Rushing, through five games, 2010-2013

[The Fake Lonnie Finch]

2010: 207 attempts, 856 yards, 4.1 per carry, 4 touchdowns, 1-4 record (Lance Dunbar, junior)

2011: 208 attempts, 639 yards, 3.1 per carry, 3 touchdowns, 1-4 record (Lance Dunbar, senior)

2012: 205 attempts, 840 yards, 4.1 per carry, 6 touchdowns, 2-3 record (Lance Dubar, gone to the NFL)

2013: 173 attempts, 563 yards, 3.3 per carry, 8 touchdowns, 2-3 record (Lance Dunbar, two years removed)

Now, some here say we are not regonizing that the run game isn't working. It looks like to me, we have recognized it isn't working and have run less than in prior years.

The summary of the season, thusfar, is this:

-The pass game is better

-The defense is better

-The run game is worse

-The special teams are worse

Before the season:

-We worried about the pass game

-We worried about the defense

-We assumed the run game would be fine

-We had no idea what to expect of the special teams

It comes down to this:

Middle Tennessee is our Waterloo. They are a tough team who knows us well. We know them well.

As poor as the run game has been, it's actually been more productive that the first five games of Lance Dunbar's senior season. Still, neither 2011 nor this season shows a stellar run game through the first five games.

So, what of Saturday's game? Does the offensive line turn the corner and play to the level everyone expected before the season began? Some here write, "Well, they are fine in the passing game, so...?"

Yes, well, so why can't we ever have a line that is equally good at pass blocking and run blocking? Maybe the offensive line believed their own pre-season hype. If so, they should have recieved a wake up call by now.

They will either have to be more physical and as effective in the run game as they are in the pass game, or this will devolve into another losing season.

Help us O-line Kenobi...you're our only hope!

[Texas Stranger]

I'll disagree that the Special Teams are worse, but agree with the rest. Having one FG blocked doesn't negate the rest of the ST play this year.

[foutsrouts]

I'll disagree that the Special Teams are worse, but agree with the rest. Having one FG blocked doesn't negate the rest of the ST play this year.

Same here. Special teams have been special this year for the most part. This lack of a running game is perplexing, and I'm not sure that we can't blame all three areas (OL, RB's, and coaching) for our problems there. I certainly was expecting more from Jimmerson and am seeing nothing.

[Stix]

So last year Mike Grant was coaching running backs, and we had a running game but no passing game. This year, he is the wide receivers coach, and we have a passing game but no running game.

The obvious answer is to clone Coach Grant, but since that's not possible...

[Harry]

So last year Mike Grant was coaching running backs, and we had a running game but no passing game. This year, he is the wide receivers coach, and we have a passing game but no running game.

The obvious answer is to clone Coach Grant, but since that's not possible...

LOL!

[JesseMartin]

So last year Mike Grant was coaching running backs, and we had a running game but no passing game. This year, he is the wide receivers coach, and we have a passing game but no running game.

The obvious answer is to clone Coach Grant, but since that's not possible...

So for the Canales haters...Grant for OC? Just curious.