This is just my opinion, but this is the difference between Yurcich and JoMo: Jomo had a healthy Trace McSorely and Yurcich didnt when we lost games at the end of last season. JoMo also had RBs, and we are seeing what a difference they can make. Also, the line was historically bad last year.
IMO... Trace made the line better than they were. He made defenses honest, and to an extent so did Clifford that first year. He ran much more often, again keeping them honest. The only problem is Clifford didnt hold up to the pounding like Trace, and eventually he needed to stop running so much.
Look what happened when he was injured last year, we fell apart. Yurcich was gameplanning with rubber bands and duct tape. It was not much to work with, he inherited a QB room with zero depth. Fast forward to this year: Better running backs, QB depth, and a commitment to not run Clifford nearly as much as in the past.
That's a big step, but one that is also limiting. Especially with an average/young offensive line. The QB run threat isn't there as much as it was in the past, which was a huge part of JoMo's offense. When it works, it's great. However, it is a big risk with your QB... but Trace was able to handle it without being injured. Clifford was not so lucky.
I don’t understand the thinking that we didn’t have talent or depth at the QB and RB positions as we’ve been recruiting 4 and 5 star players at those positions for years
As usual, you make a lot of sense, Roam. I'm hoping we see a more explosive offense starting with the next game. Maybe Yurcich played it close to the vest these past 2 games. I'm sure the weather for Northwestern had a lot to do with it too. Just hope Jimmy isn't keeping him on a short leash. IMO JoMo was pretty much given carte blanche by our CEO
In 2019 we didn’t have McSorely, Mike’s Sanders or Barkley and we went 11-2 and the QB was Sean Clifford and we had Journey Brown at RB. Ricky Rahne was the OC. If I remember correctly we had a pretty good passing and running game.
So you think the QB room in 2021 was talented and/or deep? Levis left and all that was there wasn't what I'd call talented or ready in any way. He inherited them, wasn't responsible for any of em. Allar? Yeah, he's responsible for him. Ford didn't work out, neither did Holmes at RB. That also happens.
There are plenty of other teams that recruit well and have crap. Texas A&M for example... recruited "well" at WB, but they stink. Sometimes kids work out, sometimes they don't. Recruiting stars aren't absolutes, they only translate into a better percentage of them will be good. Justin Shorter was a HUGE recruit. He stuck, and still does after 3 years in Florida.
In 2019 we didn’t have McSorely, Mike’s Sanders or Barkley and we went 11-2 and the QB was Sean Clifford and we had Journey Brown at RB. Ricky Rahne was the OC. If I remember correctly we had a pretty good passing and running game.
Yes, and I stated that Clifford's first year he ran a lot more than he does now. Exactly my point, he got hurt and then got hurt again. Now he's being protected and doesn't run nearly as much.
"The only problem is Clifford didnt hold up to the pounding like Trace, and eventually he needed to stop running so much" - Which is why he doesn't run like he did in 2019.
@roaminglion absolutely! I was just saying we can win regardless who the OC is. Looking back Roam, losing Levis was more devastating to the team than losing Moorhead, Barkley, McSorely and Miles Sanders. I just wonder if James Franklin tried to keep him because it didn’t look like it to me he even gave him a chance. I like Clifford but I always thought Levis was as good if not better. I don’t believe Levis ever got a fair shake. Water under the bridge now..just saying lol
@roaminglion absolutely! I was just saying we can win regardless who the OC is. Looking back Roam, losing Levis was more devastating to the team than losing Moorhead, Barkley, McSorely and Miles Sanders. I just wonder if James Franklin tried to keep him because it didn’t look like it to me he even gave him a chance. I like Clifford but I always thought Levis was as good if not better. I don’t believe Levis ever got a fair shake. Water under the bridge now..just saying lol
Levis is a better runner but he's really not a good passer. You can see it at Kentucky, big games against good defenses he's never thrown for more the 220 yards. Only once has he gone over that in an SEC game, against UT last year who had an abysmal defense.
To me he's one of those guys who looks great in practice, but it doesn't translate well to the field when he has to make quick decisions against good defense. At that point, he runs a lot and throws in some passes to keep things even keel.
@roaminglion I guess I was thinking beyond 2021. We definitely weren’t loaded that year but had depth in the late teens and even 2020 if I remember correctly
@roaminglion absolutely! I was just saying we can win regardless who the OC is. Looking back Roam, losing Levis was more devastating to the team than losing Moorhead, Barkley, McSorely and Miles Sanders. I just wonder if James Franklin tried to keep him because it didn’t look like it to me he even gave him a chance. I like Clifford but I always thought Levis was as good if not better. I don’t believe Levis ever got a fair shake. Water under the bridge now..just saying lol
Levis is a better runner but he's really not a good passer. You can see it at Kentucky, big games against good defenses he's never thrown for more the 220 yards. Only once has he gone over that in an SEC game, against UT last year who had an abysmal defense.
To me he's one of those guys who looks great in practice, but it doesn't translate well to the field when he has to make quick decisions against good defense. At that point, he runs a lot and throws in some passes to keep things even keel.
But, Levis is going to be a 1st round draft pick! lol
