Open Post | Weekend, October 23rd – 25th
Posted on: October 23, 2020
Know Your Opponent | TCU
– The Football Brainiacs
Head Coach – Gary Patterson (20th season at TCU)
Offensive Coordinator – Sonny Cumbie (7th season at TCU)
Defensive Coordinator – Chad Glasgow (19th season at TCU)
The Texas Christian Horned Frogs have done a good job of maintaining staff continuity for the majority of Gary Patterson’s long tenure. Patterson is the second-longest tenure Head Coach in FBS Football (Kirk Ferentz at Iowa is the longest by one season.)
On Offense …
TCU runs a Spread Offense that wants to get their athletes in space in the passing game and they emphasize the zone-blocking scheme. The Horned Frogs will spend the majority of their time in 11-Personnel.
QB – #15 Max Duggan
RB – #3 Emari Demercado or #24 Darwin Barlow or #33 Kendre Miller
– Duggan is a guy that had moments of brilliance as a Freshman and he led the Horned Frogs a year ago. Duggan has the ability to make plays with both his legs and his arm.
– Duggan currently leads the TCU offense in both carries and rushing yards, but he only averages 3.1 yards per carry which is a sign that a lot of the runs are not by design, but rather out of self preservation.
– TCU will take a committee approach at RB up to five different guys. Emercado will get the first crack at things and runs tough. Barlow was a highly-touted recruit in 2019 coming out of small-town Newton. The Horned Frogs also utilized a lot of jet motion and used their Slot Receivers in the run game against Iowa State and Texas.
– True freshamn Zach Evans has 3 total carries on the year for 7 total yards. He is still finding his way in the TCU offense.
WR – #11 Dylan Thomas or #1 Quentin Johnston
WR – #4 Taye Barber* or #12 Derius Davis
WR – #22 Blair Conwright or #2 Mar’Kell Barkley or #9 Tevailance Hunt
TE – #81 Pro Wells
– TCU’s Slot guys – Barber, Barkley, and Conwright are slick route runners with the ability to make things happen after the catch. Barber is target #1. Quentin Johnston, a true freshman, has flashed multiple times.
– Pro Wells is one of the better Tight Ends in the conference and is a legitimate weapon in the passing game if he’s healthy and available. So far this year he only has 1 catch.
LT – #56 Austin Myers
LG – #78 Wes Harris
C – #79 Esteban Avila
RG – #51 Quazzel White
RT – #74 Andrew Coker
– TCU’s line gave up 5 sacks against Iowa State and surrendered 3.5 to DE JaQuan Bailey alone, 1 to Texas and 3 more to Kansas State. Avila and Coker are the only members without starting experience prior to this season.
– This group struggles to protect Max Duggan once he gets to scrambling. Both Tackles are talented, but can be beaten. They do some good things in the running game. Overall, the group would be a middle of the pack offensive line in the Big 12.
On Defense …
TCU lines up in Gary Patterson’s patented 4-2-5 look. They’re front four is relatively average for the first time in years, which means that they have to bring other plays into the box to create pressure.
– TCU only has 4 sacks on the year through their first 3 games.
DE – #32 Ochaun Mathis
DT – #94 Corey Bethley
DT – #95 Terrell Cooper
DE – #40 Parker Workman
– Bethley is a veteran guy and one of the better Defensive Tackles in the conference.
– This is a group that the TCU staff is wanting more from coming out of fall camp. So far, they have not put their games together on the level we are used to seeing out of a TCU defense.
SAM – #30 Garrett Wallow*
MIKE- #13 Dee Winters
– This is without a question one of the best LB groups that Oklahoma will face this season in my mind. Wallow is a unanimous 1st Team All-Big XII guy with All-American potential. Winters is one of the more athletic LBs in college football.
CB – #21 Noah Daniels
S – #7 Trevon Moehrig*
SS – #20 La’Kendrick Van Zandt
WS – #24 Ardarius Washington
CB – #1 Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
*** TCU has one of the best Safety duo’s in college football who are likely the best two Safeties in the Big XII Conference in #7 Trevon Moehrig and #24 Ardarius Washington. Both will be drafted in the first two days of next year’s NFL Draft.
*** The Corners are athletic and twitchy. In order for OU to generate some big plays against them, they need to get something going in the run game and attract the Safeties. Hodges-Tomlinson is the nephew of LaDainian Tomlinson.
*** The defensive backfield has yet to produce a bunch of turnovers (2 interceptions to this point) but they are a very capable unit who will give Rattler some different looks and will likely force him into a bad decision or two.
Special Teams …
K – #39 Griffin Kell
P – #31 Jordan Sandy
Overall Thoughts …
*** Sooners statrted off as a 5 point favorite and throughout the week the line has gone up to 7.
*** It will be huge for OU to develop a legit running attack against TCU. That is a typical goal, but with a young QB against a Gary Patterson defense, it is imperative. The backend of the TCU defense will likely be able to force some difficult throws for Rattler which leads to turnover opportunites.
*** The Sooners defensive line flexed a bit against Texas. We will see if that was the exception as opposed to the rule as the TCU offensive line is nothing to write home about…but neither were Missouri State, Iowa State, and Kansas State who won the battle in the trenches for the most part against OU.
*** OU linebackers will have to be able to maintain assignment and fit as Duggan can go if he gets through the line. They need to focus on limiting the big play on the ground from Duggan.
– Charlie and Darius
The Latest | Ronnie Perkins
– Charlie S – Posted on: October 20, 2020
As you all know, Lincoln Riley mentioned last week that he could write a chapter on the Ronnie Perkins saga.
Turns out, so could we…
Last week K mentioned that things were not looking good in regard to seeing Perkins anytime soon:
‘***As you know, given the fact that collegiate players are amateurs, we try to avoid topics related to the players – especially those that are not directly related to football. So, I’ll tread lightly here.
***It did appear that Ronnie Perkins’ appeal was going to be approved. The final decision was contingent on some things.
***Those things did not go well and unless something changes, we do not expect to see Ronnie back on the field this season.
***He should be fine for next season but the question obviously there is whether he will choose to stay or try his luck at the professional level.’
To nobodies surprise, things appear to have possibly taken a turn in a more positive direction.
***James has talked to some sources around OU who have expressed some confidence in a potential return to the field this year.
***I have spoken to some sources close to the Perkins side who have also mentioned the possibility of a return to the field this year.
As is the case with the other two suspended players (Bridges and Stevenson) this decision still appears to be solely in the hands of the NCAA as OU has maintained there has been no updates to their status.
Quick Hitter | 2022 WR Talyn Shettron
– Charlie S
Just gonna leave this here…y’all decide what ya wanna do with it…
Sooners 2022 wide receiver target Tayln Shettron (6’3″ 185) out of Edmond, OK has announced via Twitter that he will be making his commitment to the school of his choosing on Saturday, October 24th.
One on One | TCU
– Charlie S
The Sooners will be back in action this week following a bye week. The last time OU took the field, they defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl in a game which went four overtimes.
TCU is also coming off of a bye week following a 21-14 loss to Kansas State the previous week.
Let’s take a look at a couple of match-ups worth paying attention too.
One on One Number One:
Oklahoma Linebackers (DaShaun White, Brian Asamoah, David Ugwoegbu) vs TCU QB Max Duggan
Last year, in a 28-24 OU win against TCU, Max Duggan struggled mightily in the passing game. He was 7 of 21 for a paltry 65 yards.
However, on the ground he carried the ball 12 times for 92 yards…and that was with the Sooners having a 1st round NFL linebacker in Kenneth Murray on the field.
Through 3 games this year, Duggan is having much more success through the air (55-80 with 3 TDs and 1 INT) as he is completing passes at a 69% clip.
However, he has also been sacked 6 times in his three games and his rushing average stands at just 3.1 per clip on 43 carries.
It will be imperative for the Sooners linebackers to keep him contained in the run/scramble game. OU cannot afford to lose track of Duggan if the guys up front can get some pressure on him which causes him to improvise.
That assignment will be left to the MIKE position in large part which means White and Ugwoegbu will have to be on their toes in particular. Not gonna lie, this could be a big test for Ugwoegbu in his maturation process as he has been eating into White’s snaps (which I approve of).
Last time out, against Texas, Ugwoegbu recorded 6 tackles to go along with a sack and 2 of the tackles were for a loss. Max Duggan is a smaller but faster version of Sam Ehlinger, so it will be vital for Ugwoegbu to be assignment sound.
If Duggan gets his groove on in the scramble game, OU needs to make sure they limit the chunk plays and punish Duggan every time he chooses to tuck and go. When you watch Ugwoegbu throughout the Texas game, you can see things are starting to slow down for him and he is beginning to react instead of thinking about it. OU really needs him (or White) to be at the top of their game this week.
One on One Number Two:
Sooners RBs TJ Pledger (Seth McGowan, Marcus Major) vs TCU LB Garret Wallow
Last week against Texas the Sooners running game showed signs of life as they ran for over 200 yards for the first time this season.
TJ Pledger was a big factor for the Sooners as he ran the ball 22 times for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns.
I’m here to tell you the Sooners left a lot of yards on the field. Lincoln Riley said as much in his press conference yesterday. OU needs to continue their progression.
The backs are going to have an opportunity to get to the second level against TCU and it is at that point where the backs have to win the heads up battle with Wallow.
In 2019 Wallow led the Big 12 in tackles and was an honorable mention for the Big 12 defensive player of the year. this year, he leads the Frogs in tackles as well as he has 25 tackles, 1 sack, and 2 forced fumbles through the first three games.
The Sooners backs began to really find their timing against Texas and you really want to see that continue to progress this week. The backs have one job and that is to make their one on one matchup miss. It is a tough task when that one on one matchup is Wallow.
There will be a fine line of being patient and using their vision to not only pick the right lane (where they have had some struggles) but to know when to put the foot on the gas to evade Wallow. Another 200 yard rushing game would be greatly appreciated by Riley and Rattler as it will allow the passing game to open up against a very talented and disciplined TCU secondary.
Bonus One on One:
Sooners vertically challenged defensive backs vs TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston
Blair Conwright and Taye Barber are the leading receivers for TCU at this point of the season and Quentin Johnston only has 5 reception thus far.
While he only has a limited amount of receptions, Johnston has made the most of his opportunities as he is averaging 24 yards per catch with one touchdown.
Conwright and Barber are both smaller receivers who are under 6′. Johnston is a matchup nightmare for the smaller OU defensive backs as he is 6’4″ 193. Not only is he big, he has ample speed which makes it all the more important for the DBs to make sure they limit the yards after catch should Duggan be able to exploit the size advantage he has in Johnston.
Again, he has not been a huge factor for the Frogs to this point of the season, but OU would be wise to keep an eye on him as they would rather this game not be his breakout.
2021 Defensive Back Class Recruiting Changes
– Super K – Posted on: October 22, 2020
As you know, the Sooners currently hold commitments from 2021 defensive backs: Caleb Johnson, Latrell McCutchin, Jordan Mukes and Damond Harmon.
Based on what I’ve heard via sources, I get the sense that while this DB class appeared to be done, it is about to undergo some changes – two in particular.
***The first is you may potentially see a decommitment. If it happens, and again I believe it very well could, it’ll be more a mutual parting of ways. I’ll leave the players name out but it’ll be obvious if it happens and as of now I expect it to. At that time we’ll address more directly.
***The second thing I believe you’ll see is an additional defensive back added to this class. I’m working on getting some names for you.
***Lastly, even with a decommitment, there is a possibility that you’ll not only see the Sooners go after a replacement defensive back but depending on the numbers they may even look to add another. I don’t know if a move will be made on the JUCO ranks but I have gotten some early wind of the possibility that the Sooners will at least consider taking an older guy to pair with this high school class.
Again, I think the most imminent move we could see is the parting of ways with one of the 2021 DBs but with how suddenly and often unexpectedly commitments are happening these days, you never know if a new player will suddenly jump in.
What Helps OU This Weekend
– Charlie S
Let’s take a look at the state of the Big 12 and the best possible path to the Conference Championship Gmae for the Sooners…
Currently, the Sooners are 1-2 in conference with losses to Kansas State and Iowa State and a victory over Texas.
When you start to look at possible paths to the CCG you have to start by saying the Sooners win out so there is no need to state that in the comment section. That is an obvious call and if they don’t win out, this conversation is moot.
Let’s look at the remaining schedule for each team:
ISU (3-0): @OSU, @KAN, BAY, KSU, @TEX, WVU
KSU (3-0): KAN, @WVU, OSU, @ISU, @BAY, TEX
OSU (2-0): ISU, TEX, @KSU, @OU, TTU, @TCU, BAY
WVU (2-1): @TTU, KSU, @TEX, TCU, OU, @ISU
BAY (1-1): @TEX, TCU, @ISU, @TTU, KSU, @OU, @OSU
OU (1-2): @TCU, @TTU, KAN, OSU, @WVU, BAY
TEX (1-2): BAY, @OSU, WVU, @KAN, ISU, @KSU
TCU (1-2): OU, @BAY, TTU, @WVU, @KAN, OSU
TTU (0-3): WVU, OU, @TCU, BAY, @OSU, KAN
KAN (0-3): @KSU, ISU, @OU, TEX, TCU, @TTU
So, now that we see who each team has left…who will you be rooting for this week?
***The marquee game atop the standings is the Iowa State vs OkState game.
***Another game to pay attention to is the Kansas State vs Kansas game.
Again, in this exercise, we are assuming OU wins out.
OU is basically 3 games behind ISU and KSU as they both have the tie breaker over OU and the Sooners have yet to play Oklahoma State.
***So with the Iowa State – Oklahoma State game, many may say “Man we want Oklahoma State to win that game to give Iowa State a loss…”
– I am not among those who may think that. I feel like OU is playing for second place in the conference, so you have to concede 1st place to one team and in my opinion, you want that team to be Iowa State.
– If Iowa State beats OkState, OU will control their own destiny in regard to the Pokes. OU still plays oSu and if they take a loss to Iowa State and then OU beats them, that puts OU on top of the Cowboys.
– If OkState beats Iowa State, that does benefit OU by giving Iowa State one loss…but looking at their remaining schedule, it is not easy to see 2 additional losses, which OU would need in order to jump them. It would also take a loss of of OkStates remaining schedule which would take control away from OU controlling their own destiny against them.
***Looking at the Kansas State – Kansas game, you hope that Kansas pulls the upset. I don’t think this is the week that Kansas State shows any cracks however, but with Skylar Thompson out, Kansas pulling the upset would give OU reason to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
– If Kansas State wins, you have to look at the rest of their schedule to pick out 3 losses. After Kansas, their schedule looks like this: @WVU, OSU, @ISU, @BAY, TEX
– Out of those 5 games, you can see a potential of 3 losses without their starting QB. They have to play Iowa State which will give one of those teams a loss and I think that will be KSU (so that bolsters my opinion of conceding the top spot to ISU for OU’s sake).
– Kansas State will likely be the underdog against OkState as well and then you are just looking for Texas, Baylor, or WV to pull one out for you.
***Of course the path I laid out could all fall apart and if that is the case, you hope for a scenario where multiple teams finish the season with 2 losses.
– The issue with that is if 3 teams finish with 2 losses and those 3 teams are ISU, KSU, and OU…OU is left out in the cold due to the head to head matchups.
– If 3 different teams are tied with 2 losses at the end of the season, OU should be in good shape as those 3 would most likely be OU, ISU, and OkState in which OU would have the head to head over OkState and at worst, you would wind up getting in as the highest ranked team among the 3 (OU will be the highest ranked Big 12 team if they win out and the others suffer 2 losses).
***Bottom line, in my opinion, you want Kansas State to take every loss they can and you basically want this to turn into an Oklahoma vs Oklahoma State battle for second.
What are your thoughts?
