Most of the hot takes about our offense are wrong

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Win the next game and all the boo birds go back into hibernation....
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Good breakdown, thanks.
On another note I’m so over the ticky-tack bull**** we get flagged for. Toney’s and CiCi’s flags could have easily been a quick “hey, no more of that” and then the blatant PI on Becks first int was like the official was too caught up in the pick to pay attention.
Honestly if a 5-9 WR that’s supposed to be in high school pancakes a kid, the ref should have stood over the kid himself and said “you got knocked the **** out”

Throwing a flag is embarrassing
 
It’s not that you run the ball, it’s where and how you run the ball. We ran one sweep in that game. It was a TD. We rarely run out any stretch formation. Also when you get behind bec of a penalty your next play can’t be an A gap run in a bunch formation. 3 and 2 ok but not 1st or 2nd and 10+ yards. 3rd and 6+ in this O are killers. Esp with a qb who wants to air it out.
 
You’re saying play someone else or just play no tight end?
Both. More WR sets to spread the defense out and at least clear space for the RB checkdowns, which Beck has to do a better job of taking.

The number of times I’ve seen Lofton/Bauman miss or get blown up on blocks, coupled with the number of times I’ve seen them run totally ineffective short routes that get easily covered with minimal effort makes them useless out there.
 
I wonder if opposing defenses predetermine how they line up based on how we lineup.
If tight formation, instant check by defense to take out inside runs.
If using 3 wide, watch for the screen and bracket Toney.

It’s going to be an uphill climb if we don’t do anything to change those tendencies. That’s where penalties creep in too imo. Frustration.
 
All the talk since our game has placed blame on Dawson and Mario and caveman football. Too predictable running every first down, conservative etc…


But let’s review the actual tape.

Drive 1: Drive started off passing. Play 2 was an unsportsmanlike penalty from Cici which killed the drive. Play 3 another pass and then punt

Drive 2: 1st down deep shot for 30 yards. Next 1st down, another deep shot for 39 and now we’re in a goal line situation where pound it in. But so far the only 1st down we’ve ran on was a 1st n goal.

Drive 3: Start backed inside our own 10. We run the ball for 6 on 1st down, but again another drive killed by an unsportsmanlike penalty. Try another run for minimal gain. Then on 2nd down Beck hits a pass for a 1st down at our 18. We pass again on 1st except this time Beck throws it to the Louisville. So this drive where we started inside our own 10 we did come out running, and would’ve been successful if it wasn’t for a dumb penalty. And then Beck giving it away.

Drive 4: Again starting inside our own 10. Again a drive where we started 1st down another penalty from Bell on a false start making it 1st n long. 1st down it’s a 14 yard pass from Beck followed by a 12 yard 2nd down run. We then run on first down for 0. Then again Beck threw the ball to the wrong team

Drive 5: Passed on 1st down. Then another penalty set us back. Passed again on 2nd for 61. Another first and goal. We run on 1st for nothing followed by 2 failed pass attempts.

But overall on our 10 first downs, we passed 60% of the time. And of the 4 times we ran it on 1st, 2 were first n goal inside their 10. And one was first down inside ours.

We only scored 10 points the 1st half. Because 2 of our 5 drives Beck made bad throws and because penalties kept killing our drives.

The 2nd half was even more lopsided in terms of throwing on 1st down.

Now I do have some questions about some our sets. Lville knew we wanted to throw screens out of those trip sets . And I do have some questions about what value our TEs are bringing. Lofton and Bauman play a lot of snaps, they had 2 catches for 18 yards. And unlike guys like Cam they don’t seem to particularly effective blockers.

Maybe time for more 4 man sets with Moore or Tony Johnson. But we’ve also seen multiple times Lofton or someone open on a check down and Beck not looking for it. Which is ultimately the issue. If we can’t stop the dumb penalties and Beck can’t make it through his progressions before forcing passes to CJ or Toney, we’re screwed.

Didn’t read all that. It came down to penalties and Miami couldn’t run the ball. The running game has been pathetic the last two games, the scheme or OL is overrated. I’ll let you decide.
 
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All the talk since our game has placed blame on Dawson and Mario and caveman football. Too predictable running every first down, conservative etc…


But let’s review the actual tape.

Drive 1: Drive started off passing. Play 2 was an unsportsmanlike penalty from Cici which killed the drive. Play 3 another pass and then punt

Drive 2: 1st down deep shot for 30 yards. Next 1st down, another deep shot for 39 and now we’re in a goal line situation where pound it in. But so far the only 1st down we’ve ran on was a 1st n goal.

Drive 3: Start backed inside our own 10. We run the ball for 6 on 1st down, but again another drive killed by an unsportsmanlike penalty. Try another run for minimal gain. Then on 2nd down Beck hits a pass for a 1st down at our 18. We pass again on 1st except this time Beck throws it to the Louisville. So this drive where we started inside our own 10 we did come out running, and would’ve been successful if it wasn’t for a dumb penalty. And then Beck giving it away.

Drive 4: Again starting inside our own 10. Again a drive where we started 1st down another penalty from Bell on a false start making it 1st n long. 1st down it’s a 14 yard pass from Beck followed by a 12 yard 2nd down run. We then run on first down for 0. Then again Beck threw the ball to the wrong team

Drive 5: Passed on 1st down. Then another penalty set us back. Passed again on 2nd for 61. Another first and goal. We run on 1st for nothing followed by 2 failed pass attempts.

But overall on our 10 first downs, we passed 60% of the time. And of the 4 times we ran it on 1st, 2 were first n goal inside their 10. And one was first down inside ours.

We only scored 10 points the 1st half. Because 2 of our 5 drives Beck made bad throws and because penalties kept killing our drives.

The 2nd half was even more lopsided in terms of throwing on 1st down.

Now I do have some questions about some our sets. Lville knew we wanted to throw screens out of those trip sets . And I do have some questions about what value our TEs are bringing. Lofton and Bauman play a lot of snaps, they had 2 catches for 18 yards. And unlike guys like Cam they don’t seem to particularly effective blockers.

Maybe time for more 4 man sets with Moore or Tony Johnson. But we’ve also seen multiple times Lofton or someone open on a check down and Beck not looking for it. Which is ultimately the issue. If we can’t stop the dumb penalties and Beck can’t make it through his progressions before forcing passes to CJ or Toney, we’re screwed.
I don't think people including myself have a problem with the amount of running, it's the same run play call over and over again.

The only change is pulling a guard to the right side, if it isn't right side duo call.
 
Less stupid penalties
Just a little variety in the run game
Good beck (doesn't even have to be the best Beck), taking some easy yardage when it's there

Will be enough for the playoffs imo…Then we probably lose at some point there. But our defense is pretty **** good this year, our punting/kicking game have been good, and SMU and Pitt our decent teams but not anything special although Pitt can continue to improve being QB is in like 3rd or 4th start. .

The second two should be easy, as basically I'm only asking for 5-7 non-dive running plays per game and a couple here and there out of non-bunch or non-tight formations. And Beck has been plenty good at times this year and probably has made as many big time clutch throws against good competition as anyone in CFB at the moment. The stupid penalties are a long-time CMC/All Coach Miami Hurricanes theme. So I think that may be asking a bit much lol.
 
Less stupid penalties
Just a little variety in the run game
Good beck (doesn't even have to be the best Beck), taking some easy yardage when it's there

The second two should be easy, as basically I'm only asking for 5-7 non-dive running plays per game. And Beck has been plenty good at times this year and probably has made as many big time clutch throws against good competition as anyone in CFB at the moment. The stupid penalties are a long-timer CMC/Miami Hurricanes theme. So I think that may be asking a bit much lol.
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I ******* hate it when our formation brings the entire defense into the box..and then we run right into it. It's maddening and predictable. If you have an advantage on the line vs the dline why bring all their guys into the box? Spread them out an give your rb a chance to run into something other than a wall of bodies. I'm just barely above a box of rocks and even I can tell what play is coming.
 
It’s not that you run the ball, it’s where and how you run the ball. We ran one sweep in that game. It was a TD. We rarely run out any stretch formation. Also when you get behind bec of a penalty your next play can’t be an A gap run in a bunch formation. 3 and 2 ok but not 1st or 2nd and 10+ yards. 3rd and 6+ in this O are killers. Esp with a qb who wants to air it out.
Elite coaches scheme to playmakers in one on one positions to force that one defender to make the play or watch it blow up into a big one

I have zero clue why Dawson hold on to these plays for dear life… he’s shown he has some very creative wrinkles but he has been so bland
 
1. Penalties. It's not the false starts, so much as the timing of them. eg. Samson. It's also the unsportsman calls....those are killers. I thought the one on Mali was beyond ridiculous. Players gotta know that we are The U and will always be put under a microscope with the refs.

2. Running game. Anyone on here old enough to remember the Joe Gibbs' Redskins teams of the 80's and 90's? They ran the counter trey over and over and over. As a former lineman, I thought it was glorious to see Joe Jacoby and Russ Grimm coming around the corner to pave the road for Riggins, George Rodgers, or Timmy stinkin Smith. I'm ok with some dives in the A gap, but why are we not mixing in plays like the counter trey? We ran ONE jet sweep and voila, TD. Then never ran it again. Don't want to pull the backsif G and T? Fine, how about a good old fashioned trap play into the B gap or C gap? Part of being a great team is adding wrinkles and new things to throw off the opponent's defense....you know, like Brohm did to us?
 
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All the talk since our game has placed blame on Dawson and Mario and caveman football. Too predictable running every first down, conservative etc…


But let’s review the actual tape.

Drive 1: Drive started off passing. Play 2 was an unsportsmanlike penalty from Cici which killed the drive. Play 3 another pass and then punt

Drive 2: 1st down deep shot for 30 yards. Next 1st down, another deep shot for 39 and now we’re in a goal line situation where pound it in. But so far the only 1st down we’ve ran on was a 1st n goal.

Drive 3: Start backed inside our own 10. We run the ball for 6 on 1st down, but again another drive killed by an unsportsmanlike penalty. Try another run for minimal gain. Then on 2nd down Beck hits a pass for a 1st down at our 18. We pass again on 1st except this time Beck throws it to the Louisville. So this drive where we started inside our own 10 we did come out running, and would’ve been successful if it wasn’t for a dumb penalty. And then Beck giving it away.

Drive 4: Again starting inside our own 10. Again a drive where we started 1st down another penalty from Bell on a false start making it 1st n long. 1st down it’s a 14 yard pass from Beck followed by a 12 yard 2nd down run. We then run on first down for 0. Then again Beck threw the ball to the wrong team

Drive 5: Passed on 1st down. Then another penalty set us back. Passed again on 2nd for 61. Another first and goal. We run on 1st for nothing followed by 2 failed pass attempts.

But overall on our 10 first downs, we passed 60% of the time. And of the 4 times we ran it on 1st, 2 were first n goal inside their 10. And one was first down inside ours.

We only scored 10 points the 1st half. Because 2 of our 5 drives Beck made bad throws and because penalties kept killing our drives.

The 2nd half was even more lopsided in terms of throwing on 1st down.

Now I do have some questions about some our sets. Lville knew we wanted to throw screens out of those trip sets . And I do have some questions about what value our TEs are bringing. Lofton and Bauman play a lot of snaps, they had 2 catches for 18 yards. And unlike guys like Cam they don’t seem to particularly effective blockers.

Maybe time for more 4 man sets with Moore or Tony Johnson. But we’ve also seen multiple times Lofton or someone open on a check down and Beck not looking for it. Which is ultimately the issue. If we can’t stop the dumb penalties and Beck can’t make it through his progressions before forcing passes to CJ or Toney, we’re screwed.
Wait how dare you actually do an analysis with facts

You’re fired. Go join Billy.
 
Here’s what I don’t understand…

We (like many programs) apparently have a bunch of analysts and a coaching staff paid a bunch of money. They work day and night, chart everything, “self-scout.” Lots of jobs and money on the line. Not to mention ego, pride, competitiveness, all that. By all accounts, we have all that going on just like most programs of our stature.

Some of the criticism (not just from us plebs on CIS, but also some ball knowers) is pretty straightforward stuff. Things that would seem obvious on a cursory review, let alone a deep dive of the type apparently conducted regularly within the program. We’re not talking about reinventing the wheel.

Instead it’s things like try not to be in the 100s in penalties every year. Throw in some tendency breakers. Use some variety (different run gaps, play action, **** even some wildcat if you want to get fancy). And hey, maybe implement these things as a matter of course and development. You know, before rather than after you lose because you failed to do it. Heck, maybe even take advantage of a bye week…or two. Let alone an offseason or spring.

In other words, be proactive. Anticipate. Play chess not checkers.

But it seems our answer is WORK HARDER and EXECUTE BETTER. That’s a pretty low-level analysis and strategy, no? We can do both of those things while also adapting and evolving. They aren’t mutually exclusive.

I get it if our HC is “built that way” or maybe his philosophy is meathead-ish. But there’s an entire program involved. And there’s historical data.

What’s the problem, really? It can’t be that everyone is dumb…can it? I just don’t get the same **** over and over.

Or maybe I’m a prisoner of the moment. Just overreacting.
 
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I point this out after every game. Good luck. This board decided that Mario is a caveman who only wants to run the ball, and they're going to stick with that narrative even when we lose because of four interceptions.

The problem isn’t always running the ball, the problem has always been the kinds of of runs he/dawson/mirabal prefer. Dives down the middle that now are starting to go nowhere since teams are keying in on it. I don’t mind running the ball, but when they don’t go anywhere because they’re too predictable, and you don’t have a prolific passing game to hide that deficiency… that’s when you start to have problems….

Someone put a stat up earlier. 59% of the run game is run between the A & B gap. If that’s the strength of the Oline and running game, fine… but you need to start disguising it, because teams are starting to figure you out.

Not asking for a wholesale change, but do something that benefits your cause. You have to be able to adapt, or you fall behind.
 
A flaw in the original post is that it focuses on whether we ran or passed. I dont think anybody has any issues about being a run oriented offense. We can run 70% of the time and I wouldnt care.....if it was effective.

But the last two games we are averaging under 3 yards a carry. It has not been effective and that is the problem. The run game is not effective because of tight formations constantly, predictability, and lack of space.

There is not a single play in all of football that is effective when the other team knows what you are going to do. Thats why sign stealing has gotten so much attention lately.

Well, we dont need our signs stolen. We are just stubbornly predictable and that makes it so much harder to be effective...even with a talent advantage.

That is the main issue everyone has. Not whether we run it a lot more than pass it. With this oline and qb, we SHOULD be running it more than passing. But dammit, it doesnt need to be the same run play everytime.
people are being disengenious in their arguments regarding this. theyre trying to claim we hate running the ball. no, we like good offense. whether its run or pass. the other team knows when and how we are running. we need to change up how we look pre snap even if were running the same sets.
 
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