Lu, How do we attack F$U on offense and defense?

[AUcane]

FSU's MO against us is always stack the box early. The minute we start completing some passes or getting some decent chunks on the ground, they immediately soften up their D and are in backpedal mode. That's what we need to do. Hopefully an off set screen pass like we did to start the 2009 game with (To JJ) is something to get Morris and team going.

 

[SoFlaSmitty]

I think the way to win is to pound the ball for the whole game, I do like the above posters point about them looking to not let Duke get off. On first series set up quick screens and routes with Morris hitting his target make them respect the pass. Going deep unless wide open I hate. Morris tends to think homerun ball even if a safety is over the top and throws an int.

 

[Ibis Wingz]

IMO, it is going to be very difficult to run the ball down their throats from the beginning of the game. You have got to think that they will be gameplanning to stop the run and force Morris to beat them. We have to have some early success throwing the ball or we don't stand a chance.

Which is why I can envision us coming out throwing the ball. FSU will be thinking we're scared to put the game in Morris's hands and are looking to shorten the game, so they'll probably be teeing off on the run game right off the bat.

Precisely. If fans on message boards realize that running the ball is our strong suit and are arguing that we should have a game plan that accentuates running the ball, I'm pretty sure that Jizzbo and company can see the same thing. Assuming they do, then they will gear their defense to stopping the run and will be more vulnerable to the pass. Steveland Morris is a capable QB, and will make Jizzbo pay, if given the opportunity.

 

[bozcane]

...with a lance, while they're asleep.

 

[weownfsu]

FSU's MO against us is always stack the box early. The minute we start completing some passes or getting some decent chunks on the ground, they immediately soften up their D and are in backpedal mode. That's what we need to do. Hopefully an off set screen pass like we did to start the 2009 game with (To JJ) is something to get Morris and team going.

Yep. I'd love to see us start with a screen pass or even that quick pass to a WR (like Stacy) and let him get 4-5 yards.

 

[Consigliere]

FSU's MO against us is always stack the box early. The minute we start completing some passes or getting some decent chunks on the ground, they immediately soften up their D and are in backpedal mode. That's what we need to do. Hopefully an off set screen pass like we did to start the 2009 game with (To JJ) is something to get Morris and team going.

Truth. I think they are really going to try and take away the run. Recent success has come due to the ground game while we're averaging 2 INTs per game (over the last three games). Combine that with Dorsett (deep threat) being out, I think they will cheat up and try to take away the run.

It's clear that the last 3 games (GT, UNC and WF) a good amount of success came on the ground:

GT: 31 for 227 and 2 TDs
UNC: 45 for 234 and 2 TDs
WF: 40 for 200 and 2 TDs

Avg Per Game: 39 for 220 (5.6) and 2 TDs

While our QB has done the following:

GT: 17 for 22, 324 Yards 3 TDs and 2 INTs
UNC: 19 for 35, 322 Yards 0 TD and 4 INTs
WF: 17 for 28, 191 Yards 1 TD and O INT

Avg Per Game: 18 for 28 (62.4%), 278 1.3 TD and 2 INTs

While I think we will need to establish a run game and Duke will need to have a big time game, it would not shock me to come out throwing.

 

[weownfsu]

Also, I'd love to see a pop pass to Warlord but I'm scared of them dropping a DE into coverage and picking us off.

 

[rsa coral gables]

i said this somewhere before. it might be good to start much like we started the second half of wake with morris throwing a few high percentage passes for 5-7 yards. that is not likely what they are expecting and it will get morris in a good rhythm and provide him with confidence. we have to do that which they do not expect (screens and draws).

 

[Sandman211]

Our O-line has to have a solid game. Keeping Morris comfortable will be extremely important. Hitting some of his best/favorite plays early on to get him in a groove to where he's comfortable. If he gets uncomfortable back in the pocket, our run game will have to pick up the slack quite a bit. Hopefully our passing game will set up the run nicely.

 

[Canesfan1899]

Whenever I read **** like "I only trust so-and-so's opinions" it smells a lot like chefcane territory. Putting any particular poster up on a pedestal to give you opinions to parrot is a recipe for failure and takes away from generating any meaningful discussion.

I have no problem with othres giving their opinions and very sorry you aren't a fan of asking for specific posters for their opinions but if you have folloed these boards you would notice that Lu typically knows his ****.

 

[LuCane]

Let's get things started like this:

1. Be aware of #9 any time he is on the field.

Last week, they ran a fake FB dive to get him on a pitchout. It got them to 7-0 They later ran him on a fake punt. Karlos Williams is a converted defensive player, but the guy is an athletic weirdo. He runs mostly in a straight line with one sharp cutback, so the idea is to get him stopped before he gets started. I think they'll use him to stretch out our run defense. But, in reality, as a decoy who could soften up our middle.

2. Look out for this formation/package: 3 WR, 2 Backs (sometimes w/ an "H-Back").



Run throughout their season and last week against NC State, this formation is a problem for our tendency to be rigid (and keep 3 LBs in the game). It's 2 Backs, 3 WRs. They place two WRs to the wide side of the field. They can do a lot out of the running game out of here, but they're extremely dangerous off the playaction. Why I think it's such a problem for us is that they get great protection out of it. Sometimes they use O'Leary in motion to come across the formation and just help out blocking. Which means they are able to send WRs across defensive zones almost completely. Those deep crosses are a nightmare for our Safeties in particular. If you see them pack in 6-7 to block off this type of formation, I'll hold my breath on Benjamin or Greene coming completely across the field.

3. Stay disciplined "in the booth"



By "in the booth," I mean in our game plan. FSU does a bunch of different stuff defensively. They walk guys up before the snap. They blitz from the LBs and Safeties and Corners. However, over the course of the season, I've also seen them in this defensive coverage below, with 2 Safeties deep. If and when they keep two Safeties deep, my prayer is that we stay "stubborn." This means come out in 2TE, 2WRs, Shotgun. When Morris reads 2 Safeties pre-snap, run power with Duke. Bring Wheeler or Feliciano around. Maybe it nets us 3 yards a bunch of times. But, it's how we control the game AND gives us the best chance to get Duke one on one with one of their Safeties who come flying down. If Duke can cut that back, that's probably our best chance for a big play against a really fast defense.

I'll have more later. Hope we can keep the discussion going.

 

[Canesfan1899]

IMO, it is going to be very difficult to run the ball down their throats from the beginning of the game. You have got to think that they will be gameplanning to stop the run and force Morris to beat them. We have to have some early success throwing the ball or we don't stand a chance.

Which is why I can envision us coming out throwing the ball. FSU will be thinking we're scared to put the game in Morris's hands and are looking to shorten the game, so they'll probably be teeing off on the run game right off the bat.

I wouldn't mind this and going with the tempo.

 

[bozcane]

Not X's & O's. General plan.You may say duh.:

Coley's inside info will be an interesting contribution to attacking them at their weakest point (wherever that is).
BC mixed it up. Moreover, they weren't afraid of FSU. We should take confidence from that, and not go in fearfully.
OL needs to be on fire from the very first play. Keep in up the entire game long - no small task against their D.
They'll come after Morris hard to crush his confidence early and often. He needs to be ready to make quick, sound decisions. Screens, if he keeps his cool and throws true will burn them.
Must get the run working and work play action off that success.
Trick plays hopefully aren't our entire offensive success. If so, gonna be a long night.

 

[LuCane]

If I were FSU, against our defense, this is what I'd try to dominate:

1. 6 (including the RB) stay in to block. 3 WRs. 1 TE. Verticals from everyone except the outside WR to the wide side of the field. That WR runs a shallow cross. The read is isn't complex: seam route inside with a drag behind it - something I wish we'd see more of from our offense, but Morris has to be able to hit the seam route.

Against what I've seen us do, we'd need R. Jenkins to have the game of his life AND work in unison with Perryman/Gaines to consistently stop this attack. Another way to address it is to go with what some have called for: take your chances with the pass rushers (Mccord and AQM) to disrupt things on earlier downs. If we stay in our predictable DL package and set and FSU does this, Winston will have more than enough time to read a simple combination in the middle of the field. See below:

 

[DCF in LA]

Whenever I read **** like "I only trust so-and-so's opinions" it smells a lot like chefcane territory. Putting any particular poster up on a pedestal to give you opinions to parrot is a recipe for failure and takes away from generating any meaningful discussion.

I have no problem with othres giving their opinions and very sorry you aren't a fan of asking for specific posters for their opinions but if you have folloed these boards you would notice that Lu typically knows his ****.

I've been following "these boards" since 98 or something, before Grassy was even a thing. I'm well aware of Lu and countless others over the years who can put together a well-reasoned post. I'll reiterate: putting anybody on a pedestal is ******* stupid. Read from a variety of sources and think for yourself.

 

[DCF in LA]

Whenever I read **** like "I only trust so-and-so's opinions" it smells a lot like chefcane territory. Putting any particular poster up on a pedestal to give you opinions to parrot is a recipe for failure and takes away from generating any meaningful discussion.

I consistently repeat I don't know **** and just like to talk football, so the reference to ChefCane is offensive. Fighting words, bruh.

I would have thought you could discern the intent of my post. Guess I'll have to take you off the pedestal

 

[LuCane]

Whenever I read **** like "I only trust so-and-so's opinions" it smells a lot like chefcane territory. Putting any particular poster up on a pedestal to give you opinions to parrot is a recipe for failure and takes away from generating any meaningful discussion.

I consistently repeat I don't know **** and just like to talk football, so the reference to ChefCane is offensive. Fighting words, bruh.

I would have thought you could discern the intent of my post. Guess I'll have to take you off the pedestal

I was joking. Anything related to a comparison to Chefcane is offensive.

 

[nope44]

One interesting thing I've noticed is our first down run attacks. I don't have it broken in great detail, but I've noticed about 75% of the time (from my rough count we've run the ball 263 times on first down and passed 196 times). A lot of those stats are skewed because of softies like FAU, Savannah State , USF and running deep in the fourth against Gtech, UNC and Wake.

One thing I did notice is that most of our early success in the tougher games, and even USF, is when we tend to throw a little more on first down. I think to have some success, we need to keep throwing more on first down with short routes that get us at least 2-4 yards. It opens up our playbook and gives us a chance to have better opportunities in shorter yardage situations. Guessing Coley, he'll throw more bubble screens than RB screens, but it would be a good way to keep them off balanced and keep the pass rush off. It also gets Morris in a better rhythm (ideally and theoretically), but we need superb blocking by the WR on the LOS and we need Morris to audible out appropriately when they overload to stop that. We also need to run a few pump fakes on it to keep them honest from just shooting the LOS on the snap.

 

[DCF in LA]

Against what I've seen us do, we'd need R. Jenkins to have the game of his life AND work in unison with Perryman/Gaines to consistently stop this attack. Another way to address it is to go with what some have called for: take your chances with the pass rushers (Mccord and AQM) to disrupt things on earlier downs. If we stay in our predictable DL package and set and FSU does this, Winston will have more than enough time to read a simple combination in the middle of the field. See below:

View attachment 23946

I don't think we have the horses at LB and SS to hang, all other things being equal. The thought of Armbrister, Cornelius and Highsmith in space against their WRs or RBs is not a comforting one. Will need to invoke the holy spirit and tackle, tackle, tackle. Generating an early turnover (and converting it into points) would be huge. And if Winstrol is half the QB the entire country thinks he is, the second he sees 17 or 98 on the field before a passing sitch on 3rd down, he should be audibling to a power run at either of them. Seems like an easy way to neutralize that particular tactic, should it ever come up.

Ultimately, getting exotic would be extremely out of character for this staff so don't hold your breath. I'm not expecting anything earth-shattering other than a few more blitzes to test Winstrol's decision-making. We'll play safe, attempt keep things in front of us and try to knock their heads off and force a fumble or three. And if we can actually generate a pass rush with 4, it might be enough to keep it close for a while. After that, just hope the good version of Morris shows up.

 

[Coach Macho]

I attended a clinic by Pruitt last March. Dude had some nice concepts. He spoke alot about what he likes to do against trips formation.

/cool story