RB Hierarchy Revisited

I hope so.

There's a Thanksgiving dinner featuring platters of crow for those who doubted Smith AND Beilein this week.

I think Evans is going to have a great off-season. He puts on a little more size and works on his pass protection, he will be the main guy next year. We will continue to have an amazing rotation. Kareem Walker gets added to the mix and we have some real nice recruits coming in. If we land Najee Harris on top of it, our offense is going to be very, very well-rounded.

Speaking of passing game and the all americans/team mvps. Where were them three again yesterday? That's two games in a row Butt, Chesson and Darboh haven't done much. I hope this isn't a trend and they get their heads out of their asses next week. I hate to criticize people but I honestly hope next years receivers/tight ends don't disapear down the stretch and in the big games.

De'Veon has always demonstrated an ability to break tackles and get tough yards. And there have been flashes of speed over the course of the year.

But yesterday he ran like a man on fire. He seemed to have better vision than at any point this year.

Hitting the hole quicker paid off when gaps/seams were available. That seemed to give him a head of steam which is obviously an additional benefit when making contact.

Maybe something has "clicked" and De'Veon will be an even better back going forward!? Could be lots of reasons (i.e. confidence, minor injury?), but he sure seemd to be in the zone yesterday.

All that said, it might also be that the initial push by the O-line was that much better. Whatever the case, the running gsme sure took a great step forward.

I remember when he committed and people believed he would an afterthought because of Derrick Green. (We were in the mix for Ty Isaac as well). Thank god for afterthoughts!

Smith played a great game, but I think his success and failure falls more on the o-line.  Smith runs hard and can truck guys at the second level, but that doesn't work against defensive lineman that outweigh him by 50 lbs and he doesn't hit the hole super quick.  He gets tackled with little to no gain if there is penetration from the defensive line, but he runs through LB and DB tacklers so he's great at the second level.  Smith is also better is pass protection and he rarely fumbles.  I think if it's a close game Smith will continue to get the ball.  

 

Evans is more explosive, hits holes quicker, has better vision at the first level, and can be a long run threat as he has better speed.  I think he's the better back, albeit not the safer back. Isaac is also faster than Smith and hits holes quicker, but is too quick to bounce it outside. Neither Evans nor Isaac have as good of ball security.  If it's a close game, Smith will be the safe bet to see most of the snaps with the other guys giving him breathers even though I think Evans is the better of the 3 backs.  When you're in a close game against a rival on the road, you go with the safer, senior back.

Like Tyrone Wheatley, I think it's more about going with the hot hand than having a firm hierarchy in place (aside from passing downs, where Smith is the guy due to his superior blocking).  

Smith is at his best against smallish defenses like Indiana's that he can use his power against more easily, and where the OL gives him more room to reach the second level.  I thought he'd do well against them.  OTOH, he has a harder time against big, physical defenses, where he's got to use his feet and vision more, and hit the holes more quickly.  I think OSU might end up being more like Iowa where a guy like Evans has more success.  We'll see.

 

I put the team on my back. Greg Jemmings!

A guy I sat next to at the game yesterday said Smith is the slowest back in the BIG 10. He seemingly ate crow for the rest of the game. One word: Baller

I'd argue for some of Isaac's carries to be given over to Evans and Higdon. If Ty was as hard a runner as Smith or was as quick as Evans he'd be a beast, but he's neither.