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OU Personnel: These Guys Can Play

Posted by dedfischer on November 19th, 2008 under Football

Our weekly installment of a scouting report on OU personnel.  Once again, I’ve tried to remain as objective as possibly in relaying to you the players that would be starting or logging significant minutes as Tech, so you have some sort of ground zero for calibration of talent:

Offense 

#14 Sam Bradford, QB - Kind of a no shit listing as most of you are aware of him.  I’m glad a Big 12 QB has finally stepped up and dethroaned Josh Freeman as the top NFL prospect at the position in this league.  Bradford deserves it and is much improved in his reads this season.  He can beat your ass, if you can’t get pressure on him, and only then, will it slow him down.  Leach offered him, so that’s all you need to know about how he would perform at Tech.  He would probably be backing up Harrell due to his age at this point, but he’s good enough to start.

#7 Demarco Murray, RB - Uber fast, but doesn’t make as many guys miss as you would think.  More of a slashing, north/south runner.  If you can contain him to the LB level, you should be able to keep him from hurting you too bad.  I fear him more in open space as a receiver out of the backfield.  If he can get by a safety in the flats, then he’s got homerun speed.  Preventative maintenance with spy on passing downs would be the best solution.  LBs and safeties must close space quickly while the ball is still in the air before gets turned up field.  I think Leach would use him as a WR out of the backfield and screen plays.  He’s stronger and faster than Shannon Woods, but not as physical as Baron Batch.  Tough call on the starter, but he would be an important cog in the rotation.

#29 Chris Brown, RB - He’s a more physical, stocky guy, who breaks more tackles.  Brown doesn’t have near the speed of Murray, but he can grind it out on a more consistent basis.  Later in the game, those tackle attempts by LBs start to slide off his thigh pads.  Brown just doesn’t seem like the type of back that would do well in Tech’s system.  Woods probably wouldn’t see much time at OU and Brown wouldn’t see much at Tech.

#9 Juaquin Iglesias, WR – He’s the Sooners’ WR version of Joe Garcia.  I’m not sure, if he’s a white, black, or hispanic guy, but his name would seem to indicate the Pope is on his team.  He might be good enough to play a few years in the NFL as a slot receiver, but I don’t think he’s as dangerous after the catch as Mark Clayton.  I would like to compare his performance against a comparable secondary, but this is probably the best unit OU has faced.  The Texas unit will be fine with time, but they’re greener than goose shit at safety and sometimes corner as well.  I’m sure someone will point to the damage against TCU’s unit as an example, but I’m not quite buying it.  Jamar Wall will match up fine with him as he did Shipley and Bryant.

#1 Manuel Johnson, WR – He’s a guy that can give Tech a lot of trouble (see 2007 game), if not being defended by Wall.  Interesting to see L.A. Reed get the majority of snaps at right corner for Tech during the OSU game after Nickerson got exposed against by UT’s Malcolm Williams.  Not sure what we’ll do here, but my hope is for a sack.  I’m sure he and Iglesias will get us for a long TD or two.  Leach offered both of them, and they’re good enough to start in front of everyone but Crabtree and possibly Britton.  However, each has better hands than the former RB.   At a minimum, they would be starting as slot receivers given their experience. 

#85 Ryan Broyles/#84 Quentin Chaney – Broyles is a former blue chip and Leach offered both.  Broyles has started to impress of late and is exactly the kind of player that can do damage to the Tech defense from the slot position.  Chaney doesn’t seem quite as fast, but he’s a bigger, physical guy at 6′5″ and serves as more of a role player.  If OU wins this game big, check the box score to see if Broyles had a big night.  They would be in the 2nd rotation with Lewis, Morris, Swindall, and Leong.  Good enough to give you problems, if you ignore them, or don’t adjust to mismatches created against LBs or big safeties.

#18 Jermaine Gresham – Or this guy.  Gresham is 6′6″, 260 lbs and can run as well as any guy that size I can remember.  He’s not the dominant blocker in the run game that Pettigrew is, but he’s not too shabby either.  His specialty is receiving as evidenced by his 15 yard per reception average and 9 TDs.  Similar to OSU, it’s a pick your poison scenario and I’m betting the Tech coaches defend him in the same manner as Pettigrew.  McNeill most likely will focus deep help on the outside receivers and take their chances with Bront Bird or Daniel Charbonnet on a TE with mixed results.  McBath neutralized any damage Pettigrew inflicted by forcing him to fumble on a nice play.  I’ll hope for the same.  He can play anywhere and will have a bright future in the NFL.

#50 Jon Cooper, C - He’s the best player on the OU OL, and I think he’ll actually have a decent shot to play in the pros.  Cooper could possibly play longer than the more highly touted Loadholt and Robinson.  Cooper would start for almost any team in the country, including Tech.

#79 Phil Loadholt, LT/#72 Duke Robinson, LG - Both are fairly talented players, but suffer from bouts of inconsistency.  Loadholt is not quite the drive blocker that people believe.  Robinson has more talent, but seems to get frustrated at times.  It’s mostly a head thing with these guys, and if you can stonewall them for the first quarter and a half in the run game, it should pay dividends with regards to their efforts at drive blocking for the remainder of the game.  Sacks given up by these two are typically from lack of effort plays, but if you can string 8-10 good snaps in a row out of them, they’re more than capable of guiding an offense down the field or allowing for some deep shots.  I don’t think either one of these guys would start over Reed or Vasquez as the Tech duo is more consistent.  Robinson is a little better drive blocker than Vasquez, but not as good in pass protection.  Reed and Vasquez were significantly more effective against the Texas DL, especially in the run game, which is bizarre to me as well, but that’s how it played out.

#71 Trent Williams, RT/#73 Brandon Walker, RG – I wish I had a chance to see a little more of these guys, but somehow the TX/OU has vanished from my DVR in lieu of The Hills or Girls Next Door, dropping my analysis to a “you know how I know you’re gay” level.  I’m guessing they’re somewhere between 2008 OSU and Texas quality, and being closer to OSU, which makes them quality starters.  Since I feel the right side of the Tech OL is a little better than the left in terms of versatility, it would be hard to replace a couple of guys in Carter and Winn, who have been the cornerstone to the Red Raider run game’s return to respectability.  Winn is the most talented of the bunch, and Walker’s a smaller, more mobile guy that could have some trouble against guys of similar stature with quickness and power, like Whitlock, Henley or Jones.  Carter is a better fit for Tech’s mauling style in the run game.

Summary 

At the offensive skill positions, I consider Bradford, Iglesias, Johnson, Murray and Gresham as guys, who could start at Tech or of equal talent to starters given identical coaching.  Up front, only Cooper would be guaranteed a starting spot on the Tech unit.  The OU OL is just good enough to run the ball a little against a team with a DL the caliber of Tech’s, but not good enough to control the clock and string together sustained drives over the course of 4 quarters.  I expect similar results as the 2007 game with OU eclisping the 100 yard mark as a team, but needing near the 30 carry number to get there.  Stoops has seen film of the UT and OSU games and is aware a simple plan of pounded the ball into the middle of the Tech defense should be  backed with an alternative option of running 4 wide sets.  I don’t think OC Kevin Wilson will stay in an I formation with a TE past the 14-0 mark at the end of the first quarter.  If he’s wise, he’ll come out with a 4 wide set and guns ablazing and use the pass to set up the run later in the game.  Tech’s 4-3 schematics matches up with OU’s base I formation better than any other team they see year in and year out.  Given the way the Tech defense has played them recently in years with limited talent, I don’t see Stoops being foolish about establishing the run early, if it’s not clicking.  OU and Florida are the only two teams I’ve seen with the ball distribution required to score over 4 quarters against Tech.  It gets back to that whole being just good enough on defense to take away your 2 or 3 best options.  Bradford will need to get his role players involved early in the game to open things up for the running game and the outside receivers for big plays.  Whoever can get more pressure on the opposing teams’ QB will most likely win this game.

Defense

#93 Gerald McCoy, DT - I’ve seen him lined up at NG and as a 3 technique outside the guard in a more traditional DT position.  He’s the one guy of most concern on this unit as inside pressure to a shotgun spread offense causes just as many problems as it does the veer or option game.  McCoy has 6 sacks on the season and is arguably more skilled than Mark Cuban at using inside tools for positive outcomes.  Matt Moore will likely being rolling the double team to McCoy regardless of alignment unless running away from him.  He would start anywhere, will be a high draft pick, and poses as the most dangerous threat to Tech’s continuity on offense.

#96 Demarcus Granger/#86 Adrian Taylor/#97 Cory Bennett, DT - Granger has shown flashes of brilliance, but none are as good as Colby Whitlock.  Very similar in effectiveness to Rajon Henley and Richard Jones.  They make routine plays, and from time to time exploit physical mismatches.  Granger has the most potential, and Jones has been playing the most consistent.  They’re all a wash.

#28 Travis Lewis, LB -  The OU LBs haven’t looked like OU LBs to me this season, even when Reynolds was in ths lineup.  Lewis is the best of the bunch as a redshirt freshman and will be a future star in this league.  He would most definitely be seeing playing time at OLB for Tech.  He’s got good size and outstanding speed.  In the games I’ve watched, Lewis likes to attack the line of scrimmage, which limits him to a 1 gap player at this point in his career.  Blitzing is where he can do the most damage in this game, as the LBs Stoops rolls out will all be somewhat of a liability in the passing game.  I expect Lewis & Co. to be well versed on screens and shuttle passes.

#2 Brian Jackson/#15 Dominique Franks - One of these two guys would be starting at Tech, no doubt.  I think they’re the best CB duo in the Big 12, and to convey some sort of objectivity, I’ll had the obligatory “hands down” level for Sooner fans.  Seriously, they’re pretty good and Jackson appeared to be the better of the two early in the season.  Franks has been coming on as of late.  And because of this, I think Leach will be trying to inflict most of his damage in the middle of the field.  Jackson and Franks will be well versed on the WR hitch screens and I’m sure there’s something we do that tips our hand.  Outside of Crabtree, we won’t be out-athleting these two guys.  They’ll be overly aggressive on a few plays per game and it will be key for Britton to hang onto the ball when his opportunity arises.  Someone told me one time that Crabtree was a QB in high school. 

#5 Nic Harris – I’m not sure how Sooner fans feel about Harris.  He passes the eyeball test.  He has good speed for a LB.  Not quite as physical as his 6′3″, 230 lb frame would indicate, and his hips are too stiff to turn and run with WRs.  Harris plays one of the deep safety positions for OU and I’m not sure he could unseat McBath or Charbonnet as he just doesn’t make as many plays.  Harris would be a great safety in 1988 playing against the Nebraska option game.  Unfortunately for the Sooners, he’ll serve as mostly a liability in this game, unless he’s able to collide with a Tech player and cause a fumble. 

#11 Lendy Holmes, S – Sooner fans have convinced me and I think they’re right when viewing Holmes as a CB.  He could start on the right side and as our deep safety in lieu of Hines in our dime package.  Great athlete, who after having more balls pass by his face than Clay Aiken, will have a good shot in the pros, especially if he can contribute early on special teams.

Summary

Defensively, McCoy, Lewis, and Jackson or Franks would all be upgrades to current Tech starters.  Injuries have depleted the DE and LB positions.  Granger would see time in the Jones/Henley rotation.  For the first time I can remember, Tech has the best LB in this game with Brian Duncan.   That seems crazy to me, but that’s how it’s played out this season.  McBath and Charbonnet have been making more plays this season than their Sooner counterparts.  The OU CBs most likely have NFL talent.  Average running teams have enjoyed success on the ground against OU defense this year, and it’s mostly due to youth, experience, and the fact that they will play the run with an honest front at all costs.  The LBs and safeties resemble Marv Albert sitting next to a woman he just can’t resist in playaction scenarios.  They bite.  If you can block McCoy & company up front, there should be some gratuitious opportunities for big plays down the field.  

Also, see my Trench Warfare breakdown.

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35 Responses

  1. Boomer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 7:38 am

    Good write up. Couple of comments – I think Broyles is actually OU’s most dangerous WR and has speed and open field skills similar to Mark Clayton. Iglesias and Johnson are Seniors and have more catches but don’t have the raw talent of Broyles. All 3 would fit nicely into the Tech system.

    Trent Williams is probably OU’s best OL (or at least 2nd best to Cooper).

    Demarco Murray is a damn good RB who is surprisingly more physical than any OU fan probably expected. however, I have to disagree with the contention that he has break away speed right now. Ever since his kneecap dislocation (occurred on the onside kick against Tech last year), he just hasn’t seem quite the same. He has been running much better the last few weeks, but he had 2 runs of over 50 yards against A&M last game and was run down by average safeties. That wouldn’t have happened in 2007.

    One player not mentioned is Lendy Holmes, who I think she always be mentioned ahead of Harris when discussing OU safeties. The dude is a burner who just flat out makes plays and creates turnovers and I think he would challenge for the starting Safety or a CB position at Tech.

  2. Boomer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 7:42 am

    one more thing, English and Beal would definitely be in the mix at DE at Tech. Williams would be one started and wouldn’t be surprised to see one of these guys opposite of him.

  3. Pope Benedict XVI said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 7:44 am

    Thou shall not take sides

  4. Marv said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 7:48 am

    YEESS!

  5. dedfischer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 7:48 am

    “Iglesias and Johnson are Seniors and have more catches but don’t have the raw talent of Broyles.”

    I’ve noticed this trend as of late and have noted his presence accordingly in the box score, if OU wins big.

    “Trent Williams is probably OU’s best OL (or at least 2nd best to Cooper).”

    I think Williams is a fine player, but Tech’s weakness is not at right tackle. It’s at center, where McCoy should factor in from the NG position.

    “Demarco Murray is a damn good RB who is surprisingly more physical than any OU fan probably expected.”

    I agree with this assertion, and I mentioned on RP how I think Murray doesn’t always do a good job of setting up his blockers. He sometimes tries to force things a little too much and therefore, just ends up running into a pile of people. To his credit, the pile moves forward, but I think he needs more patience.

    “One player not mentioned is Lendy Holmes, who I think he always be mentioned ahead of Harris when discussing OU safeties.”

    You probably know more about this situation than I do, so I’ll take your word on it. I’ve thought at times, Harris has been a huge liability in coverage and has trouble moving his hips to tackle small, quick guys in the open field. Holmes would most likely be starting at the right corner position at Tech, if he wasn’t catching 70 balls a year on the other side. He would play somewhere on our roster.

  6. NM99 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 7:51 am

    I’m assuming OU rolls with a nickel set. Assuming they double Crabtree and that Harris can’t keep up, who will help out Jackson/Franks?

  7. dedfischer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 7:58 am

    “one more thing, English and Beal would definitely be in the mix at DE at Tech”

    English hasn’t looked the same to me since he broke his leg. Before that, I think he starts at any program in the country as his first step was second to none. Now, that he has to rely more on technique to gain leverage versus quickness, English seems to give up a little too much size in the run game against Big 12 tackles. Williams is now quicker and Dixon is a better version of what English has become. However, English and Beal would be the first guys off the bench and see much more playing time than our current “depth”. They’re both much better players than Ratliff, who has started several games for us, so yeah, they would definitely be in the mix. I’ve felt the reason teams have had more success in the running game against OU this season is because your DEs have been easy for OTs to kick out, teams are doubling down on your 1 technique, throwing in a wrinkle of misdirection or delay by a RB, your LBs careen into the concession stand, and the RB is 10 yards downfield before he confronts his first defender. I’ve even seen some occasions where teams simply chip block Beal with an OT and then release straight down on a LB. This is a problem in playing sound run defense, especially if you’re going to play it with an honest front like Stoops does. You have to be solid run defenders at every position up front and you can’t have the offense blocking two of your guys with one of theirs (see Kindle, Sergio). That’s why I think your young LBs have been struggling at times. They’re having to “pick” gaps versus flow due to the consequences of being earholed by OTs running free. Your DTs are fine, so that only leaves your DEs.

  8. dedfischer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 8:17 am

    I also should add that I think Stoops is aware of the situation and is shooting gaps with his LBs more this season versus giving them a bunch of complicated reads. Which is a good idea and very effective against teams with bad OL play, i.e. KSU and A&M. However, teams with good coaching and decent OL play (UT at times, Kansas, Nebraska, Tech, OSU) will be able to run the ball on you some. It’s a double edged sword created by injury and an infusion of youth at LB. I think Stoops is doing it right by trying to stop plays behind the line as it plays in tempo with your offense this season, which is not quite the dominant run blocking force they are made out to be. Stoops knows he’s going to have to air it out against Tech and so he’s playing high risk, high reward football and pummeling teams that OU still has outclassed on the DL. I don’t think Texas or Tech are those kind of teams, and I think Stoops has a tremendous challenge in front of him.

  9. pickup18 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 8:42 am

    Dedfischer – good stuff again – pretty spot on.

    My .02 from a Sooner perspective would be as follows. I don’t know how much Manny Johnson is going to factor in this game at all – his arm injury against KS has proved to be a tough one to recover from and when he has played with the massive arm brace he has been pretty ineffective. You’re more likely to see more Chaney and Broyles along with Iglesias as the WR’s. Personally, I think Broyles is the guy most equipped to hurt you guys in the slot as Wall will most likely neutralize Iglesias to a point. But Juaquin always gets his touches, he is a great route runner with OK speed but tough as well and will make the tough grab over the middle.

    If Gresham will concentrate and not have his customary 2 drops per game he will have a good day to the tune of 1-2 td’s. I really have a feeling that OU will be able to run the ball in this game somewhat. Murray is a different RB now than he was early (like in the TX game)and Chris Brown is a hell of a compliment and probably the smarter back. Our OL’s manhood was challenged earlier in the year after the pathetic displays against TCU and TX and they have responded. Which brings us to the point that we have not played anyone since the TX game. True – but both OU and Tech had the same north schedule and since we play TX so early in the season we are just starting our mini “gauntlet” as you are finishing yours – your prediction of over 100 yards total rushing but taking about 30 carries may be correct. If so I think advantage Tech, but if we start to get to that 5-6 yard per carry average look out.

    With that said…. – “I don’t think OC Kevin Wilson will stay in an I formation with a TE past the 14-0 mark at the end of the first quarter. If he’s wise, he’ll come out with a 4 wide set and guns ablazing and use the pass to set up the run later in the game.”

    This is exactly what will happen – this has been OU’s MO all year especially at home, they will come out firing and try to put teams away early. This team has scored in the neighborhood of 240 points in the 1st qtr this year, while give up 30 something but we have had somewhat of a 2nd quarter swoon, letting off the gas and letting some teams back in briefly..

    With that said…as an OU fan I do have a legitimate concern of this team’s ability to execute at that “1st quarter level” against a quality team for all 4 quarters. Outside of TX we simply haven’t had to do it all year, and we lost the 1 game where we needed to. The homefield is our X factor here (even though Stoops called out the OU fans yesterday – don’t know if you saw that)and we usually come up with the plays at home.

  10. dedfischer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 9:07 am

    Thanks for coming by. You guys have been a pleasure have around. My biggest concern as an OU fan would be adjusting to the speed of the game. The problem with pounding on inferior talent is that you develop a false sense of security before facing adverse situations. There’s 4 good football teams in the South, UT, Tech, OU & OSU. Tech just finished playing two of them. OU hasn’t played one of those teams in a month and a half. They find out things like, “holy shit, Brandon Williams is faster than Michael Bennett!” about mid-way through the first quarter. Texas stayed in the game with some solid DL pressure early in the game, and thanks to a turnover and a dropped pass, only found themselves down 22-6 at half. They adjusted, didn’t let things get away from them, and got back in the game with a big special teams play and long TD pass. OSU didn’t adjust and didn’t get any big plays and found themselves down by 4 TDs early in the 4th. We’ll see how OU responds. Or Tech, but for some reason, I’m not as concerned about playing from 2 TDs behind. I think Tech would have a much easier time closing that gap than OU as the game wears on and the speed of the Tech DL starts to get to Bradford. Vice versa, your current DE depth issues may hurt you on the other side of the ball. If you can run the ball successfully, you will rightfully kick our ass. I’m just very skeptical of your OL against a good front. UT has more speed, but you’ll be surprised out how few running lanes open up with McNeill’s more technical unit.

  11. Boomer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 9:21 am

    “This is exactly what will happen – this has been OU’s MO all year especially at home, they will come out firing and try to put teams away early. This team has scored in the neighborhood of 240 points in the 1st qtr this year, while give up 30 something but we have had somewhat of a 2nd quarter swoon, letting off the gas and letting some teams back in briefly..”

    Agree. And the foot starts coming off the gas on Kickoff retunrs, which usually leads to an easy 7 points.

  12. NM99 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 9:23 am

    Looking at the stat lines, OU is largely able to put up lots of points because the pace of their game allows the offense to get more opportunities(18 possessions per game in conference). Tech is scoring almost as many points on 14 possessions per game. The way I break it out, in conference OU has scored 2.92 points/possession and allowed 1.71. Tech has scored 3.50 points/possession and allowed 1.87.

    The only difference in conference play to date is that OU played Baylor and Tech played OSU. The other 5 matchups are the same.

    Based on straight numbers, this seems to give Tech about a 3 point edge. Factoring in the Baylor vs. OSU gave, it may be more like 7 points. I think that lines up pretty well with ded’s trench score card prediction from a few days ago.

  13. Tyler H said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 9:35 am

    On Chris Brown…do you think he is kind of the model Aaron Crawford will end up being in a year or two? To me he always seemed the guy that was going to just run straight at you and see if he could push you back a yard or two.

    And if so, do you think Crawford was used last year simply because we were out of bodies and won’t get much time from here on out? I figure he will definitely be behind Batch and probably Jeffers next season, but I assumed he’d get a decent amount of snaps.

  14. dedfischer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 9:38 am

    I think OU’s best chance of winning is to line up and throw it every down until you’re comfortable with a lead. You can’t afford 2 series of getting 3 and outs early in this games by testing your grit against the middle of the Tech defense. That’s not where they are weak. Don’t test Tech’s top end talent because, surprisingly this season, it’s as good as yours. Test the guys further down the roster like Brent Nickerson or Marlon Williams with isolation plays in coverage. Get the Tech pass rush coming up field, then try your screen and draw game. OU can definitely move the ball on the Tech defense, the coaching staff just needs to make sure they have a sound gameplan in case option #1 doesn’t pan out. Stoops doesn’t get behind very often, but this Tech defense is very similar in ability to the WVU unit from January. I think the UT defense was faster on the DL, but Mike Gundy will tell you that both are equally adept at stopping the run. The experienced Tech safeties won’t give up as many big plays as the Texas unit did. Especially, if Tech can get to their dime package on obvious passing downs. This is where WVU was able to hurt OU and the Tech front looks very similar to that unit when Daniel Howard comes in the game, and McNeill starts bringing pressure from different areas. I don’t think the OU OL is short on talent, but they have lacked focus at times and will give up sacks to speed players through gaps.

  15. RRR said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 9:56 am

    I’m expecting some early OU success against Ruff’s ‘I dare you to execute’ strategy. I’m remembering that KSU, A&M, and KU all had success in the first quarter running their favorite plays against base 4-3 personnel. OU is head and shoulders above those units, so I’d expect Broyles, Iglesius, and Gresham to be open, Bradford will find them, he’ll be accurate (unlike KSU), and they’ll catch it (unlike UT).

    My prediction is that we go into halftime something like 21-17 in favor of OU. As the second half becomes a battle of offensive execution, I think it favors Tech, but one thing we haven’t seen much from Tech this year is the crazy momentum changing turnover. The batted pass intercepted for pick 6 or some such shit. However, this team has overcome some painful momentum swings:
    1. Swindall at the end of the first half in College Station.
    2. Nebraska fake FG for TD.
    3. Jordan Shipley-puke.
    4. Malcom Williams.
    5. Harrell first possession against OSU.

    Can they do it on the road with everything on the table? Well, that’s what defines championship teams.

  16. pickup18 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 10:01 am

    Stat lines can be deceiving when looking at OU this year because most of these games have been out of hand in the 2nd half and by the 4th quarter we are handing it off every play. I agree with Dedfischer that OU needs to line it up very agressive and throw it all over the place and try to get a lead. That’s really the only way we know how to play. It keeps being said that OU hasn’t seen what Tech is going to bring on defense but Tech’s defense hasn’t seen the likes of what OU is going to throw out there on offense either. I’m sorry TX is a dink and dunk team with a simple if not non existent running philosophy. At the time they played Tech they had 2 receiving weapons and a bunch of ordinary at RB (thus McCoy being their leading rusher all year). Cosby got hit in the mouth and pussed out and Shipley had the drops letting Tech build a big lead. I realize their other guy stepped up late in that game but really their available weapons pale in comparison to what OU has. OSU – if you stop the run against them you win the game, force Robinson to make throws outside of jump balls to Bryant and you get 56-20. The downfield shots that Bradford will take early and often will be a big test for the Tech secondary.

    The special teams crap is a huge concern, I don’t talk about it because I don’t want to think about it but it will bite us somewhere in this game – it has been a factor in every game so I don’t see how you can say it won’t – from an OU perspective you just have to hope it doesn’t cost you the game..

  17. dedfischer said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 10:12 am

    I think you’ve got a pretty good handle on things pickup. I think this could be the game of the year as I think OU is one of two teams that can score with Tech, the other being Florida. The Texas offense certainly wasn’t very threatening at the time and resorted to pre-Vince era. If the OU OL can keep Bradford clean, then the team with the ball last wins.

  18. Quan Cosby said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 10:13 am

    “Cosby got hit in the mouth and pussed out”

    Hey there – I hurt my back on the first play. I’d hit you in the mouth if we were face to face.

  19. Malcolm Kelly said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 10:22 am

    “You can’t afford 2 series of getting 3 and outs early in this games by testing your grit against the middle of the Tech defense.”

    Being stubborn is a prerequisite to being a coordinator at OU. Saw it all the time when I was there. While I hope Wilson uses the pass to set up the run, I fully expect a couple of series where Murray/Brown run into the backs of those soft lineman for 2 plays, followed up by an incompletion on 3rd and long. It’s what we do. My moto is “Just give me the damn ball’. That’s why I split to showcase my talent in the league.

  20. Malcolm Kelly said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 10:23 am

    and yes, I know what prerequisite means

  21. pickup18 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 10:24 am

    Quan – mouth/back – whatever – good thing your QB is tougher than you are. You looked pretty good against Baylor a week later..

    Dedfischer – absolutely agree, should be game of the year. Agree on Florida, from what I’ve seen Tech or OU are the only teams that could hang with them because of the comparable skill position talent. What a matchup either of those would be. Either way, may the best team win and if it’s Tech, go win it all – I’ve always loved Leach – the guy is a genius and flat out makes me laugh.

  22. Clay Aiken said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 11:51 am

    Anybody got a spare ticket? If Crabtree can snatch balls out of the air, I know I can get a few too. I was snatching them long before he became a receiver.

  23. NM99 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 11:58 am

    MK -

    To counter, Tech will try to run the ball with Woods on 3rd and 2, only to loose a yard. Will Leach go for it on 4th down? I’ve given up trying to figure that out.

    pickup-

    Point taken on the stat lines. The same can be said about the Tech D which has tended to let off the gas too early once Tech is ahead by 2-3 TDs.

    To me the question for the Tech D is can you stop a team that can both pass AND run, not just one or the other. The follow-up is, if Tech has to pick their poison, do they overload the run and force Bradford to beat them with his arm, or try and defend the pass and force OU to try and beat you between the tackles. I think I prefer the latter.

  24. RRR said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 12:20 pm

    ‘The follow-up is, if Tech has to pick their poison, do they overload the run and force Bradford to beat them with his arm, or try and defend the pass and force OU to try and beat you between the tackles. I think I prefer the latter.’

    You’ll get the latter. We’ll play an honest front just like we’ve been doing, and try to limit the OU rushing attack with our front 7. A calm, accurate Bradford with receivers that actually catch the ball should be able to move down the field. And OU’s been proven tough to stop in the red zone.

    I’m hoping for some possessions like the one Malcolm Kelly described, and I’m hoping McBath or Charb are good for baiting at least one pick out of Bradford. We’ve gone three straight games with one of them getting a pick.

  25. NM99 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    RRR –

    For Tech, I wouldn’t consider keeping 7 in the box defending the pass. I was thinking something more along the lines of the 3 man front we used against Texas or a 4-2-5, man-under.

  26. RRR said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    Agreed NM99,

    OU formation will pull an LB (Bird) out of the box on most downs, and then we’ll bring in Rowland/Hines and go with the 4-2-5 you mentioned. I probably should have said front 6 because most of UT/OSU looked like our front four plus Duncan/Marlon trying to stop the run, and being generally successful.

    We’ll see the 3-DL group with Howard on 2nd or 3rd and long, and then if we get a decent lead you might see it continually.

  27. pickup18 said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 1:37 pm

    I expect both teams to probably utilize the 4-2-5 predominantly in this game. It’s what OU has traditionally done with Tech. The extra safety will be Quinton Carter who is servicable. The question this year is which linebacker comes out. Clayton and Lewis are our most athletic LB’s in pass coverage so Box would come out, but then that leaves us vulnerable in the middle unless Lewis slides over there. That is probably what they will do but we shall see.

    There was some talk earlier about how OU fans feel about Nic Harris. My feeling is this – he has been a soldier for us for the better part of 4 years, he is strong, athletic and big for his position – he has been a real strength of this secondary all along until at times this year. I think he is a fairly heady player and thus gets caught thinking a little too much sometimes instead of reacting thus causing him to have some mental breakdowns allowing big plays and a pretty well publicized bust up with the coaches during the Nebraska game. I think he will have to have a good game with no breakdowns in this one in his last game at home as a Sooner.

  28. RRR said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 1:43 pm

    One other thing that’s crossed my mind is how much the bye-week might have helped us getting healthy. I’m sure OU had some players banged up as well, but I’m glad Nickerson/Wall/Crabtree/Batch had a week to rest.

    Also, the extra week of practice should have helped our depth. Reed needs all he can get, and Sharp/Perry are starting to become players in this system. A big pass rush in the 4th quarter from one of those two might get that last stop we need to win this game.

  29. The Tortilla Retort » Blog Archive » Oklahoma Prediction said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 1:48 pm

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  30. Mark Cuban said:

    November 19th, 2008 at 5:28 pm

    That’s cold, broseph

  31. lawdog13 said:

    November 20th, 2008 at 6:15 am

    I am sitting here thinking that it took you guys a last minute miracle to beat Texas in the biggest game in the history of your school before 50,000 extremely jacked up and drunken fans. Frankly, I think your win over OSU was more impressive. I’m not going to be ready to jump on this bandwagon unless and until you weather the opposite scenario. I think the Sooners jump on you early and win going away.

  32. dedfischer said:

    November 20th, 2008 at 7:37 am

    A possibility lawdog. However, I disagree with how the win over Texas and OSU should be viewed. Everyone seems to focus that it took a last second miracle at home to bail us out. Yet, nobody seems to focus on the fact that we handled them physically on both sides of the ball up front and they were very fortunate to be in the position they were given the poor execution by some of our skill players. Our defense held them to 23 points. We fumbled twice against OSU, which is about 3 or 4 fewer mistakes than we made on offense against Texas. On defense, we replaced some personnel to prevent the deep ball to #2 receivers and tightened our ST coverage units. The result was no different physically except UT had a better DL, while OSU had a better OL, but the score was 56-20. We’re a hard team to beat, if our skill players execute on offense, and the OU defense hasn’t been able to contain a lot shittier offenses than Tech. OU can still beat us, but I don’t think they can blow us out. On the other hand, OU hasn’t been hit in the mouth by anyone since the Texas game, one in which they folded like a cheap tent mid-3rd quarter. The hardest thing Texas and OSU had adjusting to against Tech is that when they hit us in the mouth, we turned around and hit them harder back. We’ll see how OU responds and the motor of Loadholt and company will be tested to a degree they haven’t experienced since the Texas game. Maybe they’ve grown up any by beating on shitty North teams. The OU DL? As a Tech fan, I am always nervous when facing a team with a good OL and then finding out we’re rolling with backups. OU fans don’t seem to be bothered by this scenario too much, but I think there is reason for concern against a Tech OL that’s playing as well as any unit in the country right now.

  33. pickup18 said:

    November 20th, 2008 at 7:59 am

    Here’s an OU fan that is concerned with the DL situation – not because of the 2 guys that are starting, I think Beal and Alexander will be fine, but OU likes to rotate and bringing in 2 guys that haven’t done it before is concerning. You don’t lose a player the caliber of English and not have some drop off – although he doesn’t seem as explosive as last year before his various injuries. With that said it’s the ends that are the concern – the middle should be full strength with Granger probably being healthiest since before his injury.

    Also, as mentioned can this OU team execute at a high level on both sides of the ball for 4 qtrs because they flat out have not had to do that all year outside of 1 game.

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