ASU Football: Prepping the D for Stanford
By Mike Slifer
This Saturday, the ASU football team hosts the Stanford Cardinal. These two teams got to know each other quite well last year, playing twice with both games won by Stanford. Needless to say this ASU team is probably taking an “unfinished business” approach to this game.
Even though Stanford is not yet as prolific on offense this season, they are still Stanford. They are the reigning PAC-12 champions. Their defense is one of the best in the nation. And even though, they are not lighting it up, they have an offensive line that is very big and very physical. Stanford still runs the ball quite well, lining up with a full back and a tight end. (sometimes two tight ends) The Cardinal will be tough to stop.
For head coach Todd Graham, his staff and the players, the first order of business is to stop the run. Any ASU fan can tell you that this is a problem. The Sun Devils have struggled to stop the run all year, even against sub-average teams. (Colorado) There’s a couple of options for the coaching staff. One would obviously be that ASU could adjust their scheme a little bit to fit the offensive characteristics of Stanford. ASU could use more of an 8 man front to get more bodies near the line of scrimmage. Also, the defense might spend more time working on various stunts and blitzes that they haven’t shown yet this season.
Secondly, the Sun Devils might mix up their personnel for this game in order to get more “heavies” into the game. Be prepared to see more of Mo Latu, ASU’s biggest defensive tackle. And don’t be surprised to see some experimentation at linebacker. With scheme and personnel, coach Todd Graham has got to do whatever it takes to not get pushed around at the point of attack.
Lastly, and most important, this young Sun Devil defense just has to get better. By game time, ASU will have had two weeks to rest up, heal up and get better at their craft. There can be no excuse to not be prepared with their alignments, keys, assignments and techniques. This front 7/8 on defense absolutely have to improve their individual technique on fighting pressure and holding their ground. It isn’t easy, but it’s got to get done, or it will be a long day for ASU.