/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52219465/621284280.0.jpeg)
Our beloved Miami Hurricanes take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in the Russell Athletic Bowl, but here we’re taking a look at WVU versus Oklahoma State, where the Cowboys defeated the Mountaineers 37-20.
Below, WVU is in a 2-back 20 personnel set. They use play-action to freeze the linebackers (just watch them bite) and a hitch and go gets the single receiver wide open on the fade. It’s a 7-man protection scheme that gives the QB time. I think Elder needs to have a stellar game to keep these single side receivers under control.
However as you can see in this 2nd GIF, even with the 6 man scheme and play-action, the right guard gets worked and gives up an interior rush leading to a fumble. Miami has the defensive line to provide that kind of pressure with Thomas and Jackson.
Miami likes to take advantage of turnovers and West Virginia seems a bit turnover prone in their two losses with 4 to the Sooners and a 0:3 ratio here against State. Carter needs to play sound football and not only go for the big shot against WVU.
In this GIF, you can see OK State with a 3-man rush and dropping 8. WVU throws into triple coverage for another turnover.
Something to look out for though is this QB power/bubble RPO. It’s a nice play for +20 and the QB follows both the back side guard and h-back through the hole while bouncing off a few arm tackles.
The Cowboys throw a hard slant on this IZ RPO. There’s no flat defender so it’s an easy throw.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7617989/Untitled_2.png)
So the Cowboys are reading the flat defender here and as he bites down to the run he pulls and throws the bubble.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/7617975/Untitled.png)
Play-action fade works in the back of the endzone.
From looking at what works and what doesn’t, I think Miami can run their play-action game and hit some deep fades to Coley. We’ll also see some RPO game as the 3-3-5 defense WVU plays seems to leave the bubble alone. I think we already know why inside zone will or won’t work based on the season so far.
On Defense, Miami needs to get pressure from the front 4 without blitzing and drop 7 into coverage to take advantage of the turnover issues the Mountaineers have shown in big games.
find me on Twitter @IMFB_Blog