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Notes:

NO VERTICAL PASSING GAME: The basic theory behind the Run and Shoot produced 1-count them-1 pass completion-a Sport Center Highlite by Darius Johnson for 50 yards- where the ball was caught in Level 2 or 3 which I'll define as 10 yards. In fact, I don't think SMU had a pass completed that was more than 8 yards down field. Absolutely dominant performance in pass defense.

PADRON started 7 for 9 but was 8 for 26 thereafter

Despite the rant by a hot SMU fan there was no late hits in the pocket by TCU. They did get a personal foul when Padron scrambled 10 yards down field, TCU guy tripped him and a 300 pound DT chasing Padron fell on top of him. The commentators showed that Padron held the ball too long but only once questioned a late hit allegedly to head-after Replay they conceded TCU hit his shoulder pad. Padron was knocked down about 9 times but they were all bang-bang situations that no commentator claimed was a late hit

I counted 12 times when Padron either held the ball or was completely confused by defense

2 Big Hits may have had a big effect on the game. Padron got hit very hard when he scrambled and got hit blindsided by a TCU Defensive End. On the next Pass a TCU DT got him on the hand as he was releasing the ball. Padron looked dazed after the first hit and and in pain shaking his hand after the second. It was immediately after those plays Padron was 8 for 26.

Somebody questioned Chris Banjo-he was absolute stud with 2 tackles for loss-the big hit on the TCU RB which took their Top RB out of game and no missed tackles. Several tackles stopped big plays.

Generally SMU is a very good tackling team. I counted only 1 real missed tackle-3 if you want to be picky. when Crawford and Smith failed to tackle the WR tippy-toeing down the sideline. Jagared Davis missed a tough tackle in the backfield but still forced play. Taylor Reed missed a lunging tackle at a RBs ankles. Otherwise very strong tackling

Most of Line's yardage in first half came when SMU was 4 wide and TCU was playing tight man on man coverage with 2 deep-that left 5 on 5 in the box. If SMU's Offensive Lineman got a hat on the charging defensive players then Line was free to roam the middle until Safeties came up to force the play. Obviously, SMU was very effective in executing the delayed draw. TCU went more soft zone later. .
http://espn.go.com/espn3/player?id=3556 ... =condensed

Would you say the ability of the defense to shut down the vertical passing game is due more to talent differential, WR play, or QB play?

that's easier to see at the Stadium. They didn't show any split screens where you could see much downfield. I don't remember any comments about players streaking open. I'd have to think this is an entire offense breakdown-I'd spread it around. On most every pass, TCU's secondary was all over the WRs-its hard to say they were open and on several occassions Padron threw into double coverage. TCU plays an usual defense with 5 DBs so it was probably confusing. But since you mentioned it, I do remember one play near the goaline where Padron tried to hit Cole Beasley in the side of the endzone. DB was all over him and they both had a shot for the ball, but if Padron had just hit a wide open Darius Johnson who cut underneath Beasley's route, Johnson could have walked into the endzone

Do you always have to wait for the re-run? DVR is $8 a month.

so Stallion looking closely at TCU's D, do you agree/disagree w/ JJ saying they are the best D in college football?

I wonder how JJ perceived that TCU D in comparison to Georgia's D that he faced in the Sugar Bowl. Even in what I remember being a dominant performance by that Georgia D, Hawaii (mostly Brennan) was 35-57 for 311. Must've killed JJ to see Kyle 8 for his last 26

actually just checked...Brennan in that game was 22-38 for 169. The other yardage was Graunke in mopup time

go to the MC Lunch

the Replay is availiable on-line anytime at espn3.com

I don't know if TCU has the best defense-they gave up a bunch of gimmick yards rushing on the delayed draw. But they shut down the Run and Shoot and reduced it to a gimmick. I know a lot of fans don't give enough credit for that. They shutout Leach's offense too a few years ago and more regularly are in the Top 3 in rushing defense and total defense. I generally agree with June Jones they are one of the best-June said they were the best so if you got a problem with that statement take it up with him. I also think arguably Patterson is the best or one of the best defensive coaches in College Football-doubt June Jones would disagree since he has never beaten a Patterson coached team and/or defense at either Hawaii or SMU

Pony!Poni!Pone'! wrote:so Stallion looking closely at TCU's D, do you agree/disagree w/ JJ saying they are the best D in college football?

I wonder how JJ perceived that TCU D in comparison to Georgia's D that he faced in the Sugar Bowl. Even in what I remember being a dominant performance by that Georgia D, Hawaii (mostly Brennan) was 35-57 for 311. Must've killed JJ to see Kyle 8 for his last 26

actually just checked...Brennan in that game was 22-38 for 169. The other yardage was Graunke in mopup time

Don't forget Brennan's 3 picks.

Stallion wrote:I counted 12 times when Padron either held the ball or was completely confused by defense

Did he say in an interview that he was confused? You can't know that. It very well could be that he was simply looking for people open downfield, and he didn't see them. TCU is, after all, a very good, very fast defense.

Regardless...we had the most rushing yardage, the most toal yardage and the most points against TCU of anyone they have played so far this year...which includes Oregon State. We also held them to their lowest total yardage so far this year by about 75 yards lower than the next lowest.

Not bad considering our offense still isn't clicking (although TCU's defense may have impacted that a bit).

Is the draw really considered a gimmick play? I think that is a little bit of a stretch.

I think the draw is as much of a gimmick play as a play action pass.

A reluctant observation this season. I don't think the Run and Shoot has been fairly represented.

Hasn't JJ said after most every game something to the effect "after watching the film KP will see there were open receivers and opportunities he missed and that he will learn, he's a tough kid".

KP has had all the time in the world to throw the ball but he is locked on and somewhat winds up to deliver. Those are habits unbecoming of a real Run and Shoot Gunslinger. If I can see on TV where he wants to go on the snap so can that TCU, Rice defense. So they close on his target way to easily.

One thing I know for sure JJ won't change so KP either will or we will be back to square one.

One thing I've noticed is that we never seem to have a receiver in a crossing route underneath.

When KP is holding the ball too long, it's because all our receivers are running deep routes and our opponents have usually decided to drop back and sit on the longer throws.

When KP does have a safety valve receiver, it's usually a guy on the sideline, which is often a difficult throw.

Mike Leach/Texas Tech would kill teams that dropped into coverage by always having a slot guy cross underneath. He would even have two guys cross going in opposite directions - called it a "mesh" and serves as sort of a pick play.

Cole Beasley would have been perfect in the underneath role. I think he had a hard time getting open downfield against TCU's big DBs, who basically sat back and waited. Shorter routes might have forced them to creep up.