[OutsiderFan]

WIM, not everything can be explained by numbers.  There is a qualitative side of things that can't ever be measured.  And we can't dismiss what hasn't been tried out of hand, just because it doesn't "seem" like it will work.

Some of the greatest discoveries are made by accident, or otherwise as a result of things happening that weren't expected based on previous understanding.  Sometimes ingredients combine to be better than the sum of their parts. 

Nobody can guarantee giving Sanders a full quarter as the RB will yield better offensive performance, but we don't know that it won't either.  We do know the offense is struggling and needs to change.  We do know Kelsey Young isn't as productive on a YPC basis and can't catch, so when he is in the game the RB as a receiver is taken off the table for defenses.  At least if Sanders is in the game, he is a dual threat and keeps defenses a little honest.

Reasons for playing Sanders more:

1. The offense is struggling with the status quo
2. We don't know how he will do when he knows he's going to stay in the game and gets "lathered" up
3. He is a dual threat who can keep defenses guessing more

Sanders would be 27th in the country in YPC if he had a few more carries.  He had a 4.7 YPC against ND on 3 carries.  Young had 7 for 2.6.  It's difficult to have more evidence that Sanders should be playing more, given how productive he's been and the fact he can catch passes.

[OutsiderFan]

WIM, not everything can be explained by numbers.  There is a qualitative side of things that can't ever be measured.  And we can't dismiss what hasn't been tried out of hand, just because it doesn't "seem" like it will work.

Some of the greatest discoveries are made by accident, or otherwise as a result of things happening that weren't expected based on previous understanding.  Sometimes ingredients combine to be better than the sum of their parts. 

Nobody can guarantee giving Sanders a full quarter as the RB will yield better offensive performance, but we don't know that it won't either.  We do know the offense is struggling and needs to change.  We do know Kelsey Young isn't as productive on a YPC basis and can't catch, so when he is in the game the RB as a receiver is taken off the table for defenses.  At least if Sanders is in the game, he is a dual threat and keeps defenses a little honest.

Reasons for playing Sanders more:

1. The offense is struggling with the status quo
2. We don't know how he will do when he knows he's going to stay in the game and gets "lathered" up
3. He is a dual threat who can keep defenses guessing more

Sanders would be 27th in the country in YPC if he had a few more carries.  He had a 4.7 YPC against ND on 3 carries.  Young had 7 for 2.6.  It's difficult to have more evidence that Sanders should be playing more, given how productive he's been and the fact he can catch passes.