Stopping the OSU offense, part 1: tackle, tackle, tackle

So over the last week, I have watched a bunch of video of OSU highlights from this season (can be seen here).  I am going to try and highlight a number of the sets and plays they run and how I think our defense can match up.

Before I do, let's look at some of the key players for OSU and how Oregon needs to match up with them.  This OSU offense is unlike any OSU we have seen in a while.  They are healthy, their stars have been playing well lately, and they know the system they are running very well.  Everybody on this team is well coached.  They don't have a lot of physical "wow" factor on the team, but they make sure to make the most of every aspect of the players they have.

The key to this game defensively is going to be to make them one dimensional and then play fundamentally sound and disciplined football.  If Oregon tries to over pursue, or take too many angles on OSU, they will burn them for big plays.

I wish I could track the number of missed tackles in this game, because I think it will be the statistic that determines the winner.  If Oregon gets to the Rogers brothers, they have to bring them down.  When Oregon gets to Canfield, they have to get the sack.  Oregon CANNOT let him escape and get a second chance in the play.  Oregon has to take away the other guys on OSU 1:1 and make them rely heavily on James and Quizz against overloaded sets to produce the yards needed.  Autzen needs to be a factor and help Oregon's defense by rattling their young offensive line and turning short yardage situations into obvious passing downs.  Lastly, Oregon has to tackle, tackle, tackle!!!  Oregon needs to fly to the ball, wrap up, and bring them down.  Missed tackles will turn punting situations into first downs, and short plays into game changers.

On to the breakdown.  First, highlighting some of their stars and statistics:

Quarterback Play:

Canfield is the most efficient QB in the Pac 10 (sound familiar... cough... Stanford... cough... Arizona).  He has done a tremendous job throughout the year improving on a number of areas that got them beat earlier in the year.  Early in the season the Rodgers brothers accounted for over 70% of their total yards rushing and receiving.  That number is down to 61%.  Canfield has made a concerted effort to spread the ball around and has started hitting the TE and other WRs more often making defenses play a little more honest.  His TD/INT ratio is one of the best in the conference.  Plus, his completion percentage is really high.  Oregon is going to have to try to force him out of the pocket.  He is not a very good scrambler, and if Oregon can cut down the field and make him throw to one side, they can limit not only what type of passes he throws, but also who he throws those passes to.

Rushing Game:

We all know the two names listed here.  Quizz is a BEAST.  He is a work horse who looks like he has no intention of slowing down whatsoever (man, can you just go to the NFL already!!).  Most of Quizz's runs come out of the pro style offense that Riley employs.  He is second in the league in yards and attempts per game and also second only to Gerhart in touchdowns.  James Rodgers has increased his number of carries this season, but his yards and TD's are both down.  Personally, I think they are not running the "Fly Sweep" as effectively as previous seasons, and it is hurting James' production.  Recently they have gone to some more "Wildcat" (Wild-Rat) offenses with Quizz taking the direct snap and James in motion.  Look for this in the Civil War, as it has been a thorn in Oregon's side defensively.  Both Rodgers are not big "Gerhart" like runners and Oregon's front seven should be able to bring them down.  The key is bringing them down on first contact.  If you let these guys break tackles and get to the second level, Lewis, Boyett, Jackson, Johnson, and Harris are going to have trouble containing them.  I don't look for OSU to run over Oregon offensively like Stanford did, but they will institute a number of the same formations and if Oregon does not tackle properly, the Rodgers brothers are going to have a huge day.

Wide Receivers:

First two names on the list look familiar?  Quizz is more of an outlet for Canfield and besides the screen play, not a lot of passing plays are called for him.  James is their go to guy.  He has big play threat, and he is also a great route runner.  The guy can pretty much do anything at the WR position.  Once again, NO YARDS AFTER THE CATCH!  He is going to get open and make plays, but we have to limit those plays to the yards thrown for, and no more.  Adeniji has become the second option for Canfield in the passing game, and runs a lot of deep routes.  Look for Harris to be locked up on him all day and this is going to be Harris' biggest test all year.  Halahuni is their TE.  He definitely has some plays called his way (more in the second half of the year), but he is a great safety valve for Canfield.  If James is covered and Adeniji does not get open deep, Halahuni will most likely be running an underneath route.  Paysinger is going to need to be on him like stink on Corvallis (oh and Paysinger, if you feel like actually catching one of your INT opportunities this game, feel free to take it back to the house).

Offensive Line:

Probably the biggest improvement all year has come from their guys up front.  As you can see this is a young group and also not a very big group of guys either (compared to Stanford who had four 300+ o-line man, and a beast of a FB too).  Quizz's abilities mask a lot of problems that still exist with the OSU o-line, but they are more fundamentally sound then they were earlier in the year when a lot of OSU fans were looking for Moevao to return so that their QB wouldn't have to play every game from his back.  I think Oregon is going to be able to exploit some of the weaknesses that still exist, but it is going to take a very disciplined game plan.  Since OSU's o-line is still young, when OSU is in obvious passing situations Oregon should be able to throw a number of different blitz packages at them that they haven't seen and allow an Oregon LB or Safety to get after Canfield (if only they will let Casey Matthews out of jail for this game).  Also, because they are a relatively undersized o-line, Bair, Toeania,Tukuafu and Ferras should be able to hold their ground and force Quizz to make reads off the LBs shooting through the gaps.

Lastly, I won't take time to tell you how big the Autzen crowd is going to need to be, you can read it here.  Just remember, this is #1 versus #2 in the Pac 10 for the third time for Oregon this year and the first time for OSU, and this is the first time a number of these young o-line have experienced this type of intensity, this amount at stake, and this level of noise...ever.  Let's hope Autzen accounts for 25 yards worth of false starts and turns a couple of 2nd or 3rd and shorts into long and obvious passing situations.

Conference Rankings:

As you can see, OSU is highly ranked in a lot of offensive categories in the Pac 10 this year.  As much as OSU relies on Quizz to carry their rushing load, they are only 6th in the Pac 10, but 1st in passing.  OSU really uses the run very well to set up their pass.  Their play action is some of the best we will see since BSU.   Unfortunately, they are 9th in sacks allowed, so we should be able to get to Canfield.  OSU does not turn the ball over very much (oh and by the way, Quizz has never fumbled...jinx...jinx...jinx... QUIZZ HAS NEVER FUMBLED!!!) and Oregon is really good at taking the ball away.  This is going to be a matchup of a very good, well balanced offense versus a good defense in their own house.

Tell me what you think.  I think Oregon has the ability to turn Canfield into a scrambling passer and force OSU into a lot of TE passes and outlet valve throws to Quizz.  I hope Oregon has taken the extra time this week to work on tackling and making sure they fly to the ball and bring down the guy.  This is going to be a great game for the state of Oregon and for the Pac 10.  Go Ducks!!!!