11-26-2018, 01:51 PM
BC,
For the first seven games of the season, ShawVitaBerry continued to try to have a run-first offense, especially in the first half. There were a couple of exceptions but in those cases it was because they went to more 50/50-60/40 after halftime. It should have been obvious after the Oregon game that this approach wasn't going to work - run heavy in the first half was ineffective and going more pass heavy in the second half was the reason they won (combined with Oregon's complete collapse). Seven games is far too long to figure out what you're good and not good at. Also, this isn't the first year that Shaw has taken too long to figure this out.
In the two more recent games where we've had a late lead in a tight game (ASU, UCLA) they have turtled with a slim lead and put the game at risk instead of sticking with what was working and putting the hammer down. I understand this can be a philosophical decision - one with which I vehemently disagree. I'm not buying into the argument that we didn't lose either game - the ends don't justify the means when you had every opportunity to put the game out of reach, reduce the injury risk to your starters (important when you have a thin bench), and get some younger guys valuable game experience.
I think Shaw would benefit greatly from having an OC who is not part of his coaching tree and to whom playcalling duties are given. Will it happen? Highly unlikely. But I think it should.
For the first seven games of the season, ShawVitaBerry continued to try to have a run-first offense, especially in the first half. There were a couple of exceptions but in those cases it was because they went to more 50/50-60/40 after halftime. It should have been obvious after the Oregon game that this approach wasn't going to work - run heavy in the first half was ineffective and going more pass heavy in the second half was the reason they won (combined with Oregon's complete collapse). Seven games is far too long to figure out what you're good and not good at. Also, this isn't the first year that Shaw has taken too long to figure this out.
In the two more recent games where we've had a late lead in a tight game (ASU, UCLA) they have turtled with a slim lead and put the game at risk instead of sticking with what was working and putting the hammer down. I understand this can be a philosophical decision - one with which I vehemently disagree. I'm not buying into the argument that we didn't lose either game - the ends don't justify the means when you had every opportunity to put the game out of reach, reduce the injury risk to your starters (important when you have a thin bench), and get some younger guys valuable game experience.
I think Shaw would benefit greatly from having an OC who is not part of his coaching tree and to whom playcalling duties are given. Will it happen? Highly unlikely. But I think it should.