And who said run it up the gut every time?
We are throwing it 40 times with an option QB, and running our stud running backs single digits. Not saying 3 yard and a cloud of dust right at their linebackers and NT, but you have to run it more. Even if it means throwing in some RPO and outside stuff.
I kind of feel bad for the line.
"We are going to establish the run and build from that."
"No, wait. We are going to throw it 40-50 times a game and run sometimes."
What are they supposed to do? I don't think they're coached well. I don't think they know what our focus should be.
-- San Jose State, where we should have mashed them up front and let the line gain confidence by wearing the defense down and letting Bigsby pad stats? 23 passes. Bigsby got 12 carries.
-- Mizzou was better. Only threw 21 passes and Bigsby ran 19 times. But Ashford ran 15.
-- Mercer 21 passes, Bigsby ran for 147 on 16 carries. That's what you got to do, but it was fucking Mercer.
- Penn State saw 38 passes and just nine carries for Bigsby
That's NOT figuring out your strengths and using them wisely. Finley has a good arm but is inconsistent. Ashford is as green as the side of a fish tank in a redneck's house. Yeah, they need to throw some to loosen up the defense, but the fact remains that not putting the load on Bigsby's shoulders is not an effective strategy (and if I'm a RB looking at AU, I'm thinking 'fuck that noise.')
At this point we're just spinning wheels, though. Harsin's plan - if there is one - doesn't work. On the field or off. We can discuss what would work better, but nobody in power is going to ask for our input. We all should agree, though, that it doesn't work. All we can do at this point is rage into the wind and wait for what's next. Then we can love or hate that (and I will HATE it if it's Freeze).