Any rational fan understands that Army’s is an unconventional opponent that is going to move the chains a bit and generate some offense if for no other reason than the fact that they play a numbers game where any single player busting an assignment results in a first down. However, what OU fans witnessed last night was an abomination, not because of a few first downs, but due to an inexcusable lack of both defensive game planning AND execution.
- from the first play it was obvious that OU’s OLBs had zero idea what their responsibility was on the option. Jones and Jackson were both crashing down on the dive and leaving the edge wide open regardless of whether the QB pulled the ball.
- despite a significant advantage in size, strength and speed OU’s DTs were on the ground nearly every play. Penetration in the middle of the LOS is THE key to stopping the FB dive which is,in turn, the key to stopping the option. Mike, Thibs and Ruffin inexplicably had the DTs going to ground at the point of attack rather than trying fire off and push the OL into the backfield. It seems the plan was to create a snarl of bodies and let the LBs fill the gap and clean up. Unfortunately, that is exactly what Army wants because the LB is stationary with FB coming downhill one on one. Even if the backer makes the play, the FB’s momentum carries him 3 or 4 yards.
- OUs safeties were absolutely woeful on the triple option. There was NOBODY running the alley which meant one block on the CB to the play side was all that had to happen to leave the pitchman running free. Worse yet, if the LBs got so much as chipped, then there was nobody there to force the pitch. On about half of the option looks where the QB pulled the ball and went wide, BOTH the QB an the pitchman had space - meaning the safety was caught inside and the CB was blocked leaving the LB coming inside out as the only defender in position to make the play. Too often the LB was doing so from behind and 4 or 5 yards downfield.
- OU still can’t decide if they are 4-3 or 3-4. If the former, then Jackson is too small to be at DE. If the latter, then Mann and Bledsoe are too small to play DT. Regardless, Mike has players in positions where they cannot possibly execute their role. Likewise, Bolton is a Will in a 4-3 but incapable of playing inside in a 3-4. If OU really wants to play 3-4 then Murray and JMT are the ILBs with Jackson and Jones outside. It’s just ridiculous how many “tweeners” are on the field being asked to do things they are ill-equipped to do. The talent is there, but the defensive staff can’t even f’ing decide what they want to be.
- People should start being VERY concerned that this OL cannot get one yard against a totally outsized Army defense when the game is still in doubt. They got their asses kicked! If OU cannot run consistently against better competition, then this whole offense goes to shit because it is based off run and PA. If teams like WVU and UT can make OU go to 4WR sets and play coverage, then OU will invariably falter on offense.
- we keep hearing about all this new depth on defense but Mike left more or less the same guys out there for 4 quarters despite the fact that many were to gassed to get lined up -much less make plays. Army doesn’t have depth and OU failed miserably to rotate guys through to take advantage of that.
Listen, I know Mike cannot make tackles and Lincoln does not throw blocks, but it is their job to teach them to be fundamentally sound and get them prepared to play against every opponent. The staff failed miserably in that regard and the players, while very talented, were not good enough to overcome the lack of preparation.
- from the first play it was obvious that OU’s OLBs had zero idea what their responsibility was on the option. Jones and Jackson were both crashing down on the dive and leaving the edge wide open regardless of whether the QB pulled the ball.
- despite a significant advantage in size, strength and speed OU’s DTs were on the ground nearly every play. Penetration in the middle of the LOS is THE key to stopping the FB dive which is,in turn, the key to stopping the option. Mike, Thibs and Ruffin inexplicably had the DTs going to ground at the point of attack rather than trying fire off and push the OL into the backfield. It seems the plan was to create a snarl of bodies and let the LBs fill the gap and clean up. Unfortunately, that is exactly what Army wants because the LB is stationary with FB coming downhill one on one. Even if the backer makes the play, the FB’s momentum carries him 3 or 4 yards.
- OUs safeties were absolutely woeful on the triple option. There was NOBODY running the alley which meant one block on the CB to the play side was all that had to happen to leave the pitchman running free. Worse yet, if the LBs got so much as chipped, then there was nobody there to force the pitch. On about half of the option looks where the QB pulled the ball and went wide, BOTH the QB an the pitchman had space - meaning the safety was caught inside and the CB was blocked leaving the LB coming inside out as the only defender in position to make the play. Too often the LB was doing so from behind and 4 or 5 yards downfield.
- OU still can’t decide if they are 4-3 or 3-4. If the former, then Jackson is too small to be at DE. If the latter, then Mann and Bledsoe are too small to play DT. Regardless, Mike has players in positions where they cannot possibly execute their role. Likewise, Bolton is a Will in a 4-3 but incapable of playing inside in a 3-4. If OU really wants to play 3-4 then Murray and JMT are the ILBs with Jackson and Jones outside. It’s just ridiculous how many “tweeners” are on the field being asked to do things they are ill-equipped to do. The talent is there, but the defensive staff can’t even f’ing decide what they want to be.
- People should start being VERY concerned that this OL cannot get one yard against a totally outsized Army defense when the game is still in doubt. They got their asses kicked! If OU cannot run consistently against better competition, then this whole offense goes to shit because it is based off run and PA. If teams like WVU and UT can make OU go to 4WR sets and play coverage, then OU will invariably falter on offense.
- we keep hearing about all this new depth on defense but Mike left more or less the same guys out there for 4 quarters despite the fact that many were to gassed to get lined up -much less make plays. Army doesn’t have depth and OU failed miserably to rotate guys through to take advantage of that.
Listen, I know Mike cannot make tackles and Lincoln does not throw blocks, but it is their job to teach them to be fundamentally sound and get them prepared to play against every opponent. The staff failed miserably in that regard and the players, while very talented, were not good enough to overcome the lack of preparation.
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