Breaking down ND/OU

[DomeLover3]

What I meant was that both defenses boast incredible stats. Not that they're similar against the run.

I watch a lot more OU football than you do. Pretty presumptuous of you to tell me what this OU team is and what it isn't.

Not presumptuous. OU against the run is like 46th in the country. Stats don't lie...

Both teams have great defenses, OU has a better secondary and a better offense.... The matchup is not favorable for ND. At all.

 

[IrishLax]

10 point dogs is a slap in the face. That has to be a motivator to our team, especially the defense!

How exactly does a "servicable" O-line not make our collective mouths water? Will we even need to rush more than 4 to get good pressure? I peg their offense at 10 or 13 points max for "normal" drives, i.e. don't start on the wrong side of the 50. I don't see how they can get to 20 overall unless we sh!t the bed somewhere.

If T'eo gets another pick in a win he has to move to a top 3 Heisman candidate. If he takes a pick or fumble back for six in a close one, he becomes a front runner.

As for offense, I think Golson now knows the value of running out of bounds and sliding. That alone saves some future fumbles.

We **** the bed pretty hard on a couple pass plays against BYU. And this offense is more complex with less time to get ready/organized pre-snap. That's my major concern.

 

[IrishLax]

Not presumptuous. OU against the run is like 46th in the country. Stats don't lie...

Both teams have great defenses, OU has a better secondary and a better offense.... The matchup is not favorable for ND. At all.

You're missing his point. His point was that irishpat misinterpreted what he was saying and then presumed to correct him on it. You're doing something similar.

He never once said their run defense was da bomb.

 

[Crimson streak]

I expect us to be in a lot of nickel. Which means shumate will get a lot of playing time. He has been very good so far this year lets hope he continues to play well

 

[Patulski]

1. Prevent big plays that go for touchdowns. We'll give up a few big plays, but we need to tackle right away. Like BYU, I suspect that they're going to go after Russel on the outside. We need to punch Landry Jones in the mouth early so that he flinches as the game goes on.

2. Stop all the sloppiness: Procedure penalties, facemask penalties, personal fouls. This stuff is particularly damaging in the Red Zone. Don't burn timeouts by failing to get the play off in time.

3. Score TD's in the Red Zone. If not, make the field goal.

4. Establish a ground game early, including the QB spread option play, and then win the game in the 4th quarter with the running game.

5. Convert a couple of long shots down field in the passing game. Don't throw interceptions. Avoid 3rd and long situations.

6. Contain their Special Teams. We might not put a lot of emphasis on it week in and week out, but they do.

 

[OUMallen]

You're missing his point. His point was that irishpat misinterpreted what he was saying and then presumed to correct him on it. You're doing something similar.

He never once said their run defense was da bomb.

Our run defense seems to be a bend-but-don't-break kind of thing. Not by choice - we're just not as strong on the DL as we have been in years past. LBs are pretty decent, but not game-breaking.

But we're so good in the 2ndary this year that it has evened out the relative weakness up front. We can get teams, even good offensive teams, into 3rd and long/3rd and mid-range, and that's been enough to get the ball back.

 

[RDU Irish]

Sept. 1, 2012 at Texas-El Paso W 24-7
Sept. 8, 2012 Florida A&M W 69-13
Sept. 22, 2012 Kansas State L 24-19
Oct. 6, 2012 at Texas Tech W 41-20
Oct. 13, 2012 Texas W 63-21
Oct. 20, 2012 Kansas W 52-7

Holding Texas Tech to 20 and K-State to 24 are fairly impressive. The defense really gave up 17 to K-State since they scored on a fumble in the end zone.

K-State won by keeping it close and running it down their throat. 44 rush attempts versus 21 pass attempts. They scored twice in 4Q to pull out the win and had the benefit of a fumble return for TD in the first quarter.

So we keep a 2:1 rush/pass ratio on offense and challenge to defense to make a statement. I like the odds of T'eo and Tuitt putting this game on their shoulders. I also think our secondary deserves a little bit of respect and earn it this weekend with some key contributions to winning this game.

 

[NDdomer2]

TP- What does Weis's offense have to do with breaking down the OU game? It is great information and deserves discussion but don't see the relation.

I have seen it mentioned a couple times that we need to find the right game plan or formula in order to beat Oklahoma. I disagree.

I think we need to use OUR game plan, the same one we have used all year.

1. Establish the run - We have been very good at coming out after half, putting it to teams in the trenches and finishing them off. I would like to see this attitude from the beginning of the game though.

2. Give our defense a long field - Turk has been pretty darn good this year, sans 2 kicks that I can think of. When our D has a long field they are one of the best in the nation in getting the ball back in the hands of Kelly and Golson whether it be turnovers or forcing punts. We RARELY give up TD's when the defense has long fields and we all know FG's are not going to win this game.

3. Play action roll out - Minimize the reads for Golson and gives him the ability to run. Young man, go out of bounds or get down. We do not need the incredible play, just good solid ones.

When we establish the run and our roll out passing game it dictates the defense making Golson's pre-snap reads easier and our offense all that more dangerous.

Be who we are. Physical, smart and focused.

 

[RDU Irish]

OU Mallen made the point on his secondary as I was typing my last comment, reinforces the game plan of pressuring OU's front seven early and often. Wear them down! I hope Golson can tuck and run on some broken pass plays to get first downs. If their secondary is the strength, send some guys deep to clear them away from the LOS and free up running room. Golson has proven he can fly the ball 60 yards, that is better than we are punting so why not give Eifert and Daniels some deep shots?

 

[IrishLax]

Sept. 1, 2012 at Texas-El Paso W 24-7
Sept. 8, 2012 Florida A&M W 69-13
Sept. 22, 2012 Kansas State L 24-19
Oct. 6, 2012 at Texas Tech W 41-20
Oct. 13, 2012 Texas W 63-21
Oct. 20, 2012 Kansas W 52-7

Holding Texas Tech to 20 and K-State to 24 are fairly impressive. The defense really gave up 17 to K-State since they scored on a fumble in the end zone.

K-State won by keeping it close and running it down their throat. 44 rush attempts versus 21 pass attempts. They scored twice in 4Q to pull out the win and had the benefit of a fumble return for TD in the first quarter.

So we keep a 2:1 rush/pass ratio on offense and challenge to defense to make a statement. I like the odds of T'eo and Tuitt putting this game on their shoulders. I also think our secondary deserves a little bit of respect and earn it this weekend with some key contributions to winning this game.

Absolutely, if I'm the coaches I run nearly every down that isn't 3rd & 5 or longer. Go jumbo set with multiple TEs and maybe an extra OL (NICHOLS!) the whole game. Run zone-read and misdirection plays. Limit overall possessions in the game.

 

[BigDaddyCogs]

Good thing CBK gave Golson the extra week to just watch OU film and work on timing of the deep ball to Chris Brown. "Don't worry Ev, we'll let Tommy take care of BYU ..." I believe they call this The Gentleman's Bye Week

 

[OUMallen]

Absolutely, if I'm the coaches I run nearly every down that isn't 3rd & 5 or longer. Go jumbo set with multiple TEs and maybe an extra OL (NICHOLS!) the whole game. Run zone-read and misdirection plays. Limit overall possessions in the game.

Agreed. We're used to running a LOT of plays. I think you're onto it- as they say in basketball, "Take the air out of the ball." Shorten the game against us, run the tar out of the ball. Make this one an ugly, bruiser of a game. Force the OU front 7 to play ball for 60 full minutes.

 

[Cackalacky]

Misdirection and screens would help. Hoping we see some more of the playbook this week.

Yeah I think we ran only three plays against BYU.
Fake reverse power up the middle. Short flat to Eifert (double covered). Eifert up the seam (double covered).

Oh and one streak down sideline to TJ. So 4 plays.

We should have bubble screened and jet sweeped the hell out of Stanford and did not. IDK...BK ran it up the gut against stanford. He ran it up the gut against BYU. He ran it up the gut against Miami... I am guessing we will run it up the gut against OU.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Another IE poster texted me this morning said this is biggest game of our lifetime as ND fans. Both of us under 30 years old, think I might have to agree. Just got me hyped and wanted to share.

 

[mrmiller8]

Bottom line is that I haven't been this excited for a game in a long long time. Can't wait till saturday! The wait until 8:00pm is going to be awful.

 

[irishpat183]

What I meant was that both defenses boast incredible stats. Not that they're similar against the run.

I watch a lot more OU football than you do. Pretty presumptuous of you to tell me what this OU team is and what it isn't.

Gotcha...And it's pretty presumptuous of you to assume that you watch "a lot more OU football" than me.

I've seen almost every game. They're on almost every weekend down here in Texas.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Another IE poster texted me this morning said this is biggest game of our lifetime as ND fans. Both of us under 30 years old, think I might have to agree. Just got me hyped and wanted to share.

The game against michigan was pretty big in 2006, as was the game against USC in 2005.

This is right up there for sure, but you have already lived thru some that have been equal magnitude.

 

[irishpat183]

Bottom line is that I haven't been this excited for a game in a long long time. Can't wait till saturday! The wait until 8:00pm is going to be awful.

Me Too!!!


Gonna be a great game.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Yeah I think we ran only three plays against BYU.
Fake reverse power up the middle. Short flat to Eifert (double covered). Eifert up the seam (double covered).

Oh and one streak down sideline to TJ. So 4 plays.

We should have bubble screened and jet sweeped the hell out of Stanford and did not. IDK...BK ran it up the gut against stanford. He ran it up the gut against BYU. He ran it up the gut against Miami... I am guessing we will run it up the gut against OU.

As long as Golic is pulling, I am happy.

 

[WaveDomer]

I think Brindza and Turk might be the keys to this game. Keep OU with a long field if we don't convert and get the 3 if we don't convert in the red zone. I expect the running game to break off some large runs and hopefully ND wears them down and GAIII can find a seam to take it the distance. Also, limiting stupid penalties will be key.

This team is a grinding team. Even the blowout wins were done on the ground and with smothering D.

 

[OUMallen]

Gotcha...And it's pretty presumptuous of you to assume that you watch "a lot more OU football" than me.

I've seen almost every game. They're on almost every weekend down here in Texas.

LOLZ, yo.

 

[OUMallen]

The game against michigan was pretty big in 2006, as was the game against USC in 2005.

This is right up there for sure, but you have already lived thru some that have been equal magnitude.

Oklahoma-Notre Dame: College football's biggest spectacle next weekend will be played on Owen Field | NewsOK.com

Here's the magnitude from our perspective.

 

[arrowryan]

We have been a running team all year and that won't change on Saturday. If Oklahoma has an average running defense then I'm starting to like our chances a little more. We have to run the ball successfully and that will open up the play-action pass.

On defense, we have to get pressure. It's as simple as that. I have read that there o-line is a patchwork. Tuitt and Shembo need to bring the heat and Nix needs to establish himself in the middle. Getting pressure on Jones means everything in this game.

If these things happen, I like our chances.

 

[OUMallen]

We have been a running team all year and that won't change on Saturday. If Oklahoma has an average running defense then I'm starting to like our chances a little more. We have to run the ball successfully and that will open up the play-action pass.

On defense, we have to get pressure. It's as simple as that. I have read that there o-line is a patchwork. Tuitt and Shembo need to bring the heat and Nix needs to establish himself in the middle. Getting pressure on Jones means everything in this game.

If these things happen, I like our chances.

Oh hell, if these things happen, ND wins.

 

[koonja]

I haven't seen a Sooners game all year. If someone could answer me these, reps your way:

1) I hear a lot about their 'patch work' o-line. Same could be said about ours. So many false starts and Golic being exposed in the last 3 games. How is their O-line compared to ours? Is theirs actually weaker?

2) How good is their front 7? I literally know nothing about them. Do they stop the run? Can they pressure the QB?

 

[OUMallen]

I haven't seen a Sooners game all year. If someone could answer me these, reps your way:

1) I hear a lot about their 'patch work' o-line. Same could be said about ours. So many false starts and Golic being exposed in the last 3 games. How is their O-line compared to ours? Is theirs actually weaker?

2) How good is their front 7? I literally know nothing about them. Do they stop the run? Can they pressure the QB?

I haven't really seen the ND OL. I will say that ours is disciplined and we've been running the ball better recently. However, we haven't exactly been playing ND's front 7 week in and week out, so we'll see. We've been hit by attrition and injury. It's not that we're not talented there, exactly...it's more like we're new and really thin.

Front 7 is...I'll give them a "pretty good" rating. They tackle really well, and except for LB Tom Wort, we've been really gap sound. We "sorta" stop the run. We're not punishing in rush defense. We do have to generate QB pressure artificially at times.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I haven't really seen the ND OL. I will say that ours is disciplined and we've been running the ball better recently. However, we haven't exactly been playing ND's front 7 week in and week out, so we'll see. We've been hit by attrition and injury. It's not that we're not talented there, exactly...it's more like we're new and really thin.

Front 7 is...I'll give them a "pretty good" rating. They tackle really well, and except for LB Tom Wort, we've been really gap sound. We "sorta" stop the run. We're not punishing in rush defense. We do have to generate QB pressure artificially at times.

Any key starters injured for OU?

 

[irishpat183]

I haven't seen a Sooners game all year. If someone could answer me these, reps your way:

1) I hear a lot about their 'patch work' o-line. Same could be said about ours. So many false starts and Golic being exposed in the last 3 games. How is their O-line compared to ours? Is theirs actually weaker?

2) How good is their front 7? I literally know nothing about them. Do they stop the run? Can they pressure the QB?

1. Their Oline isn't bad. And for the most part, they do a good job in protection. However, they seem to come apart when you start bringing stunts and disguising blitzes. Keep in mind...in the two games that OU has played the worst? 5 outta the 7 sacks were allowed. Get to Jones, and you can beat them.

2. Their front 7 is average in terms of typical OU football. If there is a weakness, it's their run D (I think they're around 50th or something?). Kstate and UTEP ran for over 200 yards and I believe we have better athletes. So that does work in our favor. Their secondary is great. But if we can run the ball and force them to come up, we may squeeze one over the top. Gotta hit those opportunities.

 

[OUMallen]

1. Their Oline isn't bad. And for the most part, they do a good job in protection. However, they seem to come apart when you start bringing stunts and disguising blitzes. Keep in mind...in the two games that OU has played the worst? 5 outta the 7 sacks were allowed. Get to Jones, and you can beat them.

2. They're front 7 is average for OU. If there is a weakness, it's their run D (I think they're around 50th or something?). Kstate ran for over 200 yards and I believe we have better athletes. So that does work in our favor. Their secondary is great. But if we can run the ball and force them to come up, we may squeeze one over the top. Gotta hit those opportunities.

This sums it up well.

 

[irishpat183]

This sums it up well.

On the OU side...just focus all your pressure to the Golic side of the line.

Oh, and blitz Nicklas if they keep him in on passing downs. Preferably with a LB.