Talking to the Enemy: Q&A with "Fly War Eagle"

Answered a few questions over at the Fansided site for the Auburn Tigers 'Fly War Eagle".

Here is an exerpt, read the entire thing at flywareagle.com

FWE: Of course, 2014 is a new season. Looking at the current roster, what players are fans most excited to see on the field this season? Are there any under the radar players you expect to make a big impact this year?

JG: Korliss Marshall at the running back position is one that everyone is excited to see. In the return game he has the potential to be a big play threat as well. One of the new wide receivers will be a breakout player this year that are flying under the radar. Cody Hollister, Jojo Robinson, Kendrick Edwards: one of those guys will make a huge impact in the wide receiver corps this fall. Cody Hollister has been getting a lot of work in these first few weeks of fall camp, and would be a great target for Brandon Allen. Hollister has the size and speed to get open and improve the passing game. 

FWE: You’ve done some great work at Arkansas Fight, particularly when it comes to X’s and O’s. What are the most important schematic matchups you will be watching on August 30?

Nov 2, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks quarterback Brandon Allen (10) looks to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

JG: It will be interesting to see how defensive coordinator Robb Smith plays Auburn. He does not have a wealth of experience defending either the Spread play-action style, or the HUNH that Auburn runs. While he was at Rutgers they played a few teams that ran various versions but not much up-tempo stuff like Malzahn. The most important matchups schematically will involve containing the Inside Zone.

Will he do it with outside pressure like FSU was able to do in the National Championship game? Also what will be Malzahns response to some safety and corner blitzes off the edge early? I am of the opinion that he knows Smith will be calling a lot of Fire Zone blitzes from the field on first downs early in the game, and will have several tunnel screen/bubble screen plays ready. If Arkansas is able to play tight coverage and send pressure then Smith will have success, but if they have to back off and give up those easier 5-8 yard gains then it will be tough for the Arkansas secondary. 

 If he mirrors what FSU did last season I’m not sure Arkansas has the same athletes that can contain Marshall or Johnson on the outside when they call the Inside Zone Read. The other area to watch is the one-on-one coverage against Sammie Coates, and D’haquille Williams in passing situations where Smith favors playing tight in your face press coverage.

In 2012 when he was the DC at Rutgers and they played in Fayetteville, Cobi Hamilton had a huge game in similar situations. He was able to beat press coverage on inside routes and Tyler Wilson was able to hit him to pick up big chunks of yardage. I look for Auburn to run a lot of four verticals, and shallow crossers early to beat that press coverage, we will see if Johnson and Marshall can stand in and complete those throws.

Again check out the entire piece at "Fly War Eagle".