Just a few thoughts on the whirlwind that was yesterday:
1. How about the defensive line? Coming into the season they (along with OLine) were my biggest question mark. Personally I was pretty critical of Chavis and the DEs after last year. Thought they were routinely out of position and gave up the edge far too often. Downs and Bothroyd were absolutely fantastic yesterday. On the interior, I never would’ve guessed the portal guys were going to be as impactful and productive as they have been. Lacey has been productive and Terry was extremely disruptive yesterday. Lots of folks on this board had given Bates flack for his lack of recruiting coming into this year, but his on field coaching is paying dividends and should be appreciated. If we can get R Mason and PJ (see the last play of the game) going in the second half of the season, the pass rush could be even more scary.
2. Extremely impressed by our safety play yesterday. Sark’s RPO scheme puts those guys in stress and really punishes them for any indecision. Yes, they gave up a few verticals, but that is going to happen against damn near any team with that scheme. The run fits and downhill support Bowman and Key provided was outstanding. There were a HANDFUL of plays where if they whiffed, Brooks would’ve broken off huge runs.
3. #7 has received his fair share of criticism this year, and I would agree some of it has been warranted. But I am a believer in that guy. Once upon a time #28 was an underclassman who flashed with great speed and athleticism, but always found himself just a few steps out of position or behind his spot in zone coverage. This might be a hot take, I think Kanak will be as good if not better then Stuts by the time he leaves this place.
4. He wasn’t the highest recruited, might not be the most talented, but start Tawee and give him the bulk of carries. Guy runs hard and fights for every yard. In a run scheme that’s lacking space and lanes, we need someone who can scrap and claw for yardage.
5. How about Farooq and Stoops? Love Andrel, Nic, Gibson (so close to breaking out yesterday!), but the upperclassman came through in the clutch yesterday. Nice to see Farooq have a breakout game. Still think he is capable of being a clear cut WR1 moving into the back half of the season.
6. Special teams are not so special. We were bailed out by DG, the goal line stop, and three TX turnovers, but the punting and kicking game HAS to improve if OU wants to win a conference championship. Honestly I am a little disappointed with how bad we have been in the third phase..
7. I know everyone in and around this program is riding high right now, but I still don’t see this being a cakewalk to the conference title. At Kansas with Daniels (?) is going to be a challenge. Provo in November against grown men will be a challenge. WVU has shocked everyone thus far and you know OKST is going to throw everything at you in Bedlam. Need to stay humble, which I am very confident BV will instill in this team.
8. Nice to see Stog make a few plays. He’s not BWill, Calc, or Andrews, but I commend the guy for wanting to come back here and finish his career as a Sooner. Sometimes we forget that guy has been through hell and back medically, it’s a miracle he’s still even playing football.
9. BYE week couldn’t come at a better time!
10. I know, I know…we aren’t suppose to talk about him. But I would not be even remotely surprised if our friends out West finish 3-3 or worse. Criticisms from their fan base: undisciplined team that lacks physicality, is undersized, doesn’t play defense, falls in love with throwing the football, and routinely is bailed out by their star QB…sound familiar?
Boomer!
1. How about the defensive line? Coming into the season they (along with OLine) were my biggest question mark. Personally I was pretty critical of Chavis and the DEs after last year. Thought they were routinely out of position and gave up the edge far too often. Downs and Bothroyd were absolutely fantastic yesterday. On the interior, I never would’ve guessed the portal guys were going to be as impactful and productive as they have been. Lacey has been productive and Terry was extremely disruptive yesterday. Lots of folks on this board had given Bates flack for his lack of recruiting coming into this year, but his on field coaching is paying dividends and should be appreciated. If we can get R Mason and PJ (see the last play of the game) going in the second half of the season, the pass rush could be even more scary.
2. Extremely impressed by our safety play yesterday. Sark’s RPO scheme puts those guys in stress and really punishes them for any indecision. Yes, they gave up a few verticals, but that is going to happen against damn near any team with that scheme. The run fits and downhill support Bowman and Key provided was outstanding. There were a HANDFUL of plays where if they whiffed, Brooks would’ve broken off huge runs.
3. #7 has received his fair share of criticism this year, and I would agree some of it has been warranted. But I am a believer in that guy. Once upon a time #28 was an underclassman who flashed with great speed and athleticism, but always found himself just a few steps out of position or behind his spot in zone coverage. This might be a hot take, I think Kanak will be as good if not better then Stuts by the time he leaves this place.
4. He wasn’t the highest recruited, might not be the most talented, but start Tawee and give him the bulk of carries. Guy runs hard and fights for every yard. In a run scheme that’s lacking space and lanes, we need someone who can scrap and claw for yardage.
5. How about Farooq and Stoops? Love Andrel, Nic, Gibson (so close to breaking out yesterday!), but the upperclassman came through in the clutch yesterday. Nice to see Farooq have a breakout game. Still think he is capable of being a clear cut WR1 moving into the back half of the season.
6. Special teams are not so special. We were bailed out by DG, the goal line stop, and three TX turnovers, but the punting and kicking game HAS to improve if OU wants to win a conference championship. Honestly I am a little disappointed with how bad we have been in the third phase..
7. I know everyone in and around this program is riding high right now, but I still don’t see this being a cakewalk to the conference title. At Kansas with Daniels (?) is going to be a challenge. Provo in November against grown men will be a challenge. WVU has shocked everyone thus far and you know OKST is going to throw everything at you in Bedlam. Need to stay humble, which I am very confident BV will instill in this team.
8. Nice to see Stog make a few plays. He’s not BWill, Calc, or Andrews, but I commend the guy for wanting to come back here and finish his career as a Sooner. Sometimes we forget that guy has been through hell and back medically, it’s a miracle he’s still even playing football.
9. BYE week couldn’t come at a better time!
10. I know, I know…we aren’t suppose to talk about him. But I would not be even remotely surprised if our friends out West finish 3-3 or worse. Criticisms from their fan base: undisciplined team that lacks physicality, is undersized, doesn’t play defense, falls in love with throwing the football, and routinely is bailed out by their star QB…sound familiar?
Boomer!
