Everything I know about Oklahoma
First things first — as one of maybe 7 people who didn’t think CU was a threat over the summer, allow me to gloat for one sentence. I never really get to gloat.
Yeah! Told you!
Sorry, that was two sentences. Onto the show:
1. Their scheme on offense is not sophisticated — far from it, in fact. They’ve never run complicated stuff, as least not since Mangino left, they mostly stick with the basics and rely on brute force to make it work. This is why they beat Baylor 200-3 then lose in their bowl games against decent teams.
It’s no different this year. They rely on a very strong (literally) OL to push people around and hold them (literally) in place, allowing Demarco Murray to bounce 70% of the running plays outside for 5 yards. Because everyone on that offense is strong, and everyone blocks, their skill players only have to juke one guy at a time, making them look a lot better than they are.
2. Sam Bradford makes that team go. About 80% of this throws are within 2 inches of perfect, and his WRs get a shit ton of YAC because of it. This, along with the mammoth OL, are what frighten you about OU, because there is no schematic defense against them. We have a good DL, so I’m less worried about their line, but there is no defense against a QB who can thread the needle so often. You kind of have to just get all up in his face like OU, and everyone on Earth, used to do to Chris Simms. It’ll be a waste of time to cover the WRs, you really have to cover the QB.
We need our pass rush to come through in the worst way.
3. We won’t be able to run the zone. Our guards are weak, and their DTs are great. Last year we used a lot of misdirection, and we’ll have to do the same thing this year. Of course, relying on Greg Davis to bust out a ton of misdirection is like having to rely on Matt Stafford to win you a football game. It’s a desperate existence.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, seeing as how we couldn’t even run it against UTEP. Last year we used a draw and a sprint out counter to great effectiveness. I hope they still have the notes from that one.
Other than that I have no idea how to score on OU, because nobody’s done it yet. They are overaggressive and fast again, just like every year, so every play should be playaction or misdirection. They were pretty vanilla in their alignments last year, going almost exclusively with a 6 man front/2 deep shell look. If they gives us that again, we need to be able to run. We don’t have a Jamaal Charles anymore, so someone is going to have to decide that they want to be the man.
4. Their LBs suck. The good news is that Blaine Irby is hurt and our running game makes it easy for LBs. So . . . at least we have that going for us.
I don’t know how we are supposed to take advantage of the LBs in the passing game now, but every play call has to be made with them in mind. On running plays, make them find the ball and don’t let them pursue in straight lines. We won’t win that battle. In the passing game, we just need to really hammer the middle of the field. I don’t know much about this OU secondary, but I know enough to see where the weakness is.
All in all, it’s a game we can win. If we can come that close with the 2007 team, you certainly can’t count us out. Of course, if we keep improving on defense at the same pace, I wouldn’t count out a 17-0 win where we allow -54 yards.
I put it at 65/35 OU right now. It can move closer to 50/50 depending on how well the game is called from the booth. So . . . 65/35.
October 6, 2008 at 6:40 am
Have you seen this play we’ve run a couple of times?
2 OL pull like in the counter but they block for the QB’s direction on the zone-read. Sort of like a QB counter with the RB running into the open space. I don’t know what to make of it.
We ran it with Chiles once against Arkansas and once with Colt against Colorado.
October 6, 2008 at 6:42 am
Weird, I just told someone that I put our chances at about 35-40%.
I have a feeling that Muschamp is going to find a way to get to Bradford early and often. If we can take care of the damn ball on offense and not allow anything stupid on special teams, then I, somewhat, like our chances.
October 6, 2008 at 6:43 am
If I was Venebles I would assign Travis Lewis or Keenan Clayton to spy Colt the whole game. Cut the head off, the body dies. If Colt can’t scramble, who else is going to make one-on-one plays for our offense? It’s not like the spy has to cover a tight end. Easiest paycheck Venebles ever earned.
October 6, 2008 at 6:46 am
4. Their LBs suck.
Please keep thinking that. Clayton and Lewis have 5.5 sacks between them and the trio of LBs has a combined 16.5 TFL.
I don’t know much about this OU secondary, but I know enough to see where the weakness is.
As far as the secondary, Lendy Holmes is a senior and is a sure tackler. Coverage-wise, he takes a play off from time-to-time. Brian Jackson is quickly becoming a shutdown corner on one side and Franks on the other side is pretty damned good himself (5 PBU … he gets thrown at a lot more because people go away from Jackson). The fourth DB is Nic Harris, who needs no introduction (although I’m sure he’d be happy to do so, at full speed).
October 6, 2008 at 6:51 am
Texas’ gameplan last year was obviously intended to exploit the LB’s with Finley (and to a lesser extent, Irby) and it worked very well.
Maybe we can use Ogbonnaya to punish them in pass coverage this game. Although that might mean running the ball with him more, which I’m not confident in.
October 6, 2008 at 6:59 am
I put it at 65/35 OU right now. It can move closer to 50/50 depending on how well the game is called from the booth. So . . . 65/35.
I’m assuming that you’re figuring that Muschamp counts “from the booth,” despite the fact he likes to run up and down the sideline. So figure +10 for Muschamp, and -10 for the Greg, and that puts you back at square one.
October 6, 2008 at 7:10 am
DeMarco Murray is the collegiate version of Reggie Bush in the NFL. He’ll average 3.5 yards per carry, make a good play on a swing pass and then disappear for the rest of the game.
October 6, 2008 at 7:14 am
1. Their scheme on offense is not sophisticated — far from it, in fact. They’ve never run complicated stuff, as least not since Mangino left, they mostly stick with the basics and rely on brute force to make it work. This is why they beat Baylor 200-3 then lose in their bowl games against decent teams.
Mangino left after the 2001 season. OU is 4-2 against Texas since then and a couple of them weren’t really close, so I guess like Baylor, they also usually roll up UT before losing to a decent team in a bowl game.
October 6, 2008 at 7:16 am
Hey, this is pretty tame stuff. Don’t be an asshole.
October 6, 2008 at 7:31 am
Like most most backwoods denizens he doesn’t know when he is being complimented.
October 6, 2008 at 7:38 am
This guy shows up here and on the talk shows from time to time. He’s ultra-sensitive. It’s pretty clear his entire identity is tied up in the fortunes of his football team. Not a surprise for an OU fan. Hate to see what would happen to him if they lose.
October 6, 2008 at 7:40 am
A subtle jab that OU does well against Baylor, then loses to decent teams. I realize that’s probably all you can muster in the way of “compliments” this week, so OK.
October 6, 2008 at 7:48 am
Who is this guy?
October 6, 2008 at 7:54 am
Pondouchebag:
Ooh, a “subtle jab” on a Longhorn blog. The horror.
And if you pay attention, the jabs we routinely give on this site to our team/coaches are not exactly subtle.
October 6, 2008 at 8:04 am
The only opening line I’ve seen is OU -6, so that converts to about -240 on a moneyline, so Vegas is putting the odds of Texas winning at ~41%.
October 6, 2008 at 8:05 am
Guess maybe I’m just ultra-sensitive, but c’mon it’s not like I’m firing off the ball after the whistle and ear-holing Colt while he’s trying to hand the ball to the ref.
Los sientos.
October 6, 2008 at 8:10 am
I think everyone gets a little prickly this week.
October 6, 2008 at 8:21 am
Ponderos, no that’s Granger.
October 6, 2008 at 8:48 am
Wil Muschamp did face Heisman winner Jason White and the Sooners in the 2004 Sugar Bowl.
Hopefully he can repeat that performance.
October 6, 2008 at 8:48 am
Ponderless…Los Sientos means “they are sorry” you dumbass…Lo Siento means “I am sorry”…and you are that indeed…
October 6, 2008 at 8:53 am
Well, I’m flying up to Dallas Saturday morning, and back on Saturday night…I hope I wake up with a happy hangover Sunday!
October 6, 2008 at 9:24 am
…or Monday.
October 6, 2008 at 9:25 am
No alimenta al troll. Que lastima!
October 6, 2008 at 9:37 am
You know I don’t speak Spanish.
October 6, 2008 at 9:38 am
I’m pumped and ready to hit somebody. Put me in coach! OK is better than ok but I still like our chances. The better QB will win this game and both are good. This is whats all about baby!
October 6, 2008 at 9:39 am
hey. HEY!!!!
October 6, 2008 at 9:41 am
Actually, having Davis is -150.
October 6, 2008 at 10:01 am
for fucks sake ponderdouche this about as objective as you are going to read from a horn website so take a fucking hike if you don’t dig it. 20 years ago these dudes crapped out more wit than your entire state has ever seen.
October 6, 2008 at 10:18 am
I would say a fair and balanced critique for the most part.
I only disagree with one aspect:
1. Their scheme on offense is not sophisticated
I have to say that the offensive scheme is rather complicated from the standpoint of the no-huddle. Not that it is difficult to implement…it isnt. However, the personnel that we have makes it a nightmare. I know that I am a total homer on this but I actually do have a basis for my thinking.
Several of our RB can motion into the slot and do regularly. Gresham causes a problem b/c he is an effective blocker and can flex out and do damage (Eldridge a great deal less effective). We can potentially go 5 wide or 4 wide with a back to block or go singleback with two TE’s without ever having to sub (leaving the defense no sub). I think that makes things fairly complicated and difficult to defend. With the flexibility of the personnel, I think the no-huddle is pretty rough.
The only way something like this works is with a QB that is better than decent.
With that said…I agree that Muschamp is going to attempt to get in early and often. If TX hits Bradford hard early, this game can easily go your way. If he stands in untouched or doesnt get lit up hard enough, TX will be exposed and he will make the most of it. I know this isnt rocket surgery, but it is the whole game to me.
October 6, 2008 at 10:30 am
The humor filter seems to be jacked up this week. I dig this site a lot. Coming from a professional writer, the overall writing quality on here is top shelf. Some of you knee-jerk posters make this site a lot of fun.
Just wait … it’s only Monday.
When in Rome.
October 6, 2008 at 10:32 am
Turk,
I hear what you are saying, and your offense does have some things that make them really difficult to defend. But I think the original poster was talking about blocking scheme and misdirection. I don’t think you surprise a lot of people with either of those. Most good schemes are simple. This is OU (I haven’t watched a ton, but from what I can tell). He’s not saying you aren’t effective or multiple, because you are, just that you don’t surprise people.
Hook’em
October 6, 2008 at 11:19 am
Is it too much to ask for some good ole’ American “Golf Prick” story lines/analogies, etc???
I mean come on, Golf Prick is the new Fuck Lion.
October 6, 2008 at 11:33 am
A great deal of this is right on the money. But I have just a few quibbles…
Their LBs suck.
If OU’s LBs suck, help me find the word that describes the bottomless abyss of uselessness and retardation you call the Texas LB corps. Those guys singlehandedly made DeMarco Murray look like a hero. I fully expect them to do the same again this year.
I don’t know much about this OU secondary, but I know enough to see where the weakness is.
If you said the safeties in coverage, you’re correct.
The CBs are shockingly good. As in better than Reggie Smith and Marcus Walker good. Lendy Holmes is decent, but neither him nor Harris is a ball-hawk that should worry you too terribly. Point in fact, you might as well test them. Even if McCoy throws it straight to their fucking hands, they’ll drop it like an advanced mathematics class.
October 6, 2008 at 12:16 pm
I should clarify two things.
1. When I say “suck” I mean “suck” relative to the competition and the rest of the team. Of course OU has better LBs than, say, Baylor or Iowa State.
Saying some average guy “sucks” has got me into a bit of trouble over the years, but it’s habit at this point.
Oh, plus OU sucks. All the time, in all places.
2. It looks like I called the secondary a weakness, but I didn’t. It was very poorly worded. I meant to say that I don’t know much about the secondary, but I have seen enough to know that the DBs are NOT the weakness (relatively!), the LBs are.
When I say I don’t know much, I meant that literally. I’m not qualified to make a judgment here.
October 6, 2008 at 12:17 pm
“Mangino left after the 2001 season. OU is 4-2 against Texas since then and a couple of them weren’t really close, so I guess like Baylor, they also usually roll up UT before losing to a decent team in a bowl game.”
I’m not sure Texas has had 2 good teams in the last 6 years. I’d say we had 1.5, and the .5 came after the OU game that year.
October 6, 2008 at 12:20 pm
“Have you seen this play we’ve run a couple of times?
2 OL pull like in the counter but they block for the QB’s direction on the zone-read. Sort of like a QB counter with the RB running into the open space. I don’t know what to make of it.
We ran it with Chiles once against Arkansas and once with Colt against Colorado.”
Yeah, I like that play, but I don’t know about it either. I’ve never seen it before.
But I fully endorse the use of plays I’ve never seen before. That fact that some guy on the internet has your entire offense pegged is sad. I don’t know everything, even if I act like I do.
October 6, 2008 at 12:35 pm
If OU’s LBs suck, help me find the word that describes the bottomless abyss of uselessness and retardation you call the Texas LB corps. Those guys singlehandedly made DeMarco Murray look like a hero. I fully expect them to do the same again this year.
Two of them graduated (Chef Killebrew, Scott Derry Farmer) and Bobino isn’t starting anymore. If he is on the field, Murray is certainly capable of hurdling him again but it’s more likely Murray will be getting lit up by Muckelroy/Norton/Kindle.
Watch any of those guys yet this year?
This is a much different front 7 than last year in both scheme and personnel.
Texas will be the best LB on the field Saturday (Muck), something we haven’t been able to say for a while.
October 6, 2008 at 12:42 pm
This site needs a hot young co-ed on staff that is paid to edit typos. For a donation to the site we can also get a private chat with video assitance.
Oh the places I could take you …
October 6, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Too bad I am only hot and young.
October 6, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Oh, plus OU sucks. All the time, in all places.
Ok, as long as you’re clear about that, we’re good.
Bobino isn’t starting, Vasher? Might want to let MackBrown-TexasFootball.com know. They seem to think he shares the job with Norton. (Yes, I’m aware Norton is getting more snaps. No, I don’t know how something so logical is happening.)
Kindle is still startlingly unimpressive for his sickening talent level. He’s no better than Jeremy Beal? Who is Jeremy Beal? EXACTLY.
Muckelroy sucks because…who am I kidding? That dude is a friggin monster. He’s the only guy I look to as any sort of concern in the LB corps. The rest will be perfecting their “whip head over shoulder to watch long TD pass to big, fast TE” look.
October 6, 2008 at 1:07 pm
I’m open, coach.
October 6, 2008 at 1:16 pm
looking at the depth chart, everyone is a co starter. watching the games, norton is the starter. you obviously aren’t watching the games if you think Kindle = Beal. gresham is only player that really scares me, i hope he ends his career at 1-2 vs texas. he’s a good.
October 6, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Manny,
Wide open against Baylor, pinche. Not on Sabado.
nate,
Deal. You keep Beal and his zero tackles and we’ll try to remain unimpressed while Kindle fights through LoadHold (no call) and plunders Bradford’s rib cage.
Between not watching Kindle off the edge this year and resorting to MBTF.com to verify Texas’ starters (I’m in the two deep), you’re slipping faster than the DJIA.
October 6, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Hey coach, manny’s covered … I’m open, jefe.
October 6, 2008 at 4:14 pm
“we’ll try to remain unimpressed while Kindle fights through LoadHold”
The only way Kindle will fight through Loadholt is if Phil swallows him and Kindle forces Phil to have a rough bowel movement.
“Between not watching Kindle off the edge this year”
I’ve watched Kindle. He’s looked very good against some of the most exquisitely mediocre OL’s in D1.
Speaking of slipping, I can’t believe you were stupid enough to use ESPN.com as your source. From the NCAA stats site: http://web1.ncaa.org/mfb/2008/Internet/ranking_summary/2008000000522tackles.html
Let me save you the trouble, though.
Kindle,Sergio Solo-13 Assisted-7 Total-20; 3 TFL, 3 Sacks
Beal,Jeremy Solo-7 Assisted-14 Total-21; 3.5 TFL, 1.5 Sacks
You were saying, Vasher?
October 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Kindle has TWICE the number of sacks! TWOFOLD! We win. We win!
Seriously, Kindle has played really well this year. I think you’re underestimating what he provides us.
We don’t give a crap about Jennifer Beal or his baggy shoulder-revealing sweatshirts.
October 6, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Hey coach, our receivers are wide open but Bradford just got wrapped up.
Say, that reminds me, you wanna buy a coat?
October 6, 2008 at 4:32 pm
I’m saying that Sergio Kindle shouldn’t be even remotely comparable to Jeremy Beal. The dude is way too talented. And, yet, what exactly does he provide UT?
A fast, strong edge rusher?
An athlete able to play both OLB and DE?
An athlete able to cover short routes and the flats?
That’s the problem. You have no idea what Beal provides OU. I know exactly what Kindle does for UT. He does the exact same thing Beal does for OU. Beal just does it with less God-given athletic talent.
In other words……thanks, Mad Dog!
October 6, 2008 at 4:33 pm
Does someone want to pull Auston English’s shoe out of my ass?
October 6, 2008 at 5:05 pm
there’s a bunch of dudes with better stats than both of them. comparing stats is meaningless in cfb. Kindle this year is living up to expectations, Orakpo is just getting to everyone first.
October 6, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I liked the stats I found on Beal a lot better. MBTF and ESPN cancel eachother out. We’ll run with the NCAA stats from here on out.
But forget the stats for a minute. Kindle looks better in a uniform.
Check.
And has a cooler name.
Checkmate.
And will have a bigger impact on Saturday than Beal.
Yahtzee!
October 6, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Why do my teams get their asses kicked in BCS Bowl games?
It is a good thing that Snoop Minnis was suspended so I could win a MNC.
October 6, 2008 at 6:58 pm
“The only way Kindle will fight through Loadholt is if Phil swallows him and Kindle forces Phil to have a rough bowel movement.”
OK now that’s funny!
Tira mas un pelo de choncha que una yunta de buyes!
October 6, 2008 at 8:14 pm
“It is a good thing that Snoop Minnis was suspended so I could win a MNC.”
Snoop Minnis wouldn’t have fixed Weinke’s inability to figure out the OU defense.
“MBTF and ESPN cancel each other out.”
I don’t entirely agree with this since MBTF is the site that I got linked to by going to the official site of Texas Athletics, but I’m an outsider on that one. Thus, I defer to your judgment.
Having said that, I agree that Kindle is the better athlete and has the cooler name. I just haven’t seen him do enough for him to merit any more attention than you all give to Beal. Simply put, you’re more worried about McCoy and English, and I’m more worried about Miller and Orakpo. It’s not about disrespect, it’s about having bigger fish to fry.
October 7, 2008 at 7:24 am
Not a UT fan, but I can’t stand OU.
Their line may be big, but OU is susceptable to beating themselves with dumb penalties on offense. Againgst a stronger faster D Line than they have faced to date, I expect they will kill at least 3 of their own drives by tackling the DE. Which is always fun because I really want to see what happens when golf prick’s head explodes.
Cincinnati’s passing game made OU’s secondary look pedestrian. Had Cinci not beat themselves, they might have pulled out the upset.
The fear of McCoy scrambling should keep the LB’s home and open up the underneath routes. The question will then be can Texas score touchdowns, or will they be settling for a lot of field goals. OU’s running game is good enough that they will be dangerous in the red zone. Texas can’t afford to trade FGs for TDs.
October 7, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Their line may be big, but OU is susceptable to beating themselves with dumb penalties on offense.
This is suprisingly true and problematic. While they have been good at eliminating stupid penalties early on…it hasnt been against a quality opponent away from home.
October 7, 2008 at 3:41 pm
“The only way Kindle will fight through Loadholt is if Phil swallows him and Kindle forces Phil to have a rough bowel movement.”
I started to say the same thing…….Then I remembered some guy for WVU named Dingle……
December 26, 2008 at 8:40 pm
LOadholt did more than have a bowel movement….he dropped a whole load