Or scheme relies on people to win one-on-one match ups at the point of attack. That's not going to be successful when there is injuries/lack of talent.
This and it is difficult if one person makes a mistake, gets beat off speed or a back or tight end doesn't pick up a blitzer. it is not as simple as just the O-line isn't good or not making blocks as a group, or the QB sucks or just Injuries, even NFL teams find it difficult to play back ups and people that are not used to playing together. The injury's and struggles applies to the tight end group we had to replace Goodger, a really good blocker, especially sealing off the edge or backside, and Williams NFL talent in creating his own space and making catches that others have not or cannot create the space for. Were playing three people right now at tight end that were behind two other guys that were more athletic going in to fall camp. Not getting the same play out of the fullback position either as far as always blocking the right person, and Cobb was great at beating first contact and rubbing off tackles and making additional yards after getting hit.
The biggest thing we can do, is get healthy, and try to play faster, use faster developing plays and limit mistakes and simplify. The running backs need at least a seem to run at, or to find the right cutback and beat a tackle after contact.
Northwestern had a really good front seven same as Iowa, so they will make you look worse than maybe you actually are, and we did move the ball at times, injury's, field position, Northwestern holding on to the ball for long stretches, and special teams breakdowns also contributed to being shut out.
What coach Kill said about the Freshman OL during the Sid and Dave show is this, they are talented as a group but they do not know all of the play calls, and have not worked together in the group as much, so you run the risk of even more mistakes, or doing the wrong thing. Especially, if you end up playing someone you were not expecting to play.
At some point if health really becomes a problem, you may have to pull the shirt to increase the speed and level of play. Those are the risks you have to weigh out, and getting someone hurt that may not be ready. It's going to continue to be a long tough year though if they cannot find a way to improve our front six right now because we are getting killed, or find a way to minimize the weaknesses, change personnel groupings, and find a way to have some success on offense and sustain drives. Have to be able to sustain drives more and come away with some points if we get to the 32 yard line or better of the opponent. Hopefully the experience of our staff, can turn the tide because it has been five games now that the offense has struggled some in each of them. The defense is going to continue to wear down and make more mistakes and see some unlucky Injury's because they play physical and tackle hard, they will need some help from the offense in order to win some more games, sounds simple but it is true.