The Back Alley Archives

I know squat about defensive schemes, so I'm asking this question.

So you're facing Florida. How do you deploy a defense?

My assumption is that you try to make Tebow beat you with his arm -- you bring the safeties up to strengthen pass coverage short and maybe even trade out a DB for an additional LB.

What else?

I'm going to put as much pressure on Tebow as possible and try and stop the run. I might blitz on every down since it appears that UF doesn't know how to run a slant or a RB screen.

maybe a 4 - 4 - 3 like you mentioned but only if I have an LB that can cover Hernandez. When UF goes empty backfield, I'd go 5-2/4 -3 and blitz an LB and/or a DB and drop 5 in man to man coverage. When they go empty back I'm always bringing at least 6.

i think if i'm FSU, UGA, bama...i key on hernandez and take him out of the equation...i'll take my chances w/tebow throwing to anyone else but hernandez...having said that, hernandez usually creates massive mismatches against his opponent...easier said than done.

as for limiting tebow's carrys, he's going to get 15-20 a game...can't really defend that but only hope to contain it...i think if defenses are going to be successful against us, it's because they didn't give up the big play...gators are accustomed to getting the big play and when they don't, i get the sense that the offense tries to force it instead of making/creating the opportunities...i'm not seeing a lot of "setup" plays.