The Football Brainiacs

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– Injuries and suspensions had Oklahoma down a lot of guys. Coach Stoops ability to get the most out of whoever plays is noteworthy. By my count we were down: Shead, Tyrus (middle of the game), Millard, Nelson, Phillips, Damien, and Bester and I might be forgetting someone.

– Going into the game I was pretty confident we’d win but the first play of the game was a little concerning. Wade got turned really easily in the middle and Shannon got walled off like it was nothing. So right away it didn’t look good. But they only got better and something happened throughout the course of the game that made me feel like OU’s front seven took a step forward in terms of physicality.

– Very next play they try to run to Tapper’s side and he’s one-on-one and wins the battle easily and OU brings down the runner for a loss.

– Dom Alexander took a step forward. He’s been hesitant at times in his fits. But he’s clearly started to realize that his role isn’t always to get  in the hole and make the play. Sometimes his role is to get in the hole and blow up the play.

– Trevor had some pretty throws. He gets the ball out fast and has a quick release. Was hitting guys on time.

– Also, Trevor makes quicker decisions which means that regardless of what personnel grouping OU is in he’s rarely going to lose yards because he’ll go through his first 2 reads and then take off. That was something Bell just couldn’t seem to get himself to do.

– Haven’t seen the offense look that good to start a game in what seems like forever.

– Ryan Mueller (K. States defender) is an example of why we like to talk to recruits’ coaches and ask them about a players work ethic. Work habits and a motor cannot be underestimated.

– Coach Heupel did some good things but I still wonder about the general strategy at times. First series we’re playing mostly bigger sets and we’re running the ball well. O-line is getting a rhythm. Why change that until the offense has done something to force you to or shown you they can stop it? We end up throwing an INT.

– Tyler Lockett showing up as another Oklahoma HS kid who was undervalued in the recruiting process.

– I love some of those 3rd down blitzes we brought. The pre-snap shows A-gap pressure and the O-line tries to match up and the last minute we change it to edge pressure. Love the creativity all year with pressure. Can’t wait to see Devante Bond play in this scheme.

– That 3rd and long scramble for the first down that Trevor had when we we’re backed into our end zone was amazing.

– We owned K. State on the line of scrimmage.

– On the defensive side it’s clear that Coach Mike did not expect the front 7 to be able to handle the run the way they did because he probably could have given himself more high safety help in the passing game but didn’t. Who would have thought coming out of last year that not enough safety help would be a problem for Coach Mike?

– Seeing more and more of the I-form under center every game. And the QB sneak? Awesome!

– That second quarter I think Coach Mike got unnecessarily creative in coverage. We almost give up a deep one on a cover 2 which is confusing because the front has been winning the battle so why not just play man under? And then we flip to a quarters match man and we blow the assignment. Again why not just play man or man under 2?

– And then just as I say that a few plays later we get picked and you understand why quarters coverage there would have been the better choice. Still Q. Hayes has to navigate that pick better when there is that much space. Its funny imagining other teams try to run those pick plays against guys like Byrd and Thomas. If a guy like Thomas had a shoulder collision on a pick play like that I’ve got a feeling the WR would have been laid out.

– How pretty was that UC Iso that sent Clay to the house? So nice. Especially when none of the backside help could get overly aggressive because we’d been hurting them with the roll out. So pretty.

– Again, just confused by all the underneath help in the 2nd quarter when we’re getting burned deep.

– Got to wonder if part of what helped Clay run so well (other than the excellent blocking of course) was his ability to be in the game for some many reps consecutively and find a rhythm. I’m not a fan of the normal rotation though. I prefer when a back has the whole series. Clay was just weaving in and out of defenders better than he normally does. Looked a lot more like a fluid Alabama back setting up blocks.

– Rip was killing guys

– Wade played the entire game. That’s impressive. Fortunately our offense had the ball for a while. Not sure he could have kept doing that otherwise but also not sure who else we would have put in because it seems Q. Russell has disappeared.

– I thought Chuka played pretty well. I noticed him beating double teams on a few plays.

– I’m not sure I’m a fan of so much off-man coverage. If it’s not helping you defend the deep ball then what’s the point? We’ve got corners that can turn and run. Why not let them bump and run and at least force their WRs to earn those shorter routes. I understand why K. State does it but we’ve got some athletes. And we’re not using Cortez’ strength forcing him to t-step all game.

– I’m sorry but more bad things seem to happen in 10 personnel than any other personnel grouping. Just not enough space. And when good things do happen it’s usually improv. Seeing it on first down is just annoying.

– Red zone I-form TD…pretty.

– Notice that pick 6 Sanchez had came off of a tight bump and run coverage? Obviously they weren’t as afraid of that WRs deep threat ability but again, if you’re getting beat deep why not get up there and bump, disrupt and run.

– Perhaps the thing I loved the most was how physical our defense was near the goal line in the 4th quarter. We finally yielded the TD but earlier in the season that doesn’t make it to 3rd down. Especially when your NG has been playing all game. I think that’s a sign of things to come.

Congrats to Coach Bob Stoops on being the winningest coach in OU history. As I’ve said I do believe he’s got a lot more in him and we are seeing an Oklahoma team on it’s way back up to the top. Some great hires and some young talent – I expect us to be contending for NCs again Sooner rather than later.