It's pretty damn gloomy here and I'm right with you all but you all aren't going to like this but there is a good foundation within this program. I do believe Herbert is making progress with the overall physicality of these players and our talent level/depth is improving with each season. I think there's a few things we lack and a few thoughts on what I'd like to see change.
TL
R---Evolve the offense to more 3 and 4 WR sets, start taking more calculated risks in the passing game, show more versatility on defense and the ability to slow multiple styles with different personnel groups. Nothing you all didn't already think of.
Offense:
1. Continue to move away from traditional under the center sets. Our running successes were a combination of things this year but the move to constant read-option looks has been a great edition to this offense and we need to continue using more and more Gun and Pistol sets.
2. With that increase, less TE filled sets. We can beat and bruise the Purdues/Marylands of the conference all we want but these aren't the way to win big road games vs elite talent (unless you're Bama or maybe Georgia). Filling our formations consistently with 3 average TEs rather than spreading out defenses where we have real playmakers in DPJ, Collins, and Black is criminal.
3. Once we've established more focus on the 'spread' formations we need to allow our QB (whoever it is) to have more control of making reads and completing passes in contested areas and tight windows. This is where i believe the staff outsmarts themselves on so many occasions. Heavy parts of the offense are designed to create free runners down the field with playaction or on bootleg leak routes. If the initial read isn't open, the QB pumps and holds to a checkdown. One thing we did so great in year 1 was allow Rudock to make some of these tough throws. We've eliminated some of this from the offense.
4. Be more unpredictable (simple enough right?). If many of us at home that aren't paid to coach can identify that we too consistently take a homerun shot on first down when we get past our own 35. I know it's coming, the defense knows its coming. The deep shot is almost always with double coverage and it becomes time for the QB to improvise. Hard for us to make big plays when they know exactly when we are a trying for it.
5. Continue to work in new concepts to this offense as we spread things out. Speed/Triple option, Shovel passes, HB option routes, additional RPO (i'd study what Scott Frost is doing in Nebraska, the backside TE down the seam is such a tough play to stop in compliment of a solid run game). Disappointing too to see Ohio State using that WHAM play so effectively against us today, used to see this regularly to help slow down a defensive line from penetrating up field.
Defense:
1. Hard to argue with much this defense did all year but things that we've found out about ourselves these past few weeks. For as much love as our Defensive Ends received pre-season, they really disappeared down the stretch. We need to be able to get to a QB while just rushing four, it's still something we do on roughly 40% of our defensive snaps. One thing that could've helped a little today would be having Solomon healthy, there was just no push from the interior. It's nice to have the bigger bodies for most of the BIG 10 schedule but they need to create a bigger impact on passing downs (Dwumfour flashed potential this year).
2. Our secondary has been lights out but i really start to think about the potential of having a little more size on the outside with some of these taller/longer corners. Not just in press coverage, the size also can make for more capable players in getting off blocks on the outside and getting involved in the run game. Ideally we have one, if not both of Hill and Long back. Hell I'd see if one of those guys could play Free Safety (i know, it's crazy talk but who gives a damn--play around with it in the spring).
Staff:
1. With Pep calling the plays, i feel things have looked better this year but I'd credit Shea with making the most of this offense and a few new wrinkles with the read option but the predictability is still where my issues lie. I really think Pep is a fine coach but not the direction we need to take this offense. We could attempt to go back to the Greg Roman well with John likely leaving Baltimore at years end. He's really a skilled playcaller but does he want to be in the college game?
2. Side priority, not sure where Mattison stands in continuing to coach but I'd like to see us add additional staff to help develop these young lineman and the big freshman class we will have next year.
Silly for a simple fan to question things that these professionals are doing but it's pretty clear to see we need some change to the way things are done. Again, the foundation is there and the talent is on the rise but how do we take that next step? It seems so far away after today but i don't think we are as far away as this game has shown, every program is one bad QB recruit or good one away from a change. J.T. Barrett showed to be (somehow) holding that Buckeyes back, now can Martell be the next in line?
Now go finish this season with a big bowl win. Didn't come all this way to fold again down the stretch.
TL
R---Evolve the offense to more 3 and 4 WR sets, start taking more calculated risks in the passing game, show more versatility on defense and the ability to slow multiple styles with different personnel groups. Nothing you all didn't already think of. Offense:
1. Continue to move away from traditional under the center sets. Our running successes were a combination of things this year but the move to constant read-option looks has been a great edition to this offense and we need to continue using more and more Gun and Pistol sets.
2. With that increase, less TE filled sets. We can beat and bruise the Purdues/Marylands of the conference all we want but these aren't the way to win big road games vs elite talent (unless you're Bama or maybe Georgia). Filling our formations consistently with 3 average TEs rather than spreading out defenses where we have real playmakers in DPJ, Collins, and Black is criminal.
3. Once we've established more focus on the 'spread' formations we need to allow our QB (whoever it is) to have more control of making reads and completing passes in contested areas and tight windows. This is where i believe the staff outsmarts themselves on so many occasions. Heavy parts of the offense are designed to create free runners down the field with playaction or on bootleg leak routes. If the initial read isn't open, the QB pumps and holds to a checkdown. One thing we did so great in year 1 was allow Rudock to make some of these tough throws. We've eliminated some of this from the offense.
4. Be more unpredictable (simple enough right?). If many of us at home that aren't paid to coach can identify that we too consistently take a homerun shot on first down when we get past our own 35. I know it's coming, the defense knows its coming. The deep shot is almost always with double coverage and it becomes time for the QB to improvise. Hard for us to make big plays when they know exactly when we are a trying for it.
5. Continue to work in new concepts to this offense as we spread things out. Speed/Triple option, Shovel passes, HB option routes, additional RPO (i'd study what Scott Frost is doing in Nebraska, the backside TE down the seam is such a tough play to stop in compliment of a solid run game). Disappointing too to see Ohio State using that WHAM play so effectively against us today, used to see this regularly to help slow down a defensive line from penetrating up field.
Defense:
1. Hard to argue with much this defense did all year but things that we've found out about ourselves these past few weeks. For as much love as our Defensive Ends received pre-season, they really disappeared down the stretch. We need to be able to get to a QB while just rushing four, it's still something we do on roughly 40% of our defensive snaps. One thing that could've helped a little today would be having Solomon healthy, there was just no push from the interior. It's nice to have the bigger bodies for most of the BIG 10 schedule but they need to create a bigger impact on passing downs (Dwumfour flashed potential this year).
2. Our secondary has been lights out but i really start to think about the potential of having a little more size on the outside with some of these taller/longer corners. Not just in press coverage, the size also can make for more capable players in getting off blocks on the outside and getting involved in the run game. Ideally we have one, if not both of Hill and Long back. Hell I'd see if one of those guys could play Free Safety (i know, it's crazy talk but who gives a damn--play around with it in the spring).
Staff:
1. With Pep calling the plays, i feel things have looked better this year but I'd credit Shea with making the most of this offense and a few new wrinkles with the read option but the predictability is still where my issues lie. I really think Pep is a fine coach but not the direction we need to take this offense. We could attempt to go back to the Greg Roman well with John likely leaving Baltimore at years end. He's really a skilled playcaller but does he want to be in the college game?
2. Side priority, not sure where Mattison stands in continuing to coach but I'd like to see us add additional staff to help develop these young lineman and the big freshman class we will have next year.
Silly for a simple fan to question things that these professionals are doing but it's pretty clear to see we need some change to the way things are done. Again, the foundation is there and the talent is on the rise but how do we take that next step? It seems so far away after today but i don't think we are as far away as this game has shown, every program is one bad QB recruit or good one away from a change. J.T. Barrett showed to be (somehow) holding that Buckeyes back, now can Martell be the next in line?
Now go finish this season with a big bowl win. Didn't come all this way to fold again down the stretch.
