Chess match: Six coordinator matchups to watch in Week 4
Each week, On3’s Mike Huguenin and Matt Zenitz spotlight six games with interesting coordinator matchups. The proverbial “chess match” between the coordinators very well could determine the outcome.
Here are the six in Week Four. (A sobering thought: The season will be a third over by the end of Saturday night.)
Virginia at Syracuse
Time/TV: Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN
The coordinator matchup: Syracuse OC Robert Anae vs. Virginia DC John Rudzinski
The buzz: Anae oversaw a prolific passing offense at Virginia last season, but moved on after Cavs coach Bronco Mendenhall stepped down. He and quarterback coach John Beck, who moved with Anae from UVa, have done yeoman work with Orange QB Garrett Shrader. Shrader has gone from mediocre to excellent in one year; he has thrown for 709 yards and eight TDs, completing 66.2 percent of his passes, after throwing for 1,445 yards and nine TDs last season when he completed just 52.6 percent of his attempts. Shrader remains a dangerous runner, and is ably complemented by star RB Sean Tucker. Rudzinski was at Air Force last season, and his Cavs defense has been solid. But this will be the biggest test by far. Even with Shrader’s improved accuracy, you figure Rudzinski will focus on shutting down the run.
Clemson at Wake Forest
Time/TV: noon, ABC
The coordinator matchup: Wake Forest OC Warren Ruggiero vs. Clemson DC Wes Goodwin
The buzz: Goodwin moved from an off-field role into the DC job left vacant when Brent Venables left to become Oklahoma’s coach. While the Tigers’ defense has been stifling, going against Wake is a heck of a lot different than playing against the offenses of Georgia Tech, Furman and Louisiana Tech, Clemson’s three opponents thus far. Wake’s unique “mesh” offense causes all sorts of problems, and if Demon Deacons QB Sam Hartman has time to throw, he will do a lot of damage throwing to stud WR A.T. Perry. Wake’s running game has been ineffective, and Ruggiero must find a way to get it revved up. If it doesn’t, Goodwin will unleash one of the nation’s deepest stable of pass rushers.
Maryland at Michigan
Time/TV: noon, Fox
The coordinator matchup: Maryland OC Dan Enos vs. Michigan DC Jesse Minter
The buzz: Like Clemson’s Goodwin, Minter is in his first season as DC. And like Clemson, Michigan hasn’t played anybody yet. That changes with the Terps coming to town. Maryland has a high-powered passing attack with QB Taulia Tagovailoa, and redshirt freshman Roman Hemby has provided a huge spark to the rushing attack. Maryland TEs Corey Dyches and C.J. Dippre have a combined 19 catches, and their use Saturday bears watching. The Wolverines crushed the Terps by 41 late last season; Maryland went three-and-out on four of its six first-half possessions as Michigan built a 24-3 halftime lead.
Florida at Tennessee
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., CBS
The coordinator matchup: Tennessee OC Alex Golesh vs. Florida DC Patrick Toney
The buzz: Going by last Saturday’s game, when USF ran all over Florida in a narrow loss, Toney had a lot of work to do during the week. The Gators almost certainly again will be without standout LB Ventrell Miller, which hampers Toney. But the Vols could be without star WR Cedric Tillman, which would hamper Golesh. It will be interesting to see what adjustments Toney makes with is linemen and safeties in an attempt to stifle the run. If the Vols run effectively, they will score a ton of points.
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M in Arlington, Texas
Time/TV: 7 p.m., ESPN
The coordinator matchup: Arkansas OC Kendal Briles vs. Texas A&M DC D.J. Durkin
The buzz: A&M’s offense again was stuck in neutral last week, but Durkin’s defense did enough to help the Aggies beat Miami. Arkansas’ is a more explosive offense than UM’s because QB K.J. Jefferson is an effective runner and will put pressure on A&M’s linebackers, who are the weak spot on that side of the ball for the Aggies. In addition, RB Raheim “Rocket” Sanders is off to a great start for the Hogs, and Arkansas coaches had to notice that Miami ran effectively on A&M last week. Expect A&M’s safeties to be extra involved against the run this week because Arkansas’ receivers, like Miami’s, don’t really scare anyone.
Wisconsin at Ohio State
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m., ABC
The coordinator matchup: Ohio State coach Ryan Day vs. Wisconsin DC Jim Leonhard
The buzz: Leonhard is one of the nation’s best coordinators, but his unit figures to be on the field a lot because it’s hard to see Wisconsin’s offense having much success. The Badgers shut down Washington State’s passing attack but still lost because the offense underwhelmed. It’s a lot harder to shut down C.J. Stroud and his receivers, so expect Leonhard to bring out a few new stratagems for this matchup. Leonhard has to find a way to free up LB Nick Herbig on the pass rush.