Scouting Report: Louisville

Sep 12, 2017, 11:27 PM

As a Clemson fan, I was constantly looking for their weaknesses, so excuse the sense of one-sided view. I'll do my best to point out their strengths.

Offense:
-Lamar Jackson is best on zone reads, bootlegs, and everything he improvises, as long as it doesn't concern him throwing the ball.
-Jackson has a constant tendency to step way up in the pocket on passing plays (he's constantly riding the center's or guard's back); this will help him to scramble in the gaps between the tackles, but makes him susceptible to the interior defensive linemen when in the pocket.
-Jackson is still not an accurate passer, but he has definitely improved. You'll see him over and under throwing balls, constantly, but occasionally he'll nail a deep ball. He does not throw well on quick passes or passes where he's running. Louisville has capitalized on splitting cover-2 safeties every game so far... against UNC, Jackson almost screwed it up once with a bad ball.
-The receivers are decent at getting open, and the RBs are solid. The WRs are led by Jalen Smith, who is solid, and the RBs are led by Malik Williams, who is almost as much of a threat as Jackson.
-The OL is above average, but relies on Jackson's ability to improvise late in the play... And it works, so you can't blame them.
-Jackson makes good decisions, but his coaches have really pushed him this year to take less sacks (he was one of the most sacked QBs in the nation last year). Because of this pressure, he's been caught forcing balls instead of throwing it away.

Defense:
-The biggest weakness is their DBs. Constantly getting beat on deep balls, can't cover a crossing play, and has a tough time picking up the TEs.
-Their DL is good. They can get a good rush going with 4 linemen and they'll stop the run with ease. They haven't really faced a dual threat at QB, but they faced Jackson all summer camp, so you can assume they aren't bad there.
-LBs are good at assisting with the run game, but can't cover a receiver very well.
-They've been great at stopping the option game. UNC abandoned it after several failed attempts.

Special Teams:
-Kickoff return coverage is terrible. This is our chance to get great field position! UNC ran one back for a score with an average returner.
-FG unit is decent.
-Punt team is good at coverage, average at kicks.

HOW DOES CLEMSON WIN?
1. DT play will be the most crucial point on defense. Sealing the 'A' gap will force him to take a sack, make an errant throw, or try to move laterally (something he doesn't do too often, surprisingly).
2. If Jackson slips past our DL, will the LBs be there to stop him? Our LBs cannot let him through, otherwise he's in open space and dangerous.
3. Can we stop the run and force Jackson to throw? Making Louisville rely on Jackson's arm is a solid goal to achieve. Get them unblanced early for a one dimensional offense!
4. Can Kelly Bryant open up the run game by taking advantage of Louisville's weak DBs in the passing game? Hint: beat them deep!
5. Can our offense neutralize their defensive front? Can our OL get some push?
6. Can we take advantage in kick return? This might be Powell's coming out party!

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Louisville Lavarz:
-good quick pass receivers
-good accuracy from lavar at 10-15yd mark
-good deep balls to Fitzpatrick
-good deep ball in weak coverage
-Elite run option
-Elite special zone read ability (esp. if the middle off the line is loose)
-They would rather pass then run, when they run it's usually designed for Lavart the dart.
-Blown coverage or missed tackles could be costly.
-leg tackles are more effective on Lavar than arm tackles, but you risk missing him because of quickness.

Take aways:
-our secondary and depth there will be tested.
-loose zone coverage is the worst coverage.
-don't sleep on Lavar in the 4th quarter. Impressive endurance, quickness doesn't fall off.
-set the edge, contain the middle and force him to run on the outside in scrambles.

For our offense:
Kelly needs to continue developing confidence in his throwing ability to help us win. The confidence will produce quicker pass choices.

Our experience and talent on our receiving corps still shines at times.

We tried it against Auburn but couldn't get the pass off in time, but passes to Feaster could be deadly. Much like the chunk pass plays Oklahoma made with dimitri flowers last weekend.

Lights seem to be coming on for McCloud.

Scouting Report: Louisville

Re: Scouting Report: Louisville

Re: Scouting Report: Louisville

Re: Scouting Report: Louisville

Have they got Jaire Alexander back?***

Re: Have they got Jaire Alexander back?***

That's what I meant--back from injury.

Re: That's what I meant--back from injury.

He likely won't play....be another 2-4 week they think***

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