Breaking down ND/OU

[HoosierSooner]

So we are not holding KState in high enough regard, and yet you follow that with a built-in excuse of Landry Jones blowing the game. So do you think KState won the game, or OU lost it? You can't have it both ways.

That's a fair point.. I think it's both. I think our line got pretty whipped that day and I think Landry reacted VERY poorly to the pressure. I.E.- Fumble on the goal line, multiple interceptions where the OU receiever wasn't even within 5 yards, etc..
You will naturally say: "If K STATE whipped your line...why wouldn''t ours?"
I have covered this previously as have a couple other sooner posters. I think the patchwork nature of the O line this season has given us a poor start to the season, but I'm seeing improvement each week in the line, on both sides of the ball. They are not the NFL prospects we've had in the past, but I think they've gotten better and better as they've grown more comfortable in their roles. Will that be enough to stop Landry from spending the day on his back? No clue. We'll find out.

 

[OUMallen]

So we are not holding KState in high enough regard, and yet you follow that with a built-in excuse of Landry Jones blowing the game. So do you think KState won the game, or OU lost it? You can't have it both ways.

IMO, OU lost it. KSU is a nice defense, but we win that game 8/10 times.

 

[WE ARE OU]

IMO, OU lost it. KSU is a nice defense, but we win that game 8/10 times.

Agree we had two miscues that wont happen in the same game 99 times out of 100 with the two turnovers on both goal lines

 

[OUMallen]

I vote to ban all Sooners except for OUMullen.

I appreciate that.

(Also, I thief-ed 900 from your account.)

 

[OU_Sooners75]

Okay...

OU is doomed and should just forfeit.

There is no way on earth that OU can compete with ND. Their defense is just so stout and invincible! It would just make OU look more honorable to just not show up.


BYU, michigan, MSU, Navy, etc are way over OUs caliber and OU is out of their league....OU is doomed!


Seriously though, please stop acting as if Notre Dame has played all these offensive and defensive juggernauts! Their not!

And stop acting like ND is heads and shoulders above KSU!

Jesus, we Sooner fans see that ND is a much improved and definitely deserving of the success they are having. We (at least the logical and realistic ones) OU fans understand that OU I sfacing arguably the best derfense they will all season.

I got a question for you ND fans....


How is ND going to be ready for an up tempo no huddle offense that OU has mastered? What will happen if OU jumps up by 2 or 3 scores early and keeps pooring it on offensively?

Everyone is talking about how unbelievably NFL the ND defense is, are they in good enough shape to stay on the field without subbing? If ND chooses to line up in their base 3-4 without being in nickle, will your base personnel be good enough to cover the slots and RBs on passing routes?

Trust me. If ND sits in zone all game, Landry will surgically pick it apart. If you go man more than not, the speed and size on the outside will streak downfield.

I personally will be surprised if ND gets less than 3 sacks and less than 9 hurries on Jones.

That said, some of you said you have watched the OU/KSU game video. Good. Now watch the Tech game video. The Texas and KU game videos as well.

You will see a much definite Landry Jones. The KSU game, he was trying to slide out of the pocket all game long. In the last three games, when the defense was pressuring Jones, he has been trusting his pocket and stepping into it. He was more worried about giving the ball away than getting sacked.

He also has more trust in his receiving corps. Something clicked after that KSU game, that he seems to be back to his 2010 form, not his late 2011 form.

My point, I think it doesn't matter how much pressure you put on Landry. He has the trust in his WRs and OL. He doesn't play the game as he has to win it. He is playing the game to get the ball to his playmakers. And he has plenty of them.


On defense, OU plays gap assignment on the front. The LBs uncluded. You won't see a lot of blitzing. You won't see a lot of stunting. But you will see movement to the ball. You will see gaps being filled. And you will see two cornerbacks that can shut your passing game down. You will see two safeties that can be game changers.

If OU plays their best game, and if ND plays their best game, its going to be the team with the best special teams play that wins. If no turnovers occur, if few penalties occur, if both plays well, the special teams will decide this game.

I'm excited about it. I obviously want OU to win. But I also have some big doubts. ND seems to be destined for something special and OU is standing in their way.

Some have said ND has nothing to lose. Yeah they do. They lose their control of their own destiny if they lose. OU has NC contenders to lose. So its a game that both teams have a lot to lose and everything to gain.

ND, this isn't Michigan or BYU you are gearing up to play. This is the winningest BCS AQ team since 2000 you arfe about to play. This is the winningest team since 1946 you are about to play.


OU will be ready, will you?

FYI the last time an undefeated ranked non-conference team came to norman, they left very upset at their team. (FSU)

 

[ThePiombino]

Agree we had two miscues that wont happen in the same game 99 times out of 100 with the two turnovers on both goal lines

We were saying the same thing after the USF game last year. You'd be surprised what can happen...

 

[NDdomer2]

Okay...

OU is doomed and should just forfeit.

There is no way on earth that OU can compete with ND. Their defense is just so stout and invincible! It would just make OU look more honorable to just not show up.


BYU, michigan, MSU, Navy, etc are way over OUs caliber and OU is out of their league....OU is doomed!


Seriously though, please stop acting as if Notre Dame has played all these offensive and defensive juggernauts! Their not!

And stop acting like ND is heads and shoulders above KSU!

Jesus, we Sooner fans see that ND is a much improved and definitely deserving of the success they are having. We (at least the logical and realistic ones) OU fans understand that OU I sfacing arguably the best derfense they will all season.

I got a question for you ND fans....


How is ND going to be ready for an up tempo no huddle offense that OU has mastered? What will happen if OU jumps up by 2 or 3 scores early and keeps pooring it on offensively?

Everyone is talking about how unbelievably NFL the ND defense is, are they in good enough shape to stay on the field without subbing? If ND chooses to line up in their base 3-4 without being in nickle, will your base personnel be good enough to cover the slots and RBs on passing routes?

Trust me. If ND sits in zone all game, Landry will surgically pick it apart. If you go man more than not, the speed and size on the outside will streak downfield.

I personally will be surprised if ND gets less than 3 sacks and less than 9 hurries on Jones.

That said, some of you said you have watched the OU/KSU game video. Good. Now watch the Tech game video. The Texas and KU game videos as well.

You will see a much definite Landry Jones. The KSU game, he was trying to slide out of the pocket all game long. In the last three games, when the defense was pressuring Jones, he has been trusting his pocket and stepping into it. He was more worried about giving the ball away than getting sacked.

He also has more trust in his receiving corps. Something clicked after that KSU game, that he seems to be back to his 2010 form, not his late 2011 form.

My point, I think it doesn't matter how much pressure you put on Landry. He has the trust in his WRs and OL. He doesn't play the game as he has to win it. He is playing the game to get the ball to his playmakers. And he has plenty of them.


On defense, OU plays gap assignment on the front. The LBs uncluded. You won't see a lot of blitzing. You won't see a lot of stunting. But you will see movement to the ball. You will see gaps being filled. And you will see two cornerbacks that can shut your passing game down. You will see two safeties that can be game changers.

If OU plays their best game, and if ND plays their best game, its going to be the team with the best special teams play that wins. If no turnovers occur, if few penalties occur, if both plays well, the special teams will decide this game.

I'm excited about it. I obviously want OU to win. But I also have some big doubts. ND seems to be destined for something special and OU is standing in their way.

Some have said ND has nothing to lose. Yeah they do. They lose their control of their own destiny if they lose. OU has NC contenders to lose. So its a game that both teams have a lot to lose and everything to gain.

ND, this isn't Michigan or BYU you are gearing up to play. This is the winningest BCS AQ team since 2000 you arfe about to play. This is the winningest team since 1946 you are about to play.


OU will be ready, will you?

FYI the last time an undefeated ranked non-conference team came to norman, they left very upset at their team. (FSU)

 

[Shawn Barry]

sorry boys but we are spoiling the anniversary of well us spoiling your streak

 

[PraetorianND]

Okay...

OU is doomed and should just forfeit.

There is no way on earth that OU can compete with ND. Their defense is just so stout and invincible! It would just make OU look more honorable to just not show up.


BYU, michigan, MSU, Navy, etc are way over OUs caliber and OU is out of their league....OU is doomed!


Seriously though, please stop acting as if Notre Dame has played all these offensive and defensive juggernauts! Their not!

And stop acting like ND is heads and shoulders above KSU!

Jesus, we Sooner fans see that ND is a much improved and definitely deserving of the success they are having. We (at least the logical and realistic ones) OU fans understand that OU I sfacing arguably the best derfense they will all season.

I got a question for you ND fans....


How is ND going to be ready for an up tempo no huddle offense that OU has mastered? What will happen if OU jumps up by 2 or 3 scores early and keeps pooring it on offensively?

Everyone is talking about how unbelievably NFL the ND defense is, are they in good enough shape to stay on the field without subbing? If ND chooses to line up in their base 3-4 without being in nickle, will your base personnel be good enough to cover the slots and RBs on passing routes?

Trust me. If ND sits in zone all game, Landry will surgically pick it apart. If you go man more than not, the speed and size on the outside will streak downfield.

I personally will be surprised if ND gets less than 3 sacks and less than 9 hurries on Jones.

That said, some of you said you have watched the OU/KSU game video. Good. Now watch the Tech game video. The Texas and KU game videos as well.

You will see a much definite Landry Jones. The KSU game, he was trying to slide out of the pocket all game long. In the last three games, when the defense was pressuring Jones, he has been trusting his pocket and stepping into it. He was more worried about giving the ball away than getting sacked.

He also has more trust in his receiving corps. Something clicked after that KSU game, that he seems to be back to his 2010 form, not his late 2011 form.

My point, I think it doesn't matter how much pressure you put on Landry. He has the trust in his WRs and OL. He doesn't play the game as he has to win it. He is playing the game to get the ball to his playmakers. And he has plenty of them.


On defense, OU plays gap assignment on the front. The LBs uncluded. You won't see a lot of blitzing. You won't see a lot of stunting. But you will see movement to the ball. You will see gaps being filled. And you will see two cornerbacks that can shut your passing game down. You will see two safeties that can be game changers.

If OU plays their best game, and if ND plays their best game, its going to be the team with the best special teams play that wins. If no turnovers occur, if few penalties occur, if both plays well, the special teams will decide this game.

I'm excited about it. I obviously want OU to win. But I also have some big doubts. ND seems to be destined for something special and OU is standing in their way.

Some have said ND has nothing to lose. Yeah they do. They lose their control of their own destiny if they lose. OU has NC contenders to lose. So its a game that both teams have a lot to lose and everything to gain.

ND, this isn't Michigan or BYU you are gearing up to play. This is the winningest BCS AQ team since 2000 you arfe about to play. This is the winningest team since 1946 you are about to play.


OU will be ready, will you?

FYI the last time an undefeated ranked non-conference team came to norman, they left very upset at their team. (FSU)

I will be ready to watch. Unfortunately I am not on the team (bad back) and will not be playing on Saturday.

 

[OU_Sooners75]

We were saying the same thing after the USF game last year. You'd be surprised what can happen...

That's good, most of it is probably beyond your scope anyway.

 

[BGIF]

Football Outsiders ranks the two teams opponents as:

5 KSU
7 SU
12 TT
14 UM
16 UTX
18 MSU
26 BYU
57 PU
78 MIA
94 KU
99 Navy
101 UTEP
NR FAM

Interesting reading OU fans ragging on SU and ND doing the same with KSU while Football Outsiders ranks them so close together, #5 and #7. I also found interesting the closeness of Michigan and Texas, #14 and #16, the next 3 toughest opponents, BYU, 26, PU, 57, and Miami, 78, are NDs, then KU at 94, Navy at 99, and UTEP over the century mark at 101, and Not Ranked Florida A&M, a Div 1aa school. Sagarin by comparison has FAM way down at #193.

OU's top 3 opponents (to date) KSU, TT, and UTX are ranked # 5, 12, and 16 average #11while ND's top 3 opponents are SU, UM, and MSU, # 7, 14, and 18 average # 13. Whether we fans like it or not, that's a push.

ND has an edge in the midrange opponents but the Quality Opponents are the real competition and their equal.


Sagarin ranks teams based on Wins and Losses and Strength of Schedule played to date. He has OU ranked #2 and ND #6 in his Predictor Model which results in OU being a 6 point favorite in Norman. He ranks ND's SOS as #20 and OU's as #28. While the rankings are close, he has ND with a tougher schedule by a FG a game.

Transposing that Opponent Schedule played to date into one representative team (Sagarin's S.O.S number equating to the closest team with the same Predictor Rankings), ND's would be Tennessee and OU's San Diego State. I doubt either ND or OU fans will be happy with those two teams.

 

[PraetorianND]

That's good, most of it is probably beyond your scope anyway.

This comment is beyond my "scope." WTF are you talking about?

 

[PraetorianND]

I was channeling my inner Lou Holtz!

Fair enough.

 

[woolybug25]

FEI's stats had Bama as #3 at the end of last year and LSU #1...

 

[HoosierSooner]

sorry boys but we are spoiling the anniversary of well us spoiling your streak

Yup. You're going to try. And that's exactly what makes this game so compelling. It's why we're all so freakin' cranked up. I'm sure both sides have been reminded of that historical component more than they care to hear. I can't even imagine how nervous and amped those guys are going to be, from both teams, when they come out on to the field.

 

[IrishLion]

I got a question for you ND fans....


How is ND going to be ready for an up tempo no huddle offense that OU has mastered? What will happen if OU jumps up by 2 or 3 scores early and keeps pooring it on offensively?

Everyone is talking about how unbelievably NFL the ND defense is, are they in good enough shape to stay on the field without subbing? If ND chooses to line up in their base 3-4 without being in nickle, will your base personnel be good enough to cover the slots and RBs on passing routes?

Trust me. If ND sits in zone all game, Landry will surgically pick it apart. If you go man more than not, the speed and size on the outside will streak downfield.

1. The ND defense is in plenty good shape... this is why they have won the close games they have. They are simply overpowering teams late in games (offensively AND defensively). Part of that is also because we can send 3/4 extra players in throughout the game that result in almost no drop in production, and the starters are even rested a bit (Day, Schwenke, Springman, Ishaq... all relievers that provide quality reps both spelling the starting front 7 and playing late in games).

2. ND will be in a nickel package when they need to, and Fox/Spond have done an above-average job to this point in covering TEs and RBs out of the backfield when they aren't. Also, Jackson and Russel only get beat deep if they blow a coverage, not because an opponent is outrunning them on every go-route they run.

3. Bob Diaco will mix his D up just fine, he's not so stubborn that the secondary will stick with zone if they start getting picked apart, nor will he stay with man an entire game if they are getting burnt deep often (BTW, Diaco builds his defense around preventing big plays, including getting burnt deep. The only way it happens is if one of the youngsters blows a coverage, which very well could happen).

 

[Patulski]

That's not what happened.
Somebody asked how OU's CBs would match up with your TE.
They were told that they wouldn't, and the TE would likely be covered by a combination of Jefferson and Shannon.

Well that's great, because we line up Eifert all the time as a wideout, sometimes with two other tight Ends in the game. It will be nice to know you'll be using one or both of of your "shutdown corners" playing in the safety position, while BOTH of your safeties in combination are concerned with Eifert. ND will line up Eifert as a wideout, both your safeties will be combination covering him, and we'll run at your corners. We'll see how that'll work out.

Let me guess: Your "shutdown Corners" are really corners in the bodies of Safeties. Supermen, who can all of the sudden stick their nose in the box and take on our other tight ends, shed them and make tackles without any dropoff.

Or, are you another "Dancing Sooner", because you don't know anything about how ND uses Eifert and its other Tight Ends, and are making ridiculous statements about how Stoops will defend Eifert and ND's multiple tight end alignments?

 

[koonja]

The OU hurry-up does scare me; they're great at it. That's their chance to wear down our D-line and confuse our 2ndary. From the film I watched (Texas/KSU) when they run the no-huddle and have a short/no gain, they come out of it. That will make 1st & 10 a very important down for our defense.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

What do you Sooners think about the Marcus Dupree debacle? Blame Switzer at all? I've seen that 30 for 30 about a million times but never heard a Sooner's take on it.

 

[OU_Sooners75]

1. The ND defense is in plenty good shape... this is why they have won the close games they have. They are simply overpowering teams late in games (offensively AND defensively). Part of that is also because we can send 3/4 extra players in throughout the game that result in almost no drop in production, and the starters are even rested a bit (Day, Schwenke, Springman, Ishaq... all relievers that provide quality reps both spelling the starting front 7 and playing late in games).

2. ND will be in a nickel package when they need to, and Fox/Spond have done an above-average job to this point in covering TEs and RBs out of the backfield when they aren't. Also, Jackson and Russel only get beat deep if they blow a coverage, not because an opponent is outrunning them on every go-route they run.

3. Bob Diaco will mix his D up just fine, he's not so stubborn that the secondary will stick with zone if they start getting picked apart, nor will he stay with man an entire game if they are getting burnt deep often (BTW, Diaco builds his defense around preventing big plays, including getting burnt deep. The only way it happens is if one of the youngsters blows a coverage, which very well could happen).

Do you all have a facepalm emoticon?

I'm posting from phone and don't see one.


If so, then consider it posted instead of all theses words!

If not:

 

[BGIF]

2. ND will be in a nickel package when they need to, and Fox/Spond have done an above-average job to this point in covering TEs and RBs out of the backfield when they aren't. Also, Jackson and Russel only get beat deep if they blow a coverage, not because an opponent is outrunning them on every go-route they run.

...

If you're going to wage battle on behalf of the ND players, spell their names correctly. Russell has two "l"s at the end of his name not one.

 

[HoosierSooner]

The OU hurry-up does scare me; they're great at it. That's their chance to wear down our D-line and confuse our 2ndary. From the film I watched (Texas/KSU) when they run the no-huddle and have a short/no gain, they come out of it. That will make 1st & 10 a very important down for our defense.

A very good observation. I actually think (partly because of the historical component to this game) OU will likely be the more tight team at the start. I'm reminded of the game against Nebraska, when Eric Crouch and co. came in ranked no. 1 and OU immediately got down 14-0. Crouch was everywhere. Then OU settled down, got over the nerves of the moment, adjusted, and blew them out. And before someone overreacts to that...NO...i'm not suggesting OU is going to blow out ND.

 

[OU_Sooners75]

What do you Sooners think about the Marcus Dupree debacle? Blame Switzer at all? I've seen that 30 for 30 about a million times but never heard a Sooner's take on it.

Who do you blame since you watched it?

Me, I blame both! But moreso Dupree.

 

[PraetorianND]

Do OU fans to go other teams' sites every week and do this?

 

[IrishLion]

If you're going to wage battle on behalf of the ND players, spell their names correctly. Russell has two "l"s at the end of his name not one.

I was typing rapidly, my apologies for missing that single letter.

 

[Black Dynamite]

Hi all i just joined today and one observation i have made as i read throught the posts on here is that some of the people are very rude, inconsiderate, foul mouthed and tend to belittle and demean anything that is said that they don't agree with. I find this quite disturbing and to me it does not seem to follow the mission that we as people who represent Notre Dame should be expressing. I am highly disappointed in these actions and I would hope that many of you do not act like this in the real world, and in fact i would hope that this would not continue here as well. Please take time to look in the mirror next time you type profane and insulting things and ask yourself is this what Notre Dame stands for and would i like to be treated this way. If you have forgotten anything that you have leaned there go back and reread the mission I would hope we would all be following.

Mission Statement // About ND // University of Notre Dame

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Who do you blame since you watched it?

Me, I blame both! But moreso Dupree.

That...was a more abrasive response than I was expecting...I just liked the documentary...[slowly backs away]

 

[Patulski]

Andrew Jackson should banish them to one uninhabited thread

Just let them circle jerk together in one big steaming pile of their own misinformation.

 

[OU_Sooners75]

IrishLion10....


The long post of mone was actually a spoof...lol


But since you mentioned...#1.


OU doesn't have to let the defense sub, unless they sub in on the offense.


Saying that, OU has caught the opposing defense in plenty of illegal substitution penalties because they have tried to sub when OU didn't.

When the offense is on the field, OU has the personnel that can run many different sets and formations. For instance, Trey Millard is a FB. But he can line up as a tailback, slot, or TE. Williams can lineup as a FB, out wide, or offset back. Etc. When OU wants to get going fast, then ND will not be able to sub, unless the offense subs.

So, that's why the initial question was there. We have seen some very good defense tire by half time just because they have ran 50+ plays before break.

There have been about 7 games since OU went to a no huddle where the offense has ran over 100 plays. There has been cllose to 20 games where OU ran over 90. Then there has also been times where OU slows way down and runs less than 70.


I can betcha, that if the OU is clicking and the crowd is in the game, OU will top 90 playsvs. ND. And most of those will be without subbing. And in turn your defense won't be able to sub and will tire.

 

[BarrySwitz]

So your secondary is really that good?

IMO, yes, but does it really matter in this game? Notre Dame will not try to air it out often, but if they do, they will pay.

Tony Jefferson, Free Safety
Junior, 3 year starter, started as a true freshman and was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and 1st Team Freshman All American. He's a great tackler with the "big hit" potential. He is very good in coverage and seems to always be around the ball to make a tackle or pick. He's big and can be used to blitz, although Mike Stoops isn't a fan of safety blitzes. Senior Jesse Paulsen (a white safety!) is his backup and has seen a lot of playing time. He is very good as well.

Gabe Lynn, Nickel Back
Redshirt junior and weakest spot in the secondary, IMO. Single handedly (IMO) lost us the Texas Tech game last year-- he was beat on throw after throw. He has improved somewhat but is still a huge liability. He is sharing many snaps with Julian Wilson, a redshirt sophomore. I wouldn't be surprised to see Wilson start over Lynn.

Aaron Colvin, Corner Back
Junior- played at CB as a freshman, started at SS as a sophomore, and was moved back to his natural position at CB this year. He is scary good in coverage and is known as our "shut-down" corner. NFL-ready type of player. Golson would be wise to not throw to whomever Colvin is covering.

Demontre Hurst, Corner Back
Senior- 3 year starter at CB. Scary good but doesn't get the attention Colvin and Jefferson get. Very solid player with great instincts.


Javon Harris, Strong Safety
Senior- ball hawk. Goes for the pick often. He is not our best DB but has 4 INTs this season including 2 last week vs. KU and 1 vs. Texas Tech. Last year he got torched against Baylor's Robert Griffin. Overall, he's improved from last year.