Yet even the best QB can’t work miracles if the O-line is a sieve. Or if the O-line can’t split the defense for a bit of daylight for the RB’s to run for.
And did our defense just get pushed back four or five yards any time Wisconsin decided to go up the middle.
The O-line has not been the problem, by and large. The unit suffers from undersized guards--who play hard (I might add), but simply struggle against Big Ten D-linemen. Doug Kramer is really good at center, but he has been playing hurt or out altogether. The makes it tough slogging running inside, where BB likes to establish the ground game. The tackles are experienced, but they are not All-Big Ten types. All that said, the O-line has done a respectable job this year. In fact, there has not been one false start called on the O-line all year! That shows they are a disciplined group.
Furthermore, Illinois has struggled at RB. Chase was hurt and limited the first few games. He didn't show he was back to full speed until the past couple of games. And his speed and vision are missed when he is not playing healthy. RBs have to hit the hole -- or the crease -- when it opens, and the Illini RBs have missed the hole either due to lack of speed or lack of vision many times this year. One need only have watched the UTSA game to see the stark difference between a quality RB that explodes into the hole versus RBs that flat miss it for one reason or another. In the BIg Ten, one cannot expect gaping holes to be opened every play.
As for pass protection, the O-line has struggled at times, but again, that is not all their fault. At times the QB has held the ball too long, at other times the TE or (more often) the RB has failed to pick up the blitz, while at other times the TEs/WRs have not gained adequate separation on their routes, causing the QB to hold the ball longer than his protection could withstand the pressure.
Bottom line: The O-line may be at fault at times, but many times other elements are the primary cause for a breakdown. As a unit this O-line has been decent, especially given its athletic limitations. And it's been disciplined - which reflects good coaching.