Coach DJ Eliot joins us on the fifth episode of our Defensive Series to discuss the #1 ranked defense in the FBS, the Wisconsin Badgers. Coach Eliot has 20+ years of coaching experience in the collegiate rankings.

Coach Eliot’s pedigree includes coaching stops at Kansas, Florida State, Miami, Colorado and Kentucky, as well as time with proven winners and program builders Jimbo Fisher and Mark Stoops. Additionally, Coach Eliot is among a select group of defensive thought-leaders that regularly clinic around the principles of the 3-4 defense.

Today we break down the Badgers defense, one that Coach Eliot is familiar with because it's the defense he ran as well.

After week 9, Wisconsin is #1 in total defense (214.6 yards per game) and rushing defense (49.6 ypg) while ranking highly in several categories.

Show Notes:

History and background of the defense

Base defense:

Base Tite 3

Playing the with set

A to A and B to B rusher

Excellent way to keep edges on play action and boot and get inside pressure

Compliment to it - double edge pressure with man free

Wing bust adjustment for single high Tite 3 vs 12 and 21

Empty with big personnel

Holes in match 3 and adjustment

Check to 8 man drop to remove conflict

Defending the Power Pass

Getting eyes in the right spot to recognize power pass or power

Technique fix - Can’t IO the power pass

Scheme fix - OLB drop

Corner blitz

Coaching Razor and Track

Switch call with corner and safety

Method for communicating adjustments between players

Reasons for switch call

Controlling the controllables

Next level of coaching

Badgers Nickel defense:

Change Check

Adjustment to Iowa snag concept

Blitz hug technique

Mirroring pressures

Getting work in practice

Inside skelly

Cover 1

Changing techniques with under center/gun

Scheme fix - chase/replace

Technique fix - fallback

1S coverage

3rd down defense:

Odd overload

8 man drop cover 3

Not wasting a guy - determining 3 over player

3x1 plus or 4x1 adjustment

Middle pressure 3 cloud

Change 3 over in match 3

Key call adjustment

Practicing 3rd down situations

Protections period

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