I don't think those of us that are saying we would like some more creativity in the offense are wanting Mollberg to chuck the ball around like Peyton Manning. However lets say we did actually throw twice on first down during the game. Lets say those are incomplete passes......I guess that gives the other team an extra 60-90 seconds of potential TOP during the entire game. Is that 90 seconds that we didn't 'run the clock' really going to cause us to lose the game? Heck, we might even complete one of those passes and maybe even get a first down out of it, then we can do the three runs up the middle. Could he throw end up throwing a pick 6? Yeah he sure could, but probably less likely to throw a pick on first down when they are not expecting it than when it is third and 6. Or unless maybe those people are saying we have no capability of throwing and should just scrap that completely and not throw one time during the game because something bad could happen (ok being a little sarcastic there with the not throwing even one time during the game). Everyone seems to love the fact that we are changing to a ground control and strong defense, and some of you have even mentioned how well it can work for the Bison. I am totally on board with a solid defense as the foundation, and ground control. I just looked up the Rush/Pass attempts for 3 of the Bison games (since some have referred to how it works for them)
Iowa State Rush 26 Pass 31
Weber State Rush 29 Pass 43
Montana Rush 55 Pass 24
I certainly don't want us passing 43 times again, but I think those of us looking for creativity are just wanting a bit more balance. And I'm guessing even NDSU and other ground offenses throw on first down on occasion just to mix it up. Running the clock out at the end of the game is always good, but you don't want to play too much 'not to lose'. The MSU game is likely to be higher scoring and we will surely be bound to throw a bit more, and I'm really hoping what geaux_sioux is true and that Rudolph has been playing extra close to the vest the first 4 games. I think what some of us want is a few more small wrinkles in the offense, and you don't have to scrap your overall philosophy to do that. And you know what, to ever get to a championship level you generally have to throw one or two wrinkles into your game plan, or throw once or twice on first down even if you are conservative. Some talk about building our philosophy, well I hope our philosophy is to not always be this predictable in the future. Maybe the wrinkles won't work against MSU or other top teams this year, but I'd like to see us try......as I'm pretty sure we are going to be losing these games anyway, so lets try and not go without a fight. I'd rather lose taking one or two swings and say I tried. Plus that helps build our philosophy of players know the coaches are going to come up with a wrinkle or something in the game plan to potentially put our team at a coaching advantage.
I think this will be a telling game and I'll be interesting to see the play calling on the offensive side.
