The Football Brainiacs

As easily as Texas moved the ball on us in the run game, there were six plays that stood out to me that were the difference in the game.  The final score was 36-20, and if we call some plays better as we’re driving at the end towards the goal line, this thing could have gone down to the wire.  Nevertheless, these six plays were what made the difference:

1.     Giving up the pick six.

2.     Punt Return for TD

3.     Kass Everett getting burned for TD.

4.     Zach Sanchez getting burned for TD

Take those four big plays away, and Texas has eight points.

5.     Clay’s dropped TD pass on the first drive

6.     Bell’s 2nd interception when we were driving.

If we don’t make those six mistakes, we are at 27 points, and Texas has eight.  Had we been able not to give up the big play and slug it out, I believe that Huepel doesn’t panic.  We were able to run the ball well at times, and I believe if we don’t give up the four big plays and make crucial mistakes we win going away.

While you can’t make a living playing what if, it just goes to show that you can’t make big mistakes, give up big plays and still expect to win.  Up to this game, we hadn’t made the big mistake, and what’s odd about this game is that even with all of Texas’ run game dominance, they didn’t score a rushing TD.  If we decide that we’re going to live and die with Blake Bell at QB, we have to play to his strengths and grind out games in the fourth quarter.  From a play calling perspective we can’t get off schedule by throwing on 2nd down every time.  Getting this offense in 3rd and long is asking for trouble.  Hopefully our offensive coordinator learns as much from this game as our guys do.  What do we do from here?  Stick together, play together and grow up as a team.