I don't think it's really debatable at this point.

We have gone against some of the best rushing defenses in the country in conditions they knew we would be running the ball and still averaged 6-7 yards a carry. Nobody does that.

It isn't necessarily the James, Barner, DAT style from a decade ago, but it works against everyone.

The big question is how to maximize that against our opponents the remainder of the year. Just because we can play Iowa ball doesn't mean we should. Playing that style 4 quarters every game is only good for convincing yourself you can hang with anybody, not actually consistently winning.

We can certainly use it at the end of games when first downs become more important than touchdowns. We can use it to retain leads and shorten games.

We can certainly use it in place of bubble screens.

We can use it to set up play action pass to keep the pass rush honest and create more space behind the LBs.

I think in short we need to go to a more pro style offense. A little spread is okay to keep defenses honest, but the rule should be to run it down their throats and pass it over their heads.

Maybe not as clever or cute or entertaining as we'd like, but we have to play to our strengths.

Edited 2 hours ago2 hr by Solar

To win in the Playoffs....we need a balanced attack, IMHO. Effective passing downfield will make it easier to open holes for the offensive line with one starter down...

11 minutes ago, Charles Fischer said:

To win in the Playoffs....we need a balanced attack, IMHO. Effective passing downfield will make it easier to open holes for the offensive line with one starter down...

Agreed.

I think there were still times in the second half when Iowa was respecting Dante's arm which gave a little more space in the box.

I’m a big believer in playing to your strengths.

As you mentioned, our running game is clearly the strength of our offense this year (with a young QB who is still learning to read defenses and adjust pass protection) and we have a solid defense, overall. I would base our entire offense off the running game and then use play action to attack the defense down the field, once the opponent’s safeties start cheating up (maybe 20 passes max a game). Kyle Shannahan is a master at this and Will Stein could pick up some things studying the Niners’ offense and how he sets up a defense.

I also favor using Davison more heavily, especially early in games, as he has the ability to wear down a defense opening up the gashing and explosive runs later in the game.

15 minutes ago, Solar said:

Agreed.

I think there were still times in the second half when Iowa was respecting Dante's arm which gave a little more space in the box.

I think what happened was that Dante was exposed in terms of his receiver target preferences. His 1A and 1B Dak and Sadiq were out and then 2 Bryant goes out and he just looked a bit uncomfortable in terms of who throw to.

Johnson stepped up big at tight end and he'll be deadly for years to come.

McClellan is growing into a big threat but he a had a big time drop on third and long that should have been a clutch first down.

Benson, probably 2b or 3, was quiet for most of the game until he wasn't and made some big time plays.

I think Dante is going to have to work with this receivers a bit more and build some more trust outside of 1a and 1b.

Probably didn't help matters that the first series was three incomplete passes. 1 was Dante's fault, 1 was Whittington's fault and 1 was kinda a mix of both sides where the ball placement wasn't great but the receiver could have still got it.

Then wrap it up with an end zone interception and... Yeah the passing game has some work to do without Dak and Sadiq.

Also... Do we move Whittington to receiver?

https://fishduck.com/2024/10/should-noah-whittington-switch-to-receiver/

2 minutes ago, OregonDucks said:

I also favor using Davison more heavily, especially early in games, as he has the ability to wear down a defense opening up the gashing and explosive runs later in the game.

Davison was one of the names mentioned as being a bit dinged up before the game. He was going to play but I think they were going to try and limit him a bit.

Though I LOVED the two runningback packages as Davison and Hill on the field together make a great combo... It was the combo on the field that scored the only Duck touchdown yesterday.

Whittington is our go-to back. Beyond that, he can block, catch the ball and get YAC, and is the best RB at protecting the ball.

There is depth in the WR and TE rooms. I say rely on it

We need to exploit the receivers we’ve brought in by spreading the offense. If we want ti identify mostly as a running team with occasional passing attack, guys will jump into the portal. There are a number of sexy teams out there using the spread effectively as recruiting tool.

I really hope our early game play calling/ decision making vastly improves.

An early midfield 4th and go for it stop spotted Indy an early 3 points and momentum out of nowhere.

Another early 4th and go for it midfield stop helped Wisky stay in the game longer than they should have.

A three passing attempts and out started a game in a near frozen car wash before we even found out the run game was near unstoppable against Iowa.

All three bad starts were due to a riverboat gambling mentality against tough defensive minded teams where chess like strategy was required. Th Ducks have the horses to compete in these smash mouth battles and I wish they would act like it early on.