HighSeas
Sophomore
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- Feb 4, 2013
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I think this is the 1st thread I've posted here but it's time. I re-watched ND's games against Georgia & USC and made notes on what I saw and how it relates to tomorrow's matchup.
ND Offense vs. Miami Defense
The ND offense is a very standard vanilla spread option attack. Their foundation is zone read and read option with puller(s) (power, G-lead). They run the occasional inverted veer play but not nearly as often as VT. In the USC game they incorporated jet motion but beyond that they do very little in terms of window dressing, variable formations, and constraints. UGA totally shut down their run game but USC played with poor energy, effort and discipline so they got trampled all game.
When they are forced to throw in long-yardage situations they run isolation routes, typically verticals or crossers. They will try a designed vertical shot play a few times a game where they give a hard play fake and pull a lineman for the protection scheme. They also try a lot of screen plays, mostly to the back, but these are typically poor in design and execution making them easy to diagnose and defend.
The front 4 is the key for Miami which is a great sign. Gap integrity is still important but not as essential as it was for the VT game. The discipline we saw last week bodes well for this matchup. With that being said, ND thrives on poor tackling so we can't afford a repeat of the UNC performance. Nothing about ND's passing game concerns me and I expect to see a heavy dose of 8-man fronts. Edge blitzes are the surest way to generate pressure if Adams is isolated on an LB or safety. Finally, if ND arrives in the red zone I expect the defense to clamp down on their run game and force a FG.
Miami Offense vs. ND Defense
The ND defense is a solid but unimposing unit. Some posters on this board have underrated their defense this week but they're certainly nothing to fear. Against UGA they played mostly 2-man press coverage and mixed in some Quarters coverage. Against USC they showed a completely different gameplan with big cushions and off-man coverage, and when they took a big lead they went into a permanent zone shell like Golden did when he was shook against FSU and the like. They have decent team speed, play physical and rally to the ball. Their design is obviously to be a bend but don't break unit that capitalizes on impatient offenses.
This is a workable matchup for the Miami offense. Richt loves that power sweep play with Homer and the ND front doesn't penetrate so that play could work well. It will be tough to generate enough movement to grind yards with inside zone runs. A numbers advantage may be required to have success running the ball. Jet motion, read option, pullers, and a good passing game can all help that cause. The RPO is also in play given that ND prefers big cushions. Even when the outside corners are in press the slot corners play far off.
The passing game will have to focus on specific matchups. When ND is in 2-man the best matchup is Berrios in the slot. Herndon vs. 23 on ND is advantage ND. The outside WRs like Richards and Thomas will feel the brunt of the safety help but a well-thrown vertical up the sideline could work. The best bet for consistent yards against 2-man is Rosier's legs because the LBs get a lot of depth and leave the middle of field empty for the QB to scramble.
When ND plays in their soft zone shell the offense could really shine. ND likes to spot-drop and doesn't collision or reroute receivers. This creates easy access for inside breaking routes and Richt loves his slants. Herndon for the post or stick route, Berrios and Richards on slants, Langham on the slant or deep dig. Everything is fair game against that coverage as long as Rosier doesn't force the ball into traffic. There won't be much of a pass rush to force him to speed up his process anyway.
If ND shows Quarters that's the golden opportunity to take the deep shot to Thomas. Also random observation: their punt returner #10 is painfully slow.
Final thoughts:
This is a prime matchup to make another big statement. We know the players are focused and the fans will deliver. ND should have difficulty moving the ball and finishing drives. If Miami comes out sloppy and has to play from behind that is not a death knell because Wimbush can give the turnover chain some action and the conservative ND zone defense is easier to pick apart than the defenses faced in similar comebacks vs. GT and FSU. Every scenario I envision leads to a Miami win. A mentally strong team like the one we've seen all year wouldn't just lay an egg either. Finally, from a gambling perspective this is a great spot for Miami as 3-pt home underdogs getting about 25% of the bets.
Prediction: 30-13 Miami
ND Offense vs. Miami Defense
The ND offense is a very standard vanilla spread option attack. Their foundation is zone read and read option with puller(s) (power, G-lead). They run the occasional inverted veer play but not nearly as often as VT. In the USC game they incorporated jet motion but beyond that they do very little in terms of window dressing, variable formations, and constraints. UGA totally shut down their run game but USC played with poor energy, effort and discipline so they got trampled all game.
When they are forced to throw in long-yardage situations they run isolation routes, typically verticals or crossers. They will try a designed vertical shot play a few times a game where they give a hard play fake and pull a lineman for the protection scheme. They also try a lot of screen plays, mostly to the back, but these are typically poor in design and execution making them easy to diagnose and defend.
- Wimbush has erratic footwork and mechanics in the pocket, doesn't change ball speeds and has poor ball security as a runner and passer. Think of him as a combination of the worst qualities of Robert Marve and Stephen Morris.
- Adams the RB is an upright runner with minimal elusiveness and burst but he can find the hole and has above-average power and long speed for a college back. Give him a runway and he is effective, but he struggles at creating yards for himself at or behind the line. He's very exploitable in pass protection.
- Their OL is arguably the best in the nation. They move well in space, play fundamentally sound with footwork and hand use, and execute assignments consistently. They are not powerful finishers or overwhelming physical specimens. The LT 68 gave up a game-sealing stripsack to UGA.
- Not much to be said about their receiver group. Wimbush is such a poor passer and the scheme is so bland that they rarely have opportunities to impact the game
The front 4 is the key for Miami which is a great sign. Gap integrity is still important but not as essential as it was for the VT game. The discipline we saw last week bodes well for this matchup. With that being said, ND thrives on poor tackling so we can't afford a repeat of the UNC performance. Nothing about ND's passing game concerns me and I expect to see a heavy dose of 8-man fronts. Edge blitzes are the surest way to generate pressure if Adams is isolated on an LB or safety. Finally, if ND arrives in the red zone I expect the defense to clamp down on their run game and force a FG.
Miami Offense vs. ND Defense
The ND defense is a solid but unimposing unit. Some posters on this board have underrated their defense this week but they're certainly nothing to fear. Against UGA they played mostly 2-man press coverage and mixed in some Quarters coverage. Against USC they showed a completely different gameplan with big cushions and off-man coverage, and when they took a big lead they went into a permanent zone shell like Golden did when he was shook against FSU and the like. They have decent team speed, play physical and rally to the ball. Their design is obviously to be a bend but don't break unit that capitalizes on impatient offenses.
- Their DL is very physical with heavy hands to stack the line. They rarely penetrate on run downs, instead they engage with their hands and look for the ball. On pass downs they have no pass rush plan and rarely try any line games. They just tstay in their rush lanes and push the pocket. Think of them as a Jethro Franklin unit that's stronger at the point of attack.
- Their LBs are solid. #23 is athletic and a good cover guy in zone or man. He has range to play sideline to sideline and is quick out of his pedal. #5 and #4 are tone-setters that aggressively defend the run. I don't recall seeing any blitzes with this group but they might mug the line before dropping out.
- Their corners are likewise solid from what I can tell, but that could be because they always have safety help so they're able to play press, turn and run. When they provide big cushions they don't have the quickness to close on a quick curl route.
- I think the safeties are the weak link of the defense. When they were in quarters they gave up a deep ball to UGA where they didn't get enough depth or communicate the post.
This is a workable matchup for the Miami offense. Richt loves that power sweep play with Homer and the ND front doesn't penetrate so that play could work well. It will be tough to generate enough movement to grind yards with inside zone runs. A numbers advantage may be required to have success running the ball. Jet motion, read option, pullers, and a good passing game can all help that cause. The RPO is also in play given that ND prefers big cushions. Even when the outside corners are in press the slot corners play far off.
The passing game will have to focus on specific matchups. When ND is in 2-man the best matchup is Berrios in the slot. Herndon vs. 23 on ND is advantage ND. The outside WRs like Richards and Thomas will feel the brunt of the safety help but a well-thrown vertical up the sideline could work. The best bet for consistent yards against 2-man is Rosier's legs because the LBs get a lot of depth and leave the middle of field empty for the QB to scramble.
When ND plays in their soft zone shell the offense could really shine. ND likes to spot-drop and doesn't collision or reroute receivers. This creates easy access for inside breaking routes and Richt loves his slants. Herndon for the post or stick route, Berrios and Richards on slants, Langham on the slant or deep dig. Everything is fair game against that coverage as long as Rosier doesn't force the ball into traffic. There won't be much of a pass rush to force him to speed up his process anyway.
If ND shows Quarters that's the golden opportunity to take the deep shot to Thomas. Also random observation: their punt returner #10 is painfully slow.
Final thoughts:
This is a prime matchup to make another big statement. We know the players are focused and the fans will deliver. ND should have difficulty moving the ball and finishing drives. If Miami comes out sloppy and has to play from behind that is not a death knell because Wimbush can give the turnover chain some action and the conservative ND zone defense is easier to pick apart than the defenses faced in similar comebacks vs. GT and FSU. Every scenario I envision leads to a Miami win. A mentally strong team like the one we've seen all year wouldn't just lay an egg either. Finally, from a gambling perspective this is a great spot for Miami as 3-pt home underdogs getting about 25% of the bets.
Prediction: 30-13 Miami
