Breaking down ND/OU

[woolybug25]

i dont believe that is OU's style they run up tempo a quite a bit and i saw on TV several times it was used early and often and i saw then use it alot after big plays

I literally have no idea what you are saying...





@domerdude - Great post, homie. reps.

 

[cujays]

From what I have seen OU's style is to run up tempo, they dont do it all the time but they have run it to start games and they do it very often after big plays especially when the DB's and linemen get gassed or in situations where an extra DB would be beneficial and the defense cannot get him in due to the tempo.

 

[ickythump1225]

i love ND but i think the outcome will be bad sat. Taking off all the blinders and strictly talking X's O's with no bias what does everyone think the outcome and score will be and lets be honest...I am guessing 35-10 OU and I am cringing with every number i typed here and am hoping the score will be the other way around.

Why is being "realistic" synonymous with being negative? I think the most realistic option is a close game with either team being able to win.

 

[IrishLion]

"Realistically" I see the winner winning by 3, 10 if they finish a very late drive with a score to put the outcome out of question. We talk about forcing Landry Jones into mistakes with pressure, but I think it comes down to Golson. If he avoids a big interception/fumble late in the game, ND wins by 3. If the running game can finish OU off, ND wins by 10.

On the flip side, if Golson makes a big mistake late, OU will win it with a field goal. If they get the ball after that and ND gets discouraged, OU will win by 10.

 

[OUMallen]

I can't believe the entire college football world doesn't follow that offensive strategy...

Now I'll be serious.
The more snaps you have, the more passes you attempt and so on... Does provide all the things you mentioned, but it also increases the odds for turnovers. Every time the ball is in the air, it has a chance to fall into the waiting arms of either team. What Bob Stoops does works for him, no doubt. However Kelly has a system and it works as well.

I associate Kelly's coaching strategy to golf...
Golf is all about limiting your mistakes. You might hit a hole in one every 1,000 times you hit from a par 3 tee box, but that won't help your score in the long run. What will is making EVERY swing count. Limit your mistakes, (Turnovers, big plays, touchdowns etc...) Don't run 70 plays half a$$ed, run 55-60 plays with proper execution offensively and force OU to be as close to perfect on offense as possible.

The end result is Saturday is a clash of styles, High powered OU offense vs a well coached fundamentally sound Irish D, that has the athletes to make big plays.
Run and Gun vs Ground and pound.

All in all, I can't wait for Saturday. Should be a measuring stick for how far the Irish have come and how far Kelly can take this team in years to come.

OUMallen= The one opposing fan that doesn't make you hate an opposing fan base.

Agreed. But I will say: what we worry about more than TOs is having 3 or 4 short - REALLY FAST! - drives in a row. Kills our own defense by making them get out there too much.

 

[Emcee77]

i love ND but i think the outcome will be bad sat. Taking off all the blinders and strictly talking X's O's with no bias what does everyone think the outcome and score will be and lets be honest...I am guessing 35-10 OU and I am cringing with every number i typed here and am hoping the score will be the other way around.

After 600 posts of this do we have to? How long can we make bold predictions? The reality is that nobody knows and weird things happen all the time every Saturday. Didn't expect NCSU to beat FSU, for instance, but it happened. What I've seen from ND this season is a physically and mentally tough team that has outlasted everyone they've played. I'd like to think we can outlast and outmuscle OU down the stretch, just as we've done to everyone we've played. But how can I possibly know. You never know.

So what if from here on in we stopped pissing each other off with bold predictions and just talked about interesting aspects of the game, without trying to tell the future? I would love that.

(Hoggie and Black Dynamite and Irish Houstonian: ^mission statement^)

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

You act like our defense can't make adjustments on the fly...do you OU fans know about this guy?: MANTI TE'O

Yes, the HEISMAN contending, all-american middle linebacker, Irish captain, and you guessed it...leader of the defense. The guy is our QB on defense and can make the adjustments for us just as quickly as Landry can on the offensive side of the ball.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

From what I have seen OU's style is to run up tempo, they dont do it all the time but they have run it to start games and they do it very often after big plays especially when the DB's and linemen get gassed or in situations where an extra DB would be beneficial and the defense cannot get him in due to the tempo.

I ran out of breath reading this so I stopped. Sorry.

IMHO, OU will probably succeed on a couple first downs if they go no-huddle, up-tempo. Its worked for a couple first downs on our D in the past, mainly Miami. But soon enough we pick up, start to get pressure, and will interrupt OU's ability to continue to go up-tempo. If we start busting down that O-line and Nix Tuitt & Co. are breaking through, they will probably slow it down. And before you say anything about conditioning, our guys are conditioned enough to hold OU to 3 and out even after running no-huddle for a few first downs.

 

[IrishLion]

I will also note that because of the talent on these two teams, combined with variables such as Jones playing poorly when he is pressured and ND having a young secondary, "realistic" outcomes in this game range from a blowout in OU's favor to a comfortable ND win. "Realism" is a tricky term when looking at a game like this.

It is realistic that ND is able to pound the ball all day, and force Jones into enough mistakes to win comfortably, say by 14+.

It is also realistic that ND's young secondary is finally exposed, with Jones throwing the ball at will against several blown coverages (which can happen to Russell, Jackson, Farley, and even Motta). If this is the case, Golson has to try and throw the ball more than he has yet, which there is currently no proof that he could do so. Do I think Golson could go for 300+ yards in the air with 4 TDs? Sure. Will he? Not likely. In this case, OU would win comfortably. "Realistic" outcomes for this game truly hit on all extremes.

 

[woolybug25]

Agreed. But I will say: what we worry about more than TOs is having 3 or 4 short - REALLY FAST! - drives in a row. Kills our own defense by making them get out there too much.

You hit the nail on the head, Mallen. This is why I think the hurry up could really hurt OU. Consider this; OU starts the game in hurry up and their first 3 drives result in 3 & outs. Meanwhile, ND goes on two long drives that result in one TD and one FG, with the last drive going for a three and out.

Assuming long, smash mouth drives from ND, this situation would mean that ND is up 10-0 going into the half. Meanwhile, OU is the team that is gassed and now playing from behind.

I think hurry up play from OU favors Notre Dame.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I rewatched the BYU game last night and it didn't boost my confidence with regards to our pass coverage. It is going to be a long day for Keivarae if Jones has time to throw. Hoffman was owning him and he was out of position on several occasions underneath when he had safety help over the top. He just isn't ready to hang with OU's receivers.

 

[OUMallen]

You hit the nail on the head, Mallen. This is why I think the hurry up could really hurt OU. Consider this; OU starts the game in hurry up and their first 3 drives result in 3 & outs. Meanwhile, ND goes on two long drives that result in one TD and one FG, with the last drive going for a three and out.

Assuming long, smash mouth drives from ND, this situation would mean that ND is up 10-0 going into the half. Meanwhile, OU is the team that is gassed and now playing from behind.

I think hurry up play from OU favors Notre Dame.

It absolutely does not favor Notre Dame, IMO, but you have the right formula. (Which has worked in the past.)

Man, can't wait for Saturday!

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Question: Why is stopping Belldozer any different than stopping Stephan Taylor?

 

[IrishLion]

Question: Why is stopping Belldozer any different than stopping Stephan Taylor?

It's not. That's why I am confused as to how he gets 2+ yards every time he carries the ball. You know what's coming.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

It's not. That's why I am confused as to how he gets 2+ yards every time he carries the ball. You know what's coming.

Right. I mean has OU ever run anything else other than him running up the gut when he is in?

 

[IrishLion]

I believe they have used him to pass the ball... I'm pretty sure he threw a few times against Texas (not positive). You have to respect the pass, but our front 7 should be capable of selling out against the run when Bell is in as long as the secondary doesn't let anyone behind them.

EDIT: yes Oklahoma fans, I know he has thrown the ball plenty of times, but I'm not talking as a backup running the full offense, I'm talking about short yardage situations and near the goal line. He rarely throws in these situations from what I've seen.

 

[Irish#1]

I rewatched the BYU game last night and it didn't boost my confidence with regards to our pass coverage. It is going to be a long day for Keivarae if Jones has time to throw. Hoffman was owning him and he was out of position on several occasions underneath when he had safety help over the top. He just isn't ready to hang with OU's receivers.

I watched it as well. I'm not too worried about it. It was the typical trap game sandwiched between two BIG games. We didn't play our best ball on either side, but when it came crunch time, we played like a top team.

That's what I like about this team. They have the mental toughness not to be intmidated. I would venture to say that they are probably relishing this opportunity. This season is unfolding in a special way and as I posted before, this team seems to have the "it" factor.

Irish win in a close hard fought game.

 

[PANDFAN]

Right. I mean has OU ever run anything else other than him running up the gut when he is in?

which sets up the big play because people don't expect it.

 

[phork]

Well, the reason we have faith in it is because it has worked pretty well most of the time. Don't you like the idea of moving so fast that the defense doesn't have time to substitute, even though the down and distance are constantly changing?

(It has backfired before. When it is clicking, we score fast or at least flip the field. When it is not clicking, we just put our defense back out on the field that much faster.)

But you aren't Oregon.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

which sets up the big play because people don't expect it.

I imagine Diaco will have something ready for this. After Little Giants I feel like we are always prepared for the set-up play. Love to see Bennet get a jump on one and boom, pick in our endzone returned for 100 yds!

 

[VadersbrOU]

But you aren't Oregon.

No we are not! to borrow a line "We are OU"

 

[OUMallen]

But you aren't Oregon.

This year, I'd put our offense up against theirs (assuming Landry on a good day).

 

[woolybug25]

This year, I'd put our offense up against theirs (assuming Landry on a good day).

 

[NDhoosier]

This year, I'd put our offense up against theirs (assuming Landry on a good day).

lol, OU is nothing compared to Oregon, dont even try to make the comparison... You have already said yourself that you think OU is going slower than what they have been (which is false anyways) but no one is even close to Oregon... Dont get cocky because you face terrible BIG 12 defenses.

 

[OUMallen]

lol, OU is nothing compared to Oregon, dont even try to make the comparison... You have already said yourself that you think OU is going slower than what they have been (which is false anyways) but no one is even close to Oregon... Dont get cocky because you face terrible BIG 12 defenses.

And Oregon faces anyone?

I don't think we're playing at a super-fast no-huddle speed. That doesn't mean Oregon's offense is somehow so much better they can't be compared. I don't think you understand the weapons we have on offense, including a (used to be considered) first round draft pick QB.

So yeah, I think, with Landry on a good day, our offense is every bit as effective/good/whatever as Oregon's.

If you consider that statement closer to "ridiculous" than you do "feasible", I think you're going to be in for a surprise on Saturday.

 

[SoonerMagic]

I'm new to this forum and am also a avid Sooner fan. I'm not here to get into a pissing match or to throw out outrageous versions of how the game will go.

In my opinion Kstate played us as well as they could have. They were able to get enough pressure on Landry and cause him to make a few costly mistakes. When Bell fumbled on the three yard line, thats just the way the night went for us. Some will say that OU beat themselves and others will say KSU beat OU.

A couple of things that I haven't heard any OU fans mention on here are 1) At the beginning of the season we had a really young recieving corps. We were playing Stills who is a Junior, Metoyer who is a true freshman, Brown who transferred in from Penn St., and Shepard who is a true freshman. THis offense heavily relies on timing and I have noticed that the timing of our recievers was not good early but has gotten a lot better in the last coulple of weeks.

Our offense line took some huge hits late in the summer with injuries and we began this season with a patch work O-Line. These guys have also started playing better as a unit.

There is no doubt in my mind that ND has the best defense we have played this year. Manti Te'o is the best defensive player we will see all year. OU will have to run the ball to win this game. We have to atleast keep the Irish honest. If OU drops back and throws the ball to much, the Irish D will tee off on our offense and this is not a situation I personally want Landry in. OU has to run the ball, just enough to keep Te'o on his toes.

I agree that Eifert is a great player. He can create mismatch problems for most people. I feel that with him being a tight end it will play to our defensive strength. Jefferson ( who i feel is our best defensive player) should spend a lot of time with Eifert. I'm not saying that Jefferson will dominate Eifert or anything like that, but I can't ask for more thatn having our best player on your best player. There will be times when the Irish put him as an outside reciever and jefferson has no business out there. But, when he is lined up as a tight end or slot, jefferson should get to be around him plenty.

The irish rushing attack worries me more than Eifert. If OU comes out and has a few short 3 and outs and the Irish take the ball and sustain long drives, we are behind the eight ball. As a team OU can't afford to let ND have long drives while we try to figure out how to move the ball. I think this will be the most physical game either team has played up to this point in the year. Brian Kelly and Bob Stoops will both have there teams ready to go.

I appreciate the hospitality most of the Irish fans have shown.

 

[IrishFBfanatic]

Just did some number checking...

So OU has the 7th best pass rush on our schedule...yes, they get to the QB less than teams like Wake Forest, Pitt, Purdue, BYU, USC, and Stanford (who more than doubles their sack per game amount)

We worry about our secondary, yet we rank 10th in yards per pass attempt. We give up the same number of yards per completion as Alabama (10 yds/completion), and our opponents average passer rating is 97.2 (good enough to put us at 7th in the country in that defensive category). We give up some stuff in front of us, but only allow 2.7 redzone attempts per game and only 1.4 Redzone scores per game (FG or TD)...that's 3rd in the country behind only Bama and BYU (huh, wait I thought they sucked...weird).

It makes sense that teams have to pass considering we haven't given up a rushing TD since last season.

Now, Oklahoma has a solid passing offense. Don't get me wrong... but they come in at #50 in the country in passing completion percentage. 29th in passing yards per game, and have an average team passer rating of 138.8 (ranked 43rd in America).

Go ahead and chew on those numbers a bit. Obviously numbers don't mean everything, but at this point in the season they do show some of your team's identity

 

[NickZepp]

Question: Why is stopping Belldozer any different than stopping Stephan Taylor?

The blocking is different for one thing. And OU will pretty much only use that package in short yardage.

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[OUMallen]

The blocking is different for one thing. And OU will pretty much only use that package in short yardage.

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With Trey Millard and Aaron Ripkowski blocking, it's nigh impossible to stop unless:
1. You massively overpower our players, which it would take an NFL front 7 to do; or
2. We whiff on a block.

Assuming we don't whiff/don't get beat on a block immediately, you can't get penetration quickly enough before we get the 2 yards.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

With Trey Millard and Aaron Ripkowski blocking, it's nigh impossible to stop unless:
1. You massively overpower our players, which it would take an NFL front 7 to do; or
2. We whiff on a block.

Assuming we don't whiff/don't get beat on a block immediately, you can't get penetration quickly enough before we get the 2 yards.

Notre Dame v Stanford Overtime '12: Goal Line Stand - YouTube