Seattle Times: Huskies’ beefy defensive line will leave little room for opponents to run

[DirtyRU]

Come and get 'em boys.... Chainsaw Massacre ??????

Hahahaha! Perhaps lol! But I'm referring to my other post about Cole eating fat chicks for breakfast, and right now he's VERY hungry!

Truth is I've seen Chainsaw a few times (I'm a horror movie fan) but I can't say whether or not a line like that is said. Makes sense though!

 

[Scarlet Knut]

Rutgers 24 - UW 21

 

[LiKnight]

They are big and nasty.

...and we'll put 150+ rushing yards on them.

 

[RUMountie]

How many starts does Cole have? temper those expectations.

Some of us don't understand the function of a fan. These are not expectations rather these are hopes that all real fans have for their teams:
1) Players will perform better than they have in the past
2) Inexperienced players will play well because they have some promise.

Stuff like that, it's what real fans do. Hope for the best.

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

Rutgers 24 - UW 21

Washington: 27 | Rutgers: 13

 

[RU-ROCS]

Washington: 27 | Rutgers: 13

I'll admit that after traveling 3,000 miles to watch the game, I'd be pretty satisfied with that final score. I don't see a path to victory, but I'd be happy if RU can keep it close into the 4th Q.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

How many starts does Cole have? temper those expectations.

Always temper expectation of Rutgers and over hype those of the opponent.:chairshot: Did you know UW run defense has 4 outstanding games where they held the opponent to crazy numbers like -37 yards against Washington State or 11 yards by Sacramento State? But in the other 9 games they gave up an average of 180+ yards in rushing. Pass happy Cal ran for 150 yards to soften that great defense of UW, which led to a soft pass defense. Btw, Cal threw for 342 yards against that outstanding pass defense. Not saying Rutgers will be able to pass like that, but they should have some success running the ball. If Cal and Oregon State has success running the ball, Rutgers should do even better. Let's temper expectations of the UW defense being the 1985 Bears.

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

A lot of pressure was put on the Washington defense, especially the first half of the season due to the ineptitude of the Washington offense. The defense spent a long time on the field seeing how Washington finished next to last in the conference in 3rd down conversions, time of possession and last in scoring in the Red Zone. On the flip side, Washington started the youngest team in the conference last season including a true freshman QB and RB. The offense seemed to improve as the season went on but it was a slow painful process to watch.

 

[RUChoppin]

Always temper expectation of Rutgers and over hype those of the opponent.:chairshot: Did you know UW run defense has 4 outstanding games where they held the opponent to crazy numbers like -37 yards against Washington State or 11 yards by Sacramento State? But in the other 9 games they gave up an average of 180+ yards in rushing. Pass happy Cal ran for 150 yards to soften that great defense of UW, which led to a soft pass defense. Btw, Cal threw for 342 yards against that outstanding pass defense. Not saying Rutgers will be able to pass like that, but they should have some success running the ball. If Cal and Oregon State has success running the ball, Rutgers should do even better. Let's temper expectations of the UW defense being the 1985 Bears.

Washington did benefit statistically from some anomalies, namely:

Sacramento St: 11 yards rushing
Southern Miss: 22 yards rushing
Washington St: 31 yards rushing
Utah St: 83 yards rushing

Over the other 9 games, they gave up an average of 166.6 (with 4 teams running for 185+ - Arizona, USC, Stanford, Boise St).

Of note, though, they did hold 12 of their opponents under their rushing yard average for the season (the exception being USC).

 

[RUChoppin]

A lot of pressure was put on the Washington defense, especially the first half of the season due to the ineptitude of the Washington offense. The defense spent a long time on the field seeing how Washington finished next to last in the conference in 3rd down conversions, time of possession and last in scoring in the Red Zone. On the flip side, Washington started the youngest team in the conference last season including a true freshman QB and RB. The offense seemed to improve as the season went on but it was a slow painful process to watch.

But two of their four strong defensive efforts were in game 2 (11 yards allowed vs. Sacramento St) and game 3 (83 allowed vs. Utah St). The toughest stretch was mid-season games 5-8, where they gave up an average of 184.8 ypg on the ground.

The final two games were strong, but...
- in the Washington St game they allowed 31 to a team that only averages 80 per game (127th nationally)
- in the Southern Miss bowl game where they gave up 22... Southern Miss was without their leading rusher due to injury, and the game was played in 20mph winds and tornado warnings as the teams were boarding their buses (which reduced the ability to keep the defense honest with longer passes).

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

But two of their four strong defensive efforts were in game 2 (11 yards allowed vs. Sacramento St) and game 3 (83 allowed vs. Utah St). The toughest stretch was mid-season games 5-8, where they gave up an average of 184.8 ypg on the ground.

The final two games were strong, but...
- in the Washington St game they allowed 31 to a team that only averages 80 per game (127th nationally)
- in the Southern Miss bowl game where they gave up 22... Southern Miss was without their leading rusher due to injury, and the game was played in 20mph winds and tornado warnings as the teams were boarding their buses (which reduced the ability to keep the defense honest with longer passes).

In some of those games the defense scored almost as many points as the offense. It was bad. Washington threw a shitload of bubble screens when they did throw the ball because they didn't trust the QB to throw long. After a while opponents catch on to that crap and it makes it even worse.

 

[hanoverian]

Used to live New England many years, sister lived in Jersey -- Washington now, so greetings Rutgers. Upfront, let me say the spread is nuts -- it will be a reasonably close game , my guess may be a 10-14 point final margin for UW but it could go the other way. Glad some of you will be able to come.

There is a lot of interesting analysis on this thread. Maybe I can add a little perspective to Alaska Dawg, as I saw most of last year's games. The UW offense is the question mark; the defense is as good as advertised. FWIW, a Pac 12 preseason all -conference team was just published, and the UW defense got 4 first team spots: DL, MLB, CB, and Safety.

Someone noted their struggles stopping the run. Understand the league they play in -- very high scoring. They played 5 or 6 DBs on 75% of the snaps last year. This D is set up to limit points, and they excel at that. Held their 9 Pac 12 opponents an average of almost 14 points below their respective averages -- only Utah went over, because of a pick six. And, realistically, I don't know that your offense this year will be comparable to USC, Stanford, Oregon, Cal, Washington State, Utah (last year), Arizona State. If so-- enjoy it!

UW Rushing D stats also skewed by offense's inability to control the ball. The poster above noted the Cal game as an indicator: however, Cal had the ball for 40 minutes and 92 plays b/c of 5 UW turnovers. They ran it for only 2.7 yards per play. Similarly, Stanford held the ball for 40 minutes in putting up their big rushing total. Oregon State was a blow out , stats are meaningless. I could go on but you get the point. Their YPP was VERY good.

Re: fatigue, UW is very deep on defense. They play against spread offenses all the time. They will rotate 6-8 people up front (the three guys in the article rotate through two spots). The secondary is even deeper.

So it should be interesting. Seems to me your keys to winning will be (1) stifling the UW offense ( as teams did last year), and (2) avoiding turnovers. Enjoy the game, and sorry for the length of the post!

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

Used to live New England many years, sister lived in Jersey -- Washington now, so greetings Rutgers. Upfront, let me say the spread is nuts -- it will be a reasonably close game , my guess may be a 10-14 point final margin for UW but it could go the other way. Glad some of you will be able to come.

There is a lot of interesting analysis on this thread. Maybe I can add a little perspective to Alaska Dawg, as I saw most of last year's games. The UW offense is the question mark; the defense is as good as advertised. FWIW, a Pac 12 preseason all -conference team was just published, and the UW defense got 4 first team spots: DL, MLB, CB, and Safety.

Someone noted their struggles stopping the run. Understand the league they play in -- very high scoring. They played 5 or 6 DBs on 75% of the snaps last year. This D is set up to limit points, and they excel at that. Held their 9 Pac 12 opponents an average of almost 14 points below their respective averages -- only Utah went over, because of a pick six. And, realistically, I don't know that your offense this year will be comparable to USC, Stanford, Oregon, Cal, Washington State, Utah (last year), Arizona State. If so-- enjoy it!

UW Rushing D stats also skewed by offense's inability to control the ball. The poster above noted the Cal game as an indicator: however, Cal had the ball for 40 minutes and 92 plays b/c of 5 UW turnovers. They ran it for only 2.7 yards per play. Similarly, Stanford held the ball for 40 minutes in putting up their big rushing total. Oregon State was a blow out , stats are meaningless. I could go on but you get the point. Their YPP was VERY good.

Re: fatigue, UW is very deep on defense. They play against spread offenses all the time. They will rotate 6-8 people up front (the three guys in the article rotate through two spots). The secondary is even deeper.

So it should be interesting. Seems to me your keys to winning will be (1) stifling the UW offense ( as teams did last year), and (2) avoiding turnovers. Enjoy the game, and sorry for the length of the post!

Solid analysis ^^ ... and may I ask how you found this board.

 

[hanoverian]

How does anyone find anything on the internet: Google it. Was looking for info on Rutgers football in advance of next week's game. Always interesting to read what fans are saying don't you thinK? I see it pretty much as you do I think -- much closer than vegas has it.

 

[JQRU91]

Kind of funny that Washington's field is named for Alaska Airlines.

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

Kind of funny that Washington's field is named for Alaska Airlines.

Alaska Airlines paid a boatload of money for the naming rights ... advertising. Anything these days for money ... especially seeing how the PAC Network isn't paying off the dividends like they had expected.

 

[hanoverian]

Kind of funny that Washington's field is named for Alaska Airlines.

Capitalism at its finest -- what isn't for sale? To be fair, that airline is headquartered in Seattle and does most of their flying out of SeaTac

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

How does anyone find anything on the internet: Google it. Was looking for info on Rutgers football in advance of next week's game. Always interesting to read what fans are saying don't you thinK? I see it pretty much as you do I think -- much closer than vegas has it.

Vegas is off their rocker. 24 pt spread on a team that UW has zero game film for seeing how Ash is a new HC, not to mention Bovoda moved the line two weeks ago to where they have Washington getting 10 wins this season.... up from 9.

 

[hanoverian]

Vegas is off their rocker. 24 pt spread on a team that UW has zero game film for seeing how Ash is a new HC, not to mention Bovoda moved the line two weeks ago to where they have Washington getting 10 wins this season.... up from 9.

Boy they must be projecting an awful lot of improvement for the guys on offense who started last year as freshmen and sophomores (6 or 7 total I think?). Without that, the D will still be on the field too long on too many games.

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

Boy they must be projecting an awful lot of improvement for the guys on offense who started last year as freshmen and sophomores (6 total I think?). Without that, the D will still be on the field too long on too many games.

If the offense starts to choke again this year I think Smith will be out the door and replaced by Tedford long before the season ends ... which wouldn't bother me one bit. Smith is the only Washington asst. coach who didn't get a contract extension .. other than Pease who got the boot at the end of last season.

 

[JQRU91]

Alaska Airlines paid a boatload of money for the naming rights ... advertising. Anything these days for money ... especially seeing how the PAC Network isn't paying off the dividends like they had expected.

Rutgers plays at High Point Solutions Stadium so we can't really say too much.

 

[RUChoppin]

Used to live New England many years, sister lived in Jersey -- Washington now, so greetings Rutgers. Upfront, let me say the spread is nuts -- it will be a reasonably close game , my guess may be a 10-14 point final margin for UW but it could go the other way. Glad some of you will be able to come.

There is a lot of interesting analysis on this thread. Maybe I can add a little perspective to Alaska Dawg, as I saw most of last year's games. The UW offense is the question mark; the defense is as good as advertised. FWIW, a Pac 12 preseason all -conference team was just published, and the UW defense got 4 first team spots: DL, MLB, CB, and Safety.

Someone noted their struggles stopping the run. Understand the league they play in -- very high scoring. They played 5 or 6 DBs on 75% of the snaps last year. This D is set up to limit points, and they excel at that. Held their 9 Pac 12 opponents an average of almost 14 points below their respective averages -- only Utah went over, because of a pick six. And, realistically, I don't know that your offense this year will be comparable to USC, Stanford, Oregon, Cal, Washington State, Utah (last year), Arizona State. If so-- enjoy it!

UW Rushing D stats also skewed by offense's inability to control the ball. The poster above noted the Cal game as an indicator: however, Cal had the ball for 40 minutes and 92 plays b/c of 5 UW turnovers. They ran it for only 2.7 yards per play. Similarly, Stanford held the ball for 40 minutes in putting up their big rushing total. Oregon State was a blow out , stats are meaningless. I could go on but you get the point. Their YPP was VERY good.

Re: fatigue, UW is very deep on defense. They play against spread offenses all the time. They will rotate 6-8 people up front (the three guys in the article rotate through two spots). The secondary is even deeper.

So it should be interesting. Seems to me your keys to winning will be (1) stifling the UW offense ( as teams did last year), and (2) avoiding turnovers. Enjoy the game, and sorry for the length of the post!

Great insight - thanks for jumping in.

The article was talking about the big beef up front on the DL and them stopping the run, so wanted to rationalize that a bit (and put some of that in more perspective). We are going to be running a brand new offense, so we're not sure what our productivity is going to look like - same on defense. The question is how much of the hype around Washington's defense is real - and this one bit of hype was about running against this DL.

I took a look at the yards per carry numbers. 4 teams managed to rush for more ypc than their season averages (Utah, Oregon St, USC, Boise St) and Stanford came close (3.9 v. 4.3 avg). 7 teams were held to between 50-80% of their average number. 2 teams were abyssmal, Southern Miss (0.7) that I mentioned above and FCS Sacramento State (0.4).

Taking out those two games, and the average ypc allowed was 3.7 (which would still be good for 28th in the country... but a bit below their actual 10th in the country). Only 3 teams managed 4.0 or better (Oregon St, USC, Utah) and two more topped 3.5 (Stanford, Boise St).

As you say, though, the defense is designed to limit scoring, not necessarily rushing yards.

 

[Knight Shift]

If the offense starts to choke again this year I think Smith will be out the door and replaced by Tedford long before the season ends ... which wouldn't bother me one bit. Smith is the only Washington asst. coach who didn't get a contract extension .. other than Pease who got the boot at the end of last season.

The analysts on ESPN yesterday said that they thought Washington was 1 or 2 years off from the preseason hype they are getting this year. I think Herbstreit said that the defense is there, but not the offense, so you seem align with the ESPN analysts-- and those guys are never wrong. :rolleyes:

 

[Knight Shift]

Rutgers plays at High Point Solutions Stadium so we can't really say too much.

http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/...gree-to-naming-rights-deal-for-husky-stadium/
The deal is worth $41 million over 10 years, the UW said, making it the largest deal of its kind in college athletics. More than half of Alaska Airlines’ investment is earmarked directly for student-athlete scholarships and welfare.

http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2011/06/rutgers_stadium_to_get_new_nam.html

The 10-year, $6.5 million contract will result in Rutgers Stadium being named High Point Solutions Stadium, according to a person familiar with deal who requested anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
“I am satisfied and excited,” said Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti, without mentioning High Point by name. “The climate is difficult for everybody. ... We feel really, really good about it, not only given the climate but also because we were being picky about a partner. We were trying to find someone who has the same core values and a New Jersey-based company. And in the end, we’re thrilled with the results.”

:weary::weary::weary::weary:

 

[AreYouNUTS]

RU has had a lot of big offensive lines over the years, but they haven't had one that's blocked anyone effectively on a consistent basis since about 2008. We'll see how good this group is.

Our running game has been barely average-to-awful since the Leonard/Rice era:

05 - 42nd (Leonard and Rice)
'06 - 15th (Leonard and Rice)
'07 - 26th (Rice)

'08 - 80th
'09 - 78th
'10 - 110th
'11 - 112th
'12 - 103rd
'13 - 101st
'14 - 65th
'15 - 65th

 

[AreYouNUTS]

FYI - Washington's D came in at #19 in the nation last year vs the run.

 

[RUTrack94]

Isn't there a quotation that says " The bigger they are the harder they -hit"?

The bigger they are, the faster they burn ...

 

[greenknight]

You know what our guys are 300 too. Once you reach a certain weight size is negligible and it comes down to tecinque and doing your part to being part of 10 strong. NOT WORRIED

 

[hanoverian]

It is an interesting matchup. My guess is last year's stats -- nor the opinions of ESPN's "experts" -- tell us all that much about how either team will do this year. Too many questions and changes on both squads.

I think we can say two things: (1) both have acquired excellent coaches who have the programs moving in the right directions, and (2) Washington is likely to be a bit further along than Rutgers right now b/c Petersen is entering his third year. Also UW has recruited at a higher level past 3-5 years (roughly twenty spots in the "rankings" which of course are far from gospel). Coach Ash is clearly off to a great start recruiting so that gap will quickly close.

Here's to nice weather, a good game, and safe trips for all your fans!

 

[GoodOl'Rutgers]

Force the hang/alley defender out of the box with bubble screens.

Once that defender starts wandering out of the box, we're in business. Then get a #s advantage by running zone read. Play-action off the zone run looks.

Defense will be forced to play with a safety in the box. They will press our recievers and dare us to throw.

We will see if we are up to that task.

IMO, this is about right. If they think their 3 guys can tie up the OL we can expect a lot of blitzing.. run-blitzing that turns into pass blitzing if we happen to be passing.

Bubble screens, screens, draws, pitches, quick slants into the LB coverage zones... all will help a lot.... but so can dive plays if the DL is very active in stunting and not just used to tie up the OL across from them.

Dive right at one of these guys with double-team drive-blocking and any LBs who are stunting to other wholes take themselves out of the play and there you are at the DB level. That will slow down those LB stunts quite a bit... if they have to fear the quick-hitting dive. The quick-handoff dive is something we have seen a lot from Army and Navy and served the same purpose for them. Cause hesitation at the LB level where that fraction of a second will mean they are a step behind in executing their plans to defend outside plays. Flood was not a fan of the dive.

 

[cubuffsdoug]

Our running game has been barely average-to-awful since the Leonard/Rice era:

05 - 42nd (Leonard and Rice)
'06 - 15th (Leonard and Rice)
'07 - 26th (Rice)

'08 - 80th
'09 - 78th
'10 - 110th
'11 - 112th
'12 - 103rd
'13 - 101st
'14 - 65th
'15 - 65th

Where's that silver lining? I know it's here somewhere. [winking][roll]

 

[RUChoppin]

It is an interesting matchup. My guess is last year's stats -- nor the opinions of ESPN's "experts" -- tell us all that much about how either team will do this year. Too many questions and changes on both squads.

I think we can say two things: (1) both have acquired excellent coaches who have the programs moving in the right directions, and (2) Washington is likely to be a bit further along than Rutgers right now b/c Petersen is entering his third year. Also UW has recruited at a higher level past 3-5 years (roughly twenty spots in the "rankings" which of course are far from gospel). Coach Ash is clearly off to a great start recruiting so that gap will quickly close.

Here's to nice weather, a good game, and safe trips for all your fans!

Very much this.

There's very little insight to be gained looking at Rutgers' stats and performance last year. All of our projections are based on the players we know we have and assumptions as to how they'll do in the new concept offense/defense. Very little to go on for expectations until we see a product on the field.

Washington's projections can at least be based somewhat on last year... but it's also now the 3rd year into Petersen's system, which would assume a higher comfort level with what he's trying to do and things starting to "click" more for the players, and a higher proportion of the players he recruited seeing the field.

Very excited to see how it plays out, and hope that we outperform Vegas/analyst expectations. Also excited to take in the Washington tailgate/sailgate scene and see your stadium - should be a great trip, but would be even better with a win. :)

 

[cubuffsdoug]

FYI - Washington's D came in at #19 in the nation last year vs the run.

AYN
Remember the one year Rutgers was 4th in the nation against the run, but a few teams ran well on Rutgers. What helped Rutgers were a few outstanding games that gave you misleading stats. In the end it helped the overall average when we all knew the run defense wasn't as good as advertised. Washington is somewhat in a similar situation. The have a strong pass defense, but an OK run defense that looks better on paper than in live games. I think this is a more competitive game than people are willing to believe.

 

[RU-Choppin-Ohio]

Three DT's over 315, with the highest being 333 is a liability in today's faster game. I can't wait to see them trying to hustle to get lined up when Mehringer goes fast.

 

[ru1869]

Love their diet. Six plates of food at an all you can eat restaurant, PLUS dessert!!

We will have them gasping for air with their hands on their hips by the 2nd quarter.

I am predicting an upset, Rutgers 24, UW 17.

 

[Arizona Knight]

All 3 of my replies in this thread were tongue in cheek. I have realistic expectations. Just having fun. In fact, I loosely quoted TWO movies in my replies. Thinly veiled. So just having some fun on what is basically now game week. :football:
P.S. Can anyone tell me what the two movies were that I loosely quoted? :popcorn:

Commando. Classic Arnold Schwarzenegger flick. "I eat Green Berets for breakfast and right now I am very hungry!"

 

[Knight Shift]

Our running game has been barely average-to-awful since the Leonard/Rice era:

05 - 42nd (Leonard and Rice)
'06 - 15th (Leonard and Rice)
'07 - 26th (Rice)

'08 - 80th
'09 - 78th
'10 - 110th
'11 - 112th
'12 - 103rd
'13 - 101st
'14 - 65th
'15 - 65th

Coach Flood did wonders to improve our running game to respectability. Given the chance, we have been int he 40's this year and in the 20's next year. Looks like a pure bell curve, but for sure, under Flood, we started back on the positive trend!

Seems like old times? [roll]

 

[imbazza2]

Vegas is off their rocker. 24 pt spread on a team that UW has zero game film for seeing how Ash is a new HC, not to mention Bovoda moved the line two weeks ago to where they have Washington getting 10 wins this season.... up from 9.

Some have them winning the P12 so the bottom of the B10 against the top of the P12 just says -24pts for RU
we play against big beef in the B10 and conditioning by S&C designed us to handle size
But three lineman mean 4 LB or nickel package If our backs can get into space with M&H one on one we can have some big plays. If we came get 100+ yards we will be in this game and maybe have an upset.
That will throw sports analysis into a tail spin "bottom of B10 handles the top of the P12"

 

[Alaska_Dawg]

The analysts on ESPN yesterday said that they thought Washington was 1 or 2 years off from the preseason hype they are getting this year. I think Herbstreit said that the defense is there, but not the offense, so you seem align with the ESPN analysts-- and those guys are never wrong. :rolleyes:

Any Washington fan with an IQ above a peanut knows this year is too early. On paper the breakout year for Washington begins in 2017. It's not tough to figure out.

 

[Knight Shift]

Any Washington fan with an IQ above a peanut knows this year is too early. On paper the breakout year for Washington begins in 2017. It's not tough to figure out.

It's fun to be the dame of the ball though. Problem is it creates expectations amongst the fanbase at large, and less informed, casual fans may get angry if Washington does not live up to those expectations. I suspect you and hanoverian wll not be pissed, and realize there was too much hype if the Huskies do not perform to expectations.