re: Does every fanbase think "mobile quarterbacks traditionally give us the most trouble?"

quote:

---

Wondering at this point if it's just a useless sports cliche.

I think back to 2020. Kyle Trask and Mac Jones both ripped Georgia a new one, but Georgia's defense handled every mobile quarterback they played.

Also, how many college quarterbacks these days aren't "mobile" and does the SEC have any this season other than ol' George?

---

In order to oversimplify the explanation:

Kirby tries to stop the run with light boxes. Instead of gameplanning to hit the QB on 1st down, the gameplan is to tie up 2 OL with 1 DL and let a couple of linebackers stop everything just past the line of scrimmage.

That allows numbers to defend the pass (rotate, slide, confuse the QB).

That allows more 3rd and longs.
That allows more opportunities to light up a QB in obvious passing situations.

The problem with mobile QBs is the light defensive numbers are now down 2 defenders in the box instead of 1 defender.
It breaks what the defense wants to do.
You literally need NFL DL to beat the double teams and slow down the QB to let the LBs clean up the play with a lead blocker.

The second problem is that a well defended 3rd and long pressure can break down and move the sticks on the legs of the QB as well.

Kirby is more affected because the goal of the defense (to play light boxes but still win against the run) is heavily disrupted.

A mobile QB evens the numbers so its 11-11 and not 10-11. Over time that is always going to be harder to defend than any but the best pocket QB, especially in CFB with varying degrees of development on a teams defense is the norm.

quote:

---

This is true when Blake Baker is the DC. Great DC but he has struggled to stop QBs who can run his entire time at LSU

---

Outside of Marcel Reed coming in a couple years ago, and Milroe's all-time raping of us 2 years ago, Baker is above average. Look at the results this year when he finally has some decent talent at all 3 levels. Locked up Brown and Reed. I think Chambliss had one long run for a crucial 3rd down, but otherwise beat us with his arm and charmin soft coverage at critical times (my bigger criticism of Baker this year).