In preparation for this weekend, some thoughts on the Va Tech Defense. They are going to run a lot of Bear Defense - 5 or 6 on the Line, requiring the Vols to block one on one, with man to man on the outside. This allows for Va Tech athletic Safties and LBs to go unblocked and roam. For more details on the defense and how the spread should attack it, here is an article that focuses on Ohio St Vs Va Tech:
https://www.google.com/amp/www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2015/09/58597/film-study-how-to-attack-the-virginia-tech-bear-defense?amp?client=safari
1. Va Tech is returning a good number of starters - 8 on offense, 8 on defense.
2. Va Tech will try to give Tennessee fits in the passing game. They will pressure with blitzes and use man to man with some zone to keep the Vols off balance. Va Tech Defense was 19th in the country for passing yards allowed last year. Tennessee was unable to take advantage of App St's young secondary - the Vols must be willing to take some risks going deep and trust their WRs to make a play (I hope they will do some "max protect" with only 2-3 in the route at times). Ohio St was able to take advantage of one on one matchups last year :20 and 1:56 below). If Dobbs is not careful with the ball, Va Tech is one of the best in the country at creating turnovers.
3. Va Tech is all or nothing against the Run Game. They are going to pressure the run game constantly with a lot of players on the front and creative blitzes. If you get past the first wave, big plays can happen :34 mark below). At times, Va Tech has struggled with big backs who can break tackles as once they get past the LBs/Safety, the field opens up. Va Tech was 75th in the country against the run last year. They tend to struggle more with mobile QBs as well who can negate some of their aggressive tendencies.
4. The Vols will need to use their backs out it the backfield. There should be a fair amount of man to man, and the flare screen will allow the Vols RBs to go one on one against a defender with little help behind. One missed tackle could lead to a big play.
Positives: The Vols have the horses to score points on Va Tech. They have athletes on the outside. They have a mobile QB. They have RBs who can catch the ball out of the backfield. They have talented RBs who can run over or make a man miss in space. If Tennessee comes out as physical as they were last year and they don't turn the ball over, the Vols will score 30-35 points, which should be enough to win.
Negatives: A lot of what Tennessee showed in week one will get them beat against VA Tech. One on one blocking was poor in the middle of the OL. The Vols showed limited willingness to test the App St DBs one on one. The Vols had multiple turnovers. The Vols were unable/unwilling to take advantage of the fact they have a mobile QB. If the Vols look like they did last week, Va Tech will give them fits and they will be hard pressed to reach 18 points.
https://www.google.com/amp/www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2015/09/58597/film-study-how-to-attack-the-virginia-tech-bear-defense?amp?client=safari
1. Va Tech is returning a good number of starters - 8 on offense, 8 on defense.
2. Va Tech will try to give Tennessee fits in the passing game. They will pressure with blitzes and use man to man with some zone to keep the Vols off balance. Va Tech Defense was 19th in the country for passing yards allowed last year. Tennessee was unable to take advantage of App St's young secondary - the Vols must be willing to take some risks going deep and trust their WRs to make a play (I hope they will do some "max protect" with only 2-3 in the route at times). Ohio St was able to take advantage of one on one matchups last year :20 and 1:56 below). If Dobbs is not careful with the ball, Va Tech is one of the best in the country at creating turnovers.
3. Va Tech is all or nothing against the Run Game. They are going to pressure the run game constantly with a lot of players on the front and creative blitzes. If you get past the first wave, big plays can happen :34 mark below). At times, Va Tech has struggled with big backs who can break tackles as once they get past the LBs/Safety, the field opens up. Va Tech was 75th in the country against the run last year. They tend to struggle more with mobile QBs as well who can negate some of their aggressive tendencies.
4. The Vols will need to use their backs out it the backfield. There should be a fair amount of man to man, and the flare screen will allow the Vols RBs to go one on one against a defender with little help behind. One missed tackle could lead to a big play.
Positives: The Vols have the horses to score points on Va Tech. They have athletes on the outside. They have a mobile QB. They have RBs who can catch the ball out of the backfield. They have talented RBs who can run over or make a man miss in space. If Tennessee comes out as physical as they were last year and they don't turn the ball over, the Vols will score 30-35 points, which should be enough to win.
Negatives: A lot of what Tennessee showed in week one will get them beat against VA Tech. One on one blocking was poor in the middle of the OL. The Vols showed limited willingness to test the App St DBs one on one. The Vols had multiple turnovers. The Vols were unable/unwilling to take advantage of the fact they have a mobile QB. If the Vols look like they did last week, Va Tech will give them fits and they will be hard pressed to reach 18 points.
