It's never too early to focus on the next opponent! And as a fan, I don't have to spend time on Weber St. I watched a replay of the Ole Miss vs. S Alabama game today and jotted down some notes below. This team is essentially a worse version of Dykes' offense but with a mobile QB and a much better defense. They worry me more than UNC did, but at least we get them at home. More below:
Ole Miss Offense:
Lots of 4-wide throwing to large possession receivers, coupled with an option read game with the RB and QB. When handing off to the RB, their running game is mostly stretch or draw plays and was not very effective. They ran fast tempo which led to a huge time of possession disadvantage (similar to Dykes’ problem). This is a Dykes-like air raid attack, which I think gives our defense an advantage since we are used to practicing against it. The problem is they have 4 big, talented WRs who can cause matchup problems.
QB patterson – somewhat accurate in underneath routes but deep ball needs work. He is highly elusive in the pocket (locally compared to Manzel) but a bit eager to scramble rather than keep his eyes down field, because he’s so good at scrambling. They will throw in a couple of zone reads / speed options with him to keep the defense honest, but not many. Most of his rushing yards will come from scrambling off broken down plays
HB – Wilkins is a fast, straight ahead run-you-over back, but not as evasive. In general, was not very effective when running or receiving
WR – very large WRs; ran more possession routes (hooks, outs, slant routes) than burning downfield; very hard for southern Alabama to cover 1:1. In fact, all 4 of their starting receivers are built more like Veasy than like Stovall. A.J. Brown (#1) essentially took over the game vs. S Alabama in the 3rd quarter with raw talent.
Defense:
Lots of blitzing in general by this team, especially out of 4-2 nickel; sending linebackers, nickel back or safety. Often rushed 5 or more out of this formation. Screen plays and draws were there to be had against this defense. South Alabama also ran stretch / toss plays away from the blitz with some effect. Problem was lack of talent at the skill positions to capitalize on the good play calls. In the second half, Ole Miss often lined up like they were going to blitz the house and would then drop back into a cover 2 zone, which was pretty effective.
DT Jones - a 315 pound run stuffer, but Ole Miss is not as stalwart when he’s out of the game (seems to get tired easily). South Alabama also had more success running toss plays than anything between the tackles.
CBs Jones, Julius and Hartsfield – all 5’11” sophomores who are talented but prone to mistakes. Ole Miss puts these guys in man coverage with their heavy blitz schemes, and the sophomores got beat by South Alabama’s WRs on a couple of occasions (including one back-shoulder throw on a go route for a TD). I suspect Bowers will make these guys pay when he steps into the pocket and delivers a throw while taking a hit from the blitzing LB.
Ole Miss Offense:
Lots of 4-wide throwing to large possession receivers, coupled with an option read game with the RB and QB. When handing off to the RB, their running game is mostly stretch or draw plays and was not very effective. They ran fast tempo which led to a huge time of possession disadvantage (similar to Dykes’ problem). This is a Dykes-like air raid attack, which I think gives our defense an advantage since we are used to practicing against it. The problem is they have 4 big, talented WRs who can cause matchup problems.
QB patterson – somewhat accurate in underneath routes but deep ball needs work. He is highly elusive in the pocket (locally compared to Manzel) but a bit eager to scramble rather than keep his eyes down field, because he’s so good at scrambling. They will throw in a couple of zone reads / speed options with him to keep the defense honest, but not many. Most of his rushing yards will come from scrambling off broken down plays
HB – Wilkins is a fast, straight ahead run-you-over back, but not as evasive. In general, was not very effective when running or receiving
WR – very large WRs; ran more possession routes (hooks, outs, slant routes) than burning downfield; very hard for southern Alabama to cover 1:1. In fact, all 4 of their starting receivers are built more like Veasy than like Stovall. A.J. Brown (#1) essentially took over the game vs. S Alabama in the 3rd quarter with raw talent.
Defense:
Lots of blitzing in general by this team, especially out of 4-2 nickel; sending linebackers, nickel back or safety. Often rushed 5 or more out of this formation. Screen plays and draws were there to be had against this defense. South Alabama also ran stretch / toss plays away from the blitz with some effect. Problem was lack of talent at the skill positions to capitalize on the good play calls. In the second half, Ole Miss often lined up like they were going to blitz the house and would then drop back into a cover 2 zone, which was pretty effective.
DT Jones - a 315 pound run stuffer, but Ole Miss is not as stalwart when he’s out of the game (seems to get tired easily). South Alabama also had more success running toss plays than anything between the tackles.
CBs Jones, Julius and Hartsfield – all 5’11” sophomores who are talented but prone to mistakes. Ole Miss puts these guys in man coverage with their heavy blitz schemes, and the sophomores got beat by South Alabama’s WRs on a couple of occasions (including one back-shoulder throw on a go route for a TD). I suspect Bowers will make these guys pay when he steps into the pocket and delivers a throw while taking a hit from the blitzing LB.
