actually i can't figure out why the offense performed so poorly. the defense took their lumps but the 23 points is where the rubber meets the road and I'm okay with that, hoping the backups continue to improve. Scoring only 20 points at home against that team is where I have a real problem. Our offense remains experienced and healthy, so my greatest concern is that everyone has figured out our gimmick and things might get worse before we can adjust.
I think the wind caused problems with the passing game, was one major factor. Also going -3 in turnovers takes as much as three scores off the board (especially Harden's fumble late, Ohio would have scored a TD easily on that drive).
I also imagine there are aspects of the offensive game plan that Albin would like to have back. Arkley tweeted that Ball State and UB played cover 2 almost the whole game. Did Ohio attack it correctly? The standard approach is to run three/four WRs and stretch the safeties deep, which Ohio did but when the wind is interfering with the downfield passing game, the deep threat is less threatening. I'm not sure Tettleton was seeing the zone that well overall.
Was Boykin hurt? It seemed like Ohio really could have used some size at RB to alternate with Harden. I also think we need more Bates -- although Arkley suggested the first INT was half Bates's fault for a slow cut.
Bottom line for me, on the drive where Harden fumbled Ohio was moving the ball
easily. The backfield was crisp, the line was moving people, the offense was clicking. I can't imagine BSU was all that tired, their D was hardly on the field. Mostly, it's just that Ohio was motivated. If they can play every series at that level, they'll win a lot of ball games. If not, they won't.
Last Edited: 10/17/2011 10:20:33 AM by Cats-22