I made it no secret last season that I thought that the Hokies presented dangerous matchup problems for Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Hokies' aggressive, gap-shooting defensive front overwhelmed the Buckeyes' inexperienced interior offensive line. Scot Loeffler's short-passing game plan was perfectly suited to exploit an Ohio State secondary that was using a new cover 4 scheme for the first time against a sophisticated pass scheme.
The rematch is right around the corner and many of those advantages still continue to favor Virginia Tech. The Hokies return the same defensive line (and Deon Clarke) that decimated the Buckeyes' blocking schemes last season. The Hokies have an experienced, talented group of secondary players that excel covering one-on-one. The Buckeyes continue to emphasize the same coverage schemes that allowed Michael Brewer to find favorable matchups, especially Tech's tight ends against Ohio State's linebackers and safeties. When you watch the game film from last season in a vacuum, it is difficult to imagine a world where the Hokies would not be favored in this game.
That of course ignores the Buckeyes' amazing run that led to a national championship. Led by quarterbacks J.T. Barrett (R-SO, 6-2, 225) and Cardale Jones (R-JR, 6-5, 250), the Buckeyes didn't score less than 31 points a game the rest of the season. As a point of emphasis, against the four highest ranked teams that the Buckeyes defeated—Wisconsin, Michigan State, Alabama, and Oregon—the Buckeyes lit up the scoreboard like a pinball machine to the tune of 59, 49, 42 and 42 points, respectively. Ohio State is a recruiting hotbed with every financial resource available to support the program. They are a talented and well coached football team. A win in Lane Stadium on Labor Day would go down as one of the greatest wins in the history of the Hokie program. Let's examine how the Hokies can repeat last season's signature win.
The Foster Plan
The biggest story after last year's win in Columbus was how Bud Foster used the Bear defense to confound Urban Meyer's dynamic spread option scheme. The Bear front wasn't entirely new look from Foster, in the past he often used a double eagle alignment with a defensive end sliding inside and the backer walked up at the edge of the line of scrimmage. This look was prevalent especially in passing situations where Foster wanted to generate pressure. Against Ohio State, Coach Foster made additional adjustments; most visually recognizable as the "edge players" (the backer to the field side and the defensive end to the boundary) stood up and lined up as nine technique's out wide. Often the rover and sometimes the free safety would move up to flank the mike linebacker, putting eight men in the box while the two corners and the nickel were on islands out on space.
The alignment was perfectly suited to combating the strengths of the Ohio State's running game. Covering up the three interior offensive linemen negates the offense's ability to deliver combination blocks (double teams) at the point of attack. That virtually eliminated Ohio State's bread and butter inside zone read. Even if the Ohio State guards and centers could block the Hokies' front one-on-one, the Bear formation takes away the blocking angles on zone plays that allow a blocker to reach the mike linebacker. In the rare instance that Marshall, Maddy and Nicolas didn't beat a blocker, Chase Williams was free to make the tackle square to Ezekiel Elliott.
Other Ohio State favoriates like the power read and counter trey require guards to pull and lead on the outside. Expecting an offensive tackle to scoop a player with Corey Marshall or Dadi Nicolas's speed (especially when they are already focused on penetrating) was too tall a task for the Buckeyes. Time and again, the Hokies' interior defenders would beat the tackle and trail the pulling guard to the football before J.T. Barrett and Ezekiel Elliott could get a head of steam down field. Meanwhile, the jet sweep game was rendered ineffective by the defensive ends aligning wide and getting up field when they keyed jet sweep. The basic defensive concepts that Foster always employs (gap fits on the interior, edge force and spill) remained intact. However, the alignment took away many of the plays that the Buckeyes were comfortable with, and as such, the offense looked discombobulated.
No matter what look Foster uses, he will make sure that the Hokies have a numerical advantage around the line of scrimmage. The Hokies must contain running back Ezekiel Elliott. Ohio State's national championship run last season was built on Elliott getting downhill and opening things up in the play-action passing game. If the Hokies can contain Elliott, the chances of stopping the Buckeye passing game increase exponentially. The Buckeyes return two preseason All-American offensive lineman, Taylor Decker (SR, 6-8, 315) and Pat Effelin (R-JR, 6-3, 300), as well as two other starters from last year's group. Even though the twitch of the Hokies' defensive line was too much for them to handle last season, Ohio State's front five have a year of experience under their belts. However, Tech is bigger and more experienced at defensive end, have a lighter and determined Luther Maddy back on the inside, and now have more dependable depth at the defensive tackle spot with Woody Baron's improvement during fall camp. The Buckeyes played teams that used the Bear front, yet none had the quick front that the Hokies have. I expect that the Bear front will still cause significant problems on the interior of the Ohio State offensive attack.
SWOTing the Bear: Speed Option and the Deep Passing Game
The Buckeyes can exploit the Bear front even if they struggle on the interior. After reviewing the film over the last year, I found the Bear to be vulnerable in two areas. First, the Bear jams defenders into the interior of the defense. This allows the defense to have a numerical advantage on the interior; however it leaves the defense vulnerable on the edge (especially when the corners are playing man coverage).
The alignment of the edge defender takes away many of the jet sweeps and outside zones used by the Buckeyes, but the Bear is very susceptible to speed option. On a speed option against the Bear front, the edge defender has two choices—they can take the quarterback or they can take the pitch. The rover is aligned inside the tackle box, and the free safety has to play deep in center field. That distance leaves the edge defender isolated. If the edge defender takes the pitch, the quarterback can turn up quickly in the natural bubble created between the three-technique defensive tackle and the edge player for a solid gain. If the edge defender takes the quarterback, it leaves the safety with a ton of distance to cover to take the pitch man.
On this play, the Buckeyes use a pistol formation with the tight end to the right (on the bottom of the screen). They run the speed option to the wide side of the field. Backer Deon Clarke is unblocked as the option man. Every other Hokie defender is accounted for on the play side except for Detrick Bonner. Bonner is aligned deep in center field with Jarrett playing the tight end in man coverage. It is interesting to note that Kendall Fuller is playing on the wide side of the field here rather than at his normal boundary spot.
The tight end and wide receiver run off Fuller and Jarrett. Barrett runs speed option with Curtis Samuel to the right side. Clarke forces Barrett to pitch. Samuel is now one-on-one with Bonner, who has to run from centerfield and circumnavigate the natural picks created by Fuller and Jarrett. Bonner gets to Samuel after Samuel is almost ten yards down field. Bonner gets just enough of Samuel to knock him off balance so Corey Marshall (hustle!) can drag him down from behind. If Bonner had not been able to avoid Fuller and Jarrett, this could have been a much bigger run.
Foster noted the weakness and adjusted his scheme. However, against a brilliant player like Heisman favorite Ezekiel Elliott (JR, 6-0, 225), the speed option still presented challenges to the Bear front.
On this play, Chuck Clark plays to the field side and has the tight end in coverage. He reads option and pushes up the field immediately. Bonner, who is closer to the line of scrimmage, would pick up the tight end if the tight end veer-releases up the seam for a quick pop pass.
Deon Clarke again takes the quarterback. The aforementioned Chuck Clark takes the pitch and the Buckeyes' tight end drives him to the outside. Still, schematically the Hokies are in good shape because Bonner is unblocked and waiting in the alley for Elliott.
As you can see, scheme can only do so much when great players are one-on-one with defenders in space. Elliott freezes Bonner slightly and bounces outside while running through an arm tackle. This is the greatest danger of the Bear front; it leaves the edge plays exposed in space. Last season, the Buckeyes did a terrible job of sticking with the speed option to exploit that advantage. I expect they will get Elliott more touches this season, especially with the speed option look.
I also suspect that Foster has planned for this contingency. One comment that Foster made repeatedly when asked to reflect upon the defensive performance against Ohio State was that the Hokies' coaching staff treated the Buckeyes' option game like Georgia Tech. If you have paid close attention, or read my columns on Foster's defensive schemes against the Yellow Jackets, you have noticed that Foster changes his alignment and approach for defending that offense each season.
In 2012, the Hokies used double eagled defensive tackles, stand up defensive ends and Jack Tyler aligned deep behind the line of scrimmage to stop Georgia Tech with their base look. In 2013, Foster moved Kyle Fuller to the whip position and blitzed him through the interior gaps. Last season, the Hokies used the Bear front against Georgia Tech. Foster always makes a change to throw off the offensive game plan based on what worked the season before. I suspect that Foster will have similar changes in store for Ohio State's offense. That could mean more base or eight-man, four-down fronts, especially against pistol formations. The benefit for the Hokies' box defenders is that even though the defensive alignments may change, their basic responsibilities remain the same (gap fit inside, set the edge and force/spill on the outside).
A possible specific adjustment is for the defense to slide to a nickel 46 look. I highlighted the nickel 46 back in my review of the 2013 East Carolina game. In this look, the nickel and two corners play on islands outside. Instead of using three down linemen, Foster uses four down linemen, with the defensive tackles both lined up as one-techniques and the defensive ends both playing five-techniques. In 2013, the backer aligned on the boundary side, and the free safety walked up to the line of scrimmage like a whip linebacker on the field side. The rover then walked up to flank the mike linebacker. This created an 8-man front.
Because I expect the Hokies to shift in and out of the Bear, Deon Clarke will likely be the stand up player on the edge. As result, I expect Chuck Clark to align inside next to Motuapuaka, with Desmond Frye as the base backer alignment to the boundary, rather than having them flip sides. I expect that you will see Tech shift and slide back and forth before the snap (from Bear, to Base, to 46) much more than I saw in last season's game.
Against Ohio State's primary running play (the inside zone read), this alignment has some weakness. The center is not covered, and hence is free to double team the play side defensive tackle. However, this formation is well suited to stop the speed option to the field, as the free safety gives two edge defenders to the play side that are both close to the line of scrimmage. The field side offensive tackle would veer inside, leaving the defensive end unblocked. The tight end would be forced to veer block or veer release on the safety or block down to the mike linebacker.
The advantage of this formation against the speed option is that Foster's free hitter (whichever player the tight end doesn't block—mike or free safety) is now much closer to the pitch man, while the defensive end has quarterback. In the Bear, the free safety is deep and has to run through interference by the receivers running off the corners. In this look, the only way that the free hitter meets interference is with a crack back (freeing the corner to take the pitch man). The Hokies win with numbers. This adjustment allows them to have numbers. At that point, the question becomes can the Hokies free hitter put Ezekiel Elliott on the ground?
The mike linebacker is critically important from a communications standpoint. The Hokies won't be in the Bear, 46 nickel, or base the entire game, nor will they always play the front called in from the sideline. Andrew Motuapuaka will have the responsibility of identifying the offensive alignment, and then audibling to the correct front. For example, Foster may call a Bear front. If Ohio State comes to the line of scrimmage with twins to the boundary and a one receiver-one tight end look to the wide side, Motuapuaka would need to slide the front from the Bear to the 46 nickel. If they have the 46 nickel called, and the back is offset with a Y opposite, I would expect Motuapuaka to shift them to the Bear. That communication (and making sure the shift happens before Ohio State can quick snap and catch the defense off guard) will be a huge factor on Monday night.
The second and the most well-documented threat to the Bear is the deep passing game. Tech's corners and nickels were forced to play either man or cover 4 coverage throughout the game, so there was no safety help if they were beat deep. The Buckeyes tried to exploit the coverage by going deep time and time again. Kendall Fuller and Brandon Facyson mitigated that risk by taking away the easiest throws for J.T. Barrett, specifically double slants, by using inside leverage technique often on passing downs. When the Buckeye receivers released deep, the corners did a fantastic job of turning and running with the receiver, and getting their hands up to deflect passes without looking back for the ball or taking costly pass interference penalties. J.T. Barrett made several beautiful throws that great coverage (and the occasional Buckeye drop) prevented from becoming touchdowns.
Ohio State had more success picking on Chuck Clark at the nickel spot. The Buckeyes drew several pass interference penalties and completed a 58-yard pass to Devin Smith in the second quarter that put Ohio State in scoring position. Clark was in a tough spot. He was inexperienced in man coverage and didn't have the benefit of playing inside leverage on the outside (which allows a defender to use the sideline as an ally). Clark lost leverage several times, and the Hokies were fortunate that Ohio State couldn't exploit the matchup more often.
Before the suspensions of Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith and Dontre Wilson, and the broken leg of former Tech recruiting target Noah Brown, I thought that a key part of the Ohio State game plan would be to try and exploit the nickel positon with vertical routes.
That may still be part of the Buckeyes' game plan, as Braxton Miller has apparently been impressive in Ohio State's fall camp. I expect Miller to be showcased on jet sweeps and jet sweep counters from the slot (H-Back in Buckeye lexicon), however Ohio State seems to think Miller can be a receiving threat as well.
If there's better athletes in the country, I don't know where they are," cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said. "He's got tremendous ability to make moves in space that are extraordinary. He's learning every day, leaps and bounds, about the receiver position. If you make a mistake when you cover Braxton Miller you're going to pay for it."
Curtis Samuel (SO, 5-11, 200), Elliott's back up at running back last season, will also get carries from the slot alignment.
The other options at wide receiver are talented, but very young. Terry McLaurin, James Clark, Johnnie Dixon, Parris Campbell and Alex Stump and K.J. Hill have little to no game experience. All were four-star recruits with big play ability. One of those players will line up opposite Michael Thomas (JR, 6-3, 210), the Buckeyes' leading receiver last season (54 catches). Thomas is a prototypical NFL receiver, and was the only OSU receiver to consistently get separation against Fuller and Facyson last season. Thomas is physical, and excels on the pass patterns that both OSU quarterbacks like to throw to get into rhythm (double slants and fake slant-outs). Thomas had six catches against the Hokies last season, and he beat Facyson on a slant for a 53-yard touchdown. Thomas is the one guy from Ohio State who I know can make plays down the field against man coverage. The other players are mysteries until we see them in action on Labor Day night. The lack of experience outside should force Urban Meyer to simplify an already basic passing game structure. With fewer keys to read, this allows Tech's secondary to be even more aggressive using their leverage technique to take away the easiest throws.
Given the lack of proven pass catchers, Foster will likely place even more emphasis on stopping the run while counting on the Hokies' talented secondary to contain Thomas, Miller and the young Buckeye receivers. Kendall Fuller, Brandon Facyson and Chuck Clark all are proven in man coverage and in run support. Georgia Tech may give Coach Foster the blueprint for the Bear, however recent history shows that when Coach Foster is faced with a terrific running back and teams with one great receiver that lack other options in the passing game, he tends to break tendencies in his secondary. I suspect we may see some of those curveballs against Ohio State.
As of Monday, Greg Stroman is listed as the primary nickel corner. I am very high on Stroman; however the Tech's wide receivers beat him badly on double moves in the spring. Stroman's small stature may make him a liability in run support near the line of scrimmage. Instead of seeing Stroman as the nickel, I expect Foster to have Donovan Riley as his fifth defensive back. Riley has been outstanding in fall camp and has the experience to play multiple roles.
With any alignment using Fuller, Clark, Riley and Facyson, the Hokies have their four best cornerbacks on the field at the same time. Green rover Desmond Frye likely will have little man coverage responsibility outside of covering the tight end. On any given play, any one of those four "corners" could drop back into a deep zone, play press man coverage, or come up in run support. This gives Foster a ton of flexibility to move guys around and create the best matchups possible. On any particular play, the Ohio State quarterback could see Chuck Clark as a deep safety and Riley at the nickel, yet Clark could cover the slot guy on a deep route with Riley coming up as the alley player in run support. On the next down, the Hokies could run inverted cover 2, with Clark flying forward to support the run and cover the short flat, with Facyson and Riley dropping into deeper zones. On the next snap, the Hokies can press across the board, moving their best cover guys against Michael Thomas. Any defensive alignment can have multiple variables in terms of coverage without an exploitable weakness, and that can wreak havoc on a quarterback.
This flexibility gives Foster two additional options for using Kendall Fuller to take away Ohio State's best playmakers on the outside. Normally, Fuller is the Hokies' boundary corner, meaning he covers the wide receiver aligned to the narrow side of the field. The boundary corner is usually Tech's best corner because the rover safety (also normally aligned to the boundary) has so much run support responsibility that he often can't help the boundary corner if he gets beaten deep. Foster occasionally changes things up. In 2013, the Pitt Panthers had two talented receivers in Tyler Boyd and Devin Street. Pitt often used both as twin receivers to the field side. Rather than slide his free safety or nickel over on Boyd (giving Pitt a huge matchup advantage) Foster moved boundary corner Kyle Fuller over to "spy" on Boyd.
Last season, Foster used Kendall Fuller in a similar manner against Boyd and the Panthers. Boyd was mostly utilized in the slot against the Hokies, and Fuller either bracketed Boyd in coverage or occasionally blitzed just like a whip linebacker from the slot alignment. If Urban Meyer tries to keep Thomas away from Kendall Fuller, it would not surprise me to see Bud Foster use Kendall as a shadow on Thomas no matter where he lines up. Riley is most comfortable at boundary corner, which allows Fuller to move around to the field side, where the Buckeyes love to use flood concepts in the play-action game.
Fuller's experience playing from the nickel spot also could allow Foster the ability to run Fuller as the slot corner and shadow Braxton Miller. Fuller represents the Hokies' most dependable run defender in the secondary besides Chuck Clark. (I can't recall the last time I noticed Fuller miss a tackle.) Rather than having Riley, Stroman or Clark running with Miller and Samuel on jet sweep motion, Fuller could be used to shadow them, virtually eliminating them from effectiveness on wide runs. Riley, Clark and Facyson's coverage ability creates that flexibility.
Ohio State will be better on offense than what Hokie Nation witnessed in Columbus last season. J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones are much more experienced passers. Ezekiel Elliott is now established as one of the top running backs in the country, and the Ohio State offensive line vastly improved over the course of last season. Urban Meyer isn't an idiot, and has likely put together a detailed game plan designed to attack the Bear front. (Rumors of Bothan spies dying to get Meyer information on Coach Foster's defensive game plan have not yet been substantiated). The Buckeyes will be prepared.
That said, Coach Foster has a proven track record of using the strengths of his own personnel to create subtle changes in defensive schemes that have stymied some of the best option and spread systems in college football. His defensive line returns intact with more experience and added strength. His secondary is an outstanding coverage group, and besides the rover spot, may be better across the board in run support than last season. Last season, Foster committed to getting numbers in the box, even with proven deep threats like NFL draft pick Devin Smith outside. Now, Ohio State's WR corps is significantly depleted due to suspensions and injuries. I expect the Hokies to put even more emphasis on containing Elliott. Life is tough for even the best running backs when he only has five or six blockers against eight or nine defenders. Unless the Buckeyes can burn the Hokies' press coverage deep, or the Hokies have a poor night tackling (with Andrew Motuapuaka and Desmond Frye highlighted against Elliott in space), I expect that the Buckeyes will struggle offensively on Labor Day.
Offensive Game Plan Preview: Running the Football and Exploiting the Cover 4
Put Tech's defensive success aside. The Buckeyes still put up 21 points against the Hokies last September and had numerous other big play opportunities. Twenty-one points would have been enough to tie or defeat the Hokies five times last season. Fortunately, Michael Brewer had an outstanding game through the air against Ohio State. Scot Loeffler had a game plan designed to exploit the Buckeyes, who were facing their first sophisticated passing attack under new defensive coordinator Chris Ash.
Cover 4 looks very similar to man coverage during the quarterback's pre-snap read. Four defenders divide the field vertically, and man up with receivers running into their section of the field. When a receiver breaks out of their zone, the defender passes off the receiver to the next defender and drops into a deep quarter zone. In this coverage, the Hokies will often play outside leverage. If the quarterback identifies man coverage instead of zone, he will expect the slant or post to be open on the inside. The corner shows man, but when the receiver breaks in on the slant, the safety is there waiting on the ball.
The Hokies run a ton of cover 4 (or quarters coverage) defensively, so Michael Brewer, Bucky Hodges, Cam Phillips and Isaiah Ford benefited from working against that coverage throughout fall training camp before game prep for Ohio State even started.
The cover 4 has several weaknesses that Loeffler's game plan last season exploited perfectly. In their base front, Ohio State aligned in a 4-3 over front in cover 4, with a linebacker walked outside over the slot receiver on wide-side of the field.
Loeffler exploited the cover 4 by getting his slot receivers and tight ends in one-on-one matchups in the intermediate passing game. Rub routes were extremely effective. On rub routes, the wide receivers run vertical routes to move the opposing corner and nickel deep, leaving linebackers and safeties to deal with a tight end or back running free into the flat. Sam Roger's touchdown to close the first half is a great example.
Josh Stanford and Bucky Hodges run vertical routes and intentionally get into the body of the Ohio State defenders. Essentially, they are setting picks with "incidental contact" to push the defenders off the line of scrimmage. H-Back Sam Rogers leaks out into the right flat, and the nickel corner gets picked off in the wash. Rogers has an easy catch, and he runs over the corner to add insult to injury with the touchdown.
Here is the exact same concept. This time, Willie Byrn is in the slot, and middle linebacker Curtis Grant cannot get to the flat in time.
This type of play is becoming more prevalent in today's offenses, but there's the possibility that the officials could call the receivers for illegal contact on this scheme. The blocking seems to start before the receiver catches the football. The officials' interpretation of this type of play is something to watch for on Labor Day.
Inside, Ryan Malleck had a ton of success working on flag routes against those same interior defenders. Outside linebackers Joshua Perry (SR, 6-4, 254), Darron Lee (R-SO, 6-2, 235), and safeties Vonn Bell (JR, 5-11, 205) and Tyvis Powell (R-JR 6-3, 210) were excellent in run support, but when the Hokies needed a big third down reception, Malleck was able to press into man coverage and then shield the defender from the football. Malleck set up the Hokies' first touchdown with this huge third-down catch.
The Buckeyes are playing cover 4, with their inside linebackers playing an underneath zone. Malleck lines up in the right slot, matched up with Vonn Bell.
Malleck breaks hard underneath Bell's soft coverage and finds himself bracketed by Curtis Grant. Grant illegally chucks Malleck, and Malleck fights through the chuck to break open. Powell does a good job of closing the gap as the throw arrives, however Malleck is perfectly situated between Bell and the football to make a critical first down catch. Malleck was used less and less as last season wore on. Injuries and the Hokies' pass protection issues required Loeffler to keep Malleck into the block more and more often. Malleck is healthy and coming off of a terrific spring. With Bucky Hodges and Isaiah Ford commanding so much attention on the outside, expect Malleck to get some space to work underneath against the Buckeyes' safeties and new middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan (SO, 6-2 240). If the Buckeyes press more, expect Malleck to have even more space inside this season.
The cover 4 is also susceptible to wide receiver routes that break back toward the quarterback. Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips each had important catches working back to Brewer against cover 4. Ohio State had momentum in the second quarter when Ford caught a 19-yard out from Brewer on a third-and-17 from the Hokies' own 4-yard line. Part of the Tech's success was due to the Buckeyes' inexperience in the cover 4. Young corner Eli Apple's (R-SO, 6-1, 200) only other start was Navy, and he played some soft coverage. As the season progressed, teams like Georgia Tech started playing more cover 2 to get underneath coverage on those comeback routes. In turn, that opened up more vertical routes, but the Hokies couldn't exploit them as often as those opportunities were available. By the Pitt game, the Panthers played cover 4, but pressed closely to Ford and Phillips and dared each to beat them deep. Phillips did score a touchdown, but Pitt limited big plays. With a year of experience under the duo's belt, I expect the Buckeyes to play much tighter coverage this season. Expect Ford to get some looks down field. If his performance in the spring is indicative of the kind of season we can expect from Ford, he will have some open shots down the field.
The Running Game and The Bosa Impact
Tech's pass attack against the Buckeyes last year needed to be good because the running game could not have been much worse. Outside of Marshawn Williams' touchdown run, in which Ohio State botched a blitz, I only found one effective interior run by the running backs the entire game. Time and again, the defensive tackle combination of Michael Bennett and Adolphus Washington (SR, 6-4, 290) eviscerated the inexperienced Augie Conte, a banged up Caleb Farris and an immobile David Wang. Often, Ohio State's steady stream of run blitzes seemed unnecessary given the complete lack of a running game. When the Hokies were able to move the ball on the ground, their best pickups were on jet sweeps and quarterback scrambles.
With consensus All-American Joey Bosa suspended, Washington is the only player returning from that group that dominated the Hokies last season. Washington is a preseason All-American and a dynamic athlete with great burst on the inside as a three-technique.
Bosa's loss can't be understated. He led the Big Ten in sacks, tackles for loss and highlight reel sacks. His size and strength allowed Ohio State to use some three-man fronts. Bosa played as a five-technique (inside eye of the tackle) in those sets. He mostly aligned as a seven-technique over right tackle, however on passing downs the Buckeyes occasionally moved Bosa over to the left tackle's side. Bosa's combination of size and quickness made him a threat to rush inside and outside. Watch as he bull rushes David Wang into Michael Brewer's lap.
Bosa's versatility allowed defensive coordinator Chris Ash to move his big, athletic outside linebackers all around the field. On the above play, outside linebacker Darron Lee also rushes the passer on a delayed blitz from his outside linebacker spot. Bosa draws blocking that lets Lee almost come free. Without Bosa in the lineup, the Buckeyes don't have a pass rusher that demands double teams to draw blocking away from their blitzes.
Tech's offensive tackles may be a liability against athletic speed rushers and exotic stunts. In order to maximize their speed on the edge, there is some buzz that outside linebacker Joshua Perry may play some defensive end. Perry is an athletic and versatile player with explosive burst off the edge, and he has significantly more game experience than Hubbard and Holmes. With Bosa out of the lineup, don't be shocked if Perry plays some defensive end, especially on passing downs.
Michael Brewer's scrambles and Tech's quick passing game mitigated Bosa as a pass rusher most of the game last season. However, Tech's only answer for Bosa in the running game was quick jet sweeps that either cracked on Bosa or got around the edge before he could get up field. Otherwise, Bosa was dominant.
If I learned one thing playing football it was that an offense cannot block every defender; ensure the unblocked defender is not in position to make the play. My high school coach loved to use a quick toss as an example. On a toss play, we would not block the back side defensive end. His rationale was if that defensive end can run across the field and make the tackle on a quick toss, we aren't winning today anyway. Bosa epitomizes that hypothetical defensive end.
The Hokies use an unbalanced line with tackle Laurence Gibson aligned outside of McLaughlin on the right side as an extra tackle. Bosa aligns inside as a five-technique over McLaughlin. The Hokies have fooled the Buckeyes with this formation and the resulting quick toss play should result in a touchdown. However, Bosa is able to beat McLaughlin through the inside gap, bend back to the outside, and run down the play for a loss. Anyone minimizing Bosa's absence from OSU's defense should watch this play a few times. They will come around.
In Bosa's place, Perry will get some work. Sam Hubbard (R-FR, 6-5, 265) is the most similar to Bosa in body type, however he was an Ohio all-state safety as a high school player. That is a big safety!
Virginia product Jaylen Holmes (SO, 6-5, 265) will also factor into the rotation. Neither will be as strong at the point of attack as Bosa. Tyquan Lewis (R-SO, 6-4, 260) will start across from Tech's left tackle, and Tommy Schutt (SR, 6-3, 290) will be plugged in the middle next to Washington. Lewis had a big performance against Oregon in the national championship game with several tackles for a loss, and he will be counted on to provide pass rush.
With the loss of Bennett and Bosa and a Virginia Tech offensive line group that has more experience and a significant upgrade at guard with Wyatt Teller, it is hard to imagine a scenario where the Hokies can't run the ball more effectively. An effective running game should create more opportunities for big plays via play-action. If the Hokies can't run the football, Tech's chances of winning drastically decrease.
Comments
as usual, another top-notch article
I really hope we can run effectively this game, as it will help keep our defense rested and chew up some clock. Go Hokies, beat the Buckeyes once again!
Thanks French, now my brain hurts.....
French's magnum opus. I think my dissertation was only slightly longer and more detailed. It's even got (almost) the right format!
Brilliant, sir. Brilliant.
Interesting analysis - well done!
I don't have anything else productive to add - So many people have already (intelligently) dissected schemes / etc in preparation, so all I want to do now is just watch!
Can't believe I'm saying this....I wish the weekend were over and it was Monday night already!
So why don't we successfully try and stop guys like James Connor (or any of Pitt's RBs for that matter) with a similar scheme? Haven't paid attention as to if we run a Bear defense vs other teams with stud RBs or rushing attacks.
Probably didn't want one on one coverage with that wide out. That's a dangerous game no matter who your DBs are.
Foster used the Bear a bunch against Pitt. Pitt's OL did a good job getting push (Dadi Nicolas tweeted me during the NFL draft and said the Pitt OT was the best blocker he faced all season) and the Hokies were not the same without Maddy, Nigel Williams having a bad game, Jarrett missing tackles around the LOS etc etc. Not every battle can be won with alignment.
Didn't Chase Williams get hurt in the Pitt game as well?
Yeah, midway through the third quarter.
I'm so nervous
random:
I walked by JCC and Kendall Fuller outside Merryman yesterday. JCC was riding one of these and was still significantly shorter than Kendall.
activate cool story bro gifs...NOW
Never been on one of those, but I did have a pair of Heely's back in the day. They make an appearance every now and again after a couple of millers.
Great piece, French.
Now I'm probably going to insult it by asking a dumb question.
Is it feasible for CoachUM to look at, say, the Miami game film, and say, "Ok, I've got a Duke Johnson (Zeke Elliott), and I've got a big OLIne. I'm just going to do what they did and destroy the Hokies." Especially with AM playing in the LB spot that Chase Williams retired from this year. AM looked very weak against the Hurricanes last year.
He should- but Meyer is a system coach. He will run his offense, for better or worse. I think they will make more of an effort to get Elliott going, but it will be within the character of the offense that they want to run every game.
To that point, it's not feasible to run a totally new offense for one game when you've recruited/developed/coached another system for 4 seasons. You are who you are.
unless you have a 'multiple' offense! amirite?
*ducks*
We never run a new offense. We run at least two, sometimes three.
So basically Loeffler has every possible offense installed to counter every defense, it's just a matter of Loeffler figuring out which offense to run before the clock runs out?
I imagine it's more a matter of...
You must mean the Miami game from 2013. Last year's game was cancelled.
But seriously, I feel like this is a good question. I wouldn't be surprised if the running game for OSU just blasts us this year. Really, at this point, I wouldn't be surprised by anything except a VT blowout.
I hope you're very surprised.
Wow, I'm literally shaking in anticipation right now.
One note: on those rub routes (Byrn catching in the flat with Bucky blocking), the difference between a clean play and a penalty (ND vs FSU - it was the right call) is the location of the receiver when he catches the ball. If he's on or behind the line of scrimmage, it's fine - PI cannot be called, on the offense or defense, if a pass does not cross the neutral zone. If he's two or three yards downfield (ND), the ball crosses the neutral zone while the receivers are "blocking", hence offensive PI.
Question: It's been said that the way to stop our D was to use QB Iso / power runs. With Cardale Jones having migraine issues, do you think this changes Urban's approach against us? He probably doesn't want his guy taking so many hits with some uncertainty behind him.
Cardale had a couple of these headaches in HS. When the headache phases out, it seems to not pose any further problems. So, however Urban was going to use him before, he will be able to use him Mon night.
I have been partial to the idea that Cardale will get a series per quarter. There are others who think he will not see the field at all unless JT is injured. Others think he will be seen for some specials/trick plays, short yardage, taking a shot long, etc. There has been some thought they might use him with JT and Braxton - and the possibilities there are only limited by imagination. But I think everyone recognizes you aren't going to beat VT based solely on that kind of stuff. What his exact role in the gameplan is will be something to look for Monday night.
We OSU fans generally don't worry about Cardale getting hit. We worry about the guys he is hitting. :)
Yeah, we had a little QB like that once...
Logan
Sorry, I have no idea how to imbed the video, so you'll just have to click on the link...
I gotcha
Muchos Gracias mi amigo.
Fuck Zumwalt. And Matt Ryan. And Jim Harbaugh. Fuck everybody. Except you guys, I like you guys.
I know I've overused this recently, but it has to be said.
Thanks for that very detailed and objective break-down.
When I look at that Tech D alignment, I see the middle of the field wide open. I understand that this is partially negated by inside leverage by alignment of the secondary as well as depending on the rush to get to the QB in 3 sec or less. I also know that if the QB does get enough time, or a DB makes one misstep, or you rub those DBs off one another to create some space - it's uh-oh time.
It also applies to the running game. The defense relies on clogging gaps in the middle, but if one gets created there is essentially no second level of defense, and we have seen what Elliott does when that happens.
To me, that's the ballgame in a nutshell in terms of OSU offense vs. VT defense. I agree totally that the lack of proven players on the outside for OSU (other than Thomas) really helps the Hokies set this defense and make it work.
TCU has an elite, explosive offense, but we saw them not look like world-beaters last night. They made quite a few mistakes, and were held down by a Minnesota defense that is good (especially in the secondary) but not elite. I chalked it up to first game issues. My point is that defenses are generally sharper than offenses this time of year, and I would see that as boding well for VT if OSU isn't executing at a high level.
On the other side of the ball, I expect the OSU defense to have the same advantage, but not having Bosa does bring uncertainty as to how they plug that gap in performance level - and how that affects the entire front 7.
That is, in a nutshell (no pun intended) the risk reward of all of Bud's defenses. He will put numbers in the box, and if the back (or QB scrambling) breaks through that 7 or 8 man wall and the secondary is in Quarters or man, it is a big play. We saw guys who were not great runners (Rakeem Cato, CJ Brown) along with the Duke Johnson's of the world get big yardage when they broke through that umbrella.
As for VT's O vs tOSU's D, I think the Hokies will be better all around. TOSU is better this year at DB and LB. you can't sell me on losing Bosa and Bennett up front and the DL play still being on par to last year.
So what's your prediction?
I'm kinda in that "conventional wisdom" camp - which sometimes is nonsense. I don't like predictions because my wife can tell you that my powers as an oracle are questionable. But I think Ohio State is likely to win by 1 to 1 1/2 scores.
I see VT as having the following advantages: home/Lane Stadium, a terrific defense and DC, confidence from last year's win, and motivation to show last year's win was not a fluke and that their performance after that was.
I see OSU with the following advantages: confidence from recent success vs. elite teams, Urban Meyer, a desire to not lose to the same team twice, and a ridiculous amount of depth.
Turnovers, explosive plays, bad calls, special team plays, and a host of other things can help turn a game one way or the other, but generally, the team with the most talent throughout the roster will win. Coaching, speeches, bands, crowds, introductory music, and stuff like that might help, but in the end, it's hard to beat a guys who are bigger, faster, stronger on the whole - especially if they have already matured and have big game experience, allowing them to execute at a high level. I don't think the OL for Ohio State will look anything like the unit did last year against VT. I think Tech fans will be surprised at how well they will perform up there against an outstanding Hokie front. Despite losing 3 good receivers off of the offense, I think there are still plenty enough weapons there to overcome just about any defense eventually, and I suspect there will be a name like Mclaurin, Dixon, or Campbell that will make all of us go, "Dang, that's just not fair."
Because of the 1st game factor and the quality of the Va Tech defense, I sense we will see a low-scoring first half while both sides get the kinks worked out. Ohio State pulls away late for a 28/24-21/17ish win. Frankly, I don't care what the score is as long as my guys can get the heck out of there by at least a point, and then have the opportunity to get things to a peak by November. A loss will really put a kink in that. I don't think a close loss will hurt Tech at all. If they win the Coastal, they will have the program back where you guys want it, and if they would get to November with just a loss to Ohio State on the resume, they will be in playoff contention.
I hope that doesn't offend anyone, but that's what I really think. I will be here to take my medicine if I'm wrong, but I'm not "I told ya so" guy.
Good luck to my friends at TKP. Hope you guys have a ball watching the game, and I will look forward to talking to you next week.
That's the consensus here too it seems. Admittedly, we want to win, and some of us think we match-up really well (the way Pitt always annoys us, we hope to annoy OSU), but most of us expect a loss that isn't clear until the second half...I'm the weird one though...I expect the defenses to get jumped for both teams...why? because it's the first game, and I think this game is the one that lives up to it's billing.
Remember that OSU fan that predicted that they would lose this game??...yeah, me neither. Not that it is very likely, I just find it amusing that it is just a matter of how much they will win by....no matter the discussion, or well-presented argument, or conceded conditions.
I can lay out a half dozen scenarios where VT wins this game straight up. There are all kinds of assumptions we make without seeing a team even play yet that might be very, very wrong. What if the VT defense and the OSU offense is bad, but the VT offense and OSU defense is spectacular?
I think about how games set up by asking this question: What does the path to victory look like for Team A vs. Team B (what has to happen/can't happen for each to win) and how likely is one vs. the other? Usually, one team will have a wider path/more margin for error and the other team will have a narrower/less margin for error path. I think that's why most people/pundits are picking OSU - and it's why they picked them last year. But the only important thing is the final score when the time hits 00:00.
Are you saying we won't know what the outcome is until they play the game? How terrible! /s
Good write up. I pretty well agree, we'll see. If we win I see a similar score.
We have to score on defense to win. Secondary has to be lights out.
Good analysis,
Is CoachUM capable of setting up his offense in the way Miami did in 2013 or does he just run his offense how it has always been run? CoachUM seems to be a little bit of egotistical when it comes to his thoughts on this game. he thinks other than the sound, for his team it wi be a piece of cake...
He could inside zone from the pistol more often, but it will look pretty much the same. I think he will try to throw to Elliot more and try to get him on the edge quickly. If you watched Bud "Mic'ed up" he really talks a ton about taking away their edge game.
I haven't heard Urban Meyer say anything other than how tough it will be. What did he say to sound egotistical?
Awesome read, where is the prediction? ;)
Excellent French! I had to stop half way through it, and wave my hands in the air like a Southern Baptist preacher reading the bible...literally. Anyone else too excited to sleep this weekend?
Great article! I was getting toward the end of the 1st part about our defense against their offense, and then realized you had taken on analyzing our offense against their D as well! Wow.
For simpletons like me, it seems that if we can stop the run(no small task) and run the ball ourselves(also not small), we will probably win.
It seems like last year, we did the 1st, to a large extent, but couldn't really run ourselves at all. We still managed to win, somehow. Clutch performances by Brewer and our receivers, and the pick six at the end helped to seal it.
I'm guessing that this year we're going to need 2 non-offensive touchdowns to win. A Stroman punt return for a TD and a blocked punt returned for a TD would do very nicely.
Run the ball, stop the run, and make them beat VT with the passing game. If they can, they deserve the win.
I'm excited for this game mostly because it's the opener and it's at Lane in prime time. I know the atmosphere is going to be crazy because of who the opponent is, and the entrance will shake Blacksburg. BUT, I can't help but think about last year vs Miami. All maroon everything, Marty Smith's emotional message to the crowd, the stadium erupting when our team came out of the tunnel, and then the carnage ensued.
I would love nothing more than to wake up Tuesday morning and listen to all the pundits talk about how wrong they were but I just have a bad feeling this game isn't going to live up to the hype. Despite the defense we should put on the field this year and even an improved offensive line (maybe) this team absolutely shouldn't beat anOSU this year. Last season we were only 11 point pups at the Horse Shoe. This year the spread is 2 TDs at our house and with all the suspensions. I realize Vegas is wrong sometimes but they don't have any emotion or fandom in their predictions. It's all about the money. Taking off my orange and maroon shades, we beat a totally different Buckeye team last year. And we caught a lot of lucky breaks to do it. A lot of momentum swinging events bounced the Hokies way in that game. Dropped pass in the end zone that hit a wide open receiver in the hands, a FG that bounced off the goal post, and a couple of very questionable throws by Michael Brewer that were somehow hauled in.
Nobody knows how this game will go, but if I had to put money on a prediction, I'd say something like 30-14 OSU. I hope I'm wrong but I'm not getting my hopes up too high that we will pull another upset Monday night.
Well, Ms. Downer, I think you've let everyone convince you that what is possible is not possible. Turn your TV off until Monday at 7:59 Eastern Time. After that Tech victory do not, for any reason, turn that TV on again until game time in Bristol next year. I suggest for therapy, you attend some pre-k classes and watch those folks. They can do anything.
I'd say I'm somewhere between pessimistic and cautiously optimistic. Just watched too much VT football over the years to be all in on this upset happening again. One thing that not a lot of people are talking about is the emotional aspect as far as an OSU is concerned. We embarrassed them last year in their back yard and you can bet they won't be coming into this game flat or overlooking the Hokies. Combine all that motivation with all that talent and you've got a long row to hoe if you want to beat that team.
Are you sure you're not an OSU fan in disguise? Seriously, turn that TV off. Quick! Take two aspirin and call us on Tuesday morning.
Edit: We can beat those guys. It doesn't hurt to believe.
I've been a die hard Virginia Tech fan for 25 years. In every sport. That doesn't mean I have to be a homer that's incapable of applying logic. This isn't Western Carolina we're talking about playing. It's the unanimous #1 team in the country. Sorry I don't see us wrecking them the way some of you do. If that means I'm not a "real fan" then ok. But I bet you won't see me on here having a meltdown Tuesday morning if we lose and wanting to run Frank Beamer out of town. That's usually reserved for those that can't seem to find a loss on our schedule...ever. No matter who the opponent is.
Oh man, let's not argue. No way you could be a bad fan, so don't take ME seriously. I understand where you're coming from mostly. But something I have never been able to understand and perhaps your rational mind can explain it to me. Why do people pull up results for years in which no player on the team was ever involved? Does a game in 1995, for example, have some bearing on a game today? Those questions asked, I have my reasons beyond being an irrational Homer why I believe we can win this game. Foremost among my reasons is I am not sold on Ohio State's defense against our offense. They could prove me wrong real fast, but so far all I see is a lot of guys there with big stars but who have yet to play major roles. How can they say they have improved? Somebody correct me: two new guys in the backfield, two linebackers, and now three linemen. I don't care what some guy from ESPN says. Until they make me believe I'm not buying their hype either. You brought up emotion and experience tells me that will factor in some way against them. I typically shy away from trying to pretend like I am a French-level technical analyst so I'll leave that at that.
You won't catch me betting money on a football game so I have no real involvement in the contest other than who I root for. I do expect to win, as a fan, and always as a player in any sport who loathed the attitude of some fellow players who played hard against the lesser foes and just wanted to survive against the so-called gods. If we lose, Tuesday will show up on time just as always.
Again, don't take me seriously.
**double post
I am definitely not one of those people that believe games from 10 years ago matter. I only addressed our record vs top 5 teams because someone commented on my post and discussed our record as home underdogs. Furthermore, I didn't say we will lose. Anything is possible. I just said I'm not confident that we can win. Or even cover the spread.
I don't think our offense is elite by any stretch of the imagination, mainly because of our offensive line. We have some talented skill position players, and an average QB that threw 15 INTs last year to 18 TDs and took way too many sacks. Maybe he'll be better this year, maybe not. He's not shown me anything to date that makes me believe he can produce on a consistent basis though. As far as OSU's defense, unless they've fallen off dramatically from the last few games they played last year til now, they have proven to be elite.
I think a lot of our fans are high on this team because we man handled Cinci last year in the Bowl Game (hardly as talented as OSU) and because of how much the coaches have been bragging on the progression this past spring and fall. Well to paraphrase the ole ball coach, when do coaches ever say their team is anything but stellar in fall camp?
The whole point of my comment was to say as a Hokies fan, I don't think we have the horses to play a 60 minute game against a team as deep and talented as OSU is in all three phases and win. I believe we can keep it respectable if our defense is as good as they're supposed to be but I just don't see us winning this game. And I haven't seen anything on paper or otherwise to make me think any different.
Anything short of a few lucky bounces, maybe a special teams and defensive score, I see OSU winning. And they should win! They are more talented across the board than we are. They are coached by a guy that not only knows how to win big games, but has won them. A lot of them. Taking nothing away from any of our players or coaches but until they prove to me that they are capable of winning games of this magnitude (consistently) I'm not going to get my hopes up. I'll still donate my money, attend games, and proudly represent my team with flags, decals, and clothes but I don't have to pick them to win every game. Especially against an opponent that boasts Ohio State's resume.
My only problem with your take is that you equate a loss to "not living up to the hype"
The hype is a #1 ranked opponent coming to Lane.
The hype is the crowd knowing that the Hokies on the field need all the help they can get from the Hokies in the stands.
The hype is an all-day tailgate or a cookout at home.
If you're going to only have a good time if we win then you're doing something wrong. Just playing in this game is great. Winning it would be awesome.
At the same time, Vegas lines aren't who Vegas thinks will win. It's who Vegas thinks people think will win and by how much. Also, the spread is 11 points this year and it was 11 points last year, so...
Moreover, we do extremely well against the spread as home underdogs.
http://www.si.com/college-football/2015/09/03/ohio-state-buckeyes-virgin...
I hope you're right. Also, every book I've looked at has OSU -14 to 14.5 it was 11 up until a couple days ago. It has gone up. And yes, I realize how the spread works, I've placed my share of wagers on sporting events.
Hmm, looks like you're right. Wonder why that would be.
The money makers wait until the line moves as far away from their team to win as possible, then bet. This way, their bets only have to have OSU cover 11...
Of all those games we covered as home underdogs, how many did we win outright? Asking this because I'm too lazy to research and I have a feeling you already know the answer. And what's our record vs Top 5 teams? I think we've only won like 2 under Beamer. Our history in games like this aren't the best argument to get me on the hype train haha. But like I said, I really hope these kids prove me wrong. I'd love nothing more than to come on this thread Tuesday morning and eat crow. Go Hokies!
0 and god vs #1s of any sort...we've beaten a #2...a couple #5s i can think of...but i remember 3 losses to counter each of those...its ugly...
Okay, just gonna roll replies to a bunch of your comments into one.
Twenty-five years a Hokie? Then you should remember a few of these:
Virginia Tech shows up for the big nonconference home and homes, especially in Lane. The game in this series we had no business winning was last year at the Shoe. I always figured we'd lose at OSU and had a good shot of winning at home. The result of last year's game does not change that impression.
The record vs top five? Worthless. Throw it out. It's a straw man. NOBODY has a good record against top-five competition. That's why those teams are in the top five: they are really really good. It's not like every other program is doing really well against them and its our unique Achilles heel.
There's a reason why Pitt is a nightmare for us every year. They are designed as a football team to minimize the effectiveness of exactly what Bud Foster does on defense. And when you look at OSU, there is every reason to believe that we are OSU's Pitt.
We can win this game. There are tons of reasons to believe we can win this game.
Will we? Who knows? A loss wouldn't surprise me in the slightest...but neither would a win. The only thing that would surprise me is if Frank pulls a heel turn in the vein of Hulk Hogan, ripping off his VT polo to reveal an OSU T-shirt (in the style of NWO, of course.)
OSU is a really, really good football team, and we have beaten a lot of really really good football teams. I've never felt like we've had a better change to beat one as I feel about this Monday.
We might get pantsed on national television. And if we do, I'll analyze the game (leaning on french, Mason and Joel) and try to figure out if there's reason for hope or if it's time to disregard the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
We might also beat the shit out of the number one team in the country. And knowing both are possible...is awesome.
Game on. Go Hokies.
Halleluiah, holy shit! (Where's the Tylenol honey?)
I love it. And yes, we may get pantsed on national television. Won't be the 1st time, and it won't make me hide in shame. I'll still proudly sport my Hokie gear every time I drive through Charlottesville on my way to NC. Here's hoping we're the windshield and not the bug. Or the Louisville Slugger and not the ball. Whatever. I can't wait until I'm sitting in my seats, rather standing in front of them as Enter Sandman starts blaring through those damn big speakers, and we roll out of that tunnel. Go Mother F-ing Hokies! (I mean that in a good way...)
We've won 5 of the last 8 games where we were home dogs.
The atmosphere reminds me a lot of this game...
Honestly, I could see the game playing out much the same way. Defensive battle, no one pulls away until late. Lots of yards on the ground by at least one team.
OT, but...
Those uniforms with the new orange helmet - that would be legit.
I just don't want a self inflicted, idiotic performance like 2010 boise. We are outmanned across the board in the 2 deep. But as a team can we play like champions? That's what I want to see. Make them earn every yard and every point.
Boise 2010 won't happen. You know why? Because we're not playing in goddamn FedEx Field. Place is a curse.
Yeah, besides French's reviews, all signs point to us getting housed. Urban Meyer is a really, really smart guy who has really, really good players. And we overachieved in other ways than defense last year. We bottled up their punt returners, that could change in a hurry. We were magical on 3rd downs. We converted in the redzone.
I could very much see us getting blown out. It's probably more likely that we lose by 20+ than win outright.
That is why I don't predict scores of games. There are way too many variables that go beyond just the X's and O's that can't be factored. An important kid on either team could have broken up with a girlfriend and isn't focused. There may be an injury. You can't measure the psychological response to the moment. You can't account for the timing (right play at the right time- see the throwback screen to Malleck on 3rd down that set up Rogers huge TD last year.) heck,,one guy tripping accidentally on a deep ball could decide the ball game.
All I can say is that based on scheme, personnel, and match ups, VT's team is much better designed to beat Ohio State than just about anyone in the country. If they were opening with Pitt, I would have a gloomier outcome.
Girlfriends will get after ya.
I could also see Dadi going all Corey Moore and making a name for himself for national DPOY with this game. Like a 4 sack game, cause a turnover, who is Joey Bosa? type of game.
That would be awesome for Dadi. I'd like to see his draft stock go through the roof this season.
That could be any of our lineman. I think they live in the OSU backfield like last year, but will Zeke still be there. I expect them to try and run AROUND Bud's bear and not through it this year.
I kind of got the impression that his broken hand has taken the edge off a little bit. Something about it taking time for him to adjust to the cast.
Not enough credit for being rational about it. I do think that for us to win it's going to take a couple of non offensive scores to get the job done (Punt/Kick return, and some turnover for points). We just haven't seen any consistency to the running game against good defenses in the past 3 or 4 years to think that we'll suddenly abuse a large and athletic Ohio State defense. I think it's possible but to your point, it still doesn't feel all that likely. Only the abusrd homer in me thinks we have a strong chance to win, but I do hope it'll be a close competitive game.
There is nothing worse than a blowout that deflates you by the end of the first half.
Great articles but if I read anymore I swear I am going to be watching every play on DVR in slow motion with my eyes 3 inches from the TV, which will hinder my craft beer drinking! Feeling confident going into this game though! Go Hokies!
I like to think I know a lot about football concepts and the like. Then I read your articles and I'm blown away by your attention to detail and overall commitment to the game. Great article. Here's to a Hokie win!
I really appreciate it. This was a bunch of work and it is worth it to get the positive feedback.
French for offensive/defensive quality control assistant!!
I've said it before, French should be a coach. He has as near a photographic memory as anyone I've ever met, and an organized delivery that stays on point through even lengthy detailed analysis like this.
As always, French, a home run, all the way out of the park and into the door of the brew pub across the avenue from the stadium.
Seems more like he has a DVR memory. Where is the USB port in your skull for the memory stick?
I had great teachers like Lou Wacker and Fred Selfe.
I like the part of his speech when he mentions players who think they'll start at UVa and they can't even start at Emory & Henry.
Well of course, Emory & Henry runs a better program!
Agree, except I don't know jack about x's and o's, so I'm just stupefied by how much there really is going on in the game. French's ability to break that down in ways that allow non football players to understand what is going on is truly one of if not the greatest part about TKP. Thanks French! (and all the others).
1st Great job French. We appreciate your hard work!
2nd I do not understand why some people believe VT has no chance? As I have said repeatedly ( 1st time last year) we are a mach up nightmare for OSU. Our D is made for playing against option/spread football teams and we have a DC who is not afraid to trust his players/take chances. UM may come out with a new game plan that blows Tech away but I doubt it. I think it will be a close game that both teams have chance to win. OSU is one of my favorite schools (born in Columbus) but not the favorite. My favorite (VT) will hopefully pull out another victory!
Also, I'd like to wish the Ohio State fans who have joined our community for the last year and a half good luck and have a great season. Your input here on TKP has been insightful and respectful. Thank you. I hope the Hokies win and think there is a good chance that it happens. If you are victorious I hope it is the start of another amazing season.
Thanks. I've enjoyed my visits and the back and forth. I learned a lot about VT's styles play and will be watching for how you guys run your D this year. I, of course, hope for a different outcome on Labor Day but wish you all the best after wards and wouldn't mind a rematch in the CFP NCG.
French, you're my hero. I went to TKP every day and it helped feed my addiction to Hokie Football. For that, I say, "thanks."
So French, here's a dumb question for you from an OLD HS defensive end (which means I don't really know crap...). On those speed options, or any run option with a pitch man running wide, I was always taught as a DE to widen the play out by keeping myself positioned on the QBs inside shoulder to take away the cutback to the inside, and just stringing it out. If you attack the QB right off the bat, he makes the pitch and the RB turns the corner. But if you just keep widening the play, the QB has to make the decision rather than you making it for him. All the while you're giving your teammates time to read the play and get there to help. Eventually the QB either pitches it to the pitch man, and you've not committed so you can still attack the ball carrier, or he keeps it and just runs out of room. Tell me why this never seems to be how defenses play that anymore. Is it simply because the players are too fast? Please drop some additional free knowledge on me.
It is a great observation. I always heard that called "slow playing" the option. Coach Foster mixes in some slow playing options against Georgia Tech to disrupt the timing and pitch relationship between the quarterback and the pitch man. In terms of it being a strategy against speed option, I think a big factor is that teams don't run speed option often except as a change up these days. That said, I will ask Chris Brown and some friends still coaching and see what their opinion is on the topic.
Now, with the read option game, lots of teams try to slow play the read option. Against a big back like Elliot and bigger tailbacks playing QB like Barrett, Jones, and Miller, that is death. You don't want to give those guys a step downhill before committing to them or they are going to slice you up all game long.
Thanks for the reply French. I look forward to more info if you get it, but no worries if you don't get around to it. Was just curious to hear your take and find out if it's even feasible to play it that way. And I complete understand on the read option. Thanks buddy.
It just hit me after reading this. What group is refereeing the game!?????
ACC
Uh oh.
Fascinating read. I respect Frank Beamer, Brewer and VT's D-line. And OSUs loss of Jalin Marshall and Corey Smlth takes away a couple of great receivers. But if anything close to the same team shows up in Blacksburg as the one that played the last three games of last year, I think VT's in for a long night. This O-line is playing at as high a level as a college football line can play, especially for rushing plays. Relative unknowns like speedster Curtis Samuel would start on 90% of teams in America. Braxton Miller can run. This is not the Ohio State you beat a year ago. It's the Ohio State that beat good Alabama team despite spotting Bama a 21-6 lead and then manhandled a good Oregon team. I think D co-coordinator Chris Ash comes up with a way to keep the heat on Brewer -- more blitzes -- and that this is not as close as many think. Not to just brag on my team. Just that from the Big 10 championship on, OSU was firing on all eight cylinders, and there's speed and athleticism on this team most outsiders dont even know about.
Well put but there is speed facing you from either side of the ball. Lets play a football game!!
Wait, eight cylinders? Imagine if OSU gets the other three involved in the game!
A couple observations:
1) I believe that Chuck Clark will be a better Free Safety than Bonner - specifically with regard to open-field tackling ( I hope I'm right)
2) Losing Reavis is going to sting: He struck me as the type of Rover who could bring down a Zeke in open field: not sure about Rover;
Tos, penalties, special teams aside - our open field tackling on the edge will be key.
Again, the less-discussed topic - our O vs. their D is equally important - can we score and continue to believe? We had the momentum last year - it carried us to the 4th q and was the wave that led to Bucky's TD.
One key will be a VT ground game, because if that isnt there, OSU will get to Brewer -- even without Joey Bosa. Chris Ash will call an aggressive defense and OSU has the speed to harass Brewer if he gets into many third and longs.
Well those 3rd and longs weren't so bad last year ;)
I agree about Clark. He may be an X-factor in the game. Foster may have him match-up on one of tOSU's taller WR threats due to his size, combined with Facyson's height, allowing Kendall to play the inside man/blitz/contain some.....which he has shown that he can.
The X/O's of this game are intriguing.
Thanks to French and other insightful posters to help the rest of us.
French - fantastic and insightful work as usual. I was just over at 11 warriors and the commentariat is VERY confident. Only a few are predicting less than a ten point win and most have us as 17-28 point dogs. This is the same confidence I heard outside the stadium before last years game. Lets hope the offense can execute and fosters bunch is as disruptive as we know they can be and its going to be closer than people think. The Terrordome will be rocking!
Much obliged.
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My computer just gave this commentary some positive signs, I try to make one VT game a year since my freshman year at VT (1999-2000). I have witnessed VT lose, at LSU, at GT, and at FedEx but I have never once seen VT lose at home, I haven't been to VT in a few years and they have been playing below the standard I am used to. I have had a wedding to attend at every single Alabama game date. The stars aligned and I was able to make this game by the skin of my teeth. If my loan wasn't put into my bank account today, I wouldn't have been able to make it because it would have showed up in my account on Monday which would have been too late. I take this as a sign. In my 16 years as a VT fan, I have never seen the Hokies win an away game & I have never seen the Hokies lose a home game. This game will continue the streak...
p.s. My remote Number Pad got stuck under my laptop which produced all the positive signs, I left them in the comment considering it was a sign. I did not hold down the key pad on purpose.
Holy mega-analysis Sir French. That was spot on. If the TV guys don't read this before the game they are missing the best breakdown I've read in over 35 years of college football fandom. Thank you Sir French.
Side note: tonight as I pulled into my driveway I passed a field of at least 22 turkeys right in front of my house. They were feeding on soy nuts. Swear to all that is holy this is true. That hast be a sign right???????
LET'S GO................HOKIES !!!!!
176 + signs by my computer divided by 22 turkeys eating nuts = 8, due to the late nature of this game it is possible this game could end on Sept 8th
Much obliged!