Viva The Matadors - Oklahoma Sooners vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders | PreviewTHE Site For All Red Raider Sports Fans!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50015/vtm-fav.png2012-10-07T05:44:48-05:00http://www.vivathematadors.com/rss/stream/32023612012-10-07T05:44:48-05:002012-10-07T05:44:48-05:00Oklahoma Throttles Texas Tech | Post Game Thoughts
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<figcaption>Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Post Game Thoughts on the Oklahoma Sooners, throttling of the Texas Tech Red Raiders.</p> <hr color="#cc0000" size="1" width="100%">
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<p><b>Oklahoma 41, Texas Tech 20 |</b> <a target="newwindow" href="http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/stats/2012-2013/ttu05.html"><font color="cc0000">Box Score</font></a> | <a target="newwindow" href="http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/100612aac.html"><font color="cc0000">Quotes</font></a> | <a target="newwindow" href="http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/100612aae.html"><font color="cc0000">Notes</font></a></p>
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<div class="pullquote" style="border-left: 2px solid #c2c2c2; margin: 10px 5px 10px 20px; padding: 5px 0px 5px 15px; float: right; width: 250px; font-size: 135%; text-align: right; line-height: 150%; font-weight: 600;">We knew we had all kinds of problems protecting because he was getting hit quite a bit. But we gave up those two third down and longs for touchdowns in the first half. Gave up an interception for a touchdown, and we just dug ourselves a hole. We're not that bad a football team. We looked pretty bad at times, but good teams can make you look bad.<br><div style="font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 85%; line-height: 115%; font-weight: normal;">- Head Coach Tommy Tuberville</div>
<div style="font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 85%; line-height: 115%; font-weight: normal;">Opening Statement</div>
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<p><b><u>THE RESULT</u> | A BLUEPRINT |</b> What Oklahoma did is a blueprint of what teams need to do to beat Texas Tech. This won't be so much of a review of the game, but a game plan as to how beat Texas Tech. When I was on the Crimson and Cream Machine podcast, I was pretty confident that OU was going to win. Not by 20 some-odd points, but I was pretty sure that OU was going to win.</p>
<p>I kinda mentioned this week that I was waiting for the shoe to drop and the shoe has officially dropped and now we wait on the response. Thankfully, Texas Tech is not facing a team in West Virginia that can almost score at will. That's sarcasm. I'd also add that this is where the season turns. There are only two teams that I know have superior athletes to Texas Tech, and they are OU and UT. I say that because I know that they do have superior talent and I think with a lot of schools, it's in dependent on year to year who is better. But OU, despite their losses, have a ton of talent. Texas Tech is better than what they were yesterday, but they also were not as good as what they were the first four games.</p>
<p>Oklahoma didn't magically become an awful team as a result of their loss to Kansas St. They shot themselves in the foot a couple of times during that game, but that game was there to be won by them and had it not been for some costly turnovers, they very well could have won that game. I know that's hindsight. Still, Oklahoma is still pretty darned talented, they almost always have been and it wasn't different yesterday. They can still get athletes in space and tackle our athletes in space.</p>
<p><b><u>THE STORYLINES</u></b></p>
<p><b>PRESSURE DOEGE AND BLITZ |</b> Iowa St. did this and Texas Tech figured it out and Oklahoma did it and Texas Tech and Doege didn't answer. It's not necessarily that Doege makes bad decisions, but it's that sometimes those decisions result in bad plays. The interception that was blocked at the line of scrimmage, gathered, and then returned for 10 yards or so has nothing to do with Doege making bad decisions, but Doege has to figure out how to combat that. I don't know if it's a slight pump fake to force the defender to jump, but he's always going to be short and he is always going to have to be able to stop that.</p>
<p>But Doege also seems to have a problem with getting in the pocket and figuring out where to step up and avoid the blitz. It's almost deer in headlights at times. Granted, the offensive line doesn't help at times. That pressure is there because they just can't handle the extra defenders, but Oklahoma also at times just rushed four and was successful at pressuring Doege into a bad or rushed decision.</p>
<p>I've said that Doege is the guy this year. The staff, the players and Doege himself have put a lot into him being "the guy". I still believe that and they will give Doege a ton of leash. More than you want him to have. It's just going to happen. It's going to take at least two more performances where it appears that Doege just doesn't have it for the coaching staff to make a change, but I'm almost certain that this is the last thing they want to change. I'm not at all saying that you have to get behind Doege, I think I'm just giving my two cents about how Doege is entrenched as the starter for the time being.</p>
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<p><b>RUN THE BALL |</b> I'm trying to think of the power running teams in the conference and I think that Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas St. are the best power rushing teams in the conference. This is not something that teams can just decide the week that they'll play Texas Tech to be a power rushing team, but I know that these teams can do this.</p>
<p>I also don't think that teams like Baylor and West Virginia won't have success running the ball against the Texas Tech defense, but having the talent up front like OU has to run the ball is a distinct advantage. Most of the other teams are passing in nature and that's their bread and brother. Unfortunately, UT and KSU are within the month. Yikes.</p>
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<p><b>PLAYERS DON'T BECOME BAD JUST BECAUSE OF ONE GAME |</b> Also while on the CaCM podcast, they were incredibly down on <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a>. Essentially stating that they are all done defending him that he's not the player that they hoped he would become, but they knew that he was OU's quarterback for the foreseeable future and there was nothing that they could do about that. Jones was coming off a K-State game where he looked bad. Where he threw turnovers and made some really bad plays. That memory was fresh in their minds, but the truth is that Jones didn't suddenly became an awful quarterback. He was better than what he showed and he showed, unfortunately for Texas Tech fans, yesterday. The same generally applies to Texas Tech yesterday. I don't think they were as bad as they were yesterday. Beating OU historically or having some sort of advantage mentally has never really meant much to mean. What did mean something to me was two things that I had heard late in the week, but never put down on the blog, which was that OU had never lost two consecutive conference games under Stoops' regime and Stoops was 15-0 coming off a bye week. Stoops knows how to get his team ready and he's a good coach.</p>
<p>I'll be keying on how Texas Tech plays against West Virginia. Again, this is a top-10-ish team that has an incredible offense. I don't know that Texas Tech and Doege can keep pace. I think that Texas Tech will be able to keep pace because most teams don't have OU's defense. The players are better than what they showed against Oklahoma. I'm still trying to figure out how much better they are, and how they play this week will help complete the narrative.</p>
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<p><b>STOP THE RUN |</b> Remember how I mentioned that not all teams are going to be able to do what OU did against Texas Tech? Well, few teams are going to be able to rush four players against a quarterback that's in nickel personnel and also stop the run. OU is definitely one of those teams, but I'm not sure that other teams will be able to stop the run and be able to just rush four players. Other than the first drive, Oklahoma dominated the line of scrimmage. Not every team is going to do that. But there's something to the thought of stopping the run and forcing Doege into bad decisions. Two games and six interceptions is a reality for Doege. Just like last year, against better competition, Doege started to falter and couldn't keep pace. He placed worse as the season progressed. There was some pointing to the fact that once Doege lost Eric Stephens in the running game that this made it tougher on him because he was forced to be better. Again, I don't want to let this one game against Oklahoma blurry my thought that I do think the running game is better than last year and I think Doege is better as a result of that. But the correlation is relatively staggering in that if Doege can't rely on a running game then he's just not as good a quarterback. I do think that's a reality and I do think that this is part of the reason why some of you see more hope in Brewer, because he can do more with his feet when arm fails him.</p>
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<p><b>CONTAIN THE PRESSURE OF TEXAS TECH'S FRONT FOUR |</b> If a team can contain the pressure of Texas Tech's front four then it could get ugly. Jones had ages to complete a pass against the Texas Tech secondary. It was frustrating to watch the four four get a little push, but truthfully, Jones was almost never going to get sacked the entire game. When Texas Tech did blitz, and they did more than I recall most of the year, Oklahoma had an answer. Not every team is going to be as deft at picking up the blitz, but a team that can control Texas Tech's front four is going to have a tremendous amount of success. And there is something to Texas Tech being vanilla against superior competition because they could be vanilla and still get results.</p>
<p>Everyone wants a high-pressure defense that tries to expose and force teams into bad decisions. There are few teams that can really do that. I don't think that Texas Tech is one of those teams with those types players. As much as we heard the name <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115496/kerry-hyder">Kerry Hyder</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115483/jackson-richards">Jackson Richards</a> I don't think we heard their names mentioned but twice yesterday. They just have to be better. This is the scariest proposition for me because I think that elite pass rushers aren't just better in week to week and I don't think that Texas Tech has had a pass rusher than teams have had to plan around since Brandon Williams. I was hoping that the light would go on for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134733/branden-jackson">Branden Jackson</a> this year, but he's almost been non-existent and I wish I knew why that was after what seemed like a really good spring. No matter, something has to be better, and I found it interesting that Kaufman even ran a few stunts late in the game when I was able to catch a bit, hoping to create some pressure that way. This may be a situation where the personnel has to change a bit or the personnel is dependent on the game, but getting pressure, just a little bit, helps the defensive backs so much more.</p>
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<p><b>CONVERT ON THIRD DOWNS |</b> I don't think I need to write much here, but just say that this is why those third down conversion rates for the year are so incredibly important. Both offensively and defensively. Doege was able to convert a ton of third downs initially, but OU converted them for touchdowns. That's incredibly problematic for the defense. And this wasn't a situation all the time where the defense was just out of sorts, but players not tackling contributed to the problem. Bad habits are hard to break.</p>
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<p><b>LOOKING FOR GIVE-UP |</b> I'm looking for give-up this week. I know that is incredibly pessimistic, but I mentioned it earlier this week. This is the exact same situation that Texas Tech was sitting in last year, except that the difference is that Texas Tech had handled a Kansas team that was even worse than Texas Tech in conference and was blown out by a .500 Iowa St. team. This year, I think that Iowa St. is a better than .500 team and I think that Oklahoma is one of the top two or three teams in the conference. That's your difference in this year to last year, but I'm still looking for give-up from this team. Last year, the loss to Iowa St. started a spiral downward and if this team has any aspirations of being better, then they have to put an end to it next week. Texas Tech was in the game in the first half and the third quarter snowballed. A sack on 4th down and pick-six was all that was needed to push Oklahoma ahead, but Texas Tech as very much in this game whereas last year, Texas Tech wasn't in any games for the better part of the year.</p>
https://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/7/3467766/post-game-thoughts-oklahoma-41-texas-tech-20Seth C2012-10-06T16:12:08-05:002012-10-06T16:12:08-05:00Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech | Game Thread 2
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<figcaption>Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Second open thread for Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech.</p> <p>Go Raiders . . .</p>
https://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/6/3463684/oklahoma-sooners-vs-texas-tech-red-raiders-game-thread-2Seth C2012-10-05T12:00:21-05:002012-10-05T12:00:21-05:00Q&A With Stormin In Norman
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<figcaption>Tom Pennington - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Stormin In Norman answers questions for Viva The Matadors on Texas Tech's matchup against Oklahoma.</p> <p>Much thanks to <a target="_blank" href="http://stormininnorman.com/">Stormin In Norman's Joe Bendiez</a> for answering questions. Will post my answers when the come available.</p>
<p><b><img style="height: 35px;" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35">1. What has been the biggest issue offensively? Has it been the line or has it been <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a>? </b></p>
<p><b>Stormin In Norman: </b>The offensive line has been a huge struggle with the loss of senior <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37286/ben-habern">Ben Habern</a> at center. <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/76961/gabe-ikard">Gabe Ikard</a> played some center last season, but there really isn't a guy that can fill in Gabe's spot at guard. However, the issue offensively is mostly Landry Jones. As a senior, he should not be holding on to the ball as long as he is with multiple threats at receiver. Although, he got way too comfortable with <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/8379/ryan-broyles">Ryan Broyles</a>, and now has to face the reality he has other players that can catch the ball. His decision-making overall has been poor. He just seems to not have that confidence a leader should have in his career.</p>
<p><b><img style="height: 35px;" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35">2. It seems as if the defensive line is struggling a bit too, is that an accurate statement or is this a case where the defense as a whole just hasn't clicked yet. </b></p>
<p><b>SIN: </b>The defensive line has been missing a few guys whether it be due to suspension or injury. The line has been struggling, though, many people are underselling the fact the secondary looks much improved with Mike Stoops back in Norman. Hopefully, Mike goes back to his old ways and throws in some blitzes against Tech to actually put some pressure on the quarterback.</p>
<p><b><img style="height: 35px;" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35">3. What's been the biggest bright spot thus far for the Sooners, both on offense and defense? </b></p>
<p><b>SIN: </b>On offense, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134387/damien-williams">Damien Williams</a> has been a big positive at running back. He has a lot of potential to be a star in Oklahoma, but the coaches are still giving a lot of carries to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115328/dominique-whaley">Dominique Whaley</a> and a few to <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115324/brennan-clay">Brennan Clay</a>. Making Williams the main guy at running back would definitely make the Sooner rushing attack one of the best in the conference, because Whaley as the starter is not getting the job done. As for the defense, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115311/tony-jefferson">Tony Jefferson</a> has looked really solid thus far. He has not had to work too much, because of the passers he has faced. Also, David King did well at the defensive tackle position, but is now back at his natural defensive end spot with the return of starting DT Casey Walker.</p>
<p><b><img style="height: 35px;" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35">4. In a couple of sentences, how would you attack Texas Tech, both offensively and defensively? </b></p>
<p><b>SIN: </b>Offensively, the Sooners have to strike early and often. They need to find a rhythm and not allow Landry to over-think anything. If they do that, it should be good day for the Sooners. On defense, Mike Stoops really needs to let Doege have it. Throw in some blitzes and try and get him rattled. That may be the only way to slow him donw, because Oklahoma fans know he is a good quarterback with a good group of receivers.</p>
<p><b><img style="height: 35px;" src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35">5. What's your feeling on the OU quarterback situation? Landry Jones is having problems, some of which may be caused by the offensively line, is it time to play <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115318/blake-bell">Blake Bell</a> more? </b></p>
<p><b>SIN: </b>The quarterback situation is really bad right now. Jones has the capability of being so good, yet he is a turnover machine and an unconfident signal caller. I would make him re-earn his starting job by giving Bell more playing time. Though, Bell could use the practice if he is going to be "the guy" for Oklahoma next season.</p>
https://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/5/3453312/q-a-with-stormin-in-normanSeth C2012-10-05T08:00:18-05:002012-10-05T08:00:18-05:00Prediction Time | Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech
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<figcaption>Brett Deering - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Predict the final score (and other things) between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Texas Tech Red Raiders.</p> <table style="width: 226px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin-left: 11px; margin-bottom: 10px; float: right;" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr>
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<div style="font-size:12px; width: 214px; background-color: #cc0000; font-weight: bold; color: #FFFFFF; margin-bottom: 7px; text-align:center; padding-top:2px; padding-bottom:2px;">TEXAS TECH <br>VS.<br> OKLAHOMA</div>
<b>Date |</b> October 6, 2012<br><b>Time |</b> 2:30 pm CST<br><b>Good Guys |</b> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/texas-tech-red-raiders">Texas Tech Red Raiders</a><br><b>Bad Guys |</b> <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/oklahoma-sooners">Oklahoma Sooners</a><br><b>Location |</b> Lubbock, TX<br><b>Weather |</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.weather.com/weather/right-now/USTX0808:1">High 46, Low 38</a><br><b>TV |</b> ABC/ESPN2<br><b>Radio | </b><a href="http://sportsaffiliates.learfieldsports.com/affiliates/texas-tech" target="newwindow">Affiliates</a><br><b>Game Cast |</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/gameTrax?gameId=201210060086">FoxSports</a> <br><br>
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<p>You know what to do. Answer the questions and vote in the poll.</p>
<p><b>1. What is more important, holding <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a> to under 300 yards passing or holding the OU running game to under 150 yards running? </b></p>
<p><b>2. Conversely, is it more important to hold <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37972/seth-doege">Seth Doege</a> to under 300 yards passing or holding the Texas Tech running game to under 150 yards running? </b></p>
<p><b>3. Which team will have more turnovers at the end of the game? </b></p>
<p><b>4. Which Texas Tech running back gets the bulk of the carries? Eric Stephens, Kenny Williams or Sadale Foster? </b></p>
<p><b>5. The opening line opened with Texas Tech getting 5, and it dipped to 4.5, but now has seemed to have leveled off at 5. Who do you like given the spread and do you take the over or under on the total points at 58.5?</b></p>
https://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/5/3449702/prediction-time-oklahoma-sooners-vs-texas-tech-red-raidersSeth C2012-10-05T05:25:36-05:002012-10-05T05:25:36-05:00An Undefeated Season And Battery Gate Update
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<figcaption>Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>All of your news, notes and links on Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma, including an update on battery gate and discussing things on Sooner Nation Podcast.</p> <p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35"><b>THESE NUMBERS ARE RIDICULOUS |</b> <a target="_blank" href="http://www.footballoutsiders.com/varsity-numbers/2012/vn-weird-wacky-big-12">Football Outsiders' Bill Connelly</a> has some seriously ridiculous numbers regarding what Texas Tech could or should do, including the thought that Texas Tech is predicted to go undefeated through the entire year. Connelly acknowledges that an undefeated isn't likely, but concludes with this nugget:</p>
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<p>Texas Tech is not going to 9-0, but let's look at it this way: if the Red Raiders are only a touchdown worse than currently projected, they are still in position to go about 6-3, 9-3 overall. That would be an enormous turnaround for Tommy Tuberville and company.</p>
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<p>I honestly have no idea where those five additional conference wins come from during conference play, but I would take this is a heartbeat. Go read the whole thing and make sure and check out <a href="http://www.footballstudyhall.com/2012/10/4/3450328/f-picks-week-6" target="_blank">Football Study Hall's F/+ picks for week 6</a>. </p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35"><b>CRIMSON AND CREAM MACHINE ROUNDUP |</b> Last night I went on the <a href="http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2012/10/4/3457384/sooner-nation-podcast-previews-oklahoma-at-texas-tech-tonight-at-8-30" target="_blank">Sooner Nation Podcast with the guys over at Crimson and Cream Machine</a>. They are good people and if you'd like to hear us cuss and discuss each of our teams, then go give it a listen. I had a good time talking football and they are a bit down on their Sooners. I eventually did pick OU to win in a very close game. Part of the reason of that is because OU is not a bad football team and they had one bad football game where they turned the ball over in the redzone. Had that not happened, OU likely beats Kansas St. Of course, I understand that "ifs" are not really a way to look at a game, but I don't think the Sooners are as bad as fans think, they've just had 2 weeks to stew over a loss. Also make sure and check out <a href="http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2012/10/5/3459070/ccm-roundtable-who-needs-to-be-huge-for-ou-football-on-saturday-sooners-oklahoma" target="_blank">who needs to have a big game for the Sooners</a> and <a href="http://www.crimsonandcreammachine.com/2012/10/4/3452182/ou-texas-tech-what-must-happen-oklahoma-sooners-red-raiders-2012-lubbock" target="_blank">what must happen for the Sooners</a>. </p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35"><b>ERXLEBEN'S LEGACY |</b> Excellent article from <a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/college_sports/big_12/article/Erxleben-punts-legacy-on-to-son-3920978.php" target="_blank">SAEN's Tim Griffin</a> on P <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/77747/ryan-erxleben">Ryan Erxleben</a> and the legacy that his dad left at UT as a kicker and punter. Go read the whole thing, it's a good read. Head coach Tommy Tuberville seems to have a high regard for Ryan's dad, Russell:</p>
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<p>"I probably should hire his dad on staff," Tuberville said. "When we have problems, we go to him ... Russell will come up for a weekend, watch our game and then on Sunday he'll give him a few tips and they dissect everything. Ryan works at every aspect of punting, but that's all him and his dad. They work well together."</p>
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<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35"><b>TOUGH RUNNING |</b> <a href="http://redraiders.com/sports-red-raiders-football/2012-10-04/williams-embracing-more-physical-running-style#.UG6eQlFDq7w" target="_blank">LAJ's Nick Kosmider</a> writes about RB Kenny Williams' tough running style and offensive coordinator Neal Brown seems to have a good handle on this:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"He’s got a better understanding of who he is," said offensive coordinator Neal Brown. "He’s not a guy that’s going to go out in space and make a bunch of people miss. He’s got a much better opportunity to make people miss by running through tackles than he did a year ago."</p>
</blockquote>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35"><b>BATTERY GATE |</b> This is sorta pathetic, but I don't know what to expect. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/2/3442916/report-oklahoma-sooners-treated-like-normal-human-beings-in-2007">So earlier this week, I tried to be a tad bit sarcastic, perhaps my inspiration was the Onion, and write about how NewsOK's Stephanie Kuzydum</a> wrote a story about how a former Oklahoma player claimed that he had to wear his helmet for the entire game in 2007 and that he and teammates had to wear helmets because of the batteries and coins that were thrown at the players. In the post linked above, there are numerous examples of the Sooner players not wearing helmets, of security watching the OU bench and of the one player making the accusations not wearing a helmet and talking a bit of trash. </p>
<p>/sigh/</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.newsok.com/ou/2012/10/04/a-response-oklahoma-vs-texas-tech/">Kuzydum wrote a response</a> and relied on the fact that as a reporter, she is using her first hand and second hand sources, so she stands by her story and has emails from people confirming things. This is lazy journalism and pandering to her audience, so I don't think that I would have suggested anything else. On one hand, I am glad that Texas Tech reporters don't write stories like this. This story could be written about every college because there are always jerks and you can't stop everyone. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/london-olympics-2012/2012/8/5/3222592/edith-bosch-punch-bottle-thrower-mens-100m-finals-2012-olympics"> Heck, there was even a guy in the Olympics . . . the Olympics . . . that threw a beer bottle at a runner</a>. I've recounted about how I had a great time when I went to Norman in 2008. I did have a great time, but that doesn't mean that there were some jerks that taunted me after the game and cussed at me. It happens everywhere and it doesn't take away from the fact that the huge majority of people in Norman are good people and the majority of people at West Virginia or Texas or Baylor are good people. </p>
<p>Kuzydum must have had an assignment to write about how awful the Texas Tech crowd was and she didn't take the time to look at film or video to determine whether or not her sources were accurate. If Kuzydum truly believes that all she needs is to rely on sources in order to write a story, then she will not be in the business very long because I will be a source on just about any story she wants because she has no interest corroborating the facts. </p>
<p><img src="http://cdn0.sbnation.com/uploads/blog/sbnu_logo_minimal/147/small_doubletnation.com.minimal.png" height="35"><b>MISCELLANEOUS |</b> <a href="http://redraiders.com/sports-red-raiders-football/2012-10-04/saturdays-texas-tech-oklahoma-game-sold-out#.UG6eV1FDq7w" target="_blank">The game </a>is officially a sell out . . . the <a href="http://www.dailytoreador.com/sports/article_6cd01962-0ea0-11e2-b6f3-001a4bcf6878.html" target="_blank">DT has a story</a> about how Texas Tech is looking to upset OU . . . the <a href="http://www.tulsaworld.com/sportsextra/article.aspx?subjectid=203&articleid=20121005_203_B1_Alsolr509578" target="_blank">Tulsa World's John Klein</a> writes about how the Sooners have to be different in Lubbock . . .</p>
https://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/5/3459278/red-raider-gridiron-season-long-predictions-and-battery-gate-updateSeth C2012-10-04T05:12:50-05:002012-10-04T05:12:50-05:00Taking Notes | Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/nddzn92KWl2Uf2KIQDORA6Wbokc=/0x7:4000x2674/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/507059/20120929_jel_ax4_392.1349273217.jpg" />
<figcaption>Reese Strickland-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Quotes, notes and thoughts as the Texas Tech Red Raiders are set to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.</p> <div class="pullquote" style="border-left: 2px solid #c2c2c2; margin: 10px 5px 10px 20px; padding: 5px 0px 5px 15px; float: right; width: 250px; font-size: 135%; text-align: right; line-height: 150%; font-weight: 600;">But all the players, really proud of how they did and prepared for the game. Coaches did a good job. Pressure is on when you lost to a team two years in a row and you go on the road. It was a big-time atmosphere for their fans. And I thought we handled the pressure well. I thought that we didn't lose our poise, and that is a huge key when you're trying to do some special things.<br><div style="font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 85%; line-height: 115%; font-weight: normal;">- Head Coach Tommy Tuberville</div>
<div style="font-style: italic; font-variant: small-caps; font-size: 85%; line-height: 115%; font-weight: normal;">On the Pressure of Winning</div>
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<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263810/Wingding_-_caption.png" height="25"><b>QUOTABLE |</b> I still don't know what to think and there is a part of me that really doesn't want to believe in anything just yet. I think that I don't want to get my hopes up considering the schedule ahead. I'm not intimidated by the next five games, but I'm leery to invest in this team and proclaim that they are as good as their statistics say. I think that's the general thought, we're all cautious and beating Iowa St. was a really good first step.</p>
<p>I think I'm probably like most of the teams, which is that I am compartmentalizing each game. I never get too far up or down, but I'll especially do that the next five weeks. I'll do that this week. I'm always hopeful and I think that Texas Tech has a much better chance to come out of the next five weeks with 3 wins than last year, when I would have predicted maybe one fluke win. Texas Tech may only get one win in the next five games, but it won't be a fluke.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263840/Wingding_-_notebook.png" height="25"><b>NOTES |</b> These are notes from around the interwebs this morning:</p>
<p>* <a href="http://redraiders.com/sports-red-raiders-football/2012-10-03/stoops-nothing-spooky-about-playing-lubbock#.UG1UVVFDq7w" target="_blank">LAJ's Nick Kosmider</a> writes Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops said that Lubbock is not spooky and that is true. It is not spooky. <a href="http://www.dailytoreador.com/sports/article_f1fecf18-0dd6-11e2-beec-0019bb30f31a.html" target="_blank">DT's Holden Wilen</a> writes about OU seeking their first win in Lubbock since 2003:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"You get there and very hostile fans," said Oklahoma offensive lineman Gabe Ikard. "I mean they’re great fans; they let you know they don’t like you. They just really bring a lot of energy to that stadium."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Stoops also discussed the defense:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"They’ve done an excellent job in the discipline of their defense," said Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, "They play hard, they’re physical and they’re covering you tighter. It’ll be an exciting and big challenge going down there like it always is, so we’re looking forward to it."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>* LAJ's Nick Kosmider traded questions and answers with NewsOK's Jason Kersey. Here are <a href="http://blog.newsok.com/ou/2012/10/03/five-questions-with-nick-kosmider-from-the-lubbock-avalanche-journal/" target="_blank">Kersey's answers</a> and here are <a href="http://redraiders.com/interact/blog-post/nick-kosmider/2012-10-03/other-side-five-questions-oklahoma-beat-writer-jason#.UGxcFK7EH1V" target="_blank">Kosmider's answers</a>. I'll have a Q&A with Stormin in Norman on Friday. Woot! . . . Congrats to CB Cornelius Douglas was named the <a href="http://www.texastech.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/100312aab.html" target="_blank">Jim Thorpe defensive back of the week</a>. Woot! . . .</p>
<p>* <a href="http://normantranscript.com/sports/x708371747/Run-game-struggles-in-defeat" target="_blank">The Norman Transcript</a> dips into the run game struggling.</p>
<p>* <a href="http://www.foxsportssouthwest.com/10/03/12/Sooners-confident-Jones-will-return-to-f/landing_big12.html?blockID=799373&feedID=10646" target="_blank">FoxSports Southwest</a> writes about Landry Jones being confident that he will return to form.</p>
<p>* <a href="http://blog.newsok.com/ou/2012/10/03/ou-needs-better-opening-drives-and-especially-at-hostile-places-like-texas-tech/" target="_blank">NewsOK</a> writes about the fact that the opening drives need to be better.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263825/Wingding_-_compass.png" height="25"><b>FINDING THEIR WAY |</b> I just absolutely loved the play of DE Jackson Richards and although he was relatively quiet, he played like the 4-star rating he had coming out of high school. This doesn't mean that he's arrived or anything like that. Arriving on this level means you do it two weeks in a row, but it was nice to see Richards in on 5 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss as well as just pushing in the pocket on Jantz along with the other members of the defensive line.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263823/Wingding_-_lightbulb.png" height="25"><b>THE LIGHT BULB HAS GONE ON |</b> Maybe the light bulb went off quite some time ago, but Saturday night was CB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37963/cornelius-douglas">Cornelius Douglas</a>’ break-out game. Two interceptions and another game that I cannot recall that a player completed a pass against him. Douglas is playing lights out, pun intended, and it’s his coverage, it’s his understanding of the game, it is him being opportunistic, but his coverage skills have really been somewhat startling considering he was one of the best receivers on the team last year.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263817/Wingding_-_check_box.png" height="25"><b>ITEM COMPLETED |</b> Um, how about just winning a Big 12 game and then add on top of that, winning a Big 12 game on the road. Texas Tech has won just three Big 12 games last year and this year, all of them were on the road. It’s time to win a few at the Jones. The Texas Tech fans are starved for a win at home, something that hasn’t happened since November 6, 2010 in a 24-17 win against Missouri. It’s been too long.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263814/Wingding_-_key.png" height="25"><b>KEY TO SUCCESS |</b> I think OU is going to try to pressure QB Seth Doege, I think they want to do the same thing that Iowa St. did, which is to rattle his cage and get him to make mistakes. I’ve already mentioned this, but the offensive line play is going to have to be spot-on, almost from the start. And OC Neal Brown needs to start his best blocking running back to help chip on any blitzing linebackers or safeties, and needs to play until things loosen up a bit, if they do loosen up at all.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263838/Wingding_-_question_mark.png" height="25"><b>WE HAVE QUESTIONS |</b> My biggest question is getting over that mental hump. Last year, Texas Tech was also 4-0 after beating Kansas on the road and things were also looking rosy. Things changed quickly as Texas Tech ended up losing 7 of the next 8 games. I have no idea if there is any leftover feelings from last year, anything that is sticking in the mind of players in that they were right here last year. Obviously, this is a different year and things have gone much different. Despite all of the confidence this team has built up over the course of the last four games, I’m confident that this team is going to stick with it and that’s half the battle.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263833/Wingding_-_lightning_bolt.png" height="25"><b>A FLASH |</b> This is way too literal, but whatever. The play that <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134711/jakeem-grant">Jakeem Grant</a> scored on and the bubble screen that almost led to a touchdown for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/161419/javon-bell">Javon Bell</a> were so fantastic and as much as D.J. Johnson’s hit that led to the Douglas interception changing the game, so too were the plays that Grant and Bell made. There is a reason why teams weren’t really forced to defend anything deep with Texas Tech and it is because Texas Tech really hasn’t had any players that could get behind the second level. Texas Tech receivers have always been solid, but this offense is at its most dangerous when it has players that forces opposing teams to re-evaluate how they defend certain players. WR Darrin Moore and WR Marcus Kennard are not going to burn you deep and a defender does not have to account for running past them, as it is essentially a jump ball situation where a bigger receiver goes up to get a pass, but with Bell and Grant, you have to account for them beating you deep. That's not to say that guys like Torres or Moore or Kennard don't have value. They do have value, but I don't think there is something about covering a guy with some speed to burn.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263937/Wingding_-_asterisk.png" height="25"><b>GOOD JOB GOOD EFFORT |</b> As good of a hit that Johnson had to force the fumble, he was also burned for Iowa St.’s lone touchdown, where he was covering the Cyclone’s TE Ernst Brun in the corner of the endzone. We’ve probably talked a bit too much about how Doege isn’t letting the bad plays affect him later, but Johnson gets credit for doing the same thing. Kaufman and Lovett have preached that you cannot let one bad play affect the next play or the next 10 plays. Johnson didn’t let that happen. Defenders are going to give up touchdowns. That’s just going to happen. Not letting it affect the next play is the most important part. Speaking of Kaufman, here's a one-on-one with TTU's Brandon Rawe (as an aside, this only has 20 views when I'm looking at it at 4:53 am, wondering how many by the end of the day:</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><object width="425" height="350" class="mceItemFlash"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/RkZynKTZYqU">
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<embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RkZynKTZYqU" mce_src="http://www.youtube.com/v/RkZynKTZYqU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> </p>
<p align="center"><i> Sit-Down with Art Kaufman (via <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=RkZynKTZYqU">techathletics</a>) </i></p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263946/Wingding_-_target.png" height="25"><b>TAKING AIM |</b> I think the Texas Tech defense has to take aim against the Oklahoma running backs. Stop the running backs and I think this game is incredibly close. As much grief that OU took for losing to K-State, we need to be reminded that K-State is a darn good football team and are going to beat a lot of other good teams. Despite their struggles in one game, Oklahoma is a very good offensive team and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37262/landry-jones">Landry Jones</a> is a very good quarterback. But if there is no running game for OU to rely on throughout the game, I think this game then turns into an incredibly close game that will eventually flip on a field goal.</p>
<p><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/1263843/Wingding_-_wrench.png" height="25"><b>INJURY REPORT </b></p>
<p><u>Fall Practice:</u> OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year; ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - out 4 to 6 weeks); DT Anthony Smith (rolled ankle from scooter mishap - out 2 weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot).</p>
<p><u>Week 1 vs. Northwestern St.:</u> OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 2 to 4 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 4 to 6 more weeks); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - out 2 weeks).</p>
<p><u>Week 2 vs. Texas St.:</u> OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 3 to 5 more weeks); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - out 1 week); WR Eric Ward (concussion - out 1 game).</p>
<p><u>Week 3 vs. New Mexico:</u> OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 2 more weeks); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 2 to 4 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be available); WR Marcus Kennard (groin - day to day); CB Cornelius Douglas (pulled abdominal muscle - 1 week).</p>
<p><u>Week 4 Bye:</u> OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - may be out 1 more week); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks).</p>
<p><u>Week 5 Iowa St.:</u> OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - practicing, but may be out 1 more week); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 1 to 3 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - may be out 1 more week).</p>
<p><u>Week 6 Oklahoma:</u> OL Matt Wilson (torn ACL - out for the year); WR Aaron Fisher (broken leg - out for the year); CB Jeremy Reynolds (knee sprain - out for the year); ATH Shawn Corker (broken foot - should be practicing); RB Quinton White (broken foot - may be out 2 more weeks); OG Tony Morales (knee injury - should be practicing).</p>
https://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/4/3448618/taking-notes-oklahoma-sooners-vs-texas-tech-red-raidersSeth C2012-10-03T10:00:10-05:002012-10-03T10:00:10-05:00Point of Attack | Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech
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<figcaption>Brett Deering - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>How the Texas Tech Red Raiders can attack the Oklahoma Sooners on both offense and defense.</p> <div class="pullquote" style="border-right: 2px solid #c2c2c2; margin: 10px 5px 10px 20px; padding: 5px 0px 5px 15px; float: left; width: 120px; font-size: 120%; text-align: left; line-height: 150%; font-weight: normal;"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/42958/Helmet_Oklahoma.gif" height="50"></div>
<h4>ATTACKING THE SOONER OFFENSE</h4>
<p>If you would have asked me how to attack Oklahoma before the year started, I would have almost said that you have to mimic what happened last year in that QB <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37972/seth-doege">Seth Doege</a> has to be perfect and the defense had to be opportunistic.</p>
<p>Everything that I’m about to write, I’m writing with a grain of salt in that I know that the Texas Tech defense isn’t what it really is. It will not be the #1 defense at the end of the year. I know all of that. I know that the likelihood that Texas Tech’s defense will hold up against what is most likely a really ticked off Sooner team is also unlikely, but I think the key this week to attacking will be to attack the lines.</p>
<p>Maybe this isn’t so much of an attack, but rather Texas Tech needs to do what they have been doing this year. That is play it safe, rush four players, get pressure on Jones doing what they did to get pressure on a more mobile <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/36219/steele-jantz">Steele Jantz</a> and stay in their lanes. It’s an incredibly simple thought, but it’s one that seems really logical.</p>
<p>I was really surprised at OU’s rushing statistics and the sacks that they gave up this year. I found it odd that Oklahoma would get away from what they were doing very well, rushing the ball, to then only give it up a bit, or just not be as effective against Kansas St. I should note that my characterization of Oklahoma only running for 88 yards really wasn’t entirely accurate as QB Landry Jones lost 21 yards on sacks. Truthfully, OU’s running backs, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115328/dominique-whaley">Dominique Whaley</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/134387/damien-williams">Damien Williams</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115324/brennan-clay">Brennan Clay</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/115325/roy-finch">Roy Finch</a>, ran for 111 yards on 22 carries and averaged over 5 yards per attempt. I don’t think that Kansas St. is running anything exotic, in fact this may be the first time in the history of ever that the words "exotic" and K-State have ever been written in the same sentence, but they were aggressive and they won the one-on-one battles and they forced Jones to make mistakes, or maybe they just waited for Jones to make mistakes.</p>
<p>It’s cliche to declare that the lines win the battle and I try to stay away from things like that as a general rule, but I do believe this to be the case in this particular game and I further believe that Texas Tech’s ability to continue to rotate a solid core of defensive line players that are able to produce pressure without much help, will be the key to the game. Getting to Jones and pressuring him did wonders for K-State and I’d imagine that OU will adjust in some form or fashion, maybe leaving in a tight end to block or something like that, but pressure is vital to winning the game on Saturday.</p>
<div class="pullquote" style="border-right: 2px solid #c2c2c2; margin: 10px 5px 10px 20px; padding: 5px 0px 5px 15px; float: left; width: 120px; font-size: 120%; text-align: left; line-height: 150%; font-weight: normal;"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/42958/Helmet_Oklahoma.gif" height="50"></div>
<h4>ATTACKING THE SOONER DEFENSE</h4>
<p>So you go after the defensive line, right? The defensive line has struggled a bit, including giving up 4.55 yards per rush. For comparison purposes, and this could get better over the course of the year, OU allowed 3.68 yards per rush in 2011, 4.14 in 2010 and 2.89 in 2009. So thus far, this is the one spot where it appears that OU is not what we have thought the Sooners are supposed to be. And I’d also add that this is a small sample size, but OU allows 3.94 yards per rush at home and 5.75 on the road (the only road game being UTEP). They just haven’t been as sharp as they have been in previous years.</p>
<p>I think that Texas Tech still has issues along the offensive line. I don’t think that they are absolutely playing to their potential each week, but I think they are solid. Much like QB Seth Doege seeing his first bit of real pressure against Iowa St., he struggled to compose himself, but Doege eventually did that and put together a very good second half. The same thing applies to the offensive line. I think that LT LaAdrian Waddle and RT <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/37968/terry-mcdaniel">Terry McDaniel</a> were a bit surprised about the speed of the game or the speed of Iowa St. and you could say that the first quarter was pretty bad for the line too. But the line and the players made adjustments and they did a much better job of protecting Doege and opening up holes for Williams in the second half. In-game adjustments are maybe one of the more underrated things about playing football and how well a coach is able to adjust during a game is incredibly important. Chris Thomsen earned his paycheck on Saturday night because he either motivated those players or made some subtle changes including emphasizing the run I think, where the team looked a better man-on-man rather than trying to take on some of the Iowa St. edge rushers.</p>
<p>I still think the team will be pretty well balanced, because I think they play better that way. I mentioned last week that I thought that the team wouldn’t play a lot of 22 personnel (I found it somewhat humorous that the LAJ ran with an article to talk to OC Neal Brown about it after the fact, but it feel pretty good to have predicted it before the game), but I think you’ll see more two back sets initially just to see if Texas Tech can actually run on Oklahoma and to see if there are some play action possibilities that can loosen up the OU line. If it’s not there, they’ll still keep to a somewhat standard game plan, but I think this is a pretty good little plan.</p>
https://www.vivathematadors.com/2012/10/3/3442898/point-of-attack-oklahoma-sooners-vs-texas-tech-red-raidersSeth C