So, I was in the dumps on Saturday night, thinking how our defense may lead us to getting mudholed this coming Saturday vs WVU. However, I can't help but think that defending WVU is a different story than defending against OSU, leaving me with a glimmer of hope for this week. WVU - Average 442 passing, 157 rushing per game OSU - Average 359 passing, 300 rushing per game WVU seems to lean far more on their passing, than rushing the ball, where OSU is much more balanced. OSU gashed us running inside their left tackle repeatedly, while our DB's dropped back to defend the pass and our linebacker on that side (not sure which one, santos/cobb) was repeatedly out of position. (that and Joseph Randle is freakishly talented). Our safety kept lining up 20-25 yards off the ball, no where close to defending the run. Considering WVU is not nearly as potent on rushing the ball as passing, it gives me hope that if we can just solve some issues in the secondary, tackling, and being in the proper positions, we may be able to take away some of their passing game and force them to run. Hopefully, we force them to hand the ball off, vs Gino Smith scrambling. The aggressive nature of Diaz' defense coupled with young guys in those LB/DB positions hurts us against talanted teams with balance. OSU was the first taste we had of that kind of team thus far this season. I would also hope that pounding the ball and limiting time of possession for WVU with our offense is an even better form of defense. Cutting down the # of plays they can run will definitely keep them in the 30-40 point range, rather than 70.
I dont' think we're gonna magically learn to tackle now. We need to hope that our awesome DE's put so much heat on Geno that he throws a pick here and there. We should go back to Mack's idea of having 3 TOs + I say maybe get lucky and 2 stops. That should be plenty of D.
It's time for Diaz to think about a 4-1-6 defense and there is no #33 in that equation. If Hicks isn't the "1" in that equation, I hope it's Vacaro spying on Smith. The DEs have got to play with some disicpline and stay home. Santos is a great talent and going to be an outstanding player for us, but it was apparent Saturday night that he is still learning and wasn't sure where to line up on multiple occasions. Diaz has a lot of coaching to do in a short period of time. I sure wish K-State played WVU first. I'd love to see how Snyder defenses them.
Randle is a good runner, but not special. Malcom Brown, Bergeron, and Gray would have had more yards if they were running through the holes that Randle was provided. We faced a freshman QB who sliced and diced. He ran for over 100 yards himself. Geno Smith is arguably the best QB in the nation. He will slice and dice our defense. And if we don't defend the run better (Diaz needs to be smarter schemewise) then we are DOOMED. Our offense will score 45 points at least. We have to SLOW wvu down. Keep them below 45 and we win. I don't know if Diaz is up to it. He hasn't been real good at defending good spread offenses since he's been here.
WVU's #1 running back is supposed to be back this week. Saw that on the WVU Scout site. He's missed some games.
Also, OSU’s production numbers are skewed heavily from their 84-point outing against a nobody. They are still a very good offense, but I don’t think their stats to date tell a story that will be sustained throughout the season. Same holds true for Texas.
Hopefully the coaches have viewed the film from the Maryland game. They obviously did something right in limiting WV to 31 points. Hell James Freaking Madison held them to 42 points.
Please, let's not hand Smith the Heisman like we did for RGIII last year. I don't know what has happened to Manny and his D but, well, I for one am completely underwhelmed. We have gone from believing that MD would be snatched up by the next great program to wondering what happened. It's baffling at best and pathetic at worst. We must do better, immedialely.
This will mark WV first Road and first conference road game. I think things will be different. Its always easier playing at home. I think the D will be up for the challenge. The question is how many missed tackles and how many explosive plays do they allow?
I would also hope that pounding the ball and limiting time of possession for WVU with our offense is an even better form of defense. Cutting down the # of plays they can run will definitely keep them in the 30-40 point range, rather than 70. This is certainly the key.. If we can win t.o.p. pounding the ball we come away with a win.
K-State will run the ball right down WVU's throat and limit their possessions and play good base defense and tackle. Reminds me of some team in Austin years ago.
WVU is more one-dimensional than OSU, but it's simplistic to say that it should be easier to defend them than to defend a balanced offense like the one in Stillwater. WVU has an accurate quarterback with a quick release, wide receivers that can get open on any defensive backs they face, and an O-line that generally protects the quarterback pretty well. They also have a very well-designed passing attack that's set up to exploit any defensive opening you give them. Yeah, defending them is easier...IF the refs allow your defense to play thirteen players at a time.
