Breakdown Sports

Introduction At the college (and high school) level, RPOs continue to grow more and more challenging to defend. With relaxed rules against linemen downfield, defenses have been forced to maintain coverage longer and longer following the mesh point. No play demonstrates this more than the “Bluff and Go” RPO.

In an MGoBlog piece "Fee Fi Foe Film: Illinois Offense" , Ace pointed out an interesting wrinkle that Illinois utilizes on the backside of their inside zone, which I call "Pin and Fold". I had seen this wrinkle previous in an article from Ian Boyd at least partially about current Iowa St. coach Matt Campbell, and I've also written briefly about it on my own . Now that it has appeared again, this time in the Big Ten, I have the opportunity to write a little more about it.

Illinois didn’t have a lot of success against the Ohio State defense, but they did have a really nice run-pass option (RPO, aka package play) that they went to in order to take advantage of the Buckeye’s base Cover 4 defense.

All Photos from Jonathan Street Base Offense: Too Much Base Defense: Too Much

Photo by David Banks/Getty Images Wisconsin D: 3-4 One gap or 2-4 Nickel; Mostly Cover 1 or Cover 4 Also, check out the PODCAST on the same topic.

I had the opportunity to talk some Nebraska football with the great hosts at Unsportsmanlike Conduct over at 1620 The Zone today. Take a listen. LISTEN Perma-link

(Photo by Eric Francis/Getty Images Illinois Offense: Lots of 5 wide and 10 personnel. Some 11 personnel as well. Illinois Defense: Multiple coverage, quite a bit of man, mostly 4-2-5 nickel Nebraska Offense: Mostly 11 personnel, mixed more 12 personnel near GL. Nebraska Defense: 4-2-5 nickel and "Dollar" personnel (4 DL and 7 DBs). More Cover 4 than Cover 1.

PREVIEW FROM ORIGINAL POST AT THE CHAMPAIGN ROOM Wes Lunt transferred to Illinois from Oklahoma State. (USATSI) Early in the first quarter, Illinois had success running crossing routes against Washington's man-to-man cover 1. They ran routes concepts like the drag and follow (drive and chase), mesh concept, and a Cadillac (levels) concept. These are concepts that are all-coverage beaters, but when Washington switched from a Cover one/Man Under to Cover two/four, Lunt struggled to read the underneath coverage quick enough. *     *     *     *     *     *     * How To Make Life Easier for Lunt So, first of all, Lunt needs pass protection. The example above wasn't the only time Heitz got whooped. In fact, several of the other concepts I got to diagram weren't allowed to develop before the pressure got in off the right side of the line. What that means is that the RT needs some help. You can give him help in several ways...

AP Photo/Ted S. Warren Offense: 11 and 20 personnel. Zone based run scheme. Mostly simple spread passing concepts, but will get into heavy personnel fairly regularly. Very multiple. Defense: 3-3-5 Over - Mixed Cover 4, Cover 1, and Cover 3 Robber

PREVIEW Replacing Nathan Scheelhaase isn't going to be easy for the Illini this upcoming Fall. But in this article, we'll take a quick look at Illinois's QB situation, which involves three players: Senior Reilly O'Toole , transfer Wes Lunt , and Dual-Threat Aaron Bailey. The Offense The Illinois offense is mostly an offense that operates from the shotgun. While they did go under center at times - mostly with Bailey at the helm - it was few and far between. They appeared to do so to improve the downhill action of their zone run game, though they incorporated some Sweep G and reverse plays into their playbook from a similar look. But their QBs have work with their footwork, ball handling, and reading the defense from under center to make it more than a single dimensional group of formations. They have some talent at RB, though no one that stands out. Their offensive line is hard to judge, as their units were split, but also because the defense did a poor job keeping ...

Ceiling: 8               Ranking: 6.25                  Floor: 4.5 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: St John's College (Washington, DC) Size: 6'0" - 190 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, 0.8747 ,  #10 Dual, #417 Overall 247 : 4 Star, 90, #15 Dual. #238 Overall Rivals : 3 Star, 5.7 Scout : 3 Star, #37 QB Favorites:  Maryland (Commit) Others: Arizona, Arizona St, Arkansas, Boston College, Cincinnati, Florida St, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Miami (FL), Michigan St, NC State, Ohio St, Rutgers, Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin Strengths Good trajectory to throw into the seam or over opening between CBs and safeties in a cover 2 Fast and quick runner that can take it for a TD at any time Gets low behind the LOS and sets up blockers well to get into the second level Decent throwing strength. While he struggles to push the ball deep and doesn't have pure arm strength,...

Ceiling: 8                 Ranking: 6                  Floor: 3.75 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: Wheaton North (Wheaton, IL) Size: 6'4" - 195 lbs. Composite: 4 Star, 0.8973 ,  #15 Pro, #271 Overall 247 : 4 Star, 92, #11 Pro Rivals : 4 Star, 5.8, #7 Pro Scout : 3 Star, #43 Pro Favorites:  Northwestern (Commit) Other Notable Offers:  Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, NC State, Ole Miss, Penn St, Syracuse Strengths Strong arm on short passes, capable of firing ball in quickly Quick release and good at moving the pocket Underrated athlete that can keep defenses honest with his feet Strong arm, can really rocket a ball in there. Displays the ability to put some air on the ball and throw over top of defenses. Good height. Has a release point above his helmet, while still not with full arm extension, still gives him a high release point...

Ceiling: 8.25                 Ranking: 6.5                  Floor: 5 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: Ursuline (Youngstown, OH) Size: 6'4" - 230 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, 0. 8877,  #16 Pro, #319 Overall 247 : 4 Star, 90, #17 Pro Rivals : 3 Star, 5.7, #15 Pro Scout : 4 Star, #14 Pro, #239 Overall Favorites:  Michigan State (Commit) Other Notable Offers:  Cal, Illinois, Indiana, Northwestern Strengths Ball velocity and rotation, putting the ball on receivers fast Very good running ability Capable of threatening every area of the field with arm Has the ability to make throws to every part of the field. Has good pure arm strength and releases the ball with good arm and wrist snap, giving the ball pretty good velocity and puts it on the receiver fast. Quick release allows him to get the ball out of his hands fast. Capable of putting the ball in all areas of t...

Ceiling:   7.5               Ranking: 5.5                  Floor: 3 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: Newark Catholic (Newark, OH) Size: 6'4" - 215 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, 0. 8578,  #31 Pro, #654 Overall 247 : 3 Star, 88, #26 Pro Rivals : 3 Star, 5.6, #27 Pro Scout : 3 Star, #51 Pro Favorites:  Illinois (Commit) Other Notable Offers:  Kent St, Ohio, Toledo, Western Michigan Strengths Good accuracy and velocity on short to intermediate passer Understands timing passing Better athlete than many pro-style QBs Stands tall in the pocket. Solid arm that is capable of stretching the field laterally on short and intermediate passes. Good pure arm strength, can put some muscle into his short passes to hit outside windows. Has good ball velocity and is capable of fitting the ball into tight windows on short and intermediate routes. Is capable of understanding ...

Ceiling: 9                 Ranking: 8.25                  Floor: 5 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: De La Salle Institute (Chicago, ILL) Size: 6'5" - 290 lbs. Composite: 4 Star, #4 OT, #49 Overall 247 : 4 Star, 97, #5 OT, #42 Overall Rivals : 4 Star, 5.9, #13 OT, #97 Overall Scout : 4 Star, #6 OT, #52 Overall Favorites: Ohio State (Commit) Other Notable Offers:  Michigan, Michigan St, Notre Dame,  Arizona St, Arkansas, Cal, Florida, FSU, Georgia Tech, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Miss St, Nebraska, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Purdue, Tennessee, UCLA, Vandy, Virginia, Wisconsin Strengths Mammoth body that moves well, especially forward. Can pull around the line as his straight speed is good for his size. Great, great down blocker. Gets under pads of kids that are much smaller than him, get into body, latches on, and drives. Very physical player...

Ceiling: 8                 Ranking: 6                  Floor: 4 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: Thomas Jefferson (Clairton, PA) Size: 6'4" - 220 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, #41 OLB 247 : 3 Star, 87, #48 OLB Rivals : 3 Star, 5.7, #29 OLB Scout : 3 Star, #28 OLB Favorites:  Michigan (Commit) Other Notable Offers:  Arkansas, Boston College, Florida St, Illinois, Miami (FL), Michigan St, Northwestern, Ohio St, Oregon, Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia Strengths Wraps up well on contact. Good fundamentals when tackling, wraps up and keeps feet driving. Long arms and good wrap make him very good at tackling from the side. Good athlete and good speed for his size and position. Ideal height for SAM. Very explosive north/south, more of a downhill player than sideline-to-sideline. Aggressive to the ball, never gives up on a play. Weaknesses Often stands up to hi...

Ceiling: 8                Ranking: 5.5                 Floor: 4 ( Ranking Explanation ) School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Size: 6'1" - 200 lbs. Composite: 3 Star, #103 RB 247 : 3 Star, 81, #92 RB Rivals : 3 Star, 5.5 Scout : 3 Star, #77 RB Favorites: Boston College, Florida State, Michigan State, Nebraska, Wisconsin Other Notable Offers: Cincinnati, Illinois, Kansas, Purdue, Rutgers, South Carolina  Strengths Good initial burst, quick to get up to full speed. Good stop/start quickness, pushes defenders past him and gets back up to speed with good burst. Plants foot solidly in ground and gets running north/south with strength behind his shoulders. Has a good shoulder lean upon contact. Keeps feet churning when still square to LOS. Falls forward when going down. Uses his left hand well to stiff arm defenders and scrape away tacklers hands. B...