12-11-2015, 03:26 PM
I would generally describe Stanford's approach in the following way:
On offense, the Cardinal start running out the clock from the opening possession.Â
When it's working: The offensive line is dominant, giving our Voldemort RB a 5 yard head start before contact. Hogan throws enough to keep the defense honest, hitting a few deep ones to the TEs and WRs and converting enough third and 4's with his arm or legs to sustain drives. McCaffrey and Love do their thing.Â
When it's not working: The defense sells out to stop the run and we can't adjust. Hogan loses his footwork and mechanics and can't hit open throws, which are few and far between because our WR can't get any separation. Penalties and lack of run game are putting us in second and long, and our offensive personnel are not equipped to convert third and 5+. We are 2-5 in Hogan's career in games where he has 30+ pass attempts.
Our defense is as good as a defense can be that is ranked 69th in sacks (only after "erupting" for 4 in the most recent game vs. SC) and 115th in creating turnovers. Bend but don't break has never been more appropriate a description.
When it's working: The defensive front can at least disrupt the QB, our run defense is solid and the secondary is keeping everything in front of them. We can force a timely turnover and get to the QB on a key third down. The opposing team stalls out in the red zone repeatedly.
When it's not working: Inability to create any big plays on defense forces us into complete bend but don't break mode. Opposing team executes in the red zone and puts up 7's instead of 3's. Opposing QB can dance around at will, with all day to find deep throws over the top or shorter throws to move the chains. Our safeties take some non-geometrically sound angles in run support and we give up long runs.
On offense, the Cardinal start running out the clock from the opening possession.Â
When it's working: The offensive line is dominant, giving our Voldemort RB a 5 yard head start before contact. Hogan throws enough to keep the defense honest, hitting a few deep ones to the TEs and WRs and converting enough third and 4's with his arm or legs to sustain drives. McCaffrey and Love do their thing.Â
When it's not working: The defense sells out to stop the run and we can't adjust. Hogan loses his footwork and mechanics and can't hit open throws, which are few and far between because our WR can't get any separation. Penalties and lack of run game are putting us in second and long, and our offensive personnel are not equipped to convert third and 5+. We are 2-5 in Hogan's career in games where he has 30+ pass attempts.
Our defense is as good as a defense can be that is ranked 69th in sacks (only after "erupting" for 4 in the most recent game vs. SC) and 115th in creating turnovers. Bend but don't break has never been more appropriate a description.
When it's working: The defensive front can at least disrupt the QB, our run defense is solid and the secondary is keeping everything in front of them. We can force a timely turnover and get to the QB on a key third down. The opposing team stalls out in the red zone repeatedly.
When it's not working: Inability to create any big plays on defense forces us into complete bend but don't break mode. Opposing team executes in the red zone and puts up 7's instead of 3's. Opposing QB can dance around at will, with all day to find deep throws over the top or shorter throws to move the chains. Our safeties take some non-geometrically sound angles in run support and we give up long runs.