Offensive play leading up to The Game
I went to Wisconsin game, so I haven't had a chance to see the replay yet. What struck me about the game was it seemed we were putting ourselves in a lot of third and long situations. The first half it seemed like we threw long on first down, followed by a Smith run for a couple yards and then being third and long alot. I am concerned about Speight's play since the Colorado game, when he was hit early and then would lock down on his primary receiver too often and not progress on his reads. Is there a point when Speight needs to be benched in a lesser game earier to motivate him or give the backups more game experience, similar to opening up the kicking situation? Also, it seems Smith is a North-South runner good for short yardage but struggles with patience in waiting for the holes to develop. Issac seems to be a better option on runs, with Chris Evans being a good back if the line is opening big holes, but goes down easily compared to the other two.
Just wondering if anyone else is seeing this and their thoughts on whether Jim would ever consider benching Speight to motivate him or would it be too much of a blow to a young QB's confidence. Just don't see the improvement needed to beat OSU at QB play. Defense wins championships, but I am concerned about the level of QB necessary to beat OSU. Defense won the Colorado and Wisconsin games, our toughest games to date. Not jumping on the backup QB is better mentality, but would like to see the backups get more experience in case a change is needed in a critical game. Would Jim pull Speight in the OSU game if necessary?
Would a backup be ready if Speight was injured in a game? Not happy with the locking on receivers, as we could see him doing it from the stands for most of the game.
Constructive thoughts?
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:29 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:29 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:00 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:59 PM ^
October 4th, 2016 at 7:47 AM ^
Makes reading the comments better. What struck me was the whiney tone. He knows it, too, which is why he begs for constructive comments.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:29 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:29 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:31 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:13 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:32 PM ^
in case of an injury to Speight. Hopefully he gets it this week and we have some other blowouts where he can play.
In terms of benching a 5-0 QB who is playing pretty well....you're an idiot.
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:19 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:38 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:37 PM ^
SPEIGHT MUST DIE!!!
EDIT: Sorry, I wrote this wrong. I meant to write, "DIE SPEIGHT, DIE!!!" Which is of course German for, "THE SPEIGHT, THE!!!" And since no one who speaks German could ever be a monster, my words are fine...
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:47 PM ^
I'm pretty sure Speight is masculine, so he gets the "der" form of the. Sorry to ruin your joke.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:49 PM ^
Ihre mutter ist eine schweinehund!
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:53 PM ^
und deine Mutter ist eine Nutterbutter
October 3rd, 2016 at 8:23 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:35 PM ^
Ever. If he were going to do it to "motivate" him, he would have done it by now.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:35 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:38 PM ^
I just want to run the ball.
No gimmicks.
Line up and crush the other side.
In related news, if OSU goes over 250 rushing against Wisconsin in two weeks, we should be concerned.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:41 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:43 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:45 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:57 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:48 PM ^
Thoughts and prayers ... .
(Also, did you notice that Wisconsin is a top-ranked defense? Maybe that has something to do with the relative lack of first and second down success.)
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:19 PM ^
We'll find out in 2 weeks whether Wisky's defense can stop OSU the way they stopped us.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:49 PM ^
In my opinion, just like early last season....people need to chill the freak out about the QB.
There were free rushers coming on every play and he had very little time to set and throw on Saturday.
The WR and TE separation from the DBs and LBs was poor all game.
Comine these two and you make it very tough on a QB. As it was, he completed 62% with one pick and one TD. That was a pretty decent game all things considered by Speight.
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:10 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:53 PM ^
I WILL be very curious to see how Wisconsin fares, at home, vs. Ohio State in two weeks.
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:53 PM ^
But, hey, that's just the picture on his student ID.
October 3rd, 2016 at 10:37 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:53 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 6:56 PM ^
M dominated every facet of the game (save FGs). It wasn't as close as the score would indicate.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:13 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:01 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:07 PM ^
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:08 PM ^
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:11 PM ^
absolutely not
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:31 PM ^
I'm seeing a different game than you. I think Speight has exceeded expectations. Smith isn't a breakaway runner but it seems like he's making pretty good decisions, runs hard, and doesn't fumble. Wisconsin has a very good defense. The earlier opponents, while not as good, were selling out against the run and running space was limited.
Overall I think things have gone pretty well.
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:22 PM ^
While I agree with you to a cert... oh wait no I don't agree with you at all.
Is Speight going to win games for us single handidly? Probably not, but he is a game manager that doesn't put us in may bad situations and does enough to put points on the board when needed.
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:24 PM ^
To Review the last decade under center:
Chad Henne
Nick Sheridan
Steven Threet
Tate Forcier
Denard Robinson
Devin Gardner
Jake Rudock
Wilton Speight
Between coaching and talent we are clearly back on the upswing in QB play. As much as I love some of the names on this list, our QB situation is actually pretty damn good.
October 4th, 2016 at 10:45 AM ^
You forgot Shane Morris.
And you forgot to forget Nick Sheridan and Steven Threet.
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:25 PM ^
Speight is on the right track and they are doing a masterful job of mixing up the running backs
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:38 PM ^
You've got a fair to good quarterback depending on who you ask.
I don't know why you would possibly want to play mind games with that guy since you're going to rely on him to keep a clear head throughout the entirety of the OSU game. I want that guy feeling confident as hell in his position, I don't want him worried that he'll get benched for a game if he throws 2 picks (I know it was only one, but I'm counting that Figaro drop as one in this situation).
October 3rd, 2016 at 7:58 PM ^
At this stage in the season, staying healthy and improving/learning from each game is the simple objective. Great coaching and experienced talent will take us as far as we can go. People get so quick to express "concerns" when we don't make every game and every play look like we can dominate...Get over it and enjoy the ride.