From the Bird's Nest: Five keys to beating Troy

[CajunDreDog]

Without deep research here's my $0.02.

It costs way more than that for your opinion to be posted here!

[Turbine]

Without deep research here's my $0.02.

1. Stop the run on first down and the pass there after. According to Turbine's post, Troy sets themselves up well for the pass by gaining 5-6 yards on first down, this leads to short 2nd and 3rd situations which clearly opens up the passing game.

2. Turnovers, Turnovers, Turnovers. Which should go without saying. Its kind of like the whole score more points than them.

3. Limit bad penalties. Def pass interference is ok if the guy has you beat and its either 15 yards or 6 pts, but personal fouls after the play is over need to be limited. I get it were aggressive and that comes with the territory but we need to limit the "dumb" penalties.

4. Wrs keep making the grabs. I think Green has a good chance of having a big game if our Wr's keep making plays causing Troy's defense to watching the outside threats.

5. Special teams. Field position has been our greatest ally in our "big" wins. "Sarge" Surge needs to keep making big returns, and "Big" Baer pins them deep.

I'm going the route of Poland on my first key. I think Jay and Waldo are both right in their breakdowns. I can say that it is great that the Cajuns are in the position they are in and this is a very winnable game.

Nice, just think if you had gone deep.

[Just1More]

Nice, just think if you had gone deep.

That's what she said!

Sorry Turbine, I'll put myself in the penalty box.

[Zeebart21]

That's what she said!

Sorry Turbine, I'll put myself in the penalty box.

settle down, son...

z

[zephyr]

Source www.ncaa.com

2011 UL Ragin Cajuns Rush Defense stats
55 La.-Lafayette 5 190 671 3.53 9 134.20

2011 Troy Trojans Run Offense Stats
72 Troy 4 129 553 4.29 5 138.25
63 FIU 5 181 730 4.03 9 146.00
53 Oklahoma St. 4 158 625 3.96 11 156.25

2011 UL Ragin Cajuns Pass Defense Stats
71 La.-Lafayette 5 166 92 55.42 12.43 7 4.22 1144 6.89 10 228.80 0

2011 Troy Trojans Pass Offense Stats
12 Troy 4 197 117 4 59.39 1327 6.74 7 331.75 2.03 11.34
57 FIU 5 144 89 1 61.81 1184 8.22 6 236.80 .69 13.30
2 Oklahoma St. 4 196 146 6 74.49 1662 8.48 11 415.50 3.06 11.38

Pretty sure their Pass game is what I'm worried about.

Waldo, I think its the old addage that if a team does something really well, above other things, you have to assume that they will typically be able to accomplish doing it on a consistent basis. However, if you eliminate all other forms of offense, they have nothing else to balance their production. For instance, people played Michael Jordan and knew that he would score 35 against them, however, they felt that they could beat the Bulls if they stopped all the other players around him. I think that we assume Troy will be able to pass the ball to a level of success.It's what they do especially when they have one of the best QB's in the belt. However, they've proven in recent years that they can run the ball and their running game has killed us. My number one key to this game was stopping the interior run. I agree with Jay because we've seen Dajuan Harris and Catouse amongst others just kill over the years when we are keying the pass. I do agree with jay that those huge rushing games had a lot to do with the margin of victory and I think that if we allow them to do the same this year, it would be similar.

You say our DL is better than recent years and are likely right but they are not LSU's line and are by no means a dominant bunch. We need them to play as well as they've played in any game this year so we can get pressure on Robinson and let the back 7 play the pass.

[Boomer]

My Five Keys to Beating Troy (WITH ZERO STATISTICAL RESEARCH!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!)

1. Give Robinson ZERO time. He's a very accurate QB who will blast you given the chance. Put him under some pressure and force him to make mistakes.
2. Take more shots offensively. I feel as if we get conservative at times and if we would take deeper shots, more often, it will open up the run game and the short passing game
3. O-Line keep protecting Blaine and opening holes. O-line is doing a great job protecting Blaine thus far this season IMO. Opening holes on runs is getting better but still has room to improve. ps. Blaine needs to make quicker decisions in the pocket as he is leaving himself wide open for blind hits
4. Protect the ball. Nothing loses momentum faster than a fumble. The end.
5. Make the play. Nothing frustrates me more than a broken tackle in the backfield due to arm tackling. Wrap him up and take his ___ down.

--------#1) We blitz and he has man coverage---We can be very vulnerable in that situation-----#2) If you miss then we have 3rd and long---If we get 3rd and makable our big backs have been getting her done-----#s 3-5 I agree!!! Don't get me wrong on #s 1 and 2 we need to mix it up but that
's why you have coaches and check offs!!!!

[CajunDreDog]

That's what she said!

Sorry Turbine, I'll put myself in the penalty box.

And for ONCE, just ONCE. I muttered to myself, I won't say it this time, but I know someone will. JIM, you make me proud!

[Crawfish]

If we win, one of the keys to winning next week will be for the players not to squash the place kicker in the post game pileup.

[NOCajun]

If we win, one of the keys to winning next week will be for the players not to squash the place kicker in the post game pileup.

Solution: Send Baer to the locker room before time runs out!! Of course, if we need him to kick a 50-yard field goal with 2 seconds left, I guess that won't work...

[RedRover]

... the old 5-keys-to-victory sportswriters' bit actually means if these 5 things happen we will win, and I gotta say if Jay's 5 keys go in the Cajuns' favor, it's hard to imagine the Cajuns losing. It's certainly possible to come up with alternate keys, but me, I tend to agree with Jay. I should add, however, that most of Jay's keys hold true for most games: win the running game, QB play well, win turnover battle, etc. But the real key, ;-), (which is another cliche) IS WIN UP FRONT. I know football, and I've seen some UL football (4 years' worth); we win so many battles up front this year. Our right tackle is a beast, just watch him! And, our pressure on the QB has played a factor in both Sunbelt victories. I could go on (e.g. Green's blocking inside and outside the tackle box), but suffice it to say...

...let's hear one for the HOGS!! Every winning football team's unsung hero!