Well, I've crawled off the ledge and am going to hope for improvement by the bowl game even if it is against Oklahoma's defense. Some time off for the players should benefit them greatly. While they have the time off, I would hope our coaches really examine things; decide why things went so wrong; come up with the best way to fix it; and then put in a game plan that gives us a chance. It just seems like this offense has too many moving parts. To make it worse, as it sputters, Fisch keeps putting in more moving parts. We get trick plays that don't work, penalties at the worse times, receivers that run poor routes, turnovers because players aren't on the same page, an ineffective pattern where another quarterback comes in for one play, delay of game penalties because people are confused, and, worse of all, a starting quarterback who has lost all confidence.
It's been said by others, but get some basic plays down first; don't keep building a house of cards that just collapses. Short slants have had the greatest chance of success; work on them even more. The play action long pass worked against Michigan State and Weber had a great chance early but McKnight short armed it. Get it ready, use it, but not over and over like you did against Illinois. Tight end over the middle? Good play; work on it even more. The bubble screen to Stoudermire has some promise so work on that also. I don't know enough about reads and defenses but get these plays down and run them when you call them. Adjusting to the defense sure as hell isn't working.
The running game is more problematic. Put Whaley in and go with him. You need a short yardage play. Find the best spot and then work it over and over with those linemen. It might be boring but it's needed more than putting in 3 or 4 multiple reverse plays.
Now as for next year. First, everything about the coaches and the system for the bowl game goes double for next year about simplifying. Several people said the offense needs time; players need experience; timing hasn't been established, etc. Problem with that theory is our offense has gotten worse the more time the players have spent in it.
Second, the receivers do have potential and I agree they should become better. That's the biggest asset we have on offense.
Third, hopefully, Whaley can put on ten more pounds without losing any quickness or else one of the new backs can add more power and speed.
Fourth, Weber has been absolutely awful at times, but he has also shown he can be a decent Big Ten quarterback. He seems like he works hard. Maybe a fresh start after an off season of drills on his mechanics and working with his receivers will give us an effective and consistent quarterback. Don't know what to think about Gray. Maybe it's not a problem, but it seems like if you go with him, you are again trying to get these players at least partially into another new system.
I realize I haven't mentioned our offensive line. I don't hold out as much hope for them as a returning unit, but maybe several of the present linemen can develop. Maybe Michel, Olson, and another redshirt can step in at times to give us some more toughness and agility.
We are basically young and these guys should be stronger along with the more experience. But I think the real key for next year will be how much Fisch learned from this year. I don't think we're going to have to wait until next year to find out; I think the bowl game will give us a pretty good indication of his potential as a coach.
