Our offense, and our Defense

[mnhusker]

I like what I have seen from the offense over all and I just keep expecting the D to turn the corner. The D stepping up might help the offense beat down teams even sooner because the hurry up offense is great but when the D can't get the other team off of the field the fatigue factor takes longer to set in. The defense has been an issue and I think it is Bo's defensive resume that keeps many from being too concerned. If Beck with not history put a similar product on the field he would be getting hammered.

[Blackshirt96]

Beck's play calling in the Wisconsin game reminded me of Watson. I was one of the few who didn't put a lot of blame on Martinez. I put that blame on Beck. He put Martinez in bad situations & expected a running QB to become Joe Montana. Last week in the second half was a turning point for me on Beck. He did something that I have not seen from a OC in a long time. He made halftime adjustments & started playing their game. I really feel like he got away from the "We'll take what they give us" mentality & start playing "We will take what we want".

 

As for the Defense. They are changing their base to a more traditional 4-3 & we have shown we are limited at LB. If you look at most of the big plays on the ground against our defense you will see Compton or Fisher, on the gound picking up their jock straps. They really need to find someone to replace them. As for the passing our young DB's have been picked on heavily & have not had much help over the top from Cassidy. I really hope SJP can be the answer at corner that Green & Evans haven't been.

[bolshoifish]

Let's be honest here: Rex Burkhead makes Beck's life much easier. It's been a long time since I've seen a back that seems to see a couple of seconds into the future. If you get that guy one on one in space, its almost an automatic first down.

 

But yes, this OP is spot on. Saying that we will win such and such game if the second half offense shows up and lose if the first half offense shows up is a bit ridiculous. This is a 4 quarter team. They have shown they are a 4 quarter team all season. You may be able to stuff them for a quarter or two, but not the whole game.

 

I was even more impressed that Beck stuck to his guns.. down 21 logic dictates a more pure passing attack (which is more than likely what Watson would of done). Beck sticks to his game plan and shows enourmous patience and confidence in his playmakers.

[junior4949]

I guess I must be missing something because I'm not seeing this great offense that others seem to be seeing. What I'm seeing is a lot more of the same as last year. The playmakers are there, but poor OL is definitely holding this offense back. Fresno State who's D ranks in the triple digits didn't have much problem with our stellar offense for nealy three quarters.

 

We don't score anywhere near 34 on tOSU with last year's offense. With last year's offense we are no better than 2-4 with losses to that Fresno team, Washington, tOSU, and Wiscy.

 

I will give it to you that you should never ever have true freshmen or even redshirt freshman starting on your OL, but they have done very, very well compared to what my expectations were in the middle of the summer.

 

Last year, we put up 31 on Mizzou and completely dominated them. Their total D ranking at the end of the year was #6. This year, we put up 17 against Wisconsin who's D comes in at #4 and we were completely dominated. We put up 48 on KState last year. Their total D ranking at the end of the year was much better than Fresno's triple digit D ranking this year. We put up 51 on Okie State last year that also had a better D than Fresno or Washingon this year. We were very streaky last year, and I'd say we're probably going to be the same this year.

 

Ohio State really hasn't played anyone. They lost to Miami who has the #53 ranked offense giving up 24 points. They lost to Michigan State only giving up 10 points, but Michigan State's offense is not good coming in at #62. They gave up 17 points to the #93 ranked CU offense. I'd say the jury is definitely out on Ohio State's D. Let's see where their #17 ranked D lands after they play Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

 

I want to believe in our OL. I really do. However, those were some pretty glaring stats halfway through the third quarter against Ohio State running the football. We have some great playmakers on offense. I get disgusted watching our skill players hit time and time again behind the line of scrimmage because an OL missed his block. I will give the OL credit. The one who gets blown up and misses the block is usually the first one there to help up Burkhead, Martinez, etc. after they get tackled for a loss.

 

I don't know where you get the losses to Fresno, Washington, OSU, and Wisconsin come from. We dominated Washington last year in Washington. Their D this year is just as poor as last year. Fresno's D is about as bad as you can get. There's only seven D's worse than Fresno State and our offense struggled a big part of the game against them. Last year's offense put 31 up against Mizzou who had a better D than Ohio State this year. We lose to Wisconsin no matter if we use this year's offense or last year's.

[EZ-E]

I guess I must be missing something because I'm not seeing this great offense that others seem to be seeing. What I'm seeing is a lot more of the same as last year. The playmakers are there, but poor OL is definitely holding this offense back. Fresno State who's D ranks in the triple digits didn't have much problem with our stellar offense for nealy three quarters.

 

We don't score anywhere near 34 on tOSU with last year's offense. With last year's offense we are no better than 2-4 with losses to that Fresno team, Washington, tOSU, and Wiscy.

 

I will give it to you that you should never ever have true freshmen or even redshirt freshman starting on your OL, but they have done very, very well compared to what my expectations were in the middle of the summer.

 

Last year, we put up 31 on Mizzou and completely dominated them. Their total D ranking at the end of the year was #6. This year, we put up 17 against Wisconsin who's D comes in at #4 and we were completely dominated. We put up 48 on KState last year. Their total D ranking at the end of the year was much better than Fresno's triple digit D ranking this year. We put up 51 on Okie State last year that also had a better D than Fresno or Washingon this year. We were very streaky last year, and I'd say we're probably going to be the same this year.

 

Ohio State really hasn't played anyone. They lost to Miami who has the #53 ranked offense giving up 24 points. They lost to Michigan State only giving up 10 points, but Michigan State's offense is not good coming in at #62. They gave up 17 points to the #93 ranked CU offense. I'd say the jury is definitely out on Ohio State's D. Let's see where their #17 ranked D lands after they play Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

 

I want to believe in our OL. I really do. However, those were some pretty glaring stats halfway through the third quarter against Ohio State running the football. We have some great playmakers on offense. I get disgusted watching our skill players hit time and time again behind the line of scrimmage because an OL missed his block. I will give the OL credit. The one who gets blown up and misses the block is usually the first one there to help up Burkhead, Martinez, etc. after they get tackled for a loss.

 

I don't know where you get the losses to Fresno, Washington, OSU, and Wisconsin come from. We dominated Washington last year in Washington. Their D this year is just as poor as last year. Fresno's D is about as bad as you can get. There's only seven D's worse than Fresno State and our offense struggled a big part of the game against them. Last year's offense put 31 up against Mizzou who had a better D than Ohio State this year. We lose to Wisconsin no matter if we use this year's offense or last year's.

 

To all who may read this ask yourself:

 

Trailing at halftime, with last year's offense do we beat Fresno State? With last year's offense do we muster a 21 point comeback? With last year's offense (and last year's offensive coordinator) do we really put up that many points on Washington?

 

Again, if you read the original post my claim is that Tim Beck calls games seeing the big picture. Every play has a purpose and sets up another later in the game. So teams may be able to contain us for a half of football, but not four quarters.

[Danimal]

This is Beck's first year running a major-college O and we are running a new scheme. There will be missteps and growing-pains, but I like what I'm seeing. This O will just get better as the season progresses and should be doing SERIOUS damage next season.

[bshirt]

I think EZ-E nails it. Beck is an awesome hire that gives us what we haven't had in a long, long time. Major, major kudos also to Fisher (sp?) too as the wrs are a truly VAST improvement over the last couple of years.

 

This offense is gonna get down-right scary.

 

GBR!!

[Treand3]

The WR play has improved considerably this year and I'm very pleased with their play.

[Pedro Guerrero]

Beck has shown that he and the offensive staff are willing to make adjustments at halftime which is huge.

He is far from a “chess master” or whatever was thrown out there though. He has had too many throw away drives or quarters or halves this year to be called a “master” of anything.

I do agree with Martinez #1 fan though; the Fisher hire is definitely paying off. The WR play has been light years better then where it was under Gilmore.

As far as the defense goes, if it wasn’t for David this unit would be just like everyone we had under Cosgrove. Our LB’s are slow to react and out of position and the CB’s play 80 yards off the line and basically give up a first down whenever. Just like the Coz/Elmo defenses.

[Blackshirt96]

The WR play has improved considerably this year and I'm very pleased with their play.

 

Yeah its amazing how much better you look when you actually catch the ball. I still have no clue how Ted Gilmore found another job. Maybe it was part of USC's NCAA Sanctions. 4yr bowl ban, loss of 20 scholly's & Ted Gilmore must be your WR's Coach.

[Treand3]

The WR play has improved considerably this year and I'm very pleased with their play.

 

Yeah its amazing how much better you look when you actually catch the ball. I still have no clue how Ted Gilmore found another job. Maybe it was part of USC's NCAA Sanctions. 4yr bowl ban, loss of 20 scholly's & Ted Gilmore must be your WR's Coach.

 

Yes a WR priority is to make catches and any blocking is a bonus. I do agree that if USC wasn't in a rough spot, Gilmore would not have a position there of all places.

[junior4949]

I guess I must be missing something because I'm not seeing this great offense that others seem to be seeing. What I'm seeing is a lot more of the same as last year. The playmakers are there, but poor OL is definitely holding this offense back. Fresno State who's D ranks in the triple digits didn't have much problem with our stellar offense for nealy three quarters.

 

We don't score anywhere near 34 on tOSU with last year's offense. With last year's offense we are no better than 2-4 with losses to that Fresno team, Washington, tOSU, and Wiscy.

 

I will give it to you that you should never ever have true freshmen or even redshirt freshman starting on your OL, but they have done very, very well compared to what my expectations were in the middle of the summer.

 

Last year, we put up 31 on Mizzou and completely dominated them. Their total D ranking at the end of the year was #6. This year, we put up 17 against Wisconsin who's D comes in at #4 and we were completely dominated. We put up 48 on KState last year. Their total D ranking at the end of the year was much better than Fresno's triple digit D ranking this year. We put up 51 on Okie State last year that also had a better D than Fresno or Washingon this year. We were very streaky last year, and I'd say we're probably going to be the same this year.

 

Ohio State really hasn't played anyone. They lost to Miami who has the #53 ranked offense giving up 24 points. They lost to Michigan State only giving up 10 points, but Michigan State's offense is not good coming in at #62. They gave up 17 points to the #93 ranked CU offense. I'd say the jury is definitely out on Ohio State's D. Let's see where their #17 ranked D lands after they play Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

 

I want to believe in our OL. I really do. However, those were some pretty glaring stats halfway through the third quarter against Ohio State running the football. We have some great playmakers on offense. I get disgusted watching our skill players hit time and time again behind the line of scrimmage because an OL missed his block. I will give the OL credit. The one who gets blown up and misses the block is usually the first one there to help up Burkhead, Martinez, etc. after they get tackled for a loss.

 

I don't know where you get the losses to Fresno, Washington, OSU, and Wisconsin come from. We dominated Washington last year in Washington. Their D this year is just as poor as last year. Fresno's D is about as bad as you can get. There's only seven D's worse than Fresno State and our offense struggled a big part of the game against them. Last year's offense put 31 up against Mizzou who had a better D than Ohio State this year. We lose to Wisconsin no matter if we use this year's offense or last year's.

 

To all who may read this ask yourself:

 

Trailing at halftime, with last year's offense do we beat Fresno State? With last year's offense do we muster a 21 point comeback? With last year's offense (and last year's offensive coordinator) do we really put up that many points on Washington?

 

Again, if you read the original post my claim is that Tim Beck calls games seeing the big picture. Every play has a purpose and sets up another later in the game. So teams may be able to contain us for a half of football, but not four quarters.

 

I think you've changed the topic here. I'm not arguing at all about Tim Beck being better than Watson. My argument stops at the OL. Do I think the OL is better than last year? No, I do not. This offense can be great, but the OL is definitely holding it back. Last year, we had complete games where the OL dominated the line of scrimmage. This year, we had a couple of quarters in games where the OL dominated the line of scrimmage. We definitely have some exciting players on the offensive side of the ball. The WR play is a lot better than last year. Burkhead is solid as a rock, and we have some very talented RB's behind him. Beck is between a rock and a hard place which is why I think the Wisconsin game got so out of hand. Watson always or for he most part had a great defense to fall on. Beck doesn't which is why we have to get into shootouts. Last year, we would have been able to keep the Wisconsin game close. I'm not saying we win it, but it definitely would have been a lot closer than this year. I don't think we have a talent issue at all even on the OL. It's just the mental errors. It seems like almost every play at least one of the OL misses their assignment.

[The Dude]

To all who may read this ask yourself:

 

Trailing at halftime, with last year's offense do we beat Fresno State?

Probably.

 

With last year's offense do we muster a 21 point comeback?

No.

 

With last year's offense (and last year's offensive coordinator) do we really put up that many points on Washington?

No. We put up more actually.

 

[RedDenver]

With last year's offense (and last year's offensive coordinator) do we really put up that many points on Washington?

No. We put up more actually.

I have a hard time believing that. While we did manage 56 the first time, we only had 7 the second time. UW had already seen the few plays that worked last year, so I doubt we put up more than 30 on them with Watson as the OC.

[Hercules]

I've been very happy with Beck so far, but I do think this thread is being a little hard on Watson. I was a critic of Watson, and I am happier with Beck at OC - I like his playcalling more and I like his scheme more. With that said, last year's offense was pretty dominant (maybe even more so than this year's offense) until Taylor got hurt. Thankfully, Beck hasn't had to deal with that kind of issue yet.