Cody Alexander Profile picture
Owner: MatchQuarters | Head of Football Ops at @FieldVisionMi | 6 books on defense | No Frills Daily Football Clips | '23 NFL Big Data Bowl Finalist

Jan 6, 2023, 14 tweets

👉🏻 #TCU is not your typical 3-High attack

Let me explain...

#ArtofX ⤵️

The Horned Frogs have THE lowest blitz rates in CFB at 11.6%, & the second lowest stunt rate at 9% (PFF).

They also deviate from the coverage norm, based in Qtrs rather than the typical C2.

#ArtofX ⤵️

One major way #TCU changes its structure is by dropping the MS into the overhang position.

Below, you can see that the Frogs have shifted the LBs to the nub & slid the MS down into the "Ni."

To the "stack," the Frogs are running C2 & away MEG Qtrs.

#ArtofX ⤵️

Teams use these alignments to clear the MOF

In the clip, we see #Michigan use the exact same formation as the image prior

TCU decides to stay in a 3-Hi shell, & the Wolverines QB can throw his WR open for a TD

Look for similar formations from #Georgia as well

#ArtofX

Nub formations (or Wings) are a typical attack on a 3-Hi system because it is constantly super-rotated

#TCU solves this issue w/ their "down" call

Below, I illustrate the gap fits & coverage

Stack = C2 (Cloud) & 2 WRs = Qtrs (Sky)

#ArtofX ⤵️

Again, #Michigan used similar formations to get #TCU into a bind with coverage

Below, the Wolverines use an Unbal Wing set to expose the MOF & run a Dbl Post concept

PA brings the C2 DBs into the box & the QB throws his WR open for a big play

#ArtofX ⤵️

The clip below illustrates how #Georgia can isolate the Slot on the Frogs' Safeties

The look from the Buckeyes is similar to the "down" call by #TCU & the Bulldogs utilize a 12p Unbal formation

#ArtofX ⤵️

.#Georgia utilized 2 TE sets against #OhioState's Hybrid defense, & will do the same against #TCU

Here is a look at an Unbal weak-side run

Something the Frogs are sure to see in the Championship game

#ArtofX ⤵️

Here is a good ex of #TCU's standard coverage

Again, the Wolverines attack with a Nub formation which #TCU runs C2 against

Versus 3 WRs, the secondary plays a loose version of what I call Special (Stubbie)

#ArtofX ⤵️

One change up for #TCU to 3 WR formations is to run a "roll" concept & let the CB take the flat

In reality, it creates a traditional BOX coverage (Qtrs) over the 3 WRs, but w/ a different presentation & leverage

To the x1 side, the Frogs run inverted Qtrs (Slice)
#ArtofX ⤵️

This clip illustrates a standard run fit for the defense, & another ex of using the "down" adjustment to max out numbers in the box

The quick motion makes the set a 3-back formation, which allows the Frogs to spin to 1-Hi, but w/ Qtrs principles

#ArtofX ⤵️

When the #Frogs do blitz, it is usually some kind of 5-man pressure

Below is a good look at an ILB + CB FZ path to attack the Nub side of the Wolverines' set

#ArtofX ⤵️

Hopefully, you can see that #TCU is not your typical 3-Hi system & is well-versed w/ answers for how teams attack

#Georgia utilizes a 2 TE attack & will need to find ways to get a vertical run game

One area to look at is how often they run Bennett on designed runs

#ArtofX ⤵️

The national championship is an intriguing matchup of contrasting styles - one that should be entertaining

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#ArtofX
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matchquarters.substack.com

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