I’m rewatching the SMU Miami game (I’ll watch tonight’s bowl games later and fast forward through commercials).
SMU missed a field goal to tie the game 20-20 with 6:24 left in the 4th quarter. Miami starts the next drive and the announcers say (paraphrasing) “now is the time for Miami to impose their will with Fletcher behind that massive offensive line.”
Knowing the outcome of the game, this amused me because, spoiler alert, they lost. Between the Louisville game and the SMU game, both defenses basically did nothing special other than keeping track of where Toney is (and Louisville made some nice plays on bad throws to get interceptions).
But the more I watch the Miami team, the more I think it was complete coaching malpractice for A&M to go all out blitzing… it’s completely unnecessary, especially in that wind.
Ohio State can and should dial up pressure tomorrow, but I don’t think they need to go crazy blitzing. First of all, the Miami OL isn’t elite (especially run blocking) and I think the Buckeyes can get pressure consistently enough with a four man rush. Second, just bringing one guy from a creative place once and awhile should do wonders, most obviously Reese.
