Does fixing the run game solve our problems?

I'm not asking if or implying that fixing the rushing attack will make us an unstoppable offense. Just if fixing the rush game alone will boost our offense to a point where it is a weapon capable of winning football games on its own merits and not a liability. Is the rush game the differentiating factor? Or are there too many factors for there to exist one differentiating factor.



I look at these stats http://www.cfbstats.com/2011/team/77/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, and wonder if fixing the rush game might just end up fixing the whole offense.



In many, if not every one, of the most important stats, including PER, first downs, third down conversion %, yards per play, time of possession, and even red zone success %, the statistical difference between ourselves and our opponents is either negligible or in our favor.



Rushing yards per attempt is the only offensive statistical category where we are at a disadvantage. At less than 2 yards per carry, our opponents out-rush us by almost 250% per attempt.

It couldn't hurt

Yes it will.



Spiff has some impressive stats on that.



And going away from the running game (not having one) hasn't done us wonders so far.

BlueIsBetter wrote:
Yes it will.



Spiff has some impressive stats on that.



And going away from the running game (not having one) hasn't done us wonders so far.

In conjunction with getting PER up to the magic number.

hawkwing wrote:

Yes it will.



Spiff has some impressive stats on that.



And going away from the running game (not having one) hasn't done us wonders so far.

In conjunction with getting PER up to the magic number.

Lol, we are cross posting the same things to each other. haha.

It solves one of the problems, but I don't think if we suddenly start getting 100+ rushing yards a game our problems will suddenly disappear. Although they were nearly all passing yards, we've been able to put up yards against our opponents. We just haven't been able to score.



Plus, the majority of our yards come in the first half. Maybe a run game would help with that as it gives us another arrow in the quiver, but I also think this indicates a severe lack of adjustments. Opponents make adjustments while we go into the locker room with the attitude of "just keep it up." We stall severely when opponents hit us with something new, panic and it's over.



You could argue an improved run game would alleviate pressure on Heaps, open the passing game and in turn Heaps would become more accurate. However, last season when we had a better run game Heaps suffered from similar inaccuracy. He does appear to be more "panicky" this year in the pocket. Maybe that has to do with all the weight on his shoulders due to a lack of a run game, but I think it has more to do with opponents giving him different looks in the 2nd half and him not knowing how to react to it. In turn, he rushes things and ends up over throwing, tossing it into the ground, or turning it over (he has more interceptions than TDs). Does a run game produce a less jittery Heaps? I'm skeptical. Certainly wouldn't hurt.