Chess match: Six coordinator matchups to watch in Week 9
On3’s Mike Huguenin and Matt Zenitz spotlight six games with interesting coordinator matchups each week. The proverbial “chess match” between the coordinators very well could determine the outcome.
Here are the six in Week Nine.
No. 2 Ohio State at No. 13 Penn State
Time/TV: Noon, Fox
The coordinator matchup: Ohio State coach Ryan Day vs. Penn State DC Manny Diaz
The buzz: Penn State’s loss was a one-sided affair at Michigan in which the Wolverines trampled the Nittany Lions to the tune of 418 rushing yards. While that is Penn State’s only defensive clunker of the season, Diaz has to be worried about Ohio State’s offensive versatility. Michigan’s passing attack is nowhere near as explosive as Ohio State’s, yet the Wolverines still ran at will. Ohio State has two good backs, a stud quarterback and an extremely deep group of receivers. Penn State’s secondary is a good one, but can it hold up? Diaz loves to blitz, and he needs to find a way to for the Nittany Lions to consistently get in C.J. Stroud’s face. And PSU absolutely has to stymie the run, too.
Oklahoma at Iowa State
Time/TV: Noon, FS1
The coordinator matchup: Oklahoma OC Jeff Lebby vs. Iowa State DC Jon Heacock
The buzz: Iowa State is 3-4 (including 0-4 in the Big 12) because its offense is ineffective; statistically, its defense is the best in the Big 12. Oklahoma’s defense is bad, so maybe the Cyclones can find some offensive success. Regardless, Heacock’s unit needs a solid game. It’s difficult to run on the Cyclones, so it’ll be interesting to see how Lebby manages that, especially with his early play-calls. If Sooners QB Dillon Gabriel gets time, he can be expected to hit some big plays against Iowa State’s secondary. Iowa State’s pass rush has been inconsistent; pressure is a must in this game.
No. 20 Cincinnati at UCF
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., ESPN
The coordinator matchup: UCF coach Gus Malzahn vs. Cincinnati DC Mike Tressel
The buzz: UCF already has one AAC loss, so another setback could effectively knock the Knights out of the conference race. Cincinnati, meanwhile, is unbeaten in league play. Cincy’s run defense has been bad the past three games, which is good news for Malzahn and QB John Rhys Plumlee, who’s a better runner than passer. If UCF indeed can get its running game cranked up – say, 200 or so yards (it averages 242.3) – the Knights’ likelihood for a win increase greatly. UCF’s defense figures to do its job; can Malzahn’s offense produce?
No. 8 Oregon at California
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m., FS1
The coordinator matchup: Oregon OC Kenny Dillingham vs. Cal DC Peter Sirmon
The buzz: QB Bo Nix and Oregon’s offense have been playing at a high level of late, and given the – hmm, how do we put this nicely? – lackluster nature of Cal’s offense, slowing the Ducks is a must if the Golden Bears are to have a shot. Cal’s defense uncharacteristically has struggled this season, especially against the pass. The run defense hasn’t been all that good, either, and Sirmon has to find a way to slow the Ducks’ ground game. Nix and RBs Bucky Irving and Noah Whittington (all three transferred in during the offseason) have combined for 944 rushing yards and seven rushing TDs in four Pac-12 games. As for pressuring Nix, good luck with that: Oregon has allowed one sack.
No. 19 Kentucky at No. 3 Tennessee
Time/TV: 7 p.m., ESPN
The coordinator matchup: Kentucky OC Rich Scangarello vs. Tennessee DC Tim Banks
The buzz: Kentucky has a good defense, but Tennessee will score on the Wildcats; Pitt and Florida kept the Vols in the 30s, but UT has scored at least 40 in every other game and is averaging 50.1. That means Scangarello must find a way for the Wildcats to keep up. While UK prefers to let RB Chris Rodriguez do a lot of the heavy lifting, Banks’ defense has been solid against the run; no opponent has rushed for more than 141 yards (Pitt and Florida again) nor has any opponent averaged more than 3.7 yards per carry. But the Vols’ secondary can be exploited, so perhaps the best path to a potential big upset is for Scangarello to let Wildcats QB Will Levis throw it around more than usual.
Pitt at No. 21 North Carolina
Time/TV: 8 p.m., ACC Network
The coordinator matchup: Pitt OC Frank Cignetti Jr. vs. North Carolina DC Gene Chizik
The buzz: Chizik’s defense is allowing 476.3 yards and 32.4 points per game, as well as 6.3 yards per play; those numbers rank last, 61st and 60th, respectively, among the 65 Power 5 teams. Pitt RB Israel Abanikanda is having a big year, and Cignetti figures to ride him like a horse against UNC’s sieve-like run defense. The Tar Heels’ secondary has been a sieve, too, but can Panthers QB Kedon Slovis take advantage? He has five TD passes and five interceptions. In some respects, UNC’s best defense this season has been letting the opposing team score so Tar Heels QB Drake Maye gets the ball back. That’s hyperbole, of course – but also not.