Sep 28 | Oklahoma

[VadersbrOU]

Breakdown

Breakdown

I was there in 99 and the crowd and a young team without much depth loss their momentum in the 4th quarter . As ND took over.

I was there last year and Golson's feet , Manti and the ND fronts and safeties were the difference .

I think OU wins if they get pressure out of their new 3-4 alignment . The D ends are an upgrade and there are a lot of fast athletic newcomers in the secondary .
They will get after Tommy and maybe pick some poor throws.

Blake Bell has experienced deep O line with a stable of playmakers . He can see over the line and read coverages which should be a good match up if ND continues to keep those 2 safeties back . I think he will keep drives alive with his feet as Golson did.

ND wins if their fronts dominate again . Tommy has time to complete the deep ball . Last year Golson scared me , this year it's George Atkinson that scares me .

I think ND needs turnovers to slow OU down as I believe the Sooners have the speed edge . OU has to get off the field on 3rd downs . Which for ND -convert those 3rd downs as they did in Norman.

The team that executes the best in the Red Zone will win .

My prediction is 34-28 OU )( with a defense or special team TD)

Should be a great game!

 

[Rack Em]

ND wins if their fronts dominate again . Tommy has time to complete the deep ball . Last year Golson scared me , this year it's George Atkinson that scares me .

lolz

 

[Irishokie]

^ Don't worry about George Atkinson (GA3), you should prefer he gets the most carries!

 

[NDdomer2]

re: moving to 4 man front - we have been using four man fronts ever since kelly has been here and in every game this year.

re: vaders breakdown: i will admit to not knowing much about ou's team this year but nothing i have read says they have a "stable of playmakers"

can anyone help me out with the accuracy of this statement?

we also aren't in our 2 high safety look near as often as last year

 

[scUM Hater]

IfTommy's accuracy is a little better this week, I see ND winning by double digits. I would love to see some slant routes and maybe a lead blocker (Niklas) for a running back. I am not normally confident but I am with this game.

 

[Buster Bluth]

I think OU wins if they get pressure out of their new 3-4 alignment . The D ends are an upgrade and there are a lot of fast athletic newcomers in the secondary . They will get after Tommy and maybe pick some poor throws.

I wouldn't base my chances for winning on beating Notre Dame's pass protection. It's up there with anyone in the country; a really fantastic unit in that regard.

The team that executes the best in the Red Zone will win.

This is true. But I think the bigger factor is that team that executes on third down will win this game. I think Oklahoma has the advantage there.

My prediction is 34-28 OU )( with a defense or special team TD)

Should be a great game!

While Stoops has a history of dropping big games, he also has a history of sneaky blowouts. This could be one of those games--not saying it will, but if Notre Dame plays their worst and Oklahoma plays their best it will be a blowout.

I would favor Oklahoma -8, not -3 as Vegas does. I think Oklahoma eats Notre Dame up in space if Bell performs as well as he can, and think it could get ugly in that scenario.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>OU football notebook: Four-man front a possibility against Notre Dame <a href="http://t.co/7YX58j1OYw">http://t.co/7YX58j1OYw</a></p>— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonkersey/statuses/382282850222878721">September 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Crazy Balki]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>OU football notebook: Four-man front a possibility against Notre Dame <a href="http://t.co/7YX58j1OYw">http://t.co/7YX58j1OYw</a></p>— Jason Kersey (@jasonkersey) <a href="https://twitter.com/jasonkersey/statuses/382282850222878721">September 23, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Since when has OU not had a four-man front? They run a 4-2-5 correct?

 

[CarrollVermin]

I am interested to see how it is that BK spins this one tomorrow at his press conference. Yes, the D played better, but that was not exactly the most competent offense we have faced this year. OU presents an entirely different animal.

We kept everything in front of us last year and then relied on our RZ defense to tighten up. I don't think we have that same sort of success with that strategy this year.

This game scares me. Aside from the amount of "red" that will be in the stands, I am fearful that this one gets away from us, and does so early.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Oklahoma is a 3 point favourite as of now.

Thats it? I expected them by 7.

Also I'll start with saying I know little about football besides being a fan. But Koyak's potential has stayed at just that, and we seem to be lacking a TE #2 that can block worth a **** and be a possible pass catcher when needed. Daniel Smith my be undersized, but he can block and catch. At 6'4" and 215 he has to be more serviceable tight to the line then Koyak. Throw him in there as TE #2 as opposed to the very occasional run blocking WR. You can then run a hurry up and not allow them to sub and force them into mismatch with players that can actually produce.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Thats it? I expected them by 7.

Also I'll start with saying I know little about football besides being a fan. But Koyak's potential has stayed at just that, and we seem to be lacking a TE #2 that can block worth a **** and be a possible pass catcher when needed. Daniel Smith my be undersized, but he can block and catch. At 6'4" and 215 he has to be more serviceable tight to the line then Koyak. Throw him in there as TE #2 as opposed to the very occasional run blocking WR. You can then run a hurry up and not allow them to sub and force them into mismatch with players that can actually produce.

I think, in your Koyak comments, you have hit the nail on the head as to why we are struggling in the running game. Eifert was a beast in the run block game and Niklas came around as the year went on. This year, he is largely working on his own and that is causing much of the headache.

 

[NDdomer2]

welch cant be 100% can he?

 

[VadersbrOU]

re: moving to 4 man front - we have been using four man fronts ever since kelly has been here and in every game this year.

re: vaders breakdown: i will admit to not knowing much about ou's team this year but nothing i have read says they have a "stable of playmakers"

can anyone help me out with the accuracy of this statement?

we also aren't in our 2 high safety look near as often as last year

OU's Stable of WR's
Saunders ( should remember him ) , Shepard , Jaz Reynolds ( suspended last year) , Juco Lacolton Bester , Duron Neal and Trey Meytyer .

RB- Damien Williams , Brennan Clay , Finch and Millard . Millard has been playing some TE as well and watch out true freshman Keith Ford .

The WRs didn't show much with Knight but are proven with Landry and broke out against Tulsa .
Bester , Reynolds and Meotyer (bad sp) are bigger receivers .

 

[NDdomer2]

OU's Stable of WR's
Saunders ( should remember him ) , Shepard , Jaz Reynolds ( suspended last year) , Juco Lacolton Bester , Duron Neal and Trey Meytyer .

RB- Damien Williams , Brennan Clay , Finch and Millard . Millard has been playing some TE as well and watch out true freshman Keith Ford .

The WRs didn't show much with Knight but are proven with Landry and broke out against Tulsa .
Bester , Reynolds and Meotyer (bad sp) are bigger receivers .

you going 6 wide? i can name our roster too. you said stable of playmakers. i find it hard to believe you have 10 playmakers on offense and only scored 16 against a wvu defense that gave up 37 to Maryland.

 

[Big Oil Okie]

Tip for ND's defense. Don't let Finch get in open space. He'll break ankles. Of course, that assumes he's out of Stoops' dog house and actually gets on the field.

 

[IrishLax]

Really not much point in learning about Oklahoma's skill position players... the cliff notes version is that they're all much better than the garbage Michigan, MSU, and Purdue call play makers. Which means they should abuse our secondary and linebackers unless there is a drastic scheme change.

Or Michael Jordan gives the team some of his "special stuff" Space Jam style.

 

[Big Oil Okie]

you going 6 wide? i can name our roster too. you said stable of playmakers. i find it hard to believe you have 10 playmakers on offense and only scored 16 against a wvu defense that gave up 37 to Maryland.

I'm pretty sure we rushed for 300+ yards against ULM and WVU. I could be wrong as I'm not researching stats. Now that was partly out of necessity because Knight was horrendous throwing the ball, but was impressive from a running standpoint. Bell, who started against Tulsa, threw for over 400 yards, 4 TDs, no picks, and ~70% accuracy. I'm going off memory there, but point is Bell was a much more efficient passer. I think his point was we have a very deep, consistent set of skill players. None of them will be All Americans, but they're all above average. I'd take that rather than having 1 or 2 studs from a team standpoint. Unless it's Adrian Peterson, I'd take him over everyone else.

But, your point is taken. The jury is out which offensive performance was the rule or exception. Irregardless of the QB, who knows what this offense's identity will be in a few weeks.

 

[NDPhilly]

Damn you guys are depressing.

 

[Booslum31]

Damn you guys are depressing.

Truly. Last year I didn't think it could go our way...but it did. We played almost a perfect game against OU and they made a few mistakes. This year I don't think either team is as strong as they were last year. Mix in the home field and the fact we are 18-2 (over 19 years) when I go to the game...we'll be fine. Go IRISH!

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm pretty sure we rushed for 300+ yards against ULM and WVU. I could be wrong as I'm not researching stats. Now that was partly out of necessity because Knight was horrendous throwing the ball, but was impressive from a running standpoint. Bell, who started against Tulsa, threw for over 400 yards, 4 TDs, no picks, and ~70% accuracy. I'm going off memory there, but point is Bell was a much more efficient passer. I think his point was we have a very deep, consistent set of skill players. None of them will be All Americans, but they're all above average. I'd take that rather than having 1 or 2 studs from a team standpoint. Unless it's Adrian Peterson, I'd take him over everyone else.

But, your point is taken. The jury is out which offensive performance was the rule or exception. Irregardless of the QB, who knows what this offense's identity will be in a few weeks.

i am certainly not claiming there isn't talent or depth but talking in unsubstantiated generalities is pointless and adds nothing to the football conversation.

i also started i didn't know and he could be right just was shocked at the claim.

i do agree with lax that they are as a group better than anything we've seen this year to date.

i also thought that was the case last year as well.

 

[NDTH91]

But, your point is taken. The jury is out which offensive performance was the rule or exception. Irregardless of the QB, who knows what this offense's identity will be in a few weeks.

 

[Big Oil Okie]

I use that word, solely because I know it's not a word. I use it alot.

 

[Kak7304]

On offense, I think we see more balanced playcalling this weekend in attempt to put together long, sustained drives and keep the OU offense off the field. MSU's O was crap but D was stellar so the coaches chose to go for the homerun ball because they most likely doubted our ability to move the ball consistently and knew the MSU O wouldn't put together many sustained drives.

 

[Big Oil Okie]

i am certainly not claiming there isn't talent or depth but talking in unsubstantiated generalities is pointless and adds nothing to the football conversation.

i also started i didn't know and he could be right just was shocked at the claim.

i do agree with lax that they are as a group better than anything we've seen this year to date.

i also thought that was the case last year as well.

Well I don't want to put words in his mouth - but I just think we're deeper and more consistent than years past. But, that's why the play they games.

 

[NDdomer2]

Well I don't want to put words in his mouth - but I just think we're deeper and more consistent than years past. But, that's why the play they games.

deeper + consistent isn't the claim of discussion.

I'm going to be there so i am excited that they do play the games!

 

[Booslum31]

Thats it? I expected them by 7.

Also I'll start with saying I know little about football besides being a fan. But Koyak's potential has stayed at just that, and we seem to be lacking a TE #2 that can block worth a **** and be a possible pass catcher when needed. Daniel Smith my be undersized, but he can block and catch. At 6'4" and 215 he has to be more serviceable tight to the line then Koyak. Throw him in there as TE #2 as opposed to the very occasional run blocking WR. You can then run a hurry up and not allow them to sub and force them into mismatch with players that can actually produce.

Well I think you know more about football than you are leading on...TE's are nearly impossible to cover. LB's can't keep up with them, DB's aren't physical enough, and TE's can usually catch the ball with you doing chin-ups on their arms. This should all happen in the middle third of the field. Not sure why we aren't looking there. But I agree...we need that second TE to emerge.

 

[Irish Insanity]

Well I think you know more about football than you are leading on...TE's are nearly impossible to cover. LB's can't keep up with them, DB's aren't physical enough, and TE's can usually catch the ball with you doing chin-ups on their arms. This should all happen in the middle third of the field. Not sure why we aren't looking there. But I agree...we need that second TE to emerge.

Honestly, I don't. Lol. D. Smith is 30 pounds lite for that position, but he's a great blocking WR and can provide that catching threat out of the TE #2 position. I would love to see him tight to the line and see how it works. Its gotta be better than Koyak blocking.

 

[Bluto]

Honestly, I don't. Lol. D. Smith is 30 pounds lite for that position, but he's a great blocking WR and can provide that catching threat out of the TE #2 position. I would love to see him tight to the line and see how it works. Its gotta be better than Koyak blocking.

Actually, Koyack had a nice block on the TD that McDaniel took in. Did a good job of kicking the linebacker out. Niklas absolutely destroyed a couple guys on that same play. Needs consistency.

 

[nsideirish]

I use that word, solely because I know it's not a word. I use it alot.

 

[no.1IrishFan]

As much as it pains me to say it, I think we lose this game. I know OU hasn't really been tested but I think Bell has a huge game. After this game, though, I don't see us losing again until Stanford. We'll still have a good season at 10-3/9-4 depending on how our bowl game goes.