[Husker] Defensive alignment

[Kurt Holst]

>Whether we're running a 3-4 or a 4-3 is immaterial. It's about match ups 
>and guys making plays when they're supposed to. I'm not sold on Kevin 
>Cosgrove, but don't get the idea in your head that the alignments are 
>making that big a difference. 
>  
>
I do get the idea in my head that the defensive alignment makes a 
difference.  That is because of the results I have seen over the last 20 
games.  How many times have we seen the opposing team put into a 3rd and 
long position while deploying a 4-3, only to see the 3rd down converted 
against the 3-4 alignment.  OU's final TD drive comes to mind. 

I understand that either alignment can be used effectively, it does come 
down to matchups, but the point is if you run the majority of your plays 
in a 4-3 alignment, with the strength of your team in the 4 down lineman 
(with a solid two deep rotation among the DL), then a 3-4 alignment is 
going to be something that the team is less proficient at running.  
Consider also that two staring LB's have been lost for the season and 
the 3-4 requires an extra LB in the formation.  The 3-4 would make more 
sense if the secondary was a strength of the team, but it isn't, 
dropping Ickes into coverage on a WR isn't going to get it done most of 
the time.

I think the 3-4 will be used effectively in the future, when Cosgrove 
has the personnel he needs to run it, just as I think the offense will 
look better with more appropriate personnel.  Until I see the results on 
the field improve, I will continue to cringe every time I see the 3-4 
defense deployed.

Kurt Holst