Turdledo Gameday Thread

[thewebboy]

3) This offense was first designed for Art Briles' high school team (Stephenville) in Texas and later applied to two Texas college programs (Houston and Baylor). It was not designed for late November games in the freezing and snowing Midwest. The weather stymies whatever chance we have with the passing game and renders the offense even more one-dimensional than it is. Babers' last game against Eastern Illinois in the FCS playoffs was in a snowstorm and it didn't (or couldn't) do the same things it had earlier in better conditions more suitable for passing.

Babers is a smart and perceptive coach who has to see this. This week he said that winning the division despite the injuries was a validation of his system for those who know the game of football. I'd say it's the product of a group of excellent players playing within a system that has its strengths but plainly needs to be adjusted to fit this team, this conference, this geographic location and the different dynamics they all bring.

This is spot on. Well said.

[hammb]

Plenty of passing systems have had success in cold weather climate areas, I don't really see that as an issue. Especially considering this offense isn't supposed to be that pass happy anyhow...it should be balanced.

The system is meant to run more plays by not using the playclock. It is supposed to force mismatches and exploit them before the defense has a chance to make adjustments through substitutions. I don't see any reason why the weather should play a factor in the ability for that system to excel.

The issue is that we aren't able to get the intermediate pass game going (and now we're down our 2 best RBs as well). If you aren't getting 1st downs you cannot go uptempo. If you're not going uptempo the great strength that Dino has built his system on is negated.

This isn't a Drew Brees Purdue type offense that is built entirely on precision passing. Hell I would argue that precision passing is what we are the WORST at this year and I don't think the weather has much to do with it. We've become limited to where our entire playbook has been WR quick hitters, Deep balls, and the run game. The weather shouldn't really affect those things that greatly.

For this offense to ever look like what it is supposed to look like we need to start hitting those 10-15 yard passes so we can hurry to the line and keep the defense on their heels. We're not there yet, and at this point I'm thinking we won't get there this year...which is very disappointing.

[Falconwriter]

Is Knapke gunning it deep because that's what he reads or is he doing it because that's what he's told to do?
You have to figure the intermediate routes are open in the middle of the field if the safeties are playing deep and supportingthe CB's on the sidelines...

That's what I have been thinking. It's hard to tell on TV but you would think so.

Guys,

I watched the entire game from the press box and I could see the entire field. On those deep balls, they were mostly his only option. I didn't see any receivers breaking routes over the middle of the field. I miss a tight end that works the middle of the field against a linebacker. OK, so we don't have a tight end, but can't a wide receiver create that miss match over the middle? I think they are protecting Knapke. He's thrown some interceptions this year on those routes and so they've taken them out of the playbook. Only trouble with that is it makes so predictable only throwing screens and fly patterns. Can't play to lose when you're afraid of a mistake.

In the Buffalo game we used Ronnie Moore on those slants and drags all day long and Knapke either didn't see him open (he was) or missed the throws.

Whether it's the QB, the receivers, or what I don't know, but we flat out suck at timing/rhythm offense right now. And that fact is made even more painful when we lose our top RBs and cannot really move the ball on the ground all that well.

I watched some highlights of Jimmy G running Babers offense leading up to the draft and it looked nothing like what we're doing right now. I just have to think our talent is limiting the ability to run the scheme to its fullest potential.

I would say you are correct -- and the lack of passing over the middle is deliberate because the coaching staff doesn't trust Knapke to make those throws.

Which brings me to my point: if you don't have the personnel to efficiently and effectively run the system you WANT to run, how about tweaking things so that you have a system that better fits your personnel, and offers a better chance for the players to succeed?

That, my friends, is the difference between a good coach and a great coach. Good coaches run their schemes and plug people in; great coaches are able to make adjustments to what they like to do, so that the players they have are in a better position for success.

I also think that beating Toledo has now become totally a mental issue with this team. We are now starting a second class of kids that have never known victory of their rival -- ever. If all you've known (or heard about) is failure and losses, it's going to play with your confidence.

[Flipper]

Hasn't Babers said...like a dozen times...that he would need to tweak his system to match the weather? So far as any "mental issues" go...unless you're around the team on a frequent basis is it fair to comment on their mental or emotional state?

[kdog27]

Hasn't Babers said...like a dozen times...that he would need to tweak his system to match the weather? So far as any "mental issues" go...unless you're around the team on a frequent basis is it fair to comment on their mental or emotional state?

I don't know if he has said it lately but I know he did before the season started. The most frustrating calls for me are the runs right into the center's butt. The defense pinches down on every run because we never bounce it outside. Runs some counters. I only remember one counter and it gained about 12 yards. Run some motion. I get that we are limited at QB but at least make the same plays appear different. We ran motion in the wildcat, why can't that happen on other plays. We also didn't just run straight up the middle in the wildcat. Andre Givens is not a fullback so give him a carry other running straight at the nose guard.

[jpfalcon09]

Hasn't Babers said...like a dozen times...that he would need to tweak his system to match the weather? So far as any "mental issues" go...unless you're around the team on a frequent basis is it fair to comment on their mental or emotional state?

I don't know if he has said it lately but I know he did before the season started. The most frustrating calls for me are the runs right into the center's butt. The defense pinches down on every run because we never bounce it outside. Runs some counters. I only remember one counter and it gained about 12 yards. Run some motion. I get that we are limited at QB but at least make the same plays appear different. We ran motion in the wildcat, why can't that happen on other plays. We also didn't just run straight up the middle in the wildcat. Andre Givens is not a fullback so give him a carry other running straight at the nose guard.

Because of a lack of a middle passing game, defenses are loading the box and going man coverage on the outside and daring BG to test the middle of the field. If they don't trust their QB enough to make those throws then you're tipping your hand to the other team with what you're going to do. At some point, whether it's next week or in the MACC, they're going to have to cut the leash on Knapke and let him try to complete those throws. The offense went from extremely aggressive against Indiana to conservative ever since Knapke got hurt against WMU.

[gspointer]

This game was just not that difficult to figure out. We have not stopped a decent team all year in the run game. The weather was bad and there was no margin for error in the passing game. We were soundly handled in the trenches. Ask yourself this- could any of our lineman start even on a bottom feeder B10 team. NO. The toledo 300 pound DT could and some of the other side as well. We just do not have it yet…. I do need to complement our DBs. They are playing much better.

[Falconfreak90]

This game was just not that difficult to figure out. We have not stopped a decent team all year in the run game. The weather was bad and there was no margin for error in the passing game. We were soundly handled in the trenches. Ask yourself this- could any of our lineman start even on a bottom feeder B10 team. NO. The toledo 300 pound DT could and some of the other side as well. We just do not have it yet…. I do need to complement our DBs. They are playing much better.

Keep in mind that Oline at ut has FIVE graduate students with a sheet load of experience. They must replace their entire line next season. Phil Steele listed that line Top 15 in the NATION in his pre season mag...and they are that good. We are starting 1 JR, 2 Soph and 2 Freshmen on ours. We'll keep getting better. Our O line had a bad night last week.

[Beaker]

Valid point, Freak. Clearly, we were outmanned in the trenches last week and the result showed in the win/loss column. Games are primarily won and lost in the trenches and with a year of experience under their belts and hitting the weights hard in the offseason, we should see a stronger, more effective offensive line next year. On the defensive side, we are losing several folks up front and getting them replaced without a drop off is going to be a challenge next year on that side of the ball. Hopefully, if the Tennessee transfer can step up into a leading role and we get Colvin back and healthy, we could be ok. I think Gus S. is going to end up being an outstanding player.