According to the evidence, Bigelow @ tOSU was the exception not the norm (I.e. the player he is). I certainly hoped he'd bust 1000 yards this season... but yeah.

SonOfCalVa;842192234 said:

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Sonny, in his post game comments, seems to agree with you. For whatever reason(s), the Bigelow of last year's fOSU game, has disappeared and been replaced by a different player, even if he looks the same and has the same name.

If they want someone to run the ball in the close red zone, where the hell is Gingold, either as a blocker or even better runner???? He got "discovered" as a Beast-type runner, pancake blocker but has disappeared.

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SonOfCalVa;842192234 said:

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Sonny, in his post game comments, seems to agree with you. For whatever reason(s), the Bigelow of last year's fOSU game, has disappeared and been replaced by a different player, even if he looks the same and has the same name.

If they want someone to run the ball in the close red zone, where the hell is Gingold, either as a blocker or even better runner???? He got "discovered" as a Beast-type runner, pancake blocker but has disappeared.

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That is positive sign, but we'll have to see if they bench him. Bigs clearly does need to get his act together if he's to continue seeing the field.

Like many others here, I'm also at a loss as to why we don't see Gingold being used more.

SonOfCalVa;842192234 said:

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Sonny, in his post game comments, seems to agree with you. For whatever reason(s), the Bigelow of last year's fOSU game, has disappeared and been replaced by a different player, even if he looks the same and has the same name.

If they want someone to run the ball in the close red zone, where the hell is Gingold, either as a blocker or even better runner???? He got "discovered" as a Beast-type runner, pancake blocker but has disappeared.

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It's the same Bigelow. He had two good runs. He has very good athletic ability, so he could pull off those runs again, but he is not now and never was a good back.

Biggie is trying too hard. He's swinging for the fences every time and gets visibly frustrated when he foul tips it thinking he was so close to that home run.

Contrast this to Lasco, Muhammad or Coprich who bounce right up getting ready for the next play whether it was a 10 yard gain or a 4 yard loss.

Biggie's mental effects are compounding because he's just swinging even harder and getting more frustrated.

Frankly the expectations of him (by himself and fans) are probably or doing any good. He needs to build himself up, brick by brick, and start with being productive period and then work his way up to the big runs.

ttgiang15;842192221 said:

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I've always felt the good running backs always have an uncanny ability to avoid the big hits, since they either 1) deliver the hits, themselves, or 2) take good angles so the defender doesn't square up on them (when #2 happens, that's how you break tackles). The fact that Bigelow consistently takes big hits in the open field is on him - he has terrible awareness. Compounding the fact, and something that probably bothers me more than most, is after getting wrapped up he always makes some gesture in frustration, as though he almost took it to house - note to Bigelow: you were not close to breaking it, stop showing your frustrations on field and giving the defense a boost in confidence.

Bigelow needs to benched

* Since the 2nd quarter of the Northwestern game (taking out his first four carries of the season), Bigelow has averaged 3.05 yards rush. At this point, he's the weakest rusher in an underwhelming rushing attack

* He has scored 0 points this season, while his fumbles have directly led to 14 points by the opposition! Think about that: by being on the field, he is net -14 points!

* The team, excluding Bigelow, has averaged a fumble once in every 41 touches; Bigelow has averaged a fumble once in every 17 touches - 2.5x's more than the rest of the team

I don't think he's learning anything by being on the field, and it's arguably hurting the team. Bench him and make him understand that fumbles are not acceptable. Five fumbles in five games this season

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Watching some of the game again today (glutton for punishment I guess), I think his "jump stops" are intended to create more change of direction, but maybe there's not enough strength in his knees right now to really accomplish the desired goal. Instead he just bunny hops in place and basically leaves his feet just in time for a defender to smash him.

Probably a muscle memory thing where his body is just not responding like he's used to it doing. All the criticism aside though, when he's not fumbling and he commits to a lane and focuses on going north south to gain some yards, he's still explosive.

Coaches just need to tell him to take the 5-8 yard gain when it's there, and lower his pads and leg drive through the contact in the second level of the defense instead of leaving his feet.

freshfunk;842192271 said:

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Biggie is trying too hard. He's swinging for the fences every time and gets visibly frustrated when he foul tips it thinking he was so close to that home run.

Contrast this to Lasco, Muhammad or Coprich who bounce right up getting ready for the next play whether it was a 10 yard gain or a 4 yard loss.

Biggie's mental effects are compounding because he's just swinging even harder and getting more frustrated.

Frankly the expectations of him (by himself and fans) are probably or doing any good. He needs to build himself up, brick by brick, and start with being productive period and then work his way up to the big runs.

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ding, ding, ding.

he needs to learn to walk first. he's got to learn to take that extra 1-3 yards when he's about to be tackled instead of trying. avoid a defender completely and go for a home run.

I actually think that Copprich has earned the starting job - good Spring practice, solid straight ahead runner, blocks and catches well, doesn't seem to fumble. We should put the press clippings and star ratings away, and play this guy.

upsetof86;842191399 said:

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Its the knee/mind I am convinced by what I have seen.

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I've been thinking the same thing. And, it may all go back to the spin moves. He uses them almost instinctively it seems (probably because he began to do it successfully at a very early age). That and a few others - he seems to have a limited repertoire. The opponents look at the films and know that he will make a certain move in a certain situation and they react accordingly.

But, I think you're right, the subconscious connection between being hit and sustaining another injury may very well interrupt his concentration on holding onto the ball.

As to his knee injuries, the spin move must put unnatural force on the knee. Do it often enough and...

I honestly think the expectation and pressure was just too high for him... he's beating himself down for not having another tOSU moment and it's actually making it worse (mentally). He and the staff need to get rid of all the hype and expectations and just go out and have fun, play some football, and not worry about being the hero.

OaktownBear;842192262 said:

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It's the same Bigelow. He had two good runs. He has very good athletic ability, so he could pull off those runs again, but he is not now and never was a good back.

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The home-run ability (seen against Ohio State) was what appeared to make up for his other issues. With the injury his home-run ability now seems to be gone (he can't even shake defenders in the open field, much less the clogged-up middle) so he's got nothing.

I'm also wondering if he lost some leg strength bc of his knee... Perhaps he'll get better towards the end of the season... No excuses for fumbles though

Why not just plug him into a DB slot. We need guys there. With his speed he should be able to stay with any receiver in the Pac 12 plus it diminishes the fumble problem.