Lots of interesting takes on this game so far. I think everyone is agreement on a few things though. Grahams D is very good, Strasburg likes to control the clock, Graham has more athleticism, Strasburg has just enough diversity to keep you honest, and the list could go on. The long and short is that these are both very good teams with very few weaknesses if any when they both play their best. The experience edge may shift this to Grahams side on a weird exchange or some odd play as they have seen a lot of these things in pressure games. That isn't meant as a slight to the Rams but coaching this deep in the playoffs consistently does tend to bear fruit when these one off events happen in big games.
The G-men have talent in numerous spots and simply seem to have more players on the field than you can cover or block at times (lots of speed and awareness). The Achilles heel on defense if there truly is one, is that is sometimes players are slightly out of position only because they know they can generally recover better than the other team can attack an area. You dont have the defensive season this group has had without sound fundamentals and tons of athletes. Much respect to the coaches and players on the defensive side of the ball. On offense I think there is some challenges because the pieces dont always look like they go together. As an example, at times there is great pass blocking but inconsistent route running, or motor grader run blocking with backs cutting a heartbeat too soon. It's hard to imagine but the ceiling for this team is even higher and that says a lot for a state finalist.
The Rams are the definition of assignment football this season on the defensive side. I can't say they are flashy or extremely big, but they have been very good against the run so far this season. The only team that I personally know that had a passing attack was Fort and they basically took their very good receiver out of the game. While he had some catches, he was more or less a non-factor. So I wouldn't overlook their defense as a legit threat to control the game. On the offensive side the wide splits out of straight T is slightly unconventional but works with the lighter/faster offensive line Strasburg uses. Severe angle blocking is at a premium and that plays into the misdirection and eye candy in the backfield. The goal is to be at the LB level while they are in their read step and havent filled yet. Tough to do but when executed it is the recipe for 4 yards and a cloud of dust. That said there is enough of a passing threat most teams cant just load up tackle to tackle because then there is the speed pitch or TE dump down the seam.
All that said I think this is a close win by Graham with a punchers chance by Strasburg. My reservation on the Rams is that they have had several teams I thought were as good in recent years but had execution issues in the playoffs. I am a Rams fan this week and would love for them to win to finally end the stigma of region B not being state title caliber. Good luck to both teams and safe travels
