I hate to say it but our DL is getting no push up the field. Unless we blitz LB's or DB's our DT's stay in front of their man. It happens so often that I wonder whether it is preached to them to contain and not abandon their lane rather than go after the QB. Sometimes a DE will swing wide and give a little pressure late, but our middle has no push. Dorsey or his replacement is usually double-teamed, but the other DT who is one on one should be getting more penetration to the QB. I watched Francois during the replay, hoping that he would toss defenders aside, but he played similar to the other DT's, simply holding his ground for the most part, until the QB threw the ball. Perhaps we are gunshy because running QB's have hurt us this year. The reason why I am bringing this up is that one of the keys to how FLA beat Ohio State last year was because FLA was able to pressure and sack their QB without blitzing. Florida's athletic DE's, flew around the Ohio State OL and hounded Troy Smith and it shut them down.
Pelini's philosophy is to use the DLine to block the lanes most of the time. I can't say that I'm a fan of it.
Injuries up front are the biggest factor. I predict you'll see the DLine (and the entire LSU team) in Virginia Tech mode on January 7th, having had 35 days to heal up. They'll be lean, mean, rested, healthy. OSU's offense will be in third and long quite often. Todd Boeckman, who can't run and won't be able to hear, will get smoked. I sort of feel sorry for Ohio State, actually.
The way it looked to me during the game and for the past few games is they were trying to QB contain. Even Anige who is not a running quaterback. I don't really understand this at all maybe someone can help me out.
You have confirmed what I suspected. I am not a fan of it either. The QB has all day to throw, unless we blitz. I appreciate Pelini's contribution here, but I sure do hope we get a more aggressive Defensive Coordinator to replace him.
I'll pile on here as well - frustrating. Although, I have to say it takes a lot of confidence in the secondary and LBs to play that way - and for the most part it has paid off. I'd just like to see good QBs not have so much time to throw - had we pressured Ainge even more, probably would have gotten two more interceptions...hell we almost had two more anyway...
I think Blacklege said it best, LSU is forced into many more zone coverages becuase our safties are not as good as last year with man2man pass coverage and playing hurt. I think you will see a more aggressive team in teh NC game becuase of the health factor and we have gotten alot of other players invoved. I think the DLine can get push up front which they did against Tenn.
