The Football Brainiacs

 

 

In looking back at this TCU game a few things really stand out to me:

 

 

1.     Our defense is playing better than it has in years.  Going back about ten years, I haven’t seen a defensive performance like that since the cotton bowl against Arkansas in 2001.

 

 

2.     When we needed to run the ball we could.  I don’t remember a time under Bob Stoops other than in 2006, where we knew that all we had was the run game, and won with it.  I’m not saying that we can’t throw the ball, but when was the last time that we closed out games in back to back weeks against really stout defenses?  When was the last time you saw us get in the victory formation and kneel down after running the last five minutes off the clock?  How much has our run game improved?

 

 

2012 Notre Dame:  15 yds rushing, 27:32 time of possession.

2013 Notre Dame:  212 yds rushing, 35:44 time of possession.

 

 

2005, 2008, 2012 TCU:  Averaged     99 yds rushing, 28:04 time of possession

2013 TCU:                                          203 yds rushing, 29:58 time of possession

 

 

Don’t get me wrong, we’re not 1995 Nebraska in the run game, but we’re definitely on the right track.  When we need to run the ball in short yardage we can, and when we need to run the football late in games to close it out, we’ve been able to.  We’ve been committed to the run game to this point in the season as well running the ball 46 times per game and passing it 31 times per game.  Against the defenses of the big 12 I’d suspect that discrepancy to increase.

 

 

3.     Losing Corey Nelson for the season may be the biggest loss we’ve had around here since Ryan Reynolds got hurt against Texas in 2008.  The moment Corey went out of the game Saturday we began to struggle defensively. We were in a 3rd and 2, and  you can see that Dominique Alexander and Aaron Franklin couldn’t get lined up correctly.  TCU converts the 1st down, to keep the drive alive.  Then down on the goal line, when Boykin scores, you see the run play fitted perfectly.  Dom is there to make the play in the gap, but he isn’t strong enough or technically sound enough yet as a true freshman to bring his feet, wrap up and push the guy out of the hole.

 

 

4.     What I have learned about this 2013 Oklahoma Sooner team is that we aren’t going to make the big mistake.  We’re going to play tough defense, and as an offense, we cannot get off schedule.  We’re not the kind of team that can get a yard on first down, a yard on second down and then get to third and eight expecting to make it.  We desperately need a threat running down the seam.  Whether it’s a big body from the tight end position, or someone in the slot, we need to start running vertical routes down the seam.  I’d love to see Finch or Saunders or even Millard lined up in a wing position matched up against a linebacker off of play action.

 

 

5.     Leadership both offensively and defensively has been there to this point far more than it was in the last two years.  Bell is the undisputed leader of the offense, while Corey and Aaron Colvin are leaders on the defense.  We’ve had some nice surprises defensively with Sanchez, Tapper, Phillips and Striker all playing very well.  You can tell that the team really likes playing with each other, and they really care about getting back to winning at that top level.  There’s a lot to like about this team, and a lot to hope for during this season.