It boils down to schematic identity. The issue with tailoring an offense to meet the strengths of a QB.
When you go from a QB whom possess(ed) a skill set capable of opening the offense with his athleticism to a QB who neither possess said athleticism or the ability to make defenses pay with his arm or accuracy, then you have a problem.
Obviously first being QB. I love JB for the Buckeye he is. However Krenzel far and away was a more capable QB for his 'limited' skill set. JB doesn't have much pocket presence and feel for pressure. Little idea of timing. (young WR's do not help his cause.) Its a lose-lose.
Next is scheme. Are we a power run team that moves off of play action? We utilized spread/space formations & concepts. We've integrated the TE in our passing attack as well as HB/WR (Hall, Ginn) in multiple positions and alignments. We have had no true dedication to either. That said. This team has had a bulk of success being balanced in all concepts. Athleticism at QB was rather necessary during those times (Pryor, early years Troy and even Krenzel)
We know our offense will be based on the run game. Be it from your standard shotgun, pistol, under center I or single back. Last years unit may have been tailored around Terrelle, but Boom (and Saine, Hall Berry) were one of the main cogs.
Its clear we require Boom & Hall for this offense to run (no pun intended)...
I was.... disgusted, with the inability to find WR's last night off of play action even though our RB's were productive (damn near 10ypc last night at one point for Jordan) and our Oline was standing tall. One half is youth & inexperience. The other is incapability & hesitation. Both may be a lesser evil - I however side with youth & inexperience should I continue to push forward.
The play calling was pedestrian. Part of that I can understand. However if we are so ready to use the excuse that this offense was 'developed' for Pryor - we've long known of his suspensions. They're should have been sufficient preparation and packages/tweaks in the meantime to adjust for personnel. IF* that has been done (more of a traditional power run game suggests so) then it again falls to incapability & hesitation.
Fact is. Wisconsin has an offense they run. No deviation. They've mastered it and (last years example) its a total bitch to stop. Their QB's are the same every year. Game managers. Pocket passers - no turnovers. Revolves around beef Olines and badass running. Identity. It starts with recruiting those kids. Now they have Russell Wilson. Looks like he got plugged into their system just fine. That being said I'm sure it also helps with how... 'little' they ask of their QB's.
USC: Pro style passing. Under center, maybe some shotgun. Primo talent at QB. But the offense isn't tailored for a pocket passer, then next year a scrambler. They recruit "their" type of QB, O line, RB... etc etc. Fits their coaching staff.
I could use more schools as examples but I'd hope you get the idea. I love having multiple sets for our offense. Makes it hard to prepare for. Even at the highest levels of play (Patriots) However its something all their QB's are given with few wrinkles.
Bottom line. Offensive deviation or not - it isn't working. Not until we have a good to great QB under center. Hasn't worked with an average QB since...01' 02? (excluding 03 due to RB production) Yet Maryland came out with great tenacity and a good gameplan and put up points on this team.
We get talent. Scouts know it, our fans know it, ESPiN knows it... Yet sometimes our play still baffles the living shit out of us.
I'll withhold comments on coach Bollman. O line gave me what I wanted to see though - some nasty play.