More Malzahn madness...

Kaos · « **on:** September 17, 2009, 01:14:30 PM »

I had a WVU fan predict a 28-17 Mountaineer (or 'E'eer as they stupidly refer to themselves) victory.

Wheels spun.

I looked.

Only one team has held a Gus Malzhan coached offense under 20 points. That was USC in his very first game as coordinator.

His first five games all clocked in at under 28.

Since? Only seven times in three seasons has his offense been held to under 28.

One was Arkansas when he was at Tulsa. One was Oklahoma when he was at Tulsa. One was Central Florida in a CUSA title game. One was East Carolina in a CUSA title game. One was LSU, while at Arkansas, and they scored 26 that night.

West Virginia is stupid if they think they'll keep Auburn's score under 28.

Why didn't I know all this before?

RWS · « **Reply #1 on:** September 17, 2009, 01:23:39 PM »

AU should have a fairly easy time with WVU. They aren't shit without Pat White, and quite frankly, they weren't unbeatable when he was there for that matter. Their defense isn't horrible, but nothing remarkable. If they had difficulties against Liberty and ECU, then I see AU cutting through them. If they can manage to defend the edges well though, AU might have a tough time running. I certainly don't see AU winning if they have to rely on Todd, so you guys better hope they can't stop the run.

Saniflush · « **Reply #2 on:** September 17, 2009, 01:26:23 PM »

Quote from: Kaos on September 17, 2009, 01:14:30 PM

Why didn't I know all this before?

It's easy to gloss over because of all the talking heads who have sworn his system would never work in Division 1.

RWS · « **Reply #3 on:** September 17, 2009, 01:33:27 PM »

Quote from: Saniflush on September 17, 2009, 01:26:23 PM

It's easy to gloss over because of all the talking heads who have sworn his system would never work in Division 1.

Honestly, I'm not sure if we know yet. It looks pretty good so far, but then again, look at the competition its up against. But still, even against that competition, it cut through them like a buzzsaw for the most part. I think AU will come across some losses if they play a team that can stop the run, or has talent above middle-of-the-road SEC caliber. Malzahn destroyed teams with talent such as La Tech and MSU at Tulsa with Tulsa level talent for that matter. This is only two games in, and they have not really faced anything resembling adversity or decent talent on the field. Like I said, it looks pretty damn good right now. Nobody can argue that. I'm just still not convinced that its going to win a ton of games in the SEC. I may be wrong, who knows.

jadennis · « **Reply #4 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:01:49 PM »

I don't see us being held to less than 28 either.

However, it will be interesting to see how the WVU 3-3-5 defense does against us. That defense should help them avoid being caught in so many "wrong personnel" situations like MSU was. They will typically have on the field who they want on the field, regardless of whether we're running or passing.

But, the 3-3-5 is also susceptible to the run if run against correctly. I'm sure Malzahn has seen the holes in it and has a plan. And if the second halves of the first two games have proven anything, it's that he knows how to make adjustments and exploit what the other team is trying to do defensively.

Saniflush · « **Reply #5 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:05:41 PM »

Quote from: RWS on September 17, 2009, 01:33:27 PM

Nobody can argue that. I'm just still not convinced that its going to win a ton of games in the SEC.

Mitch Mustain and Casey Dick do not agree.

We will be stopped there is no doubt about that. Everyone is no matter who they are or what they run. The question will be can the other areas make up for it.

Kaos · « **Reply #6 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:27:14 PM »

Quote from: jadennis on September 17, 2009, 02:01:49 PM

I don't see us being held to less than 28 either.

However, it will be interesting to see how the WVU 3-3-5 defense does against us. That defense should help them avoid being caught in so many "wrong personnel" situations like MSU was. They will typically have on the field who they want on the field, regardless of whether we're running or passing.

But, the 3-3-5 is also susceptible to the run if run against correctly. I'm sure Malzahn has seen the holes in it and has a plan. And if the second halves of the first two games have proven anything, it's that he knows how to make adjustments and exploit what the other team is trying to do defensively.

Another stat I noted but failed to mention in the article?

Noel Devine had 209 yards against Auburn last year. 109 came in the fourth quarter.

RWS · « **Reply #7 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:31:32 PM »

Quote from: jadennis on September 17, 2009, 02:01:49 PM

I don't see us being held to less than 28 either.

However, it will be interesting to see how the WVU 3-3-5 defense does against us. That defense should help them avoid being caught in so many "wrong personnel" situations like MSU was. They will typically have on the field who they want on the field, regardless of whether we're running or passing.

But, the 3-3-5 is also susceptible to the run if run against correctly. I'm sure Malzahn has seen the holes in it and has a plan. And if the second halves of the first two games have proven anything, it's that he knows how to make adjustments and exploit what the other team is trying to do defensively.

The problem is with a 3-4 or a 3-3-5 type alignment, as far as running game goes, the defense WANTS you to run to the edges. Thats where they are built to get you, more specifically with the 3-4. The LBs are just sitting back reading the play, and that gives them a little better vision of the play and different keys. From what I've seen, you guys aren't running up the middle much except for Wildcat, goal line, and designed draw plays. More than likely, since Todd isn't that much of a passing threat, one of those DBs will be down in the box a little more making it more like a 3-4, if I had to guess. But, here's an issue though: their NT is only 300 lbs. For a 3-4, thats about what you want your DEs. Anywhere between 285-305. You would want a NT around 330 or so. I'm just not so sure they have the right folks to be in a 3-3-5 set against AU, so maybe they will go with more of a 4-3 look. I haven't seen enough of WVU, so I don't know.

If the NT is successful in occupying two blockers, I think the 3-3-5 and bringing down a SS into the box would be ideal. Another good thing about the 3-3-5 and especially a 3-4 is it gives you more multiples in terms of bringing pressure and confusing the QB from different areas and making it harder for the QB to figure out where exactly it will come from. I think if they really try to confuse Todd, it will work. Look for alot of zone coverage and not much man, and WVU will try to disrupt some of AU's blocking schemes.

boartitz · « **Reply #8 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:51:39 PM »

I don't make a shit what they run. Gus is already 3-4 plays ahead .

RWS · « **Reply #9 on:** September 17, 2009, 02:53:56 PM »

Quote from: boartitz on September 17, 2009, 02:51:39 PM

I don't make a shit what they run. Gus is already 3-4 plays ahead .

If you would remove Malzahn's man juice from your eyes for a few seconds, you would realize that his offense can be defeated. Believe it or not, it has happened before.

Kaos · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2009, 03:03:06 PM »

Quote from: RWS on September 17, 2009, 02:53:56 PM

If you would remove Malzahn's man juice from your eyes for a few seconds, you would realize that his offense can be defeated. Believe it or not, it has happened before.

Yeah it can. But it's exponentially more difficult to do so apparently.

You're already getting antsy. I'm not concerned about what this offense can do against the 17th annual "As Good as 1992" Alabama defense (which it isn't and 1992 wasn't all that hot shit anyway). But it appears you may be just a little bit. Enough to glance over your shoulder and throw rocks, anyway.

AuburnChopper 3.0 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 17, 2009, 03:03:28 PM »

Quote from: RWS on September 17, 2009, 02:53:56 PM

If you would remove Malzahn's man juice from your eyes for a few seconds, you would realize that his offense can be defeated. Believe it or not, it has happened before.

He's sure of it boartitz... He knows it.

djsimp · « **Reply #12 on:** September 17, 2009, 03:15:09 PM »

Damn it! Why is not freakin Sat yet. The proof is in the pudding as Granny alway sais, and Im talkin bout Sanis playboy collection either. WV will be tired the second half just like La Tech and MSU. Malzahn is not just an OC but also he has a mechanical mind. Kaos you know, I have said before that I wanted Malzahn at AU b4 Tony Franklin but Im glad he wasnt now because it would of spoiled our chances. Malzahn is not running much of anything new or different from what has been around since 50 yrs ago. Why I say he is like a mechanical engineer? Its like this the American car industry was top dog long time. The Japs came along and used our blueprints making a more efficient car that last longer. They did it by paying attention to detail. So does Malzahn. Not to mention he spent the beginning of his career as a coach as a DC. Thats got to account for something, right?

jadennis · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2009, 03:33:26 PM »

I know the 3-3-5 wants us to get to the edge where they'll be waiting. And I was very worried about that in general after the La Tech game. In that game, I felt we didn't run up the middle very well at all, meaning, if we gained 5 yards, it was because the line got 4 yards of push. I was worried that wouldn't continue against SEC defenses.

However, after the MSU game, we ran the ball every-which-way possible. We didn't always run right up the middle, but we did run a lot of run plays that didn't require getting to the edge before turning up field. Quite a few times that we got to the outside were after we had already turned north-and-south and gotten into the secondary.

What does scare me is the other thing you mentioned. They will typically start off with the "5" of the 3-3-5 relatively close to the line, which allows one of them to blitz without leaving behind a gaping hole or wide open receivers. There are still 4 DBs left to cover the field. Anyway, different looks and blitzes are coming, and I just hope Todd can read it quickly enough to at least find a "dump" man instead of taking sacks or throwing up 50/50 balls.

Tiger Wench · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2009, 03:48:55 PM »

Quote

I'm sure Malzahn has seen the holes in it and has a plan.

If there are no holes, then he will grab his slide rule and use his brain waves to engineer some...

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #15 on:** September 17, 2009, 03:49:56 PM »

Can't quote because I am on my phone, but to reply to RWS "man juice" and "malzahn has been beaten before" I would ask, who has Malzahn been stopped by or been beaten by that has had equal talent on the field? When he was at Tulsa and Ark, he got beat by USC and OK and LSU, but those teams were WAY over matched regardless.

I am not honking Malzhan's bobo or anything, I am simply asking a question...

RWS · « **Reply #16 on:** September 17, 2009, 04:10:15 PM »

Quote from: War Eagle!!! on September 17, 2009, 03:49:56 PM

Can't quote because I am on my phone, but to reply to RWS "man juice" and "malzahn has been beaten before" I would ask, who has Malzahn been stopped by or been beaten by that has had equal talent on the field? When he was at Tulsa and Ark, he got beat by USC and OK and LSU, but those teams were WAY over matched regardless.

I am not honking Malzhan's bobo or anything, I am simply asking a question...

I would imagine Houston, East Carolina, certainly UTEP and UCF has talent that is pretty much on-par with Tulsa, wouldn't you think?

RWS · « **Reply #17 on:** September 17, 2009, 04:13:14 PM »

Quote from: jadennis on September 17, 2009, 03:33:26 PM

What does scare me is the other thing you mentioned. They will typically start off with the "5" of the 3-3-5 relatively close to the line, which allows one of them to blitz without leaving behind a gaping hole or wide open receivers. There are still 4 DBs left to cover the field. Anyway, different looks and blitzes are coming, and I just hope Todd can read it quickly enough to at least find a "dump" man instead of taking sacks or throwing up 50/50 balls.

And the thing is, if they are going to line up in a 3-*, then more than likely they will be using a zone defense as well. I highly doubt they will line up in man coverage, unless they are just that stupid.

War Eagle!!! · « **Reply #18 on:** September 17, 2009, 04:13:45 PM »

No clue. I would say UCF and Houston may have more, but I don't know.did all those teams beat Tulsa or just hold them under 28?

AUTiger1 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2009, 04:36:47 PM »

Question......what D did Tulsa run while Malzahn was there?