The BC game scares the hell out of me. It would even if we had won at least once in the last couple of weeks, but even more so now that we're on a losing streak. I hope our guys come out focused, because the style of offense that BC is running this year can be really tough for our guys to keep up with. I just hope that their huge focus on the run simplifies our game plan, but the real test will be execution against a QB capable of handling an effective read-option attack.
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It's all about the offense. Loeffler HAS GOT TO call a game that keeps the offense on the field. I don't even care about explosion at this point. Just move the ball more than 10 yds.
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I agree. I think minimizing opportunities for BC to grind our defense down is key. We'll probably have to stack the box and leave our CBs in single coverage a lot, but they're going to put up some points for sure. The key is going to be whether or not our offense (players and coaches) can be effective at all in moving the ball.
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I agree. It seems like since halftime at the W&M game, Loeffler has been erratic and not confident in his playcalling ability. I hope he ignores all undue influence (looking at you Shane) and takes advantage of our strengths even if it means going hurry up offense.
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Not exactly. Given, it seems as though we've only had one good offensive showing this season, which was the OhState game. You can't count the Western Michigan game because they are such a creampuff it doesn't matter. But the OhState game was solidly planned & executed by Loeffler, Brewer and most everyone.
The real concern is that the OhState game is such an outlier that all the luster from it has been scraped away. I don't think the argument should be as much about run vs. pass, but more about killing play clock vs. uptempo, and about horizontal focus vs. vertical focus. I am convinced that Loeffler's more consistent in his playcalling than his predecessor, who just went all over the board in that regard. The problem is that Loeffler seems to have been clamped down to where he's reverted to a 1980's style offensive philosophy. That doesn't work unless you have overwhelming talent. For almost a decade now, we've not had overwhelming talent. Our talent is good not great & it is one man deep. You can't pretend you're going to 'coach up' a bunch of 3-stars into dominating any more when you're running an antique offensive strategy. It just doesn't succeed.
Unfortunately, we are now in the beginning of a down cycle that will only change when some really drastic changes occur. None of that will happen in a matter of days. It's going to take months & years.
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Good thoughts, but I'm not sure it's 80s style. That reflects a certain conservatism. I don't see that, I'd like to see that. Some man ball, between the tackles stuff. I'm seeing a lot of low risk pkay calling, but it's not antiquated. It's just low reward and doesn't build off other plays. It's incoherent babble.
It's too cute for my taste. It's not boring, it's just ineffective. And it doesn't reflect his talent at all.
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Loeffler's playcalling reflects one thing and one thing only: he has no confidence in his guys. Screens, horizontal control passes, horizontal runs. Low risk, low return. When used excessively, he is saying, guys, you just do not have it. When the Hokies were backed up on their own 1 yard line and he decides to pass it three times? He chooses not to run it up the gut in a power move? Why not run it up the gut like most teams would and should do? Because he has no confidence in the OL to deliver.
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Nice measured analysis, Andy. Optimistic enough to give us hope, realistic without piling on.
Whatever it takes to get the team showing up earlier than they do, it needs to be done over the last five weeks. Slow starts are killing us now worse than they ever have.
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Comments
The BC game scares the hell out of me. It would even if we had won at least once in the last couple of weeks, but even more so now that we're on a losing streak. I hope our guys come out focused, because the style of offense that BC is running this year can be really tough for our guys to keep up with. I just hope that their huge focus on the run simplifies our game plan, but the real test will be execution against a QB capable of handling an effective read-option attack.
It's all about the offense. Loeffler HAS GOT TO call a game that keeps the offense on the field. I don't even care about explosion at this point. Just move the ball more than 10 yds.
I agree. I think minimizing opportunities for BC to grind our defense down is key. We'll probably have to stack the box and leave our CBs in single coverage a lot, but they're going to put up some points for sure. The key is going to be whether or not our offense (players and coaches) can be effective at all in moving the ball.
I agree. It seems like since halftime at the W&M game, Loeffler has been erratic and not confident in his playcalling ability. I hope he ignores all undue influence (looking at you Shane) and takes advantage of our strengths even if it means going hurry up offense.
Think you mean the WMU game. Cause that anOSU game was masterful play calling.
Oops yeah you're right!
We had 324 yards of offense against OSU. Let's not misremember a few clutch drives as anything more than a below average total effort.
VT had 4 TD drives, and another that ended in a FG attempt ... certainly much better than what they have done lately
Sure, but even our good games under Loeffler are awful when compared to competent offenses.
Not exactly. Given, it seems as though we've only had one good offensive showing this season, which was the OhState game. You can't count the Western Michigan game because they are such a creampuff it doesn't matter. But the OhState game was solidly planned & executed by Loeffler, Brewer and most everyone.
The real concern is that the OhState game is such an outlier that all the luster from it has been scraped away. I don't think the argument should be as much about run vs. pass, but more about killing play clock vs. uptempo, and about horizontal focus vs. vertical focus. I am convinced that Loeffler's more consistent in his playcalling than his predecessor, who just went all over the board in that regard. The problem is that Loeffler seems to have been clamped down to where he's reverted to a 1980's style offensive philosophy. That doesn't work unless you have overwhelming talent. For almost a decade now, we've not had overwhelming talent. Our talent is good not great & it is one man deep. You can't pretend you're going to 'coach up' a bunch of 3-stars into dominating any more when you're running an antique offensive strategy. It just doesn't succeed.
Unfortunately, we are now in the beginning of a down cycle that will only change when some really drastic changes occur. None of that will happen in a matter of days. It's going to take months & years.
Good thoughts, but I'm not sure it's 80s style. That reflects a certain conservatism. I don't see that, I'd like to see that. Some man ball, between the tackles stuff. I'm seeing a lot of low risk pkay calling, but it's not antiquated. It's just low reward and doesn't build off other plays. It's incoherent babble.
It's too cute for my taste. It's not boring, it's just ineffective. And it doesn't reflect his talent at all.
Loeffler's playcalling reflects one thing and one thing only: he has no confidence in his guys. Screens, horizontal control passes, horizontal runs. Low risk, low return. When used excessively, he is saying, guys, you just do not have it. When the Hokies were backed up on their own 1 yard line and he decides to pass it three times? He chooses not to run it up the gut in a power move? Why not run it up the gut like most teams would and should do? Because he has no confidence in the OL to deliver.
Wow...I only saw the very end of the game, but knowing TimeCop's history, that has to have been the worst coached game ever.
Nice measured analysis, Andy. Optimistic enough to give us hope, realistic without piling on.
Whatever it takes to get the team showing up earlier than they do, it needs to be done over the last five weeks. Slow starts are killing us now worse than they ever have.