I would disagree with "running the ball is not the issue".

Coming at this from a 'you can't fix it if you don't know its broken' position...
I recall Kelly's offense struggling to find consistent success on the ground both in short yardage situations and against marquee opponents. Since, well, pretty much ever.

Its improved in recent years, but remains nowhere near elite, let alone consistently good. I don't have time to do a broad analysis, but picked 4 recent losses to marquee opponents as examples. Call it a cherry picking fallacy if you want, I don't care.

Kelly's offense can't run ball when it must. Its why they have nothing to hang their hat on, and why it so often looks like grab-bagging. This what I think of when people say the scheme sucks or the philosophy sucks.

2021 Rose Bowl ATT YDS AVE TD
Alabama 25 140 5.6 0
ND 38 139 3.7 2

2020 ACC Champ
Clem 27 219 8.1 2
ND 30 44 1.5 1
ND w/o Book 20 79 3.9 1

2019 Michigan
UM 57 303 5.3 3
ND 31 47 1.5 0

2019 Georgia
UGA 33 152 4.6 1
ND 14 46 3.3 0