Under the radar

[stewart092284]

As I think more on it, I think something that many might not think about is how much we miss Dylan Barrett. Obviously, Bacon, Brahmer, etc... get all the attention and for obvious reasons.

But UCF got push and pressure up the middle (Barrett didn't play, if I remember correctly).
Tech, pressured both outside and inside, but the OL struggled with consistency and flow, and again, Barrett didn't play.

I know coaches are always semi-coy regarding injuries... and that's understandable. But I think that is one of those under the radar type players that maybe doesn't seem as huge as some of the others who have been dinged up but I think we are very much missing him. Nothing against Neal or Buhr, etc... but in stopping to think about it - some, not all of the inconsistencies offensively have occurred post injury to Barrett, where as before he got hurt, we were really starting to find a good flow.

Hopefully, we'll be able to get him back at some point

 

[mgordon]

We have also gotten very predictable to what we are doing with Down/distance and personnel groupings. Too many TEs on the field at the same time, and not enough passes when they are on to keep defenses honest.

 

[stewart092284]

We have also gotten very predictable to what we are doing with Down/distance and personnel groupings. Too many TEs on the field at the same time, and not enough passes when they are on to keep defenses honest.

I'd say that is the bigger problem than simply the TE's themselves, despite what CW says.

But not throwing to them, not throwing to Ngoyi, at least 1 time a game, makes us far to predictable.

That's the biggest issue, outside of missing Barrett, IMO. You're down a starter up front and are falling into a predictability trap, that's hard.

The weird thing was Mouser literally talked about them spending time looking at that but then... seemed to do the exact same thing anyways.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

I actually don’t think the problem on offense was so much play calling (lot of Madden warriors on here) or even execution from the play design standpoint.

We just made a bunch of stupid, very costly mistakes that cost us a lot of points. There was the Burkle fumble when we were marching, Becht’s pick after he got hit, Failed 4th down conversion on an errant pass in TT territory, false start at the 1 yard line (which we fumbled anyway), and penalties that cost us big gains including TWO ineligible man downfield by Hufford (which is just wtf), and a missed FG.

The one play call I really disagreed with was the Rocco run on 3rd and long to settle for a 50-yard FG. That was a terrible play call.

But other than that, I put the loss on really costly, stupid mistakes more than anything.

EDIT: also not offense but that hands to the face penalty could have potentially been a 10-14 point swing cause it took a int off the board at the TT 30 and the Red Raiders eventually scored a TD on that drive.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I actually don’t think the problem on offense was so much play calling (lot of Madden warriors on here) or even execution from the play design standpoint.

We just made a bunch of stupid, very costly mistakes that cost us a lot of points. There was the Burkle fumble when we were marching, Becht’s pick after he got hit, Failed 4th down conversion on an errant pass in TT territory, false start at the 1 yard line (which we fumbled anyway), and penalties that cost us big gains including TWO ineligible man downfield by Hufford (which is just wtf), and a missed FG.

The one play call I really disagreed with was the Rocco run on 3rd and long to settle for a 50-yard FG. That was a terrible play call.

But other than that, I put the loss on really costly, stupid mistakes more than anything.

EDIT: also not offense but that hands to the face penalty could have potentially been a 10-14 point swing cause it took a int off the board at the TT 30 and the Red Raiders eventually scored a TD on that drive.

I would add the 3rd down play call after the false start. Basically a heavy package with a one receiver route (Higgins). Once Tech was all over Higgins (and why wouldn't they be in that scenario) and had Rocco covered for the run, there were really no other options

 

[ScottyP]

Our TEs are over-rated honestly. Klotz is the only TE that is a decent blocker and Campbell said he is playing on one leg right now. Burkle is a blocking TE that is not a good blocker. Moore also isn't a very good blocker.

We had three solid TEs back in 2020 and Campbell keeps trying to use those multiple TE sets, even though we don't have the personnel for it.

 

[stewart092284]

I'm not as worried about one game. Its a trend. The slow starts. Every game this year, the offense basically struggles through the first half save for what... Arkansas State? UCF we started hot with Hansen then cooled off.

Baylor it took until the blocked punt till we really got going.
Tech - we scored late but it was a disjointed first half.
Houston - no
Iowa - no
North Dakota - quick TD, then not much


There's a reason teams are pressuring more lately. It's because they are seeing tendencies and predictability. As a defensive coach, you don't typically bring pressure when you have no idea what you're going to see.

Look at Heacock. Usually, the first half he's more vanilla, gets a feel for what is going on, then dials it up as the game progresses.

Most DC's are similar unless they're just balls to the wall aggressive.

Take early down run blitzes? Why? Cause most DC's think that's when you're running. Same with 2nd and 3rd and long pass packages. Cause they think they know what's coming.

Most DC's... if they're off balance, aren't bringing pressure. Because if they guess wrong on pressure, that's 70 yards out of the gate. And if that happens a couple of times, you find yourself down 21 points REAL FAST. And if that happens too much, they get fired. If you just can't stop people consistently, you can always blame the fact the other team has better players. Or bad execution etc... when you bring pressure and you are guessing and guess wrong - man, that falls squarely on you as the play caller. Same thing with twists up front. You have to be pretty darn sure of what you are going to see to be willing to risk guys getting out of their lanes - OR just know you can't compete straight up and its your only chance.

So When they are bringing pressure and run a bunch of games / twists, its usually more a sign they feel comfortable in what they are seeing and what they are going to get.

Which as an offensive coordinator, staff and team, its your job to try to prevent.

 

[TitanClone]

I actually don’t think the problem on offense was so much play calling (lot of Madden warriors on here) or even execution from the play design standpoint.

We just made a bunch of stupid, very costly mistakes that cost us a lot of points. There was the Burkle fumble when we were marching, Becht’s pick after he got hit, Failed 4th down conversion on an errant pass in TT territory, false start at the 1 yard line (which we fumbled anyway), and penalties that cost us big gains including TWO ineligible man downfield by Hufford (which is just wtf), and a missed FG.

The one play call I really disagreed with was the Rocco run on 3rd and long to settle for a 50-yard FG. That was a terrible play call.

But other than that, I put the loss on really costly, stupid mistakes more than anything.

EDIT: also not offense but that hands to the face penalty could have potentially been a 10-14 point swing cause it took a int off the board at the TT 30 and the Red Raiders eventually scored a TD on that drive.

The 4th and 1 out making it a 20 yard pass to gain one yard vs running, quick slant over the middle, or quick out to a TE was the worst play call I've seen in a long time. Sticking with Sama as the hot hand in the RB room was the only thing that made sense on the offensive side

 

[SolterraCyclone]

I'm not as worried about one game. Its a trend. The slow starts. Every game this year, the offense basically struggles through the first half save for what... Arkansas State? UCF we started hot with Hansen then cooled off.

Baylor it took until the blocked punt till we really got going.
Tech - we scored late but it was a disjointed first half.
Houston - no
Iowa - no
North Dakota - quick TD, then not much


There's a reason teams are pressuring more lately. It's because they are seeing tendencies and predictability. As a defensive coach, you don't typically bring pressure when you have no idea what you're going to see.

Look at Heacock. Usually, the first half he's more vanilla, gets a feel for what is going on, then dials it up as the game progresses.

Most DC's are similar unless they're just balls to the wall aggressive.

Take early down run blitzes? Why? Cause most DC's think that's when you're running. Same with 2nd and 3rd and long pass packages. Cause they think they know what's coming.

Most DC's... if they're off balance, aren't bringing pressure. Because if they guess wrong on pressure, that's 70 yards out of the gate. And if that happens a couple of times, you find yourself down 21 points REAL FAST. And if that happens too much, they get fired. If you just can't stop people consistently, you can always blame the fact the other team has better players. Or bad execution etc... when you bring pressure and you are guessing and guess wrong - man, that falls squarely on you as the play caller. Same thing with twists up front. You have to be pretty darn sure of what you are going to see to be willing to risk guys getting out of their lanes - OR just know you can't compete straight up and its your only chance.

So When they are bringing pressure and run a bunch of games / twists, its usually more a sign they feel comfortable in what they are seeing and what they are going to get.

Which as an offensive coordinator, staff and team, it’s your job to try to prevent.

I don’t know if Tech blitzed more yesterday than they typically do. I think it’s really hard, especially for us fairly uneducated fans, to recognize if we’re too vanilla because the opponent is comfortable blitzing more.

Some D’s may just do that because they’re aggressive, or in Tech’s case, the secondary is a weak spot and the best way to cover that up is to pressure the QB.

I do agree that DC’s are probably seeing on film now that Rocco is not strong at handling the pressure, given the last 2 weeks. He gets happy feet and is a little inaccurate. So, he’s going to see more blitzes moving forward probably.

While not coming out fast is a little concerning. We’ve scored over 20 in every game. So they’re not necessarily playing poorly.

 

[madguy30]

The 4th and 1 out making it a 20 yard pass to gain one yard vs running, quick slant over the middle, or quick out to a TE was the worst play call I've seen in a long time. Sticking with Sama as the hot hand in the RB room was the only thing that made sense on the offensive side

This drive me crazy watching other games too because it seems to be common.

3rd and short or manageable and teams go over the top.

Imo 1st down after a big play or sudden change like a turnover is when you go big. Doing that on 3rd and 3 feels like a waste.

 

[AllInForISU]

I'd say that is the bigger problem than simply the TE's themselves, despite what CW says.

But not throwing to them, not throwing to Ngoyi, at least 1 time a game, makes us far to predictable.

That's the biggest issue, outside of missing Barrett, IMO. You're down a starter up front and are falling into a predictability trap, that's hard.

The weird thing was Mouser literally talked about them spending time looking at that but then... seemed to do the exact same thing anyways.

I’d agree, except we ran into similar issues with Soehner, Allen, and Kolar. 3 TEs in close formation is just asking to get bottled up, especially when you don’t have an AA running back.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

The 4th and 1 out making it a 20 yard pass to gain one yard vs running, quick slant over the middle, or quick out to a TE was the worst play call I've seen in a long time. Sticking with Sama as the hot hand in the RB room was the only thing that made sense on the offensive side

I disagree. The play was there. A little better throw or a great catch by Higgins converts the 4th down. The ball was poorly thrown but still hit his hands.

Also, it was 4th and 2, not 4th and 1

 

[isucy86]

I’d agree, except we ran into similar issues with Soehner, Allen, and Kolar. 3 TEs in close formation is just asking to get bottled up, especially when you don’t have an AA running back.

Agree about bunching things up in short yardage or goal like. It just brings too many defenders into the box to run inside the tackles. I have a slightly different take on this being a RB issue, but an OL issue. If the OL is dominating the opponent, then a bunch is OK. And we have seen this work for ISU during the season.

But if the OL isn't dominating, then I'd prefer we spread defenses out. At least put a couple receivers wide so that it takes the CB's and a safety out of any inside run/pass.

 

[Cyclonepride]

I don’t know if Tech blitzed more yesterday than they typically do. I think it’s really hard, especially for us fairly uneducated fans, to recognize if we’re too vanilla because the opponent is comfortable blitzing more.

Some D’s may just do that because they’re aggressive, or in Tech’s case, the secondary is a weak spot and the best way to cover that up is to pressure the QB.

I do agree that DC’s are probably seeing on film now that Rocco is not strong at handling the pressure, given the last 2 weeks. He gets happy feet and is a little inaccurate. So, he’s going to see more blitzes moving forward probably.

While not coming out fast is a little concerning. We’ve scored over 20 in every game. So they’re not necessarily playing poorly.

My impression of TT's defense is that they play really aggressively, probably because their secondary will get burned if you have time to throw.

 

[ScottyP]

Agree about bunching things up in short yardage or goal like. It just brings too many defenders into the box to run inside the tackles. I have a slightly different take on this being a RB issue, but an OL issue. If the OL is dominating the opponent, then a bunch is OK. And we have seen this work for ISU during the season.

But if the OL isn't dominating, then I'd prefer we spread defenses out. At least put a couple receivers wide so that it takes the CB's and a safety out of any inside run/pass.

Bruns has mentioned the past year his frustration that we motion an additional defender into the box at times.

 

[TitanClone]

I disagree. The play was there. A little better throw or a great catch by Higgins converts the 4th down. The ball was poorly thrown but still hit his hands.

Also, it was 4th and 2, not 4th and 1

2 vs 1 doesn't make a difference. Keep it simple a 5 yard slant is a 5 yard pass. A 3 yard out is a 15 to 30 yeard pass.

 

[ClonerJams]

It's a minor miracle we're 7-1 with all the injuries. Doesnt make Saturday any less disappointing

 

[SolterraCyclone]

2 vs 1 doesn't make a difference. Keep it simple a 5 yard slant is a 5 yard pass. A 3 yard out is a 15 to 30 yeard pass.

But a 3 yard out is going to be 1 on 1 vs the corner. Your WR just has to win the route and the throw has to be on time and accurate.

A 5 yard slant potentially brings LBs and safeties into the route. And again the throw has to be on time and accurate.

I’ll stand by my opinion I don’t think that was a bad play call. But agree to disagree.

 

[CyHans]

There is another thread where everyone is melting down about the offense but we outdid them in all offensive categories. Time of possession, first downs, passing yards, rushing yards and we had less penalties.
But we really shot ourselves in the foot with some really costly penalties (hands to the face on an INT, jumping offsides with the ball on the 2 ft line and two first down passes where the center was downfield). Plus some questionable calls by the refs. The bobbled catch by TTU going OOB for a 1st down and Sama hitting the inside of the pylon and being called OOB. We also had a missed a fg that must have just came off his foot bad, I mean it was 20 yards wide and didn't make even make the endzone. I think TTU is a better team than their record. It really sucks to lose but I think it was just one of those games where it just wasn't going to happen.

 

[SolterraCyclone]

There is another thread where everyone is melting down about the offense but we outdid them in all offensive categories. Time of possession, first downs, passing yards, rushing yards and we had less penalties.
But we really shot ourselves in the foot with some really costly penalties (hands to the face on an INT, jumping offsides with the ball on the 2 ft line and two first down passes where the center was downfield). Plus some questionable calls by the refs. The bobbled catch by TTU going OOB for a 1st down and Sama hitting the inside of the pylon and being called OOB. We also had a missed a fg that must have just came off his foot bad, I mean it was 20 yards wide and didn't make even make the endzone. I think TTU is a better team than their record. It really sucks to lose but I think it was just one of those games where it just wasn't going to happen.

I wandered into that thread and got out haha. I didn’t find it to have much substance or facts. It’s more of a venting platform.

This thread is more down to Earth with real discussion, so I’ll just hang here

Edit: I just went and read the last page of posts and it seems like it’s gotten much more reasonable with actual salient points