There are two ways an offence prepares for a game. They may look at the defense and deal first with the strengths and weakness of that defense in the game plan. Or they may look first to what they prefer to do with only some consideration for the defense they will face. The latter figures in more when you are favored and expecting a win.
I could be wrong, but I think there was an element in the latter with our last game. Our offense would have looked better with a specific plan to address small quick DEs and the space they leave when they run. The offense needed to punish a DE that leaves holding the edge to someone else. The OL with specific attacks that favor their size advantage could be better used. Last, quick developing plays that don’t allow a quick DL to get into a play would help. If you watch any NIU tape from previous games, their DEs were everything to their defense.
I expect complete focus on the first strategy with Washington due to our underdog role. It not a silver bullet but it will help. Huntley needs to get comfortable in quick rhythm and get that tempo expected before we occasionally let a play go to a 5 count.
I worry about our ability to catch up to Washington’s level, but I don’t expect the approach we took in the first two games. If the bump up in offense effectiveness is not there I expect that we will try more than 1 QB looking for it. Saturday may be the day the FB team has been waiting for.
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