Honest question

[TheCusian]

That's fine, but you're admitting that people are figuring it out.
So that means we have to do some things differently.
Hopefully running the ball effectively and throwing to the whole field will be included.

I'd like to see a lot more - I can't believe I'm going to use this word - "multiplicity" out of what they CAN do from their various sets.

Some used to say Pasqualoni used 16 different formations to call only 3 or 4 plays.
I feel like Dino also calls only 3 or 4 plays, but from about 1/3 as many formations, making us that much more predictable.

Of course, Pasqualoni & DeLeone had old school run-blocking chops. Dino has always been a zone blocking kind of guy, and as a result, there has not been the use of leverage, mismatches (2-on-1 blocking as much), traps, sophisticated counters. Yeah, they have sort of a counter running play, but it's still all the line blocking in mostly the same direction, and the running back cutting behind it.

I was watching the SU-Maryland game from 1967 on YouTube the other night. The line blocking was just awesome. That was football! It wasn't 300 pound monsters wearing body armor hurtling themselves like projectiles at each other. There was blocking and tackling, and it was a lot more like chess than watching some football today, at least in terms of line play.

There’s no finally admitting it - I’ve been saying it. We’re saying similar things. I think the bones are fine (spread concept, WR out beyond the hash, set up the run with the pass, tempo when you’re in an advantageous position) … but it needs to be layered so that it’s not too predictable.

The one thing we haven’t mentioned enough (joking!) is the OL. And TD being hurt and/or less excited to run. I think all that limits what we can do even more. So it got figured out and we were severely limited to boot.

We’ll see a better, more functional offense. There will still be moments where we look like 2019 and folks clamor for change - but I think it’s all adding up to be better.

 

[cusefan88]

I guess i'll always go back to 2020. No spring an OL situation so bad without Chris Elmore playing OG for the first time since middle school Cuse would have had to forfeit every game. Better to compare with 2019 than last season.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

I had been thinking that this game would be a win but the more and more I think about it this game worries me.

-Week 1 the O is usually slow to get up to speed. Doesn't matter who you are or who your opponent is.

-Our OL is a work in progress. They will get better as the year goes on but they won't be gelled yet given new starters and new coaching.

-It is a road game which makes it harder by nature.

-Ohio sees this as a chance to beat a P5 team so they will be extra motivated. Will we match their intensity?

-They have the whole month to prepare so they will be giving us looks that we do not have on tape. So our in game adjustments will be key.

-Now that Solich is retired they have the extra motivation of winning it for him.

I still think we win but this will be a fight.

 

[Bulldog04]

The line is a pick em. I trust vegas often. Trap games make me nervous that’s why I think this could be a bad matchup. Vegas isnt always far off. I’m just ready for football

 

[orangepassion]

-Our OL is a work in progress. They will get better as the year goes on but they won't be gelled yet given new starters and new coaching.

I don't know why the OL should be a work in progress every year. This year, we return our entire starting OL and get Bleich on the field. For once, I'd like to see our OL start off strong.

 

[AngryOtto]

I don't know why the OL should be a work in progress every year. This year, we return our entire starting OL and get Bleich on the field. For once, I'd like to see our OL start off strong.

I agree every year our Oline should not be a work in progress, but I feel there may be more changes on the line than we expect. I could see players shifting sides or positions or different guys becoming starters.
The Oline was a mess last year. The reason Schmidt was brought in. I see him putting his own stamp on the Oline. He has no loyalty to any particular player.

 

[IthacaMatt]

I don't know why the OL should be a work in progress every year. This year, we return our entire starting OL and get Bleich on the field. For once, I'd like to see our OL start off strong.

We have 15 OL on the roster (maybe 14 if Qadir White has left the program; not sure if I read that the other day). Of those guys, I count 8 who have started football games. Plus the new, young coach who has had pretty good success in the past at lesser schools with lesser talent.

 

[Shenexon]

H

Deciding if 2019 was worse than 2020 is like trying to figure out if it's better to step in cow poop or horse poop.

horse poop is definitely better, IMHO...

 

[CanadianSU]

The whole winning one game thing last year.

 

[David321]

No matter what this game will set the tone for the rest of the season.