Full Throttle

ALSO

Flash Point With No Due Respect

SEARCH CNN/SI

Michigan sometimes runs a fire-zone blitz from its nickel defense (blue, above). The Wolverines attack the quarterback by rushing two linebackers and a nickelback, possibly Woodson or Ray, while dropping a lineman into pass coverage. This gives them a six-man rush from unexpected spots.

Washington State's offensive set (red, above) features two wideouts, two slot receivers and one running back. The Cougars like to spread things out so that Leaf can throw the ball to all areas of the field. They're not reluctant to run their tailback into the seams of the attenuated defense.

Illustration by Jared Schneidman

Issue date: December 29, 1997