Veritate Duce Progredi
A man gotta have a code
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It's that easy, huh?
What do fundamentals matter when you don't know your assignment?
Rice isn't going to make it easy on the defense. They're going to use to use play action, motion, shifting, formation and quick snaps to keep the defense guessing.
Let's assume the pre-snap call is man (we're blitzing) and then Rice sends a man in motion, bringing trips to one side of the field. Schmidt checks the blitz off b/c of the formation change - now we're in a zone. Ball is snapped quick, KVR shows off his great fundamentals, plays man, and jumps all over the five yard out. Unfortunately, the slot receiver is running a corner route to the deep zone he should be covering. He's taking it for six while fans are bitching about Austin Collinsworth being "soooo fucking slow he can't even get to the sideline".
Next series, Ishaq is supposed to stunt. Man comes in motion towards his side and the stunt is checked off. Ishaq gets the call, knows not to stunt but he's lined up in a tight five technique b/c has going to shoot the inside gap. He needs to move to the outside shoulder a bit to make certain he's not hooked. Ball is snapped and that motion receiver, the one who lined up awkwardly close to the line of scrimmage, comes crashing down to bury him and seal the edge. He had great form, though. Stayed low and fired off the ball.
Fatigue will increase mental mistakes as well. These guys aren't completely out of shape after two weeks but they're no where near game shape. It'll be hot and humid on Saturday, and they'll be sucking wind carrying all those pads/wearing that helmet.
The only way a team like Rice can come to SB and win is if we make too many mental mistakes. I'll take the guys who know exactly what they're doing this week.
It's that hard, huh?
Let's assume that they've continued their studying and they aren't completely ignorant of the calls made by our staff. Let's assume they don't have retrograde amnesia, brought on by the academic scandal, and haven't forgotten everything they've learned. Let's also assume that the new guys who step up in their place won't automatically understand the defense "so much better" because they've been in practice for the last 1.5 weeks.
I believe our guys are smart enough to understand the game plan, even if they aren't allowed to practice (since they are still around the team).
As to the conditioning: I don't think they have to play every snap of the game but I believe KVR and IW would/will still be starters if they are cleared by EOD Wednesday.
but as Greyhammer flippantly said, "heart and desire"