re: STM vs SA

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Not one team from what I saw has brought more than u can block.

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Evangel showed a very limited ability/willingness to adjust their defense

This year STM has routinely seen teams blitz 7/8
We have also seen teams blitz 9

early in the year, STM saw a lot of blitzing and the young OL struggled. So Bergeron threw 6 INTS in 5 games. As the season progressed the OL has gelled and they are much better at getting Bergeron protection, especially pressure up the middle. So Bergeron has thrown 4 INTS in the last 6 games.

The biggest difference between this STM offense and 2010 STM offense is this team has one system keyed by one QB so there is consistency and continuity to what they are doing. You may get pressure on Bergeron, you may make him miss some throws but they will keep chipping away at you until your secondary makes a mistake. Or they will happily run the football and throw bubble/RB screens and wear your DL and LBs out chasing plays from behind.

STM has lived on big passing plays this season and the main concern I have with Aug is the ability your DBs have of recovering and stopping big plays. That forces STM to grind a bit on offense and that has not always been their strength. However they have shown the ability to grind the running game on their opponents with the lead.

On defense, I think STM sells out and stops Fournette or they dont win. I really dont think your QB has the ability to beat STM throwing the football and I seriously doubt Crutch wants him to try. Your QB may throw a few balls to try to keep STM honest but expect to see STM loading the box and crowding the LOS. If your QB beats them throwing then so be it. They will not let your strength beat them, that is what STM tries to do on defense. Take away your strength and make you find another way to win.

This is why STM is so successful in the regular season and has failed to make the Dome in 6 tries. They usually reach a point in the playoffs where the opponents strength cant be stopped or the opponent finds another way to beat them. They just cant quite get over that hump.