The debate that rages on a regular basis under the Mark Stoops regime is one we are all familiar with. UK gives up 8 yards on a 3rd-and-7, and the response is for the team to play more press coverage. This debate spiked following the bowl loss to Clemson.
Anyway, I was watching the NFL Draft last night and was struck by Saban describing how to defend LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels:
UK's (mostly) three star CBs can play man vs MAC schools, and a lot of UofL's receivers, but it's a risk doing it too much against a good chunk of SEC teams/bowl opponent with blue chip WR/TEs. This plays out tactically in different ways. The improved skill talent at Mizzou forces the tactical tweak for UK to play more zone and be more predictive against the Tigers. Playing man in only a few spots versus Tennessee, and South Carolina's Xavier Legette was decisive in the Tennessee and South Carolina games.
There's a thin line between 6-6, 7-5, 8-4, and 9-3. UK's relative lack of talent is why it plays more zone, because that improves the odds the team finishes near the 8 or 9 win mark. Talent almost always overcomes coaching at the HS and college levels.
Anyway, I was watching the NFL Draft last night and was struck by Saban describing how to defend LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels:
If you rush four guys and have a spy it means that you really can’t play zone. So now you have to play man-to-man, and if your cats ain’t better than their cats, you’ve got a problem playing man-to-man.
UK's (mostly) three star CBs can play man vs MAC schools, and a lot of UofL's receivers, but it's a risk doing it too much against a good chunk of SEC teams/bowl opponent with blue chip WR/TEs. This plays out tactically in different ways. The improved skill talent at Mizzou forces the tactical tweak for UK to play more zone and be more predictive against the Tigers. Playing man in only a few spots versus Tennessee, and South Carolina's Xavier Legette was decisive in the Tennessee and South Carolina games.
There's a thin line between 6-6, 7-5, 8-4, and 9-3. UK's relative lack of talent is why it plays more zone, because that improves the odds the team finishes near the 8 or 9 win mark. Talent almost always overcomes coaching at the HS and college levels.
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