Coach For A Day: UNLV Runnin Rebels
When the Runnin Rebels of UNLV enter Vanderbilt Stadium on Saturday to face the Commodores, head coach Tony Sanchez and his squad will be looking for their second win of the season, and also trying to snap a four game losing streak since grabbing that lone win in their opening game of the season.
Since I'm replacing Sanchez today, here's what I'd do based on what I know of his squad and the Commodores.
OFFENSE
Much like their opponents this week, the Rebels offense struggles to gain yardage, both through the air and sometimes on the ground.
Quarterback Kenyon Oblead completes exactly 50% of his passes on the season (50 of 100) and has struggled throwing the deep ball with any kind of success. In spite of these struggles I know we have to take some shots deep, not necessarily because we thing we can hit the big one, but just to force the Vanderbilt defense to play honest.
Why is it important to keep them honest and the safeties deep? Because after watching Ole Miss run all over the Commodores defense last week, I think my best bet to have a shot in this one is with our running game and in particular Charles Williams who is averaging 8.0 yards per carry.
The problem for Williams, he's not getting enough carries because it's hard to run the football when you're defense couldn't stop a tree and you fall behing 20 points in the first quarter.
I know that with a defense that's allowing 37.4 points per game, I have to try to possess the football, run clock, keep the ball away from the opposition and shorting the game if I'm going to have the chance to win my first, and only game as the Vegas head coach.
DEFENSE
Where to start? Prayer perhaps!
Seriously, there are some good players and talent on this side of the football, but so far they have not been able to string it together and have a solid effort since week one,when they still gave upp 23 in the only win.
This is the tough call, but whay coaches make the big bucks.....somebody get me a raise cause this one's tough.
Even though Vandy has struggled on offense, I know they have some big time playmakers and I'm losing sleep this week trying to decide what to do.
So the plan is, blitz, blitz and more blitz.
I don't think I have the horses to stay with the Commodores receivers one on one all game. Likewise I don't thing we can shut down their run all day either, so run blitzes to try to create negative down and distances, keep their offense behind the chains and then bring pressure on their quarterback on 3rd and long and force them to make quick throws and hope we can then tackle the receivers in space if they catch the ball.
Sound simple, but I'll probably be fired right after the game so I guess we'll see what happens.
