Its game week and time to finally step away from the debacle of two weeks ago. IMO this game is huge and on many different levels, long term and the short. I only see two ways the season can go and I believe this game will play a huge part in which direction.
Keys to the game
1. Fast start.
This is huge just for peoples mentality, fans included. A big play early to get some “ feel good” on the sideline. A three and out or turnover would be perfect.
2. Defensive line.
That group is the most talented on the team and will be depended on this game. Especially the interior guys. Creating pressure from the inside will allow us to keep a shell coverage and have the numbers advantage in the secondary. That’ll also be huge with keeping their qb from back breaking scrambles on third and fives. Keep contain and depend on your DL to get home and stopping the run with four. Mesidor / Taylor together inside on pass downs. Force them to drive the field. Imo this will dictate the game defensively.
3. A skill guy steps up.
Somebody has to be the guy, regardless if it’s one , two or three of them. Ladson seems to be the guy trying to lead the group , he’s been spending a lot of time after practice with the qb. I’d like to see him , Brashard , Skinner and Brantley more. BS should be the returner on st’s and getting multiple touches a game. Regardless if it’s a reverse , toss or screen. Put him in space ( I know , I’m a broken record). Coaches need to scheme better and guys need to do better getting open. Until that changes it’ll be eight man boxes.
4. Assignment discipline.
Know your assignment and PLAY YOUR ASSIGNMENT!! We gave up multiple long touchdowns the last game because of a db sticking his nose where it didn’t belong while playing deep coverage. Then another db blew a coverage. UNC doesn’t need help scoring. As I said in step one “ force them to drive the ball”.
5. Run the ball.
No duh….right? This is very suspect defense in the front and back end. But as a matchup our OL has to win this battle. If we can’t run the ball and extend drives it’ll likely get away. This is a smallish and tbh soft DL. After two weeks ago this is just what the doctor ordered for our offense.
6. Third down conversions.
As I mentioned above we have to extend drives. Until we fix the third down conversion issue the offense will continue to struggle. Playing in South Florida is useless if you can’t keep the opponents defense on the field.
I‘ve been griping about more Rpo since week one and I believe we’ll finally see more of it this week. It’s been a real head scratcher not using something that’s your qb’s strength. On top of that Imo you’ll see a few adjustments schematically. Maybe meeting in the middle with coaches / players can spark TVD and the O.
Keys to the game
1. Fast start.
This is huge just for peoples mentality, fans included. A big play early to get some “ feel good” on the sideline. A three and out or turnover would be perfect.
2. Defensive line.
That group is the most talented on the team and will be depended on this game. Especially the interior guys. Creating pressure from the inside will allow us to keep a shell coverage and have the numbers advantage in the secondary. That’ll also be huge with keeping their qb from back breaking scrambles on third and fives. Keep contain and depend on your DL to get home and stopping the run with four. Mesidor / Taylor together inside on pass downs. Force them to drive the field. Imo this will dictate the game defensively.
3. A skill guy steps up.
Somebody has to be the guy, regardless if it’s one , two or three of them. Ladson seems to be the guy trying to lead the group , he’s been spending a lot of time after practice with the qb. I’d like to see him , Brashard , Skinner and Brantley more. BS should be the returner on st’s and getting multiple touches a game. Regardless if it’s a reverse , toss or screen. Put him in space ( I know , I’m a broken record). Coaches need to scheme better and guys need to do better getting open. Until that changes it’ll be eight man boxes.
4. Assignment discipline.
Know your assignment and PLAY YOUR ASSIGNMENT!! We gave up multiple long touchdowns the last game because of a db sticking his nose where it didn’t belong while playing deep coverage. Then another db blew a coverage. UNC doesn’t need help scoring. As I said in step one “ force them to drive the ball”.
5. Run the ball.
No duh….right? This is very suspect defense in the front and back end. But as a matchup our OL has to win this battle. If we can’t run the ball and extend drives it’ll likely get away. This is a smallish and tbh soft DL. After two weeks ago this is just what the doctor ordered for our offense.
6. Third down conversions.
As I mentioned above we have to extend drives. Until we fix the third down conversion issue the offense will continue to struggle. Playing in South Florida is useless if you can’t keep the opponents defense on the field.
I‘ve been griping about more Rpo since week one and I believe we’ll finally see more of it this week. It’s been a real head scratcher not using something that’s your qb’s strength. On top of that Imo you’ll see a few adjustments schematically. Maybe meeting in the middle with coaches / players can spark TVD and the O.
