| 23 October 2009
Another year - another Post TX hangover game. I don't believe we've ever lost one of these in the Stoops era and the trend needs to continue. We've got to find a way to win away from Owen Field, we've got to find a way to win a close game. KU is a decent team, 5-1 record and ranked in the bottom part of the top 25 for most, if not all year. Their team is a tale of 2 units, they are good on offense, not so good on defense. Let's examine the matchups.
OU O vs KU D
It's weakness vs weakness when these 2 units are on the field for either team. KU replaced a ton on defense this year and it's showing. I've seen KU play in spots a couple times this year but I really don't know much about their personnel on D for this reason. I know Darrell Stuckey - senior safety is a player and all big 12 last year. They have 3 new LB'ers that are learning but have potential. They play the run OK but struggle against the pass and in the flats. Sideline to sideline speed is lacking a little and they can be exploited there. They're 53rd in total D giving up 346 ypg, they're 94th in pass D giving up 245 yds per game.
The Stache is back at qb for us and he must avoid the turnover fest and the mistakes he made against UT. A clean game is imperative as we are just not good enough to overcome costly mistakes this year as a 3-3 record will show. Murray has a sprained ankle that from what I am hearing will severely limit his playing time in this game - have even heard he will be listed as "doubtful". This means Chris Brown will need to have a good game and a smattering of Calhoun/Miller will probably be seen as well. Don't be surprised to see Madu utilized possibly at RB and definitely in the slot as well. His speed and explosiveness could prove useful if he can hold onto the damn ball.
It sounds like Eldridge will be playing LG again for the injured Brian Simmons so the OL lineup will not change from last week. They should match up better with KU than TX but still need to play well. Most important thing this week is avoiding the drive killing penalties. This unit is not going to be spectacular this year but they can help themselves and our cause immensely with a clean game. So far, it seems Landry is much more accurate and comfortable in the pocket than he is on the run. This comes right back on the OL, he has executed some throws on designed rollouts, but opposite of his counterpart this week and last, when he is flushed - nothing good usually happens and more often not something bad happens (see INT 1 last week).
I am intently watching the WR position this week especially the personnel groupings. Look, I'm not at practice every week, and we all know the importance our coaches put on being a "practice" player but I would really like to see what I believe is our most physically talented WR group on the field at the same time this game. What we've got going on isn't working - at some point, when you're 3-3 something needs to change - what the hell do you have to lose. In my opinion, our best WR line up is - Broyles - Caleb - then Miller or Tennell in a 3 wide set. I wouldn't even mind Miller and Tennell on the field at the same time in a 4WR set. Cam Kenney, as mentioned by myself, Atlantasooner, and many others, is by all accounts a good dude - he's playing hard. He's just not a big 12 receiver physically yet - I'm amazed he survived against the hard hitting TX secondary after getting thrown around like a rag doll all game. Again - if we're gonna throw a jump ball - please throw it to the right person. The dropoff from Gresham to what we're currently employing at TE is so egregious that it's not even worth mentioning cause there's not much to say beyond the fact that we got 1000 yds and 18 td's worth of production out of that position last year, to on pace to having 150 yds and 2td's production there is year - 2 words. EPIC. FAIL.
KU O vs OU D
Strength vs Strength here and likely where the game will be won. KU's triplets of Reesing and the excellent (best in big12) WR duo of Kerry Meier and Dezmon Briscoe are fantastic. Kerry Meier is one of my favorite players in the conference - dude is just a football player that makes plays. Briscoe went off on us last year to the tune of 270 receiving yards. Reesing looks as much like a D1 qb as I do but all he does is make plays to the tune of a 3 year starter. Guy is crazy hard to get a handle on and unlike our guy is actually better when under extreme diress and forced to make something happen. He tore us up last year as well and is traditionally the kind of QB we struggle with. Again, at this point I think KU's offense is better than Texas' so we will need a similar kind of effort that we got last week here.
The KU OL has been erratic and is not their strength. Jake Sharp is a serviceable RB but has been banged up and they will not beat us running the ball. In pass protection Reesing is often running for his life but as mentioned he's good at it. Pressure from our front 4 would be nice and if the trend holds, it will happen in the 1st half and subside a little in the 2nd. Would really like to see BV do some DT rotating in this game to keep Taylor and GK fresh as they will inevitably be doing much running in an effort to get a handle on Reesing. Possible rotation players would be true frosh Jamarkus McFarland and RS Frosh Stacey McGee and Casey Walker. At DE - the rotation of Frank Alexander should continue and definitely helps - he had a nice game last week as did Auston English who showed up well into the 4th quarter as a result of the breaks. Don't need to talk about Beal too much - I see 2 sacks minimum for the big 12's best DE in this game.
Last week's fantastic revelation of the nickel package coming in on obvious passing downs was just that - fucking fantastic. Sorry, but it got me very excited. Again, we've been calling for it for how long? and what do you know - it worked. The Ibiloye virus and Jon Nelson both looked the part and should see more action this week. TLewis and Clayton need to just pick up where they left off, except hopefully KC dips his hands in raw molasses before every defensive series this time. In watching the replay of last saturday, his dropped pick 6's made me physically ill. To think we should have taken 3 back to the house last weekend is just a sickening thought. I've said it before, I'll say it again - Ryan Reynolds is a great Sooner. Glad he's out there and he'll be solid again in what he's asked to do. I have no doubt that he's perfectly fine with the substitutions and subsequent less playing time for him. He is an experienced leader and lynchpin of this defense and team.
Franks and Jackson will need to have solid games and avoid significant busts. Jackson got torched by Briscoe last year but I don't see that happening again. He has been nails so far this year and risen to almost every challenge thrown his way. His mauling of Jordan Shipley is the latest evidence of that, as are his INT's in 4 straight games. Safety rotation should continue with the aforementioned Jon Nelson getting some time for either Proctor or Carter - can't hurt. KU obviously presents some challenges but nothing I don't think we can handle. Holding them to under 20 is a realistic goal and may be necessary.
Overall, this is a game we can and should win. All in all, it's pretty simple - win the turnover battle, win the game. KU can beat us, but they shouldn't. It's been written a lot of places that we may be one of the best 3-3 teams in recent memory. Even with the shitstorm of injuries and bad luck we're better than a .500 football team and we're certainly better than a sub .500 football team. But you still gotta go out and do it. I think the line is about right and like us by about 10. Go with 34-24.
Boomer.
