OK, football is "fluid" and so is my prediction.... (insert drum roll for effect) Take what I say with a fistful of salt as I'm just a guy with a computer.
Losing Cash is big for Duke. Duke's 4-2 -5 secondary uses a lot of defensive forcing help from the secondary and Cash was instrumental in that. Bringing an extra guy up from the secondary to fill and contain is integral to Duke's defense. Cash was an All American Safety and was the key component to Duke's "extra man" concept. His absence forced Duke to change things.
A strong safety that plays a lot of run support opens things up for the TE and slot guy. IU hasn't thrown to the TE a lot this yr. But Paige has been instrumental to the teams success. Particularly late in the season.
Since the summer I've called for play action to the TE except the only TE who's consistently CAUGHT the ball has been Cooper. Corsaro has been a team leader and excellent blocker. But John Mackey or Cronk he's not been. The TE may well have chances off play action. But can they hang on to the ball?
Friends return is big for IU. He was a terrific end line blocker and allows more double TE formations and for Cooper to play H Back and that helps the running game.
Coach Wilson has been an innovator and gambler on offense. Frankly I look for some of that. With the game on ABC, I look for Coach Wilson to be the second coming of Les Miles on steroids with "interesting and innovative play calls".
I would not be surprised to see Iu run some deep patterns to Booker early.
Secondly, I look for IU to run the heck out of Jordan Howard to set up play action passes.
Defensively IU has to come to play and play their responsibility. Duke runs a lot of read option and regular option. IU has to play their spot or chance looking like Bowling Green vs Ga Southern. Coach Sutcliffe is a smart guy who coached at Tennessee and will be imaginative too. Duke doesn't play the big play offense. But they dink and dunk you to death. The secondary has to play and the front 7 have to play too.
I don't look for IU to play BYO East and throw the ball all over right away. If he can play, I look for a healthy dose of Spriggs, Feeney, Friend and Cooper with Howard. Then when the defense is trying to cover the run.. Look for the big play.
Duke has a 6-6ish WR and IU has shortish corners. IU's "daycare secondary" has to play well.
I see this as a potentially close game. What it would mean for IU can't be measured. I hope they are ready to play and play well.
Losing Cash is big for Duke. Duke's 4-2 -5 secondary uses a lot of defensive forcing help from the secondary and Cash was instrumental in that. Bringing an extra guy up from the secondary to fill and contain is integral to Duke's defense. Cash was an All American Safety and was the key component to Duke's "extra man" concept. His absence forced Duke to change things.
A strong safety that plays a lot of run support opens things up for the TE and slot guy. IU hasn't thrown to the TE a lot this yr. But Paige has been instrumental to the teams success. Particularly late in the season.
Since the summer I've called for play action to the TE except the only TE who's consistently CAUGHT the ball has been Cooper. Corsaro has been a team leader and excellent blocker. But John Mackey or Cronk he's not been. The TE may well have chances off play action. But can they hang on to the ball?
Friends return is big for IU. He was a terrific end line blocker and allows more double TE formations and for Cooper to play H Back and that helps the running game.
Coach Wilson has been an innovator and gambler on offense. Frankly I look for some of that. With the game on ABC, I look for Coach Wilson to be the second coming of Les Miles on steroids with "interesting and innovative play calls".
I would not be surprised to see Iu run some deep patterns to Booker early.
Secondly, I look for IU to run the heck out of Jordan Howard to set up play action passes.
Defensively IU has to come to play and play their responsibility. Duke runs a lot of read option and regular option. IU has to play their spot or chance looking like Bowling Green vs Ga Southern. Coach Sutcliffe is a smart guy who coached at Tennessee and will be imaginative too. Duke doesn't play the big play offense. But they dink and dunk you to death. The secondary has to play and the front 7 have to play too.
I don't look for IU to play BYO East and throw the ball all over right away. If he can play, I look for a healthy dose of Spriggs, Feeney, Friend and Cooper with Howard. Then when the defense is trying to cover the run.. Look for the big play.
Duke has a 6-6ish WR and IU has shortish corners. IU's "daycare secondary" has to play well.
I see this as a potentially close game. What it would mean for IU can't be measured. I hope they are ready to play and play well.
