RB usage (long)

[HardcoreClone]

Imagine what we can do with our crappy offense and OL that could only win 8 games 2 years in a row when they get average.

I know you're being sarcastic, but your statement is true. Would be great if they can get to the standard of our defense.

You happy with 8 wins, or do you want to start beating Iowa, UT, and winning Big 12 championships? We lose our 2 most explosive players, gonna be interesting how our OC responds.

 

[norcalcy]

Well, we're waiting. If Campbell can't get a good run blocking OL by year 4, I'm not going to hold my breath anymore.

As for our offense as a whole, our playbook doesn't appear to be very thick. I'll chalk that up to a rookie QB.

Our defense became elite when we got good in the trenches. One or two players can make a big difference. Hopefully those O line players are currently on the roster.

 

[TacoCorp]

Our defense became elite when we got good in the trenches. One or two players can make a big difference. Hopefully those O line players are currently on the roster.

Switching to the 3 man front to maximize the personnel was probably an even bigger reason. The players and the scheme are what make our defense so good. Seems like the scheme aspect is missing from the offense to maximize the players we've had.

 

[HardcoreClone]

Our defense became elite when we got good in the trenches. One or two players can make a big difference. Hopefully those O line players are currently on the roster.

I agree and disagree. Our defense became elite due to a change in scheme that is well-coached and as CMC has said, played to the strengths of our personnel. Yes, we do have some studs on the DL that help make it work.

I sure hope it will be simple enough of having a couple better OL. I feel the concepts and gameplans have plenty of room for improvement in utilizing our skill players to the best of their abilities. DM up the gut on 95% of his touches seemed lazy, unimaginative, what have you....

I just don't understand why the big change from last season. Remember those great plays of DM switching fields and eluding so many tacklers last year, it was when we got him the ball outside in space.

 

[besserheimerphat]

Our defense is not elite. It ranges from good to very good/great on a game by game basis, but it's not elite. That's going by the analytics, not just the traditional stats (which usually make us look worse due to Big12).

Edited to add, S&P+ ranks our defense 31st and offense 77th after all games played by Dec 1st. So that includes CCGs but no bowls.

 

[tolfbfan]

I know you're being sarcastic, but your statement is true. Would be great if they can get to the standard of our defense.

You happy with 8 wins, or do you want to start beating Iowa, UT, and winning Big 12 championships? We lose our 2 most explosive players, gonna be interesting how our OC responds.

Who is this masked OC that I hear talked about?

 

[CycloneVet]

I know you're being sarcastic, but your statement is true. Would be great if they can get to the standard of our defense.

You happy with 8 wins, or do you want to start beating Iowa, UT, and winning Big 12 championships? We lose our 2 most explosive players, gonna be interesting how our OC responds.

I'm ecstatic with 16 wins in 2 years. I remember the end of the Rhoads era all too well. The Alamo was a wet dream 3 years ago for this program. I always said I would travel for an Alamo Bowl or better. 3 years ago I wondered if I would ever get to see a bowl game with those standards.

 

[BCClone]

I'm at the point where being a consistent 8 win team is satisfactory to me. I want to see some double digit wins, but if Campbell can have us averaging 8-9 wins a season (throwing out his first year for rebuild) then I won't be extremely upset.

 

[norcalcy]

Our defense is not elite. It ranges from good to very good/great on a game by game basis, but it's not elite. That's going by the analytics, not just the traditional stats (which usually make us look worse due to Big12).

Edited to add, S&P+ ranks our defense 31st and offense 77th after all games played by Dec 1st. So that includes CCGs but no bowls.

I would never argue with any of the stats quoted, but the defense has held virtually every offense it plays below its scoring average. It is a beautiful thing to watch.

 

[c.y.c.l.o.n.e.s]

Reflecting on our season, I'm still baffled and disappointed with our lack of creativity using Montgomery, especially realizing he is likely gone now.

I wish I had a specific stat, but the vast majority of carries for DM was between the tackles. I have no idea why we didn't get him out in space more. Outside runs, jet sweeps, quick screens, delayed screens, flats. Could have run that stuff with our other talented backs, Milton, Jones, as well. All year I've wondered why DMs catches severely dropped compared to last year? We finally throw him the ball late 4th qtr and he damn near scored.

Is it more difficult schematically to get the back into the flats on those RPO's? There might be some times when he gets caught in the traffic but I would think he can still get out for more passes. And I know taking the RB out is one less blocker for Purdy, but I would for him to always have a safety valve checkdown receiver if there is nothing downfield. We saw how easily Wazzou threw to their backs, nothing more than a short rushing game.

We all know Butler's abilities and DM earning every yard he got. I'm concerned who we have next year that can replace those yards, big plays and scores. Who is going to bail out the OC's lack of creativity and versatility? I would love to have an improved OL to run the ball better, but people can't keep blindly expecting that. I will need to see it to believe it.

We have an elite defense that needs more support from our offensive staff if we want to win championships.

Along with the other responses in this thread, I would say that you might be analyzing this by looking at the wrong side of the ball. Iowa practically begged us to run up the middle by playing their linebackers out wide to take away the swing passes, pitches, etc.and we couldn't do it. With Zeb being no threat to run, they essentially eliminated our running game. Other teams took note of that and played us basically the same way. Once Brock became the starter, things opened up some for Montgomery. Still, from a defensive point of view the best bet was to funnel us inside and hope that Montgomery didn't break through.

We will get better as our underclassmen get bigger and learn better technique. Once they start opening up some holes inside then the outside game will be there for the taking. I think that one thing that these bowl games have shown is that the big XII defenses are better that people think.

 

[Cycsk]

Reflecting on our season, I'm still baffled and disappointed with our lack of creativity using Montgomery, especially realizing he is likely gone now.

I wish I had a specific stat, but the vast majority of carries for DM was between the tackles. I have no idea why we didn't get him out in space more. Outside runs, jet sweeps, quick screens, delayed screens, flats. Could have run that stuff with our other talented backs, Milton, Jones, as well. All year I've wondered why DMs catches severely dropped compared to last year? We finally throw him the ball late 4th qtr and he damn near scored.

Is it more difficult schematically to get the back into the flats on those RPO's? There might be some times when he gets caught in the traffic but I would think he can still get out for more passes. And I know taking the RB out is one less blocker for Purdy, but I would for him to always have a safety valve checkdown receiver if there is nothing downfield. We saw how easily Wazzou threw to their backs, nothing more than a short rushing game.

We all know Butler's abilities and DM earning every yard he got. I'm concerned who we have next year that can replace those yards, big plays and scores. Who is going to bail out the OC's lack of creativity and versatility? I would love to have an improved OL to run the ball better, but people can't keep blindly expecting that. I will need to see it to believe it.

We have an elite defense that needs more support from our offensive staff if we want to win championships.

I've been asking questions like these since the EIU game!

 

[HardcoreClone]

I've been asking questions like these since the EIU game!

Glad I wasn't the only one! Hope CMC makes some improvements.

 

[clonebb]

...and an OC.

Don’t t hold your breath way for a new OC. I will be surprised if that happens as CMC doesn’t want controversy with Offense as that is his baby.