OU vs. Texas Tech – What I’ll Be Watching
Posted on: October 22, 2015
Image via USA Today
Apologies for the abbreviated version this week. Like K, I am also traveling for the day job and, as such, free time is isn’t readily available.
* Faux Revenge: Predictably, the theme of the week has been Baker Mayfield’s ‘revenge’ opportunity against Tech and their pretty boy HC. For whatever reasons I just can’t get on board with the narrative. Admittedly, Baker and I aren’t up late nights braiding each others hair (if I had any) discussing his feelings on the matter, but this belief that revenge is his primary motivating factor, honestly, seems a little laughable to me.
* Back Five: K and I were talking last week and he told me while watching the K-State game he thought Mike Stoops was using it (in a way) to prep for future opponents. Specifically that he (K) saw Mike doing some things he’d (again, K) yet to see OU do this season. At the time I just kind of brushed it off because on its face it made little sense to me. KSU’s offense couldn’t be more different than the likes of Tech, TCU, and Baylor, so how would this make any sense.
But then you come to Will Johnson’s addition to the secondary and while I know K’s thinking was much more involved than a single player, but for someone as simple-minded as myself that’s how I made sense of it. Johnson seems tailor made for a game like this. I’m pretty sure Stoops said this week Johnson’s natural position is at corner and his cover skills reflect as such. It’s equally as much about his impact last week and this coming Saturday, as it is in the weeks to come.
* D-line Redux: Would VERY much like to see a repeat performance from this OU defensive line like we saw last week in Manhattan. They were, at times, borderline dominant. And what made it all the more impressive is it wasn’t just the starters. If Diron Reynolds can roll six deep and not have a drop off with that second unit, this OU defense could be the difference maker we’re all hoping it can be.
* Shaking Off The Rust: If Frank Shannon does start in place of Jordan Evans, it will be interesting to see just how much rust still remains considering until last Saturday Shannon really hasn’t played all that much. Which is somewhat surprising in that he didn’t likely come back to sit the bench, but credit to Evans and, in part, Dom Alexander whose play has kept Shannon off the field. Nevertheless, it would appear Shannon is likely to be called upon on Saturday and against a pass-happy offense like Texas Tech, he’s just as likely to be picked on when asked to cover.
* OL & Run Game: It will continue to be a thing (for me) until it’s not.
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What will you be watching for Saturday afternoon?
64 Comments
Dline being run stoppers & pressuring the QB.. Mahomes is not moving well, so if we get him into scramble mode it will be a long day for him.. Offensively, Red zone & short yardage run game…
O-Line for sure!!!! Both pass coverage and run blocking.
Agrees with you oline Dline
Our offensive tempo and quick decision-making from Baker. Defensively, just being able to get a few stops on 3rd down. Enough stops to make a difference in scoring. TT will move the ball, but we need to keep in mind that success against that type of offense is different than shutouts. But I’ll take a good ole fashioned shutout too. I don’t see that happening though.
One can always dream, right? 😎
Probably not the best game to have Shannon playing a major role. We’ll see how much he is on the field. Might see more of Alexander and Bond (along with Striker) as the 3 LB’s, with 3 DL, and 5 DB’s. That is the lineup I’d probably be more inclined to play.
I like Shannon, I just don’t remember him being very good in coverage. Would have preferred starting him against a UT or KSU type offense.
Shannon was pretty important in the 2013 game against Texas Tech. Jace Amaro didn’t do anything until Shannon was lost for the game. After Shannon was out, that’s when Amaro had a field day.
True, but his strength seems to be agianst the run. However, I think he can hold his own against the pass against Tech.
I will watch whoever will cover Jakeem Grant. He is the most explosive and elusive player I have seen in the Bug XII since Tavon Austin..Also I would really like a good game from Kick Return team
I know what it might sound too early..(or crazy)
I want Will Johnson to cover him. He had a good game against subpar KSt WR’s. IMO He hasn’t been tested. Seems like hes got some moxy about him.
If he can cover Jakeem Grant who is a playmaker (if JG in slot). No doubt he will be successful going down the stretch of the season. Give a long leash. He may get beat. But if Willl Johson can play well enough for Parker to stay at safety. This D could be very special late in the year.
Gonna be Sanchez.
Not if he doesn’t line up outside, and on Sanchez’ side of the field. OU doesn’t move corners.
I only want to see the Kick Return team on the field one time!! Now Punt Return team, that’s something I want to see do a better job!
This is Tech – the O-Line needs to improve. Laying an egg against the weak-D sand-chiggers at home cannot happen. I also want to see team intensity to let me know the KSU game was not a one-off reaction to the lack of intensity against texsa, but rather a realization that it has to be there every single week.
What I am looking for is the passion that our SOONERS played with last week. After that I will be watching the defense to see if they can continue to play assignment football, because that is what it is going to take to beat the likes of tcu, baylor, and less so, okie light.
Those are great questions! Here’s the answers from the Expert:
1. Can Stryker get to the QB? No. BU very effectively blocked Striker last year. TT got the playback.
2. Does Zac Sanchez get Burnt trying to pick a pass? Yes. Sanchez is a risk taker and will have pick(s) and also get burned for TD(s).
3. Can we throw the ball more than 30 yards multiple times to stretch the defense? That’s a tricky question, so the answer is maybe. How many is “multiple”? Anyway, if TT employs a WVU game plan, OU can score big plays over the top. Otherwise, and by many accounts, OU sees an opportunity to run the ball, which may complement a quick-pass-attack. LR will take what TT gives him.
The Expert (in nothing)
I will be looking for the attitude they had against KState. On both sides of the ball, there was an attitude that disappeared with the longhorn debacle. Everyone will be watching the Oline against a really bad defensive line to see if we can run. The problem I see is if we can pass, the will LR let them run as well? I believe we shut down their passing game. One dimensional teams usually don’t fair well against the Sooners.
I will be watching the Oline and the Dline very closely. If the Sooners get the push they got last week from the DLine this could be a very long afternoon for pretty boy coach and TT. I liked the game plan on offense last week of starting out with quick passes. Yes Baker got sacked a few times, but those quick passes were huge to start the game off. If the Sooners come out with the same intensity and drive that they did last weekend, then this game should not be close.
Agreed. Love the up tempo. That’s the first time we’ve fully used it on a entire drive, much less most of the game, that I can think of this year. And it was fantastic. Doesn’t let the defense sub or adjust, gets them catching their breath, gets the ball to play makers in space very quickly And it masks a lot of O-line struggles by getting the ball out quickly.
Yes! It was a thing of beauty!
What im looking for is too see if our Oline can maintain dominance throughout the game , also I want too see Andrews & Quick get the ball more. On defense I want to see if we could could actually stop the air raid offense , I think this defense can but will we’ll half to see
I hope we can hold to their average against us. 22-25.
Good observations from a Tech site
http://www.vivathematadors.com/2015/10/22/9571143/the-film-room-previews-the-oklahoma-sooners
The first part of this is horribly wrong, the second part is hilarious!
“They’re so deep at the running back position that Semaje Perine, who would start at nearly every school in the nation, has been reduced to a 3rd string role behind Joe Mixon and Daniel Brooks. Oklahoma is not dominant at one thing, but rather very good at many things. Sterling Shepard is having a great 18th year of college in Bob Stoops’s system, and all Oklahoma opponents wish that he would graduate already.”
Went to that site a couple days ago. Made my brain hurt. I refuse to subject myself to their nonsense ever again.
A bit of inaccuracies, but overall pretty good article.
I’ll be looking for the WRs to start building confidence in actually catching the ball. I think the jitters ( with the possible exception of Mead ) might be lessening now. Really hoping that Quick can catch a few and maybe even break one.
Also Im really excited that our DLine looks to be solidly two deep. That’ll help big time down the road when we play the pace teams. If you notice, teams like Baylor just have their way in the 4th quarter when the opposing Dlines are just flat out exhausted and have very little pass rush left in them.
Hoping to see less Mead. Dropsy.
He must be doing well in practice because, in games, he doesn’t look mentally and/or physically ready to contribute on Saturdays.
I’ll be looking for OU’s run defense to make TT one-dimensional. Otherwise, the Sooners likely will lose Saturday…………..TT is going to get yards in chunks thru the air and score points. Taking away the run will allow OU to drop an extra athlete into the passing lanes…………Also, this will be an early preamble to the Baylor game……
Of course we’ll “probably lose” if we dont make them one dimensional. I mean just because they have the worst defense in the conference and more than likely wont be able to make us one dimensional either would lead one to believe that we’ll “probably lose” right ?
Thanks for your input.
Kick Rocks, peanuts head!!! Get it: peanuts head. Say it faster. Faster. Faster. Faster. There you go. Good boy.
Tell me you picked us to lose the K-State game and win the Texas? Tell me…
I like OU in 3 OT’s over TT 61-58…………..
Mead certainly needs to step up. He has basically dropped two touchdown passes. They weren’t perfectly thrown by Mayfield, but they were close enough to where a competent WR would catch them.
I hope Westbrook can go the whole game without a fumble.
I will be watching Baker closely, hoping he isn’t over inflated and trying too hard because of the opponent.
I’ll be watching to see if the team can come out with the same aggressive, yet controlled attitude that allowed them to get a quick lead with quality tackling and good decision making all around. May sound crazy, but I’m hoping for another beat down.
Edit: will also be particularly interested in seeing how whatever Mike has cooked up fares against a real live hot shot air raid O.
Saw Bond in class today, still wearing that boot. Everyone says he is going to play, so hopefully thats just extra precaution.
Interesting.
I noticed he was in a boot on the sideline of the KSU game. Stoops made it sound like he was practicing this week, so I’d guess the boot is just a precaution. Maybe you could bump into him and ask if he’s playing. 🙂
Don’t knock him over.
Watching to see if Mayfield is forcing things out of the revenge factor. Techs D isn’t good so if OU takes care of the ball they win in a high scoring game. 45-31
Also will be paying attention to run defense as Tech does run some and its key to limit them and put them in 3rd and long.
Worst defense in the BIG 12 in terms of yards so I’ll be looking for further improvement in the offensive line. KSU had the leading rush defense in the conference and we had some success. Perine got his average over 5 for the game. So that is what I’ll be watching. I’ll also be watching this palms coverage to see how it works with Tech
tempo – does OU push it like they did against KSU or will ball control be more of an issue because of TT’s potent offense. Be interesting to see if OU goes full out
Aside from the trinity (turnovers, penalties, special teams performance), my observations will focus on the following: 1) Our O-line’s success at performing their assignments, 2) Success of the D at killing Flaming Taco drives, 3) Ability to make adjustments (on both sides of the ball) to Flaming Taco attacks, 4) Success of our offensive backfield, and 5) WRs/TEs catching anything that hits their hands.
I can’t imagine why all eyes wouldn’t be on Baker when he’s on the field. I know he said that revenge isn’t playing into his game plan, but I also can’t imagine that he would object to bombing Tech with a bunch of TDs. I certainly hope he does. Tech was my 2nd favorite team to watch when Leach was there, but not now. Plus I’d love to see Baker inserted in the Heisman talk. So sick of hearing about Fournette.
Been told that the run has been a big emphasis in practice this week. So i’ll be looking for one of our 2 guys to break 100 on the ground. And the other 200 all purpose.
KJ = Our inside man. Much appreciated!
Seeing a performance like that would be a relief. These guys can get it done. Got a feeling with TT,KU,Ist the next three. we can make some great strides before we hit November.
Coaches must feel like they see an opportunity on the ground. Good stuff.
Tech’s defense is horrid (both on the ground and in the air), so this would be a good week to pound it more.
Yes. I’m sure the thought is to pound it and keep Mahomes on the bench. Same thing we need to do to TCU and Baylor. These next three should be great opportunities to get that run game humming before we face the big boys of the conference.
Couldn’t have said it better myself Scott. If there’s going to be a chance to get the running game going, it’s the next few weeks. We’ll need it running on all cylinders after the ISU game.
Been my thoughts exactly…both of you
I’ve been thinking about this a little bit. I don’t think Tech wants to be shown up by Baker so they likely intend to pin their ears and come after him. Our coaches may suspect this and are coming up with draw, speed sweep, etc, plays to burn the rush. Even if Tech decides to shut Baker down with max coverage, that still gives good run opportunities.
1. Left Tackle
2. Left Guard
3. Center
4. Right Guard
5. Right Tackle
No particular order.
Watching the OL just like every week. Tech doesn’t have a dominate front. The edge guys are pretty good but I see us really holding down the middle. They will have to send blitzes like Texas and KSU, but with Baker working on getting the ball out alot quicker we should avoid the pressure for the most part. I’ll also look for the team to really play inspired, alot of personal stories between the two teams that are being downplayed, I think this game means more than both teams are letting on.
Which team will a rainy day affect most?
Waiting to see if Tech’s offensive tackle is going to play (I think his name is Clark). He’s the best offensive lineman they have (by a long shot), and one of the better tackles in the country. If he can’t go, I expect to see Striker in Mahommes face all day.
I am watching DBs in coverage especially in one on one situations.
Pass rush
Run game.
These areas look strong and it will be excellent weekend.
Show me something Frank!!
“Apologies for the abbreviated version” Abbreviated but solid. Agree the “revenge” is media overplaying for an angle, and concur on the significance of the defensive adjustments as well.