Head coach Dabo Swinney is always full of optimism, so when he says there is a concern at a certain position on the field, you know he really is concerned. That position this season is the offensive line. (Photo courtesy of CU Athletics)
Dabo says that the depth at oline was worrisome at that point of the season and I think he was correct with that. However, he says “this first team oline group is going to be really good.” I don’t know if he truly believed that or was just saying that. However, based on the season, I think it’s safe to say he was way wrong. Etienne averaged 8.1 (insane) yards per carry in 2018 and only averaged 5.4 this year. A 2.7 difference is pretty severe. We all know about the performance against notre dame earlier in the year was putrid. However, the one against notre dame in the ACC championship wasn’t much different. Take away those two long runs from T Law and Etienne, where the defense had a ton of guys in the box and no one deep and the rushing stats aren’t all that impressive. Change needs to be made along the oline because good defenses will continue to feast on this soft line. Lawrence hardly got no time to throw the ball and the score against OSU could have been a whole lot closer if the guys gave him more time.