UT Martin @ SIU 9/14

Watched the UT Martin vs Florida game.  Couldn't really tell much.  A lot like our game with Ole Miss last year.  Two completely different halves.  So I went back and watched their game with Northwestern State.  Could tell much more.  The first thing that jumps out at you is their DL.  Our OL had better bring their lunch.  It's going to be a long day.  They run a 3-4 hybrid that they jump out of and turn into a true 3-3 with 5 DB's.  Did this mostly in nickel situations.  Mostly zone.  As you'd expect.  But their DL is the best part of their team.  They have two rotations, but their starters are really good.  Makes you see just how bad our DL has been for the last 4-5 years.  LB's are active.  Will square up a ball carrier.  DB's just average.  Our nine foot tall TE will cause a real matchup problem.  Skinny post looks like a good deal.  Nick will probably have to move the pocket a lot more than he likes this game to get away from the DL.  Occasionally they move a LB up and use him as an extra pass rusher.  

OL is good but not great.  Big center.  Must have been moved from OT.  Consistently made QB take eyes off Defense to catch the shotgun snap.  Petrino should have some guys moving everytime they line up in shotgun to maybe get the QB to take his eyes off the snap and possibly wiff.  You have to try every angle.  QB was good.  Not great.  Can scramble and throw.  Good RB.  Smaller and fast.  Doesn't dance in the backfield.  Hits the hole hard.  Their top two WR's ran pretty good routes.  The rest were somewhat sloppy.  

Mixed bag on their special teams.  They have a real fast mover as their kick/punt returner.  Silly fast.  Dangerous.  Reminds you of Devin Hester.  Set them up in good field position several times.  LS is not good.  Slow snap velocity.  Makes punter chase the ball.  I'd have somebody hit him right in the grill as soon as he stands up.  Get him thinking about standing up faster.  Maybe a bad snap.

Overall this is a game we should win.  Both teams fairly evenly matched.  We still have the better personnel.  As always, we have to win the turnover war and not give up any scores on special teams.  Our DL can only suck like they did at UMASS.  They can't suck HIND END like they did at SEMO and expect to win.  A little push from our DT's would go a long way.  I know that's too much to ask.  They have to help our DB's at some point, don't they?  And would it kill our DE's to occasionally set the edge and keep the ball carriers from running outside.  Trust me ladies, it'll look good on film.  TRY IT!