Let's Talk Strategy for This Game

[OttoinGrotto]

I always want to start with the ball, but this game in particular, I want to start on offense and roll Dungey out there. He'll be seething for a week, let him out of the cage right away.

On defense I'd like to see us emphasize stopping the little bit of running they do. As good as Finley is, I want him dropping back a lot because I'm confident that the Slayton-Robinson-Coleman trio will get their shots in.

On offense, just play our tempo, and give them different looks with the QBs. Run Dungey, then have DeVito throw those sideline darts. We can make them uncomfortable. I'd also like to see the return of the Devin Butler pass attempt.

 

[shu 49]

I mean, have the receivers consistently beaten the press? I don't think so.

No but Td throws guys open if they don’t. I also think our guys get more open than we know cuz even with all the holding Johnson had 3 steps on his guy and Custis had two on the non touchdown. I see Harris open quite a bit. In worst case throw to Custis high and out only person can get it is him. Ps Butler I think is who your watching and no he doesn’t get any.

 

[shu 49]

I always want to start with the ball, but this game in particular, I want to start on offense and roll Dungey out there. He'll be seething for a week, let him out of the cage right away.

On defense I'd like to see us emphasize stopping the little bit of running they do. As good as Finley is, I want him dropping back a lot because I'm confident that the Slayton-Robinson-Coleman trio will get their shots in.

On offense, just play our tempo, and give them different looks with the QBs. Run Dungey, then have DeVito throw those sideline darts. We can make them uncomfortable. I'd also like to see the return of the Devin Butler pass attempt.

P

I always want to start with the ball, but this game in particular, I want to start on offense and roll Dungey out there. He'll be seething for a week, let him out of the cage right away.

On defense I'd like to see us emphasize stopping the little bit of running they do. As good as Finley is, I want him dropping back a lot because I'm confident that the Slayton-Robinson-Coleman trio will get their shots in.

On offense, just play our tempo, and give them different looks with the QBs. Run Dungey, then have DeVito throw those sideline darts. We can make them uncomfortable. I'd also like to see the return of the Devin Butler pass attempt.

Otto I generally agree with u but could u find something else that isn’t working also lol. Harris needs to play over Butler bye a mile and same as TD. Against this style of defense Ed is not gonna work banged up. Just my opinion. Maybe next game work them in against Wake but not an important game like this.

 

[Orangello]

I just don't like our chances on D in this one. Ward plays soft coverage which plays right into Finley's hand. He will pick us apart like Clemson did to them. I also think our D line has a tendency to over pursue over commit which UNC exploited consistently with their misdirection and short perimeter throws. The UNC QB had a lot of time to throw last week. If this happens again against an experienced QB like Finley we're toast.

 

[GoSU96]

It's nice to be on the other side of the mass injury issue for once. And if it helps getting the win, perfectly happy with that.

 

[Chip]

I mean, have the receivers consistently beaten the press? I don't think so.

We're going against ACC talent, so it's not realistic to think we're going to beat the press every time. But I think we did it enough Saturday to show that NC State can't just rely on that strategy if #13 is taking the snaps.

 

[Chip]

It's nice to be on the other side of the mass injury issue for once. And if it helps getting the win, perfectly happy with that.

Yeah, I'm not picky. We've suffered enough.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

P

Otto I generally agree with u but could u find something else that isn’t working also lol. Harris needs to play over Butler bye a mile and same as TD. Against this style of defense Ed is not gonna work banged up. Just my opinion. Maybe next game work them in against Wake but not an important game like this.

Harris can play over Butler. Butler is still going to get some snaps.

Defensively, I kinda think we're just not very good. People are going to score points on us. Our best bet on defense is going to be forcing turnovers and negative plays when we can.

 

[orangemass]

Blizzard in Finley’s pants. Blitz the crap out of him

 

[cuse62]

Offensively, I would like to bring more of the fast paced attack. I wish we would use less of lining up the qb clapping his hands, then looking at the sidelines. Call the play and let’s go.

Defensively, pressure Finley. Whether that means with just the front four or bringing others.

 

[TheCusian]

Harris can play over Butler. Butler is still going to get some snaps.

Defensively, I kinda think we're just not very good. People are going to score points on us. Our best bet on defense is going to be forcing turnovers and negative plays when we can.

More like severely mediocre.

But the pass defense is solid, sack rate is very good - just have LB problems and a safety who takes bad angles.

I think NC State won’t be thinking the can do whatever they want. Our DL can destroy a QB.

 

[blizz]

I think our defense deserves alot more credit than it's getting. They made some key stops at the end last week, and imo are just as much of a reason we won. Being asked to get stop after stop after consistent short possessions and 3-and-outs, especially against these big physical bastards in the ACC who are happy to just run and grind you down, is a tall order for anyone. No one wants to talk about it but our back 7 has been outmatched in every ACC matchup (I would argue WM as well). Somehow they are still getting more stops than giving up scores.
I also think Ward has repeatedly shown the ability to game plan effectively and make adjustments on the fly, which is exceedingly tough when you are handicapped talent-wise. He has shown the ability to get creative with generating pressures and I definitely expect to see more blitzes in specific situations.
I also think the added length you get with Iffy and Trill on the field changes what you can do with zone coverages and will be more challenging to throw against with effective pressure. The key will be keeping those guys out of 1 on 1 matchups with Harmon and Myers. Both of those guys are extremely physical and we need to be able to match their physicality with some overlap in coverage to allow for some error margin. There will be some opportunities to get some takeaways against these guys and it could be a big difference maker.

 

[kcsu]

Elite QBs make WRs better. In watching the NC game the difference between Tommys throws and Erics were drastic. Tommy is arguably the best pure passer i have ever seen at Cuse. Now this doesnt necessarily equate to the best QB. But as a pure passer i believe he has more talent than any QB to ever play for Cuse. The ball simply explodes out of his hand

 

[shu 49]

I think our defense deserves alot more credit than it's getting. They made some key stops at the end last week, and imo are just as much of a reason we won. Being asked to get stop after stop after consistent short possessions and 3-and-outs, especially against these big physical bastards in the ACC who are happy to just run and grind you down, is a tall order for anyone. No one wants to talk about it but our back 7 has been outmatched in every ACC matchup (I would argue WM as well). Somehow they are still getting more stops than giving up scores.
I also think Ward has repeatedly shown the ability to game plan effectively and make adjustments on the fly, which is exceedingly tough when you are handicapped talent-wise. He has shown the ability to get creative with generating pressures and I definitely expect to see more blitzes in specific situations.
I also think the added length you get with Iffy and Trill on the field changes what you can do with zone coverages and will be more challenging to throw against with effective pressure. The key will be keeping those guys out of 1 on 1 matchups with Harmon and Myers. Both of those guys are extremely physical and we need to be able to match their physicality with some overlap in coverage to allow for some error margin. There will be some opportunities to get some takeaways against these guys and it could be a big difference maker.

I think Ward is maddening. Drives me nuts as he takes the aggressiveness out of a defense. How I explain it is this, we need t e more like Clemson defensively attacking downhill get the ball back now type and not read and react. He is the only coach who doesn’t give his guys breaks during game until u hear the coach say something in a press conference. I think we could be a good defensive team with our back 5 in secondary and fresh linebackers coming forward and smacking someone and out dline. We have all that we need to make things work I just don’t like his approach and softness. Just my two cents. Offense and defense should both play aggressive together. I know we don’t have Clemson talent yet but aggressiveness make up for talent as they say on offense right. I truly believe our back 5 can have 4 aa at some point with Trill iffy Fred and Cisco. They are talented and long. We need a mike that eats people alive and I don’t get why we ain’t working Richards in there even though Guthrie had a good game Sat. Richards is fast and aggressive but I haven’t seen enough of him yet. At least go after some studs there. Gotta get one. Sorry went on another rant.

 

[SmilinBob]

I think Ward is maddening. Drives me nuts as he takes the aggressiveness out of a defense. How I explain it is this, we need t e more like Clemson defensively attacking downhill get the ball back now type and not read and react. He is the only coach who doesn’t give his guys breaks during game until u hear the coach say something in a press conference. I think we could be a good defensive team with our back 5 in secondary and fresh linebackers coming forward and smacking someone and out dline. We have all that we need to make things work I just don’t like his approach and softness. Just my two cents. Offense and defense should both play aggressive together. I know we don’t have Clemson talent yet but aggressiveness make up for talent as they say on offense right. I truly believe our back 5 can have 4 aa at some point with Trill iffy Fred and Cisco. They are talented and long. We need a mike that eats people alive and I don’t get why we ain’t working Richards in there even though Guthrie had a good game Sat. Richards is fast and aggressive but I haven’t seen enough of him yet. At least go after some studs there. Gotta get one. Sorry went on another rant.

At times the anti-Shafer. I wonder if he just needed to get that blitz downhill mentality out of the LB's and went too far the other way? I'm sure he'll settle down to a happy medium of multiple packages when needed in time as he grows as a coach but I get where you're coming from. Once the SU corners can press to a point maybe that's the key to this whole D moving to another level?

 

[SmilinBob]

If I were NCS I'd press the corners vs ED and put on a spy and for TD I'd blitz and switch packages to make him uncomfortable. So obviously if I'm SU I'd take what the D gives me to counter that.

On D...this one is tough because they can run and pass. I'm going to assume Ward will pick his poison and try to stop the run thus the DL will play more like they did vs NCS. Thus, the DB's are going to have to have a heck of a game as are the LB's. What I'd love to see is the D forcing a lot of 3rd and longs but have a feeling there will be more 3rd and 1, 2's and 3's. This is where the DB's have to watch for the long ball as well and if the SS is biting on a fake...yep, they're hands are going to be full.

 

[blizz]

I think Ward is maddening. Drives me nuts as he takes the aggressiveness out of a defense. How I explain it is this, we need t e more like Clemson defensively attacking downhill get the ball back now type and not read and react. He is the only coach who doesn’t give his guys breaks during game until u hear the coach say something in a press conference. I think we could be a good defensive team with our back 5 in secondary and fresh linebackers coming forward and smacking someone and out dline. We have all that we need to make things work I just don’t like his approach and softness. Just my two cents. Offense and defense should both play aggressive together. I know we don’t have Clemson talent yet but aggressiveness make up for talent as they say on offense right. I truly believe our back 5 can have 4 aa at some point with Trill iffy Fred and Cisco. They are talented and long. We need a mike that eats people alive and I don’t get why we ain’t working Richards in there even though Guthrie had a good game Sat. Richards is fast and aggressive but I haven’t seen enough of him yet. At least go after some studs there. Gotta get one. Sorry went on another rant.

He's definitely from a different school of thought than the majority of defensive guys in the biz. I think it's kind of refreshing and definitely interesting to watch. I disagree that it takes the aggression out. Front 4 are playing 1 gap and have license to seek and destroy every snap. That's pretty much what those guys want to do.

Where it really shows up is in linebacker play because it takes some fb iq to excel at the position in this system. But I guarantee you, with very good athletes there it will look aggressive as hell. We're just not there yet but I'm confident it's coming.

I think we all agree on the player rotations and want to see more of certain players. To my eye, alot of the younger players just aren't physically ready. If your body's not right your mind can't be right and I think it's a disservice to put them out there for extended reps if they're not prepared.

I'm disappointed that some of the JUCO transfers (L. Williams, Rock, Barry, Grovsenor) have gotten little to no run. I think those guys can help us and its frustrating to see the limitations with some of the guys on the field or watch them just gas out because they're being asked to do too much. That's on the coaches to an extent and I hope they can figure it out.

 

[Cuse12]

Our DL needs to put the pressure on Finley the way we did to the Clemson QBs. Against UNC their OLine completely shut us down, I was in absolute shock. As well as a game plan of quick throws on crossing routes, etc. completely took our DEs out of the game. When they get pressure our defense is MUCH better. If we do not pressure Finley it will be a shoot out in my opinion.

 

[upperdeck]

This is why all the talk of NFL draft guys for SU is mostly just talk. Dline draft guys need to be in the backfield more than 2-3 times a game. We have a solid dline group but they are not on the draft radar other than bottom level projects yet.. they show flashes

 

[SmilinBob]

This is why all the talk of NFL draft guys for SU is mostly just talk. Dline draft guys need to be in the backfield more than 2-3 times a game. We have a solid dline group but they are not on the draft radar other than bottom level projects yet.. they show flashes

Vs the run I assume? If Slaton forces 2 guys to block him in the NFL he will be quite coveted.

 

[upperdeck]

He does eat up blockers, but I watched much of the UNC game on him and he wasnt doubled all that much .

 

[orangepassion]

I hope we don't continue with the 3 man rush in 3rd and long. You give Finley time and he will eat us up. I also hope we utilize some press coverage of our own. NC State is good, but I feel we match up well with them based on our strengths and weaknesses matching theirs. They are excellent run defenders-Hope we don't keep forcing it down the middle to set up the pass. Let's pass to set up the run.

 

[blizz]

UNC was pretty clearly making sure they got the ball out fast. I think if you go back and look you'll be hard pressed to find more than a 3 step drop on a passing play.

 

[orangepassion]

UNC was pretty clearly making sure they got the ball out fast. I think if you go back and look you'll be hard pressed to find more than a 3 step drop on a passing play.

Agree-That's why I want some press coverage

 

[Cajovalley]

Knowing how bad their ST's are, I wouldn't be surprised to see them go for it on 4th down more than usual. SU should also be on the lookout for fake punts and maybe FG's as well. depending how the game goes, field position could come into play. they will want to limit our chances on O.