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Game planning Cat/Griz

Skookum-Jim

Skookum-Jim

Well-known member
eGriz Club
Just a few thoughts on how I think the game plan should be against the cats this week. Since I don't know a lot about football some of you experts can correct me. Cat/Griz is so exciting and both teams always have a lot to play for. Bragging rights mean a lot to both fan bases.

I don't like betting point spreads. Teams play so much differently if they are behind or ahead so they become meaningless as far as judging outcomes. I like to think in terms of numer of games won if they played head to head 100 times. Since they have played a SOS that is roughly equal, (slight edge to the cats in Massey and slight edge to the griz in sagarin we'll call it a wash) So we can compare the teams statistically. So we'll give the bobcat defense a slight edge and the offense and special teams will be a wash.. So for the sake of argument let's say that the bobcats because of their slightly better defense and home field advantage they would win 65 out of 100 games head to head.

Here is how I think the pre-season champs can make that 35% odds happen and beat the actual BSC champs.

On defense I love the 3-3-5 the griz run. The conventional wisdom here is that it is not good against the run. I totally disagree and especially think it's good against the outside zone read the cats run. Also the griz have had some success the last few games running predominately zone defense but that is not how they can beat the cats. The griz need to play heavy in the box and play man coverage. Also we have to just play side to side gap responsibility defense. Very few twisting stunts like they normally do. If they sit in zone cover 2, the cats will run the ball 8-10 yards a clip. If they do a lot of twisting stunts Tommy will exploit that most times. Make Tommy commit to the second option always and make him throw it. The griz will certainly get burned a bit doing this but it's the best chance to get the most stops.

The offense needs to start fast and not let up, they need Fife to be clicking. He seems to be seeing the field very well right now and can hit the open guy very accurately. A steady dose of quick slants, seam routes and TE over the middle. Very few low percentage fades or long developing down field routes, Enough Gilman and Osmo touches to keep them honest. The cats run a 4-2-5 defense. The DE's are good pass rushers and the tackles are good run stoppers. The DL is deep so there is no chance of wearing them down. The LB's are thin now, not super fast but good players and great tacklers. The corners and safeties are great pursuit run stopping tacklers but not so great in coverage.

Just one fan's opinion on how the griz can win
this one.
 
Skookum-Jim said:
Just a few thoughts on how I think the game plan should be against the cats this week. Since I don't know a lot about football some of you experts can correct me. Cat/Griz is so exciting and both teams always have a lot to play for. Bragging rights mean a lot to both fan bases.

I don't like betting point spreads. Teams play so much differently if they are behind or ahead so they become meaningless as far as judging outcomes. I like to think in terms of numer of games won if they played head to head 100 times. Since they have played a SOS that is roughly equal, (slight edge to the cats in Massey and slight edge to the griz in sagarin we'll call it a wash) So we can compare the teams statistically. So we'll give the bobcat defense a slight edge and the offense and special teams will be a wash.. So for the sake of argument let's say that the bobcats because of their slightly better defense and home field advantage they would win 65 out of 100 games head to head.

Here is how I think the pre-season champs can make that 35% odds happen and beat the actual BSC champs.

On defense I love the 3-3-5 the griz run. The conventional wisdom here is that it is not good against the run. I totally disagree and especially think it's good against the outside zone read the cats run. Also the griz have had some success the last few games running predominately zone defense but that is not how they can beat the cats. The griz need to play heavy in the box and play man coverage. Also we have to just play side to side gap responsibility defense. Very few twisting stunts like they normally do. If they sit in zone cover 2, the cats will run the ball 8-10 yards a clip. If they do a lot of twisting stunts Tommy will exploit that most times. Make Tommy commit to the second option always and make him throw it. The griz will certainly get burned a bit doing this but it's the best chance to get the most stops.

The offense needs to start fast and not let up, they need Fife to be clicking. He seems to be seeing the field very well right now and can hit the open guy very accurately. A steady dose of quick slants, seam routes and TE over the middle. Very few low percentage fades or long developing down field routes, Enough Gilman and Osmo touches to keep them honest. The cats run a 4-2-5 defense. The DE's are good pass rushers and the tackles are good run stoppers. The DL is deep so there is no chance of wearing them down. The LB's are thin now, not super fast but good players and great tacklers. The corners and safeties are great pursuit run stopping tacklers but not so great in coverage.

Just one fan's opinion on how the griz can win
this one.
Click to expand...

Griz don’t have the personnel to play heavy in the box and man coverage. Your premise is solid and I am not disagreeing with what you are saying. The Griz probably need to pick their poison. Load the box and try and stop the run. If they don’t, there will be no reason for the Cats to pass the ball. They can run the clock and the score up by just pounding the rock for 5+ yards a carry.
 
Skookum-Jim said:
Just a few thoughts on how I think the game plan should be against the cats this week. Since I don't know a lot about football some of you experts can correct me. Cat/Griz is so exciting and both teams always have a lot to play for. Bragging rights mean a lot to both fan bases.

I don't like betting point spreads. Teams play so much differently if they are behind or ahead so they become meaningless as far as judging outcomes. I like to think in terms of numer of games won if they played head to head 100 times. Since they have played a SOS that is roughly equal, (slight edge to the cats in Massey and slight edge to the griz in sagarin we'll call it a wash) So we can compare the teams statistically. So we'll give the bobcat defense a slight edge and the offense and special teams will be a wash.. So for the sake of argument let's say that the bobcats because of their slightly better defense and home field advantage they would win 65 out of 100 games head to head.

Here is how I think the pre-season champs can make that 35% odds happen and beat the actual BSC champs.

On defense I love the 3-3-5 the griz run. The conventional wisdom here is that it is not good against the run. I totally disagree and especially think it's good against the outside zone read the cats run. Also the griz have had some success the last few games running predominately zone defense but that is not how they can beat the cats. The griz need to play heavy in the box and play man coverage. Also we have to just play side to side gap responsibility defense. Very few twisting stunts like they normally do. If they sit in zone cover 2, the cats will run the ball 8-10 yards a clip. If they do a lot of twisting stunts Tommy will exploit that most times. Make Tommy commit to the second option always and make him throw it. The griz will certainly get burned a bit doing this but it's the best chance to get the most stops.

The offense needs to start fast and not let up, they need Fife to be clicking. He seems to be seeing the field very well right now and can hit the open guy very accurately. A steady dose of quick slants, seam routes and TE over the middle. Very few low percentage fades or long developing down field routes, Enough Gilman and Osmo touches to keep them honest. The cats run a 4-2-5 defense. The DE's are good pass rushers and the tackles are good run stoppers. The DL is deep so there is no chance of wearing them down. The LB's are thin now, not super fast but good players and great tacklers. The corners and safeties are great pursuit run stopping tacklers but not so great in coverage.

Just one fan's opinion on how the griz can win
this one.
Click to expand...
 
This is a truly great post. I think I know ball, but dont know the ins and outs of what is taught to the Griz specifically other than what I see on game day and what little tape I watch these days. Couple things to play devils advocate a bit.

Regarding the defense. The 3-3-5 is a good defense because it allows you to get to 4 down with a rush as well as blitz to get different kind of bear fronts (5 down). Twisting and slanting can be successful because in the zone/power read game, you can determine what ball carrier will get the ball. Some teams pinch to get the QB to pull it, and then tell LBs to be ready to tackle the QB because of the pinch etc. Regarding the man coverage, conventional wisdom would tell you that you are correct in playing man coverage, however I have also felt like zone defense gets more vision on the box at times. Maybe you do it out of quarters with hard fitting safeties??

Offensively, it will be interesting to see the game plan. I personally always liked to run my QB in the first few plays of a big game so he kind of gets that first hit out of him. Also simple RPOs or quicks to get him an easy completion. If they are able to run the ball, I have always felt like pease is able to get into a rhythm, and is able to set up play action and screen game.

Good stuff though!!
 
I’ve come to like watching the gamesmanship involved with the 3-3-5 and some of the fun nuances when we bring heavy pressure and really hit a QB hard all game. As we’ve learned this year it is better when you have a really solid linebacking core and can bring pressure and stunts from anywhere and it’s necessary to have solid secondary to make it work at an elite level. A true NT like Gub takes it to another level.

My biggest frustration with Hauck living and dying on the 3-3-5 hill has been his assertion that it’s too hard to recruit true defensive tackles. I would call BS on that as you look around the conference and subdivision as a whole and the top schools all have big guys up front. Even Cal Poly has talent on their defensive line and they have been cellar dwellers for his whole second stint (beyond as well, but irrelevant here). All of the top teams run 4 man fronts and have talent across their line.
 
One way to beat them is thru trick plays. There's a southern conference play called the VOO DOO. You won't see it played here in the North but we will see what the coach has up his sleeve for Saturday. Certainly weather could be a factor and if that is the case the old slippery slope play is another good one that is used back east. Who knows what could happen but these are examples of a couple plays that might put a bobcat rug on the wall.
 
Last edited:
Skookum-Jim said:
Just a few thoughts on how I think the game plan should be against the cats this week. Since I don't know a lot about football some of you experts can correct me. Cat/Griz is so exciting and both teams always have a lot to play for. Bragging rights mean a lot to both fan bases.

I don't like betting point spreads. Teams play so much differently if they are behind or ahead so they become meaningless as far as judging outcomes. I like to think in terms of numer of games won if they played head to head 100 times. Since they have played a SOS that is roughly equal, (slight edge to the cats in Massey and slight edge to the griz in sagarin we'll call it a wash) So we can compare the teams statistically. So we'll give the bobcat defense a slight edge and the offense and special teams will be a wash.. So for the sake of argument let's say that the bobcats because of their slightly better defense and home field advantage they would win 65 out of 100 games head to head.

Here is how I think the pre-season champs can make that 35% odds happen and beat the actual BSC champs.

On defense I love the 3-3-5 the griz run. The conventional wisdom here is that it is not good against the run. I totally disagree and especially think it's good against the outside zone read the cats run. Also the griz have had some success the last few games running predominately zone defense but that is not how they can beat the cats. The griz need to play heavy in the box and play man coverage. Also we have to just play side to side gap responsibility defense. Very few twisting stunts like they normally do. If they sit in zone cover 2, the cats will run the ball 8-10 yards a clip. If they do a lot of twisting stunts Tommy will exploit that most times. Make Tommy commit to the second option always and make him throw it. The griz will certainly get burned a bit doing this but it's the best chance to get the most stops.

The offense needs to start fast and not let up, they need Fife to be clicking. He seems to be seeing the field very well right now and can hit the open guy very accurately. A steady dose of quick slants, seam routes and TE over the middle. Very few low percentage fades or long developing down field routes, Enough Gilman and Osmo touches to keep them honest. The cats run a 4-2-5 defense. The DE's are good pass rushers and the tackles are good run stoppers. The DL is deep so there is no chance of wearing them down. The LB's are thin now, not super fast but good players and great tacklers. The corners and safeties are great pursuit run stopping tacklers but not so great in coverage.

Just one fan's opinion on how the griz can win
this one
Missoula223 said:
This is a truly great post. I think I know ball, but dont know the ins and outs of what is taught to the Griz specifically other than what I see on game day and what little tape I watch these days. Couple things to play devils advocate a bit.

Regarding the defense. The 3-3-5 is a good defense because it allows you to get to 4 down with a rush as well as blitz to get different kind of bear fronts (5 down). Twisting and slanting can be successful because in the zone/power read game, you can determine what ball carrier will get the ball. Some teams pinch to get the QB to pull it, and then tell LBs to be ready to tackle the QB because of the pinch etc. Regarding the man coverage, conventional wisdom would tell you that you are correct in playing man coverage, however I have also felt like zone defense gets more vision on the box at times. Maybe you do it out of quarters with hard fitting safeties??

Offensively, it will be interesting to see the game plan. I personally always liked to run my QB in the first few plays of a big game so he kind of gets that first hit out of him. Also simple RPOs or quicks to get him an easy completion. If they are able to run the ball, I have always felt like pease is able to get into a rhythm, and is able to set up play action and screen game.

Good stuff though!!
Click to expand...
The 3-3-5 is horrible if you dont set the edge and have linebackers that can run. We havent done it all year and our linebacker shy away from contact. Vigen will take your advice and TM will score within three plays Saturday.
Click to expand...
 
Skookum-Jim said:
Just a few thoughts on how I think the game plan should be against the cats this week. Since I don't know a lot about football some of you experts can correct me. Cat/Griz is so exciting and both teams always have a lot to play for. Bragging rights mean a lot to both fan bases.

I don't like betting point spreads. Teams play so much differently if they are behind or ahead so they become meaningless as far as judging outcomes. I like to think in terms of numer of games won if they played head to head 100 times. Since they have played a SOS that is roughly equal, (slight edge to the cats in Massey and slight edge to the griz in sagarin we'll call it a wash) So we can compare the teams statistically. So we'll give the bobcat defense a slight edge and the offense and special teams will be a wash.. So for the sake of argument let's say that the bobcats because of their slightly better defense and home field advantage they would win 65 out of 100 games head to head.

Here is how I think the pre-season champs can make that 35% odds happen and beat the actual BSC champs.

On defense I love the 3-3-5 the griz run. The conventional wisdom here is that it is not good against the run. I totally disagree and especially think it's good against the outside zone read the cats run. Also the griz have had some success the last few games running predominately zone defense but that is not how they can beat the cats. The griz need to play heavy in the box and play man coverage. Also we have to just play side to side gap responsibility defense. Very few twisting stunts like they normally do. If they sit in zone cover 2, the cats will run the ball 8-10 yards a clip. If they do a lot of twisting stunts Tommy will exploit that most times. Make Tommy commit to the second option always and make him throw it. The griz will certainly get burned a bit doing this but it's the best chance to get the most stops.

The offense needs to start fast and not let up, they need Fife to be clicking. He seems to be seeing the field very well right now and can hit the open guy very accurately. A steady dose of quick slants, seam routes and TE over the middle. Very few low percentage fades or long developing down field routes, Enough Gilman and Osmo touches to keep them honest. The cats run a 4-2-5 defense. The DE's are good pass rushers and the tackles are good run stoppers. The DL is deep so there is no chance of wearing them down. The LB's are thin now, not super fast but good players and great tacklers. The corners and safeties are great pursuit run stopping tacklers but not so great in coverage.

Just one fan's opinion on how the griz can win
this one.
Click to expand...
This is good. It is looking more and more that weather could be a factor. A wet football can do funny things.
 
oldngrizzly said:
One way to beat them is thru trick plays. There's a southern conference play called the VOO DOO. You won't see it played here in the North but we will see what the coach has up his sleeve for Saturday. Certainly weather could be a factor and if that is the case the old slippery slope play is another good one that is used back east. Who knows what could happen but these are examples of a couple plays that might put a bobcat rug on the wall.
Click to expand...
If you are using practice time on trick plays, you should probably use that time to perfect your traditional plays.
 
HikeGlacier said:
If you are using practice time on trick plays, you should probably use that time to perfect your traditional plays.
Click to expand...
Looking at the way this year has shaped up for the Griz I think the team needs a trick or two any where they can find them. So far traditional has not worked out so well. The weather beings how it might be the old slippery slope might be just the ticket.
 
oldngrizzly said:
Looking at the way this year has shaped up for the Griz I think the team needs a trick or two any where they can find them. So far traditional has not worked out so well. The weather beings how it might be the old slippery slope might be just the ticket.
Click to expand...
We should be far more concerned with our defense on Saturday than our offense. It's going to get ugly fast.
 
Maybe it'll be like last year. The Bobcats are playing really hard, they're just not playing very good. My favorite quote. After that quote he can be Griz announcer for life .
 
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