Mike is gone yes but as we can see our defensive issues have not eased what so ever. But did we really expect them to? One of the glaring issues is the fact that as our d grows in age and experience they not only do not get any better but they seem to regress. Be it weary legs and minds as the season progresses or maybe just a disinterest in what they are being taught. Either way it's the complete opposite of the offense.
So what are the issues?
Now one thing is certain it's not for lack of talent. We get the cream of the crop and as we can see around the country (or just within our conference) there are much better defenses with very few 4 or even 3 stars on the roster. Iowa state and TCU come to mind and even the pokes have the highest sack total in the country. Stats don't lie. Sure we have the high flying offenses and such but if you look at history big 12 D's do fairly well in bowl games......but not Oklahomas.
Anyone with a touch of football knowledge can see the finished product on the field. Can't tackle in space for one. Can't cover on the outside whether in press , soft or zone. Don't get me started on gap responsibility and we can't get to the passer. So as my board brothers know all to well it's a complete breakdown D wide. Nobody is afraid of us anymore. Look no further than the last touchdown play against the pokes. 4th and what 8 9from the 24) and they throw for the end zone and connect...with 5 players around 1 receiver. Again.....nobody is afraid of us. It's disheartening to watch as we waste another top offense in the country and a shot at a title. If Kyler leaves....we are in big , big trouble next year.
When did this all start?
Years ago; many, many years ago - Oklahoma prided itself on defense. In the past opposing teams game planned around us. Our D was our D and we did not care who we played because we were going to punch them in the mouth. We were big, fast and we loved to hit. But again...that was long ago. What happened? In the wisdom of the coaching staff we started to change according to big 12 offenses and that was the biggest mistake we ever could have made and one that we continue to make. We got small , passive ,reactionary and very, very complex. SPEED the coaches said we needed....but are we fast? No and that's obvious. When was the last time (outside of Bookie) have you seen anyone from our D lay the wood to someone? But I digress.
Beating the dead horse and what can we do?
Change. It's time to clean house. Time for new voices and fresh ideas. Sure Mike is gone but one thing is for certain. We need a new D new staff all around. I don't want anyone to be unemployed but its not working....anywhere. The kids have checked out. Oh I hear the "we are brothers" comments by the kids and thats great but they are tired of getting torched,tired of getting pushed around and tired of being told they are the reason we can't win a title. The ONLY way to do that is to change the guys at the top and in doing so change the mentality of the kids. You just can't do that with the same coaching staff as it's not genuine. Who cares about recruiting (as we will lose some kids) but damn it we are not doing anything with the kids we have so what does it matter?
Conclusion:
Next year...this will get worse. Unless Kyler stays (and he is not) we will be lucky to have a winning record (not saying we will have a losing record for Gods sake) just saying we will have to have some luck on our side to get there. We won't have the O to outscore anyone. That's the truth and it makes me cringe to even think about it. Bite the bullet coach and accept a down year in order to build for the future. Clean the cabinet and restore the mentality on D we once had. If you don't we will will be Texas tech (forever) and will never be taken seriously again.
If you disagree with my observation that is fine but don't be an ass and just name call.Add something to the conversation by giving your take.
@pinnaclesw
So what are the issues?
Now one thing is certain it's not for lack of talent. We get the cream of the crop and as we can see around the country (or just within our conference) there are much better defenses with very few 4 or even 3 stars on the roster. Iowa state and TCU come to mind and even the pokes have the highest sack total in the country. Stats don't lie. Sure we have the high flying offenses and such but if you look at history big 12 D's do fairly well in bowl games......but not Oklahomas.
Anyone with a touch of football knowledge can see the finished product on the field. Can't tackle in space for one. Can't cover on the outside whether in press , soft or zone. Don't get me started on gap responsibility and we can't get to the passer. So as my board brothers know all to well it's a complete breakdown D wide. Nobody is afraid of us anymore. Look no further than the last touchdown play against the pokes. 4th and what 8 9from the 24) and they throw for the end zone and connect...with 5 players around 1 receiver. Again.....nobody is afraid of us. It's disheartening to watch as we waste another top offense in the country and a shot at a title. If Kyler leaves....we are in big , big trouble next year.
When did this all start?
Years ago; many, many years ago - Oklahoma prided itself on defense. In the past opposing teams game planned around us. Our D was our D and we did not care who we played because we were going to punch them in the mouth. We were big, fast and we loved to hit. But again...that was long ago. What happened? In the wisdom of the coaching staff we started to change according to big 12 offenses and that was the biggest mistake we ever could have made and one that we continue to make. We got small , passive ,reactionary and very, very complex. SPEED the coaches said we needed....but are we fast? No and that's obvious. When was the last time (outside of Bookie) have you seen anyone from our D lay the wood to someone? But I digress.
Beating the dead horse and what can we do?
Change. It's time to clean house. Time for new voices and fresh ideas. Sure Mike is gone but one thing is for certain. We need a new D new staff all around. I don't want anyone to be unemployed but its not working....anywhere. The kids have checked out. Oh I hear the "we are brothers" comments by the kids and thats great but they are tired of getting torched,tired of getting pushed around and tired of being told they are the reason we can't win a title. The ONLY way to do that is to change the guys at the top and in doing so change the mentality of the kids. You just can't do that with the same coaching staff as it's not genuine. Who cares about recruiting (as we will lose some kids) but damn it we are not doing anything with the kids we have so what does it matter?
Conclusion:
Next year...this will get worse. Unless Kyler stays (and he is not) we will be lucky to have a winning record (not saying we will have a losing record for Gods sake) just saying we will have to have some luck on our side to get there. We won't have the O to outscore anyone. That's the truth and it makes me cringe to even think about it. Bite the bullet coach and accept a down year in order to build for the future. Clean the cabinet and restore the mentality on D we once had. If you don't we will will be Texas tech (forever) and will never be taken seriously again.
If you disagree with my observation that is fine but don't be an ass and just name call.Add something to the conversation by giving your take.
@pinnaclesw
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