"He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent, and win, may be called a heaven born captain." - Sun Tzu.
Well, it goes doubly for the weather. Envision rainy and 20 mph winds going right down the field. Right into the teeth of the offense. Right into the teeth of the QB. So do you scrap your game plan? Modify? Keep it the same? That deep pass you've been practicing all week maybe isn't as viable today or in this quarter.
Offensive patience may well be a key. Deferring the kick to take the wind and forcing the other team to punt into it can save you 50 yards in field position on your first drive.
If the wind is at your back and in your opponents face, do you bring more defenders into the box and take away the run and make them throw into the wind? Do you have the guts to do it? It's a gamble but maybe worth it in slop and downpour.
What calls do you make on offense if the other team does it to you? What's your counter? You have to have one... Right now... Internet coaches are waiting with eager fingers to criticize anything and everything. It's easy to type: "kick the field goal" but do you kick it in these conditions unless it's a point blank dunk shot?
It's easy to say RUN THE BALL. But the other team can pack the box. Does the wind take away your perimeter / bubble game?
Punting and field position may be incredibly key. Don't turn it over, let the other guy gamble on offense and make a mistake and take advantage. I do not envision a high scoring game.
Enough conjecture. 4 Big keys for me
1. I think play action to the TE will be important.
A. It looks like a run and Wake will want to stop Howard.
B. It's a relatively safe pass.
2. Check downs and dump offs to Howard and Redding can be key.
A. Again it's a safe pass
B. The defender trying to tackle a back in the open field on ??? footing can be tough.
3. DE's and Bandits have to key on the QB to stop the QB run on read option
A. Turf being wet is tough
B. IU can run a stunt where the DE collapses and loop the LB outside to take his area and maybe confuse the freshman QB.
4. Turnovers
Let's go IU.
Well, it goes doubly for the weather. Envision rainy and 20 mph winds going right down the field. Right into the teeth of the offense. Right into the teeth of the QB. So do you scrap your game plan? Modify? Keep it the same? That deep pass you've been practicing all week maybe isn't as viable today or in this quarter.
Offensive patience may well be a key. Deferring the kick to take the wind and forcing the other team to punt into it can save you 50 yards in field position on your first drive.
If the wind is at your back and in your opponents face, do you bring more defenders into the box and take away the run and make them throw into the wind? Do you have the guts to do it? It's a gamble but maybe worth it in slop and downpour.
What calls do you make on offense if the other team does it to you? What's your counter? You have to have one... Right now... Internet coaches are waiting with eager fingers to criticize anything and everything. It's easy to type: "kick the field goal" but do you kick it in these conditions unless it's a point blank dunk shot?
It's easy to say RUN THE BALL. But the other team can pack the box. Does the wind take away your perimeter / bubble game?
Punting and field position may be incredibly key. Don't turn it over, let the other guy gamble on offense and make a mistake and take advantage. I do not envision a high scoring game.
Enough conjecture. 4 Big keys for me
1. I think play action to the TE will be important.
A. It looks like a run and Wake will want to stop Howard.
B. It's a relatively safe pass.
2. Check downs and dump offs to Howard and Redding can be key.
A. Again it's a safe pass
B. The defender trying to tackle a back in the open field on ??? footing can be tough.
3. DE's and Bandits have to key on the QB to stop the QB run on read option
A. Turf being wet is tough
B. IU can run a stunt where the DE collapses and loop the LB outside to take his area and maybe confuse the freshman QB.
4. Turnovers
Let's go IU.
