Scouting MSU and game plan proposals.

[1honestfan]

Sometimes its hard to envision what other people write so I thought that I would add some video from what I saw when MSU played Jacksonville State. Jacksonville State is a team just like the Ducks that likes to play up-tempo, in a spread offense that has a mobile quarterback.

I want to show to videos, one that shows a dominant MSU defense and the other where MSU is playing good defense but the offense just made better decisions.

Here is an example of one series where MSU played swarming defense and the offense played right into what MSU was doing.

[video=youtube;fsSQ_nQC-Ks]

Notice how the offense looks just like Oregon's spread attack?

On first down, Jacksonville's QB is swarmed by MSU on his zone read. Instead of realizing that MSU is over-committing to the run and throwing the ball out to the slot or WR, the QB gets tackled. Also note how the DE's do not crash down on the play and stay level with the line of scrimmage.

2nd & 9
Notice the DE's out-flank the O-Line? the Notice the LB'ers are leaning forward? Dead give away that they are blitzing. It's time to audible and look at the slot for a reception.

3rd & 14
This time MSU is showing blitz but it's an obvious passing situation so chances are that they are going to play coverage defense. It should be pointed out that by now, the offense has put themselves in a bad position. While it's already tough to get a first down on 3rd & 14, the quarterback doesn't make the right read to get as many yards as he could. The slot receiver and the wide-reviever on the right side of the field do a good job in blocking their assignments and the running back has ample room to pick up 5-8 yards if the QB would just through him the ball instead of trying to do to much himself. The play fails as well as the series fails because the QB did not make the right decisions and not because MSU did anything special.

Now lets look at what the QB making the right decisions can do to the MSU defense. This is the same MSU defense. Only thing that changed was the Jacksonville QB.

[video=youtube;_JfM7_tk1Qo]

1st & 10 on the 46.
QB fakes the hand off (Sucks up the LB'ers) and throws a quick out-route for a pick-up of 10. Firstdown!!

1st & 10 on the MSU 46.
MSU blitzing where they are shooting the A-gap with a LB while also bringing a delayed blitz by the other LB. Quick pass to the slot receiver on a 5 yard out-route for a pick-up of 6. A very manageable situation.

2nd & 4.
Now the MSU secondary pressing down and within 8 yards of the line of scrimmage. LB'ers dropping into a zone coverage. QB throws to the opposite side of the field to the slot receiver who again runs just a 5 yard out pattern for 4 yards. FIRSTDOWN!!!

1st and 10.
DB's again playing 8 yards of the line of scrimmage but appears to be playing man coverage. Under some pressure the QB throws to the slot receiver on a basic slant pattern for a pick up of 6, again a manageable situation.

2nd & 4.
Jacksonville wanted to take a shot deep. If it worked then great they have 7 points. If it didn't work then at least MSU knows and has to respect the fact at least that Jacksonville is a threat to go long. In this case, the ball was over-thrown but it's still a win-win situation.

3rd & 4
Because of the second down deep incomplete pass, one of the DB's is now playing 10 yards off the line of scrimmage instead of the 8 on the previous play. Now 3rd down is a passing down (generally speaking). After 5 straight passes the LB'er core is being less agressive on the blitzing and going after the backfield. The Qb hands off to the RB and he runs from the 32 yard line all the way down to the 9 yard line. It's clear that the passing game set up the running game.

1st & 10 on the MSU 9
Bad pass to the back side of the WR in the end-zone but look at the LB'er core. They didn't have to much movement. Jacksonville could have run the ball for a 3 yard pick-up.

2nd & 10
Again the QB looks for the slot receiver in the middle of the end-zone but the ball was just a little bit over thrown. I think Oregon scores on that play.

3rd & 10
If you look at the MSU defense, they are over-loading on the open side of the field. They actually play pretty good defense but they lose track of their man while trying to contain the QB and leave the wide-receiver open for the touchdown.

In conclussion, I see the following:

1) The slot and wide receivers are going to play a big role in this game for Oregon. Those positions need to produce some production so it will open up the running game for Oregon.

2) This is a game where Mariota needs to be a game manager first and then a runner later. This is one game where Mariota shouldn't do to much.

3) Coach frost needs to call a great game and keep calling the same types of plays that work until MSU proves that they can stop that play.

Maybe I will look at the special teams and post on that?

 

[STOMP]

Jacksonville State is a team just like the Ducks that likes to play up-tempo, in a spread offense that has a mobile quarterback.

Notice how the offense looks just like Oregon's spread attack?

I appreciated the parallels you're trying to draw, but repeatedly saying Oregon and Jacksonville St are the same begs someone to point to the obvious. They don't have anywhere in the vicinity of UO's athletes at any position as they're a FCS school (the S is for subdivision). When I look at those highlights the only time the Gamecocks sort of look like the Ducks is before the snap... then it's smaller slower weaker

STOMP

 

[1honestfan]

This is true, I just meant from a scheme standpoint.

 

[STOMP]

granted, MSU doesn't play many spread attacks like the Ducks but when they face a dual threat QB they tend to give up big yards

2012
Taylor Martinez 205 yds rushing
Braxton Miller 136 yds rushing

2013
Braxton Miller 142

In Marcus I trust to make the right read

STOMP

 

[1honestfan]

Yes, this is correct. Mind you, MSU is 2-1 in those games.

Being that my family lived in Nebraska for 25 years, I know a lot about the Big Red. Trust me when I say 5 that MSU WANTED Taylor Martinez to run the ball. Lol.

On a side note: Taylor Martinez was a worse quarterback than Jeremiah Masoli..

 

[Quack U!]

Here's what I see.... MSU defense does 1 thing that many others don't.... They don't look to the sidelines for adjustments that allows our spread tempo to work. Their LB's and Safety's make the plays and adjustments right on the field and they adjust on their calls not the coaches. This takes away some of the tempo and trickery Oregon is so known for.

The real question then becomes, can Marcus read the D's adjustments to him?!?!?

If yes? We'll kick their asses off our field cause they can't touch our speed and their defensive reads better be spot on or they'll get TORCHED!!! The other thing very important is that we push our tempo very fast so that MSU's defense makes mistakes on their on the field reads. If our offense slows down we are playing into their hands.

This is quite a chess match between our up tempo and our QB's high IQ, and their athleticism and on field adjustments to our plays on defense!

Going to be one hell of a war of wills!

 

[1honestfan]

Here's what I see.... MSU defense does 1 thing that many others don't.... They don't look to the sidelines for adjustments that allows our spread tempo to work. Their LB's and Safety's make the plays and adjustments right on the field and they adjust on their calls not the coaches. This takes away some of the tempo and trickery Oregon is so known for.

The real question then becomes, can Marcus read the D's adjustments to him?!?!?

If yes? We'll kick their asses off our field cause they can't touch our speed and their defensive reads better be spot on or they'll get TORCHED!!! The other thing very important is that we push our tempo very fast so that MSU's defense makes mistakes on their on the field reads. If our offense slows down we are playing into their hands.

This is quite a chess match between our up tempo and our QB's high IQ, and their athleticism and on field adjustments to our plays on defense!

Going to be one hell of a war of wills!

I do tend to believe it's going to be a good game, one-way or another.

I think you're making the right read on how the MSU defense sets it's self. I actually disagree that this takes away from some of Oregon's ability to be trickey on offense, I actually believe that it will enhance it if Oregon runs and throws misdirection plays all day long. This might work because MSU does over-pursue on defense unless the play is being ran right at the defense in a down hill manner.

Mariota is going to be put on a pedestal one way or another after this game for his decision making.

I still believe that Oregon needs to open the game with the passing attack to open up the run. What do you think?

 

[oldmangrouch]

Here's what I see.... MSU defense does 1 thing that many others don't.... They don't look to the sidelines for adjustments that allows our spread tempo to work. Their LB's and Safety's make the plays and adjustments right on the field and they adjust on their calls not the coaches. This takes away some of the tempo and trickery Oregon is so known for.

In other words, they follow the same philosophy as Stanford: the gameplan is relatively simple and the emphasis is on execution. Many coaches play into the Duck's hands by over-coaching and trying to get too fancy with their defense.

 

[1honestfan]

In other words, they follow the same philosophy as Stanford: the gameplan is relatively simple and the emphasis is on execution. Many coaches play into the Duck's hands by over-coaching and trying to get too fancy with their defense.

Well said and nicely put.

So what would your game plan be or should we just stick to the status quo?

 

[tlongII]

I think you're going to need to worry about stopping MSU's offense more than scoring on their defense.

 

[1honestfan]

I think you're going to need to worry about stopping MSU's offense more than scoring on their defense.

First of all, you really do have a great profile picture (LOL).

Secondly, your last statement is a tale of two games. If Oregon scores first then yes, MSU's offense will step up and I agree with you.

Granted, MSU is really built on defensive mindset first; I would really love to see Oregon score the first 10 points of the game and see just how MSU's defense reacts in Autzum to Oregon not letting up on the throttle. After all, this is a statement game.

I still like MSU to win this game but I REALLY want Oregon to win. It's just a gut feeling and defies all logic.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Well said and nicely put.

So what would your game plan be or should we just stick to the status quo?

Tough question.

My inclination would be to make 2 minor tweaks.

First, the TE is often the forgotten man in the Duck attack. I would make an effort to get the ball to him on a couple of early plays and force the defense into using a decent cover man on him.

Second, I would stick with what we saw against SD with Marshall, Tyner, and Freeman all getting involved. I'm not as impressed with Marshall as many Oregon fans, and I feel defenses had him figured out by the end of last season. To put it bluntly, I believe LaMichael James made his team-mates look good - Mariota makes Marshall look good.

Really though, it isn't the Duck offense I am worried about. My fear is that the defense is going to let the team down.

 

[Quack U!]

I agreeeee with you OMG!!! Punish MSU with our huge TE's that will tire out there LB's bringing them down time after time, then pepper in Tyner and Freeman for the immense body blows and follow it up with Air Carrington and Allen for the deep ball once their D has to suck in to handle the RB/ TE attack!

Exactly!

Remember AA is showcasing for the NFL right now.... I expect him, Buckner and Ifo to bring their A+ games tomorrow!