What do you think the chances are that we will be able to just beat down teams by cycling our RBs?

[Abro1975]

Mainly the Tight End and Janarion Grant . Also Carroo will occasionally be used across the middle.

Who's our slot guy willing to go across the middle? We have deep threats in Carroo and Ags, and have very good RBs, but our O-line will wear down as the season progresses and we're gonna need to let the opposition's D make a push and throw over the top. Who's our over-the-middle receiver? Do we throw bubbles to our backs, or do we have a legit underneath threat? Grant is good when he catches the ball, but he's small and crossing routes are rough on anyone, let alone small guys.

 

[Saint Puppy]

Bottom line lots of questions marks - and of course a great running game goes a long way, but there's a lot that goes into that - not just talented RBs.

 

[Extra Point]

In my opinion the only way to win by exclusively using running backs is with a good defense. We score 7 or 10 and they score 3 or 7. We don't have a shut down defense yet (I don't think we do but who knows) so we need a balanced offense.

 

[LotusAggressor]

Wearing teams down with a stable of RBs requires at minimum very good o-line. It remains to be seen if we have that. As was mentioned, the teams RU is going to be playing are very good at stopping the run. Unless the o-line is lights-out dominant, RU isn't going to win games that way.

 

[ruready07]

we're going to absolutely pound washington state on the ground.
We need to get the o-line and the running game going by week 3. Thats pretty soon for a new group - but it can be done. Unfortunately, wsu runs a 3 man front and won't give us a good look heading into the game at penn.
Our depth will help us in terms of making it through the season with at least a healthy back or two by that 3 game stretch ending the season (braska, army, maryland). A sweep in those 3 games on the way to a bowl game is a nice season.

 

[Shoeless Joe #1]

We can pound it down the throats of Norfolk, Army, Kansas and possibly WSU- James lit them up, but we need to have a passing game that scares the meat of our schedule. Coleman of IU ran for over 175 yards against OSU and they lost by 40.

 

[REDRICH65]

T formation. Put em all in the backfield at the same time. In second half of games switch to single wing with 4 in the backfield.

 

[willisneverrana43]

Teams have won with a strong running game and defense. We have one, but not the other. We are coming off two of the worst defensive seasons that RU has had. Good RBs and an uncertain OL aren't going to do much without a complete turnaround on D.