The University of Hawaii defensive coordinator saw how not to do it in the 52-6 defeat, but that doesn't mean he'll whip up some cure-all for Saturday's game in Laramie, Wyo.
"They've got so many ways they can beat you," Lindsey said after yesterday's practice. "And there's only so many things you can design to stop them.
"What I hope we can avoid are guys breaking loose for 40- and 50-yard gains. To do that, you've got to disguise your coverages and not become predictable.
"By that I mean you can't blitz every time they go into certain formations, or they'll burn you. And you can't zone every time or play man every time. You've got to do the unexpected."
The Rainbows will employ a lot of different looks against the nation's No. 2 passing offense. Sometimes they'll play man, then switch to a two-deep zone. They even plan to use nickel packages, and not all on third down.
The reason for all this confusion is to keep Wyoming's Marcus Harris from wreaking too much havoc. He is currently No. 1 in the nation in receptions with 26 and average yards per game with 204.5
He usually lines up in the slot in the Cowboys' one-back, three-receiver set, and is their go-to guy. If you're guarding him, figure the football is coming your way.
"But they also have an excellent running game," Lindsey said. "If you start putting five and six little-bitty defensive backs in there, they'll line up behind those big old linemen and run until you put linebackers back in there.
"When that happens, they'll start throwing it again. So you know going in that they're going to score points. You just have to put in a package you think works.
"And we're not going to just keep them in front of us and slowly bleed to death down the field. We don't want to give up a big play, but we don't want any long drives that keep our guys out on the field too long, either."
That's where UH offensive coordinator Guy Benjamin steps in. While he would like to cut loose his West Coast offense and wing it in Wyoming, Benjamin is aware that might not be the best tactic - especially at altitude.
Much like Hawaii, Wyoming uses a standard 4-3 defense that won't give the Rainbows that many different looks. The Cowboys also have struggled this season, giving up 38 points a game.
Last week against Ohio University, the Rainbows abandoned the veer option, preferring the pages of Bill Walsh's bible.
With this team, that might not be the best approach, so look for Hawaii to run more option in hopes of keeping the defense off the field.
"We haven't been able to sustain a long drive yet and we need to do that in altitude," Benjamin said. "We've got to be able to run or we're in trouble.
"On the other hand, if we are able to run more, then it will open up some pass plays for us. We've got to be able to score because they certainly can from any point on the field."
Coming into the season, the Cowboys figured to be strong in the secondary. But so far this season, Wyoming is yielding a staggering 406 yards a game through the air and 163.5 on the ground.
In fact, Wyoming is ranked No. 101 in passing defense out of 111 teams, and No. 108 in total defense. Not exactly awe-inspiring.
"But if you take a look at our offense, neither have we," Benjamin said. "We can't be concerned about anybody else but ourselves. I don't look at their statistics. I worry about us, and so far, that has been a cause of
concern.
"The return of some of our injured running backs will help us. I also think Josh Skinner will do a good job at quarterback. We just need to block better for both the run and the pass. If we do that, I think we can make it work better than it has so far."