This is just slightly ahead of "we just weren't ready to play" in my things I am getting tired of hearing during post-game.

What exactly does "we just didn't execute" really mean? It seems to be a catch all phrase.

Does it mean I didn't execute because the guy I was suppose to block or tackle was better than me?

Does it mean I am still learning how to execute?

If you support the team by buying tickets and attending games it is quite disheartening to hear.

It seems to be a common phrase in all levels of sports.

Exactly. When a play doesn't work, some are quick to say it was a bad play call, but it may have been a great play call, but because a player missed an assignment (missed block, dropped pass, bad throw, etc), the play doesn't work. In things like video games, the only variable is the play call, but in games, the execution can and does vary from play to play and week to week for a variety of reasons, including the ones you mentioned.

Against CMU, CMU essentially used double coverage on the Ohio receivers, and dared Ohio to run. Had Ohio been able to consistently gain 4+ yards on runs, CMU would have been forced to put more players into the box, which in turn would have made the passes work. With just a few less missed blocks, those 2-3 yard gains could have been 4-5 yard gains, and that would have made a world of difference. The line between success and failure can be quite small.

While the offense looked bleak against CMU, I don't think they are far from turning it around. I think we'll see a much better day for them against BG, partly because BG's defense is awful. Then, the week after that, the offense will face another stiff test against a good defense, Akron, and we'll see what progress they have made since CMU.

To me it is becoming painfully obvious that......."We just didn't execute.....in the recruitment of players." It is hard for me to come on here and speak negatively of student athletes who represents our university but they are simply not the caliber of player that many of our conference brethren have been successful in drawing to their campuses and have

Why is this? I know we all have our opinions. The offensive scheme? Our lack of shopping malls?

Something has been a miss with our strength and conditioning too in my opinion. Does anyone else feel that we have a substantial rash of injuries every year?

Here is a headline from a recent Post: Ohio Football Notebook: Depth Tested As Injuries Pile Up.

I feel like that is a common theme every season.

Being a Reds fan I have seen a strikingly similar approach to personnel with this team: as long as our very best players are injury free and play to 100% of their potential every play we will be contenders!

I am no statistician but the odds of that happening are very small, thus producing underwhelming results.

Yes, there are many examples of Aaron Rodgers type stories where a QB comes from nowhere to first round pick. The current player standing a few yards back from center will not have such a story, guaranteed. Nor would his teammate who would be playing if not for, yes, injury.

It is not just one thing but the Jimmys and Joes we have are a significant reason in many ways that we are not executing Xs and Os.

I remember when Jim Grobe used to throw himself under the bus during an interview after a loss saying "I must be the dumbest coach in America".

Hey, I'm educable. ;-)