Defense had a few plays break on them then they start trying to do too much and don't focus on just doing their jobs.
That is how they get out of position and don't play like even an average defense.
I think a lot of this is not having the discipline yet to just focus on doing your individual job versus the temptation to play hero ball.
Plus we are light at Def End. I do see Alfred Collins on the roster at Jack for the Ok State game. I like that move.
I think it's easy to believe in where the offense is headed. Lots of positive signs without dominant (excepting Bijan) personnel.
As long as Sark addresses the defense and is not stubborn (talking about you Tom) and is proactive in doing what needs to be done (adapting PK's system, assistant changes, etc) things seem very promising to me.
That first half was the best football this team has played since the Sugar Bowl. The second half was tough but we are seeing these stretches of elite performance, especially on offense. And this offense has some nice pieces but, outside of Bijan, is not really elite.
Sark clearly demonstrating schematic advantage on offense. Just have to figure out the defense and recruit off the success.
There is a lot of promise here but also work that needs to get done too.
I posted this in the 9.95 thread but I think it belongs here. Sorry dudes.
Do we have the personnel to execute a consistent high level Defense i.e. Georgia? Definitely not.
Do we have the personnel to achieve the results that K State, Tulane, etc did against OU? Yeah I think we do.
There are some things on this defense that no amount of coaching is going to fix without some new recruits.
Yet I think this staff should be able to field an average Big 12 defense with the kids we have.
The gap between this defense and an average Big 12 defensive performance is on this staff IMO.
Just like the gap between our offensive performance and the average Big 12 offensive performance is also on this staff but in a positive way.
Do we have the personnel to execute a consistent high level Defense i.e. Georgia? Definitely not.
Do we have the personnel to achieve the results that K State, Tulane, etc did against OU? Yeah I think we do.
There are some things on this defense that no amount of coaching is going to fix without some new recruits.
Yet I think this staff should be able to field an average Big 12 defense with the kids we have.
The gap between this defense and an average Big 12 defensive performance is on this staff IMO.
Just like the gap between our offensive performance and the average Big 12 offensive performance is also on this staff but in a positive way.
It also puts pressure on our OL to pass block for longer which does not play to their strengths. We just have to work with what we have and overcome. This staff seems capable of that in my opinion.
I think Casey is our best option but there are significant arm strength limitations. Opposing Def Coordinators can chart passes too. However with a generational talent at RB, we still have a lot on the table.
it would have been basically an extra point. I think very few of those are missed so prob 98% chance on that scenario I would think. Nitpicking I know.
Agree that the win showed progress in the program.
I am concerned that teams are going to sell out to stop the run and short passing game and make Thompson and these receivers connect deep consistently.
We are not effectively threatening deep much.
I think Patterson had a solid defensive game plan.
Load the box to stop the run, especially to the right, and sit on the short passing game.
Then for Texas to win, Bijan Robinson has to be amazing or Thompson and the Texas receiving corps have to beat you deep consistently.
Fortunately, Bijan is amazing.
Concerned Thompson is a bit like a slightly enhanced Case McCoy - a solid QB with moxie but some physical arm limitations that shrink the territory the defense has to defend.
Patterson definitely slowed but did not defeat the Sark Express but I think we start seeing that game plan the rest of the way.
Highpoints for me:
1) the 4:00 min drive to ice the game running the ball when they know we were running the ball and rip their froggy heart out
2) fed our playmakers on offense relentlessly
Scipio is hinting at the new strength and conditioning team changes from Yancy McKnight hampering the D line.
Of course, that is an area he thinks he has expertise.
I don't know enough to know.
I was prepared for our OL to be shaky early in the year.
However, I thought the DL would be a clear strength and allow the rest of the defense to play fast and be aggressive.
Our DL has not impressed me so far.
This would be a good game for them to show up as we face an offense with a pulse and multiple dimensions.
Arky was unimpressive beating Rice as well but they found a way to uncork on us.
I am not saying they are world beaters. They do have some pretty good offensive talent and a solid OC.
It's not hard to imagine they might be more inspired playing us than SFA.
Hopefully, we show up early and take the wind out of their sails.
Also, my confidence in our DL is dropping. Need a good pass rush up front in this game.
I think they have some talent in their passing offense and a solid scheme with Cumbie.
They have some offensive weapons.
Hopefully we cruise but I'd take a Tom Herman nail biter special here too.
Tech highlights from last weekend.
Shough had a pretty good stat line - 26/35 for 399 yds and 4TDs
Sonny Cumbie is their new OC.
Should be a different kind of test for our defense.
Agree he underestimated how far away we were from proficiency at inside zone. Pretty puzzling considering the offensive track record of this staff.
I'm guessing it must be pretty key to other things he wants to do to stay with it in the face of poor performance.
Herman was basically the curb stomp approach IMO.
We show up and run our stuff, no matter the opponent, and depend on toughness and culture to win.
It wasn't terrible and it wasn't great either.
Ideally, I think you have a balance between good culture and good schemes to get the highest ceilings.