Thoughts on the OU game

[JasonB]

I'll start this out with my observations from the game itself in the sunny endzone in Norman, and then add some additional comments after watching the film.
- IMHO, OU is a top 10 team. Their defense is phenomenal. They have really turned that team around - last year they lost a lot to the portal when Riley left, but they have completely rebuilt the team very quickly, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
- You can't win a game away to a top 10 team when you turn the ball over twice and have a punt blocked. The fact that we were in the game in the fourth quarter even though we didn't force any turnovers and made those mistakes is incredible. The defense is certainly even better than anticipated.
- I've been harping on this since the beginning of the season, but not having an elite receiver really hurt us in the game. There were a lot of 7 man fronts and WR had one-v-one on the outside and we just couldn't separate (excluding the early overthrow of Daniels). Sometimes you just have to make that throw anyway, and we refused to do it. This is becoming a concern because if we are going to force teams to respect the running game, we need to stretch the field vertically and not just throw 5 yard passes.
- Maybe we aren't running RPO a lot, but my initial impression is that we were, and that Preston hands the ball off just about every time. OU was very aware of his running ability and took away the option of him keeping it, but when they have 7 in the box I'd like to see us take the passing option more frequently.
- Losing Osborne really hurt the running game. I thought Sparks played well when he came in, but we stopped running the ball for a lot of the first half after Osborne got hurt.
- We need to fix our blocking schemes. Number 10 on OU was fantastic, but came around the edge untouched several times and caught RBs from behind to blow up plays.
- We are going to destroy a lot of teams defensively this season. Our only question is if we will be able to get the offense clicking enough to really hammer people in conference.
- I think we have a great chance to beat TCU. They couldn't run the ball against Nichols yesterday. We can make them very one-dimensional, which is going to allow us to use our pass rushing specialists a lot.
- Our DL, speed at LB and corners are great. The safeties blew a coverage on the first TD, which is their second bust for a TD this season. Talent is there, they will figure it out, but something again to keep an eye on.

After rewatching the game:
- On the first drive of the game, OU fumbled the ball on their own 42. That was absolutely a fumble and SMU should have had the ball right there. How different is the game if that is called correctly?
- Osborne and White were doubling the DE of OU, and that was allowing the LBs to run around and make plays. This continues to be a problem - the OL is succeeding with their blocks, but nobody is handling the second level. We gave the OU DL too much respect and it restricted how successful we were running the ball.
- Preston's clock was moving a bit too quickly. The overthrow on Daniels on the deep throw was a miss that we haven't seen in practice much. The next play, 3rd and 8, he throws an out to his right to Brinson, that even if caught is only a 6 yard game. Meanwhile, Bailey beats number 2 over the middle (the same player who was beat by Daniels). Stone favored the right side for the second straight game, and he didn't go through his progressions well. This is part of him being young and being on the road in his first big road game. But this is something to watch - without an elite WR target yet, it is very difficult to do what TM would do a lot, which is lock into someone based on a pre-snap read. We need the Preston who runs through his progressions in order for the passing game to really hit stride.
- One thing about the punt block. OU media interviewed the frosh LB who blocked it after the game - he said he wasn't even supposed to blitz, but when he wasn't blocked (Massey didn't touch anyone on that side of the field), he just decided to go for it. Remarkable play by a freshman, but also a blocking issue on our side.
- The back to back throws to Brinson on the right and Bailey over the middle were elite on the FG drive.
- I'm really surprised they didn't stick with that targeting call. Studsman was their best defensive player on the day - if he was ejected then, that is a massive impact on the game.
- Right after that play is an example where we don't block the backside LB - we had a WR there and a TE and neither decided to pick him up - he runs around the edge and tackles Knighton from behind to keep it to a 2 yard gain. If we block him and Knighton chooses the correct hole - run it to left guard instead of right behind center - it might be a TD. This is an example of the patience I was asking for in the running game last week. Pause and wait for a hole to open up before you commit.
- OU got away with a PI on Moochie on the third down where we had to settle for a FG.
- On the next drive, they move from Chatman on Savion Byrd for the sack was absolutely elite.
- Next drive - Maryland really poor balance on his blocking attempt led to a holding call. Hasn't progressed yet to become a dependable blocker.
- That injury to Osborne looked even worse on video than it did live. Live I thought it might be his back but I think that was his knee.
- On 3rd and 13, we don't have a single receiver who went behind the marker.
- 2 is great when he has the ball in front of him and reads a play. Yes, he will run like a bullet and overrun from time to time, and it will lead to some long scores like the TD pass last week. But he makes so many plays and blows so many things up, it is really impressive.
- Last play of the first quarter, they blitz Stone to get pressure and he steps back and puts great zip on his throw to Bailey to set up 3rd and short. That is an elite throw.
- After the quarter ends, we get the first down next play, then on 1st down, OU sets up a 5 man front with three more players in the box. That has to be a passing play. Instead, quick run and we have 2nd and long.
- The third down play is super frustrating. Preston throws the ball late and too hard and it bounces off of Maryland's hands. That should be an easy first down and instead we go quick kick.
- That leads to the long TD drive. Really bad tackle effort from Rogers on the long TD. Lots of Rogers at corner so far, not sure what happened with 3.
- On the play action TD, it was Moses who didn't pick up the TE and got knocked out of it on a rub route.
- Elite throw again from Stone on the pass to Rooster on the next drive on 4th and 1.
- First Kilgore appearance late in the second? Kind of a surprise given how well he played in the first game.
- Last drive of the half, first and 10 from the OU 48. Stone floats right for no reason and really kills his passing option. Someone was opening deep. if he steps up in the pocket instead of pushing outside we have the chance for a big play instead of an incompletion in the flat. The next play he stays in the pocket and throws a nice completion to Smith. And then the next play he drops back too far and has to throw it away because he opens himself up to the rush. Needs to stay in the pocket a little more. Third down, he is backing up again for no reason against a three man rush and had Kerley for a first down and just launched it out of bounds. Some jitters I think for him. That long FG wasn't close.
- First play of the second half, tried a flea flicker but 44 misses his block and Stone loses 2. On third down, HIckman misses his block and Stone has to dirt a ball in front of Levine.
- I'm still not sure why they picked the flag up on the block in the back against Crossley.
- Two straight plays, Kilgore backs too far off the line in the passing game and it allows a dump off for 12 and then a nice pickup on a scramble from Gabriel.
- Another elite throw to Brinson on a deep out to the sideline. The touch on that throw with enough arm strength is impressive. That is a throw that nobody else can make it.
- That fumble from Rooster is a killer. You could tell he was really uncomfortable with it in his left hand. I'm surprised they didn't review if 5 from OU was out of bounds when he touched the ball, it was really close.
- We started running a little more of a 3 man front on some plays in the second half.
- In the third quarter is when we just tried to run the ball even though OU has a bunch of players in the box. Even the OU announcers were talking about the RPO and that the pass is available on those plays...
- That third and 11 scramble and throw to Kerley is yet another elite throw by Stone.
- Gardner only had 2 carries but his quickness is evident and he looks great. He probably should touch the ball a bit more.
- PJ was in at LG on the third and short that drive and pulls on the play, and I think he messed up. But the rest of that drive was the TD drive. Just a big time drive by Stone. He needs to look at that drive as one where he threw balls to the WR in contested areas, and his players either made plays or drew PI.
- Cam Robertson doesn't have the body to defend against the run well. Struggled to create pressure against the big tackle.
- Credit to Gabriel on that next TD drive. Sanders had great coverage on one catch, then great coverage to deny the TD in the corner, and then another great throw for the TD against Woods. Fantastic coverage but great throws.

After rewatching the game, I'm even more positive about where this team was than I was before. I think we are going to find out that OU is a really, really good team this year. Preston staying in the pocket and our RB reading the running game better are fixable issues. The defense looks great. I think we have a great opportunity to run the table the rest of the season.

[dalpony]

Thank you JasonB - great analysis as always

[HubbaHubba]

Good job JB. The play calling was bad at times. Thought the announcers were pretty fair (for homers) and how they saw the opportunity for RPO and our coaches didn't is puzzling. Our tight ends need to step it up both blocking and receiving. Better execution at that one position would have made a big difference.

[ponywhupp9202]

Thank you for sharing. I too was at the game. I do not watch with nearly the level of detail that you do, but the game wasn't halfway over and I kept saying to myself "I wonder if we can do anything about this Stutsman guy?" He was making plays all over the place. I assume he is their middle linebacker?

[BUS]

Oh, what a day. We left at noon and I got to bed at 2 am. The bus thrip was fun and I have never been to a game with 84000 fans. It took our bus and hour and a half to start the crawl home.

Super happy with the way the D looked. The O... not so much. Stone did not go through progressions. He was really amped I guess but his passes were off... all day. This is at least Lashlee says there is room to get better. The play calling was like the Bennett years. 1st and 2nd, run up the middle and quick pass on third.

OU is good but with some maturity and opening the playbook, I think we can take them. I drank the Punch.

Another thing I learned. at 63, a 14-hour day is rough. I did not make it to church Sunday morning.

Go Mustangs

[JasonB]

Oh, what a day. We left at noon and I got to bed at 2 am. The bus thrip was fun and I have never been to a game with 84000 fans. It took our bus and hour and a half to start the crawl home.

Super happy with the way the D looked. The O... not so much. Stone did not go through progressions. He was really amped I guess but his passes were off... all day. This is at least Lashlee says there is room to get better. The play calling was like the Bennett years. 1st and 2nd, run up the middle and quick pass on third.

OU is good but with some maturity and opening the playbook, I think we can take them. I drank the Punch.

Another thing I learned. at 63, a 14-hour day is rough. I did not make it to church Sunday morning.

Go Mustangs

Ditto, except I had to coach a soccer game on Saturday morning before I left for the SMU game. Long day, indeed!

[PerunaPunch]

Yes, the D has been terrific so far. I have to believe that with a little more from the offense, perhaps the D wouldn't have surrendered those late TDs either. Very impressed with this group, and I must admit to being pleasantly surprised to see Scott Symons doing here what he did at Liberty.

[JasonB]

Good job JB. The play calling was bad at times. Thought the announcers were pretty fair (for homers) and how they saw the opportunity for RPO and our coaches didn't is puzzling. Our tight ends need to step it up both blocking and receiving. Better execution at that one position would have made a big difference.

I'm curious to see how this evolves. Theoretically, I can see Stone thinking there are 7 in the box, and I have 7 blockers (OL + H Back + TE), and so we have a hat for a hat and we should run the ball in the RPO.

However, if our H Backs and TE aren't making their blocks (they aren't a lot of the time), then you have to change the math a bit, where we need to have a +1 advantage to run or you have to change the formation so you aren't using an H-Back (really a wasted player on the field if they aren't making their blocks).

During the Cowboy game last night, there was a running play where one of their TE is lined up at H-Back and pulls to the right and runs through the hole between Martin and Steele, and absolutely destroys the LB and the RB has a big gain. That is what we are supposed to be seeing.

I suspect it will be a big point of emphasis in practice this week, and in the Prairie View game. If we can't get it working against them, we will ditch it for the TCU game.

This running game is complicated with a lot of pieces, and we didn't really get it straightened out last year until the 4th game or so. I wouldn't give up on it quite yet. But we need to see a step up this week.

[PerunaPunch]

Where was Hudson??

[Charleston Pony]

Where was Hudson??

Dealing with injury that Lashlee said he didn't think was serious

[leopold]

Thanks for your thoughts.

I'll say this

When SMU took the field against OU I couldn't see a physical difference between the teams, especially on the lines. The idea that we line up against a potential CFP contender and there wasn't a physical difference is a HUGE step forward to me and signals even more good things ahead.

[Mustangs_Maroons]

The fumble not reviewed on OU's first drive and the missed assignment by the line on our first punt were significant game changing momentums. It would have put Preston under less pressure since OU immediately scored, and right off the bat, we were down by 7.

Another killer was the fumble - at that point you need to learn to wrap both hands around the ball. Our inability to get 1st downs on those occasions when it was third and short was frustrating. The most frustrating part was how everyone in that stadium knew we would run it up the middle on first down. Very questionable play calling, IMO. The decision to go for it when the game was still within 10 points in the fourth quarter, I'll never understand given the time that was left. Change the filed position and see if we can stop them so we get the ball back in a good spot on the field. I also think OU's secondary could have been tested, but we weren't daring enough except on a few drives. I think this team showed a lot to itself that it could complete, but I think we lacked the mentality that we could really win. I think the coaches did as well honestly.

[Charleston Pony]

Another killer was the fumble - at that point you need to learn to wrap both hands around the ball.

I seem to recall when Rooster left Miami for SMU a lot of Miami people talked about his tendency to fumble. Clearly he was not comfortable switching the ball to his left hand but his focus was on using his right arm to shed that tackler and possibly take that run to the house. Hopefully that is something that can be corrected because we could have taken momentum back with another score on that possession.

[Charleston Pony]

A couple of "no-calls" that didn't go our way really impacted the game:

The OU fumble on their 1st series...certainly appeared to be a fumble on the slow motion replay but give OU credit for running a play quickly. Their ability to run plays quickly was very impressive at times and that was one instance where it really paid off.

The no call for targeting that would have knocked one of their best defenders out of the game could have been significant given all the plays he made as the game went on. Even the OU announcers on the ESPN+ broadcast acknowledged that call "could have gone either way"

All in all a decent effort, but it's time for this program to get over the hump. A win at TCU would certainly help take the sting out of this loss, but let's fine tune against Prairie View this week.

[EastStang]

The very brief replay they showed at the stadium seemed to indicate on our fumble that their out of bounds player touched the ball before their guy fell on it. But again, it was not slow motion and he may have wiffed.