GP1 Analysis

[GP1]

My thoughts on the first half. Won't be posting on the second half because I'm going to the USC vs. ECU game and quite frankly, this game is over.

Early in the game, the Zips defense was aggressive with blitzing and slants to the strong side of formations and the field. I would have done the same thing if I worked on the coaching staff. It didn't work out so well and after making an in game adjustment to less blitzing and LOS pressure, they played better.

Our d-line is better than I thought it would be. Not great, but better than last year and made some decent plays today. I think this group will play better when MAC play starts.

Our d-backs, when they aren't falling down, didn't play that poorly either. On the first osu TD, we slanted to the strong side and containment is needed by a DB and the guy missed the tackle of the QB. That's not good at all. One broke up a pass downfield and could have had an int so that was a good play. OSU QB is playing great.

I am extremely disappointed in our linebackers. The d-line is not a disaster and they are missing tackles or getting carried for a few extra yards. They are not getting off of blocks. Not a good day by any of the LBs thus far. My biggest concern is how soft they play. I expected much more out of this group....that means you Mr. Wagner....get off of blocks and stop getting knocked on your butt by the fullback...you're the leader of the team now start playing like it.

Punter is doing a good job.

Kicker struck the ball well, just missed. Percentages go way down on 40+ yard FGs.

Field position has not been our friend today and has been our #1 problem. A lot of that has to do with poor special teams play. What do I mean by poor? Keep in mind, the front five on KO return get a ten yard head start. The osu players are beating to the point where they turn around to block. Punt return is not holding anyone up at the line and the defeners are running free down the field. We need to get some faster guys on the kickoff return front line or we'll be starting every drive inside the 20.

The offense. Urban Meyer thinks our offense is a joke and he is right. They don't do anything that might even resemble misdirection. Nothing is working so the only misdirection a pro offense has is play action. That is ruled out because the running game isn't working. No option...no spread...no nothing. It's not 1960.

The offensive line is playing well. It's hard to complete passes when QB accuracy is poor or the ball is delivered too late. Moore never looks away from where he is throwing and this has to change. We don't send enough guys out for passes...it's like the offense we ran in the 80s when Faust was the coach. Philosophically, I've never like pro style offenses in college in the 21st Century and today is a good example of why.

Too many penalties in the second quarter.

Halftime is about over. Keep this in mind. It could be a lot worse right now.

Don't worry about what happens in the second half. The game is out of control and the offense will be forced to throw all the time. That's not a good way to evaluate anything. We'll know a lot more after next week.

Have a safe and fun weekend with your families and friends.

[Dave in Green]

Many thanks for the thoughtful analysis. Nice contrast with the chorus of primal screams in the game thread.

The game is playing out about the way the professional football analysts predicted it would.

Looking forward to seeing how the Zips play against a MAC-level opponent.

[Hilltopper]

Nice analysis GP1. My sons 7th grade team runs a more complex offense. If that doesn't change we are going to have a long season.

[skip-zip]

Additions:

1) I hope this game was not an indication that we are STILL a poor tackling team. Far too many plays that were losses or short gains that turned into 8 yard pick ups. The play early where Bauser walked into the end zone dodging people with Bernie Kosar-esque grace was sickening. It'll be another long season for the defense if we still only have one guy who can tackle.

2) The offensive showing was way too similar to our trip down there 4 years ago. Almost nothing to feel good about except that there was not a ton of sacks, so protection seems improved. Although, we certainly have a more mobile QB, which helps eliminate the sacks.

3) No run blocking at all. Was Moore clearly our leading ground gainer? That's not gonna get us anywhere.

4) Just like the 2007 game, our punter played one whale of a game.

[Kangaroo Craig]

I don't care who the opponent was, the offensive performance was horrible! I got to see a little bit of the Can't-Alabama game. Although the Flushes got manhandled as well, they at least showed some glimpses of a passing game. Ours was completely non-existent except for one play in the 2 minute drill, near the end of the first half, where the Buckeyes were playing prevent and still almost prevented a 33 yard catch on the sideline. That was about the only decent play of the game for the Zips offensively. Pathetic! The defense must be prepared going forward because they are going to have to carry this team if it is going to have any chance of winning at all. I am now worried that this team will lose for the second year in a row to an FCS opponent. 11 more weeks of this crap. Ugh!

[Blue & Gold]

Thanks, GP1.

[UAZipster0305]

Way to stay positive when it would be very easy to do otherwise!

[Doug Snyder]

Additions:

1) I hope this game was not an indication that we are STILL a poor tackling team. Far too many plays that were losses or short gains that turned into 8 yard pick ups. The play early where Bauser walked into the end zone dodging people with Bernie Kosar-esque grace was sickening. It'll be another long season for the defense if we still only have one guy who can tackle.

2) The offensive showing was way too similar to our trip down there 4 years ago. Almost nothing to feel good about except that there was not a ton of sacks, so protection seems improved. Although, we certainly have a more mobile QB, which helps eliminate the sacks.

3) No run blocking at all. Was Moore clearly our leading ground gainer? That's not gonna get us anywhere.

4) Just like the 2007 game, our punter played one whale of a game.

ICoach was around 4 years ago?? Hmmm...so the same thing happened 4 years ago. Hmmm....let me think on that.

[Doug Snyder]

GP1 analysis was good. It is nice to get a former players perspective. Thanks

I liked that the offensive line gave Moore some time. There were breakdowns...but overall they did a good job.

I liked that we did not turn the ball over. The only turnover was the result of a tip and a great defensive play.

I like that some of our receivers can catch..and bring the ball down in a crowd. Suel is for real. Disappointed that Price and Dillard dropped balls

I liked that there were no long runs.

I like that were able to play with them physically...no injuries, no long runs, good O-liine play and some pressure on their QB. And it was an environment that was physically draining and they were much bigger.

I did not like some of the dropped passes.

The offense was vanilla...probably by design. We will need to open it up.

I did not like the missed tackles

I did not like the missed FG

But what I liked most af all...NO INJURIES (at least I think)

Next week will be a true test. Wish I could be there

[skip-zip]

Additions:

1) I hope this game was not an indication that we are STILL a poor tackling team. Far too many plays that were losses or short gains that turned into 8 yard pick ups. The play early where Bauser walked into the end zone dodging people with Bernie Kosar-esque grace was sickening. It'll be another long season for the defense if we still only have one guy who can tackle.

2) The offensive showing was way too similar to our trip down there 4 years ago. Almost nothing to feel good about except that there was not a ton of sacks, so protection seems improved. Although, we certainly have a more mobile QB, which helps eliminate the sacks.

3) No run blocking at all. Was Moore clearly our leading ground gainer? That's not gonna get us anywhere.

4) Just like the 2007 game, our punter played one whale of a game.

ICoach was around 4 years ago?? Hmmm...so the same thing happened 4 years ago. Hmmm....let me think on that.

Please tell me where I said that Ianello was our coach in 2007?

[Doug Snyder]

Additions:

1) I hope this game was not an indication that we are STILL a poor tackling team. Far too many plays that were losses or short gains that turned into 8 yard pick ups. The play early where Bauser walked into the end zone dodging people with Bernie Kosar-esque grace was sickening. It'll be another long season for the defense if we still only have one guy who can tackle.

2) The offensive showing was way too similar to our trip down there 4 years ago. Almost nothing to feel good about except that there was not a ton of sacks, so protection seems improved. Although, we certainly have a more mobile QB, which helps eliminate the sacks.

3) No run blocking at all. Was Moore clearly our leading ground gainer? That's not gonna get us anywhere.

4) Just like the 2007 game, our punter played one whale of a game.

ICoach was around 4 years ago?? Hmmm...so the same thing happened 4 years ago. Hmmm....let me think on that.

Please tell me where I said that Ianello was our coach in 2007?

You missed sarcasm. You and some here are blaming ICoach for the showing today and the same thing happened 4 years ago (and he was not here). Hmmm...maybe it has something to do with the opponent??