Arizona State Matchup

[SunDevil033]

Does anyone have a breakdown of run plays based on distance and down? I'm curious 'where' we're supposedly such a bad run defensive team.

As an opposing fan who is excited about this part of the matchup - I've done a deep dive on PFF data.

Where I'm expecting ASU to attack you guys is off tackle to force your DBs in to matchups with Skat. Ebel misses 26.3% of tackles with an average depth of tackle (ADOT) of 3.4 yards, Purcahse misses 23.1% with an ADOT of 5.2 yards, Cooper misses 21.7% of tackles with an ADOT of 5.6 yards.

Peterson, Onyedim, and Orange have really solid run defense ratings on PFF and so I doubt we try to run right up the middle too often. Coleman (LG) and Iheanachor (RT) are ASU's best run blockers on the o-line, and I'd expect us to run off tackle on both sides and possibly hit the left A/B gaps if your DEs line up outside of our OTs to prevent the OT runs.

ASU has been really good in 12 personnel going off tackle. Our OTs can close off a whole side of your defensive line and force your LBs / DBs to need to tackle Skatt. We've been doing that all season very effectively.

Edit: One thing to add - one of our biggest emphases all season has been run blocking with the WRs. This adds fuel to the fire in my personal belief that a big part of our game plan will be trying to force your DBs to stop Skatt. Our WRs have done a great job of answering the call to be physical all season. But then again, you guys also have exceptional DBs. It'll be a fun matchup for sure.

 

[Cyhig]

 

[SunDevil033]

Yeah, same. I was a little un-nerved by it to be honest. At best, I'd say it's a wash. Because he does the one thing that Rocco sometimes struggles with and that's taking care of the football. So just judging the two players and nothing else, I just don't know what's that based on objectively.

Like if you compared the two in a vacuum - Leavitt's got a higher % percentage, fewer INT's, more TD's, better QBR, higher yards per completion and has been a more effective rusher. Rocco's got the yardage but he's also thrown 103 more passes.

How you look at that matchup as some kind of huge advantage... IDK. Rocco's a 3rd year, Leavitt's a 2nd year - so it's not like eithers some grandpa Bob back there. Both play for offenses that want to run the ball and possess it.

Again, I get the no Tyson factor. And that might limit Leavitt some. That I 100% understand.
But man.... that kid down there is good. And he 100% is good enough to give us all kinds of problems tomorrow.

I hope he struggles cause that means Iowa State's probably in a good position. But I feel like they are way off in how much they down played him.

I'd agree with this. Even in ASU's own analyses I've noticed no one is really talking about Leavitt being exceptional down the stretch. He's our second leading rusher and his stats are even a little misleading because he lost a bunch of yards on that crazy BYU stuff we did at the end of the game.

One of Leavitt's most play-making talents is his ability to navigate the pocket and escape rushers to pop out and grab easy yards. He's got, in my biased opinion, an elite level of acceleration. If you watch his highlights, he regularly dances around rushers while keeping his eyes downfield, and when he decides to run he's gone. Not elite top end speed, but it's his quickness that gets people.

For a redshirt freshman his decision making has been exceptional. I actually think if ASU wins this game it'll be because Leavitt made magic with his legs and took advantage of some broken plays where your rushers couldn't get to him.

 

[CY9008]

Were all whites with the script helmets ever officially announced? I think it has now..

 

[Cyclonsin]

Were all whites with the script helmets ever officially announced? I think it has now..

Our best look right now. Love it.

 

[bosco]

Agreed the SL angle. IMO it is their QB that is the pivot point. #4 is the known quantity, defenses for most of the year have schemed against him. At this level if you are one dimensional no matter how good that is you usually won't be successful.

What is allowing ASU's offense to thrive is SL making plays. Skattebo will get his and probably make some big plays but if we lose it's because we couldn't counter SL's play making ability.

 

[MrTippet]

Do you think they consider playing Singleton and Orange together some?

 

[bosco]

Do you think they consider playing Singleton and Orange together some?

KSU did well against their run attack and did it mostly with 4 down lineman formations. It would be a nice change up but I doubt it'll be what we show all the time.

 

[WastedTalent]

Agreed the SL angle. IMO it is their QB that is the pivot point. #4 is the known quantity, defenses for most of the year have schemed against him. At this level if you are one dimensional no matter how good that is you usually won't be successful.

What is allowing ASU's offense to thrive is SL making plays. Skattebo will get his and probably make some big plays but if we lose it's because we couldn't counter SL's play making ability.

With Tyson out, I think they use the QB designed runs more to offset the straight handoffs to Skattebo. Play action rollout, qb reads/options, getting Levitt on the edge. They know they'll need a wrinkle. And while it's not putting the ball in the air, and getting chunk yards, it may be just enough to get the 7 or 8 guys in the box on their heels, and not 100% focused on Skattebo.

 

[SunDevil033]

With Tyson out, I think they use the QB designed runs more to offset the straight handoffs to Skattebo. Play action rollout, qb reads/options, getting Levitt on the edge. They know they'll need a wrinkle. And while it's not putting the ball in the air, and getting chunk yards, it may be just enough to get the 7 or 8 guys in the box on their heels, and not 100% focused on Skattebo.

Just an FYI that ASU has been very shy on designed QB runs after the Utah game where Leavitt took that hit to his ribs that took him out of the Cincy game. I'm not saying it's impossible, because Dilly is a madman sometimes. But there will likely still be a concern that Leavitt taking a big hit would re-aggravate that injury.

I could see a designed QB run once or twice if we're desperate and really need to try and catch you guys off guard. But I'd suspect most of Leavitt's running will be a biproduct of plays that are out-of-system.

Do you guys do designed runs with Becht? Or are his running yards also kind of a matter of scrambling?

 

[Cloneon]

Just an FYI that ASU has been very shy on designed QB runs after the Utah game where Leavitt took that hit to his ribs that took him out of the Cincy game. I'm not saying it's impossible, because Dilly is a madman sometimes. But there will likely still be a concern that Leavitt taking a big hit would re-aggravate that injury.

I could see a designed QB run once or twice if we're desperate and really need to try and catch you guys off guard. But I'd suspect most of Leavitt's running will be a biproduct of plays that are out-of-system.

Do you guys do designed runs with Becht? Or are his running yards also kind of a matter of scrambling?

I'd say that touchdown against K-State was designed. Or, for that matter pretty much every QB sneak on 4th down.

 

[purpleclone]

Just looked this up myself, if you take out the QB rushing, ISU is only allowing 116.66 ypg, which would be good enough for 2nd in the B12 this year.

Mobile QB's kill us, and i think the reason for that is LB injuries and inexperience.

After looking at that stat, and the LBs that we have back healthy, my anxiousness for tomorrow has turned to full on excitement!

Did you take out QB stats for the other teams as well or just ours? Because every single team has to deal with running QB not a unique challenge our defense has to face…

 

[SunDevil033]

I'd say that touchdown against K-State was designed. Or, for that matter pretty much every QB sneak on 4th down.

Haha, yes, agreed that a QB sneak is a designed run. I thought you meant more you expect ASU to be running options with designed runs or options that open Leavitt up to big hits. That's what I'm expressing my doubt on. But who knows! I haven't the slightest clue what our game plan really is.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Didn't seem to take many plays for ucf.

I'm guessing you're being facetious, but Iowa State forced a punt or turnover on 11 of UCF's 15 offensive drives. That doesn't even account for their drive that started on Iowa State's one yard line.

 

[cyclonespiker33]

Man, I watched the preview and it just seemed like a down playing of Leavit. I've watched Arizona State several times, and the kids good. IMO, he's really good. Yes, he's without his best receiver but he is really athletic and we've not fared that well against really athletic QB's and arguably, I'm going to say this.

He's the best quarterback we'll have played all season.

Maybe based on the entire season. Daniels played like a Heisman against us, throwing and running. Leavit won't be better than that.

 

[nrg4isu]

Just an FYI that ASU has been very shy on designed QB runs after the Utah game where Leavitt took that hit to his ribs that took him out of the Cincy game. I'm not saying it's impossible, because Dilly is a madman sometimes. But there will likely still be a concern that Leavitt taking a big hit would re-aggravate that injury.

I could see a designed QB run once or twice if we're desperate and really need to try and catch you guys off guard. But I'd suspect most of Leavitt's running will be a biproduct of plays that are out-of-system.

Do you guys do designed runs with Becht? Or are his running yards also kind of a matter of scrambling?

Yes we do some designed runs with Becht. I'd expect 3-5 depending on how the game goes.

When we had Brock Purdy, we had a QB who could run, but we really tried to teach him to NOT run. Part of that was out of injury concern. The way our defense is built, we will allow some scramble plays for the QB. What has really killed us in the past are the designed qb runs or read option.

I'm much more worried about Skat running the direct snap. That has proven to be a weak point for our defense as well.

 

[SunDevil033]

Asking this question on behalf of my fellow Sun Devil fans. Some of us think you guys still have multiple starting LBs out. One thought you had 3-4. I mentioned (based on your talk here and the injury reports) that it seems you only have 1 out (Bacon.) But I obviously don't know if he's a starter.

Could anyone help a guy out on this one? Who are the guys you got back? Are there any still out besides Bacon whose impact is missed?

 

[OnlyCyclones]

Asking this question on behalf of my fellow Sun Devil fans. Some of us think you guys still have multiple starting LBs out. One thought you had 3-4. I mentioned (based on your talk here and the injury reports) that it seems you only have 1 out (Bacon.) But I obviously don't know if he's a starter.

Could anyone help a guy out on this one? Who are the guys you got back? Are there any still out besides Bacon whose impact is missed?

Bacon and Willich would have been pre-season starters that are out. Bacon was regarded as maybe the best player on the defense and our best pass rusher, so he has been a big loss since going down in Week 1. Until McLaughlin returned a couple weeks ago, all three starters were out for the whole season.

At one point in the season there were linebackers playing you could characterize as 4th or 5th string, but the position has somewhat stabilized with the return McLaughlin and the improvement of younger players as they’ve gained experience and returned from their own minor injuries. Aside from Bacon and Willich, I’m not sure who else is currently out. Basically every linebacker in the first three lines of the depth chart has missed time at some point this year.

 

[Bestaluckcy]

Asking this question on behalf of my fellow Sun Devil fans. Some of us think you guys still have multiple starting LBs out. One thought you had 3-4. I mentioned (based on your talk here and the injury reports) that it seems you only have 1 out (Bacon.) But I obviously don't know if he's a starter.

Could anyone help a guy out on this one? Who are the guys you got back? Are there any still out besides Bacon whose impact is missed?

Cyclone fans never know which players will be playing this week. Our coach likes to keep our interest up by being coy about the injury report. He likes to lead us to believe we will have everyone back for the national championship game.

 

[BCClone]

As an opposing fan who is excited about this part of the matchup - I've done a deep dive on PFF data.

Where I'm expecting ASU to attack you guys is off tackle to force your DBs in to matchups with Skat. Ebel misses 26.3% of tackles with an average depth of tackle (ADOT) of 3.4 yards, Purcahse misses 23.1% with an ADOT of 5.2 yards, Cooper misses 21.7% of tackles with an ADOT of 5.6 yards.

Peterson, Onyedim, and Orange have really solid run defense ratings on PFF and so I doubt we try to run right up the middle too often. Coleman (LG) and Iheanachor (RT) are ASU's best run blockers on the o-line, and I'd expect us to run off tackle on both sides and possibly hit the left A/B gaps if your DEs line up outside of our OTs to prevent the OT runs.

ASU has been really good in 12 personnel going off tackle. Our OTs can close off a whole side of your defensive line and force your LBs / DBs to need to tackle Skatt. We've been doing that all season very effectively.

Edit: One thing to add - one of our biggest emphases all season has been run blocking with the WRs. This adds fuel to the fire in my personal belief that a big part of our game plan will be trying to force your DBs to stop Skatt. Our WRs have done a great job of answering the call to be physical all season. But then again, you guys also have exceptional DBs. It'll be a fun matchup for sure.

You understand where the Iowa state 3-3 press/man cloud defense comes from, right? The 3 defensive linemen you mentioned are play 90% end. Big citrus will move inside some.