Problem with the Pistol Offense

[Luth4Cy]

I doubt if you can find a single program at the D1 level that would attempt to do this. Why make a struggling situation even worse? Unless you want to make your QB the lead blocker, you are simply adding another guy to block while taking away any doubt for the defense on who to key on.

The offense that has been installed is successful at programs all over the country. Like any offense, it does require proper execution which is not happening. This is the biggest problem right now - not formations, play calling, or coaching. If you change anything else and still don't execute, you still don't move the ball.

When you start to see all 11 players consistently do everything that they are capable of doing on every play, you will see an effective offense. If you don't, it doesn't matter what formation you are in, what plays are being called, or who is calling the plays. This isn't throwing players under the bus, it's reminding them that the ball is in their hands and that they are the ones who can step up and make plays.

West Virginia has done this a lot. So has Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma. Offenses can also free up a blocker by using run-pass options. Teams have been very successful in spread or pistol formations running the ball without ever asking the QB to run it himself.

 

[Steve]

West Virginia has done this a lot. So has Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma. Offenses can also free up a blocker by using run-pass options. Teams have been very successful in spread or pistol formations running the ball without ever asking the QB to run it himself.

Oklahoma State and Oklahoma both run the heck out of their QB's. If you have QB's with the passing skills that West Virginia does (ISU certainly does not), you have options to run a different style offense. It still comes down to execution and all three of these teams currently execute better than ISU does.

 

[megamanxzero35]

Sam could do a better job avoiding hits too.

This is also a big thing. Sam needs to learn to slide and run out of bounds. He likes to take a hit for an extra yard or two.

 

[Luth4Cy]

Oklahoma State and Oklahoma both run the heck out of their QB's. If you have QB's with the passing skills that West Virginia does (ISU certainly does not), you have options to run a different style offense. It still comes down to execution and all three of these teams currently execute better than ISU does.

Oklahoma State and Oklahoma have started using more zone read because J.W. Walsh and Blake Bell are capable of it but they rarely used designed runs when Landray Jones and Brandon Weeden were there QB's. You are correct that execution is important but you are very wrong that when you said no D1 program would use the pistol without using the zone read. As far as Sam's ability as QB he is very capable to be throwing the ball successfully in an air-raid offense, IMO.