Jedd Fisch is an analytical coach that has a plan for every situation the defense gives him on Saturdays. When it comes to calling plays, Fisch understands the importance of staying on or ahead of schedule in terms of yardage. This weekend will be a test in that regard. “It’s going to be a more difficult, bigger challenge than a week ago,” Fisch said at the podium on Thursday afternoon.
Up front, Eastern Michigan is going to use a heavy box to put pressure on Washington’s offensive line and run game in ways that we didn’t see last week. Their one-man advantage in that area is something that has Fisch thinking about the analytics and the importance of avoiding negative plays. Eastern tallied six sacks last week against UMass and registered nine tackles for loss en route to their 28-14 win in Amherst.
Analytics in Jedd Fisch’s Preparation
“The six sacks goes through your mind for sure,” Fisch said, detailing how difficult it is to score on drives that include a sack. “The negative play affects your scoring opportunity. A sack significantly affects your scoring opportunity.” In week one, Washington took two sacks on two separate drives, and only one of those drives resulted in points. Washington forced one sack on Saturday, and Weber State failed to capitalize with points on that drive. Similarly, Eastern Michigan recorded at least one sack on five separate drives against UMass. The Minutemen put points on the board on only two of those five possessions.
The big bodies in the Eastern Michigan front seven are a step up from what Washington saw last weekend against Weber State. Peyton Price and Dylan Shelton were the most productive defensive linemen last week. That defensive front produced consistent push, allowing their EDGE defenders to collapse on the pocket, creating tackling lanes for their linebackers.
This pressure up front is something that Fisch is preparing for this week. “They’ve got some really good pass rushers… they’ve got some good older players that have stayed around.” Eastern’s entire front four are seniors. Linebackers Justin Jefferson and James Djonkam are seniors and juniors, respectively. “We know it’s going to be a great challenge with their D-Line.”
Jedd Fisch States Confidence in the Offense
But Fisch is confident that his offense is aware of this, “We’re expecting to have a really good game up front.” He is also placing that confidence in his quarterback Will Rogers III. “He’s seen a lot of defense over the years…This is not a real different defense than he’s seen at different times.” With the action up front, there’s likely to be a window for Rogers to find success in the passing game. Rogers has the experience to read how the defense adjusts post-snap. He also has an array of targets to work with who can pressure the secondary both laterally and vertically.
Fisch also said he believes the Washington offensive line has “seven for five.” Meaning seven guys have the ability to start as one of the five on the offensive line. “I would expect us to continue to do that,” Fisch said, referring to rotating his offensive linemen throughout the game. With the numbers that Eastern figures to show up front, the rotations on the line may help in terms of staying fresh all afternoon. Not only that, but those game reps will be quality experience for some of the players on the two-deep.
