...and doesn't match up well with it. When teams are disciplined and able to put together long sustained drives our D is really bad at getting 3rd down stops (even when they're 3rd and really long) and they can't get off the field unless the opposing offense screws up. Allowing several really long drives to the other team results in fewer possessions for both teams which then puts a burden on our offense to be more productive with the fewer possessions we get. In games where the O is struggling our D is not able to pick up the slack.

This doesn't look good for the next several weeks with QB1 struggling to play through significant injuries and not able/hesitant to utilize one of his strengths (running with the ball). He's not good enough as a pocket passer alone to efficiently sustain drives and is very close to an average QB. He got off to a quick start vs Boise (hit on 7 of first 8 passes for 100 yds) but when they adjusted he struggled to connect with his receivers the rest of the way (hit on 15 of 29 in the 2Q, 3Q and 4Q). As Boise's D realized he was no longer a threat to run they were able to drop more into coverage and make it difficult for him to find open receivers. You could see his injury was affecting his thought processes, especially when he had to extend plays (he clearly did not want to get hit).

With a struggling QB and an OC who likes his offense to lead with the pass, this next stretch of games is very concerning. Road games with Baylor (top 20 in pts per game for both Offense and Defense) and an improving Wash St and then a home game against UVa who loves to throw the ball 50+ times a game. We can't expect to win if we're muddling through on both offense and defense. One or both groups need to step up and give the team some identity.