Well our defense better get ready to tighten their helmet straps and play the run. It isn’t that their offense is extremely diverse or even high powered, but their defense puts them in good situations and gives them the ability to stick to their run, run, run game plan. (Warning!! This post is not for the faint of heart. Are you fully invested?…..OK read on.)

Offensive Scheme:

They run a lot out of the spread formations. They run a lot of ride option plays and often align in an empty backfield and then motion to a single back set. The most important player on the field is the quarterback. Whoever is playing quarterback on Thursday holds the key to TCU’s success. If their quarterback makes good reads and solid fakes we will be forced to devote a man to each running back and the quarterback every time it looks like they will run the ride, option, or ride option. The quarterback alone is capable of keeping our linebackers and defensive ends honest.

Even their passing game needs the running attack to work. They often will fake a run and roll the quarterback out and throw a quick out or hitch. They also have a good option pass, which they will use one or two times during a game. Despite having good speed at the skill positions they don’t throw the ball down field very much. They will instead run the ball on first down in order to set up a manageable second down play where they can either attempt to get to the perimeter or they can throw a short route and hope for a missed tackle.

In past years BYU teams have done a great job of defending the option and our offense has been able to score early and move the ball on the ground and in the air. This has forced TCU into uncomfortable situations where they couldn’t simply finesse the ball around the edges and throw a quick pass every once in a while to keep everyone honest.

The Quarterback

With #10, Dalton, being out for the past few weeks the TCU offense has struggled. #11, Jackson, while a good player doesn’t give the offense the throwing dimension that they would like.

With Dalton taking more snaps this past week, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize he is going to give it a go. Their team is better with him on the field. While not as fast and athletic as #11, Jackson, he is very smart and has good feet in the pocket. He gets the ball off quick and on time, allowing his receivers to catch and make a move. Dalton has a great ability to fake the ride option play and then wheel up and throw a quick out of hitch opposite the run action. It is a great play but Dalton is the only quarterback that runs it. With Jackson you get a great runner, a questionable passer, and a smaller play book.

#11, Jackson, does a great job of making good decisions in the run game. He is a check one off type quarterback. He looks to his first guy, than his second option and if nothing is open he is running. Sometimes it’s even one and done. If he gets the start TCU will be running the ball almost every down. When he drops back to pass he has lazy, sluggish feet and often throws off his back foot. He is inaccurate and his receivers tend to drop a lot of his balls. What I like about his game is his ability (like Aaron Brown) to dip inside and than accelerate to the edge for a eight yard gain.

I would expect a two headed quarterback monster on Thursday. With Dalton being a little banged up you will want to limit his touches and give the experienced running quarterback some snaps. If the staff would work with Jackson on his mechanics he could be a dangerous threat in the future (Much like the Penn State quarterback).

Running Back

#23, Aaron Brown, will get the start, but they shuffle different guys in all the time. In almost every game they have used a different back than the previous week. Brown is extremely dangerous in the open field, especially speed option to the short side of the field. They run it with a lead blocker picking up the corner and if Brown gets the edge- he’s gone. Brown is also very dangerous while returning kicks, so lets hope Sorenson brings his big leg to Texas.

#24 is their every down type back, he runs hard between the tackles and gets the not so sexy yards up the middle.

#18 is their all purpose player. He is shifty in the open field and runs well off tackle. He is also effective on option plays. In the SDSU game he got the ball a lot and had some great runs. He is a young player and I think they have brought him along slowly. Now that they have seen what he is capable of, TCU coaches are beginning to give him the ball more.

Wide Receiver

This bunch is somewhat of a wild card, because TCU runs the ball so much. I noticed that they used a variety of guys at different spots, but there are a few “go to guys” on their team.

#85 is their most dangerous receiver. He catches a lot of the screens and also gets some snaps at quarterback. He is very fast and quick in and out of breaks and he shows a lot of emotion when he makes a big play. Something tells me he is a talker.

Other than him #1 and #6 get the most touches but not many so it’s hard to tell what their capabilities are.

One thing they do well is cut block down field. If you aren’t paying attention you will end up on your head and with TCU’s speed at running back, that means the ball is around you and half way to the end zone before you even hit the ground.

Offensive Line

Like last year this is their weak area. They aren’t dominant at the line of scrimmage. Teams are able to get pressure on the quarterback with a four man rush and they don’t blow guys off the line of scrimmage when they line up in power running formations.

Where the line excels is in position/zone blocking and cut blocking. Because their running backs are fast, they only need to position themselves between the defender and the ball for a short time and the running back is gone.

Keys To The Game:

1. Be extremely physical and win the one on one match-ups. These two things go hand in hand. We need to get penetration against the run and bring the pressure into the backfield. This will cause confusion and force their backs to change direction. This will enable our pursuit to get to the ball and allow more than one player to be in open space with their running backs. I have always said the way to combat speed is with physical play. You have to smack them in the face enough times that the quarterback no longer wants the ball and the running back is trying to do to much and ends up running sideways or backwards.
2. Continue to be stingy in the red zone. TCU has a nasty habit of getting penalties in the red zone, if we are smart and continue to play assignment sound inside the twenty we can limit their offense to field goals. If they get field goals inside the red zone it is a success for us, because field goals should never win games.
3. Create turnovers. Their defense is going to get some stops, not every possession is going to result in a touchdown. We need to give our offense as many chances as we can, so look for the ball when you are the second and third guy into the pile. We will need to take the air out of their sail by winning the emotional battle.
4. Be excited for a challenge. Embrace the fact that they are faster then you are and make it your mission to prove them wrong. Speed is deadly when it is in open space, be smart with where you align. Pay attention to your keys and play hard. Playing with extraordinary effort and playing smart will always beat speed.
5. Our linebackers need to have a very good game. A lot of pressure will be put on them to stop the quarterback on the ride option play and most of the time it will be a one on one tackle. They need to trust the defensive end or outside backer that they will take away the running back and they will need to fold around and meet the quarterback in the open space. If you Q doesn’t have the ball fold back inside and help out, but make sure he doesn’t have the ball.
6. Backside players need to slow play the quarterback and secure the cutback lanes. Their quarterbacks are smart with their option reads and if they notice the end crashing down hard they will simply pull the ball out of the running backs belly and take off. Make sure you keep your shoulder parallel to the line of scrimmage and shuffle down before you take off. It will be very important!!

Well I have basically written a book. If you made it to the end of this post you are a trooper. Enjoy the game, I have enjoyed writing this post. I always get excited for the big games and it will be difficult to slow my mind down as I get into bed. This game should be good, but I think we will show up to play and pour it on late.

This is bold but I am saying 38-17, for the guys in BLUE and WHITE.