This was the first game I was able to watch from beginning to end this season. I usually like to focus on the play of the Big Uglies in the trenches. What I saw was head scratching to me because I though the Oline was supposed to be better. I saw the LG getting blown up into the backfield time and time again. Getting pushed into the backfield screws up the timing of the play and obviously causes the ball carrier having to adjust landmark and improvise which obviously didn't turn out well. To it looks like the blocking scheme once again relies on our guys to move defensive lineman by to straight up driver blocking. That ain't going to happen at this level. I don't know, maybe the coaches are holding back for the bigger dogs but I don't feel the OL play has improved. I didn't notice any pulling or cross blocks or double team the down guy into the LBers then peel off and chip? Maybe its me. Who knows. We should have been able to move the ball better then we were able to. On to Iowa but I don't have a confidence level we can win this one.
OL regression?
- Thread starter TheBigUglies
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Big Uglies I have not had a chance to go thru everything yet but, you are correct ,they very rarely pull or trap. They do try to double and get up on the LBers. You ave also correct the LG does seemto get blown up. On this play you see examples of both. the LG getting blown up, but the RG and C work a combo with the C and RG taking the NT and then the C works up to the LBer.
The OL looked better last year largely, IMO, due to some really good performance from the RBs (which has been pretty good this year too, notwithstanding the lack - thus far - of some really big time explosive runs, which may be at least partially attributed to less than outstanding downfield blocking, and maybe a little random bad luck) . No one on the OL has been playing at a really high level - they have tried to mix and match some guys from the 2nd team (Vega, Shelton, etc), thus far with mixed results.
I don't think they can continue to put up 30+ point performances against decent/good teams without significant stepping up from the OL. Time will tell.
I think in JB Nelson’s defense, he wasn’t supposed to be the starter. O-Line needs time to develop chemistry and instincts and I think we are seeing that. A key piece was removed and now the replacement is having trouble. I have no doubt he will improve.
JMO but I think we miss Brenton Strange more than we thought we would, especially his blocking.
The TE's had a rough day on Sat.
I agree, #4 is a man! and played like one. He blocked the FG in the first half, caused havoc for both G.
you are correct, they dont pull much, and as big as they are who would expect that, OTOH here is an example of LHS pulling around.
Juice Scruggs too. Losing a center taken in the second round may also lead to some gaps initially.
somehow we get away with not blocking #4 at all on this play, I think he thought he was going to get trapped, but PSU scored a TD anyway. Let it run and the endzone view is get.
Iowa's O is still brutally bad (their game against Iowa State - who lost to OHIO this weekend, scoring just 7 points) was a rock fight. Brutal offensive performaces on both sides. Pretty much the same vs Utah State and most of the game vs WMU.
That said, Parker does great work with that defense. If Iowa can avoid being overwhelmed early, a 20-10 type final score wouldn't be outside the realm (though if PSU scores a couple early, with as bad as Iowa's O is, PSU could roll big)
They read-optioned the DT a few times on Saturday... at least that is how it played out, I have to assume it was by design (not sure if I like that w Allar at QB - works better with a guy like Pribula). As I am sure you know, Moorhead used to do that on occasion as well.
It can be a nice change of pace, but I would rather see it with a McSorley/Pribula than with Allar.
maybe, but they werent reading that guy, that was a handoff for outside zone all the way, imo. But if they were, I think I'd rather read the DE and the DT especially that beast.
No one ever even tried to make a move to block #4, and Allar and #4 were staring each other down the entire time while Allar had the ball in Singleton's belly. (And the two receivers to the left of the formation were running their guys off to create space if Allar kept the ball) And Allar followed through with running the ball up through left tackle (faking running the ball... he actually, of course, had given to Singleton) - which drew the Illini #10, the safety, to charge up into that hole - which allowed Singleton to walk in untouched.
If they were not optioning #4 on purpose, several guys completely mis-executed the play. (I'd bet Dollars to Donuts it was a designed read - and it was not the only time they did it). That said, except for when Pribula is out there, I might not want that near the top of the playsheet.
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Nick looks like he's waiting for holes to open instead of blasting through like his TD. Katron gets through and ad-libs.
The drops by Malik were drive killers along with the personal fouls, changes down and distance and play selection.
The safeties are playing the long ball and as everyone here sees the LOS is jammed with defenders, i'm sure Iowa will play us similarly as they have always done, i don't think their NT is comparable to what the Illini had.
The drops by Malik were drive killers along with the personal fouls, changes down and distance and play selection.
The safeties are playing the long ball and as everyone here sees the LOS is jammed with defenders, i'm sure Iowa will play us similarly as they have always done, i don't think their NT is comparable to what the Illini had.
#4 was the best player on the field Saturday but it seems that the staff would have made adjustments to deal with him. Like having Allar roll out, screen passes, etc.
1st and goal from the 2 yd line was horrible
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#4 was good. But, that was evident early on and I don’t recall giving the OG any help on pass pro.
That’s what puzzled me.
OL
Thanks all. I guess the word regression may be too harsh as I understand that these guys are still learning to play together and will make mistakes. However, one would think 3 games in we should be better then week 1 and it felt like we took a step backward with the running game. It does seem that we are more effective running the ball when we are pulling lineman and/or blocking angles instead of straight trying to muscle d-lineman and get a surge. That is the other thing, either it is the scheme or the players, but usually with an OLine you like to see a surge off the LOS, but it always seems there is a Defensive player in the backfield due to missed or poorly executed block. Never really notice a surge from the OLine and will have to look again.
Illinois did most of their pass rush damage sending a fifth guy (which makes it tougher to help out).
I know Iowa doesn't like to send an extra rusher very often - but I surely would against PSU. Allar is VERY good when he has a clean pocket - even when the D is dropping 7 or 8. Like most guys, a lot less effective when he has to rush things.
PSU was able to create some big plays downfield against truly horrible pass defenses, when they tried to pressure Allar. Couldn't do it against Illinois (and really, only had one really good chance - which Allar didn't see - early on in the game)
Iowa may benefit by coming out of their comfort zone a bit on D, and rolling the dice that PSU's Wideouts and TEs won't be able to make them pay in big chunks. But that isn't really Iowa's MO.
My 2 cents Caedan Wallace looked terrible. I thought we read that he improved?
I think expectations were higher than they should have been based on circumstances.
LT - Olu returned, but he just now has a season's full of starts under his belt.
LG - Tengwall medically out nixed a starter. Last years primary #2 is at C. Rotating through guys here, but it's early.
C - Nourzad is ok. Scruggs was just better.
RG - Wormley is experienced, but probably doesn't have an NFL future.
RT - Wallace also experienced, but he's a G all the way to me.
Shelton and Vega coming in seemed to stabilize these groups, but I felt like this was a glorified practice at times. We checked into runs more than we checked out of them vs heavy boxes. No rollout. No misdirection. Singleton could have caught 10 passes if targeted more. KLS never went deep. No PA max protects to attack down field.
The team had a lot of misfires. Allen dropped a TD. Allar overthrew Johnson on a TD. McClain dropped 2 or 3 passes. I thought we should have shifted out of the T to the 5 Wide look after Illinois called time out to go big on the goal line.
We were about 40% efficient and still up 30-7 instead of 45-7.
LT - Olu returned, but he just now has a season's full of starts under his belt.
LG - Tengwall medically out nixed a starter. Last years primary #2 is at C. Rotating through guys here, but it's early.
C - Nourzad is ok. Scruggs was just better.
RG - Wormley is experienced, but probably doesn't have an NFL future.
RT - Wallace also experienced, but he's a G all the way to me.
Shelton and Vega coming in seemed to stabilize these groups, but I felt like this was a glorified practice at times. We checked into runs more than we checked out of them vs heavy boxes. No rollout. No misdirection. Singleton could have caught 10 passes if targeted more. KLS never went deep. No PA max protects to attack down field.
The team had a lot of misfires. Allen dropped a TD. Allar overthrew Johnson on a TD. McClain dropped 2 or 3 passes. I thought we should have shifted out of the T to the 5 Wide look after Illinois called time out to go big on the goal line.
We were about 40% efficient and still up 30-7 instead of 45-7.
+1. The penalties the last few games is concerning, especially some of the stupid PF penalties but I also thought the refs were calling it very tight.
I thought Brett B. had a good defensive game plan for us. I don't think it's a formula that Iowa will follow.
I would give Shelton Wormley Dawkins Nourzad Olu a try but I am not a coach or at practice.
Saw same on tape. Very few complicated blocking schemes. A lot of vanilla in the run game. The read play noted in this thread was well executed. I also liked the RB delay vs. the Illini scheme.
Iowa is going to play a big *** umbrella cover 2 and dare PSU to go down the field. You may see some man here and there but not often. I'm guessing Allar may be allowed to check out to a streak or double move if he sees press and cover 2. But Iowa does it rarely. As for the OL, let's work off tackle. If Olu is your bell cow, use him and the TEs to work that side of the field.
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I’d rather Allar play and forget this other crap.
Now we're talking! I don't think we regressed. I do think 56, 64 and 77 have had better days than this past Saturday. 64 is an overachiever who is on the verge of being a top player. 77 and 56 are nasty fellas who played against top talent. Orange #4 came to play and made them look bad. I did notice that 66 blocked well against the run but until JCF trusts him in pass blocking we are living with the low ceiling of 73.
I am a big fan of 56. If he stays healthy and nasty we have a real shot at winning it all. I think he is a tone setter.
I think it is great that Pribula has gotten his feet wet during "safe" time. If for no other reason, he's the guy who sits one play away from being the starter - and he now at least has some experience, and has seen some success.
That said, assuming Allar stays healthy, I expect #15 will play every meaningful "game on the line" snap moving forward (as he has thus far). Pribula has shown some nice abilities in the run game, and I could see Yurcich being tempted to trot him out there for an occasional couple of plays to exploit something he sees - but I would be very surprised if it turned into anything even remotely approaching a rotation or regular part of the offense.
New QB and new receivers still need to jell before teams fear the passing game. When that happens, defenses will have to worry about more than the run. Right now, they don't.
Talking with Illinois fans during the game (I was there), they noted that they had two top DL players. It showed.
The other thing for me is I think Coach Traut is a pretty good coach and the Oline will continue to get better throughout the year.
I'm not saying Traut is NOT a good o-line coach, just curious how you make that assessment based on his tenure here?
I am glad you asked, as I have the same thought. I put Traut in the improving category, which for B1G teams and what they get paid, we should never have.
Yeah, I mean I don't know. For some reason, he above all else just elicits this confidence...this benefit that isn't afforded to our other coaches. I'm not suggesting he has failed or should be relieved of his job, I just have a tough time understanding why it is so easy off the tongue that he is a "good coach." I don't know the basis. I thought the O-line improved as the season went on last year and became a 3rd in the Big Ten East type o-line, but outside of that, the line has sort of been an achilles heel as long as he has been here and before. I did not think this line looked anywhere close to dominant or even "good" against ILL.
If his ascribed title of a good coach can be synthesized to incremental(and I mean glacial) improvement, then yes....he is a good coach.
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