1. Game plan. While I did expect and did like to see us run more and was pleased with 0 turnovers, I thought 13-51 pass run ratio was overkill. I don't ever want to see that game plan again. I almost think throwing this little affects confidence negatively for TA and our pass game seemed out of sync. We need more throws earlier in game just to get in a rhythm and to utilize ALL of our playmakers. I know Riley told our recruits we won't run like this in years to come, but recruits believe what they see more than they hear.. hopefully we don't lose more playmakers with that boring game plan
If TA can't throw 25-30 on average without a pick vs. Fresno or most teams, or at least only 1 pick every 2 games averaging 25 throws, then it's time to insert one of the back up QBs. Running 4-1, 3-1 or even 2-1 will not work in the meat of our conference where teams like Iowa Wisc feast on stopping run first, it will not be the answer vs. Oregon either. You don't beat better teams like Ohio State with conservative game plans either. You do it with Michigan State game plans last year. Apparently not even LSU talent can win with heavy run ratios. Wisc new QB threw 31 times vs. LSU's lackluster 20 times
2. RBs. While I love our RB depth and the top 3 all did some good things, it's head scratching that Mikale Wilbon can't crack the top 2-3. He looked amazing on that 16 yard run and has moves like no other RB.
3. DL - Once again, while I do think we were sound and we got a better push pass rush from front four....our DL still can't seem to get their hands up when they unable to shed blocks. Cmon Parella, can't we at least improve this part from last year. I really haven't seen us be able to do this forever, actually.
4. I love the athleticism of our back 7 and especially secondary. #1 Lamar Jackson is going to be really special, and I thought the safeties, both Williams looked quick athletic and played very soundly for most part. I would like to see us press cover more and not give so much cushion sooner rather than later, but I didn't mind the game plan in game 1.
5. DPE and MRI - once considered phenomenal playmakers at their positions, MRI looked more than a step slow and I see why Newby has passed him up. I almost think MRI looks more like a MLB than outside. I don't get it. unless his knees are just shot. Hey coaches, if we're not going to see more than this from DPE...unredshirt Spielman. The lack of showcasing our few playmakers that we do have when we need all we can get to throw at teams is unsettling to me at best.
6. ST coaching - I can see why Coach Reed is considered the weakest of all our assistants. Something and everything MUST get better and it must get better soon.
Bottom line, I know it's only one game but coaches especially need to step it up whether it's not utilizing playmakers more or being too conservative. Neither of these things can last.
we are not very good from what I saw. We likely won't win the West again.
Nothing I saw last night changes my prediction of 8-4 9-3 ceiling and even possibly 7-5. and I don't think Riley wants another year of just putting NU football on the shelf until he gets a real QB. Better be less patient than that in year 2. Sorry. This is the year all great coaches make their move.
I can tell you that those coaches appeasing the fans who love walk-ons and running game have been shown the door as quickly as those throwing too much and utilizing playmakers. Point is the best players haven't seemed to see the field under the last 3 coaches actually and that's the problem. When you don't recruit like Bama or Ohio State, you better find ways to have all the best players on the field and showcase them more. 50-50 balance and playing athletes is a better formula than walk-ons and conservative game plans, especially when you're a team far from superior in talent anymore. Houston didn't rise out of nowhere with conservative game plans and walk-ons. They are speedy and athletic and balanced if not pass happy. That's the formula to upset better teams When will we understand this
If TA can't throw 25-30 on average without a pick vs. Fresno or most teams, or at least only 1 pick every 2 games averaging 25 throws, then it's time to insert one of the back up QBs. Running 4-1, 3-1 or even 2-1 will not work in the meat of our conference where teams like Iowa Wisc feast on stopping run first, it will not be the answer vs. Oregon either. You don't beat better teams like Ohio State with conservative game plans either. You do it with Michigan State game plans last year. Apparently not even LSU talent can win with heavy run ratios. Wisc new QB threw 31 times vs. LSU's lackluster 20 times
2. RBs. While I love our RB depth and the top 3 all did some good things, it's head scratching that Mikale Wilbon can't crack the top 2-3. He looked amazing on that 16 yard run and has moves like no other RB.
3. DL - Once again, while I do think we were sound and we got a better push pass rush from front four....our DL still can't seem to get their hands up when they unable to shed blocks. Cmon Parella, can't we at least improve this part from last year. I really haven't seen us be able to do this forever, actually.
4. I love the athleticism of our back 7 and especially secondary. #1 Lamar Jackson is going to be really special, and I thought the safeties, both Williams looked quick athletic and played very soundly for most part. I would like to see us press cover more and not give so much cushion sooner rather than later, but I didn't mind the game plan in game 1.
5. DPE and MRI - once considered phenomenal playmakers at their positions, MRI looked more than a step slow and I see why Newby has passed him up. I almost think MRI looks more like a MLB than outside. I don't get it. unless his knees are just shot. Hey coaches, if we're not going to see more than this from DPE...unredshirt Spielman. The lack of showcasing our few playmakers that we do have when we need all we can get to throw at teams is unsettling to me at best.
6. ST coaching - I can see why Coach Reed is considered the weakest of all our assistants. Something and everything MUST get better and it must get better soon.
Bottom line, I know it's only one game but coaches especially need to step it up whether it's not utilizing playmakers more or being too conservative. Neither of these things can last.
we are not very good from what I saw. We likely won't win the West again.
Nothing I saw last night changes my prediction of 8-4 9-3 ceiling and even possibly 7-5. and I don't think Riley wants another year of just putting NU football on the shelf until he gets a real QB. Better be less patient than that in year 2. Sorry. This is the year all great coaches make their move.
I can tell you that those coaches appeasing the fans who love walk-ons and running game have been shown the door as quickly as those throwing too much and utilizing playmakers. Point is the best players haven't seemed to see the field under the last 3 coaches actually and that's the problem. When you don't recruit like Bama or Ohio State, you better find ways to have all the best players on the field and showcase them more. 50-50 balance and playing athletes is a better formula than walk-ons and conservative game plans, especially when you're a team far from superior in talent anymore. Houston didn't rise out of nowhere with conservative game plans and walk-ons. They are speedy and athletic and balanced if not pass happy. That's the formula to upset better teams When will we understand this
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