The Wisconsin Offense and the OSU Defensive Response: Part II

Earlier I took a look at the Wisconsin offensive game plan.  Briefly, Wisconsin is a '12' personnel team (1 TB, 2 TE) that wants to feature a physical zone running game.  How does OSU respond?

Back to 'Base'

Ironically, Wisconsin is perhaps the one game where OSU gets to play their base defense:  the 4-3 under. 

When people talk about the OSU base defense, this is it.  Andrew Sweat, the 'SAM' backer will line up on the outside shoulder of the tight end.  The under front is a solid run defense for several reasons.  By moving the line 'under' and putting the linebacker over the tight end, every defensive player is responsible for a single gap, allowing the defenders to play aggressively.  The under also provides the defense numbers to both sides of the formation.  The defense has four defenders to the offense's three to the offense's strength, and 3 to the offense's 2 to the center's weakside.  Finally, the Mike and Will linebackers  are coverd up (similar to a 3-4) so that they can make plays in the running game--for OSU Brian Rolle is protected by Heyward and Larrimore playing the 5 and 1 techniques, respectively, and Homan by Simon as a 3-technique.  Additionally, the under allows OSU's LEO-Nate Williams--to play uncovered on the backside where he can attack the quarterback and make plays laterally.

The Defensive Backfield:  Into the Box

Against a run-first team like Wisconsin, OSU will have one of their two safeties come up at the snap to play as 'leverage' at run support.  This will give OSU the proverbial '8 in the box.'

Here is what it may look like live:

In so doing, OSU brings an additional player to play the 8th gap in run support.  This is especially critical against a team like Wisconsin that is able to create an 8th gap through the use of two tight ends.  Then, with the zone run game, Wisconsin requires a team to play every gap, so having the safety up is critical. 

The safety's role in coming up in run responsibility is crucial in keeping outside leverage to that side of the field.  As discussed, two of Wisconsin's favorite plays are outside zone and the fly sweep.  Though the plays attack the defense differently, the goal of both is the same--attack the perimeter and outflank the defense.  A defense must be able to funnel both plays inside.  But if a team overpursues laterally to cover the perimeter, it will create easy cutback lanes, whether it be with the back cutting inside on zone, or Wisconsin faking the fly sweep and running inside zone behind it. 

A defense must thus have both outside leverage and play gap responsibiliy.  The answer?  The safety coming in the box to act as the 'lever.'  The safety will play outside leverage and funnel the play inside.  This is particularly important if Wisconsin runs stretch away from the formation's strength. 

 

To use a safety in run support, OSU will play quite a bit of 1-high safety defense.  In practice, this means that OSU will play one of two coverages:  some version of a one-high safety zone--either cover 3 (see diagram above), or quarter-quarter-half, or cover-1 man:

More specifically, here is what I expect.  OSU will probably often play some type of zone on first down so that the defensive backfield can keep their eyes in the backfield.  In addition, OSU does not want a linebacker responsible for man coverage on a tight end and get fooled by play-action.  Then, in more pass-first downs, look for OSU to play man coverage.

OSU has two things going for it with man coverage.  One, this OSU defense has shown a greater propensity for playing man coverage than previous outfits.

 OSU is fortunate to have two veteran, talented cornerbacks in Devon Torrence and Chimdi Chekwa, and OSU is clearly taking advantage of that by playing man coverage frequently.

Second--and relatedly--Wisconsin's wide receivers have not shown an ability to get open against good man coverage.  In other words, this is a mismatch--OSU's corners should be able to control the Wisconsin wide receivers.  Therefore, look for OSU to allow their corners to control the outside passing game and let their safety and robber float in the middle of the field and look to produce turnovers.

On clear passing situations, OSU will likely pin their ears back and use a variety of man and zone coverage blitzes to pressure Tolzien.  When OSU forces Wisconsin into 2d and 3d and longs, these are clear wins for the Buckeyes, as they can use their talent advantage against an average dropback pass team.  In particular, look for OSU to continue to develop what I call their "UFO" package with Nathan Williams (also see the video above).

OSU has featured this look the last few games and I expect it to continue.  This look is most reminiscient of what teams like the Jets now do on third down.  OSU is taking advantage of Nathan WIlliams' versatility in being able to rush the passer or drop in coverage to confuse offensive lines.  Basically, he is floating in the middle, along with Homan and Rolle.  The offense has no idea a) who is coming, b) how they are blitzing, or c) whether they are dropping into coverage.  As I noted, OSU's corners can play cover 1 with the Wisconsin receivers, so OSU will have lots of opportunities to bring different types of pressure from these looks and look to cause turnovers.

The OSU Gameplan:  Strengths and Threats

Here is what I am looking for in tonight's game

• Can OSU stop the Wisconsin running game?  Stopping the run game has been the strength of this Defensive Line since 2010 and I see no reason it should change here.  If OSU can stop the Wisconsin run-game like it did last year then that will again put Wisconsin in a position where it does not want to be--with the game dependent on its pass attack.
• Can OSU handle the Wisconsin play-action?  This is an area where OSU has had difficulties this year and something I look for Wisconsin to try to exploit.  As noted, OSU's back seven have been overly aggressive at times on run, leaving the defense vulnerable to delayed play-action passes to the tight end. This, of course, is what Wisconsin looks to do every game.  I am sure that OSU has drilled this point endlessly this week, and OSU's backside contain must stay contained and on the look-out for play action.  
• Will the OSU Secondary Shut Down the Wisconsin Passing Game?  The answer to this question should be yes.  Michigan State secondary effectively controlled the Wisconsin wide receivers.  MSU played a lot of cover-3 or quarter-quarter-half coverage on first down, and then moved to cover-1 with blitz pressure on third down.  The Wisconsin receivers could not get open against man coverage.  Look for OSU to continue to play more man coverage and look to take advantage of pass-first situations.