Hi Troy,
Great show, as always. Lots of good information. I was really intrigued with Coach Shaw's explanation of our lack of a run game. Basically, he said ASU was playing single safety high stop the run all game, so we elected to pass against that defense. While that argument makes sense, back in 2016 thru 2018 basically everybody played us that way too. We would run right at their stacked box, with varying degrees of success. The Cardboard would go mad with criticism for that approach. Shaw would argue that gave us the best chance to win (and he probably was mostly correct IMHO).
It would seem that now he has changed his approach and believes we are a better passing team that running team. I think if he indeed believes this is the case, he is correct. I think we have serious run blocking issues on our OL and our backs, while talented, can't move the pile. What are your thoughts on this issue? As I see it, right now what ASU did is a recipe to beat us. Without Wilson (or Fehoko if you will), we don't have anyone that the opposing defense is afraid will beat them deep. We have some really good route runners who are big and will catch the ball. However, to go 80 yards we have to be very efficient. We can't rely on converting 3rd and long all the time. Thus we get yards but not points. Our drives end with a mistake (or two). Stanford has for years played defense utilizing the fact most college teams can't sustain long drives because they make too many mistakes. Bend but don't break. Our pass offense is now the poster boy for why that works.
Great show, as always. Lots of good information. I was really intrigued with Coach Shaw's explanation of our lack of a run game. Basically, he said ASU was playing single safety high stop the run all game, so we elected to pass against that defense. While that argument makes sense, back in 2016 thru 2018 basically everybody played us that way too. We would run right at their stacked box, with varying degrees of success. The Cardboard would go mad with criticism for that approach. Shaw would argue that gave us the best chance to win (and he probably was mostly correct IMHO).
It would seem that now he has changed his approach and believes we are a better passing team that running team. I think if he indeed believes this is the case, he is correct. I think we have serious run blocking issues on our OL and our backs, while talented, can't move the pile. What are your thoughts on this issue? As I see it, right now what ASU did is a recipe to beat us. Without Wilson (or Fehoko if you will), we don't have anyone that the opposing defense is afraid will beat them deep. We have some really good route runners who are big and will catch the ball. However, to go 80 yards we have to be very efficient. We can't rely on converting 3rd and long all the time. Thus we get yards but not points. Our drives end with a mistake (or two). Stanford has for years played defense utilizing the fact most college teams can't sustain long drives because they make too many mistakes. Bend but don't break. Our pass offense is now the poster boy for why that works.