All sorts of opinions on here, no lack of those.
Some logic may be helpful, but not always welcome. Here is my attempt, as always, my opinion only.
1. One has to ask why we are seeing less than sparkling performances across the board on our OL? Just going by numbers, all these kids can't be bad naturally? There has to be a common thread going on here.
2. Frost wanted a certain body type, the tall guys which I believe have not turned out to be the fix he was looking for. I know the long arms and all that stuff was touted on here but just look at the guys who were drafted in the league in the first couple of rounds, none were the jolly green giant types that we went after. That needs to be reassessed.
3. Where is the flexibility/footwork/agility? The reason we can't run much outside stuff is because we are terrible at blocking in space. It has been that way for several years, this is nothing new. The only reason we throw to our RB is during a check downs, rarely a primary receiver as we need him for blocking. I have been critical of our line's footwork for several years although, from a cursory viewing this year, it is marginally better which isn't saying much.
4. We do need more and better athletes on the OL. Perhaps some shorter but aggressive and athletics kids who need to grow. O linemen will generally look like they are carrying extra bad weight, that is part of it.
5. We are not close to the point where we can line up and move teams back off the LOS. It is better this year but not by much.
6. More misdirection and quick passing game are offered as remedies. I hope people realize the entire offense is a misdirection. It is meant to be that way. As I see it, the reason we are getting some good releases on the deep balls is because we actually had a running threat from Grant the first few games. Teams have moved up, bringing a safety up to help in run support which opens up the deep ball. It also opens up your line to blocking longer. I know this is a shock but not every option for running and passing is available on every play. The D determines what you can do to a major extent, that is what CT is reading. He sees two deep safeties, you run the ball, a safety up, you have receivers open on the outside where these is now less help.
7. Why or why does everyone think the portal is going to solve our problems at OL? If a kid is a starter at anywhere U, why is he coming to Nebraska who has had little recent history of OL success? Maybe you get a G guy but now you probably need a year to develop him. How many transfers have we had in the last two years that have not played much meaningful time, even at Nebraska?
This entire offense is "misdirection". The TD play to Vok is a prime example. The LB reads the blocking/back going non play aide and bites long enough to allow the TE to come in behind them for the TD. What people are seeing or think they are seeing is running "up the middle" or "zone read" or whatever the play is that seems to be the same play over and over. Well, it is not. It may start with a QB handing to a RB but there are multiple options for blocking that we are not very good at most of the time.
Perhaps Raiola is making improvements with this group. I know they are rotating a lot of kids which is actually good. They can grade and decide who is really getting the job done instead of guessing.