The Football Brainiacs

Coach Josh Heupel

– On what he sees from the Baylor defense, they’ve got a lot of seniors…a lot of guys who have played a lot of football and they’re doing a better job of running around and tackling in space. So we’ve to make people miss. But they aren’t doing anything really different structurally (schematically) other than perhaps mixing their fronts up a little more (40 and 30/50)

– On how the running game is coming along without Trey Millard: “we’re going to find out…he was the best in the business at what he did” but said Brannon looks good.

– Said its absolutely important for the offense to stay on the field: have to score TDs in the RZ and have to convert on 3rd downs. Have to make sure that they don’t let Baylor play from ahead.

– On how much more difficult things are going to be without Trey: Definitely hard to lose Trey but still confident in guys like Brannon Green – those are guys that have scene the field and they’re going to have to step up.

– Got to perform well early in the ball game

– The guys are excited to play against a good opponent on the road

– Said the offensive line has played well so far but he said there is still more out there

– Said that with Brannon Green being in there its a little different and it sounds like they might try to do some different things schematically to put Brannon in situations that better suit his strength.

– Was pretty tight lipped about how they’re going to attack Baylor (sounds like they’re going to be doing some things we haven’t seen yet)

 Blake Bell

– Said the guys stepping up in Trey’s absence are doing really well. Extra week really helped.

– Said its important to stay on the field and convert on 3rd downs but the bottom line is its going to come down to the team (defense, special teams, offense)

– Said that the Thursday game is different but definitely not “disruptive”…Prime time game…very excited.

– Feels good about the progress they’ve made over the year…especially in 3rd down situations and staying out of 3rd and longs but even in 3rd and longs he’s feeling more confident about their ability to convert in those situations. But there is no doubt that staying ahead of the chains is always critical.

– Said losing Trey is a huge but other guys have to step up and make plays

Damien Williams

– In talking about Baylors defense said they are very “feisty” and said they’ve been “holding their own”. In general they’re just playing harder and they’ve got a confidence.

– Excited about playing on Thursday night…everybody watching…its exciting

– Baylor “hasn’t seen anyone like us”.  Candidly said that he feels Baylor hasn’t yet been challenged in the way that hopefully Oklahoma can challenge them from a personnel perspective. Let me be clear that Damien did not come off as cocky or disrespectful but more matter of fact and was really more paying a compliment to his teammates and the type of talent he sees on Oklahoma’s team.

– Said that without Trey the offense is going to change but he said there are guys behind him that may be different but they can “play the game just as well”

Sterling Shepard

– Not weird at all playing on a Thursday night. Said he’s looking forward to playing on the big stage and said everyone is going to be watching

– Said he’s excited about having Trey Franks back on the offense…said his speed and his hands are great.

– Said Baylor has a physical defense but said that Tech was pretty physical so that prepared them well. Said they are working hard on dealing with more press coverage/more physical corners

– Said that the loss of Trey Millard is obviously sad but the team has to keep moving forward. Said that he feels like Rip has worked hard and he’s going to step up.

– They are going into the game knowing that they have to have long drives and finishing with TDs in the RZ

Bronson Irwin

– Staying on the field comes down to 1st and 2nd down. Have to be in 3rd and manageable situations.

– Said their confidence is extremely high when it comes to running the ball. Said as an O-linemen imposing their will on their opponent is what they love to do. Said that the QB run game has a helped some as well. Forces the defense to be a little more conservative.

– Said they kind of enjoy the different schedule.

– Asked if the Baylor has been tested as much as Oklahoma can test them and he said “we’re going to give them our best shot”

– It’s “crucial” to score when they have opportunities. “Can’t settle for field goals with offense like Baylor”

– Said “this is definitely the best…Baylor defense”. Said they have a lot of guys with experience on defense and they’re playing really good football right now.