially if they control the line of scrimmage. Ohio State has the chance to do exactly that today. Everything for Oregon starts with the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense.html">zone-read play</a>, and if Ohio State controls the frontside of that play they can stymie everything else Oregon does. The zone read is not a <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/12/florida-gatorurban-meyer-offense.html">true option play</a>, so Oregon's line must still establish the front-side zone play to be successful. Or as Chris Brown states:</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><blockquote><span style="background-color: #cccccc;">[On the zone read] the initial read is of the backside defensive end; but even if he stays put, the success of the playside inside zone play still depends on however the blocks turn out, as opposed to the true triple, where you know it will be a success because you have double teamed everyone and the only threat is the man you're optioning off of.</span><br />
</blockquote></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"> Therefore, if Ohio State can stalemate Oregon's line and control all the gaps on the line of scrimmage, Ohio State can shut down everything Oregon does, because everything is predicated off that initial zone action.<br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Offensively, Ohio State must stick with their gameplan and not panick, even if they fall behind a score. Wisconsin got down early 7-0, but did not let that change their plan coming into the game against Miami, which was to hit them in the mouth, run the ball down the field, and hit play-action off of it. </li>
<li>Look for Ohio State to take advantage of Terrelle Pryor's health by getting him on the edge fairly often, and by using schemes that take advantage of Oregon overly focusing on Pryor. </li>
<li>Ultimately, this game may come to the intangible factor of who establishes their tempo, their style, and controls the football game. We saw Wisconsin impose their will and dictate against Miami. Ohio State has a similar opportunity today and must establish their will. <br />
</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: left;">For further discussion to Ohio State Scout's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/themes/scout2/post.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insiders</a>' Board. <br />
<br />
</div></div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-79108552813342793212009-12-27T18:19:00.007-05:002009-12-27T21:22:05.773-05:00Rose Bowl Preview: Oregon Defense v Ohio State Offense<div style="text-align: justify;">For further discussion visit the '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079"><b><i>Ask the Insider's</i></b></a>' Blog. <br />
<br />
In my final preview, I'm going to look at how Oregon's Defense performed this year against their opponents, and then consider their match-up with Ohio State.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Oregon's Defense vs. The Field</i></b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">To me, if I was going to summarize Oregon's defense it would be in the following ways:<br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li style="text-align: justify;">Vulnerable to getting controlled and run upon up front;</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">But they will cause negative and short yardage plays in the run game through their various looks and blitzes;</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Susceptible to big plays in the pass game because of the man-style they play;</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">And they do a fairly nice job in the red-zone holding teams to field goals and not touchdowns.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">I saw this formula play out time and time again. Oregon will stop a team for sub-optimal (less than 4 yards) rushing attempts. It is easy to forget, but they actually started out pretty successfully against Stanford's run game. But if a team does not lose patience they can run the ball on Oregon. Here are the rushing statistics against Oregon for the last 5 games they played::<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" height="120" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; width: 465px;"><col span="5" style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col> <col style="width: 48pt;" width="64"></col> <tbody>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td class="xl65" height="20" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; height: 15pt; width: 48pt;" width="64"><br />
</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">CAR<br />
</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">YDS<br />
</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">AVG<br />
</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">TD<br />
</td> <td class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">LG<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td class="xl65" height="20" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; height: 15pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">USC<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">29<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">140<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">4.8<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">0<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">29<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td class="xl65" height="20" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; height: 15pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">Stan<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">54<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">254<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">4.9<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">4<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">31<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td class="xl65" height="20" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; height: 15pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">Ariz St<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">38<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">84<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">2.2<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">2<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">11<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td class="xl65" height="20" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; height: 15pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">Ariz<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">35<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">127<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.6<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">1<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">41<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr height="20" style="height: 15pt;"> <td class="xl65" height="20" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; height: 15pt; width: 48pt;" width="64">Ore St.<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">25<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">83<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">3.3<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">1<br />
</td> <td align="right" class="xl65" style="background-color: #cccccc; color: red; width: 48pt;" width="64">17<br />
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As can be seen, while Oregon has done a decent job against the run, the better running teams have been able to compile big rushing statistics and get big plays out of the run game.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Going into specifics, as discussed, Oregon likes to 'compress' their line down and gain a numbers advantage to the strongside. Teams have successfully countered this by going 'double tight,' and making Oregon choose between <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=121">balancing out</a> up front or leaving gaps. USC did so by going 2 tight, 1 back, while Stanford accomplished it largely by going double tight out of the I. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNmdnj4ZaFw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNmdnj4ZaFw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For Stanford, not only did this balance out Oregon's front, but it gave them another man in the box to block Oregon's 8 man fronts.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeS3vrcmFMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeS3vrcmFMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hh-ONVythdI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hh-ONVythdI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">Turning to specific plays, Oregon's fronts are particularly vulnerable to the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/explanation-and-cut-ups-of-the-power-o-run-play">power</a>, or what Tressel calls the '<a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/pdfdocs/tressel_run_game.pdf">Dave</a>' play. (I said the same thing about the analogous OSU <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/osus-3-4.html">3-4</a>). Though the front drawn is different than what Oregon plays, the diagram below shows the general blocking of the play. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6pRwXxQz1CQGhXp8-siMCtDT42br6FqEq3GrPs35LSZYoa5icVH6yCU8m0gAwx8YZXOofIC2H0HsivZiStxZtEkHqKexoYjjx6ufPrBfUg0xFMoOSd2cPS63iV00QWy-iL8cFm4SboM/s1600-h/Dave.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE6pRwXxQz1CQGhXp8-siMCtDT42br6FqEq3GrPs35LSZYoa5icVH6yCU8m0gAwx8YZXOofIC2H0HsivZiStxZtEkHqKexoYjjx6ufPrBfUg0xFMoOSd2cPS63iV00QWy-iL8cFm4SboM/s400/Dave.gif" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The power play has been successful for the following reaons. Oregon's fronts sacrifice the C gap for having players on the edge to play the spread, leaving natural 'bubbles' at the C gap where the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/explanation-and-cut-ups-of-the-power-o-run-play">power play</a> is run. Add to that that Oregon's front side has shown a propensity to get collapsed by the frontside down blocks on the play and numerous teams have gained consistent yardage on this play. This has probably been the no. 1 rush play vs. the Ducks. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/g2_itOQNSsM&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/g2_itOQNSsM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wlsy9LtkshU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wlsy9LtkshU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aJ_QMgrfT7o&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aJ_QMgrfT7o&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">You will see in that last clip how Oregon shifted and then slanted their eagle down, leaving a big hole. Teams are then able to follow up that play with the lead zone or <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/2008/osu_runs.html">ISO</a> for success (as can be seen in the Stanford double tight clips above). <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Once teams established the run against Oregon, they have had big play-action pass play opportunities down the field. As discussed, Oregon will bring that 8th player into the box, leaving man coverage on the outside with one deep safety. Stanford had a field day running '<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/three-verticals-and-converting-pass.html">three vertical</a>' routes against this where, no matter what the deep safety did, he was wrong (the top right diagram below gives a good flavor of the this play against Oregon's Cover 1 man, courtesy of <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/08/three-verticals-and-converting-pass.html">SmartFootball</a>). In fact, I've never quite seen a team run that play that many times so successfully.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjhUH1rbs3UlhgekbewnsBAL21gdHJ8gY63sjclM10K7fb_A94zjrjzLabfDtyKncZDMl4zgK5d-cIaaZ0AjigpaTlylkNCFKJo1LCmcMYOGqTHrYW601Xp-cosR_aQOganvyQ6iKkYs/s1600-h/cover.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWjhUH1rbs3UlhgekbewnsBAL21gdHJ8gY63sjclM10K7fb_A94zjrjzLabfDtyKncZDMl4zgK5d-cIaaZ0AjigpaTlylkNCFKJo1LCmcMYOGqTHrYW601Xp-cosR_aQOganvyQ6iKkYs/s320/cover.gif" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/k9T-BXqiAGc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/k9T-BXqiAGc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeS3vrcmFMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeS3vrcmFMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
Andrew Luck completed <i>12 passes for 250 yards</i> or <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293110024">12.6 yards</a> per attempt. USC had these same opportunities but failed in execution, with Barkely missing several opportunities. USC then could not stop Oregon and fell behind. Teams also had success throwing quick WR screens (as can been seen in the USC clip above) and<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2007/01/norm-chow-reads-and-concepts.html"> out routes</a> versus Oregon's off coverage. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As one can probably tell by now, from Ohio State's perspective, Stanford had the best gameplan and execution versus Oregon's defense. Stanford came out mixing between pro-style and shotgun runs (they also had success returning kickoffs for field position). In fact, they loosened Oregon by running a mixture of power and zone read out of the shotgun:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WCruiENjN5Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WCruiENjN5Q&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Stanford was then able to turn to the power running, mentioned above. As noted, Stanford went to a two-tight I look that both evened out Oregon's front and added another blocker in the box to counter Oregon's 8th man. Oregon could not stop Stanford without cheating towards the line of scrimmage, and Stanford was able to hit big play action passes behind it.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeS3vrcmFMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QeS3vrcmFMY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stanford was able to ride this combination of power formations, power running and deep play-action passing to the tune of <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=293110024">25 first downs, 505 total yards and, maybe most importantly 37:41 time of possession</a>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>OSU Offense v. Oregon Defense</i></b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What can we takeaway from Oregon's season and apply to OSU's gameplan versus the Ducks? I think these are the keys for Ohio State's offense.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. Ohio State is fortunate in that their primary rush plays--Power (Dave,) Iso, Zone read--are precisely the plays that teams have had the most rushing success against Oregon with. Ohio State must establish the run game between the tailbacks and Pryor a la Stanford to open other things up. To do so, they need to mix and match between the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/10/spread-arithmetic-and-why-osu-may-have.html">pro and spread</a> sets to keep Oregon off balance and not let them freely flip between their 7 and 8 man fronts. The Dave and Zone read plays, in particular, will provide big play opportunities versus Oregon that OSU must take advantage of. I know the 'Dave' play has been much maligned in some OSU-fan circles, but it needs to be the base of everything OSU does here. OSU needs to ensure that they find ways to run those plays into favorable fronts and not where Oregon has overloaded. So long as they do that they should be fine. Inside running is Ohio State' bread and butter and is something their opponent is vulnerable to. Henceforth, it goes without saying OSU needs to establish this, meaning that the offensive line must continue their late season performance in the run game.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. As importantly, OSU <i><b>must </b></i>control the time of possession. Nothing will help OSU's defense better than keeping Oregon's quick strick offense off the field. Stanford kept the ball for nearly 2/3 of the game and must be the model here. OSU needs to emulate their success late in the year against <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=293110213">Penn State</a>, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=293180194">Iowa</a>, and <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=293250130">Michigan</a> and string together 15-17 play drives. At the very least, Ohio State must average <a href="http://fastandfuriousfootball.com/collegeoffense/U_of_Florida_Clinic.pdf">2</a> first downs per <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/penn-state-preview-penn-states-defense.html">possession</a> (h/t: <a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079&t=5354163">CalBuck79</a>). If successful, Ohio State will control field position and give their defense a chance to rest and re-group on the sideline.<br />
<br />
One of the keys to this game is who sets the tempo of play? Oregon wants to play a fast-paced, offensive oriented game. Ohio State wants to play a defense, ball-control game. Whomever gets to set the tempo enjoys a huge advantage and OSU must look to play their style. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. It therefore goes without saying that Ohio State needs a gameplan based around a ball-control, power rush game. Which works well for Ohio State since that is <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/did-ohio-state-run-too-little-this-year.html">who</a> they are . To accomplish this, Ohio State will likely take a page from what some of Oregon's opponents have done . Specifically, look for Ohio State to use double tight or other means of <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=88">balancing their formation</a> to make Oregon 'de-compress' their defensive front. OSU needs to be able to do so to run effectively to either side of the formation pre-snap to take advantage of whatever gaps Oregon may leave.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. From there, OSU needs Terrelle Pryor to be a factor in the run game. Pryor's ankle has now healed, and he again showed his dangerous against Michigan carrying the football. If OSU can equally mix in their pro-style power run game and some spread looks, Oregon will have to adapt to two different styles, which will keep Oregon off-balance. Look for OSU to also continue to get Pryor outside on <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-mexico-state-first-half.html">bootlegs, rollouts</a>, and the like to give him opportunities to make plays with his legs, as he remains OSU's best big play threat. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. Pryor and the passing game must hit at least one deep playaction pass opportunity in the play action passing game. OSU succeeded in doing so against <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/osu-v-psu-ohio-state-offensive.html">PSU</a>, but failed against Michigan, missing the opportunity to open the game. If the run game is working, those opportunities will be there and the Buckeyes must convert, as this could be the difference in the game. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. Besides that, OSU must take advantage of opportunities Oregon affords by playing some off-coverage. If OSU follows <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/osu-v-iowa-offensive-breakdown-and-play.html">recent game-plans</a> they will come out throwing early, and in so doing they should look to hit some quick WR screens and quick hitches and outs to get some positive movement and get Pryor and the offense in a rhythm. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. Ohio State must handle the Oregon blitz. Oregon will bring blitzes early and often and the line must continue their late season performance and pick up blitzes . As, if not more importantly, Pryor must not hold onto the ball, but instead either get rid of it or, more importantly, look for holes to run when Oregon blitzes and plays man behind.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">8. With Pryor, blitzing is a two-way street. This is an interesting choice for Oregon. This is their <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-defense-scheme.html">bread and butter</a> . But Pryor has really hurt teams that have done exactly that.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKVihfQLkl0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKVihfQLkl0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So does Oregon sitck with this? Or do they instead play a soft cover-3 behind their blitzes that will leave the underneath vulnerable? Or do they try to spy Pryor? Even if they do the latter, Pryor is usually fast enough to outrun the spying linebacker as can be seen above. It is a conundrum for Oregon, and one Ohio State needs to take advantage of with Pryor picking up some crucial first downs scrambling.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. As I said in the defensive preview, it goes without saying that OSU must win the turnover battle. They MUST take care of the football and keep their defense out of bad positions. OSU must also get touchdowns, and not field goals, out of the red zone. Oregon St. shot themselves in the foot against Oregon kicking field goals, and OSU must not replicate. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">10. In sum, Oregon's defense sets up well for what OSU wants to do. So long as they are able to stay away from running where Oregon has shifted, OSU's primary plays and style are what has fared best aginst the Oregon's defense. Plus, Oregon's man coverage sets up well for OSU's biggest big-play threat, which is Pryor running the ball. If Ohio State can a) run the ball successfully, b) have Pryor play a mistake free game where he makes plays both running and passing, c) hit some open plays in the play-action game, and d) control the tempo and pace of game, Ohio State will put their team in a good position to win a hard-fought game.<br />
<br />
For further discussion visit the '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079"><b><i>Ask the Insider's</i></b></a>' Blog. <br />
<br />
<br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-58456012357057243512009-12-26T10:06:00.001-05:002009-12-26T13:17:13.821-05:00Rose Bowl Preview: Oregon Defense: Scheme and PersonnelFor further discussion go to Ohio State's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insider's</a>' Site.<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I will now turn to Oregon's defense. Specifically I will focus first on Oregon's defensive scheme and personnel. I will follow-up with the match-up with Ohio State.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Scheme</i></b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon plays a defense unlike any Ohio State has seen this year. It is a combination of a "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/sports/ncaafootball/30spread.html?pagewanted=1&ref=sports">4-2-5</a>" (that looks like a 4-4) and an <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1088">Eagle</a> defense with some unusual characteristics.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In run-first situations Oregon will play the 4-2-5.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNmdnj4ZaFw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FNmdnj4ZaFw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As can be seen, the line plays inside techniques, with none wider than a '5' technique. The two outside linebackers/nickel players play in the '<a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=giTnIHQU2wMC&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=rich+rodriguez+spread+offense+playbook&source=bl&ots=fJnJH40oLD&sig=0eSErgLYQa_mWlCuL-GKUzZcT5E&hl=en&ei=29_pSu-RO4fjlAfrzuj_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDMQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false">grey area</a>.' The secondary then plays a <span id="goog_1261833188722"></span><a href="http://smartfootball.com/grab-bag/coaching-matchups-charlie-weis-vs-michigans-greg-robinson#more-382">1-high</a> look behind it. An analagous defense is the one <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=120">Washington St.</a> ran in the early 1990's when they went to the Rose Bowl (H/T: <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=120">Homer Smith</a>):<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutd_lH6vSvk2pQLpTxmP0uTcZG4tZ5pKr0L9MmzRCOuLYStRAutStFd68KMQ2CKyxVu5JzDmor2swmjVofmaUNNeKJvkVNKxk3LvQ9mSNLhuAMno5-TrBUXQpi0o7PEEydr8iLZs4EYQ/s1600-h/250-defenses6.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutd_lH6vSvk2pQLpTxmP0uTcZG4tZ5pKr0L9MmzRCOuLYStRAutStFd68KMQ2CKyxVu5JzDmor2swmjVofmaUNNeKJvkVNKxk3LvQ9mSNLhuAMno5-TrBUXQpi0o7PEEydr8iLZs4EYQ/s320/250-defenses6.5.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Just as often, Oregon will play a form of a 3-4 Eagle defense.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/u2n7mOQ7fac&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/u2n7mOQ7fac&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In essence, Oregon simply removes a down linemen but otherwise lines up similarly. In fact, its closest comparison is the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/osus-3-4.html">OSU's 3-4</a>. The linemen play a strong or weak shifted Eagle, meaning that from the base Eagle below their NG will shift to a <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=122">'1' technique</a> to the strongside (H/T: <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1088">Trojan Football Analysis</a>):<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYToSrVCjAr2ixU2vwZ2UyHWL8y-Q809_ftSW78W76dYHVZP05iwLZjuYcO4MqeAn05qi4vKo_BCN60DU90o1LRkwKy6xo7nKaUj0SMJ-0unmczpjmhfXTkYbaiZy1xQ-s8NTfo6hGH0/s1600-h/desertswarntnt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXYToSrVCjAr2ixU2vwZ2UyHWL8y-Q809_ftSW78W76dYHVZP05iwLZjuYcO4MqeAn05qi4vKo_BCN60DU90o1LRkwKy6xo7nKaUj0SMJ-0unmczpjmhfXTkYbaiZy1xQ-s8NTfo6hGH0/s400/desertswarntnt.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/EdRRO3xbqBk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EdRRO3xbqBk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The outside linebackers play their same 'grey' area roles, but the secondary has more flexibility and can play a <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/preview-iowas-defense-vs-ohio-states.html">2-high</a> look. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">More so than alignment, though, what defines Oregon's defense is that they are a <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/06/pass-protection-super-bowl-tom-brady.html">man-blitzing team</a>. They generally bring 5 or 6 rushers at all times. They also look to give different looks to get pressure, such as overloading the line to one side in exchange for leaving uncovered gaps the other way.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/X5a70FrG6iE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/X5a70FrG6iE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">A team playing Oregon must be prepared to face a multitude of blitzes from various angles. Teams can get big plays out of this, though, if they find the open seams Oregon leaves behind. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In the secondary, as the term suggests, Oregon is primarily a <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/10/nick-saban-middle-of-field-safety_08.html">cover-1 team</a>. They play as much, if not more, man coverage then any team. Only ocassionally, when they line up with 2-deep coverage, will they play a <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/attacking-coverages-in-the-passing-game#more-297">cover 2</a>, mostly in passing situations. They put a lot of pressure on their corners to play man behind their blitzes. This allows Oregon to bring pressure, but also leaves them vulerable to big plays down the field. Teams can also rack off big run plays when they get to the second level.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Oregon also pretty explicitly telegraphs their coverages pre-snap. This is particularly true with their 8-man front. They have a 1-high safety and are pretty limited to playing man. This is shown, for example, in the clip above. When USC goes in motion, the CB follows. Then, when they go to their 2-high look, it is a fairly good bet that they are going to play zone. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In sum, Oregon plays an aggressive, blitz-happy style that puts a premium on attempting to confuse and overload the offense. The downside of this is that Oregon is vulnerable to getting caught leaving big gaps in the front and giving up big plays in the secondary. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><b>Personnel</b></i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Up front, Oregon is pretty pedestrian. Part of it is scheme--they pack their Defensive linemen inside so their responsibility is to eat up blocks. But part of it is that Oregon is fairly average up front. They generally cannot get pressure with their defensive line only, which probably contributes to their blitz-happy frame of mind. Their line is also susceptible to being overrun in the run game, which is, again, likely why they choose to play 8 men in the box.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><i><b> <br />
</b></i><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wlsy9LtkshU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wlsy9LtkshU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">As one may expect from a 4-linebacker defense, the linebackers are the main engine behind Oregon's attack. They are all solid blitzers and play well in space. Matthews is a hard-nosed tackler and the defense's leader. They are able to close quickly on rushing plays and take advantage of their aggressive style.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Their secondary is also fairly solid. They obviously have a lot of faith in their corners to play almost exclusively man. They are susceptible to getting beat deep, but play pretty well considering the scheme. Their primary deep safety, is also a solid player who does a nice job of attacking the ball.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">In sum, as one can probably tell, I find their defense to be made up of solid, if unspectacular players. They make plays through playing an aggressive style and having good back seven play, but are also susceptible to big plays. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Up next I will focus on how teams have played Oregon's defense this year and how OSU might match-up. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <br />
</div><br />
For further discussion go to Ohio State's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insider's</a>' Site.Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-87357871850549322232009-12-24T17:29:00.003-05:002009-12-26T08:20:58.384-05:00Rose Bowl Preview: Oregon Offense: Matchups<div style="text-align: justify;">For further discussion, go to Ohio State Scout's <a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079"><b><i>Ask the Insiders' Board</i></b></a><br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In my final look at the Oregon Offense, I will focus on how teams have played Oregon this past season and how Ohio State may attack the Ducks.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>Oregon vs. The Field</b></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is so interesting is that every team I reviewed played Oregon with a different style providing multiple in-game experiments from which OSU can draw from. I want to go through each individually.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>USC</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">USC was dead set on playing their regular fronts against Oregon, regardless of how <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=714">spread out</a> Oregon became. In practice that meant that they played the same fronts OSU saw from them, particularly their '<a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1088">Eagle</a>' front. This is turn dicatated that USC ended up playing a lot of '1' high <a href="http://brophyfootball.blogspot.com/2009/10/nick-saban-middle-of-field-safety_08.html">cover 1 robber</a> coverages as they had to cover up Oregon's 3 wide receivers. <i> </i>While this seemed like a good theory, in practice it became disastrous on a number of levels. First, as I discussed previously, Oregon found the weakness in this package, racking up yards by running the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense.html">power play</a> (see below) and the zone read with the <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1572">read of the '3' technique</a>. (For a good primer on what a 3 technique or 5 technique is, see <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=122">here</a>.)<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So USC gained nothing by trying to get a numbers advantage in the box, but hurt themselves in the secondary. First, once Oregon's running backs got past the initial level, USC did not have people present in the secondary to make tackles as they were playing man coverage. Second, because they were in man, USC would get themselves in trouble in the playaction game with linebackers and safeties overcommitting to by run game and getting beat behind. USC in general looked confused and out of position throughout the game. Third, by playing man, USC gave Masoli <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1563">big</a> scrambling opportunities, leading to two of his bigger runs of the game. Buckeyes fans should be familiar with this phenomenom with <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/osu-v-psu-ohio-state-offensive.html">Terrelle Pryor</a>. In sum, USC gave up an average of 7.7 yards per play, not a recipe for success.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Stanford </i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In contrast to USC, Stanford played Oregon in a very basic over and under nickel <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/preview-iowas-defense-vs-ohio-states.html">cover 2 shell</a> (think Iowa). Stanford's goal was basically to play gap sound in the interior, have their force players (outside linebacker and nickel back) attack the line agressively on action their way, have their cornerbacks fly up when they saw bubble screen action, and not give up big plays. They then coupled this defensive plan with a ball control offensive attack. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Stanford was pretty successful doing so. The final score was deceiving, as Oregon scored two late touchdowns and Stanford was in control throughout. I am not sure why (Stanford's defensive scheme should not have forced them to do so) but Stanford got up by one or two scores and Oregon abandoned their run game far too much and became pass-happy--a situation Oregon should not put themselves in. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Oregon State</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon State sought out to avoid the trap USC fell into--namely leaving themselves open to having either their 3 or 5 technique read on any particular play. So Ore. St seemed to purposefully line up in an '<a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Penn-State-s-modern-take-on-old-?urn=ncaaf,197908">over</a>' formation that gave them a 1 and 5 technique on the back side. <i> </i> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In so doing, Oregon St. had some early success stopping the running game. Like an option team, if you can limit the choices Oregon has in who they read, you are limiting the potential things you have to worry about as a defense. That in turn, let their interior defensive line play aggressively.<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">But Oregon countered by lining up, and then moving their halfback to the other side.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon St. did not correspondingly shift, and Oregon began to have success running the zone read thereafter.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Arizona</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I personally think Arizona had the most interesting gameplan for Oregon and, correspondingly, the most success until the Fourth Quarter and Overtime. Like Stanford and Oregon St., Arizona mostly played an over look. What Arizona did different, though, was play almost excluisvely <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defense/monte-kiffins-scheme-for-urban-meyers-offense">cover 4</a>. Cover 4 is an aggressive run-stopping defense from a secondary standpoint, as the two safeties can play with their eyes in the backfield and react immediately in force run support, but at the same time keeps two deep safeties.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Here is how <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/cover4.html">Trojan Football Analysis</a> describes cover 4 and contrasts with Cover 2. <i> </i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><big style="background-color: #cccccc;"><big><small><small>As the name implies cover 4 employs four deep defensive backs that can be aligned either four across OR aligned in something closer to a Cover 2 Shell. Often it is difficult to tell the difference pre-snap and can only be determined post-snap by the movement of the safeties. In basic Cover 2 coverage the safeties play 12 yards deep and normally step backwards upon the snap of the ball. After back or soft pedaling for two steps they read the offensive line and WR release they determine if the play is run or pass and react accordingly. Extreme emphasis is placed upon not getting beaten deep on the post patterns or corner patterns to their respective area.<br />
<br />
In cover 4 however although the alignment may appear the same pre-snap there are some subtle differences. Normally the safeties line up closer to 10 yards deep instead of twelve and play down field toward the line of scrimmage more aggressively at the snap of the ball. Instead of retreating or soft pedaling two steps the safeties play flat foot and come forward at the snap of the ball (see images below). This difference helps to get nine men in the box more quickly versus run plays and yet still enables time to get four defenders deep on pass plays. When multiple WR's release down field past the initial seven or eight yard area cover 4 becomes essentially a man coverage scheme in the deep part of the field.</small></small></big></big> <br />
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What is interesting is that Tennessess and Monte Kiffin used the same <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defense/monte-kiffins-scheme-for-urban-meyers-offense">scheme</a> to slow down Florida's offense. As discussed in the article, the benefit against spread-to-run teams is that it its an inside to out defense that focuses first on stopping the running backs, then the quarterback, and only last on the outside receivers and dropback passing game. But, as discussed <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense.html">previously</a>, the dropback passing game is precisely what most spread teams do least well. (Note: Tennessee, like USC, also ran the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defense/monte-kiffins-scheme-for-urban-meyers-offense">Eagle</a> against Florida in running situations).<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Arizona was thus able to use this scheme to immediate force support on the outside versus zone plays, as can be seen below:<br />
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<br />
<i><b>OSU v. OREGON</b></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">With these precedents in mind, how may Ohio State try to defend Oregon? I think we can look for the following.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. I think it is likely that OSU will mix and match their <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/osus-3-4.html">3-4</a> in run situations with their base nickel package. They do not want to get in a situation where they are limiting what they can do in the secondary, but at the same time the 3-4 gives them strong force support on the edges. And they do not want to become so predictable in playing it like USC that Oregon can playcall to counter. In either case though, like Arizona, I think OSU will have their force players come up hard on zone action to funnel the play back inside. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">2. Correspondingly, OSU will likely mix and match their coverages. On the one hand, OSU wants, as above, to be able to bring bodies to bear on the running game. On the other hand, OSU's trademark is making team string together long drives and not give up the big play, and will try to maintain adequate safety play. Therefore, look for OSU to mix and match cover 4, cover 2, and cover 3 to give Oregon different looks and try to use the down and distances to their advantage. Man coverage is not good against this team (except as an occasional change-of-pace) for the reasons discussed above: a) it takes the secondary out of run support, b) it opens up big plays if those secondary players get nosy and c) gives Masoli scrambling opportunities. Therefore look for OSU to play a lot of hard-nosed zone with their safeties eyes in the backfield. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. I would not be surprised, therefore, if OSU employs a gameplan similar to Tennessee or Arizona did above. Mix and match playing their 3-4 look and cover 4 in 1st down and run situations, and then fall back into more of their traditional cover 2 looks on passing down. Have stronvg force support in the run game, while at the same time maintaining discipline pass coverage and not get beat down the field. OSU does not want to get in a situation like USC where they are selling out too many guys in the run game because it opens holes elsewhere and once Oregon gets to the second level no one is left. OSU wants their safeties and corners playing their force and contain, but also playing zone discipline.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">4. I would also perhaps look for OSU to do something similar to Ore. St. and, when in nickel, try to maintain the 1 and 5 technique to the backside to take Oregon out of their comfort zone of being able to read either the defensive end or '3' technique tackle. Perhaps OSU will shift over if Oregon tries to motion their HB. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">5. First down will be even more crucial in this game than normal and Ohio State must win it. Oregon is dangerous when they start stringing together big running plays and get the no-huddle going. That is where defenses get tired and have mental break-downs. Conversely, they start to sputter if you hold them to short running plays, or force them to throw extensively on first and second down. It slows them down and takes away their speed-of-play advantage.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">6. Relatedly, OSU must stop the run and force Oregon to become more pass-reliant than they otherwise would be. This is the true matchup of strength versus strength: OSU has not allowed a 100 yard rusher in almost two years. If Ohio State can force Oregon to out of their comfort zone it will go a long way to holding Oregon in check. Oregon becoming even 50-50 run/pass is a win for OSU, as Oregon does not have the scheme or players to string together drives through their downfield passing game. Stop the zone read, and OSU can go a long way towards slowing Oregon down.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">7. Within that battle, Ohio State's front line must control the line of scrimmage. OSU's defensive line are more talented than Oregon's offensive line and must play to their billing. Against the zone play, the front side must stalemate the offensive line, maintain their gaps and keep the O-line off the linebackers. After doing so, they can then make plays. Then on the backside, Ohio State must stay disciplined. The benefit for OSU is that they had the athletes in space to play down on the zone, and then recover on the read. Thad Gibson had a field day against Illinois playing the zone and still <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange">recovering </a>on the QB and making tackles for loss. Masoli does a great job getting up the field quickly though, so it will be an interesting matchup to watch. Finally the inside backers must run sideline to sideline, <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=127">mirror </a>their counterparts and not get pulled out of position by faking and misdirection. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">8. OSU's defensive secondary must maintain discipline and not get overzealous in run-support. Oregon basically gets easy points out of the pass game this way; if Ohio State can limit those it will keep the game's pace at the speed OSU wants to play. And, related to that, OSU must get pressure with their front four when Oregon does pass. OSU does not want to commit more guys to rushing the passer because 1) their linebackers and secondary must maintain discipline to stop the run and 2) they do not want to give Masoli scrambling opportunities by playing man. Masoli has not gotten pressured very often because teams are concerned with the run, but when he does he will force plays and become innacurate--he is not tall enough to stand in the pocket and make throws over defensive linemen. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">9. Tackle! Oregon gets big plays out of poor tackling teams. OSU is one of the most disciplined, sure tackling teams in the country so this is another key matchup. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">10. Finally, OSU must continue their practice of forcing turnovers. Oregon has given teams opportunities this year by turning the ball over and OSU must win the turnover battle.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">OSU's defensive goals should be 1) do your assignment, 2) tackle, 3) force Oregon to drive and 4) win the turnover battle. If the defense does these things, and the offense does this part, OSU can turn the game into the style of football they want to play and put themselves in a position to win.<br />
<br />
For further discussion, go to Ohio State Scout's <a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079"><b><i>Ask the Insiders' Board</i></b></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-39052928143214907802009-12-24T09:12:00.003-05:002009-12-24T12:45:22.116-05:00Rose Bowl Preview: Oregon Offense: PersonnelFor further discussion visit the Ohio State <b><i><a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insiders</a> </i></b>Site. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">In my second look at Oregon's Offense, I will focus on Oregon's personnel Part 3 (I've decided to expand) will then feature matchups, both how teams have defended Oregon and how Ohio State may attack the Ducks offense.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Personnel </i></b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As one may expect, Oregon's personnel fits their <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/rose-bowl-preview-oregon-offense.html">scheme</a>. As a whole, there are not a lot of guys that project to the NFL. But they are effective players for the 'spread option' system and execute well collectively.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon's offensive linemen are chosen first and foremost to be successful zone blockers. They are undersized, both in height and weight. This reduces their effectiveness as prototypical pass blockers. And there is no one linemen who stands out as dominant or a future high round NFL draft pick. But in exchange they are effective zone blockers. They are also obviously <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/pdfdocs/oregonruns.pdf">well schooled</a> on zone blocking and one can see how well they work in tandem on zone blocks. In those screen shots I posted earlier (from <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=782">TJA</a>) one can get a sense of how well their line moves in tandem zone blocking.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSleBVBDsLgljUJgoS20YA1Pqsau68WV2Ix_myJf-b5VpK7VzO9qTvFmyFLLaaFf4qlHscS9xtDF_gljyLBvfpCvoe3bTvDiZ-7Sdus8lO69wKtMn-sQXSF6Af1mu9T31fDNVf1gU0QZE/s1600-h/oz2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSleBVBDsLgljUJgoS20YA1Pqsau68WV2Ix_myJf-b5VpK7VzO9qTvFmyFLLaaFf4qlHscS9xtDF_gljyLBvfpCvoe3bTvDiZ-7Sdus8lO69wKtMn-sQXSF6Af1mu9T31fDNVf1gU0QZE/s320/oz2c.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, because of their relative undersized nature, Oregon's line can get controlled at the frontside point of attack on their zone plays. Defensive linemen are able to stalemate and control the gaps, te most surefire way to shut down zone rushing plays.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/60fOMdYvJgs&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/60fOMdYvJgs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turning to their Wide Receivers and Tight End, they remind me a lot of Penn State. They are nice players, but not people that you gameplan around or worry about beating you. Their Wide Receivers beat you off of scheme; i.e. a team overcommitting to stop the run, not through their individual ability.<br />
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<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hCtKYbjf94s&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hCtKYbjf94s&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">No. 23, Maehl, is Masoli's favorite target and the guy they most often look to for a big play off the play action game. Their TE, Dickson, is a solid threat over the middle--though similar to many of the good TEs OSU has played this year. But, as I said, none are the type that you change your coverages are schemes to defend: if a secondary play theirs assignments well and don't get caught on playaction, they will be fine. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The two biggest threats are obviously Masoli and James. I will start with James first. To me, he is the guy a <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defense/monte-kiffins-scheme-for-urban-meyers-offense">team should focus on shutting down</a>, because he is a homerun threat. He has very good patience waiting for zone plays to develop, and is very elusive. He prevents people from getting clean shots on him and bringing him down. To me, he is the key player to slow down, as everything is based around getting the frontside zone play going.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Turning to Masoli, he is a great runner. He does a great job getting vertical immediately when he keeps off the zone read and is a tough inside runner. But he is also more elusive then he appears at first.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pbi6DAftrrY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pbi6DAftrrY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Masoli is also a great<a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=294"> faker</a>. He accelarates through the fake, no matter whether he keeps or gives the ball. This is not to be underestimated, as faking holds backside defenders and "<a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=296">makes long runs</a>."<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Compared to this, Masoli's weakness is as a passer. This is not to say he is not a passing threat; he is. But like the wide receivers, I would say his success derives a lot from the opportunities provided off the running game. In my mind, he is not an accurate enough passer to be a consistent threat. For whatever reason, Oregon came out throwing against Stanford and had trouble moving the ball because they could not string together completitions. Moreover, he is limited by his height, (5'11''), which makes it difficult to see over defenders, forcing Oregon to use a lot of half rolls and bootlegs. <br />
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Masoli (and Oregon generally) also have shown the potential to fumble. This is a downside in general of the spread zone read scheme. Whether OSU's D, which has shown a propensity to create turnovers this year, can cause fumbles for turnovers could make a big difference in this game.<br />
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Next, I will focus on matchups.<br />
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For further discussion visit the Ohio State <b><i><a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insiders</a> </i></b>Site.Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-39658157560673734462009-12-22T20:57:00.003-05:002009-12-24T21:39:10.562-05:00Rose Bowl Preview: Oregon Offense: Scheme<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>For a discussion of this article go to Ohio State Scout's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insider's</a>' Site.</i></b> <br />
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I'm going to break this up into two-part series on each side of the ball. The first section will focus on Oregon's schemes; the second will address Oregon's personnel, how opposing teams have played against Oregon and what Ohio State might do.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>SCHEME</b></i><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By now much has been written about <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1551">Oregon's offense</a>. Like <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/ohio-state-vs-michigan-preview.html">Michigan</a>, Oregon is a 'spread to run' team. That means they go to shotgun and multiple wide receiver sets (4 x 1 or 3 x 1) to run the football. First, I will discuss their run game, followed by their passing game.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Run Game</i> <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon is a run-first team. Oregon ran the ball <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/teams/stats?teamId=2483">62%</a> of the time this year (Ohio State, for comparison ran 64% of the time) for over <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=714">250 yards per game</a> for the last several years. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">More specifically, as a spread to run team Oregon's offense is built around two plays: the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone">inside zone</a> and <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone">outside zone</a> <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange">read</a>. (See also <a href="http://varsityblue.blogspot.com/2008/04/basics-of-zone-read-play.html">here</a>). <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=714">Based</a> on a talk this summer by Chip Kelly, Trojan Football Analysis concluded that:<br />
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</div><blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc;">Oregon ran the ball 585 times in 2008. Using Coach Kelley’s 202 figure above this translates into 34.5% of the runs coming from the inside zone play. Outside zone was run 122 times averaging 6.8 yards per carry and comprised 20.8% of their rush attempts.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In other words, 55% of Oregon's running plays consisted of two plays. Here is how Coach Kelly described his offense:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc;">This offense (the zone read option game) fits for us. This past season we finished second in the nation in rushing the football. We averaged 6.2 yards per carry. We have four main running plays. We run the inside zone, outside zone, counter, and draw . . . <br />
</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Coach Kelly then explained his two favorite plays thusly: <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc;">The inside zone play is our “go to work” play. We want to get off the ball and be a physical downhill running football team. This is not a finesse play. This is physical football. The offensive lineman play with confidence because they know they have help from their teammates in their blocking scheme. This is the offense we run and everyone knows that. We have great players but we also execute it well. We ran this play 202 times this past season. We averaged about seven to eight yards per carry with this play. <br />
</blockquote></div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;"><blockquote>The outside zone play is a complement to the inside zone play. The inside zone is a hole to cutback play. The outside zone is more of a hole to bounce play. The reason we run the outside play is to circle the defense. When you get good at running the inside zone the defenders begin to tighten their techniques and concentrate on squeezing the inside gaps.<br />
If we feel that is happening or we start to get many twists and blitzes inside we run the outside zone play. It gives you speed in space and the offensive line can play with confidence when you have something to change the focus of the defense. We ran the outside zone play 122 times last season for 6.8 yards per carry. It is a good compliment to the inside zone play.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Courtesy of <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/oregons-zone-read-of-the-defensive-tackle">Smart Football</a> here is the basic inside zone read:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrB_oXZyWWsv7NJiEjBtYEAMLhDl9L9y4cMjVVVlPZBBmUyCBvFLRspGw-Jsz46JoiKwFoPfvnGX7hWrPj7T1ziXTfywNKq3PZplVgJBqjsWc6HO6XCzNA9IgYhlRSSWAQ_PcxVu8_F4/s1600-h/zoneread1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrB_oXZyWWsv7NJiEjBtYEAMLhDl9L9y4cMjVVVlPZBBmUyCBvFLRspGw-Jsz46JoiKwFoPfvnGX7hWrPj7T1ziXTfywNKq3PZplVgJBqjsWc6HO6XCzNA9IgYhlRSSWAQ_PcxVu8_F4/s400/zoneread1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And here is some shots of Oregon running the outside zone read (H/T: <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=782">Trojan Football Analysis</a>):<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The key <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/a-very-simple-explanation-of-the-zone-runs-and-the-difference-between-inside-zone-and-outside-zone">difference</a> between the inside and outside zone is the launching points for the offensive line and tailback. Here is <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/pdfdocs/oregonruns.pdf">Coach Kelly</a> distinguishing the two:<br />
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</div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; text-align: justify;"><blockquote>The blocking rules for the offensive line (on outside zone) are the same as the inside zone. The difference is the aiming point of the offensive linemen. The “who we block” is the same, but the “how we block” is the difference in the outside zone. The linemen take a kick step to the outside and a crossover step to get up the field. The backside opens on the playside foot and loses ground . . . This is not really a cutback play (unlike inside zone). It is a cut up play. <br />
</blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;">From there, if the backside end starts flying playside to the tailback, the QB will keep the ball. Masoli is <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1563">very good</a> at making these reads and immediately getting vertically upfield.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon's inside zone and outside zone read form the basis of everything Oregon does. But off of these two plays is where the "interesting" features occur. First, Oregon will make variations to their zone read game, specifically by reading the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/oregons-zone-read-of-the-defensive-tackle">inside '3' technique</a> defensive tackle. Here is a <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/oregons-zone-read-of-the-defensive-tackle">Smart Football diagram</a>:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrYr57YD8ft7P_fp0gNfriK52HEZNtn9hgLv_C03aBF2PtfuTd0Csi2qMYaM2GW20G4PhcImA0WB8JdXuMzn1FGm22VHzXFuxYO-37aCf2IvosZQe1I5LqyclYDjsY6AdncRWC5wqAf4/s1600-h/3tech.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrYr57YD8ft7P_fp0gNfriK52HEZNtn9hgLv_C03aBF2PtfuTd0Csi2qMYaM2GW20G4PhcImA0WB8JdXuMzn1FGm22VHzXFuxYO-37aCf2IvosZQe1I5LqyclYDjsY6AdncRWC5wqAf4/s400/3tech.gif" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">By doing so, Oregon can disarm techniques teams use to defense the zone read, such as the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange">scrape exchange</a>. As importantly, it puts a <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1572">Defensive Tackle in a position</a> he is not used to and has not practiced for. I did not think Oregon would do this against a '1' technique (aka Nose Guard) because it compromises the front side zone blocking. But while I believe they would prefer not to do it, they have in fact done so:<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> Oregon also had great success adding an option to the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/the-zone-read-gun-triple-option-and-the-quadruple-option">slot receiver </a>off the zone read play against Oregon St. <br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">From there, as Kelly mentions, Oregon likes running the <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=868">counter play</a>. Specifically, they like faking zone, and then run the counter trey with the Guard and Tackle pulling and leading for Massoli.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The final change-up to Oregon's run game is that they like to shift their Halfback about a yard behind the QB. They do this to get more of a 'downhill run game' feel, more like a <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Nevada-s-Pistol-by-any-other-?urn=ncaaf,176983">pistol</a> team. Specifically, they like to use the QB to be able to reverse pivot and then run the bootleg off of it. The primary plays they run from this is a <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=800">fly sweep</a> and 'power play.'<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;">On the<a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=800"> fly sweep</a>, Oregon will either line up a yard to the outside and behind the QB or is bring the RB in fly motion. They block this just like the outside zone read, but it hits quicker and designed to get outside, rather than bounce up inside.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pv7t5RAuVmA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Pv7t5RAuVmA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon consistently gained yards against USC with the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/explanation-and-cut-ups-of-the-power-o-run-play">power play</a> (or as Tressel calls it 'Dave'), gaining over 100 yards on this play alone. USC was determined to play Oregon in their '<a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1088">eagle</a>' front, giving Oregon a natural C gap hole. Oregon took advantage of it. Although the power play was very successful here, I did not see it the rest of the season, indicating it may have been something they employed for USC's front. However, it may be something OSU sees because <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/12/osus-3-4.html">OSU's 3-4</a> is somewhat similar to the Eagle.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mpS0batmIHU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mpS0batmIHU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object> <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Inside zone, outside zone, power, and counter trey are the basic features of nearly every <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html">modern offense</a>. But it is the ability of Oregon to use their QB as an inside runner on the zone read and counter that gives them an <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=270">arithmetic</a> advantage over their counterparts and the tempo at which they run plays when they get going that makes them so difficult. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Passing Game</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I do not mean to make Oregon's passing game seem an afterthought. But the spread run game is Oregon's bread and butter. Teams that have successfully defended Oregon have done so by making them pass more than the 30-40% they would like because they are not <i>efficient</i> enough in the pass game. Oregon's pass offense is not a <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/08/smart-notes.html">sophisticated</a> NFLesque down field passing attack (nor is it designed to be) and their Quarterback succeeds first and foremost as a runner and a faker. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon's pass offense's design is instead to get big plays off of teams overcommitting to their run game. They are primarily a <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/pdfdocs/oregonruns.pdf">play action team</a>. They have two basic play action movement passes. The first is off their zone read game where the QB will either pull back or take a <a href="http://sky.prohosting.com/cbbrown/2005/08/sprintouthalf-roll-passing.html">half roll</a> and look to get the ball vertical or on <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/01/deep-crossing-route-larry-fitzgerald.html">deep crosses</a>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yfnfFBmm_t4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yfnfFBmm_t4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They also like, off the deep tailback alignment, do a <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Nevada-s-Pistol-by-any-other-?urn=ncaaf,176983">reverse pivot</a> fake sweep <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2009/07/nfl-offense-what-is-it-why-does-every.html">bootleg</a>.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JhcsN49QPtI&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JhcsN49QPtI&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Finally, like other spread teams, they will throw the <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/the-zone-read-gun-triple-option-and-the-quadruple-option">bubble screen</a> and other screens often off the zone read fake. Oregon probably throws around 5+ bubble screens a game. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Oregon's dropback passing game comes last in terms of importance. That is not to say that Oregon is not proficient in this area, rather Oregon would prefer to not be in a position where they are relying on dropback passing. However, like other spread teams, Oregon's dropback pass offense is based around the <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/12/florida-gatorurban-meyer-offense.html">quick game and shallow crossing routes</a>. Masoli is also a <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1563">threat</a> to scramble against teams that want to play man coverage and gained several key 3d downs doing so against USC. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This covers the basics of Oregon's offense. My next post will focus on their personnel, how teams defend their offense, and what Ohio State may do. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>For a discussion of this article go to Ohio State Scout's '<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insider's</a>' Site.</i></b><br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-26117407134101313662009-12-15T20:20:00.001-05:002009-12-15T20:31:13.515-05:00Did Ohio State Run Too Little This Year???<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Amazingly, the answer to my provocative question is maybe. Bear with me and I will try to explain why. <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/osu-v-psu-ohio-state-offensive.html">Earlier</a> this year, I mentioned in response to complaints regarding the Buckeyes running too often that tpeople were not getting the full picture. The key question was not "balance" in the sense of how many runs vs. how many passes, but rather whether Ohio State's run-pass equilibrium in terms of yards per carry versus yards per pass attempt was efficient.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Now we have some data from which we can assess this question As alluded to above, I am basing my determination of this on Chris Brown's discussion of run-pass balance and game theory <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-and-little-game-theory.html">here</a>, <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-response-to-comments-i.html">here</a>, and <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-response-to-comments.html">here</a>. I highly recommend it all, but if I could boil down Brown's position on run-pass balance it would be the following:<br />
</div><div style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc; color: black;">[A] football game is a series of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nash_equilibrium">Nash Equilibriums</a>: Every down is a little contest and each side must figure out its best strategy using a mixture of runs and passes or different defenses (a "mixed strategy") and should pick the mixture of runs and passes that maximizes (or minimizes, if on defense) average gain per play, subject to the "passing premium," which requires that passes yield more than runs because of their greater risk.<br />
</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"> I will not try to fully restate Brown's position but will give this further synopsis. The goal is not to shoot for a particular run/pass 'balance' be it 60/40, 50/50 or the like. Rather the goal is to maximize yards per attempt. (Note that, <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-and-little-game-theory.html">like Brown</a>, I am focusing on yards per pass attempt, which counts an incompletion as '0' and a sack as negative yards.). To do so, you want to get to a point where your yards per run play and yards per pass attempt equal out to the nearly the same thing--if they are not then you are leaving yards on the field by doing one or the other too often, meaning the defense is able to too fully focus on one to the exclusion of the other. So if you are gaining 15 yards per pass attempt and 5 yards per rush, you should keep passing until the defense has to focus on your passing game more, which will increase your yards per rush attempt and decrease your yards per pass attempt until they reach an equilibrium. So theoretically a team could pass 80% of the time and rush 20% of the time and be perfectly balanced if they are maximizing their yards per attempt.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">But, as Brown argues, the run and pass numbers should not be identical--instead their should be a built-in "passing premium." To make this point, he <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-response-to-comments.html">cites </a>an old adage that Buckeyes fan will recognize:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote> <span style="background-color: #cccccc;">Three things can happen when you pass, and two are bad.</span><br />
</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">Basically, because loss of field possession, long third downs, (harder to convert) and turnovers are so costly, passing is riskier than rushing. As such, teams should average more yards per pass attempt than yards per carry. If they do not have a "passing premium" they are passing too much relative to running under game theory and opening themselves up to mistakes. Brown acknowledges that it is unclear what this premium should be, but it seems it should be anywhere from 1-2.5 yards per attempt (Brown notes the NFL had a 2.5 yard per premium, and I personally tend to defer to NFL coaches in making such run/pass determinations because they have the most time to study these issues, but for now the exact premium is irrelevant).<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In sum, as Brown <span id="goog_1260920297596"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/">says<span id="goog_1260920297597"></span></a>:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc;">Balance, then is not a matter of how many runs and how many passes, but how good you are at both and making sure you are rewarded for passing's increased risk as this is the way to more first downs, more points, and more wins. <br />
</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Taking this framework as a given, we can now assess Ohio State's run-pass "balance" this year. Basically we are trying to assess whether Ohio State took a maximal or inefficient strategy under Game Theory based on yards per carry vs. yards per pass attempt. Fortunately, <a href="http://theonlycolors.com/">TheOnlyColors.Com</a> put together a <a href="http://www.theonlycolors.com/2009/12/1/1180536/big-ten-offensive-effectiveness">great scatterplot graph</a> plotting each Big Ten Team's yards per carry and yards per pass attempt in Big Ten play (MGoBlog discusses the same graph <a href="http://mgoblog.com/content/postmortem-how-much-did-they-actually-improve">here</a>):<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EHvtz3tGaljkKqx0OnuEGG5t8o_0Qy1dRlgWoBYMNba2nQppIlo7Rw2AHYBaHvnSqNOioP7dYutJLtZ5kvFQ3tAsCgC8kmDywbfgvw9XioP3Dqt7Znb6kNvSRSaWjS7ixE5skmcMtdA/s1600-h/b10_ypa_2009.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9EHvtz3tGaljkKqx0OnuEGG5t8o_0Qy1dRlgWoBYMNba2nQppIlo7Rw2AHYBaHvnSqNOioP7dYutJLtZ5kvFQ3tAsCgC8kmDywbfgvw9XioP3Dqt7Znb6kNvSRSaWjS7ixE5skmcMtdA/s640/b10_ypa_2009.png" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As we can see here, in Big Ten play, Ohio State rushed for 5.2 yards and passed for 5.4 yards per attempt . That means that Ohio State <i><b>rushed too little</b></i> because they do not have a sufficient pass premium built in! According to Nash Equilibrium, Ohio State should have ran more in Big Ten play until they established a sufficient yards per attempt balance (by contrast Penn State has about the optimal balance; Iowa should have passed more). If anything then, Jim Tressel was inefficient by not running the ball enough. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Two caveats apply. The first , as Brown <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-and-little-game-theory.html">notes</a>, is that such a study should ideally focus on First and Second down, because the goal on Third Down is not to maximize yards, but to gain a First Down. This may make the above data not as refined, but my own intuitive sense is that because rush plays on Third Down are often short yardage plays, this may actually skew the stats in favor of passing, only further establishing the point.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The second, more important caveat, is that (I do not believe) this yards per pass attempts include Terrelle Pryor's rushing yards from scrambling on called pass plays (though I could be wrong, the study does not say). Because this ability is a clear benefit to Ohio State's passing game, these numbers should be included in the yards per pass attempt. <b><i>However</i></b>, I do not believe that those yards are sufficient to point the statistics in the other direction; very likely it would instead create a sufficient passing premium for Ohio State and demonstrates that Ohio State came close to a Nash Equilibrium.*<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>CONCLUSION</b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Jim Tressel gets a lot of flak for being too conservative, and he would probably not argue the point too vigorously. But, using Brown's position as a baseline, statistics from Big Ten play, and the caveat I state above, Ohio State was not "too conservative" in its playcalling. Instead, it appears OSU wasentirely rational in their playcalling and perhaps did not run the ball <i>enough</i>. Under Game Theory, Ohio State's run/pass balance was nearly spot on. I would not be surprised if, following the Purdue game, the Ohio State staff studied similar statistics and saw they needed to run the ball more, leading to their late season gameplan. <b> </b> <br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">*By contrast, note that Brown's <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-response-to-comments.html">study </a>of 2005 Texas included Vince Young's rushing stats in the rushes per carry--including his scrambles into the yards per pass attempt would have only <i>increased</i> the sub-optimal nature of the run-pass play calling for Texas that year).</span></div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-73573986497221535142009-12-06T13:33:00.000-05:002009-12-06T13:33:38.270-05:00Quick Thought: OSU should feel heartened by yesterday's games<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">In my opinion, yesterday's games re-affirmed that the tried and true formula of 'Tressel-ball" is still a successful one. <br />
</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Two very good offenses in Florida and Texas were completely shut down by great defenses.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Alabama and Nebraska completely controlled the tempo of those games. Alabama ran the ball up and down the field and forced Florida out of their preferred style of play. Yes, McElroy played very well. But he only threw 18 passes --and most of those were playaction and screen passes. Everything Alabama does is set up by a dominant zone run game.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">--Alabama played disciplined defense, controlled the LOS, and soundly defended Florida's option game. Florida became entirely dependent on Tebow to run the ball and could not establish anything.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">--Nebraska dominated Texas defensively. Texas has not had a consistent run game since Vince Young left. Nebraska pinned their ears back and Texas had no answer. If Nebraska had a) any semblance of a run game or b) didn't make special team mistakes they win that game.<br />
</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">--I think yesterday's results should make OSU fans feel very good going into the Rosebowl, as that will be another example of a defensive-oriented team facing down an offensive-oriented team.<br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-64808160394669784312009-12-02T20:25:00.001-05:002009-12-02T20:36:45.691-05:00OSU's 3-4<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">I've been meaning to talk about this for some time, particularly since I do not discuss enough defense here. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">One of the more innovative schemes we saw from Ohio State this year was their use of a '3-4' scheme. What was so interesting about it was not the fact OSU was playing a 3-4, but rather the numerous wrinkles Ohio State put into this scheme. Indeed, it may be a misnomer to even call it a 3-4, as this gives images of the typical giant NoseGuard playing "<a href="http://smartfootball.com/uncategorized/a-premature-look-at-the-ne-patriots-changes-on-d">two-gaps</a>" in the middle. Ohio State was doing was not this. Instead, as USC's Offensive Line Coach Pat Ruel's <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1226">observed</a>:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc;">"Half their line was playing a Bear front and half was playing an Under front and they were stopping our outside zone running plays."<br />
</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"> In fact, this is just the beginning of what OSU was doing. Here are three looks at the Ohio State 3-4 front (H/T <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1226">Trojan Analysis</a>):<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtETm3O9PmiE-_7RQ6k94LlVA9PqIMevwswyTBdX4JdvtBCAY_Z-GnHifG7PMqvmd7r61g9wO-FcnhIyaQxN-l3B1293zSvHuof9sO3ZPJOqsy_jru3UDPSgZzHu3hJHGPp2ivCK5yWec/s1600-h/OSU+3-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtETm3O9PmiE-_7RQ6k94LlVA9PqIMevwswyTBdX4JdvtBCAY_Z-GnHifG7PMqvmd7r61g9wO-FcnhIyaQxN-l3B1293zSvHuof9sO3ZPJOqsy_jru3UDPSgZzHu3hJHGPp2ivCK5yWec/s640/OSU+3-4.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZzb8JNXzIdP7ch74csopCXrQJ9qN0I5-miLZtmhoZMSwzXHSNQ3mpCFZvlfdb9t5AyX3BBZf7nNra1-kUcLB_prZZYIzUMGV-G2I8LT3E8YL5JTbzNokGXrLmnyzgGOreMs_U7IFmD8/s1600-h/OSU+3-4+%282%29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsZzb8JNXzIdP7ch74csopCXrQJ9qN0I5-miLZtmhoZMSwzXHSNQ3mpCFZvlfdb9t5AyX3BBZf7nNra1-kUcLB_prZZYIzUMGV-G2I8LT3E8YL5JTbzNokGXrLmnyzgGOreMs_U7IFmD8/s640/OSU+3-4+%282%29.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/39Q02ytth7g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/39Q02ytth7g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">As you can see, Ohio State's 3-4 was in fact playing a half <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/43_under_blitz_schemes.html">4-3 under</a>, half '<a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1088">Eagle</a>' defense. Unlike a typical 3-4, Ohio State is playing a '<a href="http://smartfootball.com/uncategorized/a-premature-look-at-the-ne-patriots-changes-on-d#more-163">1-gap</a>' defense here. Specifically, from the defense on the offense's weakside of the formation (away from the most number of receivers, generally the TE) to the front side noseguard, Ohio State is playing an "under." The gap assignments are as follows:<br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Backside OLB: 5 technique</li>
<li>Backside tackle: 3 technique</li>
<li>NG: 1 technique (playside)</li>
<li>Weak Inside (Will) LB: Backside A-Gap.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">Then, to the offense's strong-side, Ohio State would play an eagle defense:<br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li> Frontside tackle: 3 technique</li>
<li>Frontside OLB: 7 technique</li>
<li>Frontside Inside (Mike) LB: Stack on 3 technique.</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;">The other wrinkle Ohio State would add to this look was a personnel one--they flipped their linebackers. That is, generally Spitler is the SAM, Rolle, the Mike, Homan, the Will, and Gibson, the weak end. But, as you can see in the pictures above, here they are flipped: Homan and Gibson are playing to the strength, Rolle and Spitler to the weakside. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The question then becomes what did Ohio State gain from this formation. In essence, it increased Ohio State's ability to play in space on the edge against 'spread' formations, while still maintaining a sufficient inside presence against the run.<br />
</div><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Other teams have gone to a 4-linebacker look to <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange">combat</a> spread-type offenses. This is also true for Ohio State, and particularly in their use of Thaddeus Gibson. By standing him up and putting him in space, Ohio State opens up numerous opportunities for Gibson. Often, they will drop him into the flat against 'trips' looks, or let him attack the zone read and react with his athleticism. <br />
</li>
<li>In fact, by having both outside linebackers on the edge in space, Ohio State is giving themselves many of the same advantages that teams that have gone to the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/ohio-state-vs-michigan-breakdown.html">3-3-5</a> or <a href="http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange">4-2-5</a> have in terms of mixing coverages and blitzes and having <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/sports/ncaafootball/30spread.html?_r=1&pagewanted=1&ref=sports">athletes</a> on the edge to combat the zone read. </li>
<li>By the same token, this defense, unlike the 3-3-5, allows OSU to maintain two-high safeties if desired and does not <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=121">limit</a> their coverage flexibility. In otherwords, it is not a defense explicitly dedicateed to playing an 8-man front, but instead can mix and match looks.<br />
</li>
<li>At the same time, by playing the 'half under, half eagle' look, OSU maintains sufficient interior strength to stop inside runs. Similar to the <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1088">eagle</a>, OSU has basicaly covered up both the Center and Guards in their 3-4. This prevents teams from getting interior double teams. It also locks up linemen, freeing linebackers to flow to the ball. This further helps OSU shut down outside run plays. </li>
<li>Finally, OSU's 3-4 is very similar to their oft-used nickel look (see below). In nickel, Hines comes in for Spitler to play the outside edge, while everyone else's responsibility remains the same. This makes the learning for the defense easier, while nonetheless giving OSU multiple ways to attack a defense and allowing for the easy cycling of nickel and base against spread teams. </li>
</ul><br />
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<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">In sum, Ohio State has designed an innovative way to attack modern offenses that easily cycle between base and spread looks. OSU's 3-4 puts their athletes on the edge to make plays, while at the same time maintaining their traditional 4-3's emphasis on stopping the run and having fundamentally sound zone coverage behind it. <br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-77998441235715122892009-11-26T13:52:00.009-05:002009-12-02T20:06:25.591-05:00Ohio State vs. Michigan Breakdown-Updated<div style="text-align: justify;">Another game, another dominating rushing performance, and another example of Tresselball in action on the offensive end. The fact that it ended with another victory over the Wolverines and an outright Big Ten title made it all the better (and at times more maddening). <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">1. This game had a very interesting chess match on the offensive side of the football (and I don't say that often). But the back and forth was interesting to see.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">First, Michigan came out showing something defensively they had not for any significant spurts this year--a 3-3-5. In reality, it was more like an old <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=121">5-3-3</a>. To take a step back, Michigan has shown quite a few 8 man fronts this year, but they were more of a 4-4 variety. Specifically, it was essentially a <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=117">4-3 open plus</a>, with the 3-technique strong, the strong end in a 5-technique and the strong linebacker covering the tight end, and then a 4th linebacker player in a traditional 'over' position on the weakside. (h/t: <a href="http://mgoblog.com/content/upon-further-review-defense-vs-penn-state-2">MGoBlog</a>).<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9XRokQOHK9Q1ObAXekn0cSi2jJSarWrTNjEuRuDdm51ygdcQ1O839XhBSaEPbXgKE6XI07liN9gCnNQh0vsd4sGxCC_5OUZA4M4scB36INtoHNlSPeEnXo11i09tkj7n4oeiEXLob0M/s1600/Michigan+4-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji9XRokQOHK9Q1ObAXekn0cSi2jJSarWrTNjEuRuDdm51ygdcQ1O839XhBSaEPbXgKE6XI07liN9gCnNQh0vsd4sGxCC_5OUZA4M4scB36INtoHNlSPeEnXo11i09tkj7n4oeiEXLob0M/s400/Michigan+4-4.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Against Ohio State, however, Michigan came out in Rodriguez's favored <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Coaching-Footballs-3-3-5-Defense-Hand/dp/1585189189">3-3-5</a> (which makes me think he may have taken over the defense again).<br />
<br />
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<br />
As can be seen, Michigan essentially played it as a <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=121">5-3</a> with the ends in '3' techniques and both hybrid players on the end of the LOS. In so doing, they were effective shutting down Ohio State's I formation run game, particularly Dave, because, even if blocked correctly, the Fullback would kick out the outside linebacker, the pulling guard would pull around on the frontside linebacker, but the Mike or Will linebacker would be left free. Ohio State at first tried to counter this by running Dave to the weakside, but it wasn't any more successful.*<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yOwt2k9G1Vc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yOwt2k9G1Vc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
<br />
After getting a feel for what Michigan was doing, however, Ohio State did a fantastic job of using formations to attack and force Michigan out of this set. They did so by using the basic principle of numbers on each side of the centerline and forcing the defense to react. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> To begin at first principles, one advantage an offense has against a defense is that by formations they can <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=88">dictate</a> where a defense puts its defenders. By that, I mean the offense has multiple choices about how to distribute its numbers on both sides of the center. For example, a standard 'I' formation has six men to the TE side, 5 to the weakside (each person on the center line--center, QB, FB, TB--counts as half). By contrast, a 1 back 'ace' formation has 5 1/2 to each side.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7cejm_Kxq22HEsAS9xLgPc9QIJayWDUn3Vto_AYviHQG4EXrBWxKeX-91_OjjbHYhRZQK23grJoUfj8LwGrrqw6ChqJSI1RrfNJOe899f-H4u9dpxgGg8IJm2k7g5RCSn7VtHMQExNI/s1600/ace+formation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo7cejm_Kxq22HEsAS9xLgPc9QIJayWDUn3Vto_AYviHQG4EXrBWxKeX-91_OjjbHYhRZQK23grJoUfj8LwGrrqw6ChqJSI1RrfNJOe899f-H4u9dpxgGg8IJm2k7g5RCSn7VtHMQExNI/s200/ace+formation.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">A defense must respond with the same numbers on each side of the centerline--otherwise they are structurally unsound and open to a <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=88">quick pass or option</a>. So if the offense puts 5 1/2 to one side, the defense must do the same.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The 5-3-3's limitation is that, by playing a middle safety, a defense is severely handicapped in mirroring the offense's balance when they go to ace (single back) formations. As Homer Smith discusses, <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><blockquote style="background-color: #cccccc;">When single-back formations waxed, the 5-3 defenses waned. Why? Because balancing on three centerline offenders - on a center, a QB, and a single-back - and keeping the MG/MLB tandem meant having a middle safety. One defender on the centerline will balance on three centerline offenders but two will not. Two will leave the defense out of balance and vulnerable on one side. <br />
</blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;">So Ohio State attacked in exactly this manner. They first went to a balanced shotgun 'ace' look. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ebD23d817ic&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ebD23d817ic&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
And, just as Homer Smith said, Michigan, by leaving their safety to the field, in the clip above (as they could against the I when it was 6/5) were vulnerable on the leftside. Ohio State was thus able to get a numbers 'advantage to their left side, and when Pryor gets into the secondary the safety is out of position to help. (They obviously didn't read Homer Smith--though in all seriousness I was uninmpressed by how structurally unsound Michigan was all game).<br />
<br />
Ohio State then went a step further and by formation forced Michigan to abandon the 3-3-5. To do so, Ohio State went to what I call their "shotgun trey strong look," which is a strength heavy 7/4 split (about the only way to get to 7/4 without going unbalanced).<br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JASuB4McxZo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JASuB4McxZo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Michigan's 3-3-5 (or 5-3), however, is predicated on balancing the front 8 on both sides of the center and then adjusting the secondary accordingly. They could not do that against the tight trips, however, because they could not do so and get 7 men to the formation's strength. Thus, as you can see above, Michigan had to go to a different look against this formation to be structurally sound.<br />
<br />
Therefore, Ohio State, by use of formation, dictated to Michigan what they could do. The rest of the game, whenever OSU lined up in a pro-set Michigan would go back to the 5-3, but could not do it against this formation. A very nice job by the OSU offensive coaches adjusting to the wrinkle Michigan showed, knowing how to attack it, and forcing Michigan out of it.<br />
<br />
<br />
2. I was also very impressed with what Ohio State did with the zone read. It had several unique, cutting edge wrinkles that I was impressed with. The first was the formation set. By going double tight, Ohio State took what is ostensibly a 'spread' play and put Jim Tressel's patented power principles behind it. Second, Ohio State did not read the end man on the LOS, as the <a href="http://varsityblue.blogspot.com/2008/04/basics-of-zone-read-play.html">basic zone read does</a>. Instead, as VBCoach on the Scout "<a href="http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=1079">Ask the Insiders Board</a>" explained, Ohio State read the inside '4i' technique and then had the TE fan block on the outside linebacker.<br />
<br />
<br />
<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ebD23d817ic&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ebD23d817ic&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">This is pretty innovative stuff. Oregon has gotten notoriety recently for their ability to 'read' the <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1572">inside </a>3 and 4 techniques on the zone read. In this way they've become closer to <a href="http://www.sundaymorningqb.com/2008/4/2/12521/45441">true option teams</a> like Georgia Tech that will one play run the 'veer' option that reads the 5 technique, and the next run the midline option that reads the 3 technique. But Oregon considers it so cutting edge, that one anecdotal <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1572">story</a> has it that they will not release any informaton on it.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ohio State, however, did the very same thing. They blocked the outside linebacker on the line of scrimmage and instead read the interior lineman. I do not know if this was gameplanned or an adjustment they made to what Michigan was showing, but either way it was a very nice design.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">3. I know some fan base segments are still kerfluffled about the Ohio State's offense's basic strategic outlook the past few weeks; namely Ohio State's heavy reliance on running the football . I have a few thoughts on this. The first is that people are severely undervaluing a good running game. Yards are yards. Rushing the football, however, is a) <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-and-little-game-theory.html">less risky</a>, and b) controls the clock. So, theoretically, if you could gain the same amount of yards running or passing, you would choose to run. Jim Tressel basically embraces this theory. When Tressel first came to Ohio State, he gave a coaches' clinic <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/pdfdocs/tressel_run_game.pdf">talk</a> (highly recommended reading). Tressel did a study on OSU during the 1990s. He found that when OSU rushed for over 200 yards they were 56-2. So any time Tressel has a team that can consistenly rush for over 200 yards he is going to embrace that and ride it. Especially when you have a defense like OSU does, if the offense can rush for 200 yards it means they are making first downs, keeping the defense out of bad situations, and will be difficult for any team to beat.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The obvious rejoinder is "what if they stop it, then what do you do?" Well first, the other team has to stop it--very solid defenses in Iowa and Penn State were not able to. But this also leads to my second point, which is that you do not necessarily have to pass a lot to keep the defense off balance. What Ohio State has instead been able to do is use Terrelle Pryor's legs as that counter and threat off the edge. His legs, in essence, replace what a passing game would do in some situations and provide the outside complement to the inside run game. It is what they rely on in 3d down situations where others would turn to the pass.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">The third, also related point, is that Ohio State is just not consistent enough in the passing game to rely on it. This is by no means to say they are not good, it just means that mistakes up and down have prevented the passing game from having a high enough completion percentage to be a reliable go-to. The number of incompletions and inability to get the ball downfield has limited the yards per pass attempt and thus the passing game's <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-and-little-game-theory.html">effectiveness</a>. For example, against Michigan Ohio State got the ball back with good field position in the first half up 14-3 and went for the kill shot. But 3 pass plays later indicate the passing game's relative limits right now.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>1st-10: Sprint Draw action right, nice protection Pryor has Posey open deep and overthrows him.</li>
<li>2d-10: Sprint out right. Good protection. Pryor throws to Carter on a hitch, hits him right in the hands and he drops it. Would have been a 15 yard gain.</li>
<li>3d-10: Michigan brings a delayed blitz, gets to Pryor, he tries to scramble away but can't and has to throw it away.</li>
</ul>Update: As Chris Brown discusses <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2006/07/runpass-balance-response-to-comments.html">here</a>, the lower your completion percentage, the more likely you end up in 3d and 10, and the corresponding less likely you are to convert a first down. In addition, the more likely you are to throw an interception, the less valuable passing becomes. Either/or will correspondingly make you 'passing premium' higher.<br />
<br />
<br />
The point here, is that if Tressel has three choices between 1) inside running, 2) Pryor running, or 3) passing, he is likely going to choose 1 or 2, as they have been more consistent. Ohio State has, however, done a nice job the last two weeks coming out passing to set up the running game later.<br />
<br />
<br />
4. At this point, it is hard to know exactly what this offense is capable of Every time Iowa or Michigan got close, Ohio State opened the throttle and put touchdowns on the board that regained the advantage. And by opening the throttle I don't just mean passing more, but also doing things like breaking tendencies, getting Pryor out in space, and using <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/01/constraint-theory-of-offense.html">constraint</a> plays. But then when they get a lead, even if only a one score one, Tressel is content to shorten the game and let the defense do the rest. It would be interesting to see what happened if the offense had to play in a close game environment the entire time (though I'm happy for them to keep having the score advantage).<br />
<br />
5. Many have asked about a possible matchup with Oregon, and I will have a lot more to say if Oregon beats Oregon St. (though I think Ore. St. has a very good chance in that game). But I will say this--to beat Oregon, every one should embrace the idea of Tresselball. It is a matchup of two contrasting styles--Oregon would rather outscore you 50-48, while Ohio State obviously wants to put their defense in a position to win the game. One key will be what kind of style prevails during that game--Ohio State does not want to get in a track meet. Teams have had success running on Oregon, and if I'm Ohio State, I want to put together a number of time-consuming, ran laden drives that eat up clock, do not turn the ball over, and then sprinkle in Pryor on the edge and the passing game. But look for more detail on that coming soon...<br />
<br />
<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">* Note: to have blocked this play against the 5-3 successfully, Ohio State would have had to changed their blocking assignments, given up trying to get any double teams and instead had their TE stick on the outside, the playside Guard and Center each block back alone and the fulback and guard each lead through the hole. Similar to <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=121">this</a> (though this is a counter trey) (h/t: <a href="http://homersmith.net/?page_id=121">Homer Smith</a>).<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglTiPgG0esGPyfgJxeCnTPf-2ovj0KnmiPLDDPOgVDaNJ_HINIRlFdbShyIAdMvuNqkAxFdJ3zKFZCJoKZm1A9w5SVAtz3sR36pj8l0H8RRqX2iPRYsYA7QTwJcVMQ9-Sf8hTcKYU7Eg/s1600/250-Defenses7.2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhglTiPgG0esGPyfgJxeCnTPf-2ovj0KnmiPLDDPOgVDaNJ_HINIRlFdbShyIAdMvuNqkAxFdJ3zKFZCJoKZm1A9w5SVAtz3sR36pj8l0H8RRqX2iPRYsYA7QTwJcVMQ9-Sf8hTcKYU7Eg/s200/250-Defenses7.2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>OSU I don't think, however, was prepared for this defense since it was the first time Michigan showed it and you could tell they were having blocking assignment issues with it. <br />
<br />
<br />
Play-by-Play After the Jump:<br />
<br />
FIRST HALF<br />
FIRST SERIES-0-0. OSU 26<br />
1st-10: Shotgun Ace tight (2 x 2) halfback left. Michigan 3-4 with<br />
safety walked up to the TB side. Fly motion to trey left. Fake<br />
outside zone right, playaction roll left. Flood left. Decent<br />
protection-Cordle gets beat late. Pryor steps up into the throw,<br />
throws a nice out to Saine. 12 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: I left-motion to I right, motion back to I left (Michigan<br />
keeps flipping their front. Michigan stack 5-3. 1 high. Dave left.<br />
Blown play. Both guards pulled, good thing they didn’t give each<br />
other concussions. 1 yd gain.<br />
2d-9: Shotgun fly motion to trips right. Michigan 5-3 1 high. Both<br />
CBs to trips side. Sprint out right. Smash route right. Michigan is<br />
in some sort of zone, nice throw hits Posey on a curl. 11 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: I twins left. 4-4 under. 1 high. Dave right. Graham<br />
stalemated Ballard. Boren couldn’t pull around Graham in the<br />
backfield so the playside LBer comes unblocked. No gain.<br />
2d-9: I twins right. 3-5 eagle. 1 high. Dave play pass left.<br />
Smash left. Man cover 1. Linebackers really bit hard. Browning gets<br />
out onto the playside Lber. Posey is open but Pryor doesn’t get his<br />
feet set and overthrows him. Incomplete.<br />
3d-9: Shotgun split backs twins left. 4-3 over. Dropback. All curl.<br />
Mich in cover 1 robber. Shugarts does a nice job on Graham, with<br />
help from Boren. Pryor maybe threw short before he needed to to<br />
Saine. 3 yd gain.<br />
4th-Punt<br />
SECOND SERIES-7-0. OSU 22<br />
1st-10: I left. Michigan 3-5. 1 high. Quick screen to Posey. Nice<br />
tackle by Warren, 2 yd gain.<br />
2d-8: Shotgun 4 wide trips left. Mich nickel 1 high. All curl<br />
route. Cordle lets too much penetration into the backfield. Pryor<br />
doesn’t step up into the throw, short hops it to Small, who is open<br />
underneath.<br />
3d-8: Shotgun ace tight trey left-fly motion right. Michigan nickel<br />
2 high. Cover 2. Fake speed option play pass right. 3 verticals.<br />
Martin beat browning off the ball inside. Otherwise the protection<br />
was fine. Pryor sacked 4 yd loss.<br />
4th-Punt.<br />
THIRD SERIES. 7-0. OSU 20<br />
1st-10: Gun Ace tight TB right. Mich 5-3. 1 high. Green Bay<br />
packers sweep left (both Guards pulling). Ballard does a nice job<br />
maintaining his block and taking 88 to the sideline. Boom does a nice<br />
job following Boren up threw the hole—Boren then pancakes his guy. 4<br />
yd gain.<br />
2d-6: I twins right. Mich 5-3 1 high. Dave right (to split side).<br />
Michigan gets frontside penetration on Shugarts. The Mike is going to<br />
come free anyway because the numbers do not work. Z. Boren kicks out<br />
the end, J. Boren takes the Will, but Mike is still there. Need to<br />
block it differently to have any hope of success. 1 yd gain.<br />
3d-5: Gun 4-wide: Michigan nickel 2 high. Dropback. Michigan 2<br />
deep. Coverage beater to each side. Double slants to the left,<br />
“snag” to the right (Flag, arrow, flat combo). Lazy route running by<br />
Dane and Posey-not sharp, covered by two LBers. Good protection-nice<br />
job by Cordle on Graham. Pryor makes the right read on the No. 2<br />
inside defender to the snag side. Boom would have likely got the first<br />
if he didn’t bobble the ball.<br />
FOURTH SERIES-7-0: OSU 6<br />
1st-10: I tight left. Michigan 6-3. Warren walked up over Stoney as<br />
No. 1 recevier to the side. Dave right. Michigan has 4 guys to the<br />
playside to our 2. Boom does a decent job cutting inside but J. Boren<br />
doesn’t hold his block. Neither does Brewster. No gain.<br />
2d-10: I twins left. Mich 5-3 1 high. MI showing no respect for TE.<br />
Both corners on twins side, only LB on TE side. ISO right. Brewster<br />
gets beat across his face into the hole but Boom makes a great cut<br />
right behind that for a big gain. 20 yards.<br />
1st-10: I twins left. Michigan 3-5 over. Dave pass play left.<br />
Crash inside on the Dave fake. Mich looks like a cover 3 but have no<br />
under support because linebackers all bit. Posey wide open on the<br />
hitch. Pryor’s feet are really open and throws all arm, which makes<br />
it sail a little. 12 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Gun motion to ace tight trips. Michigan 4-4 over. Sprint<br />
out right. Flood right. Good protection. Nice job by Shugarts<br />
turning it inside. Hits Posey on the hitch. Posey just kind of runs<br />
out of bounds. 6 yards.<br />
2d-4: I twins left. Mich-4-4 over. 1 hight. ISO right. Graham<br />
beats Shugarts into the hole. Boom tries to cut back left, but<br />
Browning has his guy sealed off that way so he makes the tackle.<br />
3d-3; Gun ace tight right. Mich 5-3 1 high. Speed option right.<br />
Boom completely lost his pitch relationship. If he keeps it its an<br />
easy first down. Pryor had no one to pitch to though. Bad job by<br />
him.<br />
FIFTH SERIES: OSU 7-3. OSU 20<br />
1st-10: Gun ace tight left. Mich Eagle 5-3. Zone read right.<br />
Unbelievable run by Saine. Michigan slants into the play. Saine runs<br />
through 8 defenders. Breaks two arm tackles at the LOS, then through<br />
2 guys. Nice job by Brewster getting his head playside to establish<br />
the crease. 15 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Ace gun tight right. Mich 4-3 stack with safety coming up.<br />
Dropback. 4 verticals. Mich cover 3. Shugarts got beat by Graham.<br />
Pryor nice scramble, runs over Brown, and then steps out of bounds<br />
short of the first down. Not sure what he is thinking there…9 yd<br />
gain.<br />
2d-1: I twins right. Michigan 4-3 under 2 high. ISO right. Brandon<br />
Graham destroys Cordle, creates a 1 yd loss.<br />
3d-1: I twins right. Mich 4-3 under 2 high (not sure why they are<br />
going 2 high here). Dave right. Graham beats Ballard but Browning<br />
comes around and picks him up. Nice kick-out block by Z. Boren.<br />
Tough short yardage run by Saine for the first. 3 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Gun Ace tight left. Michigan 5-3. Zone read right. Pryor<br />
keeps great read. Leave Graham unblocked he comes down onto Saine.<br />
Stoney fans out onto the OLB. Pryor makes a great run getting right<br />
up the field and runs by everyone. 20 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Gun ace trips right strong right. Mich 4-4 over. 1 high.<br />
Fake speed option counter left. Great play by Cordle. Comes down and<br />
blocks the 5 technique, then releases and fans out on Warren. Creates<br />
a huge hole for Saine. TD.<br />
SIXTH POSSESSION 14-3. OSU 32<br />
1st-10: I twins right. Mich 4-3 over. 2 high. Sprint draw playfake<br />
right. 3 verticals. Nice protection tons of time. Posey has his man<br />
deep. Pryor just really overthrew him.<br />
2d-10: Gun motion trips right. Sprint out right. Good protection.<br />
Throws to Carter on the hitch. Warren tries to jump it and misses.<br />
Hits Carter right in the hands and he drops it. If he catches that he<br />
has a 15 yd gain.<br />
3d-10: Ace trey right. Mich nickel. Delayed blitz gets to Pryor.<br />
Pryor tries to get to corner but can’t-if it’s the wideside of the<br />
field he can scramble. Instead just throws it away. This drive had<br />
some major missed opportunities.<br />
Major missed opportunities.<br />
<br />
SEVENTH SERIES-OSU 14-3. OSU 19<br />
1st-Gun Ace Tight right. Mich 3-3-5. 1 high (slightly shaded wide<br />
side). Sweep left. Great patience by Boom waiting for Browning to<br />
pull around and then following him up behind Brewster. Boren drove S.<br />
Brown 10 yards down field and pancaked him. 12 yd run.<br />
1st-10: Gun Ace tight left. Mich 3-3-5 shaded wide side<br />
(structurally unsound against this look—offense has six to the<br />
boundary, defense only has 5). Zone read. Great read by Pryor. OSU<br />
totally takes advantage of Michigan being structurally unsound. If<br />
Posey makes his block it’s a TD. 13 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: I twins right. Mich 3-3-5. Safety in middle (again<br />
unsound-6 vs 5 ½ to field). Sprint draw pass right. Z. Boren and<br />
Boom make the incorrect read in pass pro and block inside when the<br />
line has turned right (or Shugarts might have screwed up by following<br />
Graham slanting inside when he was BOB). Pryor looks like he could<br />
have scrambled outside, instead gets the grounding call. Minus 25.<br />
2d-25: I twins right. Mich 4-3 over 2 high. ISO left. Hole was<br />
initially there, but Mike scraped off.<br />
3d-25: Ace gun tight left, fly motion to trey . Zone read right.<br />
Nice run by Pryor bouncing out, but too much to gain. Nice job by him<br />
staying in bounds.<br />
<br />
<br />
SECOND HALF<br />
FIRST POSSESSION: 14-3. OSU 40<br />
1st-10: 1st-10: Unbalanced twins right. Mich. 3-3-5 open. 3 high.<br />
Dave right. Nice pin block by Browning playside on Graham. Nice job<br />
by the Boren boys feeling the whole outside—J. Boren then runs right<br />
by the playside hybrid, but Saine cuts up and runs through an arm<br />
tackle for 6.<br />
2d-4: Gun trips left, TB left (7/4). Mich 4-3 over open. 1 high.<br />
Fake sweep right, bubble screen left. Good play fake that controlled<br />
the nickel back, Dane dropped the ball-probably a 20 yd play left on<br />
the field. Incomplete.<br />
3d-4: Gun 10 personnel. 4-3 over open. 2 high. Dropback—Double<br />
slant combo left; levelsright. Lazy routes again-Posey doesn’t cut<br />
hard, rounds off the route. Line slides right; decent protection but<br />
Saine cuts Graham, so not a ton of time. Pryor locks onto Posey,<br />
tries to force it in there, INT.<br />
<br />
SECOND POSSESSION: 14-10. OSU 11<br />
1st-10: Gun trey strong left (11 personnel), TB left. Mich 4-3 under<br />
2 high. Zone read right. Pryor should have probably kept. Boren<br />
drives the 1 technique so far down, creates a big hole. 5 yd gain.<br />
2d-4: Gun trey strong right, TB right. Mich-4-3 over, 1 high.<br />
Supposed to be zone read left. Dropped snap, but Pryor is able to<br />
outrun everyone around the right edge and make a play out of nothing.<br />
13 yard gain.<br />
1st-10: I unbalanced twins left (again 7/4 personnel split). Mich<br />
3-4 over open. 1 high. Dave left. Both Brewster and Shugarts get<br />
beat blocking back, creating backside penetration. Then Z. Boren does<br />
not kick out on the proper outside LBer. 1 yd gain.<br />
2d-6: Gun Trey left, strong TB left (7/4). Mich 4-3 over with LBers<br />
playing to trips side. 1 high in middle. Zone read right. Great<br />
push off the ball. Unbelievable blocks by Brewster, Boren, and the<br />
right side. Brewster completely turns his backside to the hole while<br />
blocking the LBer, while Browning and Shugarts seal their guys to the<br />
sideline, creating the gap, and Boren drives his guy 5 yards off the<br />
ball and pancakes him, preventing any backside support. Great<br />
blocking. 15 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Gun trey left strong. Mich 4-3 over nickel 2 deep. Zone<br />
read right. Great push again by Boren, Brewster and Browning. Best<br />
run I’ve seen Boom Herron. Patient, found the crease, picked up his<br />
feet and hit the hole hard. 12 yd gain.<br />
1st-10: Gun ace tight TB right. Mich 3-3-5 1 high to the field.<br />
LBers cheating to the boundary, MG. Zone read left. Mich slants<br />
left, Pryor should have probably kept, Graham comes through. 0 yd<br />
gain.<br />
2d-11: Gun ace trey left strong. Mich. 4-4 over to field. Zone<br />
read right. Proper read by Pryor, keeps, does a great job of<br />
bouncing—comes up to Brown so he commits, and then bounces. 12 yd<br />
gain<br />
1st-10: Gun Trey tight (2 x 2) strong right. Mich 3-3-5 ‘eagle’. 1<br />
high middle of field. Mich again structurally unsound. Only has 3<br />
guys on OSU’s boundary side to OSU’s 4—just asking for this ball to be<br />
bounced outside. Zone read left. Very nice seal block by<br />
Stoneburner, great job by Cordle locking up his guy. Good job by Boom<br />
bouncing outside, big 25 yd gain.<br />
1st-Goal: at the 3: Tight I wing left. Mich Goalline 6-2 tight.<br />
Iso left. The hole is there, but Stoney takes a bad angle to cut off<br />
Graham and he comes in from the backside to make the play -2 yards.<br />
2d-Goal: Double tight wing. Mich-5-3 under. Fake sweep left, boot<br />
right. Flood combo. No one touches Graham and he comes straight up<br />
and makes the play. Stoneburner was open on the flag, but no chance<br />
to get him the ball. 5 yd loss<br />
3d-Goal. Gun trey left (11) weak. Mich 3-3-5. 0 high. Mich brings<br />
8. Inside screen to Boom. Great job by Pryor. Nice composure and<br />
nice touch to put that ball over the top. TD.<br />
<br />
THIRD POSSESSION<br />
1st-10: Gun fly motion to trips right, strong right. Mich. 4-3 over<br />
tight to field. 1 high. Would have gone for a lot of yards, but<br />
Cordle gets beat by Brandon Graham, so Boren has to chip on him,<br />
losing our lead blocker on the backer. 6 yd gain.<br />
2d-4: Gun trey right strong. Mich 4-3 over to boundary. 1 high.<br />
Zone read left. Good read by Pryor. Picture perfect zone double team<br />
and chip by Brewster and Boren. Double team until Brewster got his<br />
helmet playside, then Boren goes to the LBer and drives him 5 yds<br />
back, creating a crease for Boom. 1st down. Great job by those<br />
two.<br />
1st-10: Gun trey right strong. Mich-4-3 over to boundary. 1 high.<br />
Zone read left. Browning leaves the backside 3 technique too early,<br />
but Boom does a really nice job of being patient and making two nice<br />
cuts through small creases for 5.<br />
2d-4: I tight right. Mich 3-3-5: CB over TE-9 in the box. 1 high.<br />
ISO left. Boren and Browning can’t chip off the double team. Decent<br />
hole outside, but Boom doesn’t see it and runs up Browning’s back. 1<br />
yd gain.<br />
3d-2: Gun trey right. Mich: 4-3 over plus to boundary. 2 high.<br />
Zone read left. Pryor keeps. Michigan does a scrape exchange, but<br />
Ballard does a really nice job of coming off his block to block the<br />
scraping LBer and Pryor outruns the DE. 1st down. 5 yd gain<br />
1st-10: Zone read left-1st down but illegal shift.<br />
1st-15: Gun trips left strong left. Mich in 4-3 over to boundary<br />
(structurally unsound, could kill them with speed option right here).<br />
G-block right by Brewster (pulls around). Herron unnecessarily<br />
strings it out, 2 yd gain.<br />
2d-13: I twins left. Mich 3-5-3. 1 high. Dave play pass left,<br />
smash left. Posey is open but Pryor takes too long to get him the<br />
ball. Then Posey steps out of bounds instead of getting 2 more yards.<br />
3 yd gain.<br />
3d-8: Gun ace left weak. Mich 4-3 over 2 high. Dropback. Z out/up<br />
combo. Saine missed his assignment. Line slid left but he went left,<br />
leaving 88 unblocked. He sits though because he’s concerned about<br />
Pryor scrambling around him (he still could have). Posey is open on<br />
the fly route, Pryor just overthrows him.<br />
4th-Punt<br />
Fourth Possession-21-10. OSU 11<br />
1st-10: Tight I left. Mich 4-3 under, boundary corner walked up over<br />
TE, 2 high. Dave right. Mich slants away. Big hole outside. Boren<br />
misses the ILB pulling, but Saine misses a huge hole outside, might<br />
still be running. 1 yd gain.<br />
2d-9: Gun tight (2 x 2) trey left strong. Mich 4-3 under. 2 high.<br />
Zone read right. Pryor should have kept, huge hole outside. Saine<br />
tries to cut back out there, but can’t quite get there.<br />
3d-6” Gun trey right stron. Mich 4-3 under. 2 high. Zone read left.<br />
Big hole up the middle. Really nice job by Shugarts of recovering<br />
and getting on Graham. If Pryor goes right up the field he gets the<br />
first. As is, he is a half yard short.<br />
<br />
Fifth Possession: OSU 21-10. OSU 19<br />
1st-10: Gun trips left. Mich 4-3 over. Sweep right. Nice down<br />
block by Shugarts and Ballard. Boom does a good job of following<br />
behind Browning, picks up 5.<br />
2d-5: Gun tight trey left. Mich 4-3 under, with LBers way<br />
overshifted to field. 3 high. Zone read left. Nice read by Pryor,<br />
end crashed down, but Michigan is doing a scrap exchange almost with<br />
their safety playing run support. Pryor runs him over though. 5 yd<br />
gain.<br />
3d-1: QB sneak<br />
1st-10: Unbalanced I left. Mich 3-5-3. 1 high. Dave left.<br />
Browning never gets pulled around. Hole outside but Boom sees it too<br />
late, the playside backer is able to shoot the gap. 1 yd<br />
2d-9: Gun trips right. Sweep left. Ballard is blown up into the<br />
backfield by Graham, preventing any opportunity for a play. Loss of<br />
4.<br />
3d-13: Unbalanced tight bunch right w/ a WR outside. Mich 4-3 under.<br />
2 high. Fake zone right, boot run left. Not the time to fool them<br />
with the run fake. Graham comes straight up the field, beats<br />
Ballard’s half hearted block attempt, and tackles Pryor for a loss.<br />
Fifth Possession: Mich 45. 21-10.<br />
1st-10: Tight I left. Mich 4-3 under 1 high. Dave right. Mich<br />
safeties were playing cover 4 and flying up. Nice bounce outside by<br />
Saine. Hold on Boren.<br />
1d-22: Fumbled snap by Pryor.<br />
2d-22: Tight I left. Mich 4-3 under. 3 high. Dave fake rollout run<br />
left. Great block by Sanzenbacher, decleats Brown on the crackback.<br />
Pryor is able to get outside for 16, but outruns Browning and can’t<br />
get enough for the 1st. 16 yd gain.<br />
3d-5: Unbalanced twins right. Mich 4-3 under cover 4. Fake Dave<br />
right rollout run right. There was a hole behind Boren pulling for 4<br />
if Pryor hits it right away but tries to string it out. Then runs<br />
across the field, ends up with 2.<br />
4th-3: Unbalanced twins right: Mich 4-3 under 1 high. Dave play<br />
pass right. This was an actual called pass. I think he has Posey on<br />
the flag route. Instead tries to run it back across the grain and<br />
almost makes it. Turnover on downs.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-33928325673351414952009-11-21T15:46:00.002-05:002009-11-21T15:58:45.245-05:00Michigan Game Quick Thoughts<ul style="text-align: justify;"><li>Regardles of how it looked, it was another big victory on the road against Michigan. How many people before the Penn State game thought Ohio State was going to win out to win the outright Big Ten Title??? <br />
</li>
<li>Very nice job by the offensive coaches adjusting. Michigan put 8-9 guys in the box against our pro style formations. So OSU goes shotgun, 2 tight, and ran zone read up and down the field against Michigan. They had a nice wrinkle blocking that play, leaving the backside '5' technique unblocked, while having the backside TE establish the edge on the nickel back.</li>
<li> Terrelle Pryor changed that game offensively with the threat of his legs. Once he started making plays Michigan could not consistently stop Ohio State again. I guess we counted out 'spread' type plays from OSU too soon. Pryor's passing statistics might not be huge, but he controlled that game with his feet and that was the difference. If he hits even one of those two open deep passes down the field that game blows wide open. He needs to put a little more air under those throws. </li>
<li>I've criticized so I will give props--that was Boom Herron's best game. He did a nice job being patient while still running hard. </li>
<li>Defensively, there was some bend but don't break. That is the type of offense Michigan runs, though, they want to take 5 yard horizontal chunks at a time. But then OSU completely shut down the Michigan running game in the second half, and it was only a matter of time before they made plays against Forcier. The defense, as usual, was opportunistic.</li>
<li>Field position really hamstrung OSU this game. I do not have the statistics in front of me, but I would guess that Michigan's average starting position was about 20 yards better. The punting game hurt us again today. This resulted in the offense having to put together some long drives. OSU also shot themselves in the foot with inopportune penalties, botched snaps and the like. <br />
</li>
<li>As usual, the 4th Quarter's conservatism with a lead leaves a 'what if' feeling and masks the good things Ohio State did offensively this game. They came out throwing, but in essence, Pryor's outside running has become the equivalent of the passing game. They want to run up the middle and then spring big plays outside with Pryor. It's similar in that way to what option teams try to do. Schematically, nice job with the counter runs out of the spread, as well as the 3d down screen pass--and that was a very nice throw by Pryor. If they hit those plays down field it completely changes the game's complexion. But when OSU gets a lead Tressel is simply not going to tet Pryor throw the ball is instead content to count on Pryor and the tailbacks to run it (though that was a pass call on 4th and 3 that Pryor did not throw).<br />
</li>
<li>Another game with over 220 yards rushing--it is very hard for teams to beat you if you can run the ball and play defense like Ohio State is. It will keep them in any game and give them a good chance to win the Rose Bowl.<br />
</li>
</ul>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3125153424520554611.post-37089299446058804732009-11-21T10:04:00.004-05:002009-11-30T20:25:53.285-05:00Ohio State vs Michigan Preview<div style="text-align: justify;">Everyone--Sorry that I'm late with this--but at least it will fresh in everyone's minds before the game!<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><b>MICHIGAN OFFENSE</b></i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">RUN GAME: Michigan, along with Oregon, are what I consider "pure spread-run teams." That means they not only are shotgun, but that their run game is based almost entirely around the inside and outside <a href="http://smartfootball.com/run-game/the-zone-read-gun-triple-option-and-the-quadruple-option">zone read</a>, unlike, say <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/12/florida-gatorurban-meyer-offense.html">Florida</a>, who runs a lot of power plays. For Michigan, though, they are going to focus on running their outside zone read and inside zone read. (h/t: <a href="http://www.mgoblog.com/">mgoblog</a>). <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qx1fZGBjXf0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Qx1fZGBjXf0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4sIc9fIFKnA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4sIc9fIFKnA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
There is lots of great material on Michigan's offense. Rich Rodriguez discusses his run game <a href="http://umgoblog.com/post/SpreadOff.aspx">here</a> and <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=giTnIHQU2wMC&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=rich+rodriguez+spread+offense+playbook&source=bl&ots=fJnJH40oLD&sig=0eSErgLYQa_mWlCuL-GKUzZcT5E&hl=en&ei=29_pSu-RO4fjlAfrzuj_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDMQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false">here</a>. MGoBlog has a good breakdown <a href="http://mgoblog.com/content/picture-pages-scraping-bubbling">here</a>. Relatedly, here is a good piece on the <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/wp/wordpress/?p=1551">Oregon offense</a>, whose run game is very similar.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Michigan has, at times this year, also lined up in the I with Brandon Minor, particularly ins short yardage situations. But with him being doubtful for the game, it is likely they will focus exclusively on the spread.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">An offense almost entirely reliant on the zone read puts a lot of pressure on the Quarterback, both to make the right read and make plays with his feet. Forcier has been inconsistent with both. <a href="http://mgoblog.com/">MGoBlog</a> has repeatedly discussed how Forcier has made incorrect zone reads. And, while he is slippery in short yardage, Forcier does not have the speed to be a true run threat. Robinson is a greater threat, but he is very unpolished-Michigan often just calls lead sweeps with him in the game.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ohio State will likely throw a lot of '<a href="http://smartfootball.com/defending-spread/defending-the-zone-read-athleticism-and-the-scrape-exchange">scrape exchanges</a>' at Michigan to confuse these Quarterbacks. At base, a scrape exchange is where the backside DE and LB change responsibilities to confuse the QB's read. The QB will see the DE crash down and keep, but then the OLB will be there for contain.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Ohio State has also gone to a 3-4 "<a href="http://smartfootball.com/notes/smart-notes-9172009">half under, half bear</a>" defense partially for the very purpose of attacking zone read teams. It puts Gibson and Spitler standing up at the end of the LOS where they can use their athleticism to make plays. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/39Q02ytth7g&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/39Q02ytth7g&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And, of course in defending zone read teams, it helps to have athletes like that on the edge who can commit down to take away the zone gap, and still be athletic enough to make plays.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">PASSING GAME:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Michigan does not have what you would call a '<a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2008/08/smart-notes.html">conceptually sophisticated</a>' passing game. By that I mean that it is almost entirely a 3-step drop passing game and does not really <a href="http://smartfootball.blogspot.com/2005/09/organizing-pass-plays-as-concepts.html">attack coverages downfield</a>. Michigan will mostly throw quick hitches and slants off of zone action and then occassionally throw a smash route. So you will see a lot of this:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/tob1cSpb_XU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/tob1cSpb_XU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">They also like running a <a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=giTnIHQU2wMC&pg=PA99&lpg=PA99&dq=rich+rodriguez+spread+offense+playbook&source=bl&ots=fJnJH40oLD&sig=0eSErgLYQa_mWlCuL-GKUzZcT5E&hl=en&ei=29_pSu-RO4fjlAfrzuj_BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CDMQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=&f=false">sprint out</a> game and <a href="http://sky.prohosting.com/cbbrown/2005/08/sprintouthalf-roll-passing.html">moving the pocket</a>. Part of this also has to do with their personnel. Neither of their Quarterbacks have great arms or shown the ability to be dropback, NFL style passers--Forcier seems best when he is in space improvising. Nor do they have the line to protect, or the receivers to stretch defenses, so they are limited in what they can do.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">For this game Michigan will have to get creative to move the football. This is particularly true if their best player, Brandon Minor, does not play. Last year Michigan had some success early running the outside zone right at Gibson--look for them to try that again--though Gibson is far better at the point of attack this year. Look for them also to try find creative ways to get Denard Robinson and their 'scat backs' the balls in space. Michigan will likely run a lot of quick passing game and screens to try to negate Ohio State's talent advantage, soften up the defense, and make a big play. Then they will likely try and go to their zone read game. If Ohio State plays fundamentally sound and does not get pulled out of position Michigan will have to work for every yard. As MGoBlog <a href="http://mgoblog.com/content/preview-ohio-state-1">discusses</a>, OSU will likely do what they did to Penn State and others--play six in the box with two deep safeties, dare Michigan to run, and count on their front six to be better than Michigan's. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i>Michigan Defense</i></b><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is no other word to describe Michigan's defense besides bad, both in scheme execution and personnel.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">These are the scores for Michigan's last <a href="http://espn.go.com/ncf/teams/schedule?teamId=130">four</a> games and Wisconsin's <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/drivechart?gameId=293180275">drives</a> in the Second Half:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" class="tablehead"><tbody>
<tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td>October 24<br />
</td><td>No. 13 <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=213">Penn State</a><br />
</td><td><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292970130">L 35-10</a><br />
</td><td>5-3 (1-3)<br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td>October 31<br />
</td><td>at <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=356">Illinois</a><br />
</td><td><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293040356">L 38-13</a><br />
</td><td>5-4 (1-4)<br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenrow" valign="top"><td>November 7<br />
</td><td><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=2509">Purdue</a><br />
</td><td><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293110130">L 38-36</a><br />
</td><td>5-5 (1-5)<br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddrow" valign="top"><td>November 14<br />
</td><td>at No. 20 <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/clubhouse?teamId=275">Wisconsin</a><br />
</td><td><a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293180275">L 45-24</a><br />
</td><td>5-6 (1-6)<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><br />
<table cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1" class="tablehead"><tbody>
<tr class="evenrow" style="font-weight: bold;" valign="top"><td>15:00<br />
</td><td>3<br />
</td><td>04:57<br />
</td><td>WIS 20<br />
</td><td>10<br />
</td><td>80<br />
</td><td>Passing Touchdown<br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddrow" style="font-weight: bold;" valign="top"><td>06:59<br />
</td><td>3<br />
</td><td>04:51<br />
</td><td>WIS 35<br />
</td><td>8<br />
</td><td>76<br />
</td><td>Passing Touchdown<br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="evenrow" style="font-weight: bold;" valign="top"><td>00:55<br />
</td><td>3<br />
</td><td>04:55<br />
</td><td>WIS 40<br />
</td><td>10<br />
</td><td>60<br />
</td><td>Rushing Touchdown<br />
</td></tr>
<tr class="oddrow" style="font-weight: bold;" valign="top"><td>09:44<br />
</td><td>4<br />
</td><td>08:01<br />
</td><td>WIS 30<br />
</td><td>15<br />
</td><td>60<br />
</td><td>Field Goal Good<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Schematically, Michigan is<b><i> </i></b>essentially running a 4<a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Setting-Terrelle-Pryor-free-agai?urn=ncaaf,188649">-3 under </a>with a stand-up backside end, making it look like a 3-4. Chris Brown has a great read on it <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Out-of-the-wilderness-at-last-t?urn=ncaaf,188924">here</a>. In a lot of ways it is similar to what OSU does. As the season has gone on though, Michigan has gone to more of a <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/sports/rich-rodriguez-doesnt-regret-position-changes-despite-michigans-problems-at-safety/">4-4 look</a>, which could also be called a 3-5-3. Basically, they are bringing what would be their backside safety up into the box. Essentially, 4-3 under teams that play cover 1, <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/43_under_blitz_schemes.html">like USC </a>have their backside safety responsible for run support. Michigan has just started showing it more explicitly in a (vain) attempt to stop the run.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_aEVAHK8caU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_aEVAHK8caU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">And Michigan does in fact play a lot of '<a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Deconstructing-Out-of-the-wilderness-at-last-t?urn=ncaaf,188924">cover 1 robber</a>' behind it. Penn State was able to repeatedly exploit this with <a href="http://smartfootball.com/passing/the-smash-route-against-man">smash routes</a>. (Video curteosy of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mgoblog#p/u/53/Qx1fZGBjXf0">MGoBlog</a>).<br />
</div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="340" width="560"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DSb22XELBIc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DSb22XELBIc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">It will be interesting to see what kinds of coverage Michigan plays today. Teams that have tried to play forms of man coverage versus Ohio State have gotten burned by Terrelle Pryor's running ability, most famously here:<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKVihfQLkl0&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/yKVihfQLkl0&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">I expect Michigan to fall back into more zone coverages for that reason.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Michigan's primary problem, though, is their personnel. MGoBlog had a great <a href="http://mgoblog.com/diaries/decimated-defense">two</a> <a href="http://mgoblog.com/diaries/decimated-defense-part-ii-statisticating">part</a> series on how recruiting, attrition, and talent development has decimated Michigan's defense. Their line is undersized, their linebackers play extremely undisciplined, and their safeties are not talented. As MGoBlog discusses <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/mgoblog#p/search/3/_aEVAHK8caU">here</a>, Wisconsin killed Michigan with play action all day, drawing up the inside linebackers and throwing over the top of them. (You can also see that in the clip above).<br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">Brandon Graham is the only difference maker on that defense and has played at an exceptionally high level all year, especially when considering the talent surrounding him. Expect Ohio State to handle Graham similar to what they did with Adam Clayburn last week: have running backs and TE's chip on Graham and/or stay in to give Cordle some help. This is the one matchup where Michigan could create problems for OSU. Other than that, expect Ohio State to take advantage of the Michigan defense's poor discipline and talent levels. Like Wisconsin, Ohio State will likely dial up play action off their <a href="http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/2008/osu_runs.html">inside runs</a> to get Posey running deep in the secondary. Relatedly, they will likely also do more misdirection, both in the forms of counters and bootlegs. We have seen more of this as the season has progressed and I expect to see more here. Then, I think Ohio State will settle back into the <a href="http://buckeyefootballanalysis.blogspot.com/2009/11/osu-v-iowa-offensive-breakdown-and-play.html">power run game</a> that has been so successful the last two weeks. Ohio State followed a similar pattern of starting out the game throwing and then turning to the run against Iowa. Look for a similar gameplan here. The difference, though, is that Ohio State will be able to hit plays downfield off of play action when they were not able to against Iowa. Look for Michigan to have a lot of difficulty stopping Ohio State and a big game from Terrelle Pryor. <br />
</div>Boulderbuck55http://www.blogger.com/profile/09449709597362065309noreply@blogger.com0