Appart from Shaw's long break away run, our running game was miserable. I am floored that we could win a game with that kind of lack of production from our backs. We didn't put Davis in for very many plays and Miles was stymied quite a bit. I wonder if it wasn't in the game plan because SOS wanted to pick on their corners. Statistically, this kind of win is rare (with such poor production from our running game). LOVE the win, though. Love the fight we had yesterday.
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What in the world happened to our running game?
- Thread starter BigSpur
- Start date
Offensive line seems to struggle often times against better competition. That is the one area that is still troubling in the program. Maybe that is the one area where USC hasnt upgraded the level of athlete to compete with the big boys. Not sure about that. But I thought, and was hoping, that Elliot was the answer. Been here three years, and often cant run the football consistently. Maybe he doesnt have all the answers. Might be a case of where you are going to look good at the top 1AA program in the country. But maybe the players are just not on campus that can be consistent.
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The Big Ten Conference is compiled of teams that try to run the ball every play (which explains there struggles vs other conferences) so their defenses are very well prepared to stop the run, and very good at running the ball. Did you expect Robinson to rush for what he did, probably not, but that is what they're good at....running and stopping the run.
Let me add this......
I believe Spurrier intentionally focused on the passing game. You shouldn't gauge your running success/failure on 5 attempts. I personally believe that Miles is not the best active running back on the team in terms of talent, and Spurrier knows that. I believe he was a "sentimental" start because of his Heart, dedication, and commitment.
As for OL, I believe Elliot is in the process of building a continuous strong unit. I'm not sure you can build a great OL in the SEC in one or two years.
I was really hoping to see Ellington run a Wildcat once or twice yesterday.
I believe Spurrier intentionally focused on the passing game. You shouldn't gauge your running success/failure on 5 attempts. I personally believe that Miles is not the best active running back on the team in terms of talent, and Spurrier knows that. I believe he was a "sentimental" start because of his Heart, dedication, and commitment.
As for OL, I believe Elliot is in the process of building a continuous strong unit. I'm not sure you can build a great OL in the SEC in one or two years.
I was really hoping to see Ellington run a Wildcat once or twice yesterday.
As far as the Michigan game, the Wolverines had statistically a solid pass defense, but they were missing several key DBs for the bowl game,
and I'm sure Spurrier felt that we could exploit that weakness. As for the season, IMO it's a total of many factors: first off, we had 3 OL starting
for the first time in their careers, with both OTs playing college FB for the first time. Lattimore was a horse for us and could always be counted
for major production and scoring, but he was dealing with injuries all season (even when he was playing, he was being limited on carries early
in the season). Shaw played a huge role in '11 with his rushing, but was hampered at first with an injured shoulder that prevented him from
diving into tackles, and later with a painful foot.
Wilds was a pleasant surprise for us in the 2nd half of '11, but was lost for this season to injury. We still had Miles, Davis, and Shaw to a certain degree for the final 4 games of the season after losing ML versus UT: Davis led the team against Arkansas with 53 yds and a TD; Miles ran all over Wofford for 127 yds and a TD, both Miles and Davis combined for 88 yds against Clemson, and Shaw was the team rushing offense in the bowl versus Michigan with 96 yds.
Hopefully Connor returns to 100% health because IMO he's a very dynamic aspect of our rushing offense. We'll have Davis, Wilds, Carson, and Salley for depth at RB: hopefully one of them step forward and become a dependable run threat and short-yardage option for scoring for us.
Before this season, Spurrier was of the mind that our passing offense would florish this season, and it didn't really happen. IMO he still thinks we should have a consistent passing attack for next season with Shaw, Thompson, and possibly both Sanders and Ellington returning. If we can average around 150 rushign yds per game next season to provide consistent balance and our QBs remain healthy through the season, hopefully our offense continues to improve. The scoring offenses of 30.93 in '10, 30.08 in '11, and 31.54 this season....the top 3 offenses under Spurrier, and this year's was the best. Spurrier thinks it could and should be better next season...
and I'm sure Spurrier felt that we could exploit that weakness. As for the season, IMO it's a total of many factors: first off, we had 3 OL starting
for the first time in their careers, with both OTs playing college FB for the first time. Lattimore was a horse for us and could always be counted
for major production and scoring, but he was dealing with injuries all season (even when he was playing, he was being limited on carries early
in the season). Shaw played a huge role in '11 with his rushing, but was hampered at first with an injured shoulder that prevented him from
diving into tackles, and later with a painful foot.
Wilds was a pleasant surprise for us in the 2nd half of '11, but was lost for this season to injury. We still had Miles, Davis, and Shaw to a certain degree for the final 4 games of the season after losing ML versus UT: Davis led the team against Arkansas with 53 yds and a TD; Miles ran all over Wofford for 127 yds and a TD, both Miles and Davis combined for 88 yds against Clemson, and Shaw was the team rushing offense in the bowl versus Michigan with 96 yds.
Hopefully Connor returns to 100% health because IMO he's a very dynamic aspect of our rushing offense. We'll have Davis, Wilds, Carson, and Salley for depth at RB: hopefully one of them step forward and become a dependable run threat and short-yardage option for scoring for us.
Before this season, Spurrier was of the mind that our passing offense would florish this season, and it didn't really happen. IMO he still thinks we should have a consistent passing attack for next season with Shaw, Thompson, and possibly both Sanders and Ellington returning. If we can average around 150 rushign yds per game next season to provide consistent balance and our QBs remain healthy through the season, hopefully our offense continues to improve. The scoring offenses of 30.93 in '10, 30.08 in '11, and 31.54 this season....the top 3 offenses under Spurrier, and this year's was the best. Spurrier thinks it could and should be better next season...