Yes, read back in this thread for similar reports, particularly a breakdown of the schemes and personnel. It's not that much of a stretch from the 3-1*-2-5 they ran last year, with the 1* being a versatile rush lb (which gbw called a spinner for almost a year before shifting that term to the 'quick')
Yes it is rather curious to use a spread defense as your base package in a power football conference, especially since Illinois and Penn state can be extremely physical when their spread offense is having a good year.
It works as a package defense, osu runs a lot of spread sets, but they can also line up in base and punish you.
At wvu, it was a good way to get athletes on the field who had some limitations at specific positions. At um he has access to the caliber of athlete that only a few others enjoy, and so far they have traded in the prototypical qb, wr and lb bodies the NFL craves and replaced them with undersized speedsters who have struggled with the physicality and grind of the ultimate power conference.
This is a big reason why many expect Devin to play and possibly start this year. When November hits and every player is injured, I want the 6'5 thoroughbred with a good arm to lead my squad through the home stretch, not the guy who benches less than the walk-on kickers. I think Tate could be good in another scheme and showed some toughness last year, but there's only so much the mind can do to ignore the body. I'd be curious to see how forcier would do for a mike Leach passing spread instead of a bruising read option role that he currently holds.
Until devin is ready though, I expect to see more of Denard who provides the running ability Tate simply doesn't have (don't confuse mobilty, which troy had, with running ability, which troy barely had).
In the big ten, a 220 lb rb is actually a relief. Between Beanie, Clarett, Clay, Hill, Dayne, Winston, Caulcrick, Duckett, Hunt and many others., you might find a bigger load rumbling behind the 240 lb fullback. There will always be more, like brionte dunn.
Yes it is rather curious to use a spread defense as your base package in a power football conference, especially since Illinois and Penn state can be extremely physical when their spread offense is having a good year.
It works as a package defense, osu runs a lot of spread sets, but they can also line up in base and punish you.
At wvu, it was a good way to get athletes on the field who had some limitations at specific positions. At um he has access to the caliber of athlete that only a few others enjoy, and so far they have traded in the prototypical qb, wr and lb bodies the NFL craves and replaced them with undersized speedsters who have struggled with the physicality and grind of the ultimate power conference.
This is a big reason why many expect Devin to play and possibly start this year. When November hits and every player is injured, I want the 6'5 thoroughbred with a good arm to lead my squad through the home stretch, not the guy who benches less than the walk-on kickers. I think Tate could be good in another scheme and showed some toughness last year, but there's only so much the mind can do to ignore the body. I'd be curious to see how forcier would do for a mike Leach passing spread instead of a bruising read option role that he currently holds.
Until devin is ready though, I expect to see more of Denard who provides the running ability Tate simply doesn't have (don't confuse mobilty, which troy had, with running ability, which troy barely had).
In the big ten, a 220 lb rb is actually a relief. Between Beanie, Clarett, Clay, Hill, Dayne, Winston, Caulcrick, Duckett, Hunt and many others., you might find a bigger load rumbling behind the 240 lb fullback. There will always be more, like brionte dunn.
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