What changes do you make heading into conference play?

Submitted by Sauce Castillo on

If you were the coach of this team and are now heading into conference play what changes do you make to try and get things back on track?

1)      Who is your starter at QB moving forward?

2)      What is your defensive philosophy? (more press man/ more zone/ good mix of both)

3)      How do you cure the offense?

4)      Are you changing any of the starters?

This isn’t a bitch about Hoke and company thread, strictly if this is your team what do you do?

bleu

September 22nd, 2014 at 8:56 AM ^

Spread punt.

Unpocket DG or just live with Morris in the current offensive scheme.

Go for it on fourth more considering our defense and punt plan.

MGoStrength

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^

Good question.  I don't think you bench Gardner yet, but you have to be realistic with him that it's an open competition.  Still give him the #1 guy snaps, but if he keeps struggling give Morris opportunities too.  But, I think he just needs to be protected a bit...less/easier reads like #1, #2, run it kind of deal.  He can't make complex reads and needs to stop starring down Funchess every down as his #1 option.  He needs to work his secondary reciever more or be more patient.  It seems like there are lots of open recievers he's just not seeing them.  And they need to find ways to get 4 yards on first down so it's not 3rd and long.  How you do that...I have no idea.  But that to me is the only change that needs to be made.  Other than that, get healthy, continue to develop, etc.

ShruteBeetFarms

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^

to see what he can do with a fresh start. If he struggles in the first half, see if Devin performs better coming off the bench. Some players play better in that role. Tommy Rees was the veteran qb that bailed out Golson when he was struggling 2 years ago for ND.

The defense should be able to keep Minnesota in check so the game should not get out of hand.

FreddieMercuryHayes

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:07 AM ^

Spread punt because obviously.  This may be one of the least actual impactful things on the team right now, but it's a bull headed stubborness to not use something that will help your team, and I want to see that changed. 

I wouldn't change anything on the D I think.  Maybe press more?  I still like the press and if Lewis and Peppers can pull it off, I say go with it.  But honestly, it's the number 8 D in the nation even after facing two pretty good offenses.  Still hasn't let anyone over 300 yards, and is still down some starters.  It's pretty freaking awesome.  Whoever the next HC is, I hope Mattison stays.  If the D keeps up like this, it has finally reached that elite status.

As for the offense?  God, who knows?  It's got significant flaws.  I think using Gardner more as a running threat will mitigate some of it.  Like not just rolling him out, but calling QB draws and isos.  I honestly don't know if the read option will work great because I don't know if he's practiced it enough to make the reads properly.  Also, just arm punt to Funchess more.

FreddieMercuryHayes

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:28 AM ^

I think you're being a bit harsh.  The defense is number 8 nationally after 4 games and two of those are against decent to good offenses.  They're allowing 261 yards per game and this is without generating a buttload of turnovers.  The 2006 defense finished the year allowing 254 yards per game and is the only top-10 defense UM has had in like the last 15 years.  And that was before the proliferation of really good spread offenses everywhere.  If you don't think a top 10 defense in yards per game is elite, then I don't think you're going to ever really be satisfied.

EGD

September 22nd, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^

The defense has generated big turnovers in the past two games (Lewis' pick against Miami set up a TD, Henry's beast-mode INT bullrush TD thing got us back into the game against Utah).  A play or two like that really ought to be enough to win most games, if we could just stop with the epic fails on offense and special teams.

Rage

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:31 AM ^

head coach.  He's got a ton of coaching experience, been around a lot of programs, and so far, the defense is the only thing working on this team anyway.  He's also a great recruiter.  Unless we have a home run hire, I wouldn't mind seeing Mattison take the reins while we figure things out.

reshp1

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:51 AM ^

Coming off the bench in garbage time and then down 3 scores in the 4th isn't really a fair assessment of a guy. Even so, he's had at least two very bad drops and his INT against App St was more Darboh running a lazy route and not working back to the QB (and the throw being a bit late, but the same exact thing happened with Devin/Darboh against ND). His pick against Utah also wasn't a decision thing vs the ball just slipping out of his hand. They called the game due to weather right after that, so it's not exactly surprising he'd have issues gripping the ball.

With a week of practice as The Guy and a gameplan around him, he could be much better. His performance against KSU was decent, managed the game with short throws and easy reads. He might also look just as bad as he has in garbage time, who knows. At this point though, you gotta do something. If it doesn't work, we're right back where we are now except Devin getting an extra week's rest which he probably could use anyway. Hoke said it himself, sometimes a guy just needs to see things from the sidelines for a little bit.

BornInAA

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^

Morris hasn't had the reps Gardner has.

The fact of the matter is that if Gardner keeps performing like he has then he will be out for the season with an injury in a game or two - Morris will start anyway. Gardner stands in the pocket too long because he can't check down receivers.

 

Sauce Castillo

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:20 AM ^

Is anyone for/opposed to giving Morris a series or two then Gardner a series or two then going from there with who looks better? They both have their good and bad moments but at this point it has them both mentally prepared to play and exhausts our resources to get the most out of whatever is working that day.

Muttley

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:21 AM ^

1) Gardner -- Multiple great games (and multiple bad ones) vs nothing from Shane

2) Bo used to say, "Identify what is broken, and fix only that."  The defense yielded only 280 yds & 308 yds against ND & Utah, respectively.  A healthy Peppers and Lewis at the corners, which was not available in the ND game.

3) Easy to say, but we need better pass protection

4) I'd be open to giving Shane a few series against Minny, maybe a quarter, but I wouldn't expect anything to come out of it.  I would expect to be going back to Gardner full time or almost full time by the time PSU rolls into town.

WR has been underwhelming, but any change involves putting someone in that doesn't have the reps.  Maybe there are Devin WRs and Shane WRs.  If someone is pushing for time on the OL, you have to be open to that.  But not a Chinese firedrill like last year.

JRZjr91

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:39 AM ^

After seeing Gardners reaction after that final pick shows that his confidence is shot

The defense is far from the problem, I'd say maybe a little more press but pretty pleased with making opposing offenses one dimensional seeing as how our rush defense is excellent right now.

To cure the offense there needs to be quicker developing routes. Slants, crossing patterns to help get the ball out quicker and to help out our offensive line. The last most important thing is stop staring down Funchess, all the hits this kids taking is starting to take its tole on him.

MadMonkey

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:40 AM ^

  1. Gardner is my starting quarterback.  However, I dump the idea this guy is a step up pocket passer.   I stop worrying about his fundamentals.   I let him "unleash the dragon".   The guy is a gifted athlete being forced into a style of play that doesn;t work.  Let him loose -- he will still throw his picks, but he will also run for 100+ yards, throw for 300+.
  2. Mix, with emphasis on press man coverage.  We have the athletes.  Man should be easier for the younger players to understand.
  3. Go vertical.  Let Gardner produce more on his own.  
  4. No.  I like the starters on offense.   On defense, "starter" means less.

reshp1

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:42 AM ^

1) Morris (ugh). It's a high risk gamble, and I absolutely hate the idea of benching Gardner on a personal level. But, we're at that point.

2) Mix. Depends on the matchup and opponent play style. I think Lewis and Peppers are pretty good at man coverage, so it doesn't scare me as much as at ND. If/when Wilson comes back, it will scare me less. Our safety play has been pretty shaky without him (both big plays were on safeties this game)

3) Go a little more aggressive on 1st and 2nd down. We aren't consistent enough to go down the field in chunks on a 15 play drive. We need it in chunks. I know that possibly/probably leaves us in 3rd and long if we don't connect, but we're doing that pretty regularly already. I just don't see the running game holding up to better teams anytime soon, not enough to take pressure off the QB's arm anyway.

Speaking of which, we should mix up the running game with some long hand offs, pitches, wheel routes, etc. The little shovel pass that Green dropped looked like it was going for a lot of yards for example.

4) Aside from the QB, I'd try to get some of the other receivers on the field more particularly Canteen. Chesson is a reliable guy that is a great blocker, but I don't really ever see any separation against better DBs. I'd get Hayes more carries too, we need some speed at times that Green and definitely Smith don't provide. 

funkywolve

September 22nd, 2014 at 11:11 AM ^

Considering the offense hasn't even found the red zone against ND and Utah, they need to try some plays that are going to pick up chunks of yardage.  They need to be able to get 20, 25, 30 yds on some plays (more then likely pass plays).

I realize the line doesn't hold up that great in the passing game, but why not take some shots with Funchess 30-40 yds down the field?  Run a straight fly pattern down the sideline and have Gardner throw it up and let Funchess try to get it.

reshp1

September 22nd, 2014 at 2:53 PM ^

I just read my post and point 3 is confusing as written. Should read we're not good enough to go down in small chunks, we need plays in bigger chunks.

You're right, we're not going to be particularly successful on longer passing plays because of protection, but we need to try. Right now we're a low variance, low success team. We could possibly improve to be a high-variance, low success team in which case there's at least a chance something positive happens every once in a while.

MGOBOOB

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:48 AM ^

- run everything out of the shotgun except maybe some short yardage stuff.  let gadner run read option and let him use his legs. at this point you can't hold back worrying about injury.

- please do not have aj williams on the field on 3rd and long. he was on the field constantly saturday on 3rd down. he poses no threat at all to a secondary. put 4 wr on the field and give devin a legit threat to throw to.

- play frank clark more. it's the 2nd half and i'm seeing mario on the field on huge 3rd down plays. utah's stud pass rusher never came off the field. orchard and norris seemed like they never left the field for utah.

- don't blitz countess. he blitzed saturday and didn't come close to the QB. it gave the qb and easy pitch and catch. the other was dropping glasgow into zone coverage and he came out of his shoes. it's not fair to ask a 305 lb DT to make an open field tackle or cover anyone.

Bocheezu

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:52 AM ^

1.  Put 11 guys on the field for punt returns.  Just a suggestion, really.

2.  Don't run the ball on 2nd and 22.  Well, actually, let's back that up a bit.  Don't give up a huge sack every time you're close to being within FG range.

3.  Put Morris in -- he's no savior and will turn the ball over 6 times a game, but if I see another pass to Funchess when he's triple covered, my head might explode.  This is purely a matter of self-preservation on my part.  I don't want my head to explode.

4.  Enroll Dymonte Thomas in the Stevie Brown school for future SAMs

5.  Tell Joe Bolden and Jake Ryan to just keep doing what they're doing

champswest

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:53 AM ^

we could go 8-0 or 0-8 the rest of the way. Realistically, with Gardner we probably go 5-3. I don't see us running the table and winning the Big Ten. With Morris, I see us going at least 3-5 and probably 4-4 (maybe even better). Is it worth it to stick with Gardner for 1 or 2 more wins? I say go with Morris and give the team a shot in the arm and get Shane some much needed experience.

Also, I would lose this "we are going to establish the run" mentality early in the game and focus on mixing up the play calling and try to get some points on the board.

MileHighWolverine

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^

1. Run a high tempo offense.

2. Go for it on any 4th and 3 or less.

3. Let Morris run the O with a lot of quick slant passes and short yardage plays- teach him they don't need to be 95 MPH since they are short passes.

4. No more play action until we have a running game. Full stop, no more play action.

5. More 2 TE sets with 3 yards and a cloud of dust mentality - can't believe I'm advocating that but I fear it's the best we can hope for right now.

 

MIMark

September 22nd, 2014 at 9:54 AM ^

1)      Who is your starter at QB moving forward?

If Gardner is healthy and can get the ball out fast, it's his game. If not, Morris.

 

2)      What is your defensive philosophy? (more press man/ more zone/ good mix of both)

Keep it as is.  The D has not been the problem.

 

3)      How do you cure the offense?

The offensive line is not getting the job done ... duh.  So screens, draws, zone options, slants, etc.  More ways to get the ball as quickly as possible into a playmaker's hands wearing the correct color of jersey not behind the offensive line.  Fewer traditional runs and fewer downfield shots.

 

4)      Are you changing any of the starters?

Open up offensive line competition.  Find five starters who are getting the job done best.  For playmakers on offense, keep it as is unless there's health problems.  On defense, keep it the same.

 

Just my $.02.