Hold on. They Are Coming. How to hold off the ISU Rush

[Notalot]

The Fiesta Bowl match up with the Iowa State Cyclones is coming into focus and getting closer to game day. January 2nd is two weeks away.

What are the keys to the game? What will the Cyclone coaches see in game planning and how will they attack the Ducks? The USC game provides a too small sample size, but the Ducks defense has come alive. The team leaders had break out performances to match their immense abilities and skills. 

The offense showed vulnerability against the rush. Tyler Shough, as in other recent games, exhibited signs of panic under pressure. The panic manifested itself in faulty decision making. The panic resulted in difficulties sensing and staying in the pocket. Panic caused the QB to flee. Panic interrupted read sequencing. And among other outcomes repeated panic changed the flow of the game and blew up the concentration of the QB.

ISU has one of the country's premier defenses. Its rushing defense held opponents to 104.6 yards per game over the season allowing only 9 rushing TD's. Counting Red Zone performance on offense the Cyclones were 30 of 46 scoring once inside the 20 yard line. The defense held ISU opponents to 15 of 33 by comparison. ISU's defense racked up 28 sacks. Eeks!

We can be certain that the game film analysis show plays where Shough became shook. I'm quite certain that Shough's tendencies, and the weak spots in Oregon's offensive protection will be listed along with dissecting what the QB resorts to - where does he look, step, run and throw - when pressured from differing angles. I expect that ISU will bring the heat relentlessly in the first few series to change the garme in their favor.

For every action their is a reaction. If he heat is on, will we dump the ball off underneath the coverage,  throw inside slants, use screens and stay outside the middle to defeat the rush? It will be important for Tyler Shough to make plays early in the game to build his confidence. Early sacks and pressure on the QB could set the stage for a loss and dig a hole too deep for recovery. How would you scheme to defeat the ISU rush?

The Ducks can do it. Will they? Will the coaches give the Ducks the game plan, play calls and make adjustments to win? If they do,  can the Ducks execute?

This is why we watch the games. Go Ducks in '21.

There is a whole new year ahead..