The Key to beating Pitt’s Cover 4 is The Wheel Route.
Cover 4 can be vulnerable to wheel routes, especially in variations that rely on zone drops, because they can force the outside linebacker or corner to get stretched vertically and out of position. A wheel route combined with a post can put multiple defenders in conflict and create opportunities for a big play.
It stretches the flat defender: A common weakness is the flat defender (often an outside linebacker or a deep safety in some zone drop variations). If a running back runs a wheel route, the flat defender must carry them vertically, creating an opportunity for the running back to get separation downfield.
When a wheel route is run with a post or crosser, it forces defenders to choose between covering the flat route or the vertical route, creating openings for a big play.
We have the talent to execute Wheel Routes.
Pray that Denbrock uses them.
Replies to: The Key to beating Pitt’s Cover 4 is The Wheel Route.
And dump passes over the middle off of play action. LBers will be
committed to stopping the run. Middle screens, especially since ND can’t run in short yardage situations.
I like TE / slot reads in this scenario
Use slot receivers or tight ends on hitch or curl routes to attack the short middle of the field.
Read the linebackers; if they cover the slot receiver, throw to the tight end, and vice versa.