Games feature LSU @ Arkansas, USC @ Washington, Michigan @ Iowa, Penn St. @ Indiana and Cal @ Washington St.

NEW YORK, New York – November 9, 2016— In its continuing effort to help educate fans on how important the offensive line is to winning football, the Joe Moore Award will feature games on a weekly basis that feature O-Line units that have shown potential to win the award in the Joe Moore Award “Big Ugly Spotlight”. The list for Week Eleven features LSU @ Arkansas, USC @ Washington, Michigan @ Iowa, Penn State @ Indiana and Cal @ Washington St.

This week’s “Power Breakdown” will feature the SEC matchup of LSU/Arkansas, with in-depth analysis provided by the team at The Scouting Academy, an online-based instructional curriculum whose instructors bring over 350 years of NFL front office and coaching experience. 

 

WEEK 11 “BIG UGLY SPOTLIGHT” LIST FOR GAMES ON NOVEMBER 12

“POWER BREAKDOWN” – LSU (#19) @ ARKANSAS – 7:00pm ET on ESPN

After an impressive 3-game winning streak in which the Tigers averaged more than 40 points per game, LSU ran into the Alabama buzz saw and were shut out last weekend, so they’ll be motivated to right the ship. Meanwhile, Arkansas comes off an impressive win over Florida in which they blew out the Gators in all phases of the game, especially on offense where they racked up 31 points and 466 total yards.

LSU Tigers Offensive Line Unit Breakdown, via The Scouting Academy

LSU O-LINE vs. ARKANSAS DEFENSE BREAKDOWN:

The overall match-up will rely heavily on the Arkansas’ ability to contain Leonard Fournette and the Tiger’s Mid-Zone Scheme. LSU needs to balance their Mid-Zone Scheme with their Power Scheme, incorporating their Play Action Passing Game to keep the Hogs Defensive Line unsteady and guessing. The Razorbacks must use their good ability to get off the ball quickly to disrupt LSU’s Zone scheme and force them into being predictable throughout the game. If Arkansas can do this, they have the opportunity to beat LSU at Razorback Stadium. The key match-up to watch will be how DE #48 Deatrich Wise Jr. performs against both LT #63 K.J. Malone and RT #66 Toby Weathersby on the edge. We will also be watching to see how true FR #3 DT McTelvin Agim fairs against veteran SR C #77 Ethan Pocic in the interior of the line.

LSU Tigers Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • The Tigers will have to bounce back after the Alabama game, in which they gained a total of 125 yards and yielded five sacks. 
  • Prior to the Alabama game, the Tigers enjoyed a 3-game winning streak in which they averaged 304 yards rushing per game and an SEC-best 8.14 yards per carry during that stretch.
  • Even after the ‘Bama game, the Tigers’ offense is 2nd in the SEC in yards per play (6.51) and has 8 big plays of 50 yards or more.
  • In critical 3rd and short situation, the Tigers are averaging 6.28 yards per carry and have gained first downs on 13 of 18 tries.

Arkansas Razorbacks Offensive Line Unit Breakdown, via The Scouting Academy

ARKANSAS O-LINE vs. LSU DEFENSE BREAKDOWN:

Arkansas has struggled protecting QB Austin Allen against top SEC competition (Texas A&M, Alabama, Auburn) this season, and LSU’s quality defensive line group will certainly present a similar challenge to the Razorbacks. As such, it will be imperative that Arkansas find success running the ball to stay in manageable down-and-distance situations, as obvious passing situations will clearly favor LSU, specifically OLB Arden Key, who has consistently provided edge pressure for the Tigers. Expect Arkansas to provide RB or TE help to RT Brian Wallace in keeping Key from getting to Allen early and often.

Arkansas Razorbacks Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • In their win over Florida, the Razorbacks dominated time of possession (39:21), while averaging 4.6 yards per carry and yielding only one sack.
  • Arkansas leads the nation in time of possession, controlling the ball for an average of 35:45 per game.
  • They are 2nd in the SEC in passing efficiency rating (147.09) and 3rd in total passing offense, averaging 254.9 yards passing per game.
  • Against LSU, Arkansas will attempt to gain more than 200 yards rushing for the second game in a row, something they have not done all season.

USC @ WASHINGTON (#4) – 7:30pm ET on FOX

USC Trojans Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • With their balanced offensive attack, the Trojans rank 2nd in the Pac-12 in yards per play, averaging 6.61.
  • The steadily improving USC offensive line unit has only given up nine sacks this season, which leads the Pac-12 and ranks 8th in the nation.
  • Their 2.83% sack percentage this season ranks 6th in the nation and best in the Pac-12.
  • The Trojans O-line also leads the Pac-12 in fewest tackles allowed for loss, yielding only 41 through nine games.
  • On the ground, USC ranks 2nd in the Pac-12 in yards per rush, averaging 5.61 yards per carry this season.
  • In their 45-20 win over Oregon last week, the Trojans gained 579 total yards, held the ball for 34:51, averaged 6.8 yards per rush and gave up no sacks.

Washington Huskies Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • As they march toward a playoff berth, the Huskies big play offense is 3rd in the nation in yards per play, averaging 7.68 this season.
  • In pass protection, the O-line unit has helped earn QB Jake Browning Heisman consideration, as he leads the nation in QB rating (202.79) and has thrown 34 TD passes, with only 3 interceptions.
  • The Huskies lead the Pac-12 in rushing offense, averaging 231 yards rushing per game and nearly six yards per carry.
  • Washington is 2nd in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 48.3 points per game, and they lead the Pac-12 in Red Zone scoring, putting points on the board 95% of the time they go there.
  • The Huskie’s big play offense has delivered 36 plays of 30 yards or more, which also leads the Pac-12.

MICHIGAN (#2) @ IOWA – 8PM ET on ABC

Michigan Wolverines Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • Michigan’s balanced offense ranks 1st in the Big Ten in passing efficiency (158.24) and 2nd in the conference in rushing offense, averaging 251.76 yards rushing per game.
  • The Wolverines lead the Big Ten in scoring offense, averaging 48 points per game, and they are 2nd in the conference in total yards per game (497.4).
  • The O-line unit has given up only 12 sacks through nine games, allowing QB Wilton Speight to lead the Big Ten in quarterback rating (157.98).
  • In last week’s dominating 59-3 win over Maryland, the Wolverines racked up 660 yards on offense, while averaging 7.0 yards per rushing attempt and yielding only one sack.

Iowa Hawkeyes Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten in red zone offense, having scored on 27 of 29 possessions (93.1%), including 21 touchdowns.
  • They lead the Big Ten in 4th down conversions, having made first downs on six of their eight attempts.
  • Iowa has done a great job taking care of the ball, leading the Big Ten (tied with Michigan) with only 6 turnovers.
  • Head Coach Kirk Ferentz was assistant offensive line coach under Joe Moore at Pittsburgh in 1980.

PENN STATE (#12) @ INDIANA – NOON ET on ABC/ESPN2

Penn State Nittany Lions Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • Penn State is 3rd in the Big Ten in scoring offense, averaging 34.4 points per game, and they are averaging more than 38 points per game during their current 5-game winning streak.
  • The O-line unit is setting the stage for big passing plays, as Penn State leads the Big Ten in passing yards per completion (15.44).
  • In their blowout 41-14 win over Iowa last week, the Nittany Lions rushed for 359 yards and threw for 240 yards, while giving up only one sack to the Hawkeyes.
  • In their last two games, the hot Penn State offense is averaging 555 yards per game, 8.33 yards per play and 51.5 points per game.

Indiana Hoosiers Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • The Hoosiers are 3rd in the Big Ten in total offense, averaging 468.8 yards per game and more than six yards per play.
  • Indiana is 2nd in the Big Ten in passing offense, averaging 298.1 yards per game through the air and more than eight yards per passing attempt.
  • In their 33-27 win over Rutgers last week, the Hoosiers gained 567 yards of total offense, including 420 yards passing.
  • While they tend to rely on the pass, the Hoosiers get tough yards when they need them, averaging 4.87 yards per carry on third and short situations, with 19 first downs in 31 tries.

CALIFORNIA @ WASHINGTON STATE (#23) – 10:30PM ET on ESPN

California Golden Bears Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • With their fast-paced scheme, California leads the Pac-12 in total offense, averaging 517.1 yards per game. 
  • Led by QB David Webb, the Bears passing attack is 2nd in the Pac-12 in passing offense, averaging 354.1 yards per game.
  • Despite leading the Pac-12 in passing attempts, the Bears O-line unit is ranked 2nd in the conference in fewest sacks allowed, giving up only 15 through 9 games.
  • Their 3.34% sack percentage this season ranks 12th in the nation.
  • On third and short rushing situations, the Bears have converted 14 of 22 of those into first downs and are averaging 6.73 yards per rush.

Washington State Cougars Offensive Line Unit Game Notes

  • The cougars are in the midst of a 7-game winning streak and are keeping pace with Washington at the top of the Pac-12 North Division. 
  • The pass-heavy Cougar offense and QB Luke Falk lead the Pac-12 and are 2nd in the nation in passing offense, averaging 383.9 yards per game through the air.
  • They are 2nd in the Pac-12 in scoring offense, averaging 43 points per game.
  • In their 69-7 crushing defeat of Arizona last week, the O-line unit allowed zero sacks, allowing QB Falk to connect on 32 of 35 attempts for four touchdowns.

About the Joe Moore Award

The JOE MOORE AWARD is named after Joe Moore, widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football history, and is the only major college football award to honor a unit.  The award annually recognizes the nation’s Most Outstanding Offensive Line Unit that best displays toughness, effort, teamwork, physicality, tone setting and finishing. The voting committee is comprised solely of people who played or coached the position, including all of the current offensive line coaches at the Division I/FBS level as well as former players, coaches, colleagues of Coach Moore and select media. The inaugural Joe Moore Award went to Alabama in 2015.

About the Foundation for Teamwork

The Foundation for Teamwork is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering teamwork in all societal endeavors and bring that spirit of collective achievement to athletics, education, and organizations. Find out more at joemooreaward.com and follow the Joe Moore Award on Twitter (@joemooreaward), Instagram (@joemooreaward), and Facebook at 

 

About the Scouting Academy

The Scouting Academy is an online-based instructional curriculum designed to better educate students in the player evaluation process of National Football League teams. Established by former NFL scout Dan Hatman, and taught by instructors with over 350 years of NFL front office and coaching experience, The Academy establishes a new standard in education for students seeking to enter the NFL in a player personnel capacity. By utilizing an online platform, The Scouting Academy offers a 16-week comprehensive curriculum that allows students to develop at their own pace.