Very similar through the first 4 games offensively. The 2013 team averaged 91 ypg rushing the ball in the first 4 games and this years team has averaged 133 ypg rushing through 4 games.
Struggles on the offensive line, limited running game and an unknown offensive identity were the name of the game then and now it seems. Defense carried the team throughout the first half of the year.
In 2013, we lost to West Virginia on the road in a dismal performance and the usual suspects in the form of Mikepoke, SamauriFred, osuhoops316 and kkeck played their part extremely well, calling for Gundy's head and predicting the apocalypse in the fetal position.
Sure, we had the UTSA game where JW played the best game of his career and their were whispers of Heisman talk and everyone was happy.
The KSU and TCU games ultimately provided more offensive struggles, but our defense continued to save the day as we beat KSU 33-29 with a KSU touchdown coming off of a scoop and score from a blocked field goal and a 24-10 win over TCU where JW was ultimately benched for Chelf.
Game 7 on the road against Iowa State with a QB change and things start to click. Desmond Roland carried the ball 26 times for 219 yards. Chelf opened things up with his legs and arm and we rattled off 7 in a row and weren't really challenged in the process. Contrast that to the week before at W. Virginia where Jeremy Smith had 15 rushes for 1 yard and the team totaled 111 yards rushing with 47 of those yards coming between Roland & Smith.
Check out the running back totals per game in 2013 vs 2015. In 2013, we had 365 yards rushing through 4 games. In 2015, we have 532 yards rushing.
2013 Running Back Rushing Totals
Mississippi State - 148 yards
UTSA -73 yards
Lamar - 97 yards
West Va- 47 yards
KSU-57 yards
TCU- 70 yards
Iowa St - 239 yards
Texas Tech- 194 yards
KU- 85 yards
Texas -78 yards
Baylor - 167 yards
zero u - 186 yards
mizz - 121 yards
2015 running back rushing yards
C. Mich - 125 yards rushing
C. Ark - 79 yards
UTSA - 227 yards
Texas - 101 yards
Fast Forward 2 years and this 2015 team really looks similar with the exception that I think this year's defense is a little better in all areas and this year's offense has more depth.
In 2015, we don't need a QB change, we just need game reps and experience to get things moving offensively. I think we'll probably see some shuffling from the o'line as well. I'm sure everyone remembers how inept we were offensively in West Virginia in 2013 and specifically the series where Jeremy Smith couldn't get in from the one yard line 3 followed by a Ben Grogan shank-a-potomus field goal attempt. That was an extremely low point. We got better then and we will get better now.
Will this team completely figure it out and finally produce a 1,000 yard rusher? I don't know, but I think we will get things figured out enough that we will become a dual threat team like 2013 with a smothering defense.
Struggles on the offensive line, limited running game and an unknown offensive identity were the name of the game then and now it seems. Defense carried the team throughout the first half of the year.
In 2013, we lost to West Virginia on the road in a dismal performance and the usual suspects in the form of Mikepoke, SamauriFred, osuhoops316 and kkeck played their part extremely well, calling for Gundy's head and predicting the apocalypse in the fetal position.
Sure, we had the UTSA game where JW played the best game of his career and their were whispers of Heisman talk and everyone was happy.
The KSU and TCU games ultimately provided more offensive struggles, but our defense continued to save the day as we beat KSU 33-29 with a KSU touchdown coming off of a scoop and score from a blocked field goal and a 24-10 win over TCU where JW was ultimately benched for Chelf.
Game 7 on the road against Iowa State with a QB change and things start to click. Desmond Roland carried the ball 26 times for 219 yards. Chelf opened things up with his legs and arm and we rattled off 7 in a row and weren't really challenged in the process. Contrast that to the week before at W. Virginia where Jeremy Smith had 15 rushes for 1 yard and the team totaled 111 yards rushing with 47 of those yards coming between Roland & Smith.
Check out the running back totals per game in 2013 vs 2015. In 2013, we had 365 yards rushing through 4 games. In 2015, we have 532 yards rushing.
2013 Running Back Rushing Totals
Mississippi State - 148 yards
UTSA -73 yards
Lamar - 97 yards
West Va- 47 yards
KSU-57 yards
TCU- 70 yards
Iowa St - 239 yards
Texas Tech- 194 yards
KU- 85 yards
Texas -78 yards
Baylor - 167 yards
zero u - 186 yards
mizz - 121 yards
2015 running back rushing yards
C. Mich - 125 yards rushing
C. Ark - 79 yards
UTSA - 227 yards
Texas - 101 yards
Fast Forward 2 years and this 2015 team really looks similar with the exception that I think this year's defense is a little better in all areas and this year's offense has more depth.
In 2015, we don't need a QB change, we just need game reps and experience to get things moving offensively. I think we'll probably see some shuffling from the o'line as well. I'm sure everyone remembers how inept we were offensively in West Virginia in 2013 and specifically the series where Jeremy Smith couldn't get in from the one yard line 3 followed by a Ben Grogan shank-a-potomus field goal attempt. That was an extremely low point. We got better then and we will get better now.
Will this team completely figure it out and finally produce a 1,000 yard rusher? I don't know, but I think we will get things figured out enough that we will become a dual threat team like 2013 with a smothering defense.
