Defense Wins…Brand Strength
Posted on: September 25, 2014
Image via Nola.com
Perhaps the title of this post should really say, “Defense AND Running the Football Wins…Brand Strength”. I’ve actually been thinking about this for a while but when I saw this tweet from Kirk Herbstreit the other day it just solidified it in my mind even more.
Here is my latest top 4 for this week.
1. OU
2. Bama
3. Oregon
4. FSU
Remember forget preseason polls-strictly based on results.— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 21, 2014
Historically, the Oklahoma football brand was always associated with physicality and toughness. In my estimation those two qualities come from two abilities, the ability to run the ball and play good defense. The public and the media seem to confer a great deal of respect and, as a result, brand strength on teams that can do those things. If sports are metaphors for human qualities, football certainly represents the toughness of the human spirit.
You all remember that 2008 season when Oklahoma was scoring points in record numbers. My brother and I were reminiscing on that season earlier this week and we remembered watching the OU vs. Nebraska game together. My brother went to grab a pizza and came back a few minutes into the game and OU was already up like 50 billion to O. But despite OU’s ability to score a lot and score fast, you all probably also recall that a lot of the discussion by media and fans going into the game was about a perceived weakness in Oklahoma’s defense. OU’s defense ended up doing a pretty good job but it certainly felt like that Texas game when OU gave up 40+ points stained the Oklahoma brand a touch.
OU obviously had a number of great defensive showings since then but there have also been some pretty rough games. And when you look at the draft, OU just hasn’t had the high defensive draft picks in recent years. The win over Alabama was huge in advancing the Oklahoma brand but in talking to recruits and listening to media outlets it really feels like that game alone wasn’t enough. It feels like what’s really begun to bring back the strength of Oklahoma’s brand has been the physicality on the offensive and defensive lines, in other words OU’s ability to shove the ball down someone’s throat when it’s necessary and the ability to squeeze an offense, get after a quarterback and stop the run.
LSU, Stanford and Michigan State are good examples of teams that aren’t necessarily winning national championships (and are losing some games) but have a lot of fairly recently-found brand strength and it seems to be based on the idea that they are “tough” and “physical” (though LSU is starting to have some poor defensive performances and I think it’s starting to hurt their brand as well).
I was talking to a top recruit the other day and we were talking about the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech game. He made a comment that stood out to me. He said something like: I almost see Texas Tech as a “mid-major” team. It’s hard to maintain brand strength when someone watches another team run right over your defense, no matter how many points you can put on the board. On the flip side, in talking to recruits after the Tennessee game I kept hearing the same thing over and over…wow, that defense…that defense is so fast…that defense is so dominant…etc.
Mayweather get’s hit but he rarely get’s hit clean and you always get this sense that he can squeeze his opponent when he wants. Perhaps more importantly you always feel like he’s in control. Oddly enough Spurrier has recently built the South Carolina brand on their ability to play defense but as a fan, my own sense of respect for that brand fell when I watched Texas A&M go up and down the field on them and there seemed to be nothing they could do about it.
It’s been a few years it seems since Oklahoma’s “star” was on the defensive side of the ball. OU now has a number of players that are becoming household names in certain parts of the country. Eric Striker, Geneo Grissom, Zack Sanchez, Jordan Phillips, Charles Tapper…these are names that media folks highlight when they cover OU games and are recognizable to many fans. In fact I suspect there are more defensive names on OU’s current team that have brand recognition across the country than offensive players. In the coming year or two (and hopefully beyond) Oklahoma should have a number of defensive draft picks that will only work to solidify this identity.
Maybe it’s just me but I’m seeing a resurgence of the OU brand and the national respect for Oklahoma football among fans, recruits and media members. And while wins and losses are the ultimate bottom line I think it’s more nuanced than that. I really believe the resurgence isn’t just about the fact that OU is winning but it’s also about HOW OU is winning. OU is getting after the quarterback and running the ball. OU is imposing it’s will and it’s winning not only games but, fear and respect. It feels like Oklahoma football is back.
I’ll leave with a quote you all know from the great coach Bud Wilkinson that really speaks to this topic:
Football, in its purest form, remains a physical fight. As in any fight, if you don’t want to fight, it’s impossible to win.
83 Comments
Love it. I think the HC are interesting as well. 2 D minded and 2 O minded but with the talent on the other side of the ball to execute or dictate how they want score points or stop/slow down a team from scoring points.
This is first time since the early 2000’s I’ve felt like either of the lines could truly hold it’s own against anyone in the country.
I think it gives us a quiet confidence. It’s like having that friend that is always willing to go into a fight with you and if he does, you know you have a chance.
Perfect analogy. These guys suffered in the heat of summer together. They’ll fight.
Totally agree Mr Jones.
I told a friend of mine who was nervous about the game that I was confident in a win. Told him I felt like our line play is the big difference over these last few years. Will we win every game…who knows…but I feel a quiet confidence simply because of the big boys and DEPTH up front.
Completely agree. I would much rather win 13-0 vs 53-40. Their is a legitimacy to winning in a low scoring shutout that says you can do it all the time.
Or 13-2.
That score bring a huge smile to my face!
Ditto!
Oh yeah. My fave play was when Harris tackled the RB by blowing him up with a missile. The airborne missile wasn’t a Tomahawk, but, the blocking back! It was near the goal line too!
If only that snap hadn’t been so errant…would have been 13-0…just like the season.
That’s a great score. Dr. Ben Panter still catches grief for that.
Speaking of shutouts, according to my quick review:
Bob has 14, Barry had 16, and Bud had 47!
Did you know… Bud started in ’47, had the 47 game winning streak, and 47 shutouts?
As schoolhouse rock would say…”It’s a magic number” 🙂
I see where you are going, but not sure I agree completely. If our D is that good, our O is getting many more chances to score. They are getting the ball right back. In a shutout if we have an O that can only score 13 against anyone, in the average season, that means we don’t have a very good O either. I still want a good O that can score 30+ on the best D out there, b/c in most games nowadays, a good team is going to score on us. I don’t think we’ll see many 13-2 games again in our lifetimes w/the Os out there now. If our D can keep a good team from scoring more than 21 pts, I’d like to think that our O can score 10 pts more than that against anyone.
Shutouts have a special place in my heart. That’s what killed me about the 2009 team. That defense was awesome, had 3 shutouts in one year and we still went 8-5. The first four losses were by a COMBINED twelve points (then Tech sh!t on us but whatever).
I love shutouts too. Drank so much Kool-Aid, I thought we’d already have 2 by now.
Good point about the close losses in ’09, we can only imagine “what if” Bradford hadn’t went down that year? Certainly, he was worth the 12 points.
I can’t say enough how interesting it’s been talking to recruits recently…just a lot of respect for the OU defense. And now that OU has an emerging star at RB and big physical OLine…things look good!
If we’re up 14 with 10 minutes left, I want us to believe we don’t have to throw another pass to win, because we have the ability to chew up yards and time on the ground and the ability to pound them on D.
I think we are there right now and we haven’t even used the QB on the ZR!
I agree, ft smith, okie. Nice to know we can put away a win in the 4th and not throw a pass
I agree as well. I love that we can squeeze an offense and pound the rock. It’s all about attitude and we’ve got it. It’s only going to get better. Oo-aa!!
eh, 10 minutes is still too much time to shut half of the offense down. 5 minutes, OK
I didn’t say we have to do it, just believe that we can.There’s recent seasons where they didn’t appear to believe running while up 14 with 5 minutes left was an option.
It is really fun to hear recruits excited about OU again. The new coaches, reemergence of the D, focus on toughness, and win over Bama made OU cool again for recruits. What an important change.
Being reported we just offered top 300 2016 safety Eric Monroe from Galena Park North Shore
Good catch! North Shore is a Texas strong hold right now. Monroe is releasing a top 5 soon. We know a couple people over there so we’ll try to see if OU has a chance with him.
And now 2016 Aldine Davis LB Jeffrey McCulloch.
It’s why Switzer always talked in terms of hitting people in the mouth. End of the day, real football is not about tricking people, its about doing things to people that they are actively resisting.
Love that…”it’s about doing things to people that they are actively resisting”
Tried to boil it down to the most basic. As much as I love to watch a well executed flanker reverse, a fullback up the middle is a far more visceral play.
My fav part of the game was in the 4th quarter when we were just handing the ball off the Perine and watching him run over people. When you have a big physical offensive line and 3 big backs like we do it wears people down. Not to mention that safety who has been getting run over by Perine is a little more reluctant in the 4th quarter.
Back in the day, watching Lydell Carr was similar. He’d pound, pound, pound the middle until, BOOM, he was off to a 50 or 60 yard gain because he and his line had finally broken their opposition.
Like a linebacker said about vicious hits, “It’s not complicated; it’s all about the transfer of kinetic energy.”
Oh, that’s perfect! Thanx for sharing.
“Selmon” type football is back and it’s a beautiful thing to watch! BOOM!
GREAT write-up Super K!
Thanks bud!
Yeah that was a great read K. I think you put into words what a lot of us have been feeling. OU just seems like a stronger brand now and a stronger ( literally ) team.
Thanks for the write up
K, the new offer Christian Wallace which coach made the offer? And what position it looks like he plays everything except lineman.
It’s good to have Mike back.
X 1,000
It’s GREAT to have Mike back. Bedenbaugh and Montgomery have super additions as well. I’m here on the left coast and wear my Oklahoma Sooners t-shirt regularly and am surprised by the number of people that comment on it. Also surprised by the number of Okies out here. It’s a great time to be Sooner born and Sooner bred.
Boulware is no slouch either. It’s great to have someone specifically in charge of Special Teams instead of coaching by committee.
Whoops!! I can’t believe I forgot about Jay. My bad Ed. We are so blessed with outstanding coaching right now. Kish too, though some question his recruiting prowess.
I think this is over stated sometimes for two reasons. The special teams have been very good for several recent seasons, and in fact were better two years ago than they were last year. Second, it’s still got some committee qualities to it. Boulware said BJW was responsible for the blocked kick. Don’t get me wrong, I think what Boulware is doing is great, and maybe will do greater, but the media did such a good job of misrepresenting the special teams situation that a lot of folks don’t realize the reality of it.
Branding is everything. Nike, Under Armour, or a generic brand. Kids and adults want the brand. Brands create quality and trust with a buyer. Look at cars/trucks, same thing. For large purchases, who do you trust with your purchase. Same with a recruit, who do they trust with their big decision.
OU’s is one of the top ten college “brands” of all time. The interlocking OU is a brand and the style of play. K I appreciate you passing along what recruits are saying because it opens the eyes of us homers who think they should just come to OU because we are OU. Interesting, even Stoops has created his brand on his style like Switzer. Kids see all of these things. OU is now driving the car instead of just riding in it. good stuff.
actually its kind of odd: people will follow brand image when buying things they are relatively ignorant about and will tend to buy the ‘no name’ product of better value when they are knowledgeable.
The key point is that “…of better value…” part, of course.
Now, in the case of college football, there are a number of advantages to having a ‘brand’:: recruiting, pre-season rankings, votes from ignorant voters during the season, income from tv rights, logo goods sales, etc, that translate directly and indirectly into success on the field.
But, it can be a two edged sword. If you are a ‘brand’ team and then underperform, you pay a disproportionate price. Just look at Stoops. Statistically, only Saban comes close among active coaches overall. And yet Saban is looked at as the greatest of all time and Bob was, until last January, seen as something of a fading light.
That’s probably why Barry talked about the exhaustion he sometimes felt from the pressure of ‘feeding the monster’.
All I can say is that it is nice to see the Sooners with a 3rd and 2 and know that they are going to get the first down, or even take it to the house. Been awhile since I have felt that way. And don’t even get me started about how nice it feels to have 1st and goal at the 9 and feel like we can punch it in every time. Great commentary K, thanks.
Yeah, it’s nice to have the Belldozer, and not have to use it.
Completely agree. I love being able to run when the other team knows we are going to run. My favorite drive last week was the last touchdown when Perine ran every play and didn’t stop until he was in the endzone.
All I can say is “BOOMER!”
These people are really slacking during the off week….SOONER!
I hear defense wins championships…
Being able to play consistent, stifling defense will allow a team to not only win those games that are going their way (i.e., they are executing well on offense), but also those games that are not going their way (i.e., they are not executing well on offense).
OU’s current defense is an attacking defense, forcing the offense to beat them and/or not make a mistake. This amounts to big plays (sacks, fumbles, and INTs). I’d love to play in a defense where I could make those big plays and recruits probably do too.
Mike’s defense will give up some big plays on defense from time to time. However, I’ll take his consistent, attacking, and good defense over, let’s say, Venables inconsistent, assignment-based, complicated, robotic defense.
Mike Stoops has been a guiding force behind the renaissance of Oklahoma football.
Great pic at the top Super K. They should blow it up and install it somewhere in the Switzer Center.
of a penalty offense?
It’s only a penalty if it gets called. HAHA!
True story!
Yes. For the enthusiasm and McCarron on his back.
Great article, K.
Great write up. I have been noticing a lot more love for OU in the media and I have also noticed that the names being thrown around are Defensive guys, running backs and O line. I used to be that all we heard about was the QB and the WRs.
I fully agree with your theory and it brings a smile to my face. I want teams to be scared of us. Not because we will put up 100 points but because when the game is over they know they will be beat in every way imaginable. I want linebackers and the safety to be freaked out about having to tackle our backs. I want QB’s to be scared every time they drop back and I want WRs to crap their pants when the catch the ball because they know they will be smashed.
Yeah, I want secondary guys watching the clock and wishing it was over like we saw at WV … just hoping Perine doesn’t head their way yet again.
No doubt about it. “Defense wins championships,” and is pretty good at brand building as well. I always wonder how strong and enduring our national appeal might have been if OU had been allowed to be on national tv while the Selmon brothers were imposing their will. People heard rumors and saw the box score, but that’s not the same as actually witnessing it.
I see your point, but that 08 team was one of the most talented teams I have ever seen. Keep in mind, we had three of the first four picks and also Jermaine taken at #18. We should of beat Florida, I mean how many times did we not score in the red zone? We had two 1,000 yard rushers and an offensive line loaded with talent (Loadholt, Robinson, Trent WIlliams, Cooper, Stephenson) and our defensive line was loaded as well with Alexander and McCoy just to mention a few. If you’re telling me you’d take this squad over that squad then I would disagree with you a 100000000000000 times plus 100000000000 million more. I get that you’re saying we are getting back to a physical offense, but in no way shape or form would I take this squad over the other. I could care less what the media perception is. That 08 team had so much NFL talent it was outrageous and they were clearly physical or else we wouldn’t of had two 1,000 yard rushers. So, while I agree that this version of Oklahoma looks so much better then say the past 4 or 5 years, it is not better then the 08 version. Also keep in mind that the big 12 that year WAS LOADED. Was a much better league offensively at the time and giving up those points to Texas as an example? My god, Texas was a top 5 team with a qb who was Heisman finalist. I do get the gist of the article and agree besides the comparison of the 08 team.
Time will tell. I hope at the end of the year we all will have a reason to take this year’s team over the 08 team without a debate, which can happen if we are holding that national championship trophy down in Dallas!
“If sports are metaphors for human qualities, football certainly represents the toughness of the human spirit.” – well put! This might be your best article yet K, imho.
Another commentator on football once said that futuristic offensive teams inevitably struggle on defense because they just can’t replicate the rigors of hard nosed football on the defensive side in practice and over time the cumulative effect is measurable = soft.
I like that we have guys who will play on Sundays on both sides of the line. It’s good to be back
I heard some quotes by sportscasters in a couple of games that caught my attention. Herbstreet said “now THIS looks like an Oklahoma running back” in regards to Ford after a carry. And what’s his name that covers FOX games, when Perine got loose, said “OKLAHOMA! Running the ball like they USED TOO!” I think there’s a certain nostalgia among sportswriters of who we’re supposed to be, which I think we’re getting back too. I remember reading back in the early 2000’s that our offense was “gimmicky” and a “pop gun offense”.
I think most people that are old enough, when watching the Sooners last Saturday night, thought “now that’s what I think of when I think of Oklahoma. A stallion running back carving through the second level with ease.” I know I sure did.
I can remember when I thought something was terribly wrong if we even attempted to throw a pass.
Ol’ Bud used to say there are three things that can happen when you pass, and two of ’em are bad…
Oh yes, and Barry loved to share that comment with people.
Barry also used to say that his teams should start throwing when they needed to keep the score down. LOL
Sounds like you have been around as long as me, loved the bone!
Cut my teeth on the bone, would love to see it again with this talent we have.
Yea I know, throwing a pass was our trick play. lol
Incredibly good article K!!
Does anyone know who the player was that clocked #37 @ WVU?
Only one complaint about the broadcast for WVU. Not Gus Johnson, the “other” guy that constantly said stupid stuff. Was hoping a sock would fall into his mouth:-)
Went to Tennessee I believe…. nuff said
If we don’t run for 400 yards on oSu and taco, I will be disappointed. Very average looking defenses.
Couldn’t agree more with you more k! Our defense was good but losing Reynoldswas really devastateing. But the worst memory from that year was watching us get stoped on 4th down and it seem to carry on and haunt us for years but this offensive line and front seven is scary along with our backfield this is how championships are won
That was really hard to watch. I liked KW. He generally got us off to a fast start and had the opposing D off-balance in Q1. Unfortunately, though, he sometimes seemed to let his ego get the best of him and stubbornly run plays for which the D was prepared, determined to make them work. aTm comes to mind here, but the appropriate examples are the ones in the UF game. We had 3, key, 3rd or 4th and short opportunities where KW ran the same “Chris Brown over Load and Duke” play. All 3 failed and cost us scoring opps.
It’s too bad, but in the long run I really like what KW brought to the program. His gameplans were generally spot-on, he utilized all his offensive assets, and OU set a national scoring record during his reign.
Great post. The 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 defenses were really fun to watch because of their aggressiveness and “fight in the dog” mentality. I was just watching the highlights from the WVU game and saw a lot of the same style of tenacity coming from the defense. Striker brings it all on every down. I loved seeing J. Wilson playing corner this past week – though he got beat on a couple of plays it seemed like most of the time when he needed to defend a play he had his head turned around to make a play on the ball…something that it seems like many corners in college never do. And then of course then there’s the fact that we could probably just run, never pass and still score is pretty sweet. Glad that the brand hasn’t lost its luster.