Lincoln Riley's under-utilization of Mixon and rollouts

[ksigcajun]

I know this post will draw criticism since the O is apparently rolling but let’s get real: However improved our D is, we will be in shoot-outs vs TCU and Baylor. We need to maximize everything we can out of our O.

MIXON: Love the commitment to the deep ball but not the commitment to running up the gut – its simply not there with this OL (hell, it wasn’t there last year in critical situations last year – see failed 4th and short vs TCU in the 4th Q and 3 failures at the goal line vs KSU until the missed FG on 4th - both game losers). Yes, we need to run to set up the pass, but what happened to Mixon as a “third down” type back who would get the ball outside on screens, swing passes or even a sweep? 7.1 YPC vs UWV and yet we gave him the ball a measly 6 times? Incredibly that’s pretty much his season average for touches - 6.75 (27 carries over 4 games).

ROLLOUTS: Context is 3rd down efficiency: 2 of freaking 12 vs UWV; folks, that is abysmal. The 20 point win is disguising the fact that we were in a 3 point dogfight in the last minute of the 3rd quarter (but I did love that play Riley dialed up at that juncture– pump to a fake bubble screen and hit Neal deep) and 5 turnovers allowed us to pull away. Part of the problem: I saw Mayfield intentionally rolled out (vs scramble for his life) 1 time vs UWV, and it was nice strike downfield (underthrown, but picked up ~20). Conversely, he was hit while standing in the pocket just 2 plays before he threw the pick, no doubt rushing that throw because of recent pressure. Why are we not utilizing what he does best - letting him make plays on his feet? He bails on the pocket too soon, but gotta take the bad with the good there. But I am talking designed rollouts. Especially on 3rd downs - give him pass/run option on the outside (don't leave him sitting in the pocket on obvious passing downs - not with this OL).

I’m pleased with what Riley is doing, just want to see the two points above worked on.

 

[ETU]

Good points, but I am especially....well, for the lack of a better word...shocked, that Mixon hasn't touched the ball at least 15 times a game, someway, somehow. I know there are others on the board that are surprised/disappointed as well, for many were touting Mixon to have a breakout "rookie" year. The only thing that gives me a little hope for change is what Lincoln Riley said after Saturday's game..."we are nowhere near where we want to be". I have to believe that some of Mixon's lack of touches has something to do with the OL, but as you said, there are other options available. I doubt that anyone except maybe Daniel Brooks would have scored on the TD run that Mixon made. He is just quicker and faster than the other guys, and he showed it on that run. We are going to need more of those type runs this year.

 

[phillinois]

I agree with OP in that we should use every arrow in the quiver.
Mixon should get more touches and it could be that they aren't revealing the whole playbook yet.
If that's the case then the staff would get a pass for prudence.
Also, from what I've seen of him, Brooks isn't a bum by any means. He's no Perine, but then who is except Perine.
Passes to Brooks out of the backfield, shovel passes to him.

Oops, guess my inner coach is coming out.

 

[wsmonroe]

I, too, am surprised at Mixon's limited role so far. After hearing about his teammates rave about him prior to the season, I thought we'd see a lot more touches, particularly through the air. We've had a few players through the years have breakout games against Texas; maybe that will happen with Mixon this year. I hope so.

 

[mikeyt_rivals29992]

I don't know what's more surprising, the lack of screen passes to the RB when teams are selling out to blitz or the number of snaps Daniel Brooks has had? Brooks seems to have played more than Mixon and I just can't figure why he even sees the field over Perine or Mixon.

 

[ETU]

Everyone has an opinion so don't go crazy on me, but I think Brooks is exactly the type back for Riley's offense. He is quick, fast and elusive. If the OL were to get him into space, he has a great chance to score from anywhere on the field....but so does Mixon, which makes you wonder. Perine should have maintained his playing weight from last season, IMO. There's still ample opportunity for Perine when tough yardage is needed.

 

[mikeyt_rivals29992]

Everyone has an opinion so don't go crazy on me, but I think Brooks is exactly the type back for Riley's offense. He is quick, fast and elusive. If the OL were to get him into space, he has a great chance to score from anywhere on the field....but so does Mixon, which makes you wonder. Perine should have maintained his playing weight from last season, IMO. There's still ample opportunity for Perine when tough yardage is needed.

Maybe it's the poor running blocking by the OL, but Brooks hasn't shown me anything. Again, maybe it's the OL's fault.

 

[ETU]

I think we both are going to see what we want soon. Boomer!

 

[JB4AU]

I, too, am surprised at Mixon's limited role so far. After hearing about his teammates rave about him prior to the season, I thought we'd see a lot more touches, particularly through the air. We've had a few players through the years have breakout games against Texas; maybe that will happen with Mixon this year. I hope so.

Definitely this!! There were quite a few reports coming out of practices before the season that Mixon was the best weapon they had on offense or something to the effect. But yes, the raves about Mixon pre season definitely makes for wondering why he hasn't been a bigger part of the offense. Like Oklabama said, I tend to think it has ALOT to do with the OL this year. But even so, would think Riley would find a way to get the ball into Mixon's hands more often.

 

[OregonDuckFan_rivals560488]

These are the changes I would like to see. More receiver motion and fly sweeps on occasion, more Mark Andrews besides 3rd down, more screen passes and baker progressing to the wide open back in the flats. I would like a snap or 2 under center, especially in short yardage with a jumbo package of sorts.

 

[ksigcajun]

ROLL OUTS: Hate to be dead right about the roll outs (I've touched on this in other threads): 4 of 4 against UT for a TD, 2 first downs and a 9 yard gain. Mayfield was never touched. Why Riley otherwise kept our mobile QB in the pocket until the very end (2 of the last 3 plays were sacks in the pocket) is mind boggling. Its if Riley actually relies upon Mayfield's Houdini acts in escaping the collapsing pocket as part of his game plan. How about dropping the ball over the rush to the RB for a middle screen or even outside RB screen? Which leads us to...

MIXON: The thread about Mixon being over-rated is beyond f-tarded - until we give him the ball 20 times in a game there is not enough evidence to definitively say anything. A RB needs to be fed the ball; case-in-point is Fournette getting 49 yards on 15 carries in the first half vs South Carolina (then breaks it open with more carries in the 2nd half to finish with 158). Who does not remember AD getting stronger as a game progressed? Vs. UT Mixon had 6 rushes for 4 YPC (Perrine had 10 for 3.6 - why not bash on Perrine? Last year is last year - and Mixon did not have the opportunity to run behind that OL). The bottom line is that Mixon is 4.8 ypc on the season while Perrine is 4.4 YPC. Mixon has flashed enough to at least warrant more touches - its on Riley to devise ways to get him the ball....preferably out in space.

3rd DOWN EFFICIENCY: 2 of 12 vs UWV; UT came into the game ranked #122 as a defense on 3rd downs. Great opportunity to right the ship, eh? 3 for freaking 12.

Its a coin toss as to who is the worse coordinator right now - Mike or Riley.

For those putting the blame on the players - its coaching that beats Bill Snyder teams, not players. And that showed last year at home vs KSU. Time for Mike and Riley to earn their keep in Manhatten.

 

[mikeyt_rivals29992]

The problem with rollouts is that it takes away 1/2 the field, so your options are limited.

 

[ETU]

Wouldn't that also mean that half the defense is on the other side of the field? JJ

 

[GetCocky]

If Mixon doesnt get 150 all purpose yards this week I'll be disappointed. Mark Andrews needs some action also. Im just wondering if we arent just planning for next year already. If so we had better recruit def heavy we got all the off we need.

 

[Snake98]

Air raid offense and Perine don't go together. Probably the problem Riley is having getting his O off the ground trying to put square peg in round hole. Mixon is the much better choice. Perine had 1700 plus yards and we lost five games.

 

[GetCocky]

These are the best RBs that Riley has ever had...he just doesnt know what to do with them yet.