It will come as no surprise that we can conclude that Davis's offensive scheme is a dumpster fire. It did not work the first year he was here and although last year the offense was ok, just ok, it is back to a disaster in 2016. We spent a lot of effort, in re: recruiting classes, using spots to add skilled receivers, at the expense of some offensive and defensive line recruits. As to all of those receivers, some are riding the bench, some have transferred or quit the team, and virtually none of them have progressed to become real threats. The best we have had was a 2 star long shot from rural South Dakota, and yes, he is a good one. Whether these were recruiting errors or lack of good coaching (see, developmental program claim), or due to the scheme we use, is hard to figure...probably a combination. But, it comes back to the coaching staff.
The result is a clear lack of depth and questionable talent in the offensive and defensive lines, and one of the worst passing attacks in Division 1 football. This with a second team all BT QB, a senior, and a guy that looks almost nothing like the guy he was a year ago. Again, coaching? Who knows. But much of the blame has to go to a below average offensive line giving up too many sacks, not producing a consistent run game, and the resultant neutralization of the play action theory.
I am certainly no expert. Just a fan who really follows the game, does a lot of reading to keep up with football, has played at the college level and coached at a large high school. The Iowa coaching staff far surpasses my level of knowledge. At the same time, I am not blind. Our routes in the passing game make little sense, have almost no diversity, do not make use of some very basic theories on patterns, and our run game seems to lack imagination. Take a look at our most recent outing against a team that is essentially built the same way Iowa is. The difference: Paul Chryst is a very imaginative offensive coordinator, but runs a fairly conservative pro style offense. I would love to have him at Iowa.
Sometimes, even if you have good knowledgeable people coaching your offense, it just makes sense to make some dramatic changes when things have not gone well over an extended period of time. That would be us. And, you do not have to remind me that the head coach is still the lead dog.
BTW, take a look at the on going success of the Wisconsin defense, an aggressive, attacking, theme. Can we continue to run the "bend not break" D in the day and age when teams are scoring so many more points with wide open offenses? And, they score fast removing some of the effectiveness of the B not B.
Sorry to go on so long. I have almost never been critical of our coaches. Guess I just got fed up on Saturday.
