[gocard14]

I too am optimistic.  The play calling and execution between the 20s was fantastic.  Good mix of run and pass, inside and outside, power vs. play-action vs. screens and trickery. The defense adjusted well to USCs wide splits and played well despite some areas for improvement (if we tackle like that on the perimeter against Oregon we'll get slaughtered).

I don't think we need to install more special red zone offense.  We just need to execute our regular offense better.

Our drives ended with:
-Multiple penalties leading to missed long field goal. This has been a pattern in the first two weeks, I think we'll clean this up.
-High snap fumble. We have a new center, hopefully will be sorted out as the year goes on)
-Stopped on fourth and 1 that should have been converted. I dislike the play call here.  Sure Marx is bigger then our RBs, but give the ball to the guy whose used to carrying it. Or better yet give Hogan a bootleg option if they crowd the line.
T-D called back for drive killing 15yd penalty on a terrible call.
-Hand-off fumble between Hogan and wright.  One of the downsides of having so many RBs is the potential for this, though IMO it looked like a bad handoff by Hogan (couldn't decide if he was going to hand off or pass until too late).

Bottom line: We hurt ourselves with a serious mix of bad luck and mental mistakes.  All of these are correctable, and I have enough faith in Shaw as a coach to get that done. Our Defense looked fantastic. Our offense showed that it is dynamic and dangerous, Shaw just needs to get out of his own head during red zone play calling. I could see us running the table, but our margin for error just got awfully small.

[gocard14]

I too am optimistic.  The play calling and execution between the 20s was fantastic.  Good mix of run and pass, inside and outside, power vs. play-action vs. screens and trickery. The defense adjusted well to USCs wide splits and played well despite some areas for improvement (if we tackle like that on the perimeter against Oregon we'll get slaughtered).

I don't think we need to install more special red zone offense.  We just need to execute our regular offense better.

Our drives ended with:
-Multiple penalties leading to missed long field goal. This has been a pattern in the first two weeks, I think we'll clean this up.
-High snap fumble. We have a new center, hopefully will be sorted out as the year goes on)
-Stopped on fourth and 1 that should have been converted. I dislike the play call here.  Sure Marx is bigger then our RBs, but give the ball to the guy whose used to carrying it. Or better yet give Hogan a bootleg option if they crowd the line.
T-D called back for drive killing 15yd penalty on a terrible call.
-Hand-off fumble between Hogan and wright.  One of the downsides of having so many RBs is the potential for this, though IMO it looked like a bad handoff by Hogan (couldn't decide if he was going to hand off or pass until too late).

Bottom line: We hurt ourselves with a serious mix of bad luck and mental mistakes.  All of these are correctable, and I have enough faith in Shaw as a coach to get that done. Our Defense looked fantastic. Our offense showed that it is dynamic and dangerous, Shaw just needs to get out of his own head during red zone play calling. I could see us running the table, but our margin for error just got awfully small.