Really believe the way PSU's D has come on, especially against the run, is key to Sat's game

[Franklin_Restores_TheTradition]

In their last six games, the PSU D has allowed only 83.67 ypg rushing! PSU has been somewhat of a "quick strike", big-play offense and therefore it is key that the defense get Wisconsin off the field offensively and not let them control the clock and field position. If PSU's defense can keep Wisconsin off the board and limit their TOP until PSU's offense can strike, I think it is a huge key to the game. If PSU can get out front and keep Wisconsin from establishing a running game, I think it will put pressure on their offense somewhat similar to the Iowa game and Wisconsin does not have the QBs / Offense that are equipped to play from behind and deal with the immense pressure PSU's Front-7 is capable of generating (PSU was #2 in sacking the QB in B1G play).

 

[The Spin Meister]

Agree 100%. Have long felt that the key to our wining streak has been our D, especially the line play.The line has played lights out in the second half of nearly every game. But I am not sure why.

Most people would say it is because we rotate many players all game and thus they stay fresh. But the way it looks to me is that there is more to it. I think that by playing so many players, it confuses the O line. Watch the opposing O line after plays in second half and you see them looking at each other trying to figure out what happened and what to do.

My theory is this; An O lineman tries to figure out the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent. Is he strong? Or does he rely on speed and quickness? Does he stay low or come at ya high? Does he have good lateral movement? After five or six plays, the O lineman will have a good idea how to best attack his assigned man.

But the way we play, not only playing a lot of people, we also move them around quiet a bit. That means the O linemen never get a good read on how to block any one person. Over time, it is very frustrating and confusing. And that will also disrupt the timing and cohesion of the O line as a unit.

If that is what is happening, I see this game playing out like many of the others. Close until mid third quarter when we pull away. If I am the OC for Wiscy, I would try to go very uptempo to limit the substitution PSU can do. Not only will that wear down the guys on the field but allow the O line to have consistency.

Just my Two Cents.

 

[The Spin Meister]

In their last six games, the PSU D has allowed only 83.67 ypg rushing! PSU has been somewhat of a "quick strike", big-play offense and therefore it is key that the defense get Wisconsin off the field offensively and not let them control the clock and field position. If PSU's defense can keep Wisconsin off the board and limit their TOP until PSU's offense can strike, I think it is a huge key to the game. If PSU can get out front and keep Wisconsin from establishing a running game, I think it will put pressure on their offense somewhat similar to the Iowa game and Wisconsin does not have the QBs / Offense that are equipped to play from behind and deal with the immense pressure PSU's Front-7 is capable of generating (PSU was #2 in sacking the QB in B1G play).

--------------------------------------------


Pretty good prediction except the Wisky wasn't behind. The had a big lead but couldn't keep it. Our D played much better as the game went along, holding Wisky to three points after about four minutes left in the second quarter. They got a lot of pressure on the QB and slowed the run game too.

The other big thing was our o-line got much better as the game progressed. McMoxie II had good time most of the second half.