Mike West

If it is going to make enough money to subsidize a G6 playoff, I say go to 24. We all know that 13-24 have no chance unless that team is like Miami was this year. I believe the 24 team format will preserve the sport. Big 12 and ACC teams can participate, and there really wouldn't be motivaton for the B1Gand SEC to further ruin the sport. The Playoffs should start the FIRST week of December, and THE ROSE BOWL SHOULD HOST EVERY TITLE GAME. It has the best stadium, the best tradition and it is outside in the best weather. The fans that won't like it are the fans that know those superfluous teams never had a shot, but at least they can say they reached the post season. End the Bowl games. There are too many anyway. An NIT style alternative playoff can replace the bowls. Tradition is dead. Long live tradition. College Football is a version of the NFL with high school aged to college aged players. Should have happened when we old geezers were kids. More Indianas of the world would be around, and the Blue Blood fans and their programs can now be forgotten. They paid for the players all along. We're already seeing the impact of their inability to hog all the talent.

It can be difficult to coach QBs and run the offense. It is also difficult for a QB coach to stay within the philosophy of the OC. Moore needs specific improvement in his skills. 1) Reading defenses pre snap and deciding which side of the field the defense is "giving" him. 2) Reading the defense post snap and attacking accordingly 3) Setting his feet sooner 4) Much better pocket presence a) recognizing where the pressure is coming from immediately and responding accordingly b) waiting as long as he can-even if that means getting blasted-so he can read the defense fully. 5) Throwing receivers open-like he did in Iowa City and the first TD of the semi final game. He must do this 90% of the time. a) this requires plenty of work with the receivers as sometimes he will not know the exact angle they will cut, other times it will be in a very tight window (like both the passes mentioned above). 6) More ability to check into plays that the defense is giving him. He must be able to accurately audible into positive plays, and sometimes explosive plays. 7) coaching his players up. Sometimes the OL needs to be told to immediately attack a gap instead of trying to read his assigned defender. Sometimes the receivers need to recognize gaps in coverage they can sit in so they are open quickly or simply open at all. 8) Obliterating blitz packages and simulated pressure. There is a solution to every challenge. Even on third and long. Max protect if necessary. Just smack the hell out of blitzes. Make em scared to pressure you. 9) Fire in his eyes. Even when you are angry at yourself, show some fight. Continue to lead, but let your offense know you want to kick a$$. Moore showed some grit coming off that opening pick six. I want to see that an entire game because mistakes will happen. Dante Moore is one of the most naturally gifted QBs ever. It's some of the intangibles he must work on. ONE ALWAYS MUST IMPROVE THEIR SKILLS. There is no such thing as staying the same. You are improving, or digressing. Humpty Dumpty cannot sit on the wall. Get that butt on one side or the other. Obviously, that means getting better in one or more aspect every day. Mehringer has to lift Moore to stratospheric heights. Moore needs to strike so deadly, teams fear him massively.

Awesome article Darren. I guess we will have to wait before we start knashing our teeth over the coordinators. Everything happens in its own time. I believe Lanning has learned lots. How you develop coordinators matters as much as giving them the reigns. I saw marked improvement from Lupoi and Stein this year. But it wasn't enough. Of course, the players have to step into their roles and execute. But it starts with the coaches.

Once again, lots of very good comments. I hope DM is already in the film room. I hope he is already working with the 25 guys that need work on offense and defense honing their skills. The pursuit of a title started "yesterday". I also hope everyone on the team gets an individual analysis from a pro scout on their skills sets. An objective analysis will work wonders in that aspect. That goes for the coaching staff also. It's muscle memory time. Thousands of hours watching film, drilling specifics, and becoming the best because you work at it. I always think of the Matrix, when Neo says " I can do jujutsu". The clock is ticking ..

That is gold. We're all posting opinions. Some of us wish we were in the room with the coaching staff. We have to trust them. That's hard when we want a title so badly. The discussions are cool. We get to hash out a passion we all enjoy. As long as we're on the path, it's more difficult to complain. Sometimes you gotta get lucky. But not if Clint Eastwood is saying " so do you feel lucky, punk"!!!

Very good post One thing I will say, I expected the defense to be much worse this year. Much much worse. So they totally over performed. That doesn't mean they didn't play their best on Friday. But they were supposed to get smoked. I know Ohio State was ready to embarrass that unit again. They didn't get the chance, and Indiana didn't get to completely show his much they could have scored had the offense simply played normally. The defense got beat like they should have been according to the level of talent the unit has. I expected the offense to light up the scoreboard. All it takes is execution on that side of the ball. They're not consistent.. yet. It's been my take that the offense needs to score 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45 on elite defenses. As in plenty of future NFL starters (not draftees, starters). I expected that all year because I had calculated the defense would be a major weakness. The offense isn't there yet. Way too many mistakes all season. Way too many. But this year's defense beat expectations by five galaxies as far as I'm concerned. Maybe even ten. Twice they held the most explosive offense in college football this year to 28 points (given our offense and special teams gave the Hoosiers opportunities Sheldon High could convert). I recall a similarly explosive offense netting 36 and 34 points against a more experienced defense just two years ago. I just didn't expect this year's defense to come close to being better. They were. That is beating expectations in my book. I also didn't expect the offense to have the potential to blow up any defense. That just didn't make sense to me. Not enough experience on that side of the ball. I expected an offense that could control games, but not run away from teams. Against elite defenses, the offense pretty much performed consistently. That was the case last year as well except when Lanning went for the jugular. Clearly that isn't good enough. The defense needs to shut down elite offenses like we've been shut down (less than 20 ppg), and the offense needs to average well over 40 ppg against NFL caliber defenses. That must be the standard. Physicality isn't the standard. It is a feature. Lanning has emphasized being a physical team. Scoring boat loads of points Always, and obliterating elite offenses is the standard. Physicality means nothing if you don't do those things in my mind. I believe Lanning gets the team there. I say that because I have seen enough to recognize Lanning and his staff gave Dante Moore more than enough opportunities to throw TDs in the October game, and Stein showed enough variety in Friday+too late in my opinion, but Stein is damn good enough for me)... If Lanning "goes to the doctor", I hope that doctor says you need to average 28 in the first half. You need to mop up the game with another 14 in the second half. That's just me though. Lanning isn't a dummy. I am sure he has figured out your best defense is your offense and vice versa. I'm hoping I see 16 or 17 slashed throats next year. And 16 or 17 broken bones from an oppressive defense.

Don't. Just don't. Review the season. OBD were who we thought they were. Before the season, during the season, and now .. Young, inexperienced, mistake prone, wild swings in performance. Dan Lanning elevated a team that had NO BUSINESS earning a semi final berth. This very forum continuously questioned this team's capacity. It started the first week of October. Why are we surprised? Denny Green has been saying all year "we let em off the hook!". All year. The team was coached up. An explosive offense earned 28 points against a defense that should give up 35 . No LB speed, still vulnerable at safety. Never set the edge strategy, prone to allowing key 3rd down conversions. Horrible in the red zone. A QB with all the potential, but nowhere near enough experience. Some say he's soft. An OL that can win a battle in a box, but has trouble moving laterally. Injuries at key skill positions all year. What can you expect when an incomplete team faces an execution juggernaut? Some of this is coaching, but golly, the team had flaws any elite program will attack. Dan Lanning is ahead of the curve by a galaxy When all is said and done, players must execute. I hope nobody in Duck Nation is claiming OBD came even close to executing well on Friday. The Program is in the best hands it has ever had. There is no such thing as perfection. It's the pursuit that matters. It's the journey folks. Life is about the journey.

I just want to see the offense throw the damn ball deep 8 times a game. We're all throwing conjecture on a wall. So my take is: do what we did October 2024. It worked. Why not go back to it? It also worked against Auburn. Do you see a pattern here?

I think Purchase is a "me" kind of guy. I could see instances when Matayo, TT and Purchase were on the field at the same time all game. That trio is better suited to assist the DTs in shutting down running games. All three are decent in pass coverage. But that's just me. I will never question what Lanning wants to do (anymore). I will simply state my preference. The defense is horribly weak at inside linebacker. Not enough lateral speed, not enough coverage speed, not enough closing speed. For me, that requires sealing the edge like granite, forcing all run plays inside, and using the speed we have in the secondary to effectively defend against lethal passing teams. Take not that Indiana only won a down field 1 on 1 matchup once in Both Games. They had to use back shoulder throws to complete passes. I don't think you can execute that strategy all game Lanning minimizes the damage his "weak" LBs are in his scheme. I must say this, Lupoi was brilliant this year. He had a 8 on 11 kind of defense. He was always three short of a full package. The coaches would never say it, but doesn't lie. We had holes that excellent coaches sought out and destroyed. Purchase leaving closes a strategy Lanning could use to shore up a huge weakness. I don't worry as much about it because Lanning coached up a flawed defense (in terms of personnel and what he wanted to do with his scheme)

After the way Ole Miss moved the ball on Miami, the Hurricanes better be able to score 40 plus. Indiana has already proven they can handle Mack Truck teams. I don't believe this game will be determined at the line of scrimmage. Not the way people think of physicality. Indiana is beyond that kind of football.

I also believe Raiola would be a mistake. Unless ... We start raining bombs all game on defenses ( which is what I've been calling for for quite some time now). Why did we beat Ohio State? Both times it was because we could pass on them at will. The QB is the most important and most dangerous position in sports when you can't stop his ability to throw any and everything down your throat. Unless we get an NFL caliber ( and I truly mean 28 year old dominant studs caliber) OL that can average TEN YARDS A CARRY, I don't believe we will win a Natty running the ball. Now I happen to believe Lanning is of the Chip Kelly persuasion. He wants to run it down your throat. I believe he is will have to learn like Chip did. I don't agree with either. But I'm not running the show. So I'll back my man and keep my fingers crossed.

He threw the pass late and behind the ER. It was an inaccurate pass. It wasn't a poor call, it wasn't a poor decision. It was simply poor execution. My opinion of course.

Oops. I just posted about 9 front four players capable of starting. I figured someone was going to leave with TT and Matayo coming back.

Lanning has his work cut out for him getting his talented front four playing time He's about 9 deep of starter caliber players for four positions.

Well that stage won't disappear. My motto is "get your a$$ back up. You're a gladiator. Gladiators never quit." . NEVER, EVER GIVE UP.

And this forum

And yes. I'm over the analysis of this game, but also the season. There is so much food on the plate about that. Love my team

Nope. Still proud of this team. DeBoer said it. There is a fine line between mistakes and excellence. This team ( the players ) was better than their experience. The coaches had lots to do with that Now the coaches need to punch above their experience. They're good. I expect they'll be excellent. If you can't hire them, develop them. That's the theme this off-season. Develop greatness Lanning got one step further. With less experience. He's on the path.

Agreed. If I'm playing I'd be pissed off. Not in a destructive manner, but with fire my team could see That, believe it or not is coachable too ( delicately, but it's possible). Look guys, there are who we thought they were. And we are too. Long enough corrections were necessary in November. We let them off the hook because the analysts either aren't loudly calling for corrections, or the don't see the trends properly. Im not a QB whisperer. But I played QB. It's constant repetition even when you're already money. Saban used to coach explosive passes by their ability to score TDs. That's the kind of diagnosis I'm talking about. I used to think that all the time. Didn't know coaches also feel that way, much less coach it ( that's why Saban is the the GOAT...not me!!!) I wouldn't use that strategy. Moore has enough talent to "whip butt". These are tendencies picked up before this year. I would drill the hell out of pocket maneuvering with a guy with this kind of arm talent. There are probably 150 QBs in the history of football as google as Justin Herbert. When you have a guy with those natural abilities, they still need to be developed. Josh Allen was a average in college with his coach. Think about that. He has a string arm, has sub par WRs, a so so OL. Look at him now. That's coaching. And the Bills were not works beaters until he showed up. QBs need to constantly be developed. Even Mendoza ( and let me tell you, he was coaches I to making the okays he makes, so was that damn Fuskies Michael Penix ). QB Smith Jr should be great. He has that kind of upside. So I expect him to be Great. That should happen. Agreed. Develop it then.

Take a TE or a RB and block the edge, then release after a second of contact. Usually, the LBs are too deep to prevent at least a 5 yard gain. It's best on first and second down.

I would agree usually. This is skill building time. Moore needs pocket navigation skills. Stein needs to chip and release ( trust me, it's there). Not saying I'm correct, because Moore is probably shell shocked again. He needs to take his lumps. And massive, massive, and I mean ten hours a day film study and discussion is warranted here. Im not a pro, but if I put in the time, I can show you. And I just might since I'm off work the next 30 days ( to be released beforevspring practice). We didn't have to embarrass ourselves tonight. The doctor needs to be fired. Not my boy Lanning. The way they self scout and diagnose themselves. Again Moore should be a #1 pick with the correct skill set drilling. Same with some of the secondary coverage rules.

Unforced errors folks until that deep route TD. Moore needs to navigate the pocket better. Much better Time to throw deep with good check downs. OL needs to stay put. The stunts won't work if they don't run with the guy in front of them. Need to chip the ends. That kills the rush. Not having Whit and Davison is killing us. Hill completely showed why he doesn't get reos. Harris looks fine. I'm not pleased Stein didn't start chipping the DEs after the second series. We knew that would be necessary. Also, moore did throw the TE open, then missed the timing on the second opportunity. QB coach and OC not drilling Moore properly in practice. They've seen a season of havoc and haven't adjusted to it. It's not only necessary, it builds more skills for the NFL. Some players need to be forced to improve their weaknesses, and Moore is too talented to waste his skills I'd never get a media pass for saying this, but Moore will be a waste if he isn't drilled massively on these deficiencies. They can be solved. I mean it when I say this: these skills can be acquired. Same with our farm boys and the secondary ( should be switching on the cross route conflict pattern instead of staying in man coverage. We will not see these kinds of questions from the media. Id probably dillo so privately instead as a journalist because, well I can't say. But I know these things.

I'm very proud of this team. It hurts when we lose so close to the ultimate goal. I just want to them to play hard. That's it.

Thanks, Surgery went well. Non invasive so I'm just really sore ( which is dangerous because one tends to think they're superman instead of a mere mortal). Thank Charles. Because he has a gold mine and were really lucky to be able to speak our minds without wanting to nuke the entire comment section. That's why I write things that we like, this forum compels me to be as good as I can be

I like the strategy. On offense, that Sim pressure can be cracked. I just don't have the time to at present to show what I have discovered. If I can muster enough energy, I will break it down for you (sorry friends, I am going to be dealing with post surgery collateral damage-and its all for the better). I see it, but Moore executing it is the key-which is why I hope the staff has been giving him mass simulated havoc in practice, and plenty of scenarios shown on film over and over again. Its muscle memory over the short week, but it is absolutely the key to victory this week. On Defense, I really believe Lupoi must force everything to the box. No outside running allowed-especially Mendoza. I expect lots of natural pressure on the QB. I really think the defense is coming to play. I just have the feeling the defense wants to shut everyone up. Same with the offense. Again, this is all hunch, but if I see it, what does the staff see? What are they cooking up being far more up close and personal with the players. It boils down to preparation and execution. I like your thoughts about it and I believe that can work.