CoachesClinic.com Featured Matchup: Cincinnati vs Indiana

• By Caleb Hopkins

This week’s featured CoachesClinic.com matchup is the #8 Cincinnati (2-0) vs Indiana (1-1). Cincinnati is coming off two massive wins against Murray State & Miami-Ohio, while Indiana had the harder schedule, losing to now #5 Iowa while beating Idaho by 42 points. Let’s highlight some important aspects on each side to see who will have the edge.

Head Coach

The Indiana Hoosiers & Head Coach Tom Allen brings a one-word mindset to their locker room, “Relentless”. This comes from a team-building exercise where the players & coaches pick one word that will give them laser focus for that season. Creating both accountability & themes for each week throughout the season, the one-word theme is made by the players, for the players. 

Allen says, “I want my players to be like a lion...I want my players to chase greatness every day because we’re chasing after the Big 10 Championship every day….”

To be “Relentless,” the Hoosiers have to stop the high-power offense that Cincinnati brings, averaging 466 yards a game. But Coach Allen & his ball club are bringing their 2020 mentality into the 2021 season, hungry for a bowl game. The full lesson can be seen  here

Vs.

Head Coach Luke Fickel of the Cincinnati Bearcats brings the “Clifton style” which resonates deeply with the numerous Cincinnati-based players on the team. It is the tougher, hard-nosed, city streets style of play and mindset.

Coach Fickel says, “We may not have the best facilities or budget, but we got the Clifton style & that’s all we need...You have to be true to who you are.”

Cincinnati embraces the environment their campus is in, & look specifically look for players who embrace the city-style community & the Clifton style of football. As an offensive & defensive line-driven program, the Bearcats will have a major advantage in the trenches. That’s Clifton baby! Coach Fickell explains it in this video:

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Indiana Offense

Offensive Coordinator Nick Sheridan runs a lot of plays out of numerous formations. Hoping to beat the Bearcat defense through the air, he talks about an empty 2x2 formation that looks like 7 points for the Hoosiers. A simple switch vertical concept, disguised as a simple 2x2 look.

The Hoosiers offensive line is going to have a slug match against the Bearcat defensive front. But Kevin Wright is a master at the Downhill Run Game. With an average of 128 rushing yards a game, Indiana needs a big push from their offensive line & star tight end, Peyton Hendershot.

Their inside zone concept is to the weak side, using 5 to block 3. Winning the numbers game for Indiana would be HUGE. The zone read also makes the play-action pass lethal. If Indiana can get their running game down, it could be the difference-maker in this matchup.

Cincinnati Offense  

The Bearcats pride themselves on a tough, gritty offensive line. Don’t get the impression the tight end won’t be incorporated into the run game. Tight ends coach Mike Denbrock incorporates the tight end into their RPO’s, which helped them score an average of 45 points in their last 2 games. 

In this clip, Cincinnati is dialing up an RPO vs a  base 3 down defense. Denbrok uses the tight end to take out the SAM or Safety, depending on their movement post-snap. The front 7 are trying to drive down the field, giving the Quarterback and running back clean lanes & open reads. The play has a QB keeper option, as well as a running back running underneath the Mike linebacker. 

(Click on image for full video)

Coach Crook is a 35-year veteran, going all around the country to coach. But he’s found his niche with the Bearcats. He has a strict daily routine he does with the O-line, including these 3 drills shown below. He harps on driving the back leg THROUGH the defender, turning people into pancakes.

(Click on image for full video)

Special Teams

The Bearcats look to be aggressive on special teams this weekend. Their special team’s coordinator, Brian Mason, is known for his punt block specialties shown in the video below.

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Coach Mason knows that turnovers on special teams greatly improve the odds to win. But instead of blocking the punt with two hands, Coach Mason says that one hand block allows a further reach & keeps enough distance between the block party & the punter. Last year, Cincinnati had zero roughing the kicker penalties.

The Hoosiers & Bearcats face off on Saturday at 11:00 am eastern on ESPN. Will the Bearcat hardnose style of play be too much for Indiana? Or will the Hoosiers be RELENTLESS and overcome Cincinnati?

All the courses listed will be available for 50%, but the offer expires Tuesday at midnight!  Be sure to look out for next week’s featured matchup: #7 Texas A&M vs #20 Arkansas. An SEC West shootout!