[washingtonismoney]

Of course there are still ways to punish defenses that over-sell against the running back even in the absence of play-action:

1) you can use read-option, which constrains at least one defender from attacking too aggressively
2) you can use run-pass options, in which you pass to a vacated space left by an overly aggressive defender

Now, the offense has utilized both of these ideas before, but seemingly not against WSU. Why? It's strange. (Screens or reverses could also serve a similar purpose).  Overall, the lack of a jiu-jitsu counter-punch to WSU's aggressive defense was perhaps the weirdest part of the gameplan. It's hard to say whether any of these options would've worked; it's hard to do anything with a below-minimally-competent offensive line. But (seemingly) the refusal to try any of them was odd.

[washingtonismoney]

Of course there are still ways to punish defenses that over-sell against the running back even in the absence of play-action:

1) you can use read-option, which constrains at least one defender from attacking too aggressively
2) you can use run-pass options, in which you pass to a vacated space left by an overly aggressive defender

Now, the offense has utilized both of these ideas before, but seemingly not against WSU. Why? It's strange. (Screens or reverses could also serve a similar purpose).  Overall, the lack of a jiu-jitsu counter-punch to WSU's aggressive defense was perhaps the weirdest part of the gameplan. It's hard to say whether any of these options would've worked; it's hard to do anything with a below-minimally-competent offensive line. But (seemingly) the refusal to try any of them was odd.