IU playing Man vs Zone coverage

[4IUSox2]

Raiola’s Passer rating vs Zone coverage, which IU plays most of the time, is 90%. Against Man to Man, only 44.5%. That’s obviously a drastic difference. How does IU not let him get into a good rhythm back there?

Coaches or others in the know here, do you see IU switching this up on Saturday to play more press/man coverage to take advantage of this stat? If so, how much can a predominantly zone team, like IU, change up in just a 2 week window to prep?

 

[vesuvius13]

Raiola’s Passer rating vs Zone coverage, which IU plays most of the time, is 90%. Against Man to Man, only 44.5%. That’s obviously a drastic difference. How does IU not let him get into a good rhythm back there?

Coaches or others in the know here, do you see IU switching this up on Saturday to play more press/man coverage to take advantage of this stat? If so, how much can a predominantly zone team, like IU, change up in just a 2 week window to prep?

A lot depends on the zone you play. I used a zone with man principles once the routes were declared because I didn't want to start with man due to needing run support. I question IU's zone defense because how much space they give up to receivers. A true zone defense is hard to switch DBs to play man coverage.

 

[Mas-sa-suta]

A lot depends on the zone you play. I used a zone with man principles once the routes were declared because I didn't want to start with man due to needing run support. I question IU's zone defense because how much space they give up to receivers. A true zone defense is hard to switch DBs to play man coverage.

The lack of speed in the LB's and DB'S may limit the amount of man IU can effectively play.
I'm not a coach, but the really quick players seem to give IU fits so far. Just my fan opinion

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

So many people now play read coverages as V was talking about. I would assume that IU does too. I see where our two corners were among the nations leaders in pass break ups. So even if we are playing a lot of zone we are reacting pretty well to the passes. I don't see it as being a big issue.

 

[td75]

Simple answer: put heat on his ass with a heavy rush.

 

[Victorbmyboy]

Walker will be back. That should help.

 

[IUNorth]

Our back end defense seems pretty good. Our run defense is fairly stout. Its the intermediate plays, quick plays out to the edges, the shorter passes, the 10-15 yard passes in the gaps of our zone, etc... where we struggle.

If we can put a decent amount of pressure on Raiola, that'll help take away some of the shorter/medium passing. I actually think its one of the bigger keys for us on Saturday...effective pressure. I say "effective" because Raiola is pretty decent playing out of the pocket, so we can't just flush him from the pocket...we need to pressure him and keep him in the pocket as much as possible. Force him to fit the ball in to tighter windows, on shorter schedules. He'll give us the ball a few times if we can do that, I'd bet.

 

[HoosierinNebraska]

Nebraska has speed and talent at TE and WR. They also have guys like Barney who can house it with the smallest bit of daylight. Think Jaylin Lucas 2.0. If Kamara can live in the backfield and be disruptive, that will play a huge part. Raiola can make every throw and the key is to not give him time to make the plays he is capable of making. Their Oline doesnt seem to open up many holes for their RBs.

 

[IUNCAAChamps2012]

Do whatever IU did against Felton

 

[Mark Milton]

Raiola’s Passer rating vs Zone coverage, which IU plays most of the time, is 90%. Against Man to Man, only 44.5%. That’s obviously a drastic difference. How does IU not let him get into a good rhythm back there?

Coaches or others in the know here, do you see IU switching this up on Saturday to play more press/man coverage to take advantage of this stat? If so, how much can a predominantly zone team, like IU, change up in just a 2 week window to prep?

I think IU does a lot more than dropping to spots--they do a fair amount of pattern matching, which is man principles upon the declaration of the route. Everybody wants to play man, but your guys have to be better than the other guys.

You tend to see far more zone when you have a QB that can run a bit. We've had a few of those guys, in particular the last couple of games.

Raoila is a true freshman, who is about as composed as any freshman QB I have ever seen. But, coming off a bye, he's going to see a lot of stuff that wasn't on film. Should be a great game.

 

[vesuvius13]

It always helps DBs if there is intense pressure on the QB. Do whatever it takes to pressure the freshman QB and it will pay dividends.

 

[Palmbeachhoosier]

Simple answer: put heat on his ass with a heavy rush.

I agree. We played against a team earlier this year that had 3 legit receivers. I was asked by a friend how we were going to shut them down. My response was we were going to get after their quarterback. It worked totally shut them down.

 

[Bucket Getter]

Pressure. Pressure. Pressure. Make the freshman nervous early and keep him that way until he starts seeing ghosts.

 

[red hornet]

Pressure. Pressure. Pressure. Make the freshman nervous early and keep him that way until he starts seeing ghosts.

Agree, QB pressure will be key.

 

[Kelly_32]

Raoila completes 44% of his passes when he's blitzed.

Get after his ass.

 

[Victorbmyboy]

Raoila completes 44% of his passes when he's blitzed.

Get after his ass.

Yes. Relentless heat. Get up in his face. If he sits back he will pick you apart.

 

[Victorbmyboy]

We have gotten some coverage sacks. Wonder if we get more aggressive instead of 4 man. Will be interesting what we change or just run what we run.

 

[IUgradman]

Our offense needs to dominate to put pressure on Nebraska’s.