Entering the game as substantial underdogs, Michigan State will look to stand firm in its system: run the ball effectively, stay safe on offense, contain on defense.
But the Spartans' seventh-ranked run defense will meet its match in Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry. The 6-3, 240-pound bulldozing runner leads an Alabama rushing attack brimming with confidence.
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It’ll take a blend of containment on the perimeter, aggressiveness in run blitzing, resilience and depth to stay focused on slowing Henry. Even that may not be enough to keep the Heisman winner and Crimson Tide from advancing.
Containment: Not an easy task
Containment is much easier said then done. In general, you want your front four defenders to extend at their blocks, read the runner and adjust laterally to fill the running back’s hole.
But between Alabama’s mauling run blockers, led by Rimington Award winner and potential top-100 draft pick center Ryan Kelly, and Henry’s combination of balance and strength, containment is futile to expect on every play. Notice, in the play below, how Henry resets his initial read, takes advantage of an over-aggressive defensive end, and takes off for a huge play on Alabama’s first play vs. Auburn.
Even more impressive is Henry’s patience as a zone-blocking runner, keeping his shoulders upfield and his lower half sturdy to plant and burst as he works laterally. Containing and holding ground against Henry and this zone-blocking offensive line isn’t enough to slow him.
The starting point in slowing Henry is preventing him from gaining a full head of steam, especially as he slowly kicks to the outside. Against Iowa, Michigan State nose tackle Joel Heath was able to penetrate and hold ground just behind the line of scrimmage. He’ll face one of the country’s best centers in Kelly, and his ability to stay low off the snap and hold ground at the line of scrimmage will be crucial in slowing Henry.
Michigan State’s best defender and leader Shilique Calhoun needs to make his presence felt whenever possible. As a pass-rusher, he had his best game against Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game, but played a bit too aggressively in run defense, exposing running lanes inside and around him. But it’s plays like the one below — staying active, containing and forcing the runner to slow and attempt to adjust — that can stifle the Alabama offense on second downs and in the red zone.
Aggressiveness in run blitzing
Michigan State can’t upset Alabama without being situationally aggressive and that starts with the front seven. While the secondary has been inconsistent as it has worked through plenty of new rotational and starting players, Michigan State will gladly let Jacob Coker “beat them” as a passer.
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While Auburn didn’t have much success against Henry, the Tigers did show that situational run blitzing and linebacker aggressiveness can pay off against him. In the play below, the interior defensive lineman works to go under the center, taking the block and forcing Henry to cut back. The blitzing linebacker (No. 30 Tre Williams) is there to meet Henry, wrap him up, prevent the cutback big-play run, and get help from his teammates.
Against Henry, the Spartans won’t be able to slow him every play. Some drives, he’ll lead Alabama to a scoring play by himself. But for the Spartans, it’s more about stopping Henry on certain plays, forcing Jake Coker into difficult third-down plays, and capitalizing on Alabama turnovers and short-field punts.
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Michigan State knows to expect a heavy dose of Henry no matter what. He’s scored a touchdown in every game this season. He ran the ball 90 times combined in Bama's last two games and has had more than 27 carries in a game six of Alabama’s last seven games against FBS opponents.
Alabama will run him in any situation. In the play below, Henry gets the call on a run up the gut on a third-and-5 late in the game against Auburn. Henry and his offensive line deliver, thanks to a tremendous guard and tackle combo block and the decisiveness by Henry to hit the hole and finish the run for a first-down
The battle between Henry, Kelly and the Alabama offensive line against the Spartan front seven will determine which team advances to the championship game. Henry hasn’t been slowed this season and Michigan State appears to be a worthy foe up to the task.