Ding, ding, ding.
Establishing a running game is the key for this season. As I said above, the defense is what it is. It's a massive rebuild; it will improve, but it will do so slowly. The offense will have to carry this team to where it once to go. To that end, and to aid the offense and the defense, a running game has to be established -- a traditional running game with the running backs.
If we could consistently get 4-5 yards a carry (very doable in a spread offense), it's a game-change for the offense, and thus the team. Establish a running game with Logan/Morris (lightning) and Hood (thunder) forces the defense to think about putting an extra guy in the box. If they do so, we can create matchup problems galore. If they don't do so, we continue to run the ball effectively until they do. Furthermore, running the ball keeps the clock moving, and will slow our drives down which will increase our time of possession. All of these things keep the opposing offense off the field.
I'm on record saying I don't feel great about this season. But if our OL, RB's, and OC can work together to establish an effective running game, 9+ wins becomes a possibility.