As we sit back and recall the loss to Illinois this week, the further we get from it the further we understand our defensive deficiencies. The 3-3-5 is a defense that has been viewed as taboo across football but has always shown flashes of greatness if implemented properly. The defense highlights its versatile defenders and their ability to move around and play multiple positions. This seemed to work well for the Huskers last year as it led to a Top 10 defense in areas and a Top 15 defense overall coming in at number 11. But what is different, what has changed?
Adjustments need to be made regularly. Each team we play against is getting the same looks for the most part, I do understand that we graded as the best team in the country in week 1 in disguising pre snap vs post snap defenses, but looks as in multiple fronts and personnel. The sideline to sideline game that UTEP and Colorado ran plays right into the Huskers 3-3-5 defense. With Nebraska’s size and speed we were able to relentlessly pursue the play and string it out. That stringing out the play involved multiple stunts and setting up on the outside of the offensive tackle to ensure contain. There will not be a team this year that will be able to compete with the Blackshirts on swing passes and outside runs due to this. The downside is what happens with Big Ten style teams that run the ball to set up the mid range and downfield shots like UNI and Illinois did.
Stunting defensive linemen is valuable in causing havoc and confusion to an offensive line especially in the pass game. Shading to the outside of a slower and larger offensive tackle is a great way to gain a step and allow the defensive end or edge rusher to control the point of contact and keep the big bodied lineman off him. These are great techniques but should not be overutilized in a 3-3-5 defense. They both open up the middle rushing lanes for running backs to take advantage of and give offensive linemen the angle and momentum advantage in the run game. Teams have started to notice that once they spread the Blackshirts out and run the ball the defense has one of two options. Be faced with trying to stop the run with three men against a five man front, or bring a safety down into the box allowing them to be set up perfectly for the deep shot. Most Big Ten teams will be salivating at the mouth when they read that last sentence as an outnumbered defensive line with no linebacker help could be a perfect recipe for seven yards per carry. Illinois saw this when watching film against Nebraska and fully took advantage of it in the second half, turning what felt like a sure Husker win into a defeating loss. A defense spread too thin, is a defense that cannot win. Safeties in the 3-3-5 are much more involved in the run game than in a traditional defense, but should never be the first line of defense especially when the team missed eleven yes eleven tackles against the Illini.
The Huskers should not and can not switch defenses mid season, the 3-3-5 is a great defense when accompanied. Showing and sending multiple fronts as Big 10 plays ramps up is going to be something that Nebraska needs to adopt. We are full of versatile players and can have four down linemen to stop the run while still occasionally dropping a Princewill or Jimari Butler off into coverage after the snap. Forcing offenses to no longer outman the Husker defense and worry about a blitzing linebacker. Rotating from a three down linemen front, to a four downed lineman front and utilizing hybrids of each throughout the game and situationally will keep offenses guessing. There is still hope that this year’s defense will be exceptional, the pieces are there. Now it’s time for the coaches to ensure that the pieces are in the right place.
