You Might See A Lot Of Bullock In The Backfield This Week: Here's Why?

MelroseHawkins

MelroseHawkins

Well-Known Member
We might be seeing Bullock in the backfield a little more than we are used to on Saturday against Wisky. If anyone watched the Nebby Wisky game, one can really see what the downside of Abdulah is, is pass blocking & in particular picking up the blitz. He was horrible & Wisky really exploited that coming from all angles with different personnel. Abdulah didn't move laterally that well to pick up the blitz.

Bullock may be our best RB pass blocker against this. I'm afraid Weisman could have difficulty moving laterally to pick up the blitz. He'd probably do fine one-on-one straight up the middle, but it looked like Nebby needed a quick RB that could identify & get over to the blitz. Iowa's other RB's may be a bit green yet. That leaves Bullock.

Wisky's D was impressive, especially for having no seniors on it coming in to this season.
 
Their "D" was fierce, and they will blitz or put 8-9 in the box.....Jake the snake has to get rid of that ball fast....the O line needs to really step up big...I saw Abdullah on several occasions try but to no avail...poor attempt on his part...those guys ran right over him...
 
Once Wisky started rolling Abdullah Ole'd it the rest of the way. I can see Bullock in there a bit more and would be fine with that. I just don't want him running the ball repeatedly as after his first couple good carries he starts juking everyone including the refs. I think he is a better pass blocker than Weisman and a delayed draw or quick screen to him could offset a blitzing team.
 
Completely agree. We may need to run a few more screen passes than normal when they bring the rush. Bullock has done a very nice job of catching just about everything thrown to him out of the backfield this year.
 
I think that we should run more out of the Shotgun this week. This way you can have 2 rb's such as Weisman/Bullock or Canzeri/Bullock back there together. This will also give Jake a better view to see what the D is trying to take away in the pass game.
 
Hawk1960 said:
Completely agree. We may need to run a few more screen passes than normal when they bring the rush. Bullock has done a very nice job of catching just about everything thrown to him out of the backfield this year.
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Exactly, DB needs to chip the blitzer, buying a second or so for the QB, then get through the hole the blitzing LB came through, take a step or two, and catch the ball. Should be good for a 1st down or two.
 
I think bullock should play bc the last couple weeks including Minnesota where he seemed like the only one to be doing so... he's played really well.
 
Listening to Doug Chapman, former NFL rb, on Big Ten and Beyond, he said he watched the
Wisky/Neb game very closely and tried to figure out who was blitzing on Wisky and said he was baffled.

Basically, the Badgers are confounding everyone with their blitzes.

Maybe, Jakes experience can help? Recognition is one thing, but executing is another
 
The problem is, when Jake sees a blitz coming, he audibles to a run up the middle for no gain. You can take that to the bank.
 
JHHawk said:
Listening to Doug Chapman, former NFL rb, on Big Ten and Beyond, he said he watched the
Wisky/Neb game very closely and tried to figure out who was blitzing on Wisky and said he was baffled.

Basically, the Badgers are confounding everyone with their blitzes.

Maybe, Jakes experience can help? Recognition is one thing, but executing is another
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Hopefully...The thing I've noticed w/Jake now is if he's locked on someone and he has pressure, he's willing to stand in, take a hit....because he probably knows he's not able to out-run anyone if they're coming right at him.....he has to react and read the blitz early and get the ball off....It seemed like Wisconsin came at different angles, edges, etc....they were relentless, and they wrap up once they have you...I would love to see a lot of deep balls (if he has time)...take a damn shot downtown.....I also think TE's are very beneficial here, not only for blocking, but seam routes, or settling between LB's and DB's/Safeties.....going to be fun to watch, and if the weather is any indication, we will have to pound the rock, play action, screens, whatever it takes to keep those guys off balance....
 
I agree with all that.... That's being positive and thinking the coaches will use their players to the best of their abilities against a certain team/matchup. Along with those reasons I also see running Weisman being tough to do and not too effective so if they try to use him a lot then Iowa will see more 3rd and longs too. Hence more Bullock because of that too...
 
iowalaw said:
The problem is, when Jake sees a blitz coming, he audibles to a run up the middle for no gain. You can take that to the bank.
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Has he ever changed a play to a pass? It's always a run. Usually to Scherrfs side. It's just like their default when in doubt run a zone read to the left and hope it gains 2 yards play....
 
iowalaw said:
The problem is, when Jake sees a blitz coming, he audibles to a run up the middle for no gain. You can take that to the bank.
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If you're gonna take that to the bank, you're not gonna have enough to open an account. Zing! Actually in some games this season, JR's audibles were the better gaining run plays (ISU comes to mind); as opposed to the runs plays called in from the sideline. Also, off the top of my head; Hamilton's second TD catch last Saturday was an audible from JR. Oh snap!
 
I was watching a little of BTN in 60 , Neb vs Wis. and coming out in the second half, Huskers, down 24-17, got the ball first and they had Armstrong throw 3 bombs in a row, none even close. Seems like Huskers basically had one pass play...go deep.

Iowa needs to mix it up more...deep crossing routes or seam routes intermediate....
 
Bullock is a IAA caliber RB. If we see a lot of him against Wisconsin, that means our running game has gone to crap and we have resorted to throwing 50 times. If that is the case, and Jake is our QB, we are going to see an outcome similar to the Minn game.
 
Bullock blocks like a man. But he has to get carries if you want to keep the other guy guessing a little bit.
 
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