1 – QB run game. We simply can’t run the style of offense we want to run and have the QB’s ability to run the football removed from that equation. Last night, our zone read run game would have been extremely effective if Jake would have pulled the ball and taken it himself. They sold out on our RB’s because they didn’t respect Jake’s ability to run the football (obviously, a correct assumption). I think the QB run game has a trickle-down effect to the rest of our run game, and certainly opens up more of a passing attack. But when it’s jake that is trickling down his leg, then it becomes problematic.
2 – RB’s. As untalented of a bunch as we’ve had in a while. Robinson has no speed nor does he have the quicks/feet to make up for it, Jones moves his arms and legs real fast but his body doesn’t move fast. Neither have any real power at all.
3 – OL. I think they have actually done a good job at pass protection this year, but other than a few wrinkles in OL splits, I don’t think they’ve been able to make much of a difference, however I do think they have done an adequate job in the run game, but our RB’s lack of ability doesn’t help them out any.
….so basically, personnel.
This summarizes things well.
Of all the things that could've been attempted to jumpstart the running game last night, having Jack Walters running the option a half dozen times was the furthest thing I'd have considered.
Yes, I have no idea why we continue to run speed option. He has been decent at zone read, though clearly last night he wasn't comfortable keeping the football or WVU was doing something to mess up his reads.
Still, I have to give credit for this staff finding ways to use the passing game to both move the football and use up time. In the 2nd half after we started with a 3 and out, we had effective drives the rest of the game, we just didn't finish when we got inside the 20. Even if we just finish 2 of those drives inside the 20 with TDs, we all probably feel a lot better about last night. Still, I'll take a road win at a place that has been tough to win at this year thanks to great defense, solid special teams, a good passing attack, and taking advantage of West Virginia mistakes. 8-2, 6-1 still feels pretty good to me even if we won ugly.
I agree w 'zacker that a couple of them were reasonably good play calls with absolutely horrible execution. My main issue was simply what seemed to be an excessive number of attempts at a play we aren't accustomed to relying on to get points/key yards in critical situations.
Snyder and Co. just clownsuited Holgy with route trees and schemes in the passing game though. Like ya said, feels good to be Top 10 at 8-2/6-1.
