observations on the defense in the last two games.

by Xerxes on Nov 1, 2009 10:52 PM CST Comment 16 comments

I started noticing during the Missouri game that the coverage sets for the secondary had the conerbacks and safeties move closer to the line of scrimmage.

During the OSU game the majority of the coverage sets had the secondary close to the line of scrimmage.

There were some posts mentioning about the defense giving up to much yardage due to the pre-snap depth of the secondary. I was wondering if the tighter coverage of the last 2 games had any effect.

Comparing the first 4 games to the last 4 games.

interceptions, yards per pass, pass yards per game,

1-4 6 4.7 212

5-8 10 4.9 163.5

last 2 games

7-8 6 4.6 121

The Horns defense did better in the last 2 games stopping the pass against decent conference opponents than it did against the non conference cream puffs (excluding Tech).

All comments, FanPosts, and FanShots are the views of the reader-authors who create them.

0 recs | Comment 16 comments | Add comment

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Good Observation

I think the confidence in the DB’s has grown significantly over the course of the year. The play of AJ and Curtis Brown proving out to be shut down corners in man coverage has opened a lot more opportunities for Muschamp. The confidence level of these guys has grown exponentially as well. They are looking for the pic now versus being surprised by it. More pressure up front is forcing mistakes.

I also think there was a bit of sandbagging early on. The more vanilla approach kept a more aggressive style of play in the fold until needed. I think if we played Tech again right now, it would be a slaughter.

by orangetower on Nov 2, 2009 7:53 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Double checking the stats

there were no interceptions for the Wyoming game so the total for the first 4 games should be 6.
UT is now #2 in the country in interceptions with 16.

by Xerxes on Nov 2, 2009 8:18 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

wow...who has more than 16?

by orangetower on Nov 2, 2009 8:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

See below--Iowa has 18

I’m not fresh on which team, but I think they racked up a bunch of them against just one or two teams. Seems like a ton of them came against Indiana in the fourth quarter last Saturday.

by burntorangehorn on Nov 2, 2009 8:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sixteen interceptions, behind only Iowa

That’s a big wow. And last Saturday was an incredible performance against a QB who just doesn’t throw that many picks. I have to wonder if Aaron Williams was chomping at the bit a little while watching his pals pick off four passes, two of them for touchdowns.

You see a defensive unit as deep and talented as this one and think they must be a lot of fourth- and fifth-year guys who grew together over several seasons of learning from top talents, refining their games with lots of spring snaps. Not so. It’s thrilling that all but Beasley will likely be back in 2010, and most in 2011.

by burntorangehorn on Nov 2, 2009 8:26 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

speaking of which

I have to wonder if Aaron Williams was chomping at the bit a little while watching his pals pick off four passes, two of them for touchdowns.

Any word on him? Man I hope he’s ok.

by orangetower on Nov 2, 2009 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Mack says he's day-to-day

Listening to his Monday presser. Said he expects Williams to be ready by Saturday. Mason Walters and Calvin Howell will not play.

by bassale47 on Nov 2, 2009 11:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Kind of keep wondering whether Walters and Howell would be better-served to apply for medical redshirts

by burntorangehorn on Nov 2, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Walters is eligible for non med as well.

by orangetower on Nov 2, 2009 2:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hasn't he stepped on the field?

I thought someone had confirmed that he had. I didn’t see him in the participation reports, so I hope you’re right.

by burntorangehorn on Nov 2, 2009 2:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He was in the ULM Game

And in the UTEP game briefly, but I think the rule is 3 games participation is allowed if not a significant role? That would still leave him eligible.

by orangetower on Nov 2, 2009 3:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Walters is not eligible for a regular redshirt

You lose your redshirt if you play a single snap.

The 3-game rule is for a medical redshirt only and the 3 games have to be in the first half of the season. Mack did indicate that both Walters and Howell are eligible for a medical redshirt but said they will wait to see if they get cleared to play before season’s end.

by bassale47 on Nov 2, 2009 5:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs