Wonk-ish football question re: triple option

[Dooby]

In my mind, a base 3-4 defense should be able to defend the triple option better than a base 4-3 or 3-3-5. Anybody have any experience with this? Or evidence to support or refute this?

[Stallion]

good question-probably whatever Rice doesn't run*. I'd lean to a 3-4 too. Let's hope we can get out of this game w/o any knee injuries to our DLine.

* Apparently Rice runs a 4-2-5

[RGV Pony]

lots of 'o' in this video, but some good footage of one form of the triple option, the wishbone, being stopped. Sometimes 9 in the box:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTIfTXDPvpc

[CalallenStang]

good question-probably whatever Rice doesn't run*. I'd lean to a 3-4 too. Let's hope we can get out of this game w/o any knee injuries to our DLine.

* Apparently Rice runs a 4-2-5

4-2-5 is a numerical way of saying "we run a traditional nickel as our base defensive package."

The nickel, in that traditional 4-2-5 format, is a pretty good defense against a passing attack. Against the option you are going to give up big yardage.

The 3-4 is probably better than the 4-3 against the option in keeping the outside of the field contained. However, it opens up some holes inside that Navy will try to exploit.

[Dooby]

good question-probably whatever Rice doesn't run*. I'd lean to a 3-4 too. Let's hope we can get out of this game w/o any knee injuries to our DLine.

* Apparently Rice runs a 4-2-5

Do not most of the base #-#-5 have 3 corners (I believe TCU's is an exception), which to me is a disaster waiting to happen against the option. If I were coaching, I am sure my D would be killed by misdirection as I would flood the side where the ball moves initially.

[Stallion]

and Navy does run inside the tackles-a lot with both the FBs and Dobbs.

[NickSMU17]

At least the size advantage won't be as pronounced, and maybe our faster/small LBs. i.e. Davis can contain it...

[Dooby]

Quick. Anybody know how to run a 3-5-3?

[CalallenStang]

and Navy does run inside the tackles-a lot with both the FBs and Dobbs.

Yep and that's what has me scared. Our inside LBs and safeties are going to have to step up and make some plays. They are going to have to dictate the point of attack for our defense to have success stopping the triple option.

[Alaric]

just looking at some video and reading on-line and it looks like a lot of people convert their 3-4 to a 5-3 by adding 2 defensive tackles (inside the DEs on the OTs) to the nose guard for 5 down linemen, line up two outside 2 LBs just outside the DTs and bring up the strong safety to a DEEP middle LB position. your defensive linemen have dive responsibility and are responsible for keeping OL off the LBs plus they should string plays out laterally. your SS has responsibility for all 3 run options and better be a monster but should be unblocked. Corners have pass responsibility only, FS has mainly pass responsibility but supports against the run. Selling out with 8 in the box every single play.

June Jones said they spent the defensive practices during the bye week working on defending Navy

[Dooby]

Even if SMU holds its own defensively against Navy, SMU needs to go into the game planning to score at least 31 points. SMU is going to have have its best game offensively. The offense is not as good as many of us expected, which has been mitigated somewhat by a defense that has been better than many of us expected. The offense needs to produce on Saturday.

[mrydel]

Even if SMU holds its own defensively against Rice, SMU needs to go into the game planning to score at least 31 points. SMU is going to have have its best game offensively. The offense is not as good as many of us expected, which has been mitigated somewhat by a defense that has been better than many of us expected. The offense needs to produce on Saturday.

You already have us playing Rice. Oh how I wish.

The key is to take away the options. Have someone to key on the fullback, then crash the QB making him run or pitch. Not really quite that simple but the longer the QB can run with the ball and still have pitch or run options the worse it will be. Get the options down to one quickly and you have a chance. To me this was always the best defense for the wishbone and I saw in work many times. Problem is today it has become much more sophisticated and only a few teams run it so you get no practice.

[expony18]

good question-probably whatever Rice doesn't run*. I'd lean to a 3-4 too. Let's hope we can get out of this game w/o any knee injuries to our DLine.

* Apparently Rice runs a 4-2-5

so does TCU, Tulsa, etc.

[Dooby]

I say we run a 4-4-5 until the refs notice

[ponyscott]

I say we run a 4-4-5 until the refs notice

me likey.....I won't tell if you won't...this defense is so much more sophisticated and variable than last year and even some of the true freshman LB's can help attack the gaps here..Thompson is so tough on the line....what a much better position for him than a TE