What do you do when your offense is simply average at best?
At this point, one thing seems increasingly clear: Eddie Buehler is not the answer at quarterback.
It was understandable, and even commendable, that Maine gave Buehler another opportunity after the Merrimack game. Against Boston College, he did a respectable job and showed enough to justify another start. The problem is that there has been little evidence of actual progress.
There are good plays, but they are too often followed by disastrous ones.
Against Elon, Buehler was not only inconsistent with his throws, he also looked intimidated at times. The drive that produced Maine's first touchdown was encouraging. Buehler used his legs, picked up two first downs on the ground and gave the offense some much-needed energy.
But through the air, it simply wasn't good enough.
He completed just 14 passes against Elon for 88 yards. On the season, he is completing 55.7 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and six interceptions.
And yet, Buehler is far from the only problem.
Coming into the season, Maine's offensive line received plenty of praise. It was supposed to be experienced, established and one of the strengths of the offense.
We have seen very little of that.
The protection has not been good enough, and the run blocking has been just as disappointing. Maine is averaging only 2.9 yards per carry, and the running game as a whole has been below expectations.
Rashawn Marshall finally broke through against Elon with 105 rushing yards, his first 100-yard game of the season. But even Marshall has been well behind what many expected entering the year.
Before the season, there were also concerns about Maine's wide receiver room. Unfortunately, those concerns are increasingly becoming reality.
The quarterback will always take much of the responsibility for an offense, which is why Buehler was eventually benched in favor of Caden Drezek, who threw a touchdown during garbage time.
But this goes beyond the quarterback position.
Maine is averaging just 14.2 points per game and has scored only eight touchdowns, fewer than two per game. The Black Bears have produced 76 first downs through five games, an average of 15.2 per contest.
That simply isn't enough.
Some of that falls on the quarterback. Some of it falls on the offensive line. And some of it absolutely falls on the play calling.