Let me try this again...can't seem to edit...

Let me be the first to state the obvious, if we play a relatively vanilla defense, like we did against Oregon, we will lose. I assume we reduced our blitzing and stunting against Oregon because of their spread/option/run game. Well, Arizona does this and more. Our guys are not strong enough to just play head up all game long and shed blocks. Come on DeRuyter, dial up the run stopping stunts and blitzes even though it is contrary to what you know about defending the spread option running game. Make them throw it deep!!

You would hope we've learned our lesson.

Let's hope DeRuyter doesn't channel his inner Kaufman. "I know we should blitz but we just can't".

Getting Downs back would make me feel a lot better about this game. He's fast and strong enough to take Down Tate.

I'm not an X's and O's guru like a lot of people here, so I'm curious what's the ideal scheme to stop an offense like Arizona or Oregon.

Based on my limited memory, the only time I've really seen this type of offense get stopped is when the opposing defense can win its one on one battles. Like I've seen Furd and Alabama absolutely torch Oregon.

Obviously, we don't have that type of talent up front. So is there actually a scheme that exists that can cover up talent deficiencies? I kinda remember, maybe it was 2010 Oregon (I think it was the Toshgate game?) when we almost beat a highly ranked Oregon team. I kinda remember Pendy just playing a cover 0 (no safety help) all game.

My worry with just blitzing all night and playing cover 0 is that if Tate breaks the first line of defense, he's gone. So what is the best scheme?

ducky23 said:

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I'm not an X's and O's guru like a lot of people here, so I'm curious what's the ideal scheme to stop an offense like Arizona or Oregon.

Based on my limited memory, the only time I've really seen this type of offense get stopped is when the opposing defense can win its one on one battles. Like I've seen Furd and Alabama absolutely torch Oregon.

Obviously, we don't have that type of talent up front. So is there actually a scheme that exists that can cover up talent deficiencies? I kinda remember, maybe it was 2010 Oregon (I think it was the Toshgate game?) when we almost beat a highly ranked Oregon team. I kinda remember Pendy just playing a cover 0 (no safety help) all game.

My worry with just blitzing all night and playing cover 0 is that if Tate breaks the first line of defense, he's gone. So what is the best scheme?

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Play with one safety. Make Ashton Davis that guy. He is super fast.

BTW, everyone should do themselves a favor (seriously, I'm giving you guys a gift here) and re-watch the 2H of the game and watch nothing else but Malik McMorris. I don't think I remember seeing him miss a single block; and he's often either pancacking guys or pushing them back 4-5 yards. There were actually several instances where if Enwere had just followed McMorris, he would have gained substantial yardage, but instead Enwere missed the hole.

This is a long way of saying, I wouldn't mind us playing big on Saturday against AZ and just seeing if we can play a little like Furd and grind them out a bit. I'm not sure we can win a shootout against these guys.

ducky23 said:

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I'm not an X's and O's guru like a lot of people here, so I'm curious what's the ideal scheme to stop an offense like Arizona or Oregon.

Based on my limited memory, the only time I've really seen this type of offense get stopped is when the opposing defense can win its one on one battles. Like I've seen Furd and Alabama absolutely torch Oregon.

Obviously, we don't have that type of talent up front. So is there actually a scheme that exists that can cover up talent deficiencies? I kinda remember, maybe it was 2010 Oregon (I think it was the Toshgate game?) when we almost beat a highly ranked Oregon team. I kinda remember Pendy just playing a cover 0 (no safety help) all game.

My worry with just blitzing all night and playing cover 0 is that if Tate breaks the first line of defense, he's gone. So what is the best scheme?

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Whatever scheme that Pendergast used against Oregon in our Toshgate game. That was brilliant.

82gradDLSdad said:

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Let's hope DeRuyter doesn't channel his inner Kaufman. "I know we should blitz but we just can't".

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I don't think we'll ever have to worry about that.

Bear19 said:

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82gradDLSdad said:

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Let's hope DeRuyter doesn't channel his inner Kaufman. "I know we should blitz but we just can't".

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I don't think we'll ever have to worry about that.

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I haven't rematched the Oregon game but it sure looked like we played them straight up a lot of the time.

Blitzing all of the time is exactly what an option offense wants. Get those defenders up the field, let them celebrate a few tackles for loss, laugh as you pile up the 30+ yard runs.

KoreAmBear said:

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ducky23 said:

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I'm not an X's and O's guru like a lot of people here, so I'm curious what's the ideal scheme to stop an offense like Arizona or Oregon.

Based on my limited memory, the only time I've really seen this type of offense get stopped is when the opposing defense can win its one on one battles. Like I've seen Furd and Alabama absolutely torch Oregon.

Obviously, we don't have that type of talent up front. So is there actually a scheme that exists that can cover up talent deficiencies? I kinda remember, maybe it was 2010 Oregon (I think it was the Toshgate game?) when we almost beat a highly ranked Oregon team. I kinda remember Pendy just playing a cover 0 (no safety help) all game.

My worry with just blitzing all night and playing cover 0 is that if Tate breaks the first line of defense, he's gone. So what is the best scheme?

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Whatever scheme that Pendergast used against Oregon in our Toshgate game. That was brilliant.

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IIRC, it was Conte playing the nickel safety to spy the QB, and pretty much flawless execution on the part of the defense

I don't know what the right defense is, but I'll tell you I'm depressed. Losing Downs is a terrible thing. Yes, I know, "next man up," but that hardly cures the way I feel. As far as "0" cover, Tate threw a perfect pass to a WR in the UCLA game and the DB was right on him and couldn't stop the completion. Apparently, Tate has an accurate arm that compliments his running. We have our work cut out for us. Sorry to be Debby Downer.

I'm not an x and o guy, but from a broad perspective, it seemed that DeRuyter's primary objective was to keep Falk from picking us apart, so he generally rushed 4 and dropped 7 into coverage. Surprising to me, the 4 was enough to apply pressure. (It seem that he/the players do a great job of disguising their defenses, so that Wazzu didn't know who was going to be the 4th rusher on any particular down).

This week, to me, it seems that the quarterback's ability to run is the biggest threat. I would have a spy on him on every play.

Just my 2 cents.

kad02002 said:

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Blitzing all of the time is exactly what an option offense wants. Get those defenders up the field, let them celebrate a few tackles for loss, laugh as you pile up the 30+ yard runs.

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I'll be anxious to see if DeRuyter employs my favorite option defense: unblocked guy crushes the QB every chance he gets (within the rules). If the QB is going to shuffle down the line with his arms extended right at our DE/OLB I want that guy to run full speed at him and put a shoulder into his gut. Seems to me the threat of that defense is what caused a lot fewer read options to be run in the NFL. And it's not like it takes an NFL caliber player to run unblocked into a QB. Just don't want to see 2,3 guys jumping on the dive back. I'm already shaking from memories of Kap and UNR.

Bear8 said:

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I don't know what the right defense is, but I'll tell you I'm depressed. Losing Downs is a terrible thing. Yes, I know, "next man up," but that hardly cures the way I feel. As far as "0" cover, Tate threw a perfect pass to a WR in the UCLA game and the DB was right on him and couldn't stop the completion. Apparently, Tate has an accurate arm that compliments his running. We have our work cut out for us. Sorry to be Debby Downer.

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I keep hearing Tate has a horrible arm but he IS completing 74% of his passes,albeit in limited quantity. That's not half bad for a guy with a bad arm.

TheSouseFamily said:

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Bear8 said:

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I don't know what the right defense is, but I'll tell you I'm depressed. Losing Downs is a terrible thing. Yes, I know, "next man up," but that hardly cures the way I feel. As far as "0" cover, Tate threw a perfect pass to a WR in the UCLA game and the DB was right on him and couldn't stop the completion. Apparently, Tate has an accurate arm that compliments his running. We have our work cut out for us. Sorry to be Debby Downer.

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I keep hearing Tate has a horrible arm but he IS completing 74% of his passes,albeit in limited quantity. That's not half bad for a guy with a bad arm.

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Tate has a strong arm and can make some really nice throws. But he throws seldom and often finds wide open players as a result of having to overplay the run. Both he and Dawkins have strong arms. Accuracy is not always there. I want to see him pass when needed rather than as a change of pace. My guess is that the more they have to throw the lower his percentage will be and the greater likelihood of a mistake.

UCLA Arizona in 60 on P12 Networks.

Tate looked horrifying on just that first drive. One misstep and he was gone. UCLA has a bad D but they have pretty good athletes on the backend, still left in the dust by Tate.

2nd and 3rd drives basically showed what you have to do - Tate can't run the ball 30 times so stop the run when someone else has it or create a negative play, put them in a passing situation and get off the field.

Basically the key is gap control and hitting Tate on every play. This is the type of O that expose a lack of gap control and lack of lateral movement. Of course tackling is key as well.

Offense needs to do its part.

Based on what we saw at Oregon and losing Downs this looks like a bad matchup.

I watched the cal football in 60 and really tried to pay attention to the linebackers.

Weaver really struggled out there. He looked slow, over pursued and was often taking really bad angles.

G brown looked outstanding. Really high motor, quick and athletic.

I think if we're going to have a chance Saturday, Brown is going to have to have a big game.

lol watching the Cal Wazzou in 60 now. Did ESPN really just pop up a "Sam Darnold #1 pick" graphic out of nowhere with no context? Like no one's mentioned Darnold's name so let's just bring up a graphic of him.

Grigsby said:

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Basically the key is gap control and hitting Tate on every play. This is the type of O that expose a lack of gap control and lack of lateral movement. Of course tackling is key as well.

Offense needs to do its part.

Based on what we saw at Oregon and losing Downs this looks like a bad matchup.

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Yes, it is. Think the Texas game and what happened down there even though we have a much more disciplined defense. It's a big worry. Go Bears!

One other note regarding the Arizona Game; I watched most of the Arizona game vs. UCLA and if I recall correctly one of the key Arizona defensive player was ejected in the second half. I believe that means he would have to sit out the first half of our game but I am not sure who the player was.

NVBear78 said:

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One other note regarding the Arizona Game; I watched most of the Arizona game vs. UCLA and if I recall correctly one of the key Arizona defensive player was ejected in the second half. I believe that means he would have to sit out the first half of our game but I am not sure who the player was.

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Yep. DT Parker Zellers. His backup may be out too with a concussion so we may see a true frosh DT on Saturday for the first half.

Isn't he the older brother of Cal commit Slater Zellers?

MoragaBear said:

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Zellers only has 10 tackles on the season so I doubt it hurts them much to have him on the bench for a half.

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I don't know anything about Zellers, but tackles made are not a very strong indicator of whether a defensive tackle is important to a defense.

"It don't look good for Cal"
The 'zona game is the real test for Wilcox. This game will show that Wilcox is either just a ship passing in the night or He is the real thing!

Traditionally, it's Cal time to get really blown out.

MoragaBear said:

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Zellers only has 10 tackles on the season so I doubt it hurts them much to have him on the bench for a half.

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Zellers may not be great, but it could still be a huge loss if his replacement (a 3rd string frosh) is significantly worse

So i just watched berk18's cgb livecast and here are my takeaways.

- if you ever have a chance in the future to watch these livecasts, do it! You can learn more in an hour than in a lifetime otherwise

- if rich rod has the right qb, his offense is basically unstoppable unless you have a front 7 who can consistently beat one on one matchups or if you have a defense that can consistently play assignment perfect defense

- there doesn't seem to be a magical scheme (like against WSU) that can beat this offense. There's certain things you can do schematically to give you a better chance, but you still need flawless execution. Basically it's a lot more challenging than just sending blitzer after blitzer up the A gap. There's just a lot less room for error. If you make a mistake against WSU, maybe Falk completes a pass. If you make a mistake against Tate, he might be gone.

So if we're going to beat az, either the defense will have to play as mistake free as possible or we're going to have to outscore them.

Yeah...this is going to be tough.

MoragaBear said:

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GMP said:

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MoragaBear said:

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Zellers only has 10 tackles on the season so I doubt it hurts them much to have him on the bench for a half.

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I don't know anything about Zellers, but tackles made are not a very strong indicator of whether a defensive tackle is important to a defense.

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Sure, if he's regularly occupying 2 blockers and otherwise wreaking havoc but if he's been doing that, I've missed it.

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Insider talk is that Trevor Wood (starting tight end/backup long snapper) might get the start at DT.

So midway through the season, who would be the worse matchup for us, ASU or UA?

Utah or CU?

I don't really follow other teams so I don't know. I think preseason the general sentiment here would have been that we'd rather play ASU than UA and CU than UU.

Looking at AZ's schedule, they have yet to beat anyone of note. UCLA is in a downward spiral and CU just sucks like it has every year with the exception of last year when everything came together for a once in a decade year for them. Obviously, we have an inexperienced and inconsistent team that could get blown out by a bad team just as easily as they could beat a good team, but AZ isn't exactly UW coming to town. AZ will make plenty of mistakes and I don't think we'll need to play a perfect game to win this one.