Jump to content

Spotlight on Run-Defense


StatTiger

Recommended Posts

Perhaps the biggest key for the Auburn defense this Saturday night will be defending the Gamecock running game. The Gamecocks are currently averaging 220-yards rushing during their last 4 games. Steve Spurrier will lean heavily on Mike Davis to control the tempo of the game and to keep his porous defense off the field. Auburn has drastically improved their run-defense from last season, which was ranked No. 63 nationally, allowing 163-yards per game. This season Auburn is allowing 120-yards per game, ranked 24th nationally. Though it appears Auburn has improved upon their run-defense, they have surrendered 171-yards per game to conference opponents. If South Carolina can rush for 140-170 yards Saturday night, it will keep Auburn honest on defense and open up the Gamecock passing game.

The play...

MSU-McKinzyTFL_zps2e4b25cf.jpg

On this play MSU faces a 3rd & 3 from their own 32-yard line. The Bulldogs come out in a 4-WR set to spread out the Auburn defense. At the snap Auburn must play the play-action pass option first. (Note McKizy staying put until the hand off is made) DaVonte Lambert does a great job of taking away the edge, forcing the RB to stay inside. Gabe Wright knifes through the line despite being held.

Cassanova McKinzy tracks the RB, avoiding the second level block by the MSU center. McKinzy is able to shoot through for the hit on the RB, dropping the RB for a loss in the backfield. Note how Kris Frost had backside containment had the QB kept on the play.

Don't be surprised if the Gamecocks have early success running the football. Auburn has allowed all three prior SEC opponents to run for over 100-yards during the first-half. The Tigers in their 3 SEC games have allowed an average of 132-yards rushing on 6.1 yards per rush during the first-half and 39-yards on 2.7 yards per carry during the second-half.

During the Gus Malzahn era at Auburn, the Tigers are 6-6 in games the opponent had at least 40 rush attempts. During those 12 games, Malzahn's offense averaged 373-yards and 27 PPG. The opponent averaged 216-yards rushing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites





If not now, when do we start being able to shut good running teams down? There are five seniors in the DL rotation, a senior starter at star and four experienced juniors at LB. This season should be our best run defense for several years going both back into the past and forward into the future.

Unless we recruit lights-out on the defensive side of the ball, this year's run defense should represent a peak.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If not now, when do we start being able to shut good running teams down? There are five seniors in the DL rotation, a senior starter at star and four experienced juniors at LB. This season should be our best run defense for several years going both back into the past and forward into the future.

Unless we recruit lights-out on the defensive side of the ball, this year's run defense should represent a peak.

Thank you!
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Don't go too far into the past. The 2010 defense crushed the run game. Couldn't defend the pass to save its life but that was a great run defense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If not now, when do we start being able to shut good running teams down? There are five seniors in the DL rotation, a senior starter at star and four experienced juniors at LB. This season should be our best run defense for several years going both back into the past and forward into the future.

Unless we recruit lights-out on the defensive side of the ball, this year's run defense should represent a peak.

Thank you!

Really? The LB, CB and Safeties will be solid and we return a ton of talent on the D Line, including the return of Carl Lawson. Tre and Toney will have a year of strength training and experience as well, However we still need to recruit well to keep the pump primed.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cam Toney is currently playing H-Back. I don't think he'll figure into any defensive performance next year. More importantly, McKinzy and Frost will likely both return as Seniors with improved depth behind them. I tend to think the talent level on the defense is only going up. Your starting DL next year may be Lambert, Adams, Daniel, and Lawson. That's probably the highest average "star rating" we've ever had on a defensive line. Senior LBs behind them. Another year in the system for Ruffin (if he's cleared to play by then... does anyone know his status this weekend?), Roberts, and Bessent. If we land Bridges, you expect him to handle one of the CB spots. No reason to look ahead with a team as talented and well-situated as our current one, but there's certainly no reason to think we'll be less talented on the defensive side of the ball next year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Cam Toney is currently playing H-Back. I don't think he'll figure into any defensive performance next year. More importantly, McKinzy and Frost will likely both return as Seniors with improved depth behind them. I tend to think the talent level on the defense is only going up. Your starting DL next year may be Lambert, Adams, Daniel, and Lawson. That's probably the highest average "star rating" we've ever had on a defensive line. Senior LBs behind them. Another year in the system for Ruffin (if he's cleared to play by then... does anyone know his status this weekend?), Roberts, and Bessent. If we land Bridges, you expect him to handle one of the CB spots. No reason to look ahead with a team as talented and well-situated as our current one, but there's certainly no reason to think we'll be less talented on the defensive side of the ball next year.

Why wouldn't he play this weekend? He played in the MSU game, second half. Unless you know of some new injury or the like there's no reason he won't play. Ruffin's progress is what allowed the staff to move Garrett from star to shore up LB.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Man...when mckinzy blew that play up i got all hype thinking the run defense would be more than solid for that game and then....smh.... do that against sc, handle your business and on to Oxford next saturday, let's do this now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...