Not sure what some of you are seeing...

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

This isn't rocket science. I would argue that 90% of the Gophers' problems stem from the play of the Offensive Line. I never thought I'd see a day when the O-line was as bad as it is this year. The substandard play of the line has a trickle down effect to most of what ails the Rodents this year:

> Serious lack of a running game, really limits play calling
> Lack of a running game makes for a more one-dimensional offense, MUCH easier to defend
> Lack of protection for Weber, usually against a defense that knows they can't run the ball

> Penalties (mostly on the O-Line) are DRIVE KILLERS (cost them a TD yesterday)
> No sustained drives means the DEFENSE is on the field WAY longer than they need to be

What these last two points mean:

The Gophers have lost the time of possession battle in every game this year but Northwestern (which was almost dead even). Air Force ran 83 offensive plays to 53 for the Gophers. This defense is going to be DEAD BEAT by the end of the season, if it isnt' showing already.

The funny thing is, I was one that REALLY thought the line was going to be a strength this year; so many guys returning that played significant minutes last year, the addition of Wills and Carufel, it all pointed to the Line being strong and DEEP. It just hasn't happened.

Weber's not Elway by any stretch and he's not nearly as good as I thought he'd be this year. He locks in on Decker way too much and sure, he holds the ball too long. But he's fighting an uphill battle.

Yes, I'd like to see Gray get some more snaps because he appears to have a ton of talent and he's likely the future at the position. I'm not ready to completely toss Weber aside just yet though.

 

[Schnoodler]

I think we were actually able to run the ball yesterday. We just chose not to.

 

[LesBolstad]

Agree 100%

Ogee: A voice of sanity amidst loonacy.

All this anti Weber talk is ridiculous. Weber is a top notch B10 caliber QB. I'd rank him 3 or 4 in the conference. If you want to win one more game this year, start playing Gray a lot. I have high expectations for him, but to think he would help us win more than Weber at this point is crazy.

Bottom line- we have the worst O-line on the conference and now it's worse with Arnette done for the year.

Our D is lower middle tier of B10. Above average D line; average LB; and possibly worst D backfield. You can't consisteenty win at this level with 170 lb safeties.

 

[tikited]

I think we were actually able to run the ball yesterday. We just chose not to.

I agree. Out-coached ourselves in certain situations. Bennett and Eskridge were running harder than ever before this season imo.

 

[GoldInDirt]

We ran the ball better then Air Force and Cal, but we still struggled. I don't have confidence that we can have first down on the opponents five yard line and just run-run-run. We had some nice runs but we also had some tackles for losses that were really drive killers. Some of the best "running" was on the short screens.

 

[Ogee Ogilthorpe]

Good point, Schnoods

I think we were actually able to run the ball yesterday. We just chose not to.

I think you're right, they did have some success running the ball against Wisky, just didn't do much of it.

It's tough to watch people running around and through the O-line to get into the Gopher backfield.

It just seems that since they ditched the spread, there's no real offensive identity. Just what is it exactly that they want to accomplish on a given drive (outside the obvious). They just don't do a good job of putting themselves in manageable 2nd and 3rd down situations.

Somebody close to the program, tell me there's help on the way in the area of the offensive line; some promising red-shirts, highly-touted incoming recruits, etc.?

 

[Schnoodler]

I think what we are seeing is the difference between the pros and college. I think Fisch is getting educated in the difference. We came in with a strong passing game and weak running game. So what do you do? You establish the pass to open up the run, thus the first down passing. Unfortunately, we eff up the execution too much. What may have been a safe and prudent approach in the pros is turning out to be a risky and ineffective approach in college. Way too many 2nd and tens. Where are the 2nd and short plays? We never put the opposing defense in a position where they have to guess and overplay thus exposing themselves. If we executed and completed a larger share of these first down passes they would have to adjust, but it isn't happening.

Even though the establish the run mantra is dead, i think you do have to make them stop it, and if they can't you do have to keep pounding it to get them on their heels a bit. So I kind of get what fisch is trying to do, I'm just not sure we're capable of consistently executing the scheme to make it effective.

 

[Gold Vision]

We gave up almost 300 yards rushing. Our defensive line and the inability for anyone to shed a block played just as big of a part in the loss.

 

[sec105]

The OL problems are all Mason's doing. Once Coach Brew gets his guys in there you will see a major improvement...or so I've been told.