We've talked about the struggles in the passing game (back to last year). We've seen articles and posts here questioning what our offensive identity is, or what it should be.
Thinking about JTB's 2 best games as a passer (MSU 2014 & NEB 2016) against quality defenses. In both games, we threw wide (short & intermediate) to loosen up the box so we could run. Once we did that, we were able to go to the long ball.
Urban prefers to be a "run-to-pass" team. He spreads the field but wants to run IZ power first and then take deep shots downfield off play-action passing. I don't think that best suites JTB's talents OR this year's young/inexperienced offensive line & RB. We aren't blowing teams off the ball on IZ plays. We're running OZ more this year.
Throwing outside short and intermediate passes spread the defense out and importantly, build JTB's confidence. You can see when he's feeling confident: stepping into his throws, decisiveness, throwing guys open, fitting the ball into tight spaces.
JTB is the consummate game manager QB. "throw-to-run" allows OSU to play with a quicker tempo, keep the chains moving and the offense of schedule, and JTB to be confident and in control. As we saw at MSU 14 and NEB 16, this is when JTB is at his best, especially as a passer.
