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How would you gameplan against OSU

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Nutriaitch

Nutriaitch

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On our board, an OSU fan had a good question. Asked how would we gameplan against LSU if we were y'all. So I'm gonna reverse it here. If you were Miles leading this LSU team into this game, how would you gameplan against the Buckeyes?
 
I'd crowd the line, jam the WRs, and make OSU either run over me with Wells or have Boeckman try and throw over me. Florida did exactly that once they saw Ginn was out of the game. The turned their DEs loose every down and Smith never had time to wait for his WRs to beat the jam at the LOS. I wish we had run the ball more to keep their DL honest.
 
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OSU has lost a grand total of four games over the past 3-1/2 years. Texas in '05, Penn St in '05, Florida in '06, and Illinois in '07. OSU played about as poorly as possible, and UF about as well as possible, in the '06/07 championship game. Why we gave a four year starter a soft zone and let UF's athlete catch the ball in space I'll never, ever figure out (well, actually I already know why, but this years D has a dozen quality DBs and LBs, not three). The other three all had the same blueprint though: Run the read-option with the QB, attack the middle, not the edges, and force turnovers.

If Matt Flynn plays the majority of the game, I think that will be to LSU's detriment. If I were Les, I'd spend the next four weeks perfecting an offense built around Perriloux having a run-option.
 
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Well said Mili.

The last two years, OSU has jumped out to early leads, forcing teams to play catchup and rely upon the pass. This defense is stellar all around in coverage and pass rushing, while many of those same standouts are not as effective against the run (Gholston, Worthington, Freeman, Laur at times).

Teams have put a hat on Laurinaitis with regularity, leaving Freeman to make plays. He executed well (other than a few big runs) vs PSU, he did not vs ILL. I would test him again if I'm LSU.

Horizontal rushes generally fail against OSU's speed (sweeps, etc... option is a different beast). Running at them works at times, especially with some weaknesses up front (esp DT if Denlinger is still dinged up).
I wish we had run the ball more to keep their DL honest.
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:smash: So does Pittman after his lone drive with the ball (where he ran over them).
Why we gave a four year starter a soft zone and let UF's athlete catch the ball in space I'll never, ever figure out. The other three all had the same blueprint though: Run the read-option with the QB, attack the middle, not the edges, and force turnovers.
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Part of that was protecting limited safeties, as well as some injuries for Smith & O'Neal. But I agree attacking leak (as teams did all year) would have been a far better protection.
 
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There's a lot of things to consider, but the biggest keys would be:

1. Pressure on Boeckman. If he can sit in the pocket with 5 or 7-step drops, it will be a long day for LSU's secondary. Make the Buckeyes throw quick slants or screens, or make Boeckman rush his passes. Both spell trouble for the Buckeye's passing game.

2. Make the Buckeyes bring more than the front 4. If we pressure your QB (I assume Flynn) with just the front 4, I REALLY REALLY like our chances. Our secondary is too good if we can drop 6 or 7.

I guess bottom line is who does a better job getting pressure on the QB would be my #1 key.
 
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Agree with the spread option look posts. Running a straight formation has been very ineffective against OSU all year. Our defense can play with anyone man vs. man. Getting the QB running on designed runs is key against OSU. I'm not sure you can get to this D by running straight ahead with halfbacks.

On defense you must force OSU to pass to have a chance. If Beanie, Mo and Saine get going its good night. If Beanie is picking up chunks on most plays the offense is extremely effective. If you can force Boeckman to pass you need to hope your DBs are athletic enough to outjump our guys. Boeckman doesn't throw the prettiest or most accurate pass but he puts it where the wideouts can make plays. The key is athletic secondary play.
 
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Offense:
Pressure will come from the edges. You have to do something to neutralize it, but screens have been disasters for our opponents this year. What you do will depend on which QB is in. Perriloux(sp?) can roll out and beat the rush with his feet. Flynn will have to beat it with a quick release.

Which brings me to the obvious point: get the tight-end just past the linebackers. There have been times this year where that was open and the opposing QB just didn't hit it.

A steady diet of that, along with throwing to the backs (not screens) might loosen up the running game a little. Don't expect to make a living with the run, regardless. We had one bad day against Illinois. We won't game plan based on your first half against Tulane, you shouldn't game plan based on our worst performance either.
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Defense:
What kind of a plan do you need if you have a healthy Dorsey?

Pressure Boeckman. He can beat you regardless of pressure if he gets hot. But if you get to him early you might be able to keep him cold all day. He's streaky, so it's definitely possible.

As for containing Beanie: don't give up the pressure on Boeckman to try to contain Beanie unless you absolutely have to. If Beanie is healthy, he'll get his yards. Keep in mind that with one mistake an offense can get into 2nd and long, which can become 3rd and intermediate (at least) pretty easily. Obvious passing downs and a healthy Glenn Dorsey are all you need to stop drives.

If we have a tailback that lines up in the backfield but then moves to a wide-out position; keep in mind that we've never thrown to that person in that situation all season. Not once.

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In General:
Watch film of OSU from every season while Tressel has been there. You will get something that has not been used at all this year, and you might get a lot of it. Remember the names Ray Small and Brandon Saine.
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Honestly? Tell Miles to play a conservative game for a change. LSU has better recruits than tOSU, granted I expect our players to play their hearts out, but if you play a conservative game, get the ball into your playmakers hands and stay conservative on defense, never letting the Bucks get the big play, that will change the game.

We're going to rely on the running game and some big plays when we can get them. Stop that, stop us, win a title. The Question is, can Miles actually do that?
 
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Put a lot of guys in the box and try to shut down Beanie Wells. Make Todd Boeckman make plays downfield by making Boeckman beat you deep. The average person can look at film and figure out Boeckman has underthrown a lot of passes this year. Pressure Boeckman, he has not really been highly tested this year, force Boeckman to be a playmaker. As for Ohio State's defense, they adjust well to most offenses, but spread the defense out. Take advantage of your speed and try to establish an effective offense. I must say if you do a good job of spreading the ball out and using Perriloux effectively, the offense may be pretty successful. Offense is going to be your biggest struggle in trying to figure out an effective game plan to run against the Buckeyes.
 
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Dryden;1019952; said:
If Matt Flynn plays the majority of the game, I think that will be to LSU's detriment. If I were Les, I'd spend the next four weeks perfecting an offense built around Perriloux having a run-option.
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Both guys can run though. From what I understand, Flynn has the experience, whereas Perrilloux has more upside. That sound right?

The 4 teams that have beaten us in the past 3 years or so all had very quick and talented D-lines and linebackers. But it wasn't just the type of players they had, but how they used them. Like Mili said, they brought the heat early and often, and jammed our receivers at the line. As a result, they were able to force turnovers and we lost the field position battle.

On offense, spread the field and attack the middle of our line. Screen passes and the outside running game will not work, but I suppose with a guy like Trindon Holliday anything could happen. Fortunately for you, and unfortunately for us, you got Jacob Hester. James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman vs. Hester and Co. could be the story of the game. And since we'll have to bring our LB'ers in to stop the run, it will open the doors for playaction, which we've been notorious for biting on hard this year. If our defense plays like we did against Illinois - tentative, hesitant, and seemingly always mismatched - it'll be a long night for us. If they play like we did against Michigan - attacking, swarming blitzes coming from all angles - then it could be a long day for you guys!

Only time will tell. Damnit, still more than a month to go!
 
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rocketman;1019974; said:
Both guys can run though. From what I understand, Flynn has the experience, whereas Perrilloux has more upside. That sound right?
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That's about right. A lot of fans called for Perrilloux earlier this year because of the success he had. But I give credit to the staff for putting him in the games in situations where he could be successful. He did well against Tenn. Nothing amazing or special, but he never choked, or made any killer mistakes. Dude has a really good arm, and can run very well. Problem is that like Tebow, he takes some solid hits. Only he ain't as big as Tebow, so don't know how many of those he can take.
 
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OCbuckfan- Exactly what I was thinking...

Not to sound like a downer but right now OSU can probably match LSU talent for talent but LSU's talent is far more matured and battle tested (especially this year). I truely believe it will be the coaches who decide this game. My guess is Les Miles will gamble and Jim Tressel will just play borederline conservative (although not ultra conservative).

If I was LSU though I would play a cover 3 zone with a base 4-3 defense. I would say just stack the box but so far this year OSU has thrived when teams do that. We've shown no problem running the ball with 8-9 in the box, and where we've improved this year is hitting the deep ball. Last year we didn't have a great vertical throwing game (despite all that speed), but thats something we're good at this year. So I think not allowing anything deep, and just making OSU drive the length of the field is a must. No big plays via the deep ball.

On offense for LSU I would run hester right at us off the edges on some time of read play for starters. This is what has me concerned the most about LSU. I'd move the Flynn around and give him a run/throw option because OSU's linebackers came sometime struggle with QB's in space. I'd also forget any type of reverse, quick pitch, half back passes, and screens. So far this year we've ate that stuff up ESPECIALLY the reverses/and screens. I wouldn't line it up and straight run at us either though. The best bet would be to get Holida/duecette/and #1 on the field and spread them out. Then either get them the ball on PASSES or run the option at us. The QB has got to be patient as well because I'm not kidding but Malcom Jenkins our CB will give Ducette big time fits so I would bet money that #1 for LSU will have a bigger game than Early.
 
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