Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which has game even when the team doesn’t. Some things for you to track on the off weekend:

• Skyler Howard is one of 33 quarterbacks who has thrown a pass and hasn’t thrown an interception this season. (Stunning, if you ask me, that the Washington State QB leads the nation in attempts and hasn’t thrown a pick.)
• WVU is one six teams that hasn’t turned the ball over — and one of four that has played twice. (Not stunning, if you ask me, that those six teams are 10-0.)
• The Mountaineers are one of 15 teams that hasn’t allowed the opponent to convert a fourth down. WVU has faced five fourth downs, though, and only 15 teams have faced more. None of those 15 have held the opponent without a conversion.
• Only Florida State’s opponents have committed fewer penalties than WVU’s. (A bit odd when you consider Georgia Southern’s offense could put players into position for some holding and chopping penalties — the Eagles always rank among the best in penalties per game — and that the coverage Liberty’s secondary employed could have drawn some flags. Both teams used reserves late in the game, too.)

The Mountaineers will do nothing to change their standing in those categories this season, but I wonder if three of those are worth tracking — the last one is not, because this is the year WVU’s luck changes and because WVU plays Baylor … and Texas Tech.

Howard could be among the last players to throw an interception. It’s conceivable the other five teams that haven’t turned the ball over turn it over this weekend or at least before the Mountaineers. And WVU’s going to have a good season if it either a) goes a chunk of the season without allowing a fourth down conversion or b) forces opponents into a lot of fourth down attempts or c) has a close-to-zero conversion percentage.

So, no, there’s no game this weekend, but we have something to watch in its stead.

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, handle your affairs.

BobbyHeenan said:

Maybe I missed it, but the stat I think we’re interested in is red zone TD percentage – ie the % of time the team scores a TD when a drive starts in the red zone. Or alternatively, points per red zone possession. For instance, two field goals in the red zone is just about equivalent to a TD and a turnover on another two trips in the red zone.

Here are some stats from 2010 to 2012 that show some of that…

http://coachingsearch.com/article?a=college-football-study-best-worst-red-zone-offenses-over-last-3-years.

I suspect that our TD conversion rate is probably below average (7 for 13, ~54%). Based on that link above that would put us as one of the worst teams at converting for a TD when a drive starts in the red zone.

I suspect that our points per possession number is closer to average though, as we only have 1 turnover and Lambert has been consistent at converting FG’s there.

Right you are, Brain. You want 6 instead of 3, and you want to be in the end zone as often as possible when you’re in the red zone. Right now, WVU’s touchdown percentage is 53.85 and ranks No. 79. At the end of the 2014 season, that would have ranked No. 92 — or the same as juggernaut Vanderbilt. But consider this: Durante missed the slant on the blitz inside the 10 and later let a ball go through his hands on the goal line against Georgia Southern, Howard missed an open Devonte Mathis in the same game and Shelton Gibson dropped a touchdown on the goal line against Liberty. Those should have all been touchdowns. WVU kicked a feld goal each time. I get that. But getting more of those means the touchdown percentage is higher and healthier and we’re probably not discussing it with the same depth. Give them half of those misses. Now they’re 9-for-13, and 75 percent would be No. 27 today and would have finished No. 2 last season. 

Sammy said:

Regarding the red zone touchdown rate (which is what really matters, as the overall scoring rate is going to be inflated because we have a very good kicker), we’re not good there:

– WVU’s touchdown rate in 2015 is 53.85%, which ranks us 79th in the country. (53% would’ve been 93rd in 2014.)http://www.cfbstats.com/2015/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category27/sort05.html

– In 2014 it was 52%, which was 98th. http://www.cfbstats.com/2015/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category27/sort05.html

– In 2013 it was 52.5%, ranking 103rd.

– In 2012 it was 69.49%, ranking 22nd. http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/leader/national/team/offense/split01/category27/sort05.html

– IN 2011, it was 67.21%, ranking 26th.

– In 2010 WVU was 58.49%, ranking 74, while Oklahoma State (where Dana was OC) was 67.21%, ranking 25th.

– In 2009, Houston (where Dana was OC) was 66.67%, ranking 25th.

So this seems to be a trend albeit a fairly next one for Dana. The big surprise for me is we weren’t better last season, as I would’ve thought a better power running game and the GAM would’ve helped around the goal line.

Not sure what it means but it needs to get better. The most encouraging thing was the touchdown to Wellman — I really liked that play and we need more scoring plays like that.

Facts, all of them. I think it deserves some attention because there seems to be a common denominator, but, yeah, it can be better. The pencil isn’t sharp enough after two games to draw conclusions, but I do think it’s fairly promising that WVU is visiting the red zone so often. Remember, the Mountaineers kicked a ton of 40-plus yard field goals last season. 

I love you, Doug! said:

Shell looks like he’s running on Benedryl.

Not so worried about Howard’s overthrows. Think it’s fixable. Is otherwise crisp and accurate. Like that he works in Holgo’s game plan, as it changes from game to game.

I like Smallwood’s versatility and reliability but keep waiting to see this speed I read about.

Gibson’s going to be great, but he’s also going to be a guy who drops a key pass from time to time.

Dillon looked out of position a few times and I’ll be curious to see what happened (someone get rubbed?) on Liberty’s long TD in the G&B. I do like the attitude of disappointment that one game passed where they didn’t get a defensive turnover.

How about Stedman’s amazing catch yesterday (and great pass, obviously) over the Best Corner in the League?

Benedryl. So good.

Wayward Eer said:

I wouldn’t mind seeing a little more Jacky Marcellus as he seems to have the “twitch” and potential to make people miss than I have seen from Smallwood and Shell.

Honestly, I’m surprised we hadn’t seen him more — heck, at all — either in the backfield or as a receiver before we did. JaJuan Seider liked him coming out of camp. I think 66 snaps one week and Shell’s sluggish start affected some plans, though. 

Mack said:

I kind of liked 4:16 (3).

The red zone issues, to me, always signify that the running game isn’t very good. Show me a great red zone team and I’ll show you a team with a great rushing offense.

Dana mentioned that Skyler’s ability to avoid turnovers is a big thing that Holgorsen likes about him. I think the errant red zone throws may represent a quarterback who is “putting the ball where only his receiver can get it” and erring on the side of caution . . . but I’d have to watch those plays again to see if there is any possible merit to that thought.

I also think that the quarterback and receivers are likely to get more and more on the same page as the season goes, but that is by no means a given.

I don’t have a problem with Holgorsen getting defensive about “negative questions” because I think he has an overall theme that he has to communicate to his players, and that is what he is trying to keep on topic. He believes his players play better when generally positive vibes are going through the locker room, and he wants to do whatever he can to keep that going. I think this is generally true. I remember RichRod had a season or two where WVU was expected to destroy every team on its schedule, and it seemed that no matter what WVU did it was taken as a negative and it had an effect on the team.

I didn’t see a second of the WVU/Liberty game, but I saw that it was a 20-0 halftime lead. It appears by any rational reading of this game that it was a comfortable win. As such, I couldn’t care less about WVU not beating Liberty by as many points as what people may wish their team beat Liberty. The next 10 games are the only games that matter… and the margin of victory is irrelevant for all 10.

You’re right about safe misses, but Skyler’s red zone misses are high misses, and those are dangerous. Aim high and miss and a tip can end up in anyone’s hands. Aim low and miss and it hits the turf. The only egregious miss in the red zone was the one to Mathis. There was a bold throw between defenders to Durante, when Gibson was open on the left, against Liberty. Durante (two) and Gibson (one) have let passes out of their grasp. I’m willing to give Howard a pass on the corner routes. That’s a hard throw he does not yet have in his bag.

Mr Burns said:

Last season, an opposing coach remarked that Shell runs angry. You’d be angry too if no one blocked for you.

Fair.

SkeikYbuti said:

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought it has always been drilled into us that the three down linemen in a 3-3-5 are simply supposed to hold their ground. The sacks typically come from blitzing linebackers, safeties, or corners. Now, if we’re not getting to the QB with our blitzes, or at least forcing hurries, we might have a problem. Otherwise, everything is rainbows and unicorns, no?

You are correct. WVU has players who can affect the passer, and there’s hope Nwachukwu can be, say, an eight-sack player. But he or Larry Jefferson is going to do that when WVU has a lead or when the opponent has to pass and Tony Gibson can aggressively deploy them so that others can be devoted to coverage. On ordinary downs, they’re creators.

Rugger said:

UT fires AD Patterson after 22 months. Any chance they consider Ollie again?

Yes. Vice versa? That’s the question.

I love you, Doug! said:

Tuesday Taboo: What if Shell’s a bust?

It’s on my ideas list. It’s peripatetic, too.

Mack said:

I think Luck has a job he prefers over an AD spot.

I’d take Holgorsen over Strong. I’m not convinced that Strong is a good coach. Seriously. Strong won the Big East with an NFL quarterback. That isn’t a shocking development. His in-game decisions are horrible at times.

Controversial statement: I think Brian Kelly is on the extremely short list of best coaches in college football.

Check Luck’s resume. He moves around. He gets in, gets things done and goes. I always thought of it this way. He builds houses. Other people live in them. I think he’s happy in Indianapolis and committed to the job, one that no one else has had before him. But look at UT’s proposed timeline. The interim AD has a one-year contract. Luck could bank, like, 18 months at the NCAA before he’s hired by Texas. I always go back to this, though: I don’t think Luck ever aspired to be an AD. Jim Clements had to convince him. UT is a special place to him. But he has a pretty esteemed position now with weighty responsibilities. That, to me, seems more in line with what he does. Moving on, Charlie Strong has never had a good offense without Ted Bridgewater. He can’t find a quarterback — in Texas, no less — and his offense is in shambles. There’s concern there. No argument on Kelly, either. He’s being tested this season, but we’re not praising his medical skill. Still, he went through a similar ordeal — a few times, actually — at Cincinnati and ended up with an unbeaten regular season in 2009.

Rugger said: 

I’d like Pat White to come in and work with our Zone Read. I know he hates Dana but it’s the right thing to do as a Mountaineer.

If you’re mentioning this as a goodwill, ambassadorial thing, sure, why not? If it’s proposed as an educational necessity, it’s really not that complex. The coaches on the staff can handle it, and if experience is needed, Lonnie Galloway, JaJuan Seider, Tony Gibson and Bruce Tall, who oversees the defensive ends, were all here when WVU ran the zone read previously. These guys taught David Sills the Georgia Southern offense. They can handle the zone read. But for intangibles and experience-based insight, call Pat. Can’t hurt. 

Dann said:

Sad isn’t it, when former greats dislike the present staff because some old dismissed coach did? It would seem that anyone who knows the game would decry the state Stew left it in. I cringe every time I think about what it would’ve been like for us to have kept Stew around for the Big 12 and showed up to a Big 12 schedule with like 65 guys on the team. Gives me chills, and then it really pisses me off!
Oh well, back to the present. It still seems like Dana is quietly confident about his team. There are indications that perhaps the GSU team we shut out are actually a prett

Dann also said:

pretty good team. As much as I had heard that, I guess the shutout led me to believe they weren’t all that.
Sorry about the split comments, I am having keyboard issues and the budget doesn’t allow for it right now. When does this Santa guy roll in?

Dann

Yeah, that Western Michigan v. Georgia Southern game I’d touted was not all that tout-worthy. Encouraging for you, though, that the Eagles obliterated the Broncos.

BobbyHeenan said:

I said in the off season with all of these coaching changes that instead of hiring like the 10th defensive assistant, I figured we would hire a guy with some zone read experience (maybe like DIII O-coordinator or FCS RB coach or something) to help guide us if we’re incorporating some zone read looks. From the looks of our recruiting (Howard, Sills, Crest), it appears some zone read looks are something we’ll be integrating more.

I completely agree with Dana – Skyler has pulled some balls he should have handed off and vice versa. As the year goes on I’m sure he’ll improve with more reps.

In addition to the people on the staff who ran it before, Neal Brown ran it some at Kentucky, and Mike Burchett was Brown’s G.A. WVU’s always run inside zone and outside zone, which means zone blocking. Don’t worry, it’s not a difficult transition. It takes game reps to get a feel for the defensive end’s activity. 

ccteam said:

Pat White better than Marshall, but Marshall was very good. I agree that Holgersen is asking offense to do more things than previously, but not sure it is too much. The zone read, even if not overly effective, does make defense be just a bit more careful about crashing down on the first handoff.

You nailed it. WVU won’t be running it every play or every other play. It’s happening enough that it can tame the backside end, who gobbles up or complicates a lot of WVU’s running plays. Along those lines, it pauses the linebackers, which allows the offensive linemen to get on them quicker, and will encourage a safety to step forward, which lets the slot receivers find space. To me, small doses is much more about complementing the current offense than moving away from it.

The 25314 said:

Yeah if we had kept stew around it might have gotten ugly. 9 wins in the big east probably only translate to like 6 or 7 wins in the big 12. And we Probably would have blown easy games under him to the likes of Syracuse oraryland or Kansas or Iowa state or Texas tech. We may have only won 4 games in a season. I cringe to think what it would be like without Dana at the controls.

It did happen. It did.

SheikYbuti said:

How did our long snapper wind up with a back injury? Did the nose guard leapfrog him trying to get to the punter?

No idea. Attrition? I think we should keep an eye on this. Not like he won’t be doing things required of his job that have seemingly created or agitated a condition.

abpriddy said:

Great insight as always – thanks, Mike.

quick thought on the Wellman play – I went back and watched from the Bama game and that is the EXACT same play that should have scored in the 4th were it not for an errant Trickett throw to Wellman’s feet. Can’t remember off the top of my head, but how many other times was that run last year? Point being that’s clearly a great play for that spot on the field and I’m wondering why a team that may or may not struggle in the red zone wasted what looks like an ace in the hole against Liberty – would have much rather seen it in the 3Q in Norman. Or do you suspect they’re setting up either the quick toss to the WR coming across or the give to the running back that he faked it to?

Oklahoma’s seen it, I promise. It would be in the prep for that game, because WVU’s shown it before and because it so easily spins off staple formations and plays. I like that it happened for two reasons: 1) WVU scored, which means that changed the talking point entering an open week. 2) There are  lot of branches to that play, as you mention. Durante can get a handoff or, more likely, the hot potato. Smallwood was uncovered slipping out of the backfield, and though it’s a tricky concept for Howard to roll wide and look inside, it’s not impossible. Clay angled into the back end zone, but that’s set up for a classic throwback route, too, when Howard boots right and Clay sneaks to the left. Wrinkles!

Sammy said:

Excellent stuff. Are all those zone reads the same play? On some it looks like an inside dive and Howard can pull and run around end, but on others WVU is pulling a guard while Smallwood runs a sweep and if Howard keeps it it looks like he’s running inside to the same side as the sweep. Are those the same play or different?

Glad you asked. I don’t know for sure, and I would suggest they are not all the same. Again, we’re doing this without the benefit of knowing the call, and I think sometimes Howard is simply playing out the fake on a run play as a way to maintain the appearance and train the defensive end. Zone read implies zone blocking. When a guard pulls, it’s not a zone play. The first two times we discuss this deep in the G&B, the guard pulls. (Conversely, look at the third play. It’s zone blocking.) But on one, Howard gives to Shell and on the other Howard keeps. These are then read options, in which option is not a pitch play, but an option the quarterback has to give it or keep it. But on zone reads (technically still a read option), the running back is also reading the zone blocking, and he can cut it up anywhere he sees a hole. That can be inside, especially if he’s behind Howard.

tls62pa said:

Hope everyone’s ready for that zone read stick draw! I can feel it coming…

Conceptually, it’s the worst possible idea, but I want it to happen so much.

overtheSEC said:

I’d love to see the next wrinkle be the pop pass from Howard.

http://youtu.be/uV7F_PfSutY

The first time I saw Denard Robinson (in the above linked video) do it, I wished we’d had that in our arsenal on December 1, 2007. (Oh man. How early is too early to start drinking on a Thursday?)

Here’s a pretty good write up about it http://mgoblog.com/content/hokepoints-packages-and-pop-pass

Easily added. I think some of the passes Shorts caught last game were the byproduct of the read options. No reason Howard can’t fake it, keep it and pass it. Red zone delight!

 

Dann said:

It was partly the film I watched and it was partly the rumor told to me, that a coach had found a game-breaker in Skyler Howard who would pass up WV Crest for the starting job, whichever it was, I was tuned in to Skyler while he was still considered by most to be number two only because Crest got a shoulder.
Well, its turned out there was something to that rumor, and though you wouldn’t guess it by looking at his face, most assuredly Skyler is a man on a mission and seems to be busy trying to get his team mates to buy into the mission. Perhaps they are wise enough to do so.
I am soooo ready for WVU to have another one of those inspiring tales, you know kind of like the Major, where no one thought he could play quarterback and certainly NO ONE thought he would beat out Browning Nagle for the start. You know the rest.
Well here it is, in the making. This kid didn’t get a FBS offer at any position and had to make his own luck by finding a place to showcase what he felt he had and I’m here to say, this kid just HAS to make good.
No, no one is projecting him as their favorite for the Heisman Trophy, but I will tell you what: Nobody better count him out either! I am so glad this guy is a Mountaineer! Skyler Howard, welcome to the Mountain State, you have a home here for life.

NostroDannus!

tls62pa said:

Freudian slip with no mention of G. Smith?

Nope. People revered him because he was good at football. People revered Pat and Clint for additional reasons.

Mack said:

In the original post, Mike wasn’t talking about results, necessarily, but leadership. I think it was clear that he was saying that White, Trickett, and now Howard had respect from their teammates . . . and some quarterbacks in between did not.

More or less, yes. White and Trickett were also bookends for the time frame. 

Down South said:

There is some obvious talent on the offensive roster, albeit inexperienced talent. Next year, we lose one offensive lineman, Cody Clay and a slot receiver who is, at best, a co-starter. If this turns out to be a good year, and I think 10-2 is possible if we can bat .500 in October this season (big if), with the offensive talent coming back next season, Skyler could really write his story as one of the better QB’s ever to come through the program. Who would have ever thought that was possible? Of course, he could also be overtaken by one of the talented QB’s that are backing him up at the moment.

Gotta see him get through the season first, but if he does, because he stayed safe and productive, the he’s got a chance to put up big numbers. That’s the pattern of Dana’s offense. Older quarterbacks, gaudy stats.

Drew said:

Man, how hard was Sheik defending Train post-OB?

So hard. 

pknocker40 said:

7-6, 4-8, 7-6, 2-0
Clemson 33

Timeless.

Mr Burns said:

Mad Dog comes in flavors now? I am so old and so out of touch.

Only one way to fix that! (And it’s not recommended.)

Mr M said:

Agreed. Multiple flavors of Mad Dog?! They’ll never match the late Evan Williams.

Update: We bought a new … dog.

Wayward Eer said:

Mike, am curious about what kind of relationship HCDH and staff had/have had with both the current and past teams/players? The staff has always seemed to be pretty blunt (which I would prefer if I were one of his players) with their evaluations. While there have not been a lot of unexplained transfers, players critical of the staff, but also not a ton of praise from pro bound players? I always wonder about the teams internal will to rally around a head coach when times are tough (as October could be). May be no issue but do not remember much related to the thought.

It’s not one of those things I keep up on, because rarely do I encounter players after they leave and rarely do we hear about bad stuff. I’d say it’s a pretty ordinary dynamic. Forgive me for being guarded here. It’s not an “I know something you don’t know!” way of going about this explanation, but here goes. A number of players who were part of the 2011 team were not fans of Dana and his guys. But many were and still are. I do know in the past the staff has grown to be fed up with players and want nothing to do with them when they leave. But I do know some of those relationships were mended and players were allowed back for things like pro days or to use the weight room. One former player was sending around an email airing some brow-arching grievances. That player, who you’d think would stay away or be kept away, has been seen around from time to time since then. Players have transferred with good things to say. Players have transferred and told me suggestive things. A few have shared those suggestive things with me and added, and I’m paraphrasing, “Hey, that’s college football. It doesn’t mean the coaches are bad people.” In short, there’s no pattern one way or the other, which is to say it’s probably pretty common, and thus a general pattern, around the nation.

Dann said:

What I got from earlier pieces about this was that the conference changed to the new balls and everyone is pleased with them.
My first wife decided to try new balls and she must’ve been pleased because she still has them like 41 or 42 years later. I’m am pleased for her as well.

Dann

The hell, Dann?

Rugger said:

That keyboard is out of control.

Tis.

SheikYbuti said:

It takes balls to post something like that.

…

Snazzy Britches said:

If you guys aren’t nice, Dann is going to take his balls and go home.

We’re almost there anyhow.

Clarence Oveur said:

All this time Nick O’Toole has been (puts on sunglasses) Waiting for the Balls.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH!

Enjoy the weekend!