I’ve seen this one before 🤔

Holy 💩

#BearDown

But they’ll also play man-coverage and blitz 6 to get off the field. They haven’t seen WRs like OSU’s, however, so it’ll be interesting to see if/when they go this route.

The big change-up is disguising Tampa 2 on passing downs. Below, we see them line up with 1 deep safety before dropping into 2-deep zone, looping the OLB on a stunt to get pressure with only 4.

That desire to plug inside gaps is great against zone but can be attacked with gap concepts like Counter.

On nearly every snap, the stand-up OLB is to the boundary with a nickelback to the field, but will alternate which player is the 4th rusher.

Defensively, the Hoosiers base out of 3-down looks and play a lot of coverages in the Quarters family. The DL isn’t full of freaks so they want to put bodies on interior gaps and keep LBs free to make tackles, but will often send pressure off 1 edge.

But just the threat of pressure (perhaps because of the injured thumb?) turned Rourke into a completely different player.

Buckeyes have to win the line of scrimmage with their front 4.

Michigan also started playing lots of man-coverage on early downs to take away the RPOs, which led to mistakes.

The key for OSU will be to get pressure on Rourke. Michigan started getting home in the 2nd half of their game, overwhelming an OL that is well-coached, but far from physically dominant.

This might be the area of the game where OSU has the biggest advantage (along with WR).

Additionally, all those quick, 3-step routes set up double-moves. If Rourke can set his feet, he’s going to put it right on his receiver.

They will run a lot of split-field concepts in the passing game (ex: stick + double slants) but what sets them apart is Rourke’s ability to throw the back shoulder fade with accuracy.

Not only does this stretch the field but will draw plenty of PI flags.

Rourke is so good at these quick, post-snap reads. Ball goes the right place and is delivered accurately. He’s not much of a run threat, but he distributes so well, like a veteran point guard.

In advance of the top-5 match up with Ohio State tomorrow, let’s talk some Indiana football! 🧵

First, the run game is VERY RPO-based. Heavy on zone concepts (like ‘insert’ here) but threat of pass removes 2nd level defenders to lighten box numbers.

O-H-I-O around Wrigley Field
(📢 on)

Here’s a clip in case you’re wondering what I mean:

Saving this to my camera roll forever

“I WANNA KNOW WHERE JOHN WOODEN IS RIGHT NOW”