No knock on Ralph, he & Scheu were the only offensive bright spots last year. I think Ralph is a very good back with quicks in the open field, great hands, and awesome stamina. He could be the 3rd down back (to use an NFL analogy) for most any top CFB team IMO.
But any of you who watch other CFB games can see what a dominant running back does for an offense. A back who routinely breaks tackles and makes something out of a poorly blocked play is a lifesaver. 2nd & ten after an incompletion often becomes 3rd and 3 with a tough run. 3rd and 1-2 is close to a given. The offensive line gets to do more of what they like, downhill runblocking, and the QB gets man or a loose zone with plenty of space to be less than perfect with the ball.
Not really a great point to this thread, just that all the focus on the line's struggles, no WR playmakers, CAL's play calls, and Johnny's tendency to overreach & throw picks is slightly misplaced. I think all those pieces are adequate to win in the SEC. Just that the offense would suddenly look like Bama or LSU or Arkansas or Georgia if we had one of their RBs. Shoot, we would have beaten the stuffing out of WKU & MTSU if we had that UAB refugee.
I bet if Ludwig could have one thing different this year it wouldn't be a bunch of 4 star lineman, UT's receivers, or a prolific passer; it would be that horse in the backfield.
But any of you who watch other CFB games can see what a dominant running back does for an offense. A back who routinely breaks tackles and makes something out of a poorly blocked play is a lifesaver. 2nd & ten after an incompletion often becomes 3rd and 3 with a tough run. 3rd and 1-2 is close to a given. The offensive line gets to do more of what they like, downhill runblocking, and the QB gets man or a loose zone with plenty of space to be less than perfect with the ball.
Not really a great point to this thread, just that all the focus on the line's struggles, no WR playmakers, CAL's play calls, and Johnny's tendency to overreach & throw picks is slightly misplaced. I think all those pieces are adequate to win in the SEC. Just that the offense would suddenly look like Bama or LSU or Arkansas or Georgia if we had one of their RBs. Shoot, we would have beaten the stuffing out of WKU & MTSU if we had that UAB refugee.
I bet if Ludwig could have one thing different this year it wouldn't be a bunch of 4 star lineman, UT's receivers, or a prolific passer; it would be that horse in the backfield.
