[BostonCard]

There is a bit of a chicken and egg problem here.  Did we not run much because we weren't good at it, or were we not good at running the football because we didn't run it much.  It is worth noting that our attempts per game this year, as in last, dropped over time.  In our last four games, we rushed a total of 87 times (including sacks) or 22/game, down from 31 rushes per game in August/Sept, and 34 in October.  Although that included games where we were behind from the get go against Washington State and Notre Dame, it also includes games where we were competitive throughout (Big Game and Colorado).

The drop-off was less pronounced last year, and in prior years, we actually ran more as the year went on.

The question that your comments raise is to what extent the current "philosophy" if we can call it that, is out of necessity and to what extent the change, which largely coincided with Tavita becoming OC, reflects a change in philosophy.  I would like to think that with a healthy offensive line and a capable running back who could give us 5 yards/carry consistently that we would shift to a run first mentality, particularly if we could get a lead and keep it.  I'm afraid that with the defense we anticipate, that may be tough for at least another year.

BC

[BostonCard]

There is a bit of a chicken and egg problem here.  Did we not run much because we weren't good at it, or were we not good at running the football because we didn't run it much.  It is worth noting that our attempts per game this year, as in last, dropped over time.  In our last four games, we rushed a total of 87 times (including sacks) or 22/game, down from 31 rushes per game in August/Sept, and 34 in October.  Although that included games where we were behind from the get go against Washington State and Notre Dame, it also includes games where we were competitive throughout (Big Game and Colorado).

The drop-off was less pronounced last year, and in prior years, we actually ran more as the year went on.

The question that your comments raise is to what extent the current "philosophy" if we can call it that, is out of necessity and to what extent the change, which largely coincided with Tavita becoming OC, reflects a change in philosophy.  I would like to think that with a healthy offensive line and a capable running back who could give us 5 yards/carry consistently that we would shift to a run first mentality, particularly if we could get a lead and keep it.  I'm afraid that with the defense we anticipate, that may be tough for at least another year.

BC