Game 4 and the Oline is still swiss cheese

[K_TIME]

If it ain't happening in game 4...it ain't going to happen. Levis is going to have to throw for his life...this Oline is really bad. RB geting hit in the backfield all the time, can't pick up simple stunts still.

Outside of Manning.....the other four spots (shockingly Cox has been really bad this year)....it's a mess. Yenser needs to be heavily evaluated at season's end.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

Yeah, is what it is. Ole miss, tn and Georgia are looking like Ls on paper with this online.

 

[SpamburgerHamburger]

They can still get better. Players improve throughout a season all the time.

 

[tf4fun]

If it ain't happening in game 4...it ain't going to happen. Levis is going to have to throw for his life...this Oline is really bad. RB geting hit in the backfield all the time, can't pick up simple stunts still.

Outside of Manning.....the other four spots (shockingly Cox has been really bad this year)....it's a mess. Yenser needs to be heavily evaluated at season's end.

I have been of the opinion that Wilson needs to be the center,and cox RG. That would be the strongest up the middle.
I'm thinking that manning would be a better RT than Flax!
If not play Manning cox at guard and Wilson at center.

 

[Smashcat]

Better improve in a hurry.

 

[K_TIME]

I have been of the opinion that Wilson needs to be the center,and cox RG. That would be the strongest up the middle.
I'm thinking that manning would be a better RT than Flax!
If not play Manning cox at guard and Wilson at center.

I think you may be right. Cox has regressed a ton. I don't know what it is....but I just question Yenser to be honest. We are missing assignments consistently each of the 4 games up front. Can't pick up simple stunts. can't drive the ball on the ground in any fashion.

 

[tf4fun]

I think you may be right. Cox has regressed a ton. I don't know what it is....but I just question Yenser to be honest. We are missing assignments consistently each of the 4 games up front. Can't pick up simple stunts. can't drive the ball on the ground in any fashion.

Remember stalling? He was a great Guard,but just wasn't comfortable at center. It took stoops a long time to figure it out!

 

[gamecockcat]

Since Q played so well last game, I would have no problem with him moving to C, Cox to G and maybe Burton to RG and Manning to OT.

 

[K_TIME]

Since Q played so well last game, I would have no problem with him moving to C, Cox to G and maybe Burton to RG and Manning to OT.

Honestly...I think Burton is by far our worst performing OLine now. If I'm squeezing a guy off the field to get Wilson on the field...it's Burton coming off the field

 

[gamecockcat]

Honestly...I think Burton is by far our worst performing OLine now. If I'm squeezing a guy off the field to get Wilson on the field...it's Burton coming off the field

You may be right.

I do think something has to change. Keep running the same guys out there and subject Levis to multiple sacks, multiple TFLs for the RBs, etc can't continue into the SEC. The definition of insanity would be to play the same lineup and expect them to perform significantly better against better teams.

 

[FirewithFire]

Yeah, it's not looking good. They might still gel but there is something very off about their coordination. Certainly couldn't hurt to switch up some positions in practice and see what happens.

Manning was also injured for tonight's game which didn't help.

They might need to just strengthen one side of the line and run off of it. Moving the pocket wouldn't hurt either.

 

[IH8BlueDevilsandUNcheat]

The O-line will keep us from being a great team

 

[Cefiro]

We really need to get a new o line coach…..I don’t believe these problems are solely a lack of talent. No way the NIU players are bigger and stronger than our guys.

 

[DSmith21]

Whatever happened to the QB draw that Levis ran so well last year? That is a play that helps keep the defense honest.

 

[JHB4UK]

Put Quentin Wilson at C
Cox at LG
And Goodwin at RT

 

[gamecockcat]

Put Quentin Wilson at C
Cox at LG
And Goodwin at RT

I don't see how that could be any worse. Let Q make the calls, too. The OL with Cox u Der center is making too many mistakes and blowing too many assignments. Shake it up to see what happens.

 

[TucsonCat]

Freddie Maggard blaming Wolford was some water carrying bs.

 

[mrschwump]

Yeah, it's not looking good. They might still gel but there is something very off about their coordination. Certainly couldn't hurt to switch up some positions in practice and see what happens.

Manning was also injured for tonight's game which didn't help.

They might need to just strengthen one side of the line and run off of it. Moving the pocket wouldn't hurt either.

Pretty sure Manning missed the 2D half.

 

[TBCat]

I don't think the OL was as bad last night. There were a few times were they clearly lost one on one battles but it really looked to me like NIU was blitzing a lot. A lot of those TFL were being made by DBs. This is also why Brown and Robinson both had career nights. I still think defenses are not respecting the run at all and are coming after the QB with all they have. CRod should fix some of that. I still believe that the level of play we got last night would beat Ole Miss.

Also still need to point out that the RBs aren't helping much. Smoke has played well but to me he is a prototype #2 back and not a lead. Lavell Wright is not seeing the running lanes very well. He had a big gaping hole on the edge on one play that probably could have scored on. Instead he missed the hole and cut inside instead and was tackled for a 1 yard gain. He also missed the hole a couple more times in the 2nd half.

 

[Johnfarrel]

More like Limburger cheese. They stink but they win.

 

[K_TIME]

I don't think the OL was as bad last night. There were a few times were they clearly lost one on one battles but it really looked to me like NIU was blitzing a lot. A lot of those TFL were being made by DBs. This is also why Brown and Robinson both had career nights. I still think defenses are not respecting the run at all and are coming after the QB with all they have. CRod should fix some of that. I still believe that the level of play we got last night would beat Ole Miss.

Also still need to point out that the RBs aren't helping much. Smoke has played well but to me he is a prototype #2 back and not a lead. Lavell Wright is not seeing the running lanes very well. He had a big gaping hole on the edge on one play that probably could have scored on. Instead he missed the hole and cut inside instead and was tackled for a 1 yard gain. He also missed the hole a couple more times in the 2nd half.

I don't buy this.

1. I can concede some of the sacks are on Levis/Scangerello not getting the ball out faster. NIU's plan was to basically send 6 rushers on passing downs which led to UK making a ton of long pass plays. We were not going to be able to drive the ball with how NIU was scheming.
2. But the run blocking is pathetic....and not so much on Smoke/Wright missing the hole. At least every drive RB are getting a tackler in the backfield they have to avoid. That isn't any design run play ever....that is the same old UK OL can't communicate who to block very well. When we run pitch plays....you have to run around the tackle...our guards and centers are pretty bad at getting to the Lbers to cut off their flow. When we hand off it is designed to hit the A gap or B gap....there are missed blocks all the time.

I see a poorly fundamental Oline. The players might not be that good but I'd also argue Yenser looks like he's in over his head. And yes Maggard was being his typical homer self in blaming it all on Wolford. There is something way different in this Oline from the past 6 years of Oline.

 

[TopCatCal]

Will Levis got sacked 5 times last night by a team from the MAC. The game before that in the 1st quarter alone against Youngstown State we were tackled for lost yardage 7 times in the 1st quarter alone. Do we even have an offensive line coach? If we do he's teaching the wrong technique. If our 0-line is struggling like this against NIU & Youngstown St. What in the world is going to happen when we have to start facing SEC teams. If this doesn't get fixed FAST I'm afraid they're going to get Will Levis killed. And if Levis gets hurt & has to miss any games, we're doomed.

 

[Rockford]

If it ain't happening in game 4...it ain't going to happen.

Yep. The season is 1/3 over. It is what it is. All to do now is to put lipstick on that pig...... in other words, play to your strengths.

 

[catben]

The thing that blows my mind is how UNBALANCED our O-Linemen are so far. How many times have we seen one of our linemen either get knocked on his butt or fall down because he cant keep his balance????!!!!!

I don't care how big you are, if you don't have a strong base and balance, you are going to FAIL at blocking ANYONE!!!

That along with NOT recognizing the right person to block are the 2 things that have KILLED our ability to thrive offensively. Thank goodness we have an NFL QB and WR''s!!! Hopefully our All-SEC RB will help, but until the O-Line finds a way to improve, we are NOT ready to win the SEC EAST.

 

[Deli owl]

D line hasn’t been much better. Ole Miss runs like crazy and we can’t stuff MAC teams at the line.

 

[K_TIME]

D line hasn’t been much better. Ole Miss runs like crazy and we can’t stuff MAC teams at the line.

You think Rybka/Ox/Rogers along with Walker/Saunders/Hayes aren't performing much better than the Oline unit? UK is 33rd in the nation in run defense....giving up 108 yards a game.

Man....you're seeing a way different side of the trenches than I see.

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

Pre game one radio person was saying it's not a strength or brain or want to problem. Said it was a working together problem. Another questioned whether changes should be made if they play bad again. I see very little push. I see no nastiness. I see no big deal in letting people kill the QB. When Stoops says that Horsey is the leader of that line, verbally and from an experienced view, you have to be a little concerned IMO. You see little emotion or communicating going on there. Just a general overall view would be like the right side is playing in quick sand and the right side is fighting for their life. Just think it could be the lack of combination of power and athletic ability that we are used to. Saturday will tell us a lot more with an All American runner being back. CR is one of the runners in the country that will help answer the question of how much is on the OL and how much has been on the RB''s. One of the players said after the game that CR has instincts the others don't in hitting the holes early. If we do run it well Saturday with CR then we will need to go find some more RB's that are better than what we have outside of CR.

 

[Deli owl]

You think Rybka/Ox/Rogers along with Walker/Saunders/Hayes aren't performing much better than the Oline unit? UK is 33rd in the nation in run defense....giving up 108 yards a game.

Man....you're seeing a way different side of the trenches than I see.

Watch next week. Playing weak competition and letting the gain on us doesn’t bode well agains SEac rushing teams. We’ll see if I’m right next Saturday.

 

[EliteBlue]

It’s to the point we almost need to bring the TEs into the backfield in the Guard/Tackle Gaps a yard in front of Will and lead block with them like fullbacks…occasionally sneaking them out to hit 5 yard outs and middle of the field dump plays.

At minimum 1 TE as an up fullback at all times even passing plays to catch the sprung leak in the line that happens 80% of the time

 

[BigBlueManSouthCentralKY]

It’s to the point we almost need to bring the TEs into the backfield in the Guard/Tackle Gaps a yard in front of Will and lead block with them like fullbacks…occasionally sneaking them out to hit 5 yard outs and middle of the field dump plays.

At minimum 1 TE as an up fullback at all times even passing plays to catch the sprung leak in the line that happens 80% of the time

A QB and receivers like we have, not a bad thought. Just give the guy time with no worry and our talented receivers are going to make plays. The year it is looking like we need the pass more than ever to set up the run more. Will see Saturday with CR back.

 

[EliteBlue]

A QB and receivers like we have, not a bad thought. Just give the guy time with no worry and our talented receivers are going to make plays. The year it is looking like we need the pass more than ever to set up the run more. Will see Saturday with CR back.

Plenty of ways to skin the cat and that’s just one. But something needs to change and an adjustment made even if it scraps pieces of the play book. Anything from ditching the pro-style zone blocking to pulling one of the TEs into the backfield as a FB….just make an adjustment before we take an L bc of it…Will is rattled and rushing back there. You can tell he almost expect to have pressure or get hit