Just finished calculating a few numbers on the defensive alignments Bateman used in the first two games.
Using the roster assignments for each player (DL, LB, or DB), Bateman averaged 2.5 Down linemen, 3.6 LBs and 4.4 DBs on the 77 defensive plays against Fordham, which suggests that he was deploying his nickel defense about half the time and his normal 3-4 about half the time. (note: I count Aukerman as a LB all the time no matter how he lines up).
Against Buffalo, he had an average of 2.1 down linemen, 4.0 LBs and 5.0 DBs per play, which suggests he had his nickel defense on the field almost the entire game. Voit and McLean were the two DLs in the game most of the snaps with Gibson playing all but one snap (further evidence of the nickel package against Buffalo)
I will be interested in seeing what defense Bateman deploys against Ohio State. The Buckeyes like to run the ball more often than passing it. Using Oyetuga or Wright more will add bulk up front, but takes one defender out of the backfield. Not sure what the status is on Cordarell Davis, but he has missed the first two games. Stoddard filled in at NT against Fordham.
Using the roster assignments for each player (DL, LB, or DB), Bateman averaged 2.5 Down linemen, 3.6 LBs and 4.4 DBs on the 77 defensive plays against Fordham, which suggests that he was deploying his nickel defense about half the time and his normal 3-4 about half the time. (note: I count Aukerman as a LB all the time no matter how he lines up).
Against Buffalo, he had an average of 2.1 down linemen, 4.0 LBs and 5.0 DBs per play, which suggests he had his nickel defense on the field almost the entire game. Voit and McLean were the two DLs in the game most of the snaps with Gibson playing all but one snap (further evidence of the nickel package against Buffalo)
I will be interested in seeing what defense Bateman deploys against Ohio State. The Buckeyes like to run the ball more often than passing it. Using Oyetuga or Wright more will add bulk up front, but takes one defender out of the backfield. Not sure what the status is on Cordarell Davis, but he has missed the first two games. Stoddard filled in at NT against Fordham.
