grizpaws said:
This makes sense and explains the difference between the first halves and the second halves...the PSU and Idaho QB's could probably confirm that it isn't a lot of fun to play against our defense in the second half. So what makes the scheme so much more effective in the second half? Our depth? Second half adjustments? Changing up the scheme? It seems they aren't beating us over the top in the second half because the QB's are running for their lives. Are they just turning the dogs loose? Really interested in your thoughts.
Again I'm just a fan, I don't spend the 80+ hours in the office watching film and watching the guys at practice. So truly my thoughts have as much weight as anyones. I would say there could be a myriad of reasons. I think the teams we play are going to give us the kitchen sink. Who wouldn't be reared up to play the Griz? So I think part of it is teams play their best football for as long as they can endure against us. I've coached on teams that I thought my players had to feel teams out, kind of understand where teams are going to attack us, then dial in and get them figured out. Drove me crazy. I think part of it could be the emphasis Coach Hauck probably put on finishing this offseason, after the lack thereof last season. Finish stronger than you started type deal.
And like I stated earlier, I think Coach Hauck has the mentality that he wants to take a teams best shot and shove it up their ass. I think we play tight and play aggressive and don't flinch when we give up 3 long TDs in the first half, because on those 3 long balls maybe the QB gets whacked, or maybe we begin to wear on the OL or maybe we wack a WR, so the next time they take their shot they remember that and it's not quite crisp enough to complete those balls.
A lot of OCs (myself included) believe that if they can consistently run the ball, the 3-4 yard games will turn into 7-8 yard gains in the second half. I think it could be possible that the defensive staff believes the same thing from a defensive standpoint. "You might get us early on, but we will break your will at some point."
Then, there could be the personnel factor. Maybe a safety/corner got beat on a play and the other team executed. Maybe there wasn't a good enough pass rush. Maybe the DC had a bad call. All those things happen over the course of a season. Again though, disclaimer, I don't study the tape. Coaches and players do.