I think so too man, you could tell as soon as we won yesterday he was ready for this one.
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This logic is flawed. It's not like they're going to be playing in your back yard. The only way the turf would be an issue is if it is rainy and wet, and even then it would be minimal, and it would affect both teams.
I've seen them on another board making fun of the "they can't play on grass" argument, and they are right for that.
My thoughts:
1. Make them run the ball. Dare them to run the ball. I agree with Coach, we have to play heavy in the defensive backfield... take away their bread and butter (quick screens to Treadwell and the slants/go's to Moncrief). Make someone else beat you.
2. We absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, need to be prepared in the red zone. OM runs a quick strike offense... they want to score on big plays. They are fast and they thrive on off-coverage. We need to study the shit out of their redzone offense and really limit their productivity in the red zone. Force them to field goal opportunities (or force them to try to go for it on 4th down... we have to win those, too).
I don't know the numbers, but their offense does not seem to be as productive when space in the passing game is taken away. They are what a spread offense is really supposed to be... spread the defense thin and QUICKLY attack the off-coverage (to negate pressure on the QB). Take away their space and force Bo Wallace to make pinpoint passes in coverage. Dare them to run the football. I would even dare say don't try to attack the QB (contain... use your D-Lineman... when in doubt, don't blitz).
Three points:
1. Take away their space in the passing lanes (key on the bubble screens)... force Bo to make pinpoint throws in traffic down the field.
2. Dare them to run the football. Freeze would much rather pass the ball.
3. Win the red zone. Make them kick.
The bottom line against them is defending them on first down. Their drives are momentum drives...they like to get to second and third and short and speed up the pace. If they get to second or third and long they slow the tempo down more and are far less effecient as an offense. We have to be strong on first down, and we have to do a better job of getting off the field on third down.
Well they haven't won a game on grass since 2009, and their points per game go significantly down when they play on grass. So, you figure it out.
An, furthermore, many finesse style teams do struggle more on turf than they do on grass. Grass is always a slower surface.
if you can stop the inside run with one LB you don't even have to do that the whole game because the OLBs will be able to cover the flat and maintain the edge. Point being, you're right, but we could throw a 1,000 different looks at them in a 4-1 can plug the inside.
They haven't played many games on grass since then. And most of the times they have has been at places like bama and LSU, where their scoring is going to be down.
What defines a finesse team? Can you provide any type of baseline criteria to label a team finesse, and then provide statistical comparison of their performance on turf vs. artificial turf?
Have you ever been on our field? What evidence can you provide that will prove that it is slower than an artificial surface?
I know you are looking for some kind of advantage, but you are reaching big time with this one.
DE have to contain on 1st and 2nd down.
We have to disguise our blitzes well and come from the middle not from the CB spot.
CBs have to rotate coverage correctly and beat the wr screen blocking scheme. No missed tackles there or its 6 pts.
DT have to get pressure. Period.
LB - the running game falls directly on your shoulders. You have to have great gap awareness and keep the blocks off your body. Bbrown and McKinney better be ready to light some of these guys up.
Again, everytime they run the option Wallace needs to hit the dirt, everytime.
The fact is that they haven't won a game on grass since the 2008 season. Make of that what you will, but that is a fact.
I am not about to do hours of statistical work to win an argument against you.
If you don't think it matters, then fine, you don't think it matters.
How much do I think it matters? Probably not much, but they haven't won a game on grass since the 2008 season.
So just like us against Arkansas, they have a little history working against them. Will it make a difference? Who the hell knows.
Yep. A good defense is to put them in 4th & short on their on 40. They'll go for it.
sunshine, meet Chris... and PJ, and Preston, and Kaleb, and AJ... hello Barry....