Way too early overreaction — any concern about the OL?

[TheWizardofCamelot]

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?

 

[KingLando]

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?

Our goal is to win a title this year so definitely not "too concerned". We do have a couple easy games to figure it out. If that type of performance repeats itself in either of the next two weeks that's when I'll worry but it definitely didn't meet expectations

 

[Bison13]

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?

Slight concern, but agree with most of your reasoning in paragraph 2. Landon Tengwall has a video explaining that a lot of the combo blocks were not correct, which led to some stuffed runs and runs that should have been bigger.

 

[Bones80]

If it happens again this week then it’s time to be concerned. Don’t forget the impact of not having Warren there blocking. He was a beast.

 

[Bwifan]

Our goal is to win a title this year so definitely not "too concerned". We do have a couple easy games to figure it out. If that type of performance repeats itself in either of the next two weeks that's when I'll worry but it definitely didn't meet expectations

Not worried at all. This early in the season they are trying different combinations also the OL takes time to gel. These early games will allow them to try many different things, Traut is a good OL coach and I feel will have them ready for the Oregon game.

 

[PSUFTG]

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.

 

[Bwifan]

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).
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.

Joe always said the largest improvement for the team/players comes between games 1 and 2.

 

[troutrus]

As loyal fans, It’s never too early to start worrying and complaining.

 

[PSUFTG]

Joe always said the largest improvement for the team/players comes between games 1 and 2.

I would tend to agree. For every team (which means Nevada was also "at their worst").

That said, one would not expect a steep learning curve for a veteran group with a lot of playing time under their belts. They played poorly, by any metric. Fortunately, a long stretch of payday cupcakes leading up to Oregon.

 

[Steelhead52]

I know, first game etc. But I was still very disappointed with the OL. What if our first game was Texas? I personally expected a lot more 6-8 yard gains and not 2-3 yard gains. I mean this is an experienced team. I didn’t see the physical mismatches I would have expected. I know the game plan was to get the ball to wide receivers and that went well. I also think they worked on short and intermediate routes and didn’t need to go deep. We never gave the punt team any work so I guess that means something. I guess I was just expecting a 600 yd offense kind of day. I do believe the talent is there and we have time to develop before Oregon but I really did expect the backs to pad stats in this game.

 

[creamery freak]

I would tend to agree. For every team (which means Nevada was also "at their worst").

That said, one would not expect a steep learning curve for a veteran group with a lot of playing time under their belts. They played poorly, by any metric. Fortunately, a long stretch of payday cupcakes leading up to Oregon.

Biggest improvement is week1 to week 2. Let's wait and see what happens this week.

 

[bbrown]

I know, first game etc. But I was still very disappointed with the OL. What if our first game was Texas? I personally expected a lot more 6-8 yard gains and not 2-3 yard gains. I mean this is an experienced team. I didn’t see the physical mismatches I would have expected. I know the game plan was to get the ball to wide receivers and that went well. I also think they worked on short and intermediate routes and didn’t need to go deep. We never gave the punt team any work so I guess that means something. I guess I was just expecting a 600 yd offense kind of day. I do believe the talent is there and we have time to develop before Oregon but I really did expect the backs to pad stats in this game.

If our first game was Texas or any other top team for that matter, I doubt you would have seen mass substitutions on the OL in the first quarter. It was a game used as development and getting guys experience and knocking the rust of some players that missed the end of last season.

 

[TheBigUglies]

I am worried. Nevada does not have big men in the trenches like we do. I did see a clip from Landon Tengwell and missed assignments. I know it is the first week of the season however we are supposed to be a highly ranked team so we should have been able to run the ball better then we did on Saturday(138 yards rushing is not bad) against a smaller opponent. I think the defense causing turnovers helped the offense immensely. Just thought we should look a little better then we did on offense. Then again, I measure eliteness by the 1994 team and they way they were able to dominate out of the gate. Holy crap I just realized that was 30 years ago!! The game has changed but we can't seem to break off long runs like I see other teams do.

 

[PSUFTG]

If our first game was Texas or any other top team for that matter, I doubt you would have seen mass substitutions on the OL in the first quarter. It was a game used as development and getting guys experience and knocking the rust of some players that missed the end of last season.

Curious. Seriously.

Why do people think there were "Mass Substitutions" along the offensive line - when, clearly, there were not? I have seen this mentioned more than a few times.

 

[rudedude]

Not worried at all. This early in the season they are trying different combinations also the OL takes time to gel. These early games will allow them to try many different things, Traut is a good OL coach and I feel will have them ready for the Oregon game.

 

[Bwifan]

If PSU was heading into the Oregon game this week and had several games under their belt I would be concerned. I have absolutely no worries with the Oline right now. Maybe I am a half glass full kind of person, let's give them another 2 games before ringing the panic bell. I would expect to see a much better product from the Oline this week.

 

[PrtLng Lion]

I didn't see any of the post-game presser. Was CJF asked about the OL play?

 

[DaytonRickster]

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?

Well, CJF although a bit guarded in his comments alluded that the OL had some issues. It will come out in the film sessions and hopefully the coaches and players work to correct their mistakes.
One thing they were reminded of: no team is laying down for them even if that team is less talented.

 

[DaytonRickster]

Curious. Seriously.

Why do people think there were "Mass Substitutions" along the offensive line - when, clearly, there were not? I have seen this mentioned more than a few times.
(The entire 1st half, THREE snaps with Cousins replacing Rucci. A couple of snaps in first series where they ADDED in a 6th or 7th lineman - which is a common thing for Kotelnicki - but the starting 5 remained on the field. That's it. The film don't lie.)

Did some announcer or coach make erroneous statements during the game? Because that simply did not happen.

Correct.

 

[BobPSU92]

As loyal fans, It’s never too early to start worrying and complaining.

If you ain’t overreactin’, you ain’t tryin’.

 

[EricStratton-RushChairman]

Joe always said the largest improvement for the team/players comes between games 1 and 2.

And I seem to remember him saying OL is always last unit to start to really "figure it out"

 

[Connorpozlee]

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.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

As loyal fans, It’s never too early to start worrying and complaining.

“Mediocre is not an option”. PSU AD

 

[PSUFTG]

And I seem to remember him saying OL is always last unit to start to really "figure it out"

For young guys starting out, until they get some real-time experience. Not for veterans with years of playing experience already under their belt.

Bottom line: They pretty much laid an egg on Saturday. It happens. The contortions employed to perfume that stinker are kind of weird.
I'll guarantee that (unless they are the dumbest coaching staff of all time - which they are not) there will be some significant come to Jesus conversations in that OL room.

 

[Bwifan]

For young guys starting out, until they get some real-time experience. Not for veterans with years of playing experience already under their belt.

Bottom line: They pretty much laid an egg on Saturday. It happens. The contortions employed to perfume that stinker are kind of weird.
I'll guarantee that (unless they are the dumbest coaching staff of all time - which they are not) there will be some significant come to Jesus conversations in that OL room.

Correct... it most likely won't be fun film sessions this week. Why I said I would expect a different Oline this weekend. I do believe if PSU was playing a top 25 team last Saturday you would have seen a different Oline. Let's see how they react over the next couple of weeks before Oregon rolls into town. I am definetly not hitting the panic button. Many of these guys have shown to be very good players last year. Coach Traut hasn't forgot how to coach. I expect them to be much better over the next few weeks.

 

[PSUForever]

Curious. Seriously.

Why do people think there were "Mass Substitutions" along the offensive line - when, clearly, there were not? I have seen this mentioned more than a few times.
(The entire 1st half, THREE snaps with Cousins replacing Rucci. A couple of snaps in first series where they ADDED in a 6th or 7th lineman - which is a common thing for Kotelnicki - but the starting 5 remained on the field. That's it. The film don't lie.)

Did some announcer or coach make erroneous statements during the game? Because that simply did not happen.

Now I'm wondering how good the O-Line even performed last season to deserve all this preseason hype? We did pretty well versus Oregon and ND so that is saying something but that was late in the season. We were not so hot versus OSU. Never were we spectacular.

I think this Saturday will show some improvement but not where any of us would like to see it. I doubt we ever get to the '94 level which is a really high bar anyway. I think at the end of the day our O-Line will be solid/good but not spectacular. I hope I'm wrong but just my gut feel. Does that mean we are doomed? No. What it does mean is we need Allar and the WRs to be much better than last year so we actually have a downfield passing threat besides our TE that will loosen up defenses. Couple that with creative playcalling to keep defenses off balance like quick release throws, RBs involved in passing game, jet sweeps, etc. We do need the pass protection to hold up and I think it will be fine to do so. We were never beating OSU or the NC by simply grounding and pounding and throwing like 10 times per game.

 

[MaconNitt]

They will be fine. Maybe they ought to eat less and spend more time practicing than making features

 

[rigi19040]

They will be fine. Maybe they ought to eat less and spend more time practicing than making features

Wont be fine if the problem is the scheme.

 

[rigi19040]

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.

That is because the scheme is the problem.

 

[PSUFTG]

Now I'm wondering how good the O-Line even performed last season to deserve all this preseason hype? We did pretty well versus Oregon and ND so that is saying something but that was late in the season. We were not so hot versus OSU. Never were we spectacular.

I think this Saturday will show some improvement but not where any of us would like to see it. I doubt we ever get to the '94 level which is a really high bar anyway. I think at the end of the day our O-Line will be solid/good but not spectacular. I hope I'm wrong but just my gut feel. Does that mean we are doomed? No. What it does mean is we need Allar and the WRs to be much better than last year so we actually have a downfield passing threat besides our TE that will loosen up defenses. Couple that with creative playcalling to keep defenses off balance like quick release throws, RBs involved in passing game, jet sweeps, etc. We do need the pass protection to hold up and I think it will be fine to do so. We were never beating OSU or the NC by simply grounding and pounding and throwing like 10 times per game.

That's an interesting question, and good "analysis", I think.

They definitely were more productive in the 2024 post-season than in the regular season:
In the post season:
Boise St was a lousy rush defense, No surprises there. (PSU kind of got away from the TB run too early in that game, and tried to get Allar more involved. If they had stayed with it more they probably would have really controlled that game)
Notre Dame was not very good vs the run - even more mediocre after they lost Riley Mills (their best run defender) before the quarter-finals. He didn't play vs PSU. PSU ran very well - and probably should have run more, especially with as FUBAR as the pass game was.
Oregon was fair on run D. And PSU DESTROYED THEM with the TB run game. That was impressive.
SMU was probably the best run defense they faced post-season. SMU run defense actually did very well vs PSU TB run - stuffed the TB run up a good bit early in the game, until things got out of hand and SMU kinda' "quit" - and PSU just ran it down their throats after that and racked up big run stats.

Still, PSU DID manage to move the ball on the ground with the tailbacks pretty consistently in the post-season. So the optics were trending upward. And I think everyone was (and is) hopeful, if not confident.

But people forget how much they struggled with the TB run game throughout the regular Big Ten season.

During the conference season:
Allen's rushing totals were 124 carries for just 515 yards
Singleton was 84 carries for 419.
Most of the yardage against the weaker opponents, of course.

Total of 208-934 combined over those 9 games. That is not dominating. Really, given the talent level we all think those backs have (and I would agree that the backs have been pretty good about getting all the yardage available), it was damn poor.
Interestingly, in 2023, when everyone was up in arms about "where did the run game go?" (remember that?), they were actually BETTER in the TB run game: 247 for 1135, than they were last year.
Those are just the historical facts.

But in 2024 the Tyler Warren perfume, and Pribula providing an occasional spark to the run game (and a great defensive effort) covered up a lot of the stink.
But neither the 2023 season, nor 2024 regular season, were anywhere near "good", let alone great.

The hope would be that the last month of the 2024 season would be more indicative of what to expect for 2025, but time will tell - and game 1 was "not good"

 

[Wilbury]

That's an interesting question, and good "analysis", I think.

They definitely were more productive in the 2024 post-season than in the regular season:
In the post season:
Boise St was a lousy rush defense, No surprises there.
Notre Dame was not very good vs the run - even more mediocre after they lost Riley Mills (their best run defender) before the quarter-finals. He didn't play vs PSU.
Oregon was fair. And PSU DESTROYED THEM with the TB run game. That was impressive.
SMU was probably the best run defense they faced post-season. SMU run defense actually did very well vs PSU TB run - stuffed the TB run up a good bit early in the game, until things got out of hand and SMU kinda' "quit" - and PSU just ran it down their throats after that.

Still, PSU DID manage to move the ball on the ground with the tailbacks pretty consistently in the post-season. So the optics were trending upward. And I think everyone was (and is) hopeful, if not confident.

But people forget how much they struggled with the TB run game throughout the regular Big Ten season.

During the conference season:
Allen's rushing totals were 124 carries for just 515 yards
Singleton was 84 carries for 419.
Most of the yardage against the weaker opponents, of course.

Total of 208-934 combined over those 9 games. That is not dominating. Really, given the talent level we all think those backs have (and I would agree that the backs have been pretty good about getting all the yardage available), it was damn poor.
Interestingly, in 2023, when everyone was up in arms about "where did the run game go?" (remember that?), they were actually BETTER in the TB run game: 247 for 1135, than they were last year.
Those are just the historical facts.

But in 2024 the Tyler Warren perfume, and Pribula providing an occasional spark to the run game (and a great defensive effort) covered up a lot of the stink.
But neither the 2023 season, nor 2024 regular season, were anywhere near "good", let alone great.

The hope would be that the last month of the 2024 season would be more indicative of what to expect for 2025, but time will tell - and game 1 was "not good"

4.2 yds/carry for Allen and 5yds/carry for singleton isn't struggling to run the football.

The offensive line is fine, they just aren't great.

 

[PSUForever]

That's an interesting question, and good "analysis", I think.

They definitely were more productive in the 2024 post-season than in the regular season:
In the post season:
Boise St was a lousy rush defense,
Notre Dame was not very good vs the run - even more mediocre after they lost Riley Mills (their best run defender) before the quarter-finals. He didn't play vs PSU.
Oregon was fair.
SMU was probably the best run defense they faced post-season.

Still, PSU DID manage to move the ball on the ground with the tailbacks pretty consistently in the post-season. So the optics were trending upward. And I think everyone was (and is) hopeful, if not confident.

But people forget how much they struggled with the TB run game throughout the regular Big Ten season.

During the conference season:
Allen's rushing totals were 124 carries for just 515 yards
Singleton was 84 carries for 419.
Most of the yardage against the weaker opponents, of course.

Total of 208-934 combined over those 9 games. That is not dominating. Really, given the talent level we all think those backs have (and I would agree that the backs have been pretty good about getting all the yardage available), it was damn poor.
Interestingly, in 2023, when everyone was up in arms about "where did the run game go?" (remember that?), they were actually BETTER in the TB run game: 247 for 1135, than they were last year.
Those are just the historical facts.

But in 2024 the Tyler Warren perfume, and Pribula providing an occasional spark to the run game (and a great defensive effort) covered up a lot of the stink.
But neither the 2023 season, nor 2024 regular season, were anywhere near "good", let alone great.

The hope would be that the last month of the 2024 season would be more indicative of what to expect for 2025, but time will tell - and game 1 was "not good"

This is some excellent information I did not know. My overall point is I don't think we should expect some incredible juggernaut dominating O-Line that just steam rolls every opponent on the ground. I don't think there is an O-Line in the country that can do that. Not OSU, not Texas, not Georgia. With the athleticism and speed of these D Lines now combined with smart and creative D coordinators you simply cannot just ground and pound your way to a victory over other elite teams and defenses.

With all that said, our O-Line needs to improve from last Saturday. I also would expect us to be better than last season given all the returning experience. The critical question is how much better should we expect to be and what does that look like on the field?

There is no reason to panic and it is not like the O-Line is suddenly a glaring weakness. In my opinion, we can absolutely win the NC with a solid O-Line that may not be "spectacular" by people's ratings. To me, the season hinges on Allar's development/improvement with the WRs and his ability to elevate his play and the team's play in our biggest games.

 

[PSUFTG]

4.2 yds/carry for Allen and 5yds/carry for singleton isn't struggling to run the football.

The offensive line is fine, they just aren't great.

When the bulk of the yards are against weak teams, and they get stuffed against quality teams, I would think "fine" is relatively kind. But, yes, for sure not "great".

It certainly has not been good enough to beat any top end teams for years.

 

[PSUFTG]

This is some excellent information I did not know. My overall point is I don't think we should expect some incredible juggernaut dominating O-Line that just steam rolls every opponent on the ground. I don't think there is an O-Line in the country that can do that. Not OSU, not Texas, not Georgia. With the athleticism and speed of these D Lines now combined with smart and creative D coordinators you simply cannot just ground and pound your way to a victory over other elite teams and defenses.

With all that said, our O-Line needs to improve from last Saturday. I also would expect us to be better than last season given all the returning experience. The critical question is how much better should we expect to be and what does that look like on the field?

There is no reason to panic and it is not like the O-Line is suddenly a glaring weakness. In my opinion, we can absolutely win the NC with a solid O-Line that may not be "spectacular" by people's ratings. To me, the season hinges on Allar's development/improvement with the WRs and his ability to elevate his play and the team's play in our biggest games.

Agreed.

But they better be at least somewhat better up front, for sure.

How much better they have to be (in order to have a possibility of a championship offense) will largely depend on Allar showing improvement against quality teams. Can he do that? How much? Who knows? But a better TB run game would take a lot of pressure off of him.

 

[LMTLION]

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.

 

[PSUForever]

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 , but the Nevada rushing defense performed it like the 85 Bears versus PSU. It should be cause for great concern.

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.

 

[LMTLION]

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 agree you can’t jump to conclusions, but the performance was so abysmal versus such a weak opponent that I don’t think it’s crying wolf to raise the alarms. Part of the reason why we are considered a natty contender is the experience and depth of the offensive line. Hopefully it is just an aberration and kicking their rear ends and practice this week will help, but we should’ve been able to push that team around. Our OL never won in the trenches in that entire game. Even pass protection broke down more than you would think against such a subpar opponent.

 

[PSUFTG]

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.

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.]

 

[19333lion]

I share in a sense of letdown. I was buying into the hype and probably expected way more than I was entitled to. We ain't going to beat OSU unless we can win on at least one side of the line of scrimmage. That keeps being driven home every year.

 

[Nitt1300]

Way too early overreaction.