As SMU has played Texas Tech over the last several years, I am sure that many of you have noticed the peculiar way their offensive line sets up, with huge gaps between the linemen. Well, there is a method to the madness.

The first time I watched film on Tech, I thought, “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen” … and … “Why would they make it so easy?”… and … “I can’t wait to play those guys.” Then, after a few more plays of film, I realized what, why and how they were able to turn a funny-looking offense into a point-scoring machine.

Allan Adami actually has the audacity to use the term "funny-looking" to describe the Texas Tech offensive line ... or at least its playing style (photo by Terry Callahan).

Many defensive linemen, myself included, may begin to prematurely count all of the sacks and tackles for loss they will have throughout the course of the game when they see the Red Raiders’ unusual offensive line. However, SMU’s front four will have to work and work hard for any stats that Tech’s O-line gives up. It will be a long game and a hard-fought game. Every play testing our front four to get off the ball just as hard on the last play as they did the first play. Preparing for Tech’s offense is difficult, but I have no doubt that June Jones and his staff will have the front four ready.

With the wide O-line splits, Tech head coach Mike Leach has given his quarterback the advantage of creating natural passing and scrambling lanes. By widening the splits of his offensive linemen, the defensive line is forced to widen with them. The rush lanes are spread out, extra distance to the quarterback is created, and naturally, the defensive line must work harder to get to the quarterback. Also, the splits help the offensive line to create better blocking angles on running plays, simply by putting a body between the defender and the ball carrier. With all these advantages, how do you start to defend and offense that is set up like this?

It’s not impossible to stop an offense like this, but it’s not easy. Our front four is given the task of maintaining good rushing lanes, to help the secondary. They must collapse the pocket and get to the passer, in order to create mistakes and turnovers by Graham Harrell. All the while, they also have to be vigilant and aware, so as not to be fooled by plays that are designed to catch defensive linemen off-guard, such as shuttle passes, screens and draws. They must do all this, while knowing that every play will be over in a matter of seconds, and they usually never will be around the ball.

Three keys to victory for our defensive line:

1) Maintain good rushing lanes and be aware of where the quarterback is at all times

It is up to our front four to be “lane-aware.” What I mean by this is that the D-tackles must rush in their lanes, constantly pushing toward the quarterback. They can not allow the offensive line to ride them to the outside, creating wider and wider lanes. By rushing straight upfield, they play right into the offensive scheme. Additionally, the defensive ends need to be “level-aware.” Once they reach the level of the quarterback, they need to begin to collapse the pocket. Too many times, they continue to rush behind the passer, creating even larger passing lanes.

The front four works as a unit — the defensive tackles pushing the pocket back to aid the defensive ends; concurrently, the defensive ends flushing the quarterback forward to the tackles.

2.) Do not let the offensive line set the splits, and continue to spread them out

Throughout the game, Tech’s O-linemen will try to stretch their splits to the limit. Little by little, the guards and tackles will test the defensive line to see how large the splits can get. If our defensive line does not put pressure on the quarterback and allows the O-line to push them around, they will continue to move wider. An offensive lineman always will protect his inside lane — I believe they are taught this from childhood. If we are able to threaten that inside lane, they will squeeze together like cows protecting their babies. The D-linemen stop this by making sure they line up as tightly as they can. You never want to line up directly over a man, but if you can force the guard or tackle to protect his inside, you gain the advantage. If Tech is able to stretch our guys out further and further, getting to the quarterback may become impossible.

3.) They must have game awareness.

It’s not only the passing game that can hurt a defense when the offensive line plays with wide splits. Along with screens and shuttle passes, draw plays can lead to big gains right through the heart of the defense. The wide splits allow the offensive line not really to block, but shield the running back from the D-line. This allows the running back to pick holes and create huge cutback lanes. The defensive front must attack off the line, but not recklessly. The defensive linemen need to be aware of the type of block that they are getting. If they do not read the block correctly, they could find themselves running upfield while the ball carrier is running the other way.

Finally, it also becomes difficult as a defensive lineman when playing against Tech as the game wears on. The wide splits help the O-line by making the defensive line move further in order to reach the point of contact. The O-linemen are able to just sit back and wait for the defense to come to them. Defensive linemen can expend a lot of energy on every play, even though they only may last for just a few seconds each. It becomes frustrating after playing 80-plus plays with only one or two tackles to your credit.

If anything, our defensive line needs to stay persistent and fresh. It is never easy playing Tech, and it is never easy playing Tech in Lubbock. However, if our front four is able to play on fresh legs and play smart, they will give our secondary an advantage. Tech relies on these natural passing lanes to run its offense. There is little doubt that this will be one of the biggest, strongest and most adept passing offensive lines that we will face all year. It will be a challenge for the defensive line, and a test of our defense as a whole.