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I think that there are more question that need to be asked about the "passing game" than the ones you asked above:
1. Does Scott's offense ask too much of most college QB's in terms of reading the defense.
Answer: I think its yes.
2. What is the point of the "passing game"? By this I mean is it a horizontal game, a replacement for running (swing passes, WR screens) or a vertical passing game ( down the field, 15-30 yard plays).
Answer: Neither.
. It is supposed to by a chunk play, down the field offense but it only has the component players for the horizontal game and they have not performed that game well enough to consistently move the chains.
3. does the "passing game" have complimentary plays?
Any good offense has complimentary plays, meaning that if you have a passing play that works and the defense adjusts to try and take that away, DONU's offense has a "complimentary play" (running or passing" to takes advantage of that defensive adjustment.
Answer: Other than the QB running play and maybe the Jet sweep, I have not detected "complimentary plays" Have you ***. If not, why not as this is the sign of a good OC scheming to consistently beat a defense with the "passing game" by being one step ahead and helping his QB.
4. It would appear that DONU "passing game" is based on a pocket passing attack. Why, when its clear to all the Big TEN DCs that DONU is blessed with QBs that are run/pass QBs not pocket passers? IF you were DONU's OC, why wouldn't you threat the opposing defense by: a) being run heavy to force single coverage against your WR/TE, b) roll your QB out, making him a run threat and moving away from pressure and giving him easier reads of the defense, c) run occasional option with option pass to TE to make the defense honor that part of your game and use the skills of your QB room to their maximum as opposed to taking a dual threat QB and making him a pro style QB?
Answer: stubborn commitment of staff to original offensive concepts is all I can come up with.
I just can't understand the failure to the staff to look at the players they have, especially the QB room because this is the single component that could flip them from losing to winning season, and play to the strength of these players and not their weaknesses.
Say what you will but a QB like the AM of the last 6 games of 2018 leads DONU to a winning season in 2019 and 2020, you can not deny it
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GBR