Red Zone Offense

[Sheffielder]

Truth be told, this is what worries me the most going into B1G season...love that we have a very reliable kicking game with Mitchell, but have we actually scored in the red zone off of anyone this season besides EIU? The 30+ yard plays where we've scored TDs are going to be fewer and farther between as the season goes on, especially as DCs get more film to watch. I wouldn't be as concerned if this wasn't a long-term problem our offense has grappled with for a while.

 

[CoralSpringsCat]

Would like to see more zone-read with Thorson keeping the ball more. Also, I wouldn't mind seeing the option jettisoned from the play book. Nice jet sweep by Roberts last night. No sign of the Vitale shuttle pass. Should give the Gophers plenty to prepare for next weekend.

 

[corbi296]

I agree with calling more QB keepers but think the option game is something we need to keep in but need major improvement from Thorson on. He needs to learn to keep that ball until the defense commits and then pitch.

 

[beetlemania74]

I agree with calling more QB keepers but think the option game is something we need to keep in but need major improvement from Thorson on. He needs to learn to keep that ball until the defense commits and then pitch.

I agree, and I hesitate to say this, but couldn't we, just perhaps, bring in Alviti in these kinds of situations? He had some success last year in the red zone, and he's better at running the option that Thorson is. I know there's a learning curve with CT and that the coaches want to show full confidence in him, but we need to beat Minnesota next week. It's going to be a very low scoring game (13-10?), and we've got to capitalize on scoring opportunities when we have them.

 

[Mr. Stupor]

Alviti guarantees 9 in the box. That's why he has no chance of playing. We're not good enough to beat 9 in the box running. We can barely scrape together enough yards with 7 in the box.