The Football Brainiacs

Image from The Oklahoman (Photographer: Nate Billings)

As part of our preview for the OSU game I wanted to give you some thoughts on their front 7:

– The first thing that stands out to me is what an excellent job Glenn Spencer has done with OSU’s typically less than stellar defense. Coach Spencer loves to dial up blitzes. Its tough to pen down where the defensive linemen are stunting and Coach Spencer’s innovation and ability to recognize schematic tendencies is very impressive. He just has a knack for doing subtle things to create problems for offenses and there’s no doubt he’s spending a lot of time in the film room looking for details in blocking schemes, player tendencies, play calling tendencies, etc.

–  It’s no surprise that the primary impact player in their front 7 is DL Calvin Barnett. Barnett is a man. It will be interesting to see how our coaches intend to stop him. The Ikard vs. Barnett match up is one to focus on in the trenches. Barnett has an excellent first step for an NT to go along with excellent strength. He actually has similar qualities to Notre Dames star NG, Louis Nix. Barnett isn’t as big as Nix but he’s got incredible hips against the double teams. He can get parallel and squeeze between a guard blocking down and a center basing on him. Barnett might have what it takes to be a starting NFL DT.

–  Jimmy Bean will start at strong side defensive end. As a DE he’s got a good club and rip when making his inside move. He’s strongest against the run but he’s an adequate pass rusher. Look for him to be able to get down the sideline as he does show above average lateral movement.

– Im my opinion Oklahoma State’s pass rush is not nearly as explosive as Oklahoma’s but what they do well is single and double moves that make a quarterback feel rushed. Oklahoma State wants to get you off the ball as quickly as possible. They dial up blitzes off the edge and bring freshmen Emmanuel Ogbah off the edge to help create pressure. Ogbah has an explosive first step. You’ve heard it before but it’s true; everything Oklahoma State does starts up front and against OU, they will do exactly what they did against Texas. How this plays out against Trevor remains to be seen. In the past couple games Trevor has looked more comfortable than he did early on in the season. Things have slowed down for him but he’s going to face a pass rush that he hasn’t seen yet. It really helps that Trevor can use his legs but what’s just as important is the fact that he actually uses them. Blake tended to want to sit back there for too long. He was doing the same thing in fall practice. But if you don’t make pass rushers pay for being undisciplined they’re going to keep coming and their recklessness is going to make things harder and harder on your O-line. From there things snowball because the game doesn’t slow down as it goes along – it instead, speeds up. OSU has done that to people this year and if Trevor take those lanes early on and make them pay then that subtle thing can change the entire direction of the game.

–  OSU will play both in an odd front and even front. Usually they have a nickel package with a “jack” type player. Shaun Lewis typically plays this role. He’s good pass rusher and he’s pretty good in coverage but in my opinion he’s stronger against the run or dropping in coverage than he is as a pass rusher.

– Against the run Oklahoma State’s strength is playing against a zone blocking scheme. They tend to have excellent position and do not get hooked when getting reached. Barnett is so strong in the middle especially on plays like inside zone that he usually causes the running back to cut it back where OSU slow plays on the backside. However, against power blocking and man schemes OU could see more success especially with a back like Keith Ford.

– NOTE ON KEITH FORD: Keith Ford has been practicing this week and he’s looked good. He was splitting the reps with Clay and Finch. I would hope that the coaches will give him some carries this Saturday. In a power run game his physicality might give OSU fits if it’s coupled with some change of pace by Finch. That might be the formula Oklahoma needs.

– OSU is very experienced at the linebacker position. Shaun Lewis is the former co-Big 12 freshmen of the year and has been a starter since day one. Caleb Lavey is a 3 year starter. Lavey wont wow you with great hips or burning speed but where he makes up for it is his knowledge and understanding of the game. He runs the show and knows the defense inside and out. He is a solid tackler and more of a blue collar type MLB. You wont see him make a lot of plays in space but he thrives between the tackles as more of the old throwback MLB.

– Lewis is a great playmaker. And even if you don’t notice him for a few plays he’ll suddenly show up and force a fumble. He plays with moxie and patience. He knows where he fits and plays very sound football. He’s a good athlete but not a great one. He knows his strengths. Covering slots and running backs are his forte. He’s also good at knowing how to set the edge on plays to his side and then being on the backside where a running back cuts back.

FINAL NOTE: Overall, the Oklahoma State front 7 is one of the more well disciplined front 7’s you will see in the country. They’re well-coached and have a Pat Shurmur type philosophy. They bend but don’t break and look for any small mistake you make and capitalize on it. The defense has an eye-popping 19 interceptions on the year and love to put pressure on you without necessarily getting sacks. It’s been said over and over again, but Oklahoma has to be able to run the ball and that means within the designed run game and with QB runs where Trevor makes them pay for being undisciplined in their pass rush lanes.