Sugar Bowl Preview: The Arkansas Defense v. OSU Offense

Ohio State's offense has the opportunity for another good bowl game.  Arkansas' defense does not have the same personnel that other high-level SEC teams have had in seasons past.  No where is this more noticeable than in the front 7.  As noted, Arkansas is an offensive-led squad.  Because of this, OSU will need to win this match-up to counter the Arkansas offense to put OSU in a position to win.

Multiple, Pro-Style 4-3 Defense: 

Arkansas is a fairly straightforward one-gap 40 defense.  The Razorbacks work from two primary fronts-- a 4-3 stack or a 4-3 under, in that order. 

Arkansas generally goes nickel against shotgun and 'spread formations,' mainly featuring a 4-2-5 over.  (H/T:  MGoBlog).

Sittin' Deep:  The Arkansas Coverage Scheme

Arkansas is a two high shell, middle of the field open (MOFO) defense (see still above).  Arkansas will play some type of MOFO coverage the majority of snaps.  Quarters' coverage is the Razorbacks' favorite.

Here is Chris Brown on quarters:

As with other coverages, the "4" in cover 4 refers to the number of defenders dropping into deep zones -- in this case, four guys, both corners and both safeties. But don't confuse this adaptation with "prevent" coverage: It's a whirl of contradictions -- a zone defense with man-to-man principles, and a defense with four secondary players that can still present a nine-man front against the run.

"Quarters" can be a four-across deep zone, it can double-team a dangerous wide receiver, or it can be straight man-to-man. Which the defense employs on any given play is determined by what the offense does. For example, if the offense splits out two wide receivers to the same side of the field, and both run straight up the field on deep routes, the safety plays man on the inside guy and the cornerback plays man on the outside guy. If, however, the inside receiver were to run immediately to the flat -- say, on a bubble screen -- while the outside receiver ran upfield, the corner and the safety would actually double team the deep man, defending him from both the inside and the outside. This type of read-and-react is great against the spread's multiplicity, as it can allow some very short completions but lead to lots of interceptions and few downfield passing windows.

This is not the exclusivity of Arkansas' packages, however.  Arkansas will roll a safety up and play cover 3 or man-coverage variations.  Arrkansas will also employ blitzes approximately 15-25% of snaps.  In particular, the Razorbacks like bringing the nickel back off the wide-side edge.  When LSU was in shotgun, Arkansas would frequently show a two high shell, then roll down to man coverage and bring a nickel blitz.

Finally, Arkansas will also employ a variety of zone blitzes.  One staple is a basic 'Steeler' zone blitz. 

If the basic philosophy of 40 front, 2 high defense sprinkled in with some man coverage and zone and man blitzes sounds familiar, it should--it is in many ways also encompasses the OSU defensive philosophy. 

The Arkansas Personnel

As noted, Arkansas does not feature the same level of defensive personnel that recent SEC national champions have displayed.  While the Razorbacks' defense is a solid group, Arkansas does not have a 'difference maker' that jumps off the screen.  The difference between Arkansas and the top SEC defenses is most noticeable on the defensive line.  Arkansas' defensive ends are good players, but neither are explosive.  The Razorback defensive tackles do not move well.

Arkansas's defense has accordingly been susceptible to giving up points.  In particular, a few things stuck out.  LSU and others had success with no-huddle against the Razorbacks.  The Arkansas defense did not adjust well and were caught out of position.  In particular, LSU was able to exploit them going no-huddle with this off-tackle pitch play.

Auburn was able to pound Arkansas with 'inverted veer' (though they did this to every team this year).  Time and again Auburn was able to rip off yards and Arkansas never seemed to adjust to playing the option. 

The OSU Response

The OSU offense should have the ability to attack in the balanced way they have all year.   I expect Arkansas to play OSU similar to Wisconsin:  sit in quarters' coverage, keep as many eyes on Terrelle Pryor as possible to prevent him from scrambling, and force him to pick apart a zone defense underneath.  Repeatedly, teams that have blitzed Pryor are burned by forcing him to move in the pocket and make run/pass decisions while scrambling, where he is at his best.  Arkansas may mix in some nickel blitzing, but look for them to primarily sit in zone. 

OSU, by contrast, will likely seek to run their offense will exploiting some of Arkansas' vulnerabilities throughout the year.  In particular, OSU may use large amounts of no-huddle.  Not only has Arkansas not handled it well, but it puts Pryor in a position to make plays.  If Arkansas does sit in zone, I expect OSU to take advantage of the numberss and run the football, forcing Arkansas to demonstrate they can stop it without committing a safety.  Then, expect OSU--as they do against 'top level' competition--to put the ball in Pryor's hands.  Pryor is very successful running the inverted veer, and look for OSU to exploit it.  OSU may also emphasize getting him outside the pocket on bootlegs in the passing game to force Arkansas to defend him in space and provide Pryor a run/pass option.  This will allow OSU to attack the underneath flat if Arkansas sits in cover 4.  Finally, look for OSU to take their shots down field with 3 and 4 verticals, putting Dane Sanzenbacher in the slot and giving him a read route.  This is a defensive scheme OSU is familiar with, and OSU should be able to run their offense.

Conclusion

OSU's offense has the talent and ability to win this match-up.  The OSU offense must do so, because Arkansas' offense will score some points.  OSU cannot have another game like Wisconsin, where the OSU offense was superior to the Wisconsin defense but shot itself in the foot for a half and dug itself too deep a hole.  The OSU offense can and should put together four good quarters against the Arkansas defense, which will put the Buckeyes in a position to win.