Riley balances Mike S. on the coaching grade - 2 games now we where we stumble out of the blocks without an effective game plan to get Mayfield going (granted, penalties did scotch one early drive - but O penalties are the OC's job to fix). More disturbing is that its not Riley's job to bow down to the vocal majority and press, re. forcing the running game - way too much up the middle that simply was not working (Perrine was 23 for 78 yards at 3.4 ypc, while Mixon wasn't much better at 10 carries for 38 yards, 3.8 ypc); UTenn game- planned for that and Riley played right into their hands. We did not run plays that got playmakers out in space - very few sweeps or quick tosses and, though we sometimes over rely on it, I don't recall a single WR screen in the flats (and the TE is incognito again). And though a measly 3 points through 3 quarters I don't recall any significant wrinkles much less a trick play to kick-start some momentum. I was expecting more a flying circus out of Riley. We won because UTenn's O gave zero breathers to their D in the second half and Mayfield's moxie (vs. playcalling) took advantage of that situation. As nice of a job Mike S did against UTenn I'm still holding my breath vs Baylor....against whom our Ds have not even been competitive. I.e., we may still need to score in bunches in Waco.
Some thoughts about the UTenn win.
- Thread starter Plainosooner
- Start date
Loved the aggressive front 7 - all the nickel blitzes and press coverage outside. Same thing Mike did last year vs Tenn. If OU plays this all year and forces teams to beat them deep, they'll be a top 20 D.
Should be awesome when Mike takes this small, fast D and goes back to rushing 3 and playing DBs 10 yards off the ball. Unfortunately, we all know it's coming at some point.
In the first game, the "mistakes" were called "first game jitters". This time, it was "big game in the SEC jitters".
My vote is that we stop shooting ourselves in our own feet and start showing some ability to block without holding, not moving before the ball is snapped, running the routes properly, cut down on the "lookout" blocks, and not dropping balls we should catch. At least so far, we haven't seen a single pick-6, was the single biggest reason, IMHO, that we had the losses we did last year.
This game is against Tulsa, and its the third game of the season. We should beat them without too much difficulty, but I want to see the players show that they have been coached properly. EXECUTION!!!! This will be a home game against an out-manned oppponent, so let's see what we are capable of accomplishing. Against too many teams last season, it was our mistakes that held the team back. If we see what this team can actually do when not self-destructing, this could be a very special season!
My vote is that we stop shooting ourselves in our own feet and start showing some ability to block without holding, not moving before the ball is snapped, running the routes properly, cut down on the "lookout" blocks, and not dropping balls we should catch. At least so far, we haven't seen a single pick-6, was the single biggest reason, IMHO, that we had the losses we did last year.
This game is against Tulsa, and its the third game of the season. We should beat them without too much difficulty, but I want to see the players show that they have been coached properly. EXECUTION!!!! This will be a home game against an out-manned oppponent, so let's see what we are capable of accomplishing. Against too many teams last season, it was our mistakes that held the team back. If we see what this team can actually do when not self-destructing, this could be a very special season!
I wondered why we weren't taking advantage of the UT linebackers crowding the line by hitting anything over the middle behind them. The TE or deeper slants would have been nice. You don't back them off with sideline passes. You might spread them a little.
I wonder exactly why we were able to be so extremely effective in the last four possessions? Did we finally come together? Was it that Tennessee was in a prevent? I did notice that UT was not coming up as much. Even on the TD pass to Shepard, they were spread laterally, but they stayed back. Suddenly, the pass blocking was giving Mayfield a great deal of time, over seven seconds on one play. He was almost untouched when he stayed in the pocket late in the game. Did UT stop the blitz?
Both offenses were moving the ball better in OT, so you are probably right in that the defenses were playing a bit more prevent. Someone told me about a photo of Bob Stoops and Butch Jones before the game that is on social media, which is pretty good. Bob is saying to Butch.."Okay, I'm going to give you 52 minutes, then I'm going to kick your ass". Love it.
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"I wonder exactly why we were able to be so extremely effective in the last four possessions? Did we finally come together? Was it that Tennessee was in a prevent?"
UTenn had 7 second half three&outs with limited depth - the longest UTenn drive in the second half lasted 3:05. I'll say it again, they were somewhat gassed due to their offense doing squat.
UTenn had 7 second half three&outs with limited depth - the longest UTenn drive in the second half lasted 3:05. I'll say it again, they were somewhat gassed due to their offense doing squat.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
I think the entire team, in spite of being so woefully inept for three and a half quarters, rallied around Baker and his unbelievable transformation and just pinned their ears back and got it done.
Sometimes it takes one hero with a pair, and people will fall in lockstep with you like you're the Pied Piper.
It was a beautiful thing to behold really.
Cherish it in your memory. It's worthy.
I think the offense rallied around the defense for keeping them in the game. That was a fine defensive effort for four quarters.
I think UT was just worn slick by that point. Their DL didn't have the push they had earlier, whereas our DL did, maybe even more. I think UT has some excellent DL but are thin, especially with two of their starters out (one due to injury during the game). Most of their fanbase on the message boards were commenting about how their D was just worn out at the end--partially because their O suddenly had a bunch of 3 and outs--and couldn't stop us anymore, after doing it very well for three quarters.
Soonersincefitty
Sooner starter
You're right, the D kept us in it to win it, but they too dug deep late and in OT to ensure the ultimate outcome.
Your point is quite valid.
Phaeded, sometimes, you have to run ineffectively in the first quarter, so that you will be able to run effectively in the fourth. We mostly had penalties and mistakes that screwed with the early offense. Hard to do any tempo when you're not making any first downs. Perine was a very effective runner when we scored touchdowns on OUr last four possessions.
Again, it's not the coach's fault when players jump offsides, or hold, nullifying a 40 yard pass gain setting up second and 20, or when they drop passes past the chains on third down.
But on these boards, the coaches are mostly blamed. OUr OLine didn't run block worth a damn in the first 40 minutes of the game, or longer. If you're going to talk to or about a coach, try Bedenbaugh. We have excellent skill people for the most part. But we aren't getting the time to do much, unless Mayfield breaks four tackles while scrambling for his life.
Young, inexperienced X's make it harder to outscheme their O's.
Again, it's not the coach's fault when players jump offsides, or hold, nullifying a 40 yard pass gain setting up second and 20, or when they drop passes past the chains on third down.
But on these boards, the coaches are mostly blamed. OUr OLine didn't run block worth a damn in the first 40 minutes of the game, or longer. If you're going to talk to or about a coach, try Bedenbaugh. We have excellent skill people for the most part. But we aren't getting the time to do much, unless Mayfield breaks four tackles while scrambling for his life.
Young, inexperienced X's make it harder to outscheme their O's.
I won't blame Bedenbaugh for the current issues on the OL, but I will lay blame on this is the eventual predicament the coach Patton and Skittles experiment has now put OUs OL depth in. Those 2 guys left a huge future hole at that position that Bedenbaugh now has to deal with. Coach Bedenbaugh has recruited some solid kids for the OL, but they are still young. He got a late start for the 2013 class, but 2014 and 2015 he brought it good hauls of OL recruits.
So yes....past coaches are indeed to blame for this. Plaino I know you prolly defended those coaches when they were still wearing OU on their shirts, but sometimes it does boil down to coaches not doing their jobs. That's exactly why Bob canned them and they aren't wearing those OU logos on their shirts anymore.
Kish did get jammed into a bad situation. But the difference is Kish hasn't recruited worth a damn since he's been here. He has literally only snagged a few recruits since he joined the staff. There were several LB recruits that show he recruited them, but I remember it was reported were recruited to OU by other coaches. So for me, the jury is still out on his ability to recruit. But so far this season the LBs seem to be a pretty solid unit. That at least says a lot to me that he is doing a solid job this year coaching his position
Actually,, I don't buy the idea that the Tennessee defense grew weary due to our three and outs. I think it was either a change in defensive strategy or in offensive attitude.
Shepard: Stoops said he averaged 10 yards per return, which is pretty solid. Sometimes, you put someone at punt returner because he is the only one that doesn't fumble punts.
Shepard: Stoops said he averaged 10 yards per return, which is pretty solid. Sometimes, you put someone at punt returner because he is the only one that doesn't fumble punts.
Here is my take, this O line play the last 2 games looked pitiful, if the o line makes drastic Improvements OU will win #8.
Would also like to say Sanchez is horrible. You know he is only a part time player. Even though he has made play after play. And Frank Shannon got screwed.
Would also like to say Sanchez is horrible. You know he is only a part time player. Even though he has made play after play. And Frank Shannon got screwed.
Give it up to both the D and Mayfield (and Shepherd!) - but after rewatching the game this sideline observation by Holly Rowe (yes, just shoot me for quoting her) gives me more hope for this year than anything I saw on the field: When the O pulled to 10-17, Alexander walked up and down the line of sitting Offensive Linemen (presumably during the ensuing KO) and told them that the D would get the ball back for them. The D obviously was gelling as a unit but to hear of overall team chemistry like that truly gives one hope for something greater for this team.
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