Are we really running the wrong plays or do we just not have talented enough players to succeed with them?
I think the latter.
There's no doubt that the offense is short on talent, but there's a lot that could be done. I posted the following thoughts in another thread.
Personnel:
1. Petras is done. I don't care how he practices, I've seen enough of him on Saturdays. Either he isn't any good or he's broken. There is no upside. If Padilla isn't bought in to play beyond this season, move on to Labas and/or May.
2. End the Colby experiment at RT. Plumb isn't good, but Colby can't block anyone in pass pro.
Running Game:
3. Get Jones to snap the ball on time. That shouldn't be difficult.
4. All but eliminate lateral rushes. This OL can't maintain blocks. Reverses and lateral runs lose yardage more often than they gain 4+. Fortunately, we've run enough of those types of plays that fakes could still be good occasionally for misdirection and play action.
5. Get out from under center more often. You can still run downhill from the gun, and it will help the passing game. You can also put a defensive player in conflict with even a reasonably mobile QB.
Passing Game: Our QBs lock on early and don't go through progressions. That's due a combination of failure of coaching to teach progressions and the fact that they rarely have time before the pass rush gets home.
6. Once again, get out from under center. 5-step drops from under center with an OL that doesn't block well are idiotic. If there is no essential purpose to being under center, give the QB the advantage of better vision and more time.
7. Install choice routes. Based on the alignment of the defense and the response of the coverage, receivers modify their routes. The QB can make a pre-snap read regarding which defensive player(s) will be in conflict. They likely know before the snap where they will go with the ball, but it may not be their favorite receiver. It would reduce the tendency to lock on to the favorite receiver and throw into the open space in the defense.
8. RPO the safeties that are flying downhill to the LOS on the snap. It doesn't take much to slow them down.
9. Padilla (and everyone else) is more mobile than Petras. Practice the scramble drill. Brecht seemed lost when Padilla scrambled his direction.
All of these are things that an old freshman coach would do next week if his offense ever performed this poorly. I don't think it's too much to ask from a P5 OC and his staff.