go back and watch the last 2 games.. Wake and Lou did the same thing.. put 6 in the box and stop the run, man up our 1-2 guys who can catch and take away the spread of the field in zone.
we had so many plays where UL ran 4 down lineman and 2 LB and we were running 2 RB sets and we couldnt even get clear of the LOS without contact. 8 on 6 has to work before any real running game happens.. running plays fail when 1 guy misses a block but many of our plays have 2-3 missed blocks. When you add in no running threat at QB , the options are limited.. we took deep shots and connected on none even the open ones failed. UL took shots into coverage and connected. We dont need 3-4 Speed guys but we need one.
Its too bad Culpepper is so immobile he would have rushed for 150 just on draw plays if he would make any kind of moves.
I'll disagree with your premise, but I agree with some of your examples. Oline is young, work in progress. But they didn't let up 100+ points in 2 games.
As for 6 in the box. Not bad. (I watch 10 in the box, for high school- bad comparison, but that can also be managed) I do wonder if they'll address it, scheme wise, though. Not sure if I've seen that- because I don't know if they can.
Line still needs improvement, but it's not THE issue. Despite being listed as OL, I'm fairly certain that Horan is coming in as TE. His big body should work well, in addressing the LB in the run game. Servais is a good player(current best center), but his better skill set is his lateral movement (4.6 shuttle). I think he fares better at guard, and eventually , tackle.
Pieces aren't quite in place, or in the right place, but they've been addressing this, for a while. Improved over last year. I expect next year, to be another big jump in line play.
What I won't disagree with you on... Until all the pieces are in place to run it up the gut( The meathead football, that is sometimes mocked on this site) the offense will lack the required dimension to counter a stacked box.
O'Sullivan/Davis should compete. One of the best centers in the country(woot!) Is coming in to fight for the job. A big @ss kid from the bronx, will eventually make an impact(I think he needs a year of S & C, and needs to limber up a bit), and a 100% Meathead run blocker from the Northeast(needs a year, his team is run only-Made championship with less than 30 pass attempts, last year) They are recruiting on every aspect. Skill-
Sampson, size- White, Run/strength Froumy.
They started addressing this day 1. It takes 2 years to make an ACC lineman. We're not 2 years in. I'm not worried.
