Have watched Baylor a few times this year, and am familiar with their scheme and what they try to do to you. Here are a couple of things to watch for on Thursday night with respect to their offense and our defense.
#1 - Linebacker Play - We've been able to put Will Davis in good situations this year scheme wise. He has played better, and his speed has not been as much of a liability as last year. Baylor will look to isolate him, and force him into being the guy to make the tackle on Shock Linwood. One of the better guys at chasing the ball in the Big 12 is Elijah Lee. If he plays well, we will have a chance to stop the run much better than we did last year.
#2 - The Britz Factor - Travis Britz going out of last year's game was more crucial than could be imagined. His absence allowed Baylor to gash us up the middle. With Britz healthy, this won't be as easy. In addition, our front 4 this year are much more active than a year ago, and those lanes will be smaller throughout the night. If we play stout up front, those yards will be tougher to come by.
#3 - Donnie Starks - His coverage ability at the Nickle spot will be tested in a big way against Baylor. They at some point in this game, like they have the last few seasons, will split out into trips to the wide side of the field, and the 2nd receiver in the formation will most definitely take off on a zero route straight up the seem. I like Starks and his speed this year vs Randall Evans the past 3 years. Starks has better hips and feet, and overall is a much faster cover guy. They have hit us on big plays in this formation with NFL quarterbacks, so their young pup is going to have to show he can make the throw, and we will have to be prepared to defend it.
#4 - Corey Coleman vs Duke Shelley - At some point, this matchup is going to be tested because of Coleman's speed, and Shelley's youth. How the young man holds up at corner will be telling to outcome of this game. He's the only one in the secondary who may have the speed and the ball skills to play one on one with Coleman, but his experience, or lack thereof, will be under the microscope.
#5 - Most important factor - Win 1st Down! The Wildcats MUST win first down and force their offense to throw the football. We cannot allow Baylor to run the football at will, and keep us guessing on defense. Winning the early downs will make defending the pass and bringing pressure more of an option. If you bring too much pressure against Baylor, the track meet begins.
#6 - Tackle, Tackle, Tackle - We have always in the past been a good tackling team, but that hasn't been the case this year thus far. Some of the troubles are youth related, others, simply execution. Taking good angles and tackling these guys as soon as they catch the ball is crucial. If we can do that, and make them earn everything they get, we will be in the game.
#7 - Offense (Yes Offense) - The Offense has to protect the defense. They must run the football, chew time on the clock, and score to apply pressure and force Baylor to maximize their possessions. We can't give up a quick score on defense, and then have to go back out on the field right after with a 3 and out. If we can run the football, and mix in some play action, and keep Baylor's offense off the field, we have a shot at making this game close.
#8 - Make the QB Run It - This kid is not Boykin. If he wants to pull the ball on the Zone Read and run it, by all means, let him. Hopefully #9 or #4 come up and introduce themselves and knocks his ass out of the game. Then we can see if Baylor can go 3 QB's deep and still be effective.
Just some thoughts on the match-ups. Our young guys on defense are getting better, and they may just play their best game of the year on Thursday night. If so, could be a great game.
#1 - Linebacker Play - We've been able to put Will Davis in good situations this year scheme wise. He has played better, and his speed has not been as much of a liability as last year. Baylor will look to isolate him, and force him into being the guy to make the tackle on Shock Linwood. One of the better guys at chasing the ball in the Big 12 is Elijah Lee. If he plays well, we will have a chance to stop the run much better than we did last year.
#2 - The Britz Factor - Travis Britz going out of last year's game was more crucial than could be imagined. His absence allowed Baylor to gash us up the middle. With Britz healthy, this won't be as easy. In addition, our front 4 this year are much more active than a year ago, and those lanes will be smaller throughout the night. If we play stout up front, those yards will be tougher to come by.
#3 - Donnie Starks - His coverage ability at the Nickle spot will be tested in a big way against Baylor. They at some point in this game, like they have the last few seasons, will split out into trips to the wide side of the field, and the 2nd receiver in the formation will most definitely take off on a zero route straight up the seem. I like Starks and his speed this year vs Randall Evans the past 3 years. Starks has better hips and feet, and overall is a much faster cover guy. They have hit us on big plays in this formation with NFL quarterbacks, so their young pup is going to have to show he can make the throw, and we will have to be prepared to defend it.
#4 - Corey Coleman vs Duke Shelley - At some point, this matchup is going to be tested because of Coleman's speed, and Shelley's youth. How the young man holds up at corner will be telling to outcome of this game. He's the only one in the secondary who may have the speed and the ball skills to play one on one with Coleman, but his experience, or lack thereof, will be under the microscope.
#5 - Most important factor - Win 1st Down! The Wildcats MUST win first down and force their offense to throw the football. We cannot allow Baylor to run the football at will, and keep us guessing on defense. Winning the early downs will make defending the pass and bringing pressure more of an option. If you bring too much pressure against Baylor, the track meet begins.
#6 - Tackle, Tackle, Tackle - We have always in the past been a good tackling team, but that hasn't been the case this year thus far. Some of the troubles are youth related, others, simply execution. Taking good angles and tackling these guys as soon as they catch the ball is crucial. If we can do that, and make them earn everything they get, we will be in the game.
#7 - Offense (Yes Offense) - The Offense has to protect the defense. They must run the football, chew time on the clock, and score to apply pressure and force Baylor to maximize their possessions. We can't give up a quick score on defense, and then have to go back out on the field right after with a 3 and out. If we can run the football, and mix in some play action, and keep Baylor's offense off the field, we have a shot at making this game close.
#8 - Make the QB Run It - This kid is not Boykin. If he wants to pull the ball on the Zone Read and run it, by all means, let him. Hopefully #9 or #4 come up and introduce themselves and knocks his ass out of the game. Then we can see if Baylor can go 3 QB's deep and still be effective.
Just some thoughts on the match-ups. Our young guys on defense are getting better, and they may just play their best game of the year on Thursday night. If so, could be a great game.
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