Texas Tech and the 3-4 Defense
The 3-4 defense (which uses 3 defensive linemen and a linebacker) is a rarity in college football but prevalent in the NFL. Interestingly, one of the major factors in why NFL teams run a 3-4 is cost. That is, the defensive ends needed to run 4-3 defenses (4 linemen and 3 backers) command big salaries, whereas the ends and linebackers that are used to run a 3-4 are relatively cheap. So in a salary cap league, the 3-4 is simply more efficient cost-wise allowing teams to spend more money elsewhere on their team. But college has no salary cap. And while a great defensive end for the 4-3 may be hard to come by, serviceable ones abound. Which begs the question then, why would Tech choose to run the 3-4 under new coach Tommy Tuberville if it might just as easily run a 4-3?
Of course, the same question could have been asked about the Texas Tech Air Raid offense, especially in the early days under Mike Leach. Why don't they seek a more balanced offense? Don't you need to run the ball to keep defenses honest, to milk the clock, to pound your opponent, and to ice games late? But by being so different and distinctive, the Red Raiders built a reputation that allowed them to attract some outstanding offensive ballplayers. Perhaps, that's the trick here. If no one else is running a 3-4, that means most teams aren't practicing against it. It also means, the type of players that are ideal for a 3-4 might be easier to come by, than if you had to get into a competition for the same 4-3 defensive ends as everyone else. With the number of NFL teams in 3-4 schemes, maybe you can attract players that see themselves playing in a 3-4 at the next level. From a recruiting and uniqueness standpoint, it makes sense.
On the field may be another story. The 3 down lineman in a 3-4 scheme need to be big. Ideally, they'd be the kind of monsters that would fully occupy five blockers on the opposing team. That would free up the linebackers to fill gaps and stop the run or to get upfield and get pressure in passing situations. Of course, an offensive lineman is often able to get a linebacker blocked as well, which is a bit like running a 4-3 with an underweight lineman. Linebackers in the 3-4 have to be physical enough to take on tight ends and fullbacks as well. The 3-4 looks like a good run-stuffing defense in the pros, but really what NFL team can't stop the run? The worst run defense in the NFL this year was Tampa Bay, who gave up 158 rushing yards per game. In the FBS, there are more than 40 teams worse than that, some of which were playing in bowl games. Al Groh's defense at Virginia (a 3-4 defense) was 95th in the country against the run. At best, let's say the jury's out on the 3-4 against the run.
Against the pass, things get trickier. In some sense, you could say a 3-4 is like blitzing on every down without being undermanned in the secondary. That's because you routinely send a linebacker to rush the quarterback but would still have seven men in coverage. The offense wouldn't necessarily know which linebacker is coming which could confuse blockers and frustrate quarterbacks. At the same time, because zone blitzes aren't uncommon in 4-3 alignments, most teams have learned to cope with unorthodox pass-rushing schemes. Yes you have to be prepared, but once you are prepared the question then is who's the better pass-rusher, the linebacker or the end?
Then think about the coverage, presumably if you send four men to rush the quarterback, you'll have 3 linebackers and four defensive backs in coverage. But since the 3-4 outside linebackers need to be bigger than the 4-3 backers (to handle some of their defensive end-like responsibilities), they are likely at a greater disadvantage in pass coverage. Considering how many passing schemes are drawn up to create mismatches, it almost seems like you'd be helping the offense create them.
In the end, it will be more about talent and execution than scheme. Former 49er defensive coordinator and head coach George Seifert used to tell his players that even if he made the worst defensive call possible, his teams could overcome it and make the play if they executed well enough. That's no doubt true for Texas Tech as well. Then again, Seifert's teams ran a 4-3...
1/21/2010
The thing that stuck in my mind when I hear someone is running a 3-4 defense in college is that it’s due to the inability to recruit competent defensive linemen.
There are plenty of defensive linemen, but it takes a keen eye (see Bo/Carl) to sort the wheat from the chaff. Many coaches, even defensive ones, don’t have that eye or haven’t developed it yet, and a way to compensate is to run a defense that uses the D-Linemen as bodies to plug a hole instead of pass rushers/run stoppers.
Never liked the 3-4, think it’s weaknesses far outweigh the benefits, and even when you have the personnel you want to run it, a good, fundamentally-sound team will still put scoreboard up on you (see Dallas @ Minnesota in the NFL this past weekend).
The only benefit (as Steve mentioned) is that schools won’t see it week-to-week, so it will be a small paradigm shift for a team to prepare for. Then it becomes a question of the coach’s ability to get his team to change/adapt as necessary.
The bottom line, though, is this—Tommy Tuberville isn’t a threat to Nebraska, Texas, or Oklahoma, and his inability to understand the offensive side of the ball at Auburn means that unless Tech picks up a stellar OC, they’ll be wallowing in mediocrity for years to come.
1/21/2010
Hard to play in the Big 12 with four LB’s. Too many spread looks and unconventional attacks. In the NFL where everything is under center and with the presence of multiple gap Tackles per team the 3-4 is something that can be used. It’s wonderful in that if you have a gap tackle with a 3, and a big time playmaker at Safety then you can show, with credibility, blitz looks everytime. But the article really states well why it is difficult to run in college. . .
1/21/2010
Matt, you should be glad that Tech is switching to the 3-4. Tech has OWNED Nebraska in the first decade…
1/21/2010
And Nebraska owned Texas Tech in the decade before that, George, and also holds scoreboard on the series history.
You seriously want to get in a pissing match with fans of a program that has done more in any given decade since 1970 than what Tech’s football program has accomplished in its entire lifetime?
1/21/2010
Hahaha! I love it!
How many conference titles has TT won?
0
Division titles?
0
National Titles?
will never happen
Lubbock makes Lincoln look like paradise.
1/21/2010
Bill im sorry your unable to use your search engine but Tommy did a little better than that at Auburn.
Championships
1 SEC Championship (2004)
5 SEC Western Division Titles (2000-2002, 2004-2005)
Awards
2004 Paul “Bear” Bryant Award
2004 Walter Camp Coach of the Year
1/22/2010
AUGRAD-
Sorry you aren’t able to read and comprehend English, but Bill and George were referring to Texas Tech in the last decade. Where on staff at TT was Tuberville before 2010?
1/22/2010
sb—it’s alright. AUGrad was defending Tommy because I had indicated he is more or less a non-threat to Nebraska now, which I stand behind, weak SEC title wins or no.
We’re still waiting to hear from the Texas Tech fan that put the cart before the horse in declaring his teams PWNAGE…especially when said school has PWNED itself in an administrative sense.
1/22/2010
“Weak SEC title wins”...lmao
Typical Big Red DB’s (and thats not defensive backs)
Tell you what, google the Big Red stats for the last 10 years, then Auburn, then stand behind your apathetic statement about the Non-Threat to Nebraska. Its a downward spiral for Nebraska and it has been, Suh is gone, he applied pressure you dont see for years at a time, for any team that is..
Enjoy your season Big Redgay
1/22/2010
This is a good analysis, though I would add two thoughts. First, one reason it is easier to run the 3-4 in the NFL is that the League can cherry-pick the best linebackers in the country to fit the scheme. If you can get a few USC linebackers as Pittsburgh and now Cincinnati have, you will have a pretty good 3-4. The problem is that hybrid linebackers such as those do not grow on trees.
Second, one decent argument in favor of the 3-4 is Nick Saban. His teams always play good defense and he has always employed the 3-4, which he learned under Bill Belichick, who in turn learned under Bill Parcells. They are all excellent defensive coaches, though interestingly none is a very likeable guy.
If you want an in-depth look at the intricacies of the 4-3, check this out from Pete Carroll, one of Bo Pelini’s mentors: http://www.trojanfootballanalysis.com/43_under_blitz_schemes.html
If you want an in-depth look at the 3-4, check this out from a Bama fan: http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/265696
The fact is that Tuberville’s teams have generally played solid defense, but they have stumbled when he has failed to attract top talent. The thing is, he will have a tougher time attracting talent to Tech than he did to Auburn. It will be interesting to see how he does.
1/26/2010
Haha what a joke of an article. All about how much 3-4 sucks. Surprising then, that the #1 defense in the county last season (and national champions) Alabama runs a 3-4. The author doesn’t even seem to realize that.
1/27/2010
Gary—
Defenses are defined and graded, ultimately, by the number of points they give up. Nebraska had the best scoring defense in the Nation as soon as Texas put up 3 points on Alabama.
Ask any coach which defense they would rather have, and they’ll always take Nebraska’s defense over Alabama’s because of that stat alone.
Again, know what you’re talking about before you smart off. You may be able to get away with this crap on a Texas or SEC board, but the Nebraska fans have higher standards…which is why they’re Nebraska fans and not, say, Texas team or SEC fans.
1/29/2010
The idea that creativity in college schemes is a bad idea has been proven wrong at Texas Tech. A creative offense made Texas Tech #2 in the nation in 2007.
The best defense at Texas Tech has been ranked something like #30. If Texas Tech ever gets a top 10 defense during a year, we will be playing in the national championship game with the talent we have on offense.
The 3-4 may not work for other Big 12 schools but it is a perfect match for Texas Tech because it puts them on a level playing field. It makes the scheme the boss instead of talent coming out of high school. It is an advantage if every school has to prepare for you differently than every other team they play.
3/23/2010
I don’t even know where to begin to discuss this article. The 3-4 scheme in the NFL doesn’t save any money because your pass rusher is an OLB. Pass rushers, LT, top QBs, and shut down CBs are always the highest priced players and nearly all of the top 10 draft picks.
NFL teams are going to the 3-4 because it takes away the 2 holes the Cover 2, 3, 4, schemes leave open in the middle of the field. Offenses found the holes in the middle of the cover schemes & exploited them so now D are adjusting to that.
Next, the writer never addresses why Tuberville is going to the 3-4, well, other than the assumption Tech can’t get talent. It is to combat the passing in the Big 12. Also, Tuberville said he will only run the 3-4 about 50%.
Also, the writer apparently missed Tuberville’s comments about not wanting his DL to occupy OL and let the LB make the play, even in a 3-4. He wants his DL to attack and stop the play. We do know from watching 14 years of Tubberville, his D attacks.
Finally, Tech has more talent than Nebraska fans apparently realize or want to admit.