Putting The Hog-D On A Spit...

The Arkansas defense is an over-shifted 4-3/4-2 defense that plays with 2 high safeties. They are a physical and disciplined unit capable of making life miserable for 1-dimensional teams. The strength of the Hogs defense is run defense. They are very disruptive and effective without having to "game" their fronts very often. This is due to a powerful and athletic defensive line. The Hogs pass defense is respectable, but as we'll see, there will be opportunities to aggressively attack their coverages, which tend to be a mix of cover-2, quarters, cover-1, and cover-3. They are not as aggressive with their safeties as Longhorns fans are accustomed to (TCU, BU), but they are well-disciplined in their reads and run fits. Let's take a look at how Auburn attacked them with an inexperienced QB. If I recall, Texas has one of those too.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4354445

Here, they are in a 2-high S (safety) look vs "20" personnel (RB, HB offset). Notice the FS (to the field) come down as soon as he reads run via the receiver to his side blocking or the HB arcing across formation to block instead of attack the flat. That S would also be responsible for pursuit to the field if the QB keeps on the read play.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4359675

This is a peculiar blitz. You'll note the boundary side DE drop into the short middle zone while on the field side, the Mike and SS blitz. What began as a 2-high safety coverage shell has morphed into a cover-1 look. A key to attacking this defense is quickly recognizing the S rotation in order to make quick decisions with the ball and avoid pressure. The QB receives good protection and does a great job of reading the above route concept.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4360590

2-high S coverage is shown above and it's taken advantage of with a post route. Again, note the quick recognition of the S's as well as the timely ball delivery, an area Texas has struggled. Auburn created explosive plays with the same route concept multiple times against 2-high S coverage. Expect Texas to attack downfield in a similar fashion.

The Hog defense is very formidable against the run. In order for Texas to approach the kind of efficiency needed to win on offense, the passing game must force the Hog defense into more of these 2-high coverages. This will improve Texas' chances running the ball against a very good defensive front. Given Texas' recent struggles at the QB position, this seems like a lot to ask. We will see if there has been any real growth from both the QB and the beleaguered OL come the 29th. On to some more of what Auburn did.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4360092

I chopped this play to illustrate how simple concepts can be included in the game plan. There is nothing special here, just a well thought out RB screen. I liked it because it punishes the leverage tendency of the defense against bubble screens. It's simple, yet effective.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4360162

Now, Auburn lines up heavy to the field and runs split-zone with a read on the boundary CB. They catch the defense with a "Cloud" call to the boundary, meaning the CB is the force player in the boundary alley. The "POP" pass proves effective here and results in a TD after the S misses the tackle. This is a key I'd expect other teams to attack, whether it's pulling and leading blockers to the "Cloud" CB or keying him as the flat and force defender in the pass game.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4366325

Here's a scheme that will give the Texas offense a chance to control the ball and succeed in setting up play-action opportunities, Power. This set and motion are things the Texas offensive brain trust can easily scheme into the game plan along with building a few other concepts from it. Make no mistake, Texas wants to be a zone running team, but timely use of gap schemes and lead plays are meant to punish defenses overplaying zone schemes. Auburn, of course, is very good at this. Whether Texas will be is a good question, the OL needs to step up!

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4366427

I really loved the above pass play. Auburn utilized the slant to the field and grants a receiver a free release to the boundary to run the drag vs a 1-high S coverage with man underneath. Notice if somehow the slant is taken away via leverage or quicker bracketing by the S, the drag is open with plenty of grass in front. Again, much of the pass concepts I'm seeing are easy reads for the QB. Also, like Auburn, Texas has the ability to be very effective from "11" personnel and the receivers to take advantage of shabby coverages like the ones above.

The above examples represent minor parts of Auburn's plan to attack the Hogs' defense. However, they illustrate what type of concepts may be effective in creating explosive plays for Texas. Texas (Watson) must begin creating simple plans to get the ball into playmakers' hands in space. Think back to the abysmal TCU game, the one truly explosive play of the night was a well-blocked WR bubble screen. Sometimes it's that simple. For whatever reason, the staff has seemed to fall short in this department. I'm curious, given the team's recent performance, what plan the staff puts into practice. What think you?

Fronting Heavy-Set Arkansas

A hat-tip to @WarRoomEagle on Twitter for editing the Arkansas-Auburn game. It sparked some interest in the Arkansas offense. So, I put together some clips to see what Texas' defense is faced with defending. This will all be centered around what Arkansas likes to do and how that tends to unfold in the trenches. I wanted to focus on OL and run schemes, so I don't really pay too much attention as to what's happening on the back end. For starters, let's take a look at how Auburn started the game against Arkansas.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4346267

Auburn aligns in an under front. Arky double-teams the 3-technique, the FB trap blocks the NT, and the OL release quickly to the 2nd level. Aggressive DL play set up by the Arky zone run game can make things difficult since they look to "screen-off" penetration with huge men, Bielema not included.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4346315

Here's toss sweep vs an under front, the TE blocks down on weak side DE, the RT "folds" around the down block. Now you have an OT and HB leading in the alley, buckle your chinstraps! Again, much of this is set up by Arky's zone run scheme. It's almost as if they prefer defensive fronts hell-bent on stopping zone runs via backfield penetration. This enables them to call their favored gap run schemes as counter punches. Also notice how quick the C reaches the 2nd level. Arky's gap scheme wrinkles are what enables Bielema's philosophy to shine. I'll address that some more in a bit.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4346405

This! This is what looks like a double-trap play. The RG and FB "screen-out" the DT's and the other OL quickly climb to the 2nd-level, sheer gap terror! Again, Auburn's in an under front, one of Texas' base fronts. So, those expecting Texas to just line up in their base defense and have their way with the Arky OL are dreaming. What is needed is a sound plan to neutralize the initiative created by Arky's zone scheme and the myriad of gap scheme counter punches they can deploy to punish aggressive penetrative DL play.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4346490

Now, the coverage completely loses it's mind in the scoring zone. SHAKING MY HEAD! This Arky offense is all about baiting. Defenders must resist the urge to over-anticipate against this Arky offense or suffer the consequences. Texas has a Texas-sized tall order come the 29th!

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4346618

So, Auburn turns to the over front and widens the DE's a bit to help set the edge vs the run. Texas plays out of multiple fronts and will often utilize leverage to funnel the run game into a more finite space. I expect to see some of this philosophy come the 29th. Nevertheless, Arky gains their much desired 6 yards on 1st down. This allows them more freedom to use the pass and play-action, which still happens to include the Draw run game, great.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4346672

Have Texas DB's had trouble with double-moves this year, I don't remember? Duke better be ready to suck up his pride and not give up the big play. The Arky pass game isn't menacing, but how it fits into their overall approach is what makes it a threat. DON'T GET BEAT DEEP!!!

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4346715

Aaaand here comes the dreaded Draw play, on 1st down no less. That is just hog heaven right there. One motif that recurs in the Arky offense is the climbing of that pesky center. He needs to be taken out! Not in a bad way of course, but there needs to be a plan in place that causes the Arky OL point-man to start second-guessing his assignments and worrying about a rabid DT or Mike making his life miserable.

So, how in the hell does Texas defend all of this!? Well, for one, Texas must intermittently bring pressure vs the Arky run game early and often. The Arky offense seeks to consistently create manageable down and distance opportunities on 2nd and 3rd downs. So, the goal is to create as many 2nd or 3rd and long opportunities as possible to pit Texas' strength against Arky's weakness, the pass game. Since I doubt the Texas offense can build a lead that forces Arky into a more pass-heavy offense, there will need to be counter-measures employed on both sides of the ball. Texas does not need another TCU-like debacle on the offensive side of the ball. At certain points this season, it seemed better to just "sit on the ball" or punt on 3rd downs.., seriously!

So, how might we slow down the Arky OL? I pulled a bit from the Mizzou-Arky game to illustrate a few things. Granted, the Mizzou defense is different, but I wanted to view the front-play of a team that possesses quickness on the DL and is also a 1-gap defense.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4347007

Mizzou is aligned in an over front in the above video. What I find very instructive are the DT's play in the A-gaps. Both DT's attack the A-gaps, use the C as an "anchoring" point and turn their asses into both G's. This effectively occupies 3 OL with 2 DL, takes care of Arky's pesky C, and allows the Mizzou defense 2nd level a clear path to read and pursue the play. Also note, this is what I'd consider more "stand up" play form the DT's. This makes me curious as to whether these techniques are effective counter measures against trap plays similar to the ones above. Will Texas deploy similar techniques, I don't know, but I'd like to see something similar.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4347261

Now, Mizzou stunts their DT's. Very early on, Mizzou's plan is clear, occupy the G-C-G grouping of the Arky OL. I think this is sound, but as seen above, Arky can attack the perimeter rather well. That seems to be a motif, Arky will attack the edge and alley if the defensive front begins to pinch in on inside runs.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4347206

Here Mizzou shifts into a "Bear" front to deny the inside run, but Arky attacks the boundary perimeter. Arky will often send their "bigs" wherever the defense's edge and force support is. They truly believe and follow the "big people beat up little people" dictum. This was not a long gain, but notice the alley defenders fighting to get around blockers. This yields initiative. It made me question if it would be better to attack the blockers vertically with sound leverage rather than spending valuable time trying to outflank them.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4347463

Above is an interesting front that seems to be an over front, but with the NT shaded to the opposite side of the C. From here they DL will slant. Again, they want to control the "center of the board" by occupying the G-C-G. Also note how aggressively they set the edges on these run plays, very important to "funnel" plays and to buy time for pursuit.

That was just a little bit of what I noticed regarding what I would consider a sound defensive response to the Arkansas OL and run game. Notice how Auburn was continually gashed early-on. Texas cannot afford that as the offense will not be able to pace the team as Auburn's offense does. Texas' defense will have their hands full no doubt, but are one of the more talented units Arkansas will have faced all season. Given that Texas has faced shotgun spread offenses all season long, I'm curious as to how Strong and Bedford will match personnel and scheme with the Hogs. So, I pose the question to you. How often might we see Texas' hair-raising 3-3-5 "Flex Front" defense against a heavy-set run game and coach? Lol, I kid I kid. I hope you enjoyed, I'm more curious now than I was before.

The Next Great Texas QB Kerfuffle

I wanted to highlight a little of what the QB position at Texas entails and how the existing framework on offense may lend itself to the most heralded position on the Texas depth chart, the backup QB! I'm here to argue that this time it's different. Texas' backup QB is freshman Jerrod Heard, two-time state champion and known burner out of the backfield. To get a little bit of a grasp for what Heard will need to have mastered to become the starter or overtake Swoopes, I've included some examples of the QB play Texas received this season. By no means is this an indictment of current Texas starting QB Tyrone Swoopes, but instead a perusing of the issues the position is faced with as well as how those issues relate to Heard. So, please allow me to play devil's advocate and incite the next intensely debated Texas QB kerfuffle.

The Texas offense is oriented around a mix of ball-control quick-game passing concepts as well as the zone and power run game. Texas wants to execute in a fashion to minimize negative plays and create advantageous 2nd and 3rd down and distance opportunities. To do this, it needs a steady stream of 4 to 6 yard gains on 1st down. So, let's take a look at some of the things we saw this season and discuss how some of the concepts within the Texas offense relate to a talent like Heard.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293405

A simple "Snag" concept with QB sprint-out is the type of quick-game staple Texas should continue to see. It can also be run without the QB sprint-out or from under center. This is "quick-game: 101" and should be something both Swoopes and Heard can execute in their sleep. Above, the ball comes out a bit late, something that has remained an issue throughout the season for the young QB. I don't know how many concepts Watson installed and practiced throughout the season, but it'd be wise to keep them to a "minimum effective dose" for both QB's on the roster.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293485

Slant-flat is another staple from Shawn Watson's quick-game arsenal. This is straight run-action pass all the way as the QB's read key is the flat defender. Also, slant-flat mimics the WR stems of the bubble screen. Again, very simple read-key and something Texas should consistently run given the talent at WR. It's my opinion that concepts similar to this were a Swoopes strength in 2014. Sometimes it seemed calls like this were too few and far between. Nevertheless, this is a basic read and should be something both QB's do well.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293548

Above is a drop-back off of play-action, probably of the 7-step variety that is meant to attack the deep zone of the defense. The QB takes the sack on this play, but the ball is supposed to come out on the last step or the hitch step (depends). A QB must know if it's there (the route) or not, and then must execute a throw-away to prevent the sack. Here, that doesn't happen.

I was and continue to be critical of Watson and less-so the QB regarding these type of deep drop-backs. I personally don't like the idea of a young QB, slow in his reads and footwork, turning his back to a defense on a pass play like this. That doesn't mean the scheme is bad, just that Texas doesn't have a great OL or a highly qualified passer at this point. Nevertheless, it's also on the QB to throw the route or away and not take a sack. Moving on...

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4293689

The sprint-out "waggle" is a staple and will continue to be featured by Texas QB's under Shawn Watson. Notice Swoopes' late read and shoulders "squaring-up" late to the throw. The ball should be out just before the WR's break. Moving forward, the Texas QB's will need quicker recognition of the read and pattern as well as better body control.

I understand that these are just "snap shots" of Texas' QB play within the offense, but what is desired from the position is consistent execution of QB fundamentals. Read keys, recognition, eyes/footwork-to-progression, body control, and ball security are the orders of the day. Texas was sorely lacking in the aforementioned early on as well as throughout the season. Also, the OL failed miserably on many occasions to provide adequate protection. So, what we've seen is a QB very inconsistent in fundamentals AND an inconsistent OL in blocking and protection. It's bad enough when it's only one, but when it's both, there is very real potential for sacks and TFL madness.

As we move forward I'd like to change the framing of this discussion a bit. How might soon to be redshirt freshman QB Jerrod Heard "fit" into the Texas offense given what we've seen? To answer that question, let's examine a bit more from the Texas offense. Some will be similar to the above, but I'll provide more of how I see Heard impacting some similar concepts and schemes. Let's take a look.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277033

Here is a 2-TE twins set, Swoopes displays good "scramble timing" on this play. Whether his job is to step up in the pocket, then scramble or scramble right to scan the backside of the play is not known, but it's easy to see how a more athletic and much faster QB can further challenge a defense in off-schedule situations.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277065

Here is a concept I like very much. It's a split-zone sprint-out concept. I can't be certain if a read is on here, but it looks like there is one on the usual suspect, the DE. This places him in a very disadvantageous position, there are two to his one, winning. Now, imagine having an speedster like Heard. Now you have two very dangerous players on their feet in the open field, good luck!

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277174

Now this, a similar concept to the one above, but from under center and the backside WR is coming across formation. Notice how "lumbering" Swoopes is executing these concepts, he needs to improve his footwork and body control. Heard is likely to possess the needed quick feet and elite body-control to execute this concept a "click" or two faster, leading to more consistent accuracy and bigger 1st-down gains. Of course the jury will be out regarding Heard's recognition and ability to make accurate throws on time. That is, right before the receivers break-off their routes, a much needed improvement in the Texas passing game.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277134

Now, here is Lead Draw. Let's imagine a scenario where the RB properly executes his 2nd-level block and instead of Swoopes on the draw play, it's Heard.., Touchdown Texas!!! Well, at the very least the play is transformed into an "explosive" gainer.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4277198

Where I suspect Heard, like Swoopes, needs to improve, is in tying footwork to the timing of a play. This also aids in accuracy by not "hurrying" throws. Notice the late read of the flat and corner route pattern, but also the sloppy footwork. It's bad enough having one thing go wrong, but two puts the concept in further jeopardy. This is also an area where Shawn Watson doesn't cut corners with regards to QB development. Since we are not a near 100% shotgun-spread offense, the QB is tasked with executing a greater number of drop-backs that all require footwork and timing in relation to the concepts. Nevertheless, from what I see, the Texas offense is QB-friendly, but as of now, may not have a suitable passing talent at the position. Whether that remains the case is what has many Texas fans both anxious and eager about the future.

Lastly, the run game is the most obvious area Heard will be able to impact the game. I don't need to belabor this idea, but suffice to say, there were schemes that left many Texas fans scratching their heads. The two that stand out the most, zone-read and the option.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4294147

I think it's safe to say Heard does not get "walked down" on a play like this. Given that Heard's high school offense centered around many read concepts similar to the one above, it's fair to say he will acclimate to the read-based run game quicker than Swoopes has this season.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4294273

Above is everyone's favorite 2014 most-dreaded play, the option. Again, I don't need to belabor the point here. Heard provides a much needed legitimate run threat in many of Texas' base schemes in both the run and pass game. Defenses will be forced to play the Texas backfield very honest and downright fear packages like the two above.

Then of course remains the ubiquitous zone-read.

http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4294308

Above you see how the defensive front has expanded, thus opening a bigger running lane for the RB. Once an offense begins having success on the perimeter, the inside run game is often granted bigger running lanes, this goes both ways. Heard will provide the type of threat that forces the backside edge defender being read to expand, thus completely granting the "hat-on-hat" blocking the read-option seeks to achieve.

This coaching staff was both unlucky and lucky this season. Ash's injury and Swoopes' serviceability enabled them to protect Jerrod Heard from needing to play as a true freshman while also spending time developing Swoopes. Whether he remains the starter or becomes the back up, the QB depth chart is sure to be a strength due to the time afforded by Swoopes' 2014 campaign. A couple of welcome changes to the 2015 edition of the Texas offense are an upgrade in talent and experience on the OL and also added quickness and explosiveness to the RB position. We shall see what the future holds for this heralded position, but all fans can ask for is much needed improvement is what was seen in Swoopes and what was unseen in Heard. I hope you enjoyed and as always, feel free to take the red marker to the post. Hook'em!