2018 tOSU Offense Discussion

[pnuts34]

So last year teams stacked the box and dared us to throw. This year they’re stacking it to dare us to run. I like the West coast style with our talent. Maybe we can’t impose our will with our current offensive line, but we should be able to dictate the play calling. I still would like to see us get away from the zone read, lateral runs and delay handoffs.

Yea this. Bring back the unbalanced looks with TE cleaning out the back end pursuit. The constraint on those unbalanced looks are screens and jet sweep -- the screens would fit in perfect with this WR group and Haskins.

Agree with you both. I'd like to see some Pistol formations mixed in, and some single back formations. It is certainly possible to effectively run out of the shotgun, but for God sakes mix it up with your looks. Especially against better competition that you can't just maul and roll over. Screens put blitzing defenses on their heels and open up the deep ball. But we still have one of the best pure passers in CFB on our team, there should be few complaints to have.

 

[inliner311]

Really need the coaches to evolve the offense. Too much talent to not be able to impose our will. Time to put the zone read in the rear view mirror..

I'd like to see more two back sets with Dobbins taking up some of the running, jet sweeps, and screen duties that the hybrids use to have. Weber and Dobbins are two of our best playmakers, they need to be on the field together more, like Curtis Samuel and Zeke were.

It will only help the team to expand the running game and plays that stretch the field horizontally. If Haskins and the WRs are clicking the field will stretch vertically but if it isn't we need something to hang our hat on.

My biggest gripe since 2016 is how our QBs have gotten the ball to WRs/RBs with screens. They always make the player turn 90-180 degrees to catch the ball. Before they use to make a point of leading the receiver so they could catch the ball in stride and have a head of steam to hit the open space.

 

[JohnnyCockfight]

Can anyone who knows football better than me (almost all of you) explain to me why we can't line Haskins up under the center on 3rd- and 4th- and short to go so that we are not starting 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage in an obvious run situation? Like, on 4th and inches, why can't Haskins line up under center and push forward behind the offensive linemen (and get pushed from behind by the running back)?

 

[buckeyebri]

Can anyone who knows football better than me (almost all of you) explain to me why we can't line Haskins up under the center on 3rd- and 4th- and short to go so that we are not starting 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage in an obvious run situation? Like, on 4th and inches, why can't Haskins line up under center and push forward behind the offensive linemen (and get pushed from behind by the running back)?

I’ll take “Questions inquiring Buckeye fans want answers to” for $1000 Alex

 

[inliner311]

Can anyone who knows football better than me (almost all of you) explain to me why we can't line Haskins up under the center on 3rd- and 4th- and short to go so that we are not starting 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage in an obvious run situation? Like, on 4th and inches, why can't Haskins line up under center and push forward behind the offensive linemen (and get pushed from behind by the running back)?

Going under center isn't really a part of the offense. I think they need to incorporate it more for those short yardage situations. It's just that we can't run much else out of the formation. Our TEs are not use to blocking on the O-line and I don't think we have a full back on the roster. We also don't have the go to receivers to just put two of them on the outside to have passing plays.

If it's just for 3rd/4th and short, how much practice time do we want to set aside for it and how comfortable can the offense get running it if it's only for that situation.

 

[Jaxbuck]

Going under center isn't really a part of the offense. I think they need to incorporate it more for those short yardage situations. It's just that we can't run much else out of the formation. Our TEs are not use to blocking on the O-line and I don't think we have a full back on the roster. We also don't have the go to receivers to just put two of them on the outside to have passing plays.

If it's just for 3rd/4th and short, how much practice time do we want to set aside for it and how comfortable can the offense get running it if it's only for that situation.

agreed

On that 4th and 1 where Haskins was stuffed, both TE's were beaten badly. Farrell on the backside and Berry just whiffed on the front side. If they make those blocks the OL gets that yard easily, even when PSU knew what was coming.

As far as defenses stacking the box and daring OSU to run I think it's more accurate to say they are stacking to stop the run and daring OSU to execute against increased pressure and multiple coverages. The first 4 opponents made the mistake of using the typical philosophy of stop the run, keep everything in front of you and make them work down the field. Haskins and company proved they can do that.

Now it will be a bunch of high risk/high reward blitz packages. I would guess the offense might start to look like vintage 2013 where they start clicking and look unstoppable in spurts but then have 2-3 series in a row where they do nothing.

It will really come down to how good they get at identifying the pressure and making the right adjustments. There are many different tactical ways you can turn the short passing game into your running game when you don't have a running QB. I say that because coaches have a saying that they can take away your primary "thing", they can also take away your secondary thing but they can't take it all away. Well, taking away the run, then being good enough to bottle up the short passing game leaves the deep game. Haskins can absolutely hurt you with that.

 

[inliner311]

agreed

On that 4th and 1 where Haskins was stuffed, both TE's were beaten badly. Farrell on the backside and Berry just whiffed on the front side. If they make those blocks the OL gets that yard easily, even when PSU knew what was coming.

As far as defenses stacking the box and daring OSU to run I think it's more accurate to say they are stacking to stop the run and daring OSU to execute against increased pressure and multiple coverages. The first 4 opponents made the mistake of using the typical philosophy of stop the run, keep everything in front of you and make them work down the field. Haskins and company proved they can do that.

Now it will be a bunch of high risk/high reward blitz packages. I would guess the offense might start to look like vintage 2013 where they start clicking and look unstoppable in spurts but then have 2-3 series in a row where they do nothing.

It will really come down to how good they get at identifying the pressure and making the right adjustments. There are many different tactical ways you can turn the short passing game into your running game when you don't have a running QB. I say that because coaches have a saying that they can take away your primary "thing", they can also take away your secondary thing but they can't take it all away. Well, taking away the run, then being good enough to bottle up the short passing game leaves the deep game. Haskins can absolutely hurt you with that.

I also think the solution to those short yardage situations might actually be to have two guys that can run the wildcat. The hybrid and RB on the field can run the read option, Haskins can go out wide. No personnel changes and we can catch teams off guard like JT use to.

The only problem is with all the rotations with the WRs and RBs there is no one constant player on the field to be the wildcat QB. Dobbins and Weber swap series and there is no guarantee that KJ Hill or Campbell will be on the field. The coaching staff would have to up someone's snaps to make them a constant on the field.

 

[Jaxbuck]

I also think the solution to those short yardage situations might actually be to have two guys that can run the wildcat. The hybrid and RB on the field can run the read option, Haskins can go out wide. No personnel changes and we can catch teams off guard like JT use to.

The only problem is with all the rotations with the WRs and RBs there is no one constant player on the field to be the wildcat QB. Dobbins and Weber swap series and there is no guarantee that KJ Hill or Campbell will be on the field. The coaching staff would have to up someone's snaps to make them a constant on the field.

maybe. That's a lot like putting him under center though, it becomes a thing you have to practice.

I'd prefer to see the TE's block better or have him actually just keep the damn ball 1-2 times a game in a crucial spot like that. That PSU play was an abortion from the beginning because of the quick penetration from the guy #13 whiffed on but teams are selling out on the give, the keep/bootleg is there.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

I'm not entirely sure Berry was supposed to block that guy -- I think that he saw him crashing on the RB and new that Haskins would be keeping it, so he moved around and then took out a guy at the next level. That's the only thing I can figure because Berry went out of his way NOT to block the guy crashing.

 

[Ryan36_1]

Can anyone who knows football better than me (almost all of you) explain to me why we can't line Haskins up under the center on 3rd- and 4th- and short to go so that we are not starting 7 yards behind the line of scrimmage in an obvious run situation? Like, on 4th and inches, why can't Haskins line up under center and push forward behind the offensive linemen (and get pushed from behind by the running back)?

Even if the coaches wanted to put that in the playbook (history says they do not), I can't see it being a good look this year with personnel. Jordan is a first year center who as TCU game showed is still learning the position.

One of the big limitations in college game is the amount of coaching time that players get. It would take a significant amount of time for the staff to invest in getting the confidence needed to take the snap under center. My assumption is that the coaching staff feels the amount of time to needed to get to the level needed to run a sneak in a high pressure situation is better spent working on parts of the offense that we will see more often.

 

[woofermazing]

It feels like the running game has a lower floor than the past couple years. It's productive and we get explosive plays, but we get stuffed more often. Makes me think 4th and 1 should probably not be an automatic go for it when we are past the 50. We also need to be way more diverse with with the blocking schemes. They have been more varied than last year, but it's something that should keep progressing.

The coaches need to commit to using the screen game whenever we see a favorable look. We went away from it after taking the lead 14-13 even though Penn State was still blitzing the inside like mad. Our receivers and backs are insane after the catch. Can't pass up an opportunity to let them make a play.

 

[bukIpower]

agreed

On that 4th and 1 where Haskins was stuffed, both TE's were beaten badly. Farrell on the backside and Berry just whiffed on the front side. If they make those blocks the OL gets that yard easily, even when PSU knew what was coming.

As far as defenses stacking the box and daring OSU to run I think it's more accurate to say they are stacking to stop the run and daring OSU to execute against increased pressure and multiple coverages. The first 4 opponents made the mistake of using the typical philosophy of stop the run, keep everything in front of you and make them work down the field. Haskins and company proved they can do that.

Now it will be a bunch of high risk/high reward blitz packages. I would guess the offense might start to look like vintage 2013 where they start clicking and look unstoppable in spurts but then have 2-3 series in a row where they do nothing.

It will really come down to how good they get at identifying the pressure and making the right adjustments. There are many different tactical ways you can turn the short passing game into your running game when you don't have a running QB. I say that because coaches have a saying that they can take away your primary "thing", they can also take away your secondary thing but they can't take it all away. Well, taking away the run, then being good enough to bottle up the short passing game leaves the deep game. Haskins can absolutely hurt you with that.

If the TEs cant catch and get killed blocking why do we keep doing it. I always thought getting another WR out there was best because you can space the field out more. Spread them out and force them to unload the box. We need to do something to generate some rushing though or we wont survive a game or two.

 

[cjmik_75]

Maybe we can move a LB to FB to fix the run game...




I’ll show myself out.

 

[Jaxbuck]

If the TEs cant catch and get killed blocking why do we keep doing it. I always thought getting another WR out there was best because you can space the field out more. Spread them out and force them to unload the box. We need to do something to generate some rushing though or we wont survive a game or two.

I think that's a bit drastic.

You give up a running QB then there are trade offs. Chief one being that the passer has to be able to turn the short passing game into an extension of the running game. It is to be expected, or at least should have been expected to some degree. The next 4 games of the schedule are the time to keep improving on that.

Worth noting however that it isn't like Sparty who can't run at all, against anyone. The OSU run game is just fine given the shift away from the QB run threat. If they want to go from very good to elite then they just need to keep perfecting those quick passes and screens.

 

[Herb Kirkstreit]

Maybe we can move a LB to FB to fix the run game...




I’ll show myself out.

Sam Hubbard is doing it well for the Bengals! Put a big boy in there!