| 25 October 2009
So OU beat their first ranked opponent of the year, and sure it was Kansas (who maybe end up being the Big 12 North Champion) but when you are 3-3 I don't really think that you can be choosy about lauding progress.
Positives:
1. The Defense again played a great game in containing Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier, while just about knocking Todd Reesing into Tebow Barfing in a Bag Land.
2. Jeremy Beal should probably be a finalist for Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. He was already playing very well, but OU's new nickel/dime scheme where he's in a stand up/spinner role has taken him to another level.
3. Speaking of the nickel/dime scheme, OU again used it to great effect. Jonathan Nelson is providing great coverage as the replacement safety for Proctor. And Joseph Ibiloye is improving with more playing time. His athleticism is a very nice addition. Also, the new scheme seems to have re energized Travis Lewis as well. He's playing much better.
4. With McCoy attracting a permanent double team, Adrian Taylor had his best game of the year with a couple of sacks and a pass deflection leading to an INT. In terms of handling Reesing OU did a great job keeping him in the pocket and applying pressure up the middle. Reesing at 5-10 had a hard time seeing over OU's DTs/DEs.
5. Ryan Broyles had his 3rd 100 yard receiving game of the season. If not for his Miami game injury, Broyles would be a lock for a 1000 yard season. He's very close to breaking some of those short WR screens for big yardage.
6. Adron Tennell. It's sometimes hard to remember that Tennell was making clutch catches from Paul Thompson on The Drive that won the 2006 Big 12 Title. Tennell appears to be over his case of the "drops", and made a number of very nice catches and forced KU to make a personnel change when it was clear their freshman CB couldn't handle him.
7. Appearance of a real 4 WRs scheme with the right 4 WRs. Wilson is obviously the rest of the year taking OU down a Texas Tech style spread look due to the issues at OL and TE. I'm just wondering where this look was last week. Instead of having an ineffective TE in the passing game flexed out, OU went with 4 WRs (Broyles, Tennell, Caleb, and Miller) and used that formation to get two game securing TDs to start the second half.
8. While Brian Jackson had a great game on Briscoe, we've been asking this good Sooner D to be great. Well great defenses make game changing plays, and Franks INT for a TD was a 14 point swing game changing play. Franks also seems to be have been energized by the new defensive scheme/attitude.
9. More hints of play making ability from Dajuan Miller and Jaz Reynolds. Miller with his physical frame is starting to become a reliable short pass target, and then he's showing an ability to make yards after catch. In addition, he's doing a great job blocking on those WR screens we are throwing to Broyles. Reynolds did only have two catches but his speed/sudden ness are clear as his potential.
10. Landry Jones 2nd half. Landry with improved WR play put together a very effective 3rd QTR. He threw a number of excellent passes, and was making better decisions. In addition, over up 28-6, Landry did a good job with ball protection.
The Uneven
1. Quinton Carter kind of a had an uneven game. Carter's physical play was supposed to be his trademark, but lately he's a lot better in coverage (very nice INT and pass breakups on Meier saving a TD) while missing tackles due to not wrapping up (missing Sharp on KU's biggest play of the day).
2. Tress Way took over place kicking duties for Jimmy Stevens and although no FGs were attempted his PATs certainly looked better than Stevens. I guess it finally took the re-injury to Sam and the UT game for Bob to make the change. Unfortunately, Tress also had a very poor punting day, perhaps his worse punting game to date (including a horrible drop of a punt snap). Now it was very windy in Lawrence so I'm hoping that explains his uneven punting day.
3. Landry Jones- 1st half. 1st drive was a thing of beauty save for the drama of 1st and goal at the 1. After that, things were very uneven, granted Landry was getting hurt by drops from Caleb and Keeney, and zero running game. Finally Landry although he hit Keeney in the hands probably shouldn't have thrown that pass right before half that got intercepted. Consistent accuracy is still an issue as is timely decision making, passes are still getting there late.
4. OL- Pass Blocking. Part of the reason why Landry had such a positive 2nd half was the improved pass protection afforded him. No sacks and much better overall protection. Only one holding penalty as well ( I think).
5. Brandon Caleb. Caleb made a couple of catches but also had several drops, probably his worst game of the year.
6. 5 WR look. I really think Landry needs a RB back there for the threat of a draw play and an extra blocker. Landry's pocket awareness is also probably not there yet. It was nullified by an offsides on KU, but Landry's fumbling when getting blind sided is a concern.
The Bad
1. Cameron Keeney. Keeney had several drops again, and the one INT hit him right in the hands. He has good quickness and he's getting open, but he's not catching passes reliably at all.
2. OL- Run Blocking. It wasn't until the 4th QTR that OU established any kind of running lanes. OU is very much Texas Tech spread like in their inability to run the ball, and inability to drive the ball in on the goal line. OU is going to need their big WRs to create some room by screening off smaller DBs or win jump passes to get some TDs.
3. Injury to Demarco Murray. OU really doesn't need any more games where he's on the sideline. With the Texas Tech style offense we're running his pass catching skills would be a huge weapon.
Special Notice
Ronnell Lewis. His total destruction of Briscoe on a kickoff return kind of set a tone for the defense, and to be honest I bet Briscoe wasn't really the same all game after that textbook tackle.
