I've been talking about this in a couple different threads so I thought I might try to compile here how Pitt could have success rushing(!) against GT on Saturday.
A quick explanation on the "stack"
I'm sure you'll hear this term in the broadcast plenty (if the TV guys are any good) about GT's transition from the 4-2-5 to the 3-3-5. What they mean by "stack" is that the linebackers (in their base look) will be lined up almost directly behind their 3 defensive linemen. Last season, GT aligned basically in what you might think looks like a nickel package with 2 DT's, 1 DE, and one hybrid stand up DE on the weak side that was really an outside LB (think similar to the Steelers OLB's). They changed against Clemson by basically backing the OLB off the line, shifting the linebackers over and playing a "stack" without having to overhaul the personnel they have on the field.
Here's an imperfect example:
4-2-5 // 2020 vs. Pitt
3-3-5 // 2021 vs. Clemson
3-3-5 // 2021 vs. UNC
Pitt, Clemson, and UNC are all shown here with variations of trips to the right so the LB's are slightly shifted but you get the idea.
The 3-3-5 is designed to keep the LB's clean to run sideline-to-sideline because they are sort of shielded by the big guys in the trenches.
It especially allows the middle backer to run freely sideline to sideline.
Running Against the Stack
If I'm diagramming a defense and I'm looking for places to attack, I look for what I (and others I'm sure) call "bubbles. Soft spots where the offense could have easier angles to block, all things being equal. Bubbles don't matter too much when Aaron Donald is lined up against you but if there are two equal players, a bubble is a point of attack that offenses need to identify because it's a weakness of a defensive alignment.
Against a Stack, the bubbles are the red circles. The inside bubbles require the Center to handle the Nose but, again, if a C and NT are roughly equivalent, a RB on an inside run should look to attack whichever side the C shields him against the NT. The other bubble is off tackle, outside the DE and LB's but inside of the hybrid S. These are the places where teams can run with success against a Stack.
CLEMSON
Clemson did a good job identifying this and this is why they were able to move the ball even though the QB stunk combined with their OL troubles
Off tackle left, cave the DE and wall off the LB. Make the safeties make tackles.
Here is Clemson's back missing the alley to the left but you can see how it develops off tackle again.
There was a bit of a missed block inside but I would have told him to stay on the alley if I were his RB coach.
Clemson also ran effectively inside, albeit for modest yardage - but this is what won them the game since their passing attack is a total mess.
Let the NT pick a side, let the C wall him off, get up field. Good run.
UNC
The UNC offense is so disjointed that they never really got on track running the ball against GT. The same principles apply though.
Cave the LB off tackle (in this case the DE played upfield so he was kicked out instead of down inside but the running alley remains the same), cut up inside, finish the run.
This is what they should have been doing all game. Instead, whether it was Howell or the UNC OC, they kept trying to get big plays that weren't there and it got Howell killed.
The DE is bumped down inside even further. LOOK AT THAT ALLEY. Let your back make a play!!!! Instead...Howell holds onto the ball for an RPO and takes an unnecessary sack.
If he just gives that ball it's a chance for a huge play and instead it turns into a negative. This is what Pitt can't do Saturday. Take the yardage given. 4 yards is not a bad thing. GT is quick and aggressive but they want teams to press and make mistakes.
If Pitt takes care of the football and plays patiently, I think they can wear GT down and do it by running the ball smart and trusting Pickett not to force the issue if a big play isn't there.
A quick explanation on the "stack"
I'm sure you'll hear this term in the broadcast plenty (if the TV guys are any good) about GT's transition from the 4-2-5 to the 3-3-5. What they mean by "stack" is that the linebackers (in their base look) will be lined up almost directly behind their 3 defensive linemen. Last season, GT aligned basically in what you might think looks like a nickel package with 2 DT's, 1 DE, and one hybrid stand up DE on the weak side that was really an outside LB (think similar to the Steelers OLB's). They changed against Clemson by basically backing the OLB off the line, shifting the linebackers over and playing a "stack" without having to overhaul the personnel they have on the field.
Here's an imperfect example:
4-2-5 // 2020 vs. Pitt
3-3-5 // 2021 vs. Clemson
3-3-5 // 2021 vs. UNC
Pitt, Clemson, and UNC are all shown here with variations of trips to the right so the LB's are slightly shifted but you get the idea.
The 3-3-5 is designed to keep the LB's clean to run sideline-to-sideline because they are sort of shielded by the big guys in the trenches.
It especially allows the middle backer to run freely sideline to sideline.
Running Against the Stack
If I'm diagramming a defense and I'm looking for places to attack, I look for what I (and others I'm sure) call "bubbles. Soft spots where the offense could have easier angles to block, all things being equal. Bubbles don't matter too much when Aaron Donald is lined up against you but if there are two equal players, a bubble is a point of attack that offenses need to identify because it's a weakness of a defensive alignment.
Against a Stack, the bubbles are the red circles. The inside bubbles require the Center to handle the Nose but, again, if a C and NT are roughly equivalent, a RB on an inside run should look to attack whichever side the C shields him against the NT. The other bubble is off tackle, outside the DE and LB's but inside of the hybrid S. These are the places where teams can run with success against a Stack.
CLEMSON
Clemson did a good job identifying this and this is why they were able to move the ball even though the QB stunk combined with their OL troubles
Off tackle left, cave the DE and wall off the LB. Make the safeties make tackles.
Here is Clemson's back missing the alley to the left but you can see how it develops off tackle again.
There was a bit of a missed block inside but I would have told him to stay on the alley if I were his RB coach.
Clemson also ran effectively inside, albeit for modest yardage - but this is what won them the game since their passing attack is a total mess.
Let the NT pick a side, let the C wall him off, get up field. Good run.
UNC
The UNC offense is so disjointed that they never really got on track running the ball against GT. The same principles apply though.
Cave the LB off tackle (in this case the DE played upfield so he was kicked out instead of down inside but the running alley remains the same), cut up inside, finish the run.
This is what they should have been doing all game. Instead, whether it was Howell or the UNC OC, they kept trying to get big plays that weren't there and it got Howell killed.
The DE is bumped down inside even further. LOOK AT THAT ALLEY. Let your back make a play!!!! Instead...Howell holds onto the ball for an RPO and takes an unnecessary sack.
If he just gives that ball it's a chance for a huge play and instead it turns into a negative. This is what Pitt can't do Saturday. Take the yardage given. 4 yards is not a bad thing. GT is quick and aggressive but they want teams to press and make mistakes.
If Pitt takes care of the football and plays patiently, I think they can wear GT down and do it by running the ball smart and trusting Pickett not to force the issue if a big play isn't there.
