[jeffvdgo]

The thing that offense was missing was the intermediate-range passing attack, and while we don't really know why that was missing, if we take it for granted that the coaches would prefer to have one but thought there were good reasons why we couldn't do it, then it obviously limits us to where we were.

The intermediate passing game has been a weak point all year. With a month to study only one opponent, the coaching staff had to know MSU would come in with a stop the run/force the pass game plan. Maybe Shaw thought MSU wouldn't be able to execute the plan against our oline, but by the second half it was abundantly clear MSU's plan was working. So...knowing all that, the coaching staff must have really believed Hogan and/or the receiver core couldn't get it done. It's perplexing really - this team had one weak spot: intermediate passing. Of course MSU is going to play to that weakness. Stanford at the very least should have had some passing plays ready to go that can get you a 3rd and long or a execute a 2 minute drill if the run game is stuffed. The final drive was telling - 1:30 to gain 9 yards. I'm leaning toward coaching on this one and agree with the OP about a new OC to add some balance and unpredictability to the play calling.

[jeffvdgo]

The thing that offense was missing was the intermediate-range passing attack, and while we don't really know why that was missing, if we take it for granted that the coaches would prefer to have one but thought there were good reasons why we couldn't do it, then it obviously limits us to where we were.

The intermediate passing game has been a weak point all year. With a month to study only one opponent, the coaching staff had to know MSU would come in with a stop the run/force the pass game plan. Maybe Shaw thought MSU wouldn't be able to execute the plan against our oline, but by the second half it was abundantly clear MSU's plan was working. So...knowing all that, the coaching staff must have really believed Hogan and/or the receiver core couldn't get it done. It's perplexing really - this team had one weak spot: intermediate passing. Of course MSU is going to play to that weakness. Stanford at the very least should have had some passing plays ready to go that can get you a 3rd and long or a execute a 2 minute drill if the run game is stuffed. The final drive was telling - 1:30 to gain 9 yards. I'm leaning toward coaching on this one and agree with the OP about a new OC to add some balance and unpredictability to the play calling.