Why OU probably wins this game

Taylors arm will keep us in this game. But crappy tackling that we've seen (and yes there was still plenty on Fri.) will make it tough to win.

As a former college athlete, I'm not big into calling out student-athletes...BUT, I do reserve the right to make an exception!

Shanle, is the biggest reason we need alot of breaks to fall our way to beat the Sooners. He is perhaps one of the worst tacklers I have seen since Deion Sanders. But what really gets my blood boiling is how he is the only safety in the country that is afraid to deliver a knockout blow or clean up a pile that is just standing around...and although we have no proven backups behind him, I'll take my chances with athletes like Thenarse and Major, rather than keep watching McGee slip through a dive at his ankles or Shanle getting into his coverage area too late.

Outside of that, the problems I see on our defense is how ineffective the tackling is in the second level of the defense. The front four is fine and usually does a great job, but the LB's have also had their struggles containing the power run game.

Now, for the positives, Zac, Mo, Bjack and Hollywood to name a few. I like that we will be balanced unlike OU, but I think to be most effective we will need to go vertical early and often to neutralize Rufus Alexander and Lattimer's playmaking abilities. Also, I like that we showed all kinds of trick plays just so they have to spend time watching film and preparing for them (and if you think Billy C doesn't have at least 20-30 more trick plays drawn up you'd be crazy, because he is obviously enjoying calling those plays he never had an opportunity to call in the League).

Anyways, I like our chances if we get going early and get some big breaks, because like it or not, they are still more talented and deeper than we are, with Peterson or not....

BUT, if you are wondering, I am already arranging my travel arrangements to the Desert. New Years in Tempe will be AWESOME...Hope to see everyone there....

GO BIG RED!!!!

Just perfect....just what I'm thinking, I'd like to add that we need to see Octavian play more for his run stoppping ability. Ruud is better in pass coverage, but refuses to deliver a blow on a ball carrier.

One thing, last year, Tiedike is probably just as bad as Shanle.

 
Taylor keeps us in the game and we win if our defense tackles. We don't have to completely shut down the sooner running game. All we have to do is keep them from making any huge runs. Taylor will take care of the rest.

 
Taylor keeps us in the game and we win if our defense tackles. We don't have to completely shut down the sooner running game. All we have to do is keep them from making any huge runs. Taylor will take care of the rest.

But will Taylor have time?? If OU brings a blitz, we struggle. Against TU, they hit Taylor often, in the second half, UT sat back and we played well.

 
I watched the FL FSU game yesterday and are defense looks like high schoolers compared to the way they pursue to the ball,, tackle and just plain lay down some smack. Looks like what we used to have, and their D-backs don't play 10 yards off the recievers either.

We have a offense that can play with anybody, but are defense better step-up or we will get blown off the field. Stoops is no Dan Hawkins and will make the Huskers pay for all of their break downs in execution.

 
this will be a low scoring gam, with both teams trying to run the ball and control the clock. whoever executes better, and does not make turnovers will win. should be a very close game

 
You are wrong in the aspect that we "Grab on and hold on for help". That would be our corners and safeties, Because we see outside runs the most often, People have gotten used to being stuffed up the middle by us, So they go outside. We'll have our heavy run stoppers in to begin the game, you can be sure of that. Octavian, Bradley, And Mckeon are our lay-the-wood kind of linebackers. They dont do any of that pansy hold on. They take em out, w/o question. I am not worried about our line or linebackers against a tough up the middle offense. We have the talent (carriker, octavian, mckeon) to stop anything that goes up our center. Carriker will likely line up at DT more often to stop this too. I am only worried about if they go outside when our LBs are caught on a blitz. That would leave our Corners/Safeties alone in the tackling, which is not a recipe for success. As long as we can move the ball on offense, And stop the outside running game (as we will stop the inside) we will win this game.

 
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I like our chances against of being able to put points up on the board. With out last game being on a Friday, it will give Cally an extra day or so to look at tapes and come up with a good gameplan. You know he's gunna have a kick a$$ gameplan coming in to this one. And the fact that he absolutely hates those hillbillies.

 
I think we will be able to score some points on them, I'm just worried about our D. They need to tackle soundly. It will be interesting to see what Callahan does on offense though.

 
I agree that OU should be favored. Maybe the game opens at OU (-2).

Their defensive front 7 appears they could shut down our running game... for awhile. I think the OU secondary is suspect, though. If we make them respect the pass, that will open things up on the ground.

Paul Thompson appears to have gotten better since the Texas game, and actually has better stats than Bomar did at this point last year. He does make the receivers go up high to make grabs, but they have the athletes to do it. He's not a needle-threader like Zac, and can short-hop throws a lot, too.

I don't think AP will play. And, yeah... the defensive emphasis this week is going to be wrapping up and finishing.

Special teams..? It looks like OU may have better return guys than we do.

Overall, I think we have a shot. Even as high as 50/50. Cally and crew will gameplan well. I think he watns this one... especailly after the last 2 years.

Stoops will have some trickery too, I think.

 
I cant recall seeing any trick plays out of the sooners this year. I think they have had enough problems with injuries, and have just needed to focus on the basics.

I think we can stop thier offense. It is pretty basic. It is the defense that worries me. We will need to mix it up and throw more on first down. We can not afford to become predictable.

 
I think one thing that will help a lot against OU, is something we did a lot of against CU. I think having Turner on the end, gives Carriker more one on one matchups inside at tackle. Having a run stopper and pass rusher on the interior line, someone like Carriker, helps a ton. The one thing that gets Turner and his SPEED in trouble is running too far up field. When he does this, it opens up that lane, especially if Carriker gets sealed in. This would mean big trouble against OU and their running game. Overall, I think if our defense comes to play, we will be just fine. Thompson does not make many good decisions when he is pressured repeatedly.

 
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