pass on first down, and choose a slow-developing run play that gets stuffed for second down, you're not learning and getting better. Arod has always done this; it's his paradigm. Pass failed on first down? Try a predictable, clogged run play on second. The run game is his weakness. Our run game is currently tied too much to Retzlaff's improvising. Too often, when games get tight, Arod gets rattled and defaults to worn out run plays. He also gets too conservative with BYU clinging to a small lead.
He's not horrible. He's just not "solid" enough. Some plays he calls are great, but they tend to come early in games when BYU has momentum and plenty of time to make changes without jeopardizing the game. The option pitch to Miles Davis against SMU was a great call and it put us in position to kick the winning field goal. It was the exception, however.