Defensively Speaking - Stanford 2022
Anytime we defeat Stanford is a great day. Saturday was a great day! Coach David Shaw continues to hold USC in significant disdain, especially our playing of Red Zone defense. He just keeps losing games and championships (Pac-12) as a result. Keep it up Coach Shaw…You’re the best defender we’ve got at times when we play. Please keep taking points off the board too…what a knucklehead.
Many of you are interested about the Wake Forest slow mesh point Read-Pass-Option (RPO) that Shaw deployed. For a team to change their entire offense as a surprise tactic against a defense is not a strong endorsement of your own offense. I thought that if we attacked the Stanford QB (McKee) with speed and blitzing you negate the slow-read RPO and force McKee (QB) to run and escape the pocket. I was surprised we took so long to adjust to this offensive wrinkle vs. just blitz and attack it. No doubt Defensive Coordinator (DC) Grinch had his reasons but that would be a question I would ask him. Tuli was a terror for Stanford and they still haven’t really blocked him yet.
We all saw some of our defensive shortcomings including untimely Pass Interference penalties, a few missed tackles and sporadic goal line defensive line play. But as long as our offense has Caleb Williams available, we will always have a chance to win any game. It’s been years since we’ve had such a leader and talent. (Sam Darnold.…maybe)
Also, as I wrote a few weeks ago in my Defensively Speaking article I wrote,” An opener always forces adjustments but an opener with new players, scheme and coaching staff will demand significant adjustments but what this defense lacks in depth it really has great athleticism. I hope opposing teams underestimate this defense…they’re going to get a nasty surprise.”
So, Shaw and the Trees got a nasty surprise named Williams, Tuipulotu, Lee, Gentry, Bullock and others. This defense will get better, especially defending in goal line and short yardage. There is much to learn but you can’t teach speed, athleticism and a tough mindset. I’m seeing a defense grow up in front of us. I’m enjoying it and this defense will continue to improve.
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In order to improve we’ll need to get our OLBs up on the Line of Scrimmage (LOS) whether these are edge players or true OLBs. This cuts down the run lanes and allows our speed to make tackles and/or pressure the QB. See the graphic below.
Our defense will also need to work on man-to-man coverage too. But I’m optimistic because I saw the defense learn good tackling by getting pads down into the ball carriers’ legs or receiver. So this team is getting better
So, Fresno State is next up, and I expect a rough, tough game but I don’t think that there is a defense in the West that can keep up with USC’s offense. As we improve on defense, we just get even more dangerous. Bet the line and take the Over…Fight on.
