How should ND attack BYU

I have shared my thoughts on how BYU should attack ND (probably too many thoughts), I want to give my thoughts on how ND should attack BYU and would love feedback.



ND on offense:



I would establish the run early, although it could be tough sledding I want try to hammer BYU as I am not sure I want my defense on the field too long given BYU’s offensive style and ND’s depth/injury issues. If ND can establish a serviceable running game this opens a lot of options.



In the passing game I would do everything possible to create 1x1 match ups with the DBs, I believe this is NDs biggest advantage are the WRs vs the DBs. NDs WRs have a huge talent advantage, although the WRs (except Jones) are underclassmen I like this match-up. ND should get the ball out quick as I would expect BYU to bring the heat all day, and I would work with Rees to identify LBs faking the blitz and dropping into coverage (Rees will give BYU LBs a freebie if they pay attention). The passes need to be short and easy, setting for big plays over the top as I think the WRs can shake free if Rees is given time. Do NOT roll Rees out, not idea why Kelly does this but it usually ends badly.



The key to all this is establishing the run. Try to take control of the clock by ball control and taking big shots down field. ND will move the ball, it is a matter of how effective.

I would expect Jones, Daniels and Nikalaus (TE) to have big days receiving, and would hope McDaniels could be the workhorse. Key should be red zone, Kelly needs to RUN THE BALL in the red zone.



ND on defense:



I crowd the line and take my chances with our DBs vs BYU’s WRs. I give a cushion to not get beat deep but my goal is to take the running game away from BYU. When TH goes back to pass ND should rush but the most important thing is to contain TH, DO NOT let him break containment or it will be a long day (ND is awful with this, too many times it looks like we have gotten the QB and he breaks through the containment). Force TH to beat us with his arm in a cold windy weather.



I would double team Hoffman most of the day with a safety over the top. I take my chances on the other WRs. I do my best not get the LBs on 1x1 coverage and work more effectively on zone coverage, our LBs struggle here. Do not let BYUs RB around the edge, force Williams through the middle to Nix and Tuitt.



BYU should know ND gives up early points too easy, but comes back quickly. If I am Kelly I am focused on getting out to a quick start and to keep it going, similar issues are strong first drives than things stall out. If either team jumps out to a 10-0 or 14-0 start, that is great but the other team is still well within reach given the offensive advantages I see. I think but early in the second quarter we will see how the game is going, ND’s defense has not been good at making adjustments so it will be clear early on.



Overall with an ND win I see a 27-24 type game in a loss I see 31-27 type game.



Thoughts?



Note: did not spell check or check grammar, just rambling, apologies in advance.

Good insights, thank you.



A few thoughts:



- Our DL is our strength, too bad they are all hurt....BYU should have their way

- I would not focus on sacking TH, rather contain him and force him to throw it



Biggest unknown factors:



- Does BYU continue road woes

- Which ND team shows up

Imho, the reason for the road vs home disparity is SOS and timing differences. Even more so most years.



Road:

Virginia before TH was ready to throw and before coaches were willing to risk having Hill run vs slide.

USU vs a very good defense

Houston vs a very good offense and defense

Wisconsin vs what may be a Top 10 Team.



Home

Texas with incompetent DC and TH unleashed to run and run and run

Utah - decent offense - very good defense - U QB Healthy - TH still throwing poorly

MTSU - T Hill more experienced - mediocre opponent

Georgia Tech - T Hill more experienced - good but not great opponent

Boise State - Hill more experienced - BSU good but not great

Idaho State - poor opponent



Road woes will continue this week vs ND and then suddenly be cured @Nevada



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Hill-specific game plan: 3-step drop in the pocket, rollouts if it's not working, with RBs or OLine pulling to block if need be.



ND lost to Pitt, they're going to be mad. We have to bring pressure and play close off-the-line DB coverage to prevent short passes. I'm ok if we get beat over the top a few times, our DBs (especially Sorensen) are fast and probably won't give up too many TDs, and the INTs, incomplete passes, sacks, etc. will be worth it.



We have to try to get Mitch Mathews, Hoffman, Apo, and Ridley open in the flat and we have to use our TEs on curl routes over the middle to pull the LBs back/Safeties up and in.

cougarnerd wrote:
Hill-specific game plan: 3-step drop in the pocket, rollouts if it's not working, with RBs or OLine pulling to block if need be.



ND lost to Pitt, they're going to be mad. We have to bring pressure and play close off-the-line DB coverage to prevent short passes. I'm ok if we get beat over the top a few times, our DBs (especially Sorensen) are fast and probably won't give up too many TDs, and the INTs, incomplete passes, sacks, etc. will be worth it.



We have to try to get Mitch Mathews, Hoffman, Apo, and Ridley open in the flat and we have to use our TEs on curl routes over the middle to pull the LBs back/Safeties up and in.

Will Mitch Matthews have his arm in a sling? He is out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.



Reminds me of the post ND Cougar pasted in from another ND guy who said ND should double Hoffman and take their chances with the other receivers after listing Matthews and Falslev. I thought, what other receivers? We got Ridley and that is about it re guys with any yards and catches.



We do not have many guys to throw to. That will be an issue for us.



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Louis Nix is out for the season. I think that if BYU plays physical and runs the ball well, they will control the game. I know that our OL has struggled this season, but I feel confident that with more continuitity in personnel (as we have seen the past few weeks) they will perform and execute well.



I expect Taysom and Jamaal to run for at least 100 yards apiece. I also expect Hine to have a very good game as well. If the team will run the ball effectively, the Irish will have a hard time containing our passing game.



Defensively, I would put a lot of pressure on Rees. Don't sell out to sack him becuase that will put the defense at risk in the running game. But if the front 7 can disguise the blitz's well enough he will turn the ball over.



Go Cougs!

jmrmoney wrote:
Louis Nix is out for the season. I think that if BYU plays physical and runs the ball well, they will control the game. I know that our OL has struggled this season, but I feel confident that with more continuitity in personnel (as we have seen the past few weeks) they will perform and execute well.



I expect Taysom and Jamaal to run for at least 100 yards apiece. I also expect Hine to have a very good game as well. If the team will run the ball effectively, the Irish will have a hard time containing our passing game.



Defensively, I would put a lot of pressure on Rees. Don't sell out to sack him becuase that will put the defense at risk in the running game. But if the front 7 can disguise the blitz's well enough he will turn the ball over.



Go Cougs!

I agree with you partially in that i think byu's plan needs to be run run run this game. the weather is going to suck, our receivers are depleted and taysom hasn't been throwing as well as teams are adjusting to what we are doing on offense to scheme around our offensive line issues. i want to see a texas like performance with a few big pass plays.

Utah and Wisconsin demonstrated what Texas woulda shoulda coulda done to stop 1-dimensional Taysom. ND will try the same thing. Hill needs to take what they give which will be passing. Not sure who we have to capitalize on that. They will focus on Hoffman. Ridley, broken Apo, broken Falslev, and one or two guys that have not played much need to step up. They will get 1 on 1 or zone coverage all day.



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Bib, I'm not trying to say your post was dumb, but your last post was dumb.



Taysom is a good passer. He can sling it. He is not 1-dimensional. However, the Oline's inability pass protect makes him that way. BYU has to roll him out to buy time to throw it. If Anae has his way, Hill would be a pocket passer, but the Oline can not create a pocket consistently enough. So they roll Hill out, which immediately reduces his accuracy, and effectiveness because it cuts down on the parts of the field he can throw to.



The biggest issue BYU has faced this year is the same as the previous 2--the Oline play has not been good against good opponents. And pass blocking is especially poor.



If BYU can give Taysom time, he can hurt a team with his arm. Problem is, the line and backs rarely give him the time he needs. Hoping they can tomorrow.



Having said that, ND struggles vs. teh read-option and option this year. They were awful against Navy. I was shocked to see Navy on them as well as they did.

Lawboy wrote:
Bib, I'm not trying to say your post was dumb, but your last post was dumb.



Taysom is a good passer. He can sling it. He is not 1-dimensional. However, the Oline's inability pass protect makes him that way. BYU has to roll him out to buy time to throw it. If Anae has his way, Hill would be a pocket passer, but the Oline can not create a pocket consistently enough. So they roll Hill out, which immediately reduces his accuracy, and effectiveness because it cuts down on the parts of the field he can throw to.



The biggest issue BYU has faced this year is the same as the previous 2--the Oline play has not been good against good opponents. And pass blocking is especially poor.



If BYU can give Taysom time, he can hurt a team with his arm. Problem is, the line and backs rarely give him the time he needs. Hoping they can tomorrow.



Having said that, ND struggles vs. teh read-option and option this year. They were awful against Navy. I was shocked to see Navy on them as well as they did.

that is what i was basically saying. i want read option with taysom not being afraid at all to pull it. then this should set up the pass. i don't think that coming out and passing because that is what the d is giving him will work against nd's dline. teams are catching on our schemes to go around our crappy oline play. we must be able to run if we are going to win. i would like to see us pound it and pound it and stick with it even if it is not succesful at first. hopefully it will be successful which will buy taysom time to get some good throws off. i agree he is more than capable of killing teams with his arm if he had decent protection.



anae needs to make some adjustments again. teams have caught on. we just need our oline to run bluck like animals tomorrow.

Lawboy. You told me nothing I do not already know. My post was in response to the poster who said we should run and run and run and maybe throw once in a while. Taysom was a poor passet early. Then the game slowed down for him. Ask him. He has said that the game slowed down for him several times. Then he became a better passer - same blockers or worse. He is no longer 1-dimensionaland will need to throw more than occasionally. BYU is not Navy. If they try to be Navy - BYU loses. If Navy tries to be BYU - even worse result.



But my dumb post said this: ND is not going to let TH loose for 250 yards rushing and let BYU rush for all-time record yards like Texas did. If we played today, Texas would not either. Same players. Smarter coach.



The problem is our best receiving core BYU has ever had is singing the down to seeds and stems blues. TE same thing. Backs can't catch.



We do need to run. Alot. TH too. That will not be enough. TH will need to throw and throw to BYU players only.



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