MALACHI TONEY
I considered just making that heading the entire post, but I’ll settle for just pointing out that Miami is just now figuring out how to use him.
IT’S TIME FOR JEFF BROHM TO GET CREATIVE
Jeff
Brohm mentioned this week during his radio show that we could see other quarterbacks, other than Miller Moss, in the game with some special packages. I had hoped that this would be the plan when the season started, and I wish he had picked a different defense to deploy this plan against, but it’s better late than never, and it is needed more now than ever.
The offense has not been able to execute as anyone expected it to this year because the offensive line has not been able to hold up in the run or pass game. That has led to the offense being fairly predictable, but more than that, it has not been explosive at all. Brohm adding in some wrinkles with a running quarterback package could help spark the offense and create the big plays that have escaped them this year.
LOUISVILLE SHOULD MOVE THE POCKET IN THE PASS GAME
The offensive line isn’t going to improve overnight. I do think that getting Trevonte Sylvester back into the fold is important, but it won’t fix the issues they’ve had when teams bring pressure. I think it would go a long way to help the line hold up if Brohm moved the pocket more to get Miller Moss on the move and to help the line cutoff angles from interior pressures, which they have struggled to handle this year.
Another helpful aspect of moving the pocket is that it shrinks the field and makes every throw inherently shorter. That could help receivers to get quick separation and widen the window for a throw from Moss. While this hasn’t been much of an issue when throwing to Chris Bell, it could help with the other outside receivers who have combined for only 23 catches and no touchdowns on the season.
MIAMI WILL RUN MARK FLETCHER UNTIL HE BREAKS A BIG RUN
Louisville has one of the best defenses in the country at this point in the season. Miami will test them in a way that no one else has this year. Virginia’s balance was a real concern, but the Cards handled them pretty well by taking away passing options and containing big runs from their rushing attack. But Virginia was banged up on the offensive line.
Miami brings in the best line in the country, in my opinion, and they will work to lean in on the Cards’ defense in an effort to control the clock and build explosive plays. Mark Fletcher has had his way with Louisville in his first two years for the Canes and I think the staff for Miami will look to him to take on a heavy workload to wear down a UofL defense that is not very deep.
The Canes have struggled to be explosive on offense, and the best way to build explosive plays is to run the ball to force the defense to adjust. We’ve seen it as Louisville fans over the last five years with Scott Satterfield’s system, as well as Brohm’s adjusted scheme with big play running backs. Shannon Dawson will draw up a scheme to feed Fletcher in an effort to open up the passing game. That will lead to Fletcher having room to break off a big run or two.
THE CANES MIGHT TAP INTO THEIR DEPTH
Louisville isn’t the only team impacted by injuries this year. Miami has been without Jordan Lyle as running back and Joshisa Trader as receiver for most of the year, but both players will be available this weekend and will be fully healthy. Lyle is the next big thing for the Canes in the backfield from a potential standpoint, and he also provides a different style of runner from Fletcher.
Trader is a potential deep threat for the Canes, which is an aspect of the offense that has been missing from the offense this year. He can also take a short gain and take it for big yardage with his ability to run after the catch. There are aspects of the Miami offense that they haven’t been able to tap into because they don’t have a player to stretch the field. Look for Trader to solve that, along with Keelan Martin, who has speed to burn.
On the defensive side of the ball, I think the Canes will look to get more reps for their pass rushers up front. UofL will likely throw the ball more than just about anyone on the schedule so far for Miami. Malik Bryant, Marquise Lightfoot, and Herbert Scroggins are all guys who have been underutilized, in my opinion. I think that they could get more snaps in this game if the Cards are able to sustain drives.
