Moving On
Posted on: October 8, 2014
Image via indulgy.com
So we’ve talked a lot about what happened last week and I think it’s time to move on. The reason we went into so much detail trying to attempt to figure out what happened (and of course we’re not in the film room, so we can’t always be correct either way) is because, like y’all, we want to answer some basic questions:
1. Is the defense as good as most thought it was or could be? Were the past two up and down performances proof that the defense isn’t as talented as we thought? Isn’t as well schemed as we thought? etc.
2. Is the offense, and particularly the offensive line, as good as most thought it could be?
3. And perhaps most importantly, can OU still win out?
I’m an optimist by nature, but I don’t think it’s crazy to think that if OU were to win out they could find themselves in the CFB playoff. In fact, because of all the losses last weekend at the top of the polls those chances are not only better but if OU was going to lose one, last weekend may have been the best time to do it. Lose later and you drop behind the other teams.
I can’t necessarily answer the questions I presented above. I’m not sure anyone can at this point. I do believe OU is very talented. I also believe that even in spite of what went wrong for OU in that game, they still had a lot of opportunities to beat a good TCU team in their own house.
Perhaps this loss is exactly what the players and the staff needed to really settle in and refocus their efforts. I’m sure they were working hard before the TCU game, and I’m sure they are working hard now. But sometimes a set back like this allows you to put forth those efforts with a little more focus and precision.
When evaluating OU, I think it’s important to remember to look at the landscape of college football as a whole. I don’t think there is some unbeatable team out there. Even the teams at the top of the polls now, FSU and Auburn, came very close to losing to Big 12 teams.
This weekend OU is going to play a Texas team that is better than people give them credit for. The UT defense made life for Baylor’s explosive offense very difficult, which was good for two reasons. (1) They may have given OU a formula for later on down the road and (2) they may have shown OU everything they (Texas) have.
OU going in and winning this big rivalry game will be a great way for them to get back on track and headed towards a playoff spot. Remember that:
– Baylor or TCU are going to take a loss this weekend.
– Auburn or Miss. State are going to take a loss this weekend.
– Texas A&M could take down Ole Miss and/or USC could take down Arizona.
A big win over Texas this weekend and a few losses from other teams and I think:
– OU could find themselves up a few spots in the polls by the end of the weekend and…
– …realign that recruiting momentum and swagger that had begun to really develop.
There is a lot of football to be played and there is a lot of talent on this OU team. So let’s enjoy the rest of the season as the Sooners and coach Stoops continue to bring this program back to an elite status.
76 Comments
You guys have been doing a great job showing us the film review type stuff. I don’t have time to comment on those usually but I do enjoy reading the breakdowns. You’re right time to move on and get back to winning games. Some good has already come from that loss and I expect more good to follow as far as the focus (like thedrake mentioned over on TOP) but ou didn’t fall out of the top 10, of the top 20 last week 11 of them lost so it took pressure off ou as they weren’t the only team to lose that had high expectations. Going forward I only want tcu to lose to Baylor by a slim margin and at wvu by very little as well. Osu or kstate wouldn’t be bad losses for them but road losses will not look as bad as home losses.
Anyways it’s 10:08 on Wednesday and texsa still sucks.
It’s now 10:36, I just looked, and Texas still sucks.
It’s 12:35pm here in St. Louis, and I just went outside, looked up at the clouds, the sun, and the blue sky … and yes, they are all in agreement that Texas still sucks.
Does everyone here know that Texas Sucks. Just in case you didn’t know, Texas Sucks. So I just want to be clear, and know that we’re all on the same page…cuz, Texas Sucks.
It is now 15:28 in Enid, and yet, Texsa still sucks!
I am hoping to see the improvement in play and focus like we saw after the Baylor debacle last year. If the Sooners can show similar resolve and improvement then we are all in for a great ride the rest of the season.
I am sitting in Lexington, KY and even in Bluegrass county texsa still sucks!
It’s been too long since we hung half a hundred on someone. Who better to break that unwelcome streak but Texas, I say.
Lol
And, for that matter, may I suggest that we run the ‘Bone at least once? I know that many Texans are nostalgic for the old days when OU would ram Olympic sprinters and crushing fullbacks down their throats all afternoon long. And I say that we should give them what they so dearly need.
I am still baffled how this formation is still NEVER used, by damn near anyone. IF you’re still running option football, how the hell could the ‘bone never work?
Not trying to toss any water on the optimism, but if the leash is not taken off of Knight, I don’t think it will matter. I can’t imagine having some all American lineman playing and telling him that he needs to be careful and just kind of get in the way of the defender because his back up situation is lousy. And that is pretty much what we are doing with Knight. Why even run the read option when the whole stadium knows you’re not going to keep it and present no threat. From my perspective, we either let the boy play his game, or we can flush any idea of a playoff game, and may end up dropping a couple more during the regular season.
Apparently the injury concerns for Knight might have some validity. I was talking to a former OU and NFL player that frequents OU practices and he indicates that Knight is very soft and frequent running by him is a guarantee for imminent injury. It appears we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t.
Then let’s invest in a more sturdy model.
Look, TCU game planned well for the Sooners and we didn’t make enough adjustments/plays to get over the hump. Clearly the team isn’t there yet. I know we had hoped 2014 would be the year (it could be still) but if it’s not meant to be, at least we’re headed in a good direction. In order to be championship worthy, OU has to be dominant. Bob has led them there before and can do it again.
Great minds think alike, K. (see my post on the daily updates from maybe 20 mins ago)
Baylor will beat TCU this weekend.
Yessir, time to move on, which I did on Sunday.
Been with the Sooners through too many seasons with superlative victories and gut shredding losses to have this one get me down. Losing one of my all-time favorite players in the ’68 Orange Bowl(Granville Liggins) upset me more than the TCU game.
As for the team:
a) Defense, if you aren’t attacking you are being attacked.
b) Offense, Coach Hoop needs to have the confidence in his QB to call a game like he did in the Sugar; O-line needs to look for LBs and not let them run free into the backfield.
c) To the entire team, play with a purpose…PLAY LIKE A CHAMPION.
Beating the guano out of Texsa is paramount for many reasons, but just because it is Texsa is enough of a reason. Clark Griswald sums up my feelings about the wHorns, and I hope the language doesn’t offend anyone.
You nailed it.
re: b, totally agree. the only caution I have is that I think folks are focusing a little too much on the qb issues and not enough on the receiver issues. There are too many oblique references in the comments of coaches and players to things like needing to “cut at the correct down marker.” Qb run game aside, I think that’s having a huge effect on the results we’re seeing.
One of my favorite scenes, from any movie, EVER. Brilliant.
I think you quite adroitly pointed out the scheme/plan problems versus TCU. From the analysis of all TFB contributors, I get a single theme – play aggressively on both sides of the ball. As many have noted, playing not-to-lose is a mindset that needs to change. The Sugar Bowl win that got the football world’s attention and the team confidence was aggressive. For the balance of the season if a key player gets hurt, it’s a setback, but two loses and a healthy team for a second-tier bowl is a poor reward from the safe-at-any-cost scheme.
Okay, that game is over. With apologies to FF Coppola and M Brando – “We have lost a game. I will make no inquiries. I will seek no vengeance. But we have another game. If we lose that game, this I will not forgive.”
I cannot abide losing to sexat – especially two in a row!
Also, I have a question that I have been pondering all week.
Moneycutt has scored 399 points, 393 of them by kicking FGs and extra points, six points from a TD reception. The most points scored by a kicker in FBS is 459(Dustin Hopkins, Florida State, 2009ā12). Does Moneycutt’s TD pass count as points by kicker or only actual kicking points?
As it stands, he has an excellent chance of setting a new FBS record for points by a kicker, but not for most points in points scored in FBS(500-Montee Ball-Wisconsin-2009-2012)
I work with a lot of UT folks and the week has been weird, no smack talking, no hateful pranks etc … Such a shame how much marquee this game has lost. I’ve come to the (somewhat shameful) realization that it is in the best interest of OU and the B12 that Texas gets its Sh!t right… and quickly
……if ut wins, I think your work atmosphere might change
Ideal Scenario for Oklahoma in my opinion:
Oklahoma wins out(obviously)
Baylor beats TCU and finishes the season 11-1 with only loss being to OU
Oklahoma State wins out minus Bedlam and Finishes 10-2
A&M beats Ole Miss this weekend, Beats Bama later on but loses to Auburn.
USC Beats Arizona.
In this scenario you now have a 11-1 Oklahoma team with 2 marquee wins over Baylor and OSU plus another top 25 win against KSU and then you have A&M and Bama both with 2 loses so they will be behind OU and I think Arizona loses 2 more games so they will be behind also so then your possible final 4 could be:
1. Florida State
2. Auburn (SEC champ, likely finishing with 1 loss)
3. Oklahoma
4. Pac 12 winner or potential 2nd SEC West team (Miss St or Bama most likely)
The only problem with that scenario is that Baylor can not lose to OU and finish 11-1 with Okie Lite also winning out minus a bedlam loss, they still have to play each other. Best case is that TCU goes 10-2 and OSU 9-3 and Baylor 11-1. That would leave OU with 3 games (2 victories) vs teams in the top 10-20. I could definatly see the SEC West cannibalizing itself with everyone losing 2 games but a 1 loss Auburn going into the SEC championship game. It would be absolutly perfect if that happens and Auburn losses to a 2 loss Georgia or Missouri. That would really present a problem for the committtee to take a 2 loss team that will possibly be outside the top 10 with the east winner as the SEC champion, or taking a 2 loss team than didn’t even win their own conference. If they don’t the SEC would be left out. I don’t think they will get 2 teams unless Auburn goes unfeated and Ole MIss or Miss St only lose the one to Auburn. That would also mean that Alabama and A&M are at least 3-4 loss teams this year.
I also feel another very important game is if flordia state blowout over notre dame. It could benefit us if either team wins, but it needs to be lopsided.
I just don’t see this team making the playoffs with a 54% completion ratio QB at all. I think that’s fool’s gold to even think possible. Once again, another year is upon us where we’re absolutely one dimensional.
I think most of us agree we will all be Bears fans come Saturday. A Baylor victory over TCU is the quickest way to get things back on track for us. I thought even before the WVU game that if we are going to lose, whether it be because we need to have some weaknesses exposed or whatever, now is the time. Well, it happened. How we respond going forward is everything.
A 2nd loss by TCU sure wouldn’t hurt. Games against OSU, WVU, and KSU all provide a fairly decent opportunity for that to happen. On the other hand we have to win out, and Texas still makes me nervous. We should have beat them last year and it didn’t happen. They will be fired up for this game as they always are. Our boys better have the right frame of mind going in.
And by the way, can we arrange for a restraining order or something to keep would-be cradle robber Katy Perry from making anymore overtures to our starting qb? Like I said before, the last thing we need is a for our qb to get Tony Romo’d.
are you a cowboy fan? just wondering, cause from the outside looking in, it seems as tho its always the defense. yes, he makes errors and sometimes at the most inopportune time, but when you constantly have to score 28+, that screams defense. what do you folks not like? personality? errors? timing of the errors? all of the above? truly am curious
He does seem a bit Tebow-ish to me, in playing style and personality, but a lil cooler in personality, and little worse in playing ability (so far anyway..)
Tebow was a fullback playing qb. With all his little runs and tired jump throws to “cellblock a” hernandez. Romo is a slinger like Brees or a little better version of cutler….to me anywho
Oh not comparing Romo to Tebow, but Knight to Tebow! lol
oh ok. haha. i was wondering what you were thinking
Romo would be closest to Favre, just not nearly as good. lol
I believe I read that Katy was dating Tebow awhile back…
I refer to the infamous pairing of Tony Romo and Jessica Simpson. Recall the days of camera close-ups on Simpson yelling from the stands while Romo’s stats circled the drain. Has everyone forgotten that already?
I’m an outsider, as I said, and its always just seemed to be defense and him getting blasted a lot because their o-line is always not good or banged up. His choice in women has not helped much but when you’re picking yourself up off the ground a lot, its probly not easy to be accurate throwing a football. I don’t have the time nor the inclination to go rooting around the internet for stats and such but behind Brady, Peyton, Rogers, I’d put him a little behind Brees and maybe Stafford. A guy that can chuck it but has to play catch up or keep marching down the field drive after drive just to have a shot at a win. Just a non cowboy fan trying to figure out what all the hate is about
This was a specific window in time, not a reference to Romo’s ability in general. It started because his own teammates were making comments to reporters that Simpson was basically a jinx. They didn’t want her anywhere near the stadium because, according to them, his performance always seemed to plummet through the basement with her around. It was a real media brouhaha for a while. I am merely deferring to their informed analysis on the matter. š
oh ok. i’m just trying to figure out why it seems zero cowboys fans like him. didn’t know if it was just his face or if they actually think he stinks
Cradle Robber? Dudes over 18 aint he? lol
Granted, I think he’s like 20. She is 30 and already been married. In other words it’s a babe in the woods being given over to a maneater…..an almost surefire way to kill a young qb’s concentration.
Well said, K.
I’ve said all week that I think we’ll be sorely tested this weekend and may not survive. Having said that, I’ve also said that I think we win out, if we win this weekend.
I know it may seem counterintuitive to think that Texas is a bigger worry than Baylor, KSU, etc, but the combination of perhaps the best D (and DL) we will face, a potentially strong running game (including a mobile QB), and a motivated arch rival (who is gaining confidence) makes this one tough nut to crack, in my mind.
Win this, and I think we have our mojo back and the horses to take all the others.
I agree, the Texas D is for real and they are stout. I think they will try to take away Shep and Perine and put the game on Trevor’s back. He will have to do it with his feet first and then go to his other receivers. I think he will get it done, hope TK brings his lunch pail to work with him.
First let me say I haven’t even read this article but jumped straight to the comment section to call it AWESOME based on the title alone!
“Perhaps this loss is exactly what the players and the staff needed to really settle in and refocus their efforts. Iām sure they were working hard before the TCU game, and Iām sure they are working hard now. But sometimes a set back like this allows you to put forth those efforts with a little more focus and precision.”
This K, I think you’re absolutely right. But it also sucks. I am so ready for a Sooner team that doesnt need to refocus like this, every stinking year. I am so ready for domination, as I gather we all are. But, I accept your request, it is time to move on…
Bring on the shorthorns!!
BOOOOMER!!
SOONER!!
I think this explains perfectly, how many of us have felt for some time…
(and if any women take offense to this I do apologize, I did clear it with my wife first though…and she said, “well, its true; and accurate.” )
Well, I am insulted and outraged. I have no problem with scientific drawings of women’s reproductive systems, but that other drawing is offensive!
I hope we’re playing the critter on the right because I’ve roped a few of those on the left and they can be a little unpredictable. Come to think of it, they both can be. š
Yes, time to move on. It’s amazing that we still had a chance to win late in the game, as bad as we played. I still think we have a good team with play makers on both sides of the ball. One thing Bob’s teams don’t do is lose back-to-back games. Our guys remember last year’s debacle in Dallas. They’ll be hungry. Turn the defense loose and take the leash off of Trevor and this team will start to roll. The schedule sets up well to win out. Only 2 games on the road after this weekend, and we know how dominant we are at home. Let’s get it.
BOOMER!
SOONER!
Re-watched the game. Here are my thoughts:
OU defense:
– OU played winning defense starting in the 2nd half.
– Teams will run option on OU until the Sooners start punishing it. OU has the personnel to do so.
– OU may have been baiting Boykin with large cushions early.
– OU has to hang onto interceptions.
OU offense:
– Passing game efficiency is the primary problem.
– We saw the Knight’s floor in this game. Knight’s floor = Boykin’s ceiling.
– Darlington got pushed around. UT and Baylor have DTs that have similar capacity. Could Nila be moved to C for these games?
– The ZR must be a true read.
– I told anyone who’d listen that Shepard should’ve sat the 2nd halves of the non-conf games to force Knight to develop confidence in other targets.
The difference between an OU win and loss was the OL that pushed Striker out-of-bounds on the fumble recovery.
I would bring Ripkowski right behind Darlington for a double team on the nose. When he locks up with Ty, Rip could come at his ribs like a torpedo! That would get really old really fast for their big boy inside.
Too much risk for chop blocking penalties there though
Nice analysis
Never thought of the idea of sitting Shep when games are out of hands for the purpose you mentioned. It sounds like a good idea.
Winning out would be awesome but it starts with beating Texas. No small task as last year proved. Strong will have his kids eating nails. We’d better be the hammer.
Video inside Bob Stoops office via espn NCAA F. page… Have a look..
http://espn.go.com/college-football/
He has a second short clip that plays after first video, after another commercial..
good stuff!
……does he have a ‘heupel watch’ with an alarm for getting the plays in……..perhaps he’s smashed a few………
Very nice read Super K. Personally I had to keep my mouth shut this past week and be a gracious loser. OSU friends drilled me early and often. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to Bedlam.
I agree that adversity can re-focus teams. I think we’ll beat UT, but its one-game-at-a-time, one down at a time. I do however think that the wraps have to come off TK, Just let him play and play to his strengths. A square peg will never fit a round hole…..ever.
My lOSUr friends haven’t even mentioned that OU lost a game, think they still remember my big smile after last year.
That get well card . . . is . . . purple. Not the same as TCU purple, but still . . . purple. I do not feel better, do not feel optimistic about playing Texsa. We might squeak by with a FG-sized margin.
IMHO, popular opinion and Trammel notwithstanding, zone read or not zone read will not solve the problem, and the complaints about Heupel’s play calling and Trevor’s accuracy are trying to fix the wrong thing.
Here’s why: (I’ll be comparatively brief this time š
1. There were two or three key third down plays where the wr failed to recognize that his defender was blitzing and didn’t cut off his route as needed and thus wasn’t available for the easy completion.
2. Our receivers were often held just enough to disrupt the timing of the play, only got called once, but it was effective on several critical plays including the 3rd and 8 to Neal.
3. Darlington was stuffed on a couple of key 3rd down plays, getting totally driven back into the qb.
4. More than once Williams double teamed the guard when he needed to block an oncoming rusher who then got a clean shot at Trevor.
5. Regarding the need for “in” routes, there were plenty called and more would have been completed, but TCU was very effective in getting in the way of our receivers every time they tried to cross, completely taking them out of the play. They successfully made it look like our receivers were running into them, avoiding penalty calls…either that or our receivers just weren’t able to get around them.
(Add to that two unbelievably great athletic plays by their defenders, the tipped pass to Quick, I said KJ in my other post, Soonersports says Quick, the player’s number is 15 which should be Mead, so I dunno, and the interception.)
So even ignoring other plays where it appeared our receiver cut the wrong way, and they were crucial, these are important well designed plays that went south.
IMHO, We do need to deal with the problems with the receivers not getting open, or running to the wrong spot, and shore up a couple of plays where the O-line didn’t make the required block.
If we do that, the pass game will be extremely effective.
The above were all good, timely calls, most of them key plays, any one of which could have turned the game. NONE of them were poor throwing or play calling, just the opposite.
That’s a great point made here about the Texas defense. They have been really solid but they have had to play all their cards. Hopefully we take advantage and study their blitz packages and schemes. We can’t run up the middle all day long and we need to use our players to their individual advantage. Alex Ross needs to be a pitch or swing pass type running back. Snot just up the middle like Samaje. We need to use some WR like Derrick Woods and try Michiah Quick more than once a game!! We have had many opportunities to get Bell the ball. The biggest knock I have on Trevor is he doesn’t go through progressions well and doesn’t use his check down RB in the flats. I expect a win Saturday but I’m hesitant to predict a score
Two young boys were playing football at Reaves Park in Norman when a large stray dog ran at the boys, looking as if to attack. One of the boys grabbed a large stick off the ground, stuck it through the dog’s collar & gave it a sharp twist, breaking the neck of the dog, saving the other from possible death.
Berry Tramel happened to be in the park and witnessed the whole event. He ran to the boy that had saved his friend’s life and said “Son, that was a remarkable act of heroism, saving your friend like that. I’m going to write an article about you for the paper and title it ‘Young Sooner fan saves friend from vicious dog’.” The boy looked at the reporter and said, “But I’m not a Sooner fan”. “Oh” says Tramel, “We’re in Norman, I thought you’d root for Oklahoma. I’ll make it ‘Young Oklahoma State fan saves friend from attacking dog’.” “No” says the boy, “I’m not a Pokes fan either.” “My mistake.” says Tramel. “So what team do you follow?” The boy puffs out his chest and says proudly “I’m from Austin Texas, up here visiting my cousin, and I’m a real big Longhorn fan.” Tramel smiles back and says, “Thanks kid, I know just what to write. I’ll make sure you get your story.”
The headline on the front page of the Transcript the next morning read:
YOUNG GANGBANGER FROM AUSTIN KILLS BELOVED FAMILY PET
Not only funny, very accurate example of local reporting.
“Accurate”, hmmmm? When did Berry Tramel start writing for the Transcript?
I’ve had this thought a few times this week, with all the disappointment of O scheme.
What if….Heup wanted & sold Stoops on a dual threat guy (recruited both TK & Thompson), Stoops said you make decision…but when comes down to it Stoops cannot handle thought of exposure to injury. i.e.: on different pages.
On surface, it’s hard to believe Heup would be in favor of more running, yet he recruited them. The prospect of split coaching staff making O impotent is a possibility.
Heup could be taking heat for something out of his control.
The only thing I would say is I don’t think stoops cares whether he has a dual threat guy or a pro style guy, his goal would be to have them be a pocket passer first. I just go back to the fact that they knew knight would more than likely have Thomas as his backup so they should have been working on more under center type plays (since they don’t want to expose knight) and scrap most of the read option.
Also with ford being out it makes the read option harder for the running backs because neither perine or ross is as good running from the pistol and having to hitch the exchange between qb and rb. Ford has a real quick burst so he can excel out of the pistol.
I believe that we lost the TCU game because of the offense not the defense. The defense didn’t play their best game, but they did enough for us to win. K, can you look at the tape and see how many ZR plays that Trevor could have gained 10-15+ yards without getting touched. I’ll bet that it was at least 15 plays. By establishing the ZR plays you allow the RB to get to the whole without having two extra guys in the box. Play action happens after that. We burned TCU pretty bad and we could have kept doing that had we ran the ZR correctly…..Thoughts anyone??