On LSU'S success against the spread

You waited 5 years to post this? Nice.

Def a good read. Hate the per capita argument. Go look how many players were drafted from the likes of Florida, ga, Texas and Cali. They ad 4 times as much as la. Those states can support that many more schools and still be as talented as lsu as far as NFL prospects are concerned.

Impressive, your first post was.

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While LSU is known for having NFL corners and defensive linemen, its defense is actually built around the leadership of safeties and linebackers. In 2012, will linebacker Lamin Barrow, mike linebacker Kevin Minter, and free safety Eric Reid held down the middle of the Tiger defense and stayed on the field in every package.

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For the 2013 unit, the team was anchored by will Lamin Barrow, mike D.J. Welter, and strong safety Craig Loston. The 2014 defense will be led by Welter at mike and Kwon Alexander at the will, along with a need for free safety Jalen Mills or another Tiger veteran to step up.

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The major sub-package that illustrates differences between LSU and most other teams is its mustang package

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The brilliance of the mustang package from an X's and O's perspective is the multiplicity in coverages and pressures it can bring against opponents. Chavis will bring three-man pressures, four-man pressures, five-man fire zones, and also six-/seven-man blitzes with man coverage.

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One favorite call out of the mustang is a basic four-man blitz that brings the dime from the weakside and drops the defense into Tampa 2 coverage:The Tampa 2 is a classically great third-down defense, and it's difficult to anticipate, considering the safety pressure LSU will often bring from the mustang look. That means the dimeback blitz off the edge often has a high hit rate. It's very difficult to beat a good Tampa 2 defense on third and long, and virtually impossible if it's paired with good four-man pressure.

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another good read on the Mustang from a couple yrs ago

LINK

oh how I missed the Badger in 2012...

Thanks for posting.

Can anyone recommend a good book for someone to get deeper into understanding the game from this article's perspective? I'm no coach or expert, but would like to learn a little more on the X's and O's.

How rare is this? An article that actually took either stout research or avid inside fan level knowledge. I loved it.

I must have said this a couple dozen times on this board by now but it never gets old... That 3-1-7 in 2011 was more exciting to watch than any offense that I've ever seen in the NCAA including Johnny Football's. The Chief brought pressure from any and/or all directions! The HB was ball hawking on his blitzes and those extra DB/Safeties consistently handled the power RBs just as good as any LB from any other team. Mingo was stellar in that set as well and seemed to have at least one ESPN worthy pursuit from behind every week that just wasn't fair from a starting DE.

The best news for LSU going forward is that DBU is BACK!!! The secondary has the depth to use that 3-1 and guys like Danielle will still hold down the 3 man line well enough with either 1 or 2 LBs behind them. DJ improved well enough for me late in the season and Kwon might be that next LB who goes sideline to sideline like a Safety but still butts heads up the middle like a LB should.

There are so many positives for the Tigers going forward that it really should excite everyone. For everyone who is worrying about the offense like good Tiger fans do, these are different times with our new OC and (what should be) the consensus NCAA "step up in position coach" hire of the year with Grimes! I felt a little grimy just writing about it. "Big Nasties Get Grimy" on the cover of SI this fall? Too early?

Ahhh, good times. Great first post (or first link) though.