11-06-2016, 08:04 AM
Well, I think it may be time to admit Shaw has to look in the mirror and take some responsibility for and start to look at how to evolve his offense. Even with Costello, I don't see a very effective passing game in the offing.
Stanford can beat teams like Oregon State and Arizona without a real passing game, but against the better teams you simply must be able to pass the ball or have a very good running QB. Stanford has neither.
I too have seen Michigan play, though not in person. They are not nearly as predictable on offense as Stanford is, and make great use of different personnel. They routinely use play action and the bootleg pass to give their QB lots of time, and make major use of the TE. They are aggressive and show no mercy ever. Sure would have liked to see Shaw try to punch in a last TD instead of taking a knee to kill 2 mins yesterday, given they failed on 4th and goal from the 1 on the previous possession, just to show some attitude.
It was quite troubling to see the offense so heavily dependent on CMac against OSU. The TEs did virtually nothing again. The WRs were practically ignored. Has the FB had a pass reception or even a carry this season? I'd even like to see a QB sneak once.
The offense is just painful to watch, in large part because the QB play is horrific. Offense puts butts in seats, so it's really no wonder how many empty ones there were yesterday. The defense is effective, but it had one TFL yesterday and no sacks. Not real exciting to watch a team that slogs through every possession give up nearly 6 YPC on the ground and play bend but don't break. Shaw has to understand he's in the entertainment business and put a product on the field that creates some excitement people want to see.
Obviously the 2015 team did that, but the trend doesn't seem to be good given 2014 was also not a very good offense.
Stanford can beat teams like Oregon State and Arizona without a real passing game, but against the better teams you simply must be able to pass the ball or have a very good running QB. Stanford has neither.
I too have seen Michigan play, though not in person. They are not nearly as predictable on offense as Stanford is, and make great use of different personnel. They routinely use play action and the bootleg pass to give their QB lots of time, and make major use of the TE. They are aggressive and show no mercy ever. Sure would have liked to see Shaw try to punch in a last TD instead of taking a knee to kill 2 mins yesterday, given they failed on 4th and goal from the 1 on the previous possession, just to show some attitude.
It was quite troubling to see the offense so heavily dependent on CMac against OSU. The TEs did virtually nothing again. The WRs were practically ignored. Has the FB had a pass reception or even a carry this season? I'd even like to see a QB sneak once.
The offense is just painful to watch, in large part because the QB play is horrific. Offense puts butts in seats, so it's really no wonder how many empty ones there were yesterday. The defense is effective, but it had one TFL yesterday and no sacks. Not real exciting to watch a team that slogs through every possession give up nearly 6 YPC on the ground and play bend but don't break. Shaw has to understand he's in the entertainment business and put a product on the field that creates some excitement people want to see.
Obviously the 2015 team did that, but the trend doesn't seem to be good given 2014 was also not a very good offense.