VT Defensive Alignment vs. Purdue Offensive Philosophy

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Virginia Tech employs a bear front most of the times along with an odd defensive front that places supreme importance on their CB's to cover in one on one situations (Cover 0) or with a single safety (Cover 1). The odd front that Virginia Tech uses allows them to clog the middle running lanes and get pressure against the QB up the middle, which really is the best type of pressure to force poor throws and decisions from the QB. This alignment also gives their MLB the ability to run in space and make plays.

Against this front, it is nearly impossible to run effectively up the middle, in the traditional sense. The way to defeat this defensive alignment is to attack the edges,win 50/50 balls deep against man to man coverage or place the single safety in a position to make a wrong decision, or run a speed option. It places a heavy emphasis on the offense to simply win man to man match-ups at key positions along the offensive line.

Now, the key here is how does Purdue's offensive philosophy match-up (theoretically) against this VT defense. Purdue has looked to attack the edges by getting the ball in the hands of Anthrop/Hart (fly sweeps, tunnel screens), attack the defense deep with long passes (Yancey/Mohoungou), and allow Appleby to run the option onto the edges of the defense. The ways to defeat this defense are actually built in to Purdue's offensive philosophy or can easily be adjusted (read option vs. speed option). The read option can work against this defensive front, but you rely more on the offensive line to win on both edges versus the speed option only relies on the side the option is being run to.

My question to you is this: Do you think with Purdue's offensive philosophy and increased focus on one on one match-ups deep against single coverage, does Purdue have success offensively?

 

[pboiler18]

Virginia Tech employs a bear front most of the times along with an odd defensive front that places supreme importance on their CB's to cover in one on one situations (Cover 0) or with a single safety (Cover 1). The odd front that Virginia Tech uses allows them to clog the middle running lanes and get pressure against the QB up the middle, which really is the best type of pressure to force poor throws and decisions from the QB. This alignment also gives their MLB the ability to run in space and make plays.

Against this front, it is nearly impossible to run effectively up the middle, in the traditional sense. The way to defeat this defensive alignment is to attack the edges,win 50/50 balls deep against man to man coverage or place the single safety in a position to make a wrong decision, or run a speed option. It places a heavy emphasis on the offense to simply win man to man match-ups at key positions along the offensive line.

Now, the key here is how does Purdue's offensive philosophy match-up (theoretically) against this VT defense. Purdue has looked to attack the edges by getting the ball in the hands of Anthrop/Hart (fly sweeps, tunnel screens), attack the defense deep with long passes (Yancey/Mohoungou), and allow Appleby to run the option onto the edges of the defense. The ways to defeat this defense are actually built in to Purdue's offensive philosophy or can easily be adjusted (read option vs. speed option). The read option can work against this defensive front, but you rely more on the offensive line to win on both edges versus the speed option only relies on the side the option is being run to.

My question to you is this: Do you think with Purdue's offensive philosophy and increased focus on one on one match-ups deep against single coverage, does Purdue have success offensively?

We have some wrinkles in the offense that set us up well to compete vs. their D.

That said, Shoop seems to have little down, distance, opposing scheme, personnel or game plan awareness and seems to just call the first thing that comes down on his play sheet. I expect to see us have a few plays to attack their weaknesses, but after the half we generally slow down offensively and go back to our bread and butter....which will cause a lot of 3 and outs and set us behind in the field position battle.

Shoop's weaknesses will be the reason we lose this game IMO. I think it will look a lot like the Minnesota game. Hit some big plays and get out to a decent sized lead 21-10 or 21-13 ish at half and then we will go hyper conservative, get away from what made us successful in the first half and try and ride the RBs to ice the game away, while VT adjusts and gets 3 TDs to beat us 34-28. Another close, yet no cigar for Hazell and co, because of our crappy offensive philosophy.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

We have some wrinkles in the offense that set us up well to compete vs. their D.

That said, Shoop seems to have little down, distance, opposing scheme, personnel or game plan awareness and seems to just call the first thing that comes down on his play sheet. I expect to see us have a few plays to attack their weaknesses, but after the half we generally slow down offensively and go back to our bread and butter....which will cause a lot of 3 and outs and set us behind in the field position battle.

Shoop's weaknesses will be the reason we lose this game IMO. I think it will look a lot like the Minnesota game. Hit some big plays and get out to a decent sized lead 21-10 or 21-13 ish at half and then we will go hyper conservative, get away from what made us successful in the first half and try and ride the RBs to ice the game away, while VT adjusts and gets 3 TDs to beat us 34-28. Another close, yet no cigar for Hazell and co, because of our crappy offensive philosophy.

I have to agree with your view on Shoop here. I am tending to think this is a game that could really either show signs of improvement for him as an overall coach and coordinator or it could truly show the lack of thought and ingenuity he has moving forward. If we as fans see a lot of runs up the middle (I know you have to run it there to keep the defense honest at points) and go away from things and schemes that seem successful and it appears his decisions are costing Purdue another chance at a big win, I think a move would be warranted to another coach or Hazel calling the plays himself.

 

[TopSecretBoiler]

Virginia Tech employs a bear front most of the times along with an odd defensive front that places supreme importance on their CB's to cover in one on one situations (Cover 0) or with a single safety (Cover 1). The odd front that Virginia Tech uses allows them to clog the middle running lanes and get pressure against the QB up the middle, which really is the best type of pressure to force poor throws and decisions from the QB. This alignment also gives their MLB the ability to run in space and make plays.

Against this front, it is nearly impossible to run effectively up the middle, in the traditional sense...

You know reading the VT forums, they don't think they will run the bear much at all and think DH is a nut job for concentrating on it. Not that I think it matters...they recruit quite a bit better than we do and will probably roll us regardless. I'm hoping we can limit stupid plays and keep it close and maybe give ourselves a chance in the 4th.

 

[nat100]

You know reading the VT forums, they don't think they will run the bear much at all and think DH is a nut job for concentrating on it. Not that I think it matters...they recruit quite a bit better than we do and will probably roll us regardless. I'm hoping we can limit stupid plays and keep it close and maybe give ourselves a chance in the 4th.

They going to go back to Foster's traditional 4-4?

 

[bonefish1]

Unfortunately, I see AA throwing at least 1 pick 6 on Saturday. If they play press coverage on the corners, he's bound to make a bad decision and some DB is going to jump a short route and take it to the house. I hope I'm wrong but I have very little confidence in AA.

 

[pboiler18]

Unfortunately, I see AA throwing at least 1 pick 6 on Saturday. If they play press coverage on the corners, he's bound to make a bad decision and some DB is going to jump a short route and take it to the house. I hope I'm wrong but I have very little confidence in AA.

The most concerning thing is that we never run the deep action on those plays. We always just throw short vs. competent teams...and when they are expecting it....throw short some more. Would love to be proven wrong. Until then, nothing stopping Ds from putting 5 in the box and covering our 4 WRs with 6 guys and making AA beat them by making tough, accurate and short throws all day.

 

[BoilerBulldog]

The most concerning thing is that we never run the deep action on those plays. We always just throw short vs. competent teams...and when they are expecting it....throw short some more. Would love to be proven wrong. Until then, nothing stopping Ds from putting 5 in the box and covering our 4 WRs with 6 guys and making AA beat them by making tough, accurate and short throws all day.

I normally agree with you but not here. I think we've thrown deep more in the two games this year than we did in 6 games last year. I think that has actually been a positive development. This Saturday will be a much bigger test.

 

[pboiler18]

I normally agree with you but not here. I think we've thrown deep more in the two games this year than we did in 6 games last year. I think that has actually been a positive development. This Saturday will be a much bigger test.

Problem is, half of our deep passes have been on 3rd and don't throw deep type yardages.

 

[boilerbusdriver]

Virginia Tech employs a bear front most of the times along with an odd defensive front that places supreme importance on their CB's to cover in one on one situations (Cover 0) or with a single safety (Cover 1). The odd front that Virginia Tech uses allows them to clog the middle running lanes and get pressure against the QB up the middle, which really is the best type of pressure to force poor throws and decisions from the QB. This alignment also gives their MLB the ability to run in space and make plays.

Against this front, it is nearly impossible to run effectively up the middle, in the traditional sense. The way to defeat this defensive alignment is to attack the edges,win 50/50 balls deep against man to man coverage or place the single safety in a position to make a wrong decision, or run a speed option. It places a heavy emphasis on the offense to simply win man to man match-ups at key positions along the offensive line.

Now, the key here is how does Purdue's offensive philosophy match-up (theoretically) against this VT defense. Purdue has looked to attack the edges by getting the ball in the hands of Anthrop/Hart (fly sweeps, tunnel screens), attack the defense deep with long passes (Yancey/Mohoungou), and allow Appleby to run the option onto the edges of the defense. The ways to defeat this defense are actually built in to Purdue's offensive philosophy or can easily be adjusted (read option vs. speed option). The read option can work against this defensive front, but you rely more on the offensive line to win on both edges versus the speed option only relies on the side the option is being run to.

My question to you is this: Do you think with Purdue's offensive philosophy and increased focus on one on one match-ups deep against single coverage, does Purdue have success offensively?

 

[boilerbusdriver]

Virginia Tech employs a bear front most of the times along with an odd defensive front that places supreme importance on their CB's to cover in one on one situations (Cover 0) or with a single safety (Cover 1). The odd front that Virginia Tech uses allows them to clog the middle running lanes and get pressure against the QB up the middle, which really is the best type of pressure to force poor throws and decisions from the QB. This alignment also gives their MLB the ability to run in space and make plays.

Against this front, it is nearly impossible to run effectively up the middle, in the traditional sense. The way to defeat this defensive alignment is to attack the edges,win 50/50 balls deep against man to man coverage or place the single safety in a position to make a wrong decision, or run a speed option. It places a heavy emphasis on the offense to simply win man to man match-ups at key positions along the offensive line.

Now, the key here is how does Purdue's offensive philosophy match-up (theoretically) against this VT defense. Purdue has looked to attack the edges by getting the ball in the hands of Anthrop/Hart (fly sweeps, tunnel screens), attack the defense deep with long passes (Yancey/Mohoungou), and allow Appleby to run the option onto the edges of the defense. The ways to defeat this defense are actually built in to Purdue's offensive philosophy or can easily be adjusted (read option vs. speed option). The read option can work against this defensive front, but you rely more on the offensive line to win on both edges versus the speed option only relies on the side the option is being run to.

My question to you is this: Do you think with Purdue's offensive philosophy and increased focus on one on one match-ups deep against single coverage, does Purdue have success offensively?

Your knowledge is miles above mine, question is wheel patterns, screens,
draws, any chance of success, and of course trying to pound the rock, will any of this be effective, if we can get Decent O-Line play??i really appreciate your in depth breakdown, the Boiler staff might have an opening for ya JohnnyDoe....Thanks and Boiler Up the Hokies

 

[BoilerBulldog]

Problem is, half of our deep passes have been on 3rd and don't throw deep type yardages.

Do you think more than half of our deep throws should be before 3rd down?

 

[boilerbusdriver]

Do you think more than half of our deep throws should be before 3rd dow?

I really hope not, then it feels like desperation on our part, I really believe our defense can keep it close, have some type of a running game, and then Tee it up deep on a couple of patterns. Maybe it's our time to shock somebody, we sure could sure use it

 

[lbodel]

I really hope not, then it feels like desperation on our part, I really believe our defense can keep it close, have some type of a running game, and then Tee it up deep on a couple of patterns. Maybe it's our time to shock somebody, we sure could sure use it

I don't think Purdue winning at home against an ok VA Tech team that lost their starting QB (and also a good linebacker) would quite be "shocking". Last time I saw, VA Tech was a 6 point favorite.

 

[StateStreet123]

all good discussion in this thread.

What impresses me most....is that people actually know and understand what Weird Beards offensive philosophy is!

 

[New Pal Boiler]

all good discussion in this thread.

What impresses me most....is that people actually know and understand what Weird Beards offensive philosophy is!

If players and fans are starting to understand Weird Beard's offense, then it's time for him to change everything. By the time you know the answer, Weird Beard changes the question.

 

[cantonman2]

Purdue's offensive philosophy seems to be: Keep running the plays that don't work!