Good, Bad, Ugly - ISU

[IdaGriz01]

... One of the things I've learned by playing and over time, is that in what looks like a bad break down in pass coverage, it's sometimes or even often not the closest player running 5 yards behind the open receiver who was the player who had the coverage responsibility. Just happened to see what was happening and tried to break to the play to try to do something. My impression is that the rb on that play may not have had someone assigned to cover him, but I don't know. I'm sure the scheme will adapt to take that situation into account in the future.

I can relate to those "Oh S**t" moments, in playing (pre-college) defense. It's such a helpless feeling when you realize there's a blown coverage. Worse, of course, if it's you ... but bad enough even when it's not. :x

On the other hand, it's a huge thrill when you're the receiver –- nearly 60 years ago, played both ways -- and you realize you've broken clear with no coverage. Then you just pray the QB sees it too and gets you the ball.

and then don't blow it like a wide open lay-up!

Yes, well, I'm not going to say I never dropped a pass. But at least I never dropped one when I was wide open.

 

[kemajic]

I think a lot of this breaks down to...well, not breaking down. Good, solid, tackling skills would help a lot of the "issues". Assignments can be argued over and over, as has been said, none of us know for sure everyone's responsibility, whether we've played the game or not. I see overall improvement, and if the little things can continue to improve, with a bye week just at the right time, perhaps a great end of season run can be the result of the momentum started these last couple road wins.

This improvement and momentum is documented in the defensive stats of the 3 BSC games:

Opponent/Yards/1st Downs/Plays/TDs

EWU/617/30/96/6
PSU/544/30/88/5
ISU/532/30/89/4

Comforting.

 

[PlayerRep]

I think a lot of this breaks down to...well, not breaking down. Good, solid, tackling skills would help a lot of the "issues". Assignments can be argued over and over, as has been said, none of us know for sure everyone's responsibility, whether we've played the game or not. I see overall improvement, and if the little things can continue to improve, with a bye week just at the right time, perhaps a great end of season run can be the result of the momentum started these last couple road wins.

This improvement and momentum is documented in the defensive stats of the 3 BSC games:

Opponent/Yards/1st Downs/Plays/TDs

EWU/617/30/96/6
PSU/544/30/88/5
ISU/532/30/89/4

Comforting.

I like the trend. Less yardage. Less plays, sorta. Less TD's. And 2 road wins. Ha.

The D has made some nice and big plays, gotten some big stops, changed some bad momentum, had some good red zone D, bailed out the O at times, and otherwise played well at times. The problem is the rest of the time, and the huge yardage. I don't get it. I can't believe the D is a bad as the yardage and some stats show. I still have hope that they will come alive, get more consistency, and become a better D. I will bet the north 40 on this, but not the whole ranch.

 

[AZDoc]

I think a lot of this breaks down to...well, not breaking down. Good, solid, tackling skills would help a lot of the "issues". Assignments can be argued over and over, as has been said, none of us know for sure everyone's responsibility, whether we've played the game or not. I see overall improvement, and if the little things can continue to improve, with a bye week just at the right time, perhaps a great end of season run can be the result of the momentum started these last couple road wins.

This improvement and momentum is documented in the defensive stats of the 3 BSC games:

Opponent/Yards/1st Downs/Plays/TDs

EWU/617/30/96/6
PSU/544/30/88/5
ISU/532/30/89/4

Comforting.

Listen, I don't disagree with you, but I feel like they may be close to being an "average" defense that has the propensity to get turnovers. That's exactly what this offense needs in a defense...one that creates more opportunities to score.

 

[kemajic]

I think a lot of this breaks down to...well, not breaking down. Good, solid, tackling skills would help a lot of the "issues". Assignments can be argued over and over, as has been said, none of us know for sure everyone's responsibility, whether we've played the game or not. I see overall improvement, and if the little things can continue to improve, with a bye week just at the right time, perhaps a great end of season run can be the result of the momentum started these last couple road wins.

This improvement and momentum is documented in the defensive stats of the 3 BSC games:

Opponent/Yards/1st Downs/Plays/TDs

EWU/617/30/96/6
PSU/544/30/88/5
ISU/532/30/89/4

Comforting.

Listen, I don't disagree with you, but I feel like they may be close to being an "average" defense that has the propensity to get turnovers. That's exactly what this offense needs in a defense...one that creates more opportunities to score.

Which means a defense that can get itself off the field and not allow 30 1st downs.

 

[PlayerRep]

I think a lot of this breaks down to...well, not breaking down. Good, solid, tackling skills would help a lot of the "issues". Assignments can be argued over and over, as has been said, none of us know for sure everyone's responsibility, whether we've played the game or not. I see overall improvement, and if the little things can continue to improve, with a bye week just at the right time, perhaps a great end of season run can be the result of the momentum started these last couple road wins.

This improvement and momentum is documented in the defensive stats of the 3 BSC games:

Opponent/Yards/1st Downs/Plays/TDs

EWU/617/30/96/6
PSU/544/30/88/5
ISU/532/30/89/4

Comforting.

Listen, I don't disagree with you, but I feel like they may be close to being an "average" defense that has the propensity to get turnovers. That's exactly what this offense needs in a defense...one that creates more opportunities to score.

Which means a defense that can get itself off the field and not allow 30 1st downs.

We are all looking for more consistency from the D, and it looks like 30 first downs is pretty consistent to me.

 

[cmtgrizzly]

Defense is improving. I think PR mentions one key somewhat subjective characteristic that has shown up the last two games. Getting key stops to change momentum and or preserve leads/wins. To be honest I dont remember our defenses being dominant from the 1st whistle to the last even on the Hauck/Pflugrad teams and we seemed like a bend dont break, give up lots of yards but get key stops to force change of possession/prevent points in the red zone type defense. Similar to this year. We are hopefully just getting better at it and wont give up 42 in a half ever again.

 

[grzz]

Defense is improving. I think PR mentions one key somewhat subjective characteristic that has shown up the last two games. Getting key stops to change momentum and or preserve leads/wins. To be honest I dont remember our defenses being dominant from the 1st whistle to the last even on the Hauck/Pflugrad teams and we seemed like a bend dont break, give up lots of yards but get key stops to force change of possession/prevent points in the red zone type defense. Similar to this year. We are hopefully just getting better at it and wont give up 42 in a half ever again.

For the entire team, the second half of the ISU game feels like it has the potential to be one of those turning point moments. Most of the points have been made so I won't rehash them. The one thing that stood out to me is that in the fourth quarter the defense seemed to find a bit of swagger. They seem to fill the gaps in the middle quicker and were hitting harder. ISU moved the ball and I don't think this is the second coming of a dominant defense, but it doesn't have to be. If they could get even slightly better, that makes a huge difference for this offense. Sometimes it takes a moment to just make things click, and it seemed like the defense figured out that they could have a bit of swagger, that the offense can pick them up, and just go out and get it done.

 

[get'em_griz]

Defense is improving. I think PR mentions one key somewhat subjective characteristic that has shown up the last two games. Getting key stops to change momentum and or preserve leads/wins. To be honest I dont remember our defenses being dominant from the 1st whistle to the last even on the Hauck/Pflugrad teams and we seemed like a bend dont break, give up lots of yards but get key stops to force change of possession/prevent points in the red zone type defense. Similar to this year. We are hopefully just getting better at it and wont give up 42 in a half ever again.

For the entire team, the second half of the ISU game feels like it has the potential to be one of those turning point moments. Most of the points have been made so I won't rehash them. The one thing that stood out to me is that in the fourth quarter the defense seemed to find a bit of swagger. They seem to fill the gaps in the middle quicker and were hitting harder. ISU moved the ball and I don't think this is the second coming of a dominant defense, but it doesn't have to be. If they could get even slightly better, that makes a huge difference for this offense. Sometimes it takes a moment to just make things click, and it seemed like the defense figured out that they could have a bit of swagger, that the offense can pick them up, and just go out and get it done.

One thing I've noticed from attending the road games this year is that the team is certainly not lacking confidence, and that's something that had been missing from Griz squads of the last several years. Throught the PSU and ISU games I watched the players on the sidelines and as they came off of the field after plays, and they had "swagger" and a confidence that told me they knew they could and would win. Once the game was over and the team came over to the Montana section to sing the fight song, it was amazing to see how many of them were smiling and pumping their fists up in the air at the Montana fans. You could tell that they really appreciated the fan support, and you could see the confidence they had. These two road games were huge, and I think they were a turning point of pushing this program to the next level.

 

[PlayerRep]

Another think to note is that I am told that ISU was a pretty good Big Sky team with pretty good talent, or maybe even a step above that in both categories. This makes the win, on the road, even better, and, hopefully, indicates there may be more good things to come.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Bad:
-There was some bad tackling. Some of our guys need to watch some Mac Bignell film

Agree, Mac is making the Griz look like grade school tacklers.

Granted Mac is looking like one of the all-time greats...

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

Another think to note is that I am told that ISU was a pretty good Big Sky team with pretty good talent, or maybe even a step above that in both categories. This makes the win, on the road, even better, and, hopefully, indicates there may be more good things to come.

I thought this as well (ISU had good talent/players), and that this ROAD WIN was thus GOOD WIN, and potentially could lead to some more good things ahead...

 

[IdaGriz01]

Another think to note is that I am told that ISU was a pretty good Big Sky team with pretty good talent, or maybe even a step above that in both categories. This makes the win, on the road, even better, and, hopefully, indicates there may be more good things to come.

Not sure about a "pretty good" team but they're certainly respectable, and they do have some talent. After all, they did beat an FBS team on the road (Nevada is pitiful, but still). Overall, they're no powerhouse, but they're not terrible either.

And here are a few current NCAA national stats:
Tanner Gueller is 8th in total passing yards, a bit over 400 yards behind Guburd, who is number one. (Jensen is #39 nationally.) He’s tied for 6th in passing TDs, with 15. (Gubrud has 19). He is #19 in passing efficiency (154.8) … Jensen is at #24 (149.2) and Gubrud at #25 (147.8).

James Madison of Idaho State is #21 in rushing yards, with 3 rushing TDs. Murray at MSU is tied for #10 (3 TD), Calhoun is #27 in yards (5 TD).

Teamwise, they are #42 in rushing offense, at 174.2 ypg. That puts them behind several Big Sky teams (MSU, Cal Poly, PSU, etc.), but ahead of the Griz (145.3 ypg).

They are #17 in passing offense (285.3 ypg), behind EWU (374.0), UC-Davis (351.5), UM (316.8) and NoCol (285.3).

On defense, they have problems, like most Big Sky teams: #99 in rushing defense (199.8 ypg). Not good, but better than EWU, NAU, PSU and NoCol. Oddly enough, they’re one spot better than (13th-ranked, STATS) Richmond. In case you’re wondering, UM is #71, at 159.7 ypg.
ISU is #111 in passing defense (285.0 ypg), but that’s ahead of UM (324.2) and not too far behind Cal Poly (267.5).

All-and-all ISU looks like a fairly decent Big Sky team, with some very good individual performers.

 

[Stop_HammerTime69]

Another think to note is that I am told that ISU was a pretty good Big Sky team with pretty good talent, or maybe even a step above that in both categories. This makes the win, on the road, even better, and, hopefully, indicates there may be more good things to come.

Not sure about a "pretty good" team but they're certainly respectable, and they do have some talent. After all, they did beat an FBS team on the road (Nevada is pitiful, but still). Overall, they're no powerhouse, but they're not terrible either.

And here are a few current NCAA national stats:
Tanner Gueller is 8th in total passing yards, a bit over 400 yards behind Guburd, who is number one. (Jensen is #39 nationally.) He’s tied for 6th in passing TDs, with 15. (Gubrud has 19). He is #19 in passing efficiency (154.8) … Jensen is at #24 (149.2) and Gubrud at #25 (147.8).

James Madison of Idaho State is #21 in rushing yards, with 3 rushing TDs. Murray at MSU is tied for #10 (3 TD), Calhoun is #27 in yards (5 TD).

Teamwise, they are #42 in rushing offense, at 174.2 ypg. That puts them behind several Big Sky teams (MSU, Cal Poly, PSU, etc.), but ahead of the Griz (145.3 ypg).

They are #17 in passing offense (285.3 ypg), behind EWU (374.0), UC-Davis (351.5), UM (316.8) and NoCol (285.3).

On defense, they have problems, like most Big Sky teams: #99 in rushing defense (199.8 ypg). Not good, but better than EWU, NAU, PSU and NoCol. Oddly enough, they’re one spot better than (13th-ranked, STATS) Richmond. In case you’re wondering, UM is #71, at 159.7 ypg.
ISU is #111 in passing defense (285.0 ypg), but that’s ahead of UM (324.2) and not too far behind Cal Poly (267.5).

All-and-all ISU looks like a fairly decent Big Sky team, with some very good individual performers.

I still think its amazing that our nation's shortest president plays for the Bengals

 

[IdaGriz01]

Another think to note is that I am told that ISU was a pretty good Big Sky team with pretty good talent, or maybe even a step above that in both categories. This makes the win, on the road, even better, and, hopefully, indicates there may be more good things to come.

Not sure about a "pretty good" team but they're certainly respectable, and they do have some talent. After all, they did beat an FBS team on the road (Nevada is pitiful, but still). Overall, they're no powerhouse, but they're not terrible either.

And here are a few current NCAA national stats:
Tanner Gueller is 8th in total passing yards, a bit over 400 yards behind Guburd, who is number one. (Jensen is #39 nationally.) He’s tied for 6th in passing TDs, with 15. (Gubrud has 19). He is #19 in passing efficiency (154.8) … Jensen is at #24 (149.2) and Gubrud at #25 (147.8).

James Madison of Idaho State is #21 in rushing yards, with 3 rushing TDs. Murray at MSU is tied for #10 (3 TD), Calhoun is #27 in yards (5 TD).

Teamwise, they are #42 in rushing offense, at 174.2 ypg. That puts them behind several Big Sky teams (MSU, Cal Poly, PSU, etc.), but ahead of the Griz (145.3 ypg).

They are #17 in passing offense (285.3 ypg), behind EWU (374.0), UC-Davis (351.5), UM (316.8) and NoCol (285.3).

On defense, they have problems, like most Big Sky teams: #99 in rushing defense (199.8 ypg). Not good, but better than EWU, NAU, PSU and NoCol. Oddly enough, they’re one spot better than (13th-ranked, STATS) Richmond. In case you’re wondering, UM is #71, at 159.7 ypg.
ISU is #111 in passing defense (285.0 ypg), but that’s ahead of UM (324.2) and not too far behind Cal Poly (267.5).

All-and-all ISU looks like a fairly decent Big Sky team, with some very good individual performers.

I still think its amazing that our nation's shortest president plays for the Bengals

Good one! :thumb:

:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[bearister]

Question for you...how can a good defensive call not account for a running back? They were not in a position where they needed to send the house and gamble. I am not suggesting it wasn't the call...just whether you think it is sound defensive planning.

I noticed something watching the replay last night...on a couple of the longer QB scrambles (not up the middle, but broken plays), both OLB's had crashed inside, and the CB's were running with the WR's, so the outsides were wide OPEN for the QB....if THAT's by design, that's gotta change.

There is a lack of RB coverage on several plays last week and in previous games. Strahm is a powerful mudder, wouldn't want to battle him in cramped quarters, but he lacks closing speed and one step lead by QBs in the last three games they run for big gains. Looks like he has had QB run responsibility on several QB scrambles and he makes play for QB and is out of position or too slow to make tackle. Also have to take into account with no huddle play subbing players for down and distance can't happen offense can spread things out and exploit big personel packages. Funny how when teams play fast like Stitt our defense doesn't respond well so far this year.
The results have been good a win is a win just worry about better teams exploiting defense if some adjustments are not implemented soon. BTY I am impressed with the talent the coaches have brought into the program there are injuries hurting the defense and not looking for coaching changes. Alexander and Epperly had a good game nice to see several players involved.

Strahm is not a mudder. He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

He's gotta be 40 lbs heavier than he was as a high school safety. Hard to run as well carrying the weight he has now. Just watch the game and you'll see him chasing a QB and not being able to make up the ground. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a good middle LB, sometimes a great one. But high-end speed is not one of his strengths.


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[PlayerRep]

I noticed something watching the replay last night...on a couple of the longer QB scrambles (not up the middle, but broken plays), both OLB's had crashed inside, and the CB's were running with the WR's, so the outsides were wide OPEN for the QB....if THAT's by design, that's gotta change.

There is a lack of RB coverage on several plays last week and in previous games. Strahm is a powerful mudder, wouldn't want to battle him in cramped quarters, but he lacks closing speed and one step lead by QBs in the last three games they run for big gains. Looks like he has had QB run responsibility on several QB scrambles and he makes play for QB and is out of position or too slow to make tackle. Also have to take into account with no huddle play subbing players for down and distance can't happen offense can spread things out and exploit big personel packages. Funny how when teams play fast like Stitt our defense doesn't respond well so far this year.
The results have been good a win is a win just worry about better teams exploiting defense if some adjustments are not implemented soon. BTY I am impressed with the talent the coaches have brought into the program there are injuries hurting the defense and not looking for coaching changes. Alexander and Epperly had a good game nice to see several players involved.

Strahm is not a mudder. He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

He's gotta be 40 lbs heavier than he was as a high school safety. Hard to run as well carrying the weight he has now. Just watch the game and you'll see him chasing a QB and not being able to make up the ground. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a good middle LB, sometimes a great one. But high-end speed is not one of his strengths.


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Neither Strahm nor Banks have been burned in pass coverage this season. This is official.

Have you also taken into account increased speed due to increased training and strength? Just checking. Speed isn't based just on weight.

 

[Diesel]

There is a lack of RB coverage on several plays last week and in previous games. Strahm is a powerful mudder, wouldn't want to battle him in cramped quarters, but he lacks closing speed and one step lead by QBs in the last three games they run for big gains. Looks like he has had QB run responsibility on several QB scrambles and he makes play for QB and is out of position or too slow to make tackle. Also have to take into account with no huddle play subbing players for down and distance can't happen offense can spread things out and exploit big personel packages. Funny how when teams play fast like Stitt our defense doesn't respond well so far this year.
The results have been good a win is a win just worry about better teams exploiting defense if some adjustments are not implemented soon. BTY I am impressed with the talent the coaches have brought into the program there are injuries hurting the defense and not looking for coaching changes. Alexander and Epperly had a good game nice to see several players involved.

Strahm is not a mudder. He is mobile and fairly fast. Played safety in high school. Is fairly good in pass coverage.

He's gotta be 40 lbs heavier than he was as a high school safety. Hard to run as well carrying the weight he has now. Just watch the game and you'll see him chasing a QB and not being able to make up the ground. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a good middle LB, sometimes a great one. But high-end speed is not one of his strengths.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Neither Strahm nor Banks have been burned in pass coverage this season. This is official.

Have you also taken into account increased speed due to increased training and strength? Just checking. Speed isn't based just on weight.

I agree with you, take for example Sims he ran faster than Strahm trailing ISU QB, not many guys stronger or better gym rats than Sims.
Not sure if it was official, but is was caught on camera.
No blown coverages by Griz LBs because they don't cover RBs, I'm sure that's not official, but once again was filmed.

 

[Ursus1]

Linebacker coach is also the special teams coach....that speaks volumes as to how much I respect his opinions