Way too early overreaction — any concern about the OL?

[laKavosiey-st lion]

O looked good

O is for Oregon

 

[DaytonRickster]

You can't jump to conclusions over one game. Absolutely concerning but we need to see more. Like I said I don't think what we thought would be a team strength is now a huge weakness. I will admit the O-Line will not be as good as we all thought but still solid.

I say reshuffle OL on right side: Donkoh back to RT & insert Cousins @ RG.

 

[Bwifan]

I know 2024 is not 2025, but it’s Nevada and I’m sure the team is not much different than last year. Here are the last five games for Nevada last year in terms of opponents rushing stats: 42/242, 36/170, 47/274, 67/318, 42/351. That is one pathetic rushing defense, and was one of the worst in all of fbs, but the Nevada rushing defense performed like the 85 Bears versus PSU. It should be cause for great concern.

I will say that evidently the coach there now literally had nothing to build on when he started 2 years ago and he is slowly building them. And Nevada played 9 bowl teams last year and 2 teams who went to the CFP. I am withholding judgement for 2 weeks, and letting them get their feet under them. Not hitting the panic button yet.

 

[rigi19040]

They were a 3-10 team that lost their tallest midget. Thy lost a run stuffer f

This Nevada team is worse than last year's, FWIW.

They lost - among others:
Their best run stuffer (transferred out)
The best of their linebackers, who were the "best" part of their defense (who transferred out)
Their leading tackler - a safety who was actually pretty good (and was a late draft pick by the NFL)
And all three corners - which was why they were playing 2 and 3 deep all game (one of whom transferred to WVU)


[For better or worse, FIU is not much better And Villanova? Are they still a good basketball school? So there is time to improve.]

Nevada is probably better than last year. They lost their tallest midgets from a 3-9 team.

 

[Electric Lion]

The starters will be just fine. They've proven themselves. The backups are an interesting story. If my program and eyes were correct, the backup OTs were RS Freshman Sexton and true freshman Aliciene. Both taking their first snaps ever, over other guys with three years in the program, some of whom where major recruits. They are also, though, tall, a bit undersized when it comes to weight. They did seem to block pretty well, stood their ground great on PP, especially for taller, lighter players. Not sure if this says more about them or more about the guys they're playing ahead of.

 

[RockyMtnLion]

And brought in about 70 new players and an almost totally new staff.

 

[PSUFTG]

The starters will be just fine. They've proven themselves. The backups are an interesting story. If my program and eyes were correct, the backup OTs were RS Freshman Sexton and true freshman Aliciene. Both taking their first snaps ever, over other guys with three years in the program, some of whom where major recruits. They are also, though, tall, a bit undersized when it comes to weight. They did seem to block pretty well, stood their ground great on PP, especially for taller, lighter players. Not sure if this says more about them or more about the guys they're playing ahead of.

Yep. Those guys came out there (along w Rulli at C) for the last two series - with Grunk at QB.

Agree, it was a bit surprising to see them ahead of some highly recruited (and older) guys, especially guys like Birchmeier and Williams (though I was told Williams may be banged up - but don't know that for sure)

No one would have expected them to be great - and they weren't - but it was not like they seemed completely out of place either (granted, an already ***-whooped Nevada D wasn't the strongest test - but still nice to see them get their feet wet without completely FUBARing)


Whether the 1st unit will be "fine"? Who knows? They were not fine for much of last year (though they did have moments where they looked even BETTER than fine). Certainly have to play leaps and bounds better than last week if they are going to compete at the big boy level.

 

[[email protected]]

I'll preface this by saying, I completely understand this is only one game, and the first of the season, at that. As I watched the game on Saturday, I was excited by Drew's poised play, WR involvement, and a fast defense anchored by DDS and Durant - but I couldn't help but to be underwhelmed by the OL. Lots of hype after last season ended, returning 7 of the top 8, best RB tandem in the nation, etc. But against a much weaker opponent, they struggled to run the ball (3.8 y/c), 6 TFLs, and 1 sack + Drew seemed to be rushed on more than a handful of drop backs.

Easy to point at a few things that could've caused this - new lineup with Donkah at RG (he doesn't look healthy to me), lots of rotations, Nevada put an extra 1-2 in the box on almost every down. I also think Franklin/K were being intentional wanting to throw the ball so much to get the transfer WRs + Drew some confidence. They also didn't call as many outside zone runs as I had expected - maybe hiding that tape prior to Oregon? But man, 3.8 ypc. against Nevada seems awfully low to me.

Any thoughts? Or am I too concerned?

concerned for now. yes.

 

[thoss]

I wouldn't worry:
1) Trautwein is one of the nation's best OL coaches and PSU is lucky to have him.
2) PSU has more talent and depth at OL that it's had probably in 20 years.
3) While it's an experienced group, some people are in new spots and they're still getting their communication and timing down. You should see steady improvement the next 2-3 games as Trautwein tries different combinations/rotations and they figure out what works best.
4) The No. 1 mission for the whole offense this year was to integrate the new receivers and get the passing game working. So OL may have a lot more reps in pass protection than they do running the ball at this point.

I'm not super worried about any part of the team right now, but there is certainly the potential for trouble on the D-line with some of the younger players. They're talented but very young. Even a really good freshman D-end is going to get manhandled by good O-tackles most of the time.

 

[Bvillebaron]

There were not a "lot of different combinations" being used..... not until late in the game anyway. (I posted the personnel usage in an earlier thread). Aside from 3 snaps, the first 6 possessions (until mid 3rd Q) every snap had the starting 5 on the field.
Also, as opposed to some things mentioned elsewhere, Nevada most definitely did not "load up the box" against the run. Almost entirely 6 and 7 men in the box - actually a rather light grouping - with generally 2 or 3 high DBs throughout the game.


And the guys who played are a very, very veteran group with a ton of starts under their belts - especially compared to the new norm in sub-NFL football (see OSU, Texas, or any number of other programs for what the new normal looks like in depth chart turnover year to year).

No one would want to draw too many inferences from any team's Game 1. But there will need to be huge levels of improvement there if PSU is to be a true contender.
Last year's offensive line performance was pretty "offensive" through mid-November - then improved late. So there is precedent for improvement.

Apparently Franklin and Tengwall
were watching a different game than you were.

 

[Bvillebaron]

This seems like the kind of thing we do every year. We think a certain area of the team doesn’t look as impressive as we think it should against a weak opponent and point it out. Then others say it’s just the first game and we shouldn’t worry about it. Then, the portion of the schedule where teams have a pulse rolls around and we find out we were right in our concerns.
I didn’t really see much of the game, but I would say there is reason to be concerned.

So you didn’t see much of the game but you are concerned about the OL. Seriously?

 

[Bvillebaron]

I know 2024 is not 2025, but it’s Nevada and I’m sure the team is not much different than last year. Here are the last five games for Nevada last year in terms of opponents rushing stats: 42/242, 36/170, 47/274, 67/318, 42/351. That is one pathetic rushing defense, and was one of the worst in all of fbs, but the Nevada rushing defense performed like the 85 Bears versus PSU. It should be cause for great concern.

The Nevada rushing D was played like the 1985 Chicago Bears? LMFAO.

 

[bbrown]

The Nevada rushing D was played like the 1985 Chicago Bears? LMFAO.

Some of these Hot takes are epic.

 

[slwlion]

I'll preface this by saying, I completely understand this is only one game, and the first of the season, at that. As I watched the game on Saturday, I was excited by Drew's poised play, WR involvement, and a fast defense anchored by DDS and Durant - but I couldn't help but to be underwhelmed by the OL. Lots of hype after last season ended, returning 7 of the top 8, best RB tandem in the nation, etc. But against a much weaker opponent, they struggled to run the ball (3.8 y/c), 6 TFLs, and 1 sack + Drew seemed to be rushed on more than a handful of drop backs.

Easy to point at a few things that could've caused this - new lineup with Donkah at RG (he doesn't look healthy to me), lots of rotations, Nevada put an extra 1-2 in the box on almost every down. I also think Franklin/K were being intentional wanting to throw the ball so much to get the transfer WRs + Drew some confidence. They also didn't call as many outside zone runs as I had expected - maybe hiding that tape prior to Oregon? But man, 3.8 ypc. against Nevada seems awfully low to me.

Any thoughts? Or am I too concerned?

I've been concerned since the 90's.

 

[LionJim]

T

I've been concerned since the 90's.

That’s no joke.

 

[Connorpozlee]

So you didn’t see much of the game but you are concerned about the OL. Seriously?

Yep. I see the numbers. And what I saw of the game wasn’t impressive. Tell me what I missed?
I’m certainly not in the ledge ready to jump. But concerned? Sure.

 

[mh-larch]

I am concerned, the OL looked terrible....run and pass, but especially for the run. They should have dominated and pushed Nevada around, no excuses! Is the a scheme problem? I don't think so. Most of these guys, if not all, were in the system last season. Is it an overconfidence problem against a lesser team? Maybe......and that concerns me the most. After watching the video posted above this group seemed a bit cocky and overconfident. A great unit would have blown the Pack out, even with some position changes and other excuses offered. You can't just turn it off and on, they must be consistently physical and nasty.

Through the JF years I've heard constant complaints that the OL has talent, but isn't consistently physical and nasty. I hope the coaches are hard on this unit and they come out and blow out the next two inferior opponents. I think they will, but they can't think they will just turn it on for the Ducks.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

I wouldn't worry:
1) Trautwein is one of the nation's best OL coaches and PSU is lucky to have him.
2) PSU has more talent and depth at OL that it's had probably in 20 years.
3) While it's an experienced group, some people are in new spots and they're still getting their communication and timing down. You should see steady improvement the next 2-3 games as Trautwein tries different combinations/rotations and they figure out what works best.
4) The No. 1 mission for the whole offense this year was to integrate the new receivers and get the passing game working. So OL may have a lot more reps in pass protection than they do running the ball at this point.

I'm not super worried about any part of the team right now, but there is certainly the potential for trouble on the D-line with some of the younger players. They're talented but very young. Even a really good freshman D-end is going to get manhandled by good O-tackles most of the time.

Plus the BWICAC will easily correct any problems that we face!

 

[BobPSU92]

If offensive line were easy, every team would have one.

 

[PSUFTG]

I am concerned, the OL looked terrible....run and pass, but especially for the run. They should have dominated and pushed Nevada around, no excuses! Is the a scheme problem? I don't think so. Most of these guys, if not all, were in the system last season. Is it an overconfidence problem against a lesser team? Maybe......and that concerns me the most. After watching the video posted above this group seemed a bit cocky and overconfident. A great unit would have blown the Pack out, even with some position changes and other excuses offered. You can't just turn it off and on, they must be consistently physical and nasty.

Through the JF years I've heard constant complaints that the OL has talent, but isn't consistently physical and nasty. I hope the coaches are hard on this unit and they come out and blow out the next two inferior opponents. I think they will, but they can't think they will just turn it on for the Ducks.

FWIW: Looking for silver linings:

Looking at Nevada game position-by-position, I felt the left side of the line was solid (maybe not as dominant as one would expect against a team as weak as Nevada, but solid). Would be interesting to see if Tengwall or some others with expertise took a stab at such a breakdown. So they can build on that solid play on the left side, IMO.
Aside from the questionable usage of pulling Vega, probably their best run blocker, out from the LOG spot and using him as a "wing man" in certain situations, the left side looks to be set (That didn't work last year - may have cost PSU their best chance to tie up the game vs OSU - and shows no signs of being a good use of personnel this year. Aside from a couple of meaningless ooh and aah plays were Vega planted some undersized edge player from UCLA, it negatively impacted the power run game)

Most of the issues on Saturday seemed to come from the right side of the line.
On the plus side, judging by the way rotations and substitutions were handled by the staff, I expect they felt the same way coming into the game (and probably even more so after Saturday). So I expect it will receive a lot of attention over the next two weeks.