struggles in a short yardage running game. Nate has said over and over that the staff only cares about big plays, points scored, and limiting turnovers. So far the results have been great, but they could have been better if we did have a short yardage game. (See Iowa and Pitt) Call me old school (even though I'm not that old), but when its 3rd and goal on the 2yard we need to be able to pound it in by running the ball. We don't have two TE sets, no full back, and our QB doesn't ever line up underneath the center. A lot of programs practice this and I'm sure PSU spends plenty time practicing goal line situations, but since they don't have power sets the plays called are not the same. Our running blocking is not great and I have to believe it is tied to this.
This hasn't hurt the team in the scoring points department this season, save Iowa. The offense has been greatly helped by special teams, our defense, and a somewhat weak schedule thus far. When this board worries or complains about our short yardage offense and inability to convert on 3rd down I think they are thinking to themselves we Indiana can defense can shut down our running game what is going to happen when we play Michigan (a team with possible 2 1st round picks on the dline and d-coordinator that loves to blitz) and Ohio State. (Great front seven) I'm not saying those teams don't have their own issues, but defense isn't one of their issues.
Everyone's concern and worry will go away if they can't beat both Michigan and Ohio State or at least beat Michigan at home. If you think the complaining and concern is bad after a victory, it's going to be bad if they lose to Michigan for a 4th straight time. With the way our defense and special teams are playing, it's going to up to the offense.
This hasn't hurt the team in the scoring points department this season, save Iowa. The offense has been greatly helped by special teams, our defense, and a somewhat weak schedule thus far. When this board worries or complains about our short yardage offense and inability to convert on 3rd down I think they are thinking to themselves we Indiana can defense can shut down our running game what is going to happen when we play Michigan (a team with possible 2 1st round picks on the dline and d-coordinator that loves to blitz) and Ohio State. (Great front seven) I'm not saying those teams don't have their own issues, but defense isn't one of their issues.
Everyone's concern and worry will go away if they can't beat both Michigan and Ohio State or at least beat Michigan at home. If you think the complaining and concern is bad after a victory, it's going to be bad if they lose to Michigan for a 4th straight time. With the way our defense and special teams are playing, it's going to up to the offense.
