Running the football against Oklahoma

[RollerVol]

Oklahoma has great front 4. I saw them blow up Tulsa's O-line numerous times throughout the game.

Butch Jones says Jalen Hurd is getting better each game, and the O-Line is making progress.

How well do you think we can run the ball against OU?

We have to be able to run the ball to open up the passing game. If we can't we become one dimensional. Our boys will play better than Tulsa and better than a lot think. This will be a tough-a$$ game. OK hasn't played anybody yet. It will be a wakeup call for both teams.
Just hope we see no injuries, especially for us.
GO VOLS!

 

[vol-un-tear]

Complete some passes to open the run game. Get them thinking... Get North and Pig involved early and often. Screens to slow the rush. Quick passes. Line up in the I formation. Everybody and their brother knows the RB is getting the ball in the shotgun.

 

[volfansince88]

For the most part our offense has been pretty vanilla the first two games. I'm looking for some Neopolitan with a splash of ROCKY ROAD this week. No use holding back now!:machgun:

 

[Eddie Vol Halen]

Worley is playing well. The worst decision he has made in two games was the interception in the ASU game which was made off the back foot. He is playing like a senior and that bodes well for us.

That was one hell of an acrobatic interception too. I doubt we see another like it this year. I really don't blame Worley for that one - just a great, great play.

I wish I knew how to read this Oklahoma game. I'm thrilled with our short to medium passing game; I'm definitely nervous about our run game. I think one-dimensional spells doom. Their D-line (the second most important unit on any football team) is nasty.

The biggest surprise we could give OK would be to line up in the I-formation with Jalen running downhill at them at speed. Would love to see it.

 

[govols/cc]

We have to be able to run the ball to open up the passing game. If we can't we become one dimensional. Our boys will play better than Tulsa and better than a lot think. This will be a tough-a$$ game. OK hasn't played anybody yet. It will be a wakeup call for both teams.
Just hope we see no injuries, especially for us.
GO VOLS!

What? If you haven't watched the first 2 games I'll inform you that we aren't gonna establish a run game. Our only hope is through the air & if that's successful maybe that will open up some running plays. If we run the ball 25 times against OU we're wasting downs.

 

[tn4elvis]

Honestly, I don't think our running game is that far away from being decent. Our O line is making the blocks up front, they are just consistently late scraping to pick up linebackers. If they can get that part down, I think we'll see a dramatic increase in efficiency of our running game. Probably won't happen against Oklahoma, but it is coming sooner or later.

I agree Sam.Being a former OL my self
I'VE Noticed we haven't been getting the second level blocked.We are a block away most runs from busting a big one.

 

[Remy]

These guys aren't world beaters, they are ok.
Here's their 2013 total defensive stats:

They gave up >200 yds pgm passing
They gave up >135 yds pgm rushing for 4.1 ypc
65 plays per game
right at 350 yds of total offense per game
5.4 yds per play

THOSE are not awesome defensive statistics, they'll have to have improved a bunch to totally stop us this year. The issue is can we stop them?

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

They blew up Alabama's line like a bomb. I hope Worley can stay healthy

Irrelevant. This game is completely different.

 

[goldenvol]

Here's my thoughts. I believe Hurd has been given the brunt of the carries to help fast track his experience in big boy football. Jones is fully aware that Lane is his number one, but he needed Hurd to be a solid back up and quickly.
I also believe the run game was kept pretty vanilla. If you watch the running plays designed to go off tackle we did really well, but we didn't run them but a handful of times over the last two games. The most concerning part of our run game is running inside.
Our lineman and tight ends aren't picking up linebackers and safeties at the second level. Also, we're not handling stunts well by the d line. The line is having to think to much instead of just reacting properly to what's going on in front of them.
Worley has also been handing off at times when he should keep the ball. I believe he's been instructed to do so for two reasons. One: to not risk injury. Two: don't show our main running attack. He kept the ball when it was important to the game.