What’s wrong with the offense?

[stewart092284]

I disagree to an extent. This team has shown that the offense/Rocco are at their best when they spread the field. That includes the run game. We aren't built to run all of these tight formations and be stupid predictable. IMO predictability was one of our biggest issues on Saturday. It also seems like our route trees take longer to develop out of the tight formations, which is problematic when your o-line isn't able to buy you time. I'm not saying that scheme s our only problem but the stubbornness on tight formations isn't the solution either. This was an issue back in 2021 too when we were completely committed to the multiple TE sets and teams adapted.

I don't disagree completely but here's the problem with simply saying " spread them out"

Frankly, if I'm a DC watching Iowa State - I'm not going to give a flying crap whether you're in 5 wide or 3 tite.

Through 8 games you have 2 guys with 98 receptions combined - and the next guy has 10.

I'm simply playing zone - rolling a safety to the wide side of the field or simply rob off of Higgins and play zone on Noels side as a split field concept and still keeping at least 6 guys in the box to muddy the water. Maybe 7 if I wanna something like 2 man or Cover 1.

We have done - be it Rocco or the OC or both - collectively - done such a poor job of involving anyone other than Higgins and Noel in the passing game if I am an opposing defensive coordinator , whether you are playing 4 wide or 3 tite he's what I'm telling Iowa State



A) I'm going to roll Coverage to Noel and Higgins or rob off them with a safety
B) I'm going to get as many guys in the box as I can, potentially playing some man when I want to bring pressure and try to take away running lanes

C)You wanna throw it to Eli Green? Carson Brown? You gonna be disciplined and do that for 7-8 plays a game? Go ahead. I dare you. But I'm going to make it as hard as a I can for you to run the ball and or find Higgins and Noel for big plays and make you nickel and dime me.

That's my game plan. Because we've not done that all season. And if Eli Green goes for 5 and 72 and a TD and Brahmer has 4 for 38 - and I lose. I'll tip my cap.

But that is why I say it doesn't really matter. 5 wide, 0 wide. Until Iowa State makes some kind of a change to involve someone else, or attack a different part of the field, its a false narrative to say that offense becomes better simply because a defense is spread out. Because you're still predictable.

All spreading a defense out does if you don't break tendencies is combing your hair back instead of to the side.

 

[ClubCy]

There was a thread about 5 games in with concern about the lack of targets to literally anyone outside of Noel and Higgins. It didn’t go over well.

If message board posters can see it DC’s can see it. It was so glaring after just the first 4-5 games.

 

[jbhtexas]

Some really good comments here about the predictability of the ISU offense. The UCF and TTU games seem to indicate that the predictability has been exposed. ISU is fortunate to not have 2 losses.

Another thing about the ISU offense...I'll call it faux-sophistication, for the lack of a better term. An example on the Sama run to the 1-yd line. Capitalize on that big play momentum...just get up to the line quickly, get a play called quickly and run it, while the defense is scrambling and on its heels. Maybe you have a few plays set aside for this situation so you can make it happen quickly. Instead, ISU changes personnel, gives the defense a chance to reset, and ends up getting a silly penalty. The defense isn't really fooled by the apparent "sophistication" of the player changes if the offense is predictable.

I'm not suggesting to to this after every big play; but do it once in awhile to throw off the defense.

 

[jdoggivjc]

While I’m not always a fan of the offense or the plays called (and I’m one that likes to criticize play calling a lot) I don’t necessarily consider the play calling to be the main contributor to the loss. This time I look at key penalties you simply cannot commit in a close game:

-the illegal hands to the face that cancelled out an INT (TT would go on to score a TD)

- the illegal man downfield that cancelled out a big passing play (ended up missing a FG)

- the false start at the 1 (had to settle for a FG).

These are three of the costliest penalties I have ever seen as an ISU fan - they literally impacted the game because each one of them has some ultimate effect on the scoreboard. Don’t commit any of these penalties and we win the game. Hell - don’t commit ONE of these penalties and we probably win the game.

 

[Ozfam]

Yes, those penalties are killers.

To the earlier comments about only throwing to Higgins and Noel, 90% or more of the time when they are not in the game, we run the ball. If I can see that as a common fan, defenses surely know what is coming.

I also think we rotate in/out too many players on offense. It slows down the momentum too much when we are moving the ball. Look at what TT did to us in the first drive with hurry up offense.

And I am sick and tired of playing from behind on the first series. Change up the damn defense for once on the first series. What do we have to lose? Take some chances and blitz a little. The opponents have been scoring on most first series anyway.

Am I wrong or is our offensive line getting worse as the season goes on? The last 2 games our o-line is getting manhandled.

Not to be on the negative train here, but we better get a little more creative on the play calling or you can put a few more L's in the loss column.

We have the talent, we have good players, we can go 11-1 regular season, but the coaching needs to pick it up. We B*#*tch about the easier schedule the Sqawkeyes have year in and out. Well, now is our time to take advantage of the schedule.

 

[2forISU]

I think the offense has got pretty conservative for handful of reasons:
-Oline has struggled in the the run and protecting the QB
-Running game has struggle with a banged up Carson
-Roco has be very inconsistent and wonder if the coaches have some concern with tossing int's
-Injuries at TE
-Struggle in the redzone lately(short yardage game has been bad)

I also think teams are catching on to our play calling. It's been very predictable after the WVU game

 

[troutslayer]

I think the offense has got pretty conservative for handful of reasons:
-Oline has struggled in the the run and protecting the QB
-Running game has struggle with a banged up Carson
-Roco has be very inconsistent and wonder if the coaches have some concern with tossing int's
-Injuries at TE
-Struggle in the redzone lately(short yardage game has been bad)

I also think teams are catching on to our play calling. It's been very predictable after the WVU game

Out of the 29 first down plays, we ran 22 times. It's like they know...

 

[Dgilbertson]

I'm not an advanced stat guy, but looking at baseline per/game avg and totals are up and less penalties than last year.

Is the consensus that the offense was better last year?

 

[MyNameEhJeff]

without reading anything that's been posted, the offense is as predictable as i've ever seen. when 0 comes into the game, its a run. when 24 is in the game, its probably going to be a run and a stretch run at that. when 26 is in the game it'll be a run between the tackles, unless 0 isn't in there then he's pass blocking. we ran the same wheel route up the sideline for Noel during our 30 last drive, that worked vs iowa and UCF. teams know that's what's coming if they see Noel and Higgins lined up in that formation to Rocco's right.

 

[cayin]

Yes, those penalties are killers.

To the earlier comments about only throwing to Higgins and Noel, 90% or more of the time when they are not in the game, we run the ball. If I can see that as a common fan, defenses surely know what is coming.

I also think we rotate in/out too many players on offense. It slows down the momentum too much when we are moving the ball. Look at what TT did to us in the first drive with hurry up offense.

And I am sick and tired of playing from behind on the first series. Change up the damn defense for once on the first series. What do we have to lose? Take some chances and blitz a little. The opponents have been scoring on most first series anyway.

Am I wrong or is our offensive line getting worse as the season goes on? The last 2 games our o-line is getting manhandled.

Not to be on the negative train here, but we better get a little more creative on the play calling or you can put a few more L's in the loss column.

We have the talent, we have good players, we can go 11-1 regular season, but the coaching needs to pick it up. We B*#*tch about the easier schedule the Sqawkeyes have year in and out. Well, now is our time to take advantage of the schedule.

one of our starting guards got hurt in the WVU game, the interior of the line has not been the same since, especially in pass protection.

 

[2forISU]

Out of the 29 first down plays, we ran 22 times. It's like they know...

I don't look at the #'s after every game, but has this been consistent game-over-game? My guess is yes, but Carson being healthy played a factor in that calling.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Some really good comments here about the predictability of the ISU offense. The UCF and TTU games seem to indicate that the predictability has been exposed. ISU is fortunate to not have 2 losses.

Another thing about the ISU offense...I'll call it faux-sophistication, for the lack of a better term. An example on the Sama run to the 1-yd line. Capitalize on that big play momentum...just get up to the line quickly, get a play called quickly and run it, while the defense is scrambling and on its heels. Maybe you have a few plays set aside for this situation so you can make it happen quickly. Instead, ISU changes personnel, gives the defense a chance to reset, and ends up getting a silly penalty. The defense isn't really fooled by the apparent "sophistication" of the player changes if the offense is predictable.

I'm not suggesting to to this after every big play; but do it once in awhile to throw off the defense.

That's exactly what we did but the refs stopped play to see if Sama scored.

 

[OscarBerkshire]

My thoughts on the offense in general:

Hansen injury is so much worse for the team than we thought. His VORP is much higher than I would have guessed. Sama and Jackson just aren't giving it in the run game right now and do not have the pass blocking abilities Hansen has. Don't know what the injury is but since he's playing I'm just going to assume its something nagging that won't come back

Checkdowns. Texas Tech left our RB open in the flat alllll day to supply their blitzes. Rocco would be staring down 1 of Higgins or Noel (the first option on the route) and trying to force the issue. That often took a bit too long and led to the pressure. (O-Line deserves some blame here but Mouser also needs to call plays that has proper protections for Rocco). Many times Rocco could have dumped it off in the flat and gotten the same or more than he did throwing to Higgins/Noel with much less risk and force Texas Tech to adapt.
Teams have blitzed on us to great success. Texas Tech brought 5 or more a lot and we could not pick it up. What destroys blitzes? Screen passes. We have one screen pass look in the entire playbook and it designed for Brahmer for disguise reasons. ONE SCREEN PASS IN THE WHOLE PLAYBOOK. We need more of these if the high blitz percentage against us is going to continue. (It should, we are terrible against the blitz). Bubble screens for Noel or full screens for Jackson/Sama could do amazing things against blitzes, forcing defenses to adapt.

Texas Tech ran a lot of stunts yesterday when they brought 4 and we struggled with it. We've struggled with stunts all year. (And historically as well, UNI would run stunts against us all the time and those games are always close). That is purely on O line coaching. And if we disguised run vs pass better instead of being so damn predictable we could punish teams that do stunts on run plays.

In general it is mostly a playcalling issue. The bye week would have been a great time to add some wrinkles to the playbook that would've given us options to hit homeruns when teams overkey on our general tendencies. But it appears we did not practice during the bye week; I don't have hope we can add plays in one week.

 

[madguy30]

Some really good comments here about the predictability of the ISU offense. The UCF and TTU games seem to indicate that the predictability has been exposed. ISU is fortunate to not have 2 losses.

Another thing about the ISU offense...I'll call it faux-sophistication, for the lack of a better term. An example on the Sama run to the 1-yd line. Capitalize on that big play momentum...just get up to the line quickly, get a play called quickly and run it, while the defense is scrambling and on its heels. Maybe you have a few plays set aside for this situation so you can make it happen quickly. Instead, ISU changes personnel, gives the defense a chance to reset, and ends up getting a silly penalty. The defense isn't really fooled by the apparent "sophistication" of the player changes if the offense is predictable.

I'm not suggesting to to this after every big play; but do it once in awhile to throw off the defense.

Been my gripe for years.

I might even put it above shotgun snaps on 4th and short.

 

[Kettes]

Maybe someone, here, can help me out. I read in this or another thread that:

1) 100% of the time when Hansen has his mouthpiece in, he gets the ball. When he doesn't have it in, he doesn't.
2) 90% of the time when both Noel and Higgins are not on the field, it's a run.

If true, these are VERY troubling facts. Any DC could and will exploit this.

Secondly, could someone explain our struggles at the goal line? (e.g. 1st and 2 or less) Why TF can't we punch more of these in?

 

[CloniesForLife]

To me it's alot like Brock's last few years. Running long developing routes with bad protection is a recipe for disaster. The focus has to be scheme was to get the ball into Noel and Higgins hands quicker and let them make plays. The reality is that the long developing, deep routes aren't going to be an option until we can sure up protecting.

I was thinking the exact same thing. Felt very reminiscent of the last year with Brock. Could move the ball but couldn't score TDs, beating our head against the wall trying to run, etc

 

[3TrueFans]

Maybe someone, here, can help me out. I read in this or another thread that:

1) 100% of the time when Hansen has his mouthpiece in, he gets the ball. When he doesn't have it in, he doesn't.
2) 90% of the time when both Noel and Higgins are not on the field, it's a run.

If true, these are VERY troubling facts. Any DC could and will exploit this.

Secondly, could someone explain our struggles at the goal line? (e.g. 1st and 2 or less) Why TF can't we punch more of these in?

#1 just isn't true at least against TT, when he's in the backfield he has his mouthpiece in whether he gets the ball or not almost always. He does seem to have it out sometimes when he's split out wide.

 

[Cyinthenorth]

I really think Rocco has regressed since the start of the season.

Lots of overthrows, bad timing.

Lots of WR drops today as well

Regressed to the mean perhaps. He ended last season on a ridiculous heater. He's still on pace for similar numbers, but he is currently projected to throw a few more INT, slightly fewer TDs and worse completion %.

I think many were quick to anoint him following last season, I was among them. Reality is showing us that while he is certainly plenty capable, he still also has plenty of room for continued development and hopefully progression.

 

[demoncore1031]

Some really good comments here about the predictability of the ISU offense. The UCF and TTU games seem to indicate that the predictability has been exposed. ISU is fortunate to not have 2 losses.

Another thing about the ISU offense...I'll call it faux-sophistication, for the lack of a better term. An example on the Sama run to the 1-yd line. Capitalize on that big play momentum...just get up to the line quickly, get a play called quickly and run it, while the defense is scrambling and on its heels. Maybe you have a few plays set aside for this situation so you can make it happen quickly. Instead, ISU changes personnel, gives the defense a chance to reset, and ends up getting a silly penalty. The defense isn't really fooled by the apparent "sophistication" of the player changes if the offense is predictable.

I'm not suggesting to to this after every big play; but do it once in awhile to throw off the defense.

We all get it. Why can't Campbell get it? Iowa State is probably the easiest team in the country for a defensive coordinator to prepare for. That is what I find so frustrating. Gotta get more creative and more aggressive.

 

[khardbored]

oh, and if I never see a Power I formation again I'll sleep peacefully. worked twice against North Dakota and Mouser thinks he rediscovered the wheel. smfh.

I don't mind it on something like 3rd or 4th and very short.

Don't love it on anything with more than 3 yards needed.