Breaking tendencies

[StatTiger 3,146]

As the season progresses, each opponent has more game film to evaluate Auburn and to pick up on tendencies. This is why it’s vital the coaching staff not only prepares the team for the upcoming opponent but also self-scouts it’s own team to prevent from being too predictable. For example, there is a high probability Auburn will execute a perimeter play to the wide side of the field on first down. There is also a high probability that the pulling guard will normally dictate the true point of attack on a run play. Here is a good example of Coach Gus Malzahn breaking both of those tendencies with one play.

The play…

  On this particular first down play, Auburn has the wide side of the field to their right and Philip Lutzenkirchen is initially lined up in the backfield directly behind the left tackle. Auburn has run the ball on first down 82 percent of the time and will normally run a play to the wide side of the field. Right before the snap, Lutzenkirchen will motion to the right side of the formation, which might be a tip off of a perimeter play coming to the wide side of the field. At the snap, Lutzenkirchen reverses his motion and sprints to the boundary side of the field.

  Mike Berry (LG) will pull to his right as Cameron Newton play-actions with the running back. Note in image #2 how the LSU LB’s freeze for a brief moment because they are playing the run option first. Newton fakes the handoff and immediately rolls out to his left, where he completes a quick pass to Lutzenkirchen in the flat. The tight end makes a one handed grab and picks up 6-yards on the play. The play itself doesn’t result in a huge gain but it breaks all of Auburn’s previous tendencies from this formation in this given situation. It also sends a message to the opposing team and future opponents that Auburn will pass the ball in this given situation, which prevents a defense from selling out to stop one given play.

  It also spreads the defense out horizontally and forces them to defend every skill player on the field or risk giving up a big play. It’s important to remember the play called now, might simply be a set up for something else later in the game. Coach Malzahn will often make subtle adjustments to a particular play when he identifies a certain defender reacting to a play in the same manner every time that particular play is executed.

[taylojo 0]

Bout time Stat, dang... 

[walker77 0]

Sorry..."they" said this offense won't work against SEC defenses...

Really doesn't matter that we have a great O... with a master OC... AU is doomed to the mediocrity we deserve...

[n2hoops 0]

Great post Stat - thanks for all you do to keep us educated!

I love seeing Lutz involved - he has such great hands - I am waiting for his "break out" game.

Once we are past Miss, I am very interested in talking about UGA's and BAMA's 3-4 and how we will attach those defenses differently....but for now - nothing but OLD MRS.......Beat down them rebs!!

[AUBSC76 0]

Nice post Stat!  I learned something new today.

[StatTiger 3,146]

Great post Stat - thanks for all you do to keep us educated!

I love seeing Lutz involved - he has such great hands - I am waiting for his "break out" game.

Once we are past Miss, I am very interested in talking about UGA's and BAMA's 3-4 and how we will attach those defenses differently....but for now - nothing but OLD MRS.......Beat down them rebs!!

LSU ran some 3-4 last Saturday.

[telling tiger 156]

Stat, this is just as good as it gets. Thanks. I'm interested in how it works with 3-4 d too. First things first, though. Thanks again.

[StatTiger 3,146]

Stat, this is just as good as it gets. Thanks. I'm interested in how it works with 3-4 d too. First things first, though. Thanks again.

Cameron Newton has lived up to all the hype and then some but the performance of the Auburn offensive line deserves plenty of credit for Auburn’s outstanding rushing numbers. Since the Clemson game, Auburn has rushed for 330-yards per game, while allowing a sack every 19.4 pass attempts. Last season, Auburn closed out the last 6 games of the season, allowing a sack every 10.1 pass attempts. The 2010 Auburn offense is also averaging an amazing 7.0 yards per play on first down since the Clemson game. The following Michael Dyer run shows the exceptional play of Auburn’s offensive line.

The play…

  On this particular play, Auburn is backed up near their own end zone. Auburn will run their zone-read play against LSU in a 3-4 defense. The play of the Auburn offensive line will be exceptional on this play. At the snap, Byron Isom will pull to his left and will engage the OLB. Lee Ziemba will push the DE inside as Mike Berry takes out an ILB. Ryan Pugh will drive the NT to the right as Philip Lutzenkirchen pulls to the left to take out the other ILB. The remaining OLB is responsible for the backside in the event, Cameron Newton keeps the football.

  By image #3, Michael Dyer has two gaps to run through. He elects to go outside between Isom and Lutz, where he springs into the secondary. Once into the secondary, Dyer heads to the sideline, where Darvin Adams is engaged with a corner and Dyer is able to stretch the play for a 29-yard gain. Cameron Newton has proven to be an exceptional runner but he can’t make his moves in the secondary until the offensive line clears the way. LSU entered the game as the No. 17 team in the nation in tackles for loss. Against Auburn, LSU recorded only 2 tackles for loss, which is testament to how well the Auburn offensive line performed this past Saturday.

[telling tiger 156]

My suspicion has been that the teams in the SEC that run a 3-4 are not going to like what this Tiger offense does to them as a whole. The line and the speed at back plus Cam will deal them fits. The above diagram is a beautiful thing.

[AU60 0]

Young man, and I call anybody 65 or under a young man, you do an excellent job on these breakdowns. I thank you very much.

[Newbomb 190]

Its great to see Stat breaking down plays like he does.  It shows that it really does take a team effort for success.  I would like to ask repectfully if you think Gus offense would use a (excuse my lack of football acumen) pitch sweep play like you would see in the wishbone.  Where you have Cam deciding between keeping the ball on the edge or pitching to OMac or Dyer? 

[fourthvision 0]

actually on the pre-planned option pitch play where we have a bunch set to the short side of the field is in reality a sweep.

Stat, you da man and Malzahn is just GENIUS

[walker77 0]

Excellent as usual stat.....

AU's O eats a 3-4 set for lunch...

[3rdgen 2]

After seeing what lattimore did to uga's 3-4 they have been showing alot more 4-3 looks.  They will flipflop Justin houston and bring him from the de position against which ever tackle they think is the weakest.  But uga really lacks the personel to play a real 3-4 right now they don't have a noseguard who can cover two gaps.

[au_weagle 0]

A lot of spread offense like to spread the field and simply get open space. This is defendable if you attack all out at the line of scrimmage. The line isn't physical, and is built on elaborate QB reads, then a quick decision. If you get enough pressure, you can disrupt the offense.

This is the difference between a Gus Malzahn offense and, say, a Tony Franklin offense. The blocking patterns for this are the same as a power play in the I-formation, with defending the additional issue of Cam and the RB at once. Oh, and I forgot the reverse, and the pay action pass....

[Tigerbelle 5,299]

Stat...thanks! Nobody gives a football tutorial like you do.