Defeating TCU’s 4-2-5

The famed TCU 4-2-5 is coming to Austin yet again. I won't be going into detail about it, but if you'd like to delve deeper, google it. Most football geeks are  familiar with what originally made Patterson's defense unique, it's split-field coverage and a divorced coverage and front. Texas will need a simple plan to account for the front's different alignments (techniques) and the variety of slants and gap exchanges they can employ. They will also need to account for the aggressive filling of the strong and weak safeties in the run game. Also, the route combinations, especially in the quick pass game must account for man and the variety of zone coverages TCU plays, Cover-2 Robber, Blue, and Cover-5.

The generic answer to all of these considerations is to formulate a game plan that stresses the strong and weak safeties' assignments and responsibilities in both run and pass defense. I don't intend on that meaning the other defenders are no worry at all. If the TCU front alone can continually defeat Texas' run blocking and pass protection, it'll be a long night! I suspect that will not be the case. So, what might we see?

Let's take a look at the Frogs' defensive alignment vs a "pro set" and spread set.

In the first picture it seems as though TCU is in a 1-high safety alignment. This is due to the distortion caused by the offensive formation, requiring the SS on the line, FS to drop down (on DKR), and the WS to come over the top to account for the gaps to the run strength and or help with coverage over the top of the #2 receiver. It also shows the type of numbers TCU can place in the box (9 players!) to defend the run. The second picture is the polar opposite of the first, notice the 2-high safety alignment here. In this case the slot shifts into the backfield to create a 3 X 1 look in which case TCU will often make one of their Solo or Special coverage calls. In Solo, the weak side CB is in man while the WS comes over the top to help with the #3 receiver. In Special the strong side CB will be in man with the SS and FS in Blue coverage while the weak side CB, WS, and Mike have their own call. So, no matter the formation, TCU effectively divides the field into smaller parts, all the while allocating numbers to areas of the field that offer higher success rates for the offense.

It's important to note the area and or space shared by the strong side SS, Mike linebacker and FS as well as the weak side CB, WS, and Sam linebacker. Texas must attempt to distort and attack these "complexes" via a quick-hitting inside and perimeter run game, horizontal and vertical stretch concepts, and the use of both run and pass action fakes to keep these players "flat-footed".

What concepts may we see? For fun I pulled some pictures from the 2012 Harsin-Patterson match up. In them I'll highlight a few ideas.

In the above picture we see motion into a bunched WR set (important motif). The #1 WR runs a stop route with #3 running an out route right underneath. Notice how the stop route creates the space necessary to throw the out route, a good combo. I like the use of stack and bunch WR sets as they grant free releases, tend to trigger zone coverage, and create novel angles of attack, whether it be in the run game or in pass patterns.

In the above picture we see something many should be familiar with from this season. "21" personnel aligned strong with a 5 yard cushion on the #1 to the boundary. Run action and the cushion yield an easy pick up on the weak side with a quick out route. Did you notice the "complexes" I referred to?

 Here we have "ghost motion" with a quick draw called to the weak side. Again, note the distortion and space where the weak side #1 receiver vacates, catching them in a call where the CB is man-covering the weak side #1.

Now we have jet motion and inside run double play-action meant to single-up a WR on a deep route. Again, the combination serves to distort and stretch the SS, FS, and CB to the passing strength.

Here we run the jet sweep paired with an inside run. This flips the passing strength while also challenging the weak side safety and corner in open space against physical blockers, another theme I anticipate.

Here is a "21" personnel strong I-formation with a twins set. The FB takes the flat, helping clarify the read of the CB and FS over the twins receivers pushing vertical.

Another perimeter run play with a lead blocker and a puller, I-formation football y'all! Again, attacking the passing strength edge and challenging defenders in space with big physical blockers.

This one is a passing concept I liked from a spread 2 X 2 set. TCU looks to be in Cover-5 and the route combination to the boundary are a short in paired with a deep in. Here, the deep in comes open.

Lastly, we have what looks like a "Scissors" concept. This is great because the quarterback reads the deep safety's leverage and throws away from it (didn't happen above). Notice the corner route WIDE OPEN.

Anyhow, I hope I've provided a few examples of how Texas may again attack Patterson's defense. Through the quick game, stacked and bunch sets, quick-hitting inside and lead perimeter runs, play-action "both ways", and seeking to distort and stretch the above mentioned "complexes" with versatile route concepts, Texas may be able to ruin the Frogs' dreams of College Football Playoff glory. Hook'em y'all!