What Has Changed Since Ohio Loss?

[CYCLNST8]

Last season we started off 3-0 and look where that got us.

Depending on how much NIL money we have to throw around, we'll be returning a LOT of this roster. Maybe we won't come stumbling out of the starting blocks next year.

 

[cmjh10]

I stopped posting Juicy Wiggle

 

[Cyforce]

The announcers said during the game that TCU hadn't allowed a passing touchdown all year (until Rocco had one). If that is true, doing that through 5 games is pretty impressive. I would guess that we decided not to push it against one of their strengths?

Sanders through 4 in the opener.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Sanders through 4 in the opener.

Maybe they were saying the last four games, I don't know

 

[awd4cy]

Oklahoma State and TCU aren’t worse teams.

I don’t think Ohio is 4+ touchdowns worse than south Alabama.

 

[Cyforce]

Maybe they were saying the last four games, I don't know

Not being at the game they screwed a bunch of their on field calls up. Not surprising if they weren't prepared for off field either.

 

[ruxCYtable]

A still-young head coach put his head on his pillow that night and realized he'd been too stubborn and change was needed. He woke up the next day angry and ready to get after it. So did the team.

 

[CyDude16]

I don’t think Ohio is 4+ touchdowns worse than south Alabama.

Ah so we’re playing that game. Using one game as a data point. Got it.

 

[nrg4isu]

There was a mostly meaningless play in garbage time that dropped my jaw against TCU. It was a power run to the left with 2 pulling guards. Watching the video, the guards were 100% in sync. It was a thing of beauty that I haven't (ever?) seen Iowa State do. That single play has me super excited for the future of run blocking with Clanton as our coach. I'll see if I can post the video. It's something you see all the time from Iowa, OU, Bama, etc. but it clearly takes reps and good coaching to do it well.

 

[besserheimerphat]

I'd say experience, a little bit play calling. And the OL has started to gel a little - Black's insertion into the starting unit has made a difference as well.

I agree Black has made a difference. I also didn't realize our center was a RS Soph. The center is like the OL's QB, identifying the defensive front and setting blocking assignments. As he gets more experience, he'll get better at recognizing sets and making good calls. I think we're seeing some of that in real time too.

 

[besserheimerphat]

There was a mostly meaningless play in garbage time that dropped my jaw against TCU. It was a power run to the left with 2 pulling guards. Watching the video, the guards were 100% in sync. It was a thing of beauty that I haven't (ever?) seen Iowa State do. That single play has me super excited for the future of run blocking with Clanton as our coach. I'll see if I can post the video. It's something you see all the time from Iowa, OU, Bama, etc. but it clearly takes reps and good coaching to do it well.

This is what I (and Bruns) have been talking about. We haven't had a pulling guard in years. Maybe a TE in motion that turns into a pulling lineman action, but no true pulling lineman. Normally we'd just zone block everything, meaning the OL has to react to the DL/LB action. They also have to be very coordinated to execute 2-on-2 combo blocks. It can be super effective as the defense often just runs itself out of position, but the reacting aspect makes it harder to be super aggressive.

With these man-blocking schemes, everybody can play aggressively downhill. It's more constrained though, as the back only has one target and it's either open or not.

Montgomery and Breece had such terrific vision and quickness that they could find creases even when the zone scheme wasn't executed well. This group of backs is still really young, and may take a while to develop that skill.

 

[hiltonisheaven]

There was a mostly meaningless play in garbage time that dropped my jaw against TCU. It was a power run to the left with 2 pulling guards. Watching the video, the guards were 100% in sync. It was a thing of beauty that I haven't (ever?) seen Iowa State do. That single play has me super excited for the future of run blocking with Clanton as our coach. I'll see if I can post the video. It's something you see all the time from Iowa, OU, Bama, etc. but it clearly takes reps and good coaching to do it well.

Watch #75

 

[nrg4isu]

Watch #75

Yup, LT Neal misses his block badly. #58 clears it up getting 2 TCU defenders. A tcu safety and linebacker overran the play. Their middle linebacker makes the tackle. Regardless, the play worked and 4 of 5 lineman hit their blocks in unison.

 

[deadeyededric]

It’s never as good or bad as it seems. Realists are going to be pessimistic. I’ll never understand the need to be the first calling for a coaches head. It NEVER does anything positive for the team you “support “. We will win a couple more games and we will lose a few more. The social media mob will overreact to each and every game.

I never heard one person saying he should be fired. I heard several people saying he's lost the program.

 

[RagingCloner]

Watch #75

Thank god Remsburg is back. I thought LT was supposed to be your best OL?

 

[tolfbfan]

Pretty sure the reason that every single offensive player now has a huge swatch playcall sheet on their arm is that after Ohio, we added more formations and plays to the playbook. One reason we've been called for illegal motion several times since Ohio is that we drastically upped the amount of motion and misdirection. It seems (from my point of view, outside the locker room) that Matt not only allowed Nate to call more plays but to also implement some of his offensive vision on a broader level, which has directly led to different play-calling and formation set-ups. If that is the case, obviously well done Nate, but also well done Matt on finally adjusting the offensive philosophy. That is very hard to do, especially in Year 8.

His Toledo offense was multiple formation, lots of motion, and attacking. So I don't think anyone is adjusting his offensive vision. The players just may now be ready.

 

[isucy86]

Yup, LT Neal misses his block badly. #58 clears it up getting 2 TCU defenders. A tcu safety and linebacker overran the play. Their middle linebacker makes the tackle. Regardless, the play worked and 4 of 5 lineman hit their blocks in unison.

The backside tackle pretty much wiffed on his block too.

 

[isucy86]

I never heard one person saying he should be fired. I heard several people saying he's lost the program.

But isn't "lost the program" code word for a coach needs to be fired?

In fact "lost the program" is worse because it insinuates the players have stopped listening to or believe in the coaches.

 

[deadeyededric]

But isn't "lost the program" code word for a coach needs to be fired?

In fact "lost the program" is worse because it insinuates the players have stopped listening to or believe in the coaches.

No it means they better do something fast.

 

[Cyforce]

I never heard one person saying he should be fired. I heard several people saying he's lost the program.

Saying he's lost the program is implying you think he should be fired.