Wofford @ UNI Game Thread

[Trapped in CA]

UNI & Furman may both run the "zone read" but the similarity ends there. I have watched two Furman games this year. Furman's QB Forcier is by far a better passer than Rennie (to be expected with that head case of a dad I guess). I say this as Rennie has markedly improved his passing performance this year.

However, Rennie is much better scrambler than Forcier. A bit like AE of App State. Not to the same level of impact on the game, but similar enough for talking. Slippery would be the best way of describing his run ability.

UNI's worst run performance was against SIU, who run blitzed probably 70-80% of the plays (on top of playing a 3-4). The other poor performance was against NDSU, where NDSU was causing havoc, and we helped with some self administered mistakes (fumble inside our ten yard line).

It will be an interesting match up. I think UNI's O line is bigger than Wofford is used to dealing with. When compared to App State, UNI averages about +40 pounds. Furman seems similar to App State size wise. Looks to be more the size of Clemson. 3 unscientific examples.

This tends to show up in the second half as the plays start getting longer.
APP Oline position UNI Oline
6'4" 270 - LT - 6'7" 328
6'2" 270 - LG - 6'5" 308
5'10" 260 - C - 6'5" 310
6'3" 270 - RG - 6'8" 295
6'4" 280 - RT - 6'7" 300

[D1B]

Playoff game in the Dome? UNI is fucked.

Wofford 35 UNI 24

[fencer24]

I really hope that UNI comes in too confident to consider the Terriers a threat. We did that in 2007 and learned a valuable lesson. Claiming defensive statistics as the basis for a win is foolish. The Terriers run a very disciplined and dynamic offense that when well executed is hard to stop. I was so frustrated watching that game that I was always watching the wrong guy for who had the ball. At field level, it's even worse.

Go ahead UNI, and discount the little runts, and we will see them next week instead of you.

[bluehenbillk]

I think Wofford & it's flex-bone offense causes another year of postseason disappointment for UNI.

[grizcountry420]

They have no idea whats in store for them. UNI can puff their chest out all they want about stopping the run but that option attack is a totally different kind of a running game. If the Terriers get any sort of rythm out of their running game, i see an early exit for panther nation..

[Grizalltheway]

I really hope that UNI comes in too confident to consider the Terriers a threat. We did that in 2007 and learned a valuable lesson. Claiming defensive statistics as the basis for a win is foolish. The Terriers run a very disciplined and dynamic offense that when well executed is hard to stop. I was so frustrated watching that game that I was always watching the wrong guy for who had the ball. At field level, it's even worse.

Go ahead UNI, and discount the little runts, and we will see them next week instead of you.

I certainly hope not...I like our chances against UNI a LOT more.

[houndawg]

I think UNI has the DTs to take away the dive. Do that and I like their chances.

[Aho Old Guy]

I think UNI has the DTs to take away the dive. Do that and I like their chances.

You've haven't seen Woffle play, have you?

[D1B]

I think UNI has the DTs to take away the dive. Do that and I like their chances.

You've haven't seen Woffle play, have you?

Takes more to win a game besides a triple option offense.

[Mvemjsunpx]

Better field goal kicking, a better knack for forcing turnovers, and the UNI-Dome should win it for the Panthers.

Here's my assessment of the matchups & my pick for the game:

• • • Quarterbacks -- Northern Iowa
      
      Running Backs - Wofford
      
      Receivers/TEs - Northern Iowa
      
      Offensive Line - Wofford
      
      
      Defensive Line - Northern Iowa
      
      Linebackers --- Northern Iowa
      
      Secondary ---- Northern Iowa
      
      
      Kicking ------ Northern Iowa
      
      Punting ------ Northern Iowa
      
      Return Teams - Wofford
      
      Kickoffs ------ Northern Iowa
      
      
      
      
      
      • • Wofford 17-30 Northern Iowa

[Aho Old Guy]

You've haven't seen Woffle play, have you?

Takes more to win a game besides a triple option offense.

Yup.

Since Wofford probably runs an actual TO less than 40% of the time that makes your statement pretty much useless, and leads me to believe you haven't seen the Ankle-Biters play, either.

And, what may be surprising to some of you WCB guys, the SC Upstate Preppies can play some 'D'

The issue with Wofford is their health -- and on that I'm useless.

[Tubby Raymond]

yep. And the option is magically stopped with 3 extra days to prepare. You've never seen it run like Wofford runs it, and the fact that you compared flexbone teams to teams that run option sets shows your naivete

Where did I say it would be stopped?

Wofford may put 250 rushing up...hell they may get to 3, but that won't win the game for them. You won't get into the endzone enough times to beat UNI unless you score on two or three play drives. UNI will run the play clock dry on you every single time knowing that the passing game isn't there to come back.

If Wofford gets 300 yards rushing, UNI is done, cooked.

Youngterrier is taking youto the woodshed with his analysis.

[youngterrier]

And, what may be surprising to some of you WCB guys, the SC Upstate Preppies can play some 'D'

The issue with Wofford is their health -- and on that I'm useless.

Wofford looks to be almost as healthy this week as they were against App State/The Citadel. Our starting linebacker and leading tackler, Mike Niam, injured his knee (slightly torn ACL?) the first possession against GSU and he may start and play this week. Other than that, we're pretty much healthy on defense. Our defense is primarily linebacker oriented, and if they all play we'll be fine. Against GSU, both of our starting linebackers left with injury and we were unable to stop them. Against Furman, one of our most physical run supporters in Phillip Legrande pulled a hamstring on the first possession and Furman spent their time running at his backup, where he was supposed to be defensively. Now, everyone is back healthy it seems, including our speedster running back Derek Boyce who has shown flashes of greatness but has been out for the past month with a concussion. The irony of this year is that we were supposedly deepest at linebacker but all of our linebackers except 1 missed a game or significant playing time with injury. We look okay now, and that's good, because we're healthy at the right time.

[The_Fan]

Playoff game in the Dome? UNI is ****.

Wofford 35 UNI 24

that score will be close to the final score, with Wofford winning this second round playoff game...

[griz8791]

Back in 2007 Appaholic put up a great post on AGS trying to warn us about what it would be like to try to defend against these guys. It played out exactly the way he said it would. I just went over there for the first time in many months to try to find that post but the archive only goes back to 2008.

[youngterrier]

Back in 2007 Appaholic put up a great post on AGS trying to warn us about what it would be like to try to defend against these guys. It played out exactly the way he said it would. I just went over there for the first time in many months to try to find that post but the archive only goes back to 2008.

PM Ursus, you might get it

[D1B]

Back in 2007 Appaholic put up a great post on AGS trying to warn us about what it would be like to try to defend against these guys. It played out exactly the way he said it would. I just went over there for the first time in many months to try to find that post but the archive only goes back to 2008.

PM Ursus, you might get it, and herpes

FIFY

[mlbowl]

Back in 2007 Appaholic put up a great post on AGS trying to warn us about what it would be like to try to defend against these guys. It played out exactly the way he said it would. I just went over there for the first time in many months to try to find that post but the archive only goes back to 2008.

It went something like...

tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc

[griz8791]

Back in 2007 Appaholic put up a great post on AGS trying to warn us about what it would be like to try to defend against these guys. It played out exactly the way he said it would. I just went over there for the first time in many months to try to find that post but the archive only goes back to 2008.

It went something like...

tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc tic toc

Bingo.

[Aho Old Guy]

Back in 2007 Appaholic put up a great post on AGS trying to warn us about what it would be like to try to defend against these guys. It played out exactly the way he said it would. I just went over there for the first time in many months to try to find that post but the archive only goes back to 2008.

I cannot address the greatness that is Appaholic, but I can take a shot at this.

Wofford will probe you up the middle with the 'B'. In fact, until you stop their traps, 'block-downs' and dives they will be more than happy to ride the 'B' 35-40 times a game, if not more (Ex: Breitenstein has 3,600+ yds in 600 carries. And he is a RS JR. And he's probably lost less than 30 yds in all those carries.)

The Woffle offense is about influence, timing and execution.

They run multiple sets, which leads some to mis-read their blocking, OR, they run multiple mis-directions out of the same sets. (This is the only one I'll give away -- look out for the PASS off the fake inside dive/trap. They will streak the 'rocket' around down the weak side sideline, and run Bersin on a post from the weak side. They always hit this mofo.)

It's actually quite simple and basic at its core, except when it's not. They'll block you head-on but love 'angles' and blocking down, except when they don't block you; and when you think they are not going to block you, they will trap you. Wofford will finesse you, pound you, trap you, or go 'chippy' and 'choppy' (we don't call them Ankle-Biters for nothing).

When/if you take away the 'B' up the middle, they will commence to work their option magic at the edge, weak or strong side (they don't discriminate). If you load up the strong side, they will 'Rocket' a slot for a weak-side option (and don't forget 'The Pass').

The Panthers need to focus on their base defense, setting the edge, gap control and 'assignments'. And look out for 'The Pass.' It's that simple. I don't think the UNI DT line stunts will help much as the OL will simply ride yah on out of the play. They block down. The DE 'up field' move that UNI does might cause a little havoc but I suspect Coach Ayers has coached 'em up on that. Allen will readily turn up inside or pitch dependent upon the read (remember the 'chippy' here - Wofford has no issues giving the DE a little shove and letting him go, with the blocker moving on to an LB or DB) ... OR they will trap the DE with the wing from the opposite side.

And finally, Wofford has no compunction whatsoever about going for it on 4th down. That, and Ayers has had a week off to cook up some special trickeration.

Take care of all that, and you will be fine

[fencer24]

Back in 2007 Appaholic put up a great post on AGS trying to warn us about what it would be like to try to defend against these guys. It played out exactly the way he said it would. I just went over there for the first time in many months to try to find that post but the archive only goes back to 2008.

I cannot address the greatness that is Appaholic, but I can take a shot at this.

Wofford will probe you up the middle with the 'B'. In fact, until you stop their traps, 'block-downs' and dives they will be more than happy to ride the 'B' 35-40 times a game, if not more (Ex: Breitenstein has 3,600+ yds in 600 carries. And he is a RS JR. And he's probably lost less than 30 yds in all those carries.)

The Woffle offense is about influence, timing and execution.

They run multiple sets, which leads some to mis-read their blocking, OR, they run multiple mis-directions out of the same sets. (This is the only one I'll give away -- look out for the PASS off the fake inside dive/trap. They will streak the 'rocket' around down the weak side sideline, and run Bersin on a post from the weak side. They always hit this mofo.)

It's actually quite simple and basic at its core, except when it's not. They'll block you head-on but love 'angles' and blocking down, except when they don't block you; and when you think they are not going to block you, they will trap you. Wofford will finesse you, pound you, trap you, or go 'chippy' and 'choppy' (we don't call them Ankle-Biters for nothing).

When/if you take away the 'B' up the middle, they will commence to work their option magic at the edge, weak or strong side (they don't discriminate). If you load up the strong side, they will 'Rocket' a slot for a weak-side option (and don't forget 'The Pass').

The Panthers need to focus on their base defense, setting the edge, gap control and 'assignments'. And look out for 'The Pass.' It's that simple. I don't think the UNI DT line stunts will help much as the OL will simply ride yah on out of the play. They block down. The DE 'up field' move that UNI does might cause a little havoc but I suspect Coach Ayers has coached 'em up on that. Allen will readily turn up inside or pitch dependent upon the read (remember the 'chippy' here - Wofford has no issues giving the DE a little shove and letting him go, with the blocker moving on to an LB or DB) ... OR they will trap the DE with the wing from the opposite side.

And finally, Wofford has no compunction whatsoever about going for it on 4th down. That, and Ayers has had a week off to cook up some special trickeration.

Take care of all that, and you will be fine

And that is why I think Wofford wins this one. Swarming defenses do not work on these guys. You have to have one on one tackles on every position to stop them, and it is frustrating when you have them at 4th and 6 and they go for it and keep getting it. I would guesstimate that they are probably over 70% on 4th downs.

[ASUG8]

UNI may have some studs on D, but they're going to be very tired at the half. Wofford just grinds it out on you and will eat the clock like crazy. Just when you figure out how to defend the run, they pass. I predict a long day for the Panthers, even if they win.

[clenz]

UNI is fucked....completely 100% fucked.

Shit, I'll be happy if we stay with 20 of these guys. I have no idea how they didn't win every single fucking game by eleventy fucking billion points.

Holy shit, you'd think this offense makes teams unbeatable....It's not like UNI's run defense is complete fucking shit. Hell, UNI is only giving up 3.3 yards per carry as a defense and has faced some damn good ground games this season.

UNI is 28th in the nation in total defense, 20th in rush defense in total yards per game at 120 (but remember that 3.3 yards per carry, but teams continue to try to run on it to the tune of 38 attempts per game), 4th in scoring defense, 5th in the nation in turnover margin, averging 6 tfl per game.

Wofford may get some yards, but it isn't like UNI's defense doesn't have the one of the best DT's in the the nation, and one of the top 4 or 5 front 7's in the nation.


Hell, if anything Wofford's defense is going to cost them the game. Their defense looks to be fairly average, and UNI's offense is very potent. They are bottom half in the nation in pass efficiency defense and both UNI QB'S that have played this year are very efficient with the passing game.

[mlbowl]

UNI is ****....completely 100% ****.

****, I'll be happy if we stay with 20 of these guys. I have no idea how they didn't win every single **** game by eleventy **** billion points.

Don't think anyone is saying that...but they do like to eat the clock and if they are successful it keeps UNI's offense off the field.

Tic toc tic toc tic toc...

[griz8791]

UNI is ****....completely 100% ****.

****, I'll be happy if we stay with 20 of these guys. I have no idea how they didn't win every single **** game by eleventy **** billion points.

Holy ****, you'd think this offense makes teams unbeatable....It's not like UNI's run defense is complete **** ****. Hell, UNI is only giving up 3.3 yards per carry as a defense and has faced some damn good ground games this season.

UNI is 28th in the nation in total defense, 20th in rush defense in total yards per game at 120 (but remember that 3.3 yards per carry, but teams continue to try to run on it to the tune of 38 attempts per game), 4th in scoring defense, 5th in the nation in turnover margin, averging 6 tfl per game.

Wofford may get some yards, but it isn't like UNI's defense doesn't have the one of the best DT's in the the nation, and one of the top 4 or 5 front 7's in the nation.


Hell, if anything Wofford's defense is going to cost them the game. Their defense looks to be fairly average, and UNI's offense is very potent. They are bottom half in the nation in pass efficiency defense and both UNI QB'S that have played this year are very efficient with the passing game.

I admire and respect both programs. UNI is a perennial contender. My only point was not to underestimate Wofford.