Colorado State Defensive Scouting Report

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The Colorado State defense has been about as consistent as a defense could be, especially in limiting offense’s big play.

They use well-schemed pressures and athletes in different positions in order to create mismatches. Sometimes their scheming works and sometimes it hurts them.

Early this season, the defense had to play a lot of snaps and learned quickly that if they don’t give up the big plays their team will have late opportunities to win the game. They are also a “bend, not break” type of defense.

Scheme

CSU runs a 4-3 and their best players are their safeties and outside linebackers. The defensive coordinator uses a variety of blitzes and pressures in order to confuse and disrupt the offenses blocking schemes.

He also blitzes the safeties a lot, which, if timed right, can leave a safety with an unblocked path to the quarterback. Their defensive line stunts include a lot of twists. The twists are used in hopes that the center and guards aren’t communicating and switching off defenders.

CSU uses some very basic zones, mostly Cover 4 and a Tampa Two. Cover 4 is where the field is divided into quarters and a Tampa two is a two deep zone with the middle linebacker dropping deeper to help with any middle post or deep drag routes.

CSU also plays a lot of man and man free coverage’s along with zone blitzes.

One thing that hurts their coverage’s is that their defensive linemen aren’t great. They often can’t win their one-on-one match ups, which put stress on the secondary to stay in coverage longer.

CSU also uses a nickel package quit a bit, when they feel that they aren’t matching up well in long yardage situations.

Defensive Line

This would be CSU weak link on their defense. They aren’t particularly fast or big, but they do play their gaps and make the play when it comes their direction. Their best lineman is the right defensive end, No. 91 Tommie Hill. He has a decent pass rush and a couple of moves that allow him to get pressure on the quarterback.

I also noticed how long his arms are and that is a sign that he has the right body for the defensive end position. With long arm he can swat the O-tackles hands away and keep space between their bodies. He can also swat down short passes.

We match up extremely well as long as our linemen communicate well when they bring pressure.

Linebackers

In past years CSU has had great linebacker play which has enabled them to stay in games. This year they aren’t the strongest at linebacker.

Their starters are No. 10 Jeff Horinek, who is the voice of the defense, No. 56 Ricky Brewer who isn’t the biggest but moves well from sideline to sideline.

The last player is No. 6 Mychal Sisson, a freshman from Indianapolis who impressed me with his nose for being around the ball. He has the size of a strong safety, but plays physical enough to be an outside linebacker. Sisson is also a good pass rusher who makes plays all game.

This line backing core is decent in coverage, but struggles when the offense runs directly at them. They give up a lot of size to our offensive line, and I think we will find a lot of success between the tackles.

One thing that I noticed is that their inside linebackers run around a lot of blocks. They don’t stand in their and deliver a blow, to make the play. They try and position themselves to avoid the block and come in late to grab a leg.

If CSU is going to have any hopes of stopping the run I believe they are going to have to stack the box with eight and hope their corners hold up in coverage.

Safeties

CSU uses a few different safeties but their play makers are No. 13 Mike Pagnotta and No. 20 Klint Kubiak. These two play well in the running game and in coverage. The Ram defense revolves around these guys coming up and making sure tackles in open running lanes, blitzing to get pressure on the quarterback and being able to match-up against slot receivers in coverage.

I would expect the Ram safeties to be very sore by the end of the game. Where we need to be careful is when our running backs are fighting for extra yards and these guys are around. They are very good at getting a helmet on the ball and causing fumbles.

One area where they struggle is in their basic zones. When CSU drops into base coverage’s there are a lot of holes and throwing lanes. I would expect their coordinator to come after Max with a vengeance.

Corners

Their corners are young and give up a lot of space underneath. No. 30 Thomas Gerard is the weak link. He is a freshman and vulnerable. Like our corners, they give up the underneath routes, hoping that we won’t be able to move the ball consistently both on the ground or with underneath throws. 

Their corners also bail out a lot. This is when the corner lines up tight to the receiver and than turns and runs out fast when the ball is snapped. If Max is able to read the safeties and use the corners momentum, he will be able to hit a 10-12 yard pass on almost every snap.

I wouldn’t expect too many deep balls, but if we are able to run the ball forcing their safeties to be involved in the run game there will be deep ball potential. Just don’t do I-formation play action, with Austin running a streak. PLEASE!!!

This isn’t the best defense we have faced, but CSU has always played us tough at home. I would expect a similar performance to last week. We should be able to move the ball consistently and if we can get some big plays early I don’t think they will be able to hold us to under 30 points.

My prediction is a very good game from Max. Dennis will once again play a big role in our offense’s production. CSU will devote more defensive attention to Collie, which means Mike and Co. are going to need to step up.

I am hoping that we can get an 18 carries 100+ yard day from Harvey, but with the success we will have through the air I don’t think he makes it.

Go Cougars