Coaching Points from the Staffs in Round 1
Dec 20, 2024 3:44 pm
Coach -
Anticipation has been building as the College Football Playoff's inaugural round get going tonight! Eight of the 12 teams in the playoffs will get after starting tonight! Let’s take a look at the game and insight from the coaches.
Friday, December 20th - South Bend, IN - 8:00pm
Notre Dame vs Indiana
21 is the minimum magic number for this Notre Dame squad as they are 11-0 this season when breaking that mark.Notre Dame's path to victory hinges on maximizing the versatility of their offense and forcing Indiana's elite defense to spread thin.
A key element of this could be the RPOs that are incorporated into the Notre Dame offense. More specifically the idea of their skip RPOs. Mike Denbrock will look to scheme his options open and force Indiana’s defense into favorable matchups, this is just one of the ways.
With Coach Denbrock's history of tight end usage and Notre Dame's tight ends having 43 combined receptions this season. Expect these schemes to be integral to the game plan.
On the opposite end of the spectrum Indiana has held their opponent under 21 points this season 9 times. A big piece of this is their coverage skills. Boasting a top 10 finish in P4 passing yards allowed and interceptions. Coach Adams has Indiana’s DB’s locked and ready to make plays on the ball.
Disrupting some of these short area RPO passing schemes is largely going to come into play and it relates back to a point that needs to be talked about more for all teams. Finishing on the ball.
Separating a receiver from the ball is both simple and complex and the more you rep it the more it shows up. Footwork and fundamentals come into play but, ultimately studying the coaches section on separating the receiver from the ball gives you tools to really hit on the ultimate mission of DB play.
Saturday, December 21st - University Park, PA - 12:00pm
Penn State vs SMU
The SMU Mustangs face a tough test against the Penn State Nittany Lions in the College Football Playoff. Penn State's path to victory hinges on their ability to limit big plays, particularly in the passing game. Their defense must consistently bring down receivers before they can gain significant yards after the catch. This places a heavy burden on Coach Terry Smith and his secondary.
Meanwhile, SMU's offensive success will depend on Head Coach Rhett Lashlee and Co. ability to adapt and maintain a high-scoring pace. The higher the scoring output, the greater SMU's chances of pulling off an upset.
We know what explosives can do to a game and we know how lethal of an offensive mind Rhett Lashlee is. It was evident in their game against Clemson where after being down 14-0 they sparked their offense largely on the back of 6 explosive plays that all came in that frame.
Video: In Game Adjustments - Rhett Lashlee
Rhett Lashlee is known for his ability to make in-game adjustments. He excels at analyzing defensive formations to identify weaknesses and exploit them. Lashlee prioritizes creating favorable matchups for his offense while ensuring his quarterback has consistent options, thus minimizing risk and maximizing scoring opportunities.
By understanding the defensive tendencies, he can anticipate their reactions and adjust his play calls accordingly. See it as he walks you through a 2023 game against Memphis in this clinic.
On the defensive end of the spectrum, there has to be some kind of understanding of what is going to make or break you across the whole season but also week to week. Largely this is usually fundamentals, but it helps you zero in on specifics that you will hang your hat on. These are going to decide what happens in this game and Coach Smith Details them all in his clinic.
Coach Smith emphasizes the importance of fundamental football, emphasizing techniques like proper tackling, efficient angles, effective block shedding, and maintaining a low pad level. Closely observe how the players execute these fundamentals during the game as this will provide valuable insights into their performance and the team's overall success this Saturday.
Saturday, December 21st - Austin, TX - 4:00pm
Texas vs Clemson
Clemson and Texas collide in the CFP, presenting very different showings in their conference championship games. The success of their offenses, led by Cade Klubnik and Quinn Ewers, will be paramount. Clemson's OL coach Matt Luke and Texas's OC Kyle Flood offer insights into how these offenses can operate to attack and can dictate the pace and score in this high-stakes clash.
For Clemson they need to get moving and keep moving. The more they can develop the run game and compliment it by grouped plays the better off they are. This season on their 3 losses 2 they were significantly outgained on the ground. The other - there was only a 12 yard separation in yardage. That’s their identity and the more they can build off their identity the better off they are going to be. With this in their game plan they need to group their plays.
How to Group Plays - Matt Luke
The grouping of plays, likely a product of Matt Luke and his staff's offseason preparation, offers valuable insight into Clemson's offensive movement. The more effectively Clemson navigates these groupings in-game, the smoother their tempo and transitions between plays will become. This emphasis on play grouping should be a key consideration for any team during the offseason, as it can significantly enhance offensive efficiency and overall performance.
From that same perspective, Texas has to get back to moving the ball and a consistent model. The ground game and Coach Flood’s OL are going to have to be a point of emphasis. I can imagine they went back to drill work and are looking to shore things up and gain some momentum as they head into a playoff run. Where it starts? The Crowther Sled.
The "old reliable" Crowther Lift Drill allows Coach Flood to meticulously rep the fundamental movements crucial for success in the run game, emphasizing both intensity and controlled execution. Expect Texas to aggressively prioritize the ground game from the outset, aiming to establish a physical presence and diversify their offensive approach.
Saturday, December 21st - Columbus, OH - 8:00pm
Ohio State vs Tennessee
The Buckeyes have a history of close games in the postseason, often decided by special teams play. Their defense is formidable, and their offense can burst forth in waves. However, games like their victory over Indiana, where their special teams shined, highlight their potential for dominance.
Tthe impact of special teams for the Buckeyes has been a consistent factor in previous seasons, and their ability to excel in this area will be critical this postseason. This will be particularly evident in their coverage units, as long fields and drives will support the defense. A common challenge is coverage athletes initiating contact too early so we dive in with Coach Keys into the Avoid techniques they use.
Understanding the pressure applied by the blockers we can better grasp their string between them and the returner and how we can attack the leverage. Guys with a good feel for this become vital to returned kicks as their lane integrity and ability to stack the blocker creates major issues with them likely covering to the 20-25 yard line by the time the returner is pressing vertical.
On the Tennessee side, offensive line coach Glenn Elarbee has instilled a powerful vertical run game that complements their passing attack. Teams that have effectively run against Ohio State have posed challenges, and Tennessee aims to exploit this weakness.
Looking at Tennessee their offense poses a problem for all defenses in that they operate differently tempo, alignment and footwork wise compared to that of traditional plays. While assignments are largely similar, the OL is the key to the movements.
Coach Elarbee's counter schemes against 3-down fronts prioritize misdirection and advantageous blocking angles. Key to their success is pre-snap identification of defensive alignments,both in gameplans and in game. This allows for adjustments in their double team and back block assignments. With the vertical nature in which their run game exists these are viable options and schemes that will create seams in the even the Ends cannot squeeze the gaps and the other lineman are able to collect or spread the backers.
The intersection of coaching, planning and practice collides with execution beginning tonight. Enjoy all of the games this weekend!
Coach Grabowski and the CoachesClinic Team
P.S.
Get bundles of clinic presentations here:
Mike Denbrock - TE Drive RPO
Glen Elarbee Training Uptempo OL
Rhett Lashlee Offense