Football question

[Eielson]

Again, I just don't care about the injury excuses.

There many things in life I like to bury my head in the sand in regard to. Doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

But back to what started this convo: I will again ask, in what ways has the offense shown meaningful strides this year? We have better health and a better, more experienced QB, but the results are hardly better. If you had fallen asleep for the past 12 months, would you even know we had a new OC?

If you simply look at one game, where our QB rushed back from surgery and hadn't taken any reps in 3 weeks -- yes, it would appear no different. But that's quite silly to do when you have other data points.

If you look at the season in it's entirety, it's night and day difference. And I'm not even saying Arbuckle is a star. The offense we saw against Michigan and Auburn was solid enough to win, and Texas' defense isn't dramatically better than those two. If we had scored 24 points again, we would still be undefeated.

The gameplay against Michigan was excellent. We were clearly a better team from start to finish, and we were a dropped pass away from scoring 31, which is identical to what your favorite coach at USC put up.

I was frustrated only putting up 24 points against Auburn, but that's more than either of the top 10 teams they faced the following two weeks were able to put up. In hindsight, the fumble was likely broken hand related, and being able to manufacture a drive on the final possession is not something I would have any faith in doing last year. Or quite frankly, even with Lebby, who put up a lot of points but often not late in close games.

Again, a lot of areas we need to see improvement, but Arbuckle has come into games with a clear plan. Every week he's had something up his sleeve that has worked, even if you didn't like the way it was officiated. This past week, the hurry up offense was very deliberate and caught Texas off guard, which was nearly a touchdown if Burks could have made one person miss.

 

[WichitaSooner]

I agree with most of this post.
However the offense, even with the terrible run game, is much better than last year

I am open to hearing your thoughts on how you think it's much better. The run game is worse. The pass game is better, but much better? There was always going to be some improvement based on having a full supply of healthy WRs and a healthier line. The numbers were bound to improve no matter who the QB is. At this point it's hard to compare stats since half our schedule so far has been against bad teams. I just wonder, when the season is over, how much difference there will be, unless Ben and the staff really make some changes.

One thing I found telling is that on their pod, Gabe (who, again, I don't agree with a lot of the time) said he think we should go full air raid and just spread the field and more or less forget about using TEs. His point is that Arbuckle is being too stubborn -- his system has always used TEs and he is doing it this year even though all our TEs are terrible blockers. One thing about old offensive linemen -- they love running the ball and being physical. So for Gabe to basically saying that we should only run the ball out of the spread offense and basically throw the ball around the yard, that says something. And I know a lot of people like to point out that a true air raid offense has never won a national title, but this team is not close to being a title contender. At least do what you can to try to put us in the best position to win enough games to sneak into the playoff. We have to find a way to not put this 100 percent on the defense. Saturday showed that. Our defense played one bad quarter, and it basically meant we had no chance to win.

 

[hoopsaustin]

I am open to hearing your thoughts on how you think it's much better. The run game is worse. The pass game is better, but much better? There was always going to be some improvement based on having a full supply of healthy WRs and a healthier line. The numbers were bound to improve no matter who the QB is. At this point it's hard to compare stats since half our schedule so far has been against bad teams. I just wonder, when the season is over, how much difference there will be, unless Ben and the staff really make some changes.

One thing I found telling is that on their pod, Gabe (who, again, I don't agree with a lot of the time) said he think we should go full air raid and just spread the field and more or less forget about using TEs. His point is that Arbuckle is being too stubborn -- his system has always used TEs and he is doing it this year even though all our TEs are terrible blockers. One thing about old offensive linemen -- they love running the ball and being physical. So for Gabe to basically saying that we should only run the ball out of the spread offense and basically throw the ball around the yard, that says something. And I know a lot of people like to point out that a true air raid offense has never won a national title, but this team is not close to being a title contender. At least do what you can to try to put us in the best position to win enough games to sneak into the playoff. We have to find a way to not put this 100 percent on the defense. Saturday showed that. Our defense played one bad quarter, and it basically meant we had no chance to win.

I think that is the move.

Anytime a TE is on the field for us its a minus in personnel (except if kanak is spread out) and we can't run. So go full tech/oregon and 5 wide every play to spread the field. Run just enough to keep them honest and use the pass even to set up the run (which is backwards, but we can't do it the right way).

Get a HB screen game going, wr screens, fake WR screens after we set up the WR screen game, draw plays after we get the pass going, dink and dunk, and run drags rest of the year imo

 

[WichitaSooner]

I think that is the move.

Anytime a TE is on the field for us its a minus in personnel (except if kanak is spread out) and we can't run. So go full tech/oregon and 5 wide every play to spread the field. Run just enough to keep them honest and use the pass even to set up the run (which is backwards, but we can't do it the right way).

Get a HB screen game going, wr screens, fake WR screens after we set up the WR screen game, draw plays after we get the pass going, dink and dunk, and run drags rest of the year imo

Agree. And I think one thing good coaches always do is adjust to their personnel. You can have a preferred system, but when you don’t have the horses to run that system, you can’t be stubborn.

 

[Eielson]

Our TEs are terrible at blocking, but I fail to see how that's a reflection against Arbuckle. JJF needing to go is a separate issue. BV is loyal to a fault, much like his mentors, but if anything that just makes Arbuckles results more impressive.

I agree that we likely will need to abandon certain run concepts and accept what we have at most positions, but rolling out a complete air raid offense with an injured QB that hasn't taken reps in 3 weeks would have been absurd.

I'm ready to move on from BB and spend big on OL in the portal/retaining guys like Fasusi, but you can't question that our OLs have had inseason improvement. Even last year we were able to establish enough of a run game to beat Alabama.

As of this moment, our offense has never needed to do more than put up 24 points to win the game. We can do that without a full air raid, though I do agree that we should be spreading out more. And should we ever fall behind my 2-3 scores at half, I would fully support TEs not seeing the field for the 2nd half.

It's silly to say that Arbuckle can't make mid-season adjustments when we literally just hit the middle of the season. Relax and keep the panties dry for a couple more weeks.

 

[WichitaSooner]

Our TEs are terrible at blocking, but I fail to see how that's a reflection against Arbuckle. JJF needing to go is a separate issue. BV is loyal to a fault, much like his mentors, but if anything that just makes Arbuckles results more impressive.

I agree that we likely will need to abandon certain run concepts and accept what we have at most positions, but rolling out a complete air raid offense with an injured QB that hasn't taken reps in 3 weeks would have been absurd.

I'm ready to move on from BB and spend big on OL in the portal/retaining guys like Fasusi, but you can't question that our OLs have had inseason improvement. Even last year we were able to establish enough of a run game to beat Alabama.

As of this moment, our offense has never needed to do more than put up 24 points to win the game. We can do that without a full air raid, though I do agree that we should be spreading out more. And should we ever fall behind my 2-3 scores at half, I would fully support TEs not seeing the field for the 2nd half.

It's silly to say that Arbuckle can't make mid-season adjustments when we literally just hit the middle of the season. Relax and keep the panties dry for a couple more weeks.

The TE issue is that he continues to put those guys at the point of attack on critical run plays, even though they get whipped every time. Same thing with the Ott play Saturday. The whole thing with Ott since he signed is that his blocking is awful. So why, on one of his two or three snaps in the entire game, is he the guy who is supposed to set the key block on the reverse with Burks?

He just has to recognize and adapt. If you come in as a coach and have a fast team but no power, you can’t predicate your offense on hitting home runs. You have to wait till you recruit new players to do that. So for this season, he can’t ever have tight ends blocking on the edge, and he shouldn’t have multiple tight ends on the field together.

 

[hoopsaustin]

The TE issue is that he continues to put those guys at the point of attack on critical run plays, even though they get whipped every time. Same thing with the Ott play Saturday. The whole thing with Ott since he signed is that his blocking is awful. So why, on one of his two or three snaps in the entire game, is he the guy who is supposed to set the key block on the reverse with Burks?

He just has to recognize and adapt. If you come in as a coach and have a fast team but no power, you can’t predicate your offense on hitting home runs. You have to wait till you recruit new players to do that. So for this season, he can’t ever have tight ends blocking on the edge, and he shouldn’t have multiple tight ends on the field together.

Ott's body language looked but that was burks' fault. That was likely a TD if he runs outside, which is what the play is designed for.. instead he ran inside into the tackler and gave Ott no leverage

 

[WichitaSooner]

Ott's body language looked but that was burks' fault. That was likely a TD if he runs outside, which is what the play is designed for.. instead he ran inside into the tackler and gave Ott no leverage

I agree with that -- but I also think Ott could/should have done more to block someone. But even though you're right that that particular play was on Burks (again, where are his alleged playmaker skills??), in general, why have the worst blocking RB in the game on the possession you have that play dialed up?

 

[hoopsaustin]

I agree with that -- but I also think Ott could/should have done more to block someone. But even though you're right that that particular play was on Burks (again, where are his alleged playmaker skills??), in general, why have the worst blocking RB in the game on the possession you have that play dialed up?

You can't just change your position on the field instantaneously tho. Ott was set up further outside and correctly ready to seal the LBer off, burks flying inside unexpectedly took any chance of ott doing anything on that play other than performatively throwing his body into the scrum afterward

Your second Q is valid. I'm not a Barnes guy but hes good at blocking, likely great even. Why he was our starter halftime year and then DNPed in a game where we could have used his blocking is wild. Ask DM and then ask BA too.

 

[WichitaSooner]

You can't just change your position on the field instantaneously tho. Ott was set up further outside and correctly ready to seal the LBer off, burks flying inside unexpectedly took any chance of ott doing anything on that play other than performatively throwing his body into the scrum afterward

Your second Q is valid. I'm not a Barnes guy but hes good at blocking, likely great even. Why he was our starter halftime year and then DNPed in a game where we could have used his blocking is wild. Ask DM and then ask BA too.

Gabe wondered on the pod if Barnes is redshirting. Gabe has a tendency to speculate without any basis, so I put little stock in that. But I guess it's possible that if the coaches told him before Kent State that they were going to mainly go with Blaylock, X, and Ott the rest of the season, he may have decided to redshirt and transfer.

I bet our RB will be almost totally different next year. Ott and Barnes will be gone, I can't imagine Tatum stays, and since X is a year older than Blaylock, it seems unlikely he would return if he thinks Blaylock will be the main guy. It is remarkable how many backs DeMarco has had, and what a crap job he has done getting anything out of them.

 

[hoopsaustin]

Gabe wondered on the pod if Barnes is redshirting. Gabe has a tendency to speculate without any basis, so I put little stock in that. But I guess it's possible that if the coaches told him before Kent State that they were going to mainly go with Blaylock, X, and Ott the rest of the season, he may have decided to redshirt and transfer.

I bet our RB will be almost totally different next year. Ott and Barnes will be gone, I can't imagine Tatum stays, and since X is a year older than Blaylock, it seems unlikely he would return if he thinks Blaylock will be the main guy. It is remarkable how many backs DeMarco has had, and what a crap job he has done getting anything out of them.

DM needs pushed out. I don't wanna pay him a buyout tho, do it after his K ends. Hes had 2 good RBs - gray and brooks in 5 years.

 

[WichitaSooner]

DM needs pushed out. I don't wanna pay him a buyout tho, do it after his K ends. Hes had 2 good RBs - gray and brooks in 5 years.

Yep, and neither of them was brought to Norman and developed under Brent's watch. Some of the current backs would likely find success with Riley calling the offense, but not under this staff.

 

[BoulderSooner]

Gabe wondered on the pod if Barnes is redshirting. Gabe has a tendency to speculate without any basis, so I put little stock in that. But I guess it's possible that if the coaches told him before Kent State that they were going to mainly go with Blaylock, X, and Ott the rest of the season, he may have decided to redshirt and transfer.

I bet our RB will be almost totally different next year. Ott and Barnes will be gone, I can't imagine Tatum stays, and since X is a year older than Blaylock, it seems unlikely he would return if he thinks Blaylock will be the main guy. It is remarkable how many backs DeMarco has had, and what a crap job he has done getting anything out of them.

i think there is a great chance blayock x and tatum are all back ..

 

[cbertus6]

The TE issue is that he continues to put those guys at the point of attack on critical run plays, even though they get whipped every time. Same thing with the Ott play Saturday. The whole thing with Ott since he signed is that his blocking is awful. So why, on one of his two or three snaps in the entire game, is he the guy who is supposed to set the key block on the reverse with Burks?

He just has to recognize and adapt. If you come in as a coach and have a fast team but no power, you can’t predicate your offense on hitting home runs. You have to wait till you recruit new players to do that. So for this season, he can’t ever have tight ends blocking on the edge, and he shouldn’t have multiple tight ends on the field together.

Not to nitpick you here - because I more or less agree with a lot of your statement - but I actually don't think that "missed" block was on Ott. Burks needed to push that outside and instead he cut in. If you look at how Ott had positioned himself he had leverage on the outside of the defender expecting Burks to keep running and he didn't. Had he, Ott would've been right where he needed to be to chip the defender and let Burks continue with his momentum outside.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Ott's body language looked but that was burks' fault. That was likely a TD if he runs outside, which is what the play is designed for.. instead he ran inside into the tackler and gave Ott no leverage

Agree it looks like it should have gone outside but Ott literally did nothing on that play

 

[WichitaSooner]

Not to nitpick you here - because I more or less agree with a lot of your statement - but I actually don't think that "missed" block was on Ott. Burks needed to push that outside and instead he cut in. If you look at how Ott had positioned himself he had leverage on the outside of the defender expecting Burks to keep running and he didn't. Had he, Ott would've been right where he needed to be to chip the defender and let Burks continue with his momentum outside.

No, I agree -- I shouldn't have used that play as an example since it was on Burks. I do think it still isn't very good planning by BA and/or DM to have Ott on the field for that particular play, and who knows whether he would have actually made the block if Burks had taken it outside, but you're right to point that out.

 

[SoonerBounce13]

Gabe wondered on the pod if Barnes is redshirting. Gabe has a tendency to speculate without any basis, so I put little stock in that. But I guess it's possible that if the coaches told him before Kent State that they were going to mainly go with Blaylock, X, and Ott the rest of the season, he may have decided to redshirt and transfer.

I bet our RB will be almost totally different next year. Ott and Barnes will be gone, I can't imagine Tatum stays, and since X is a year older than Blaylock, it seems unlikely he would return if he thinks Blaylock will be the main guy. It is remarkable how many backs DeMarco has had, and what a crap job he has done getting anything out of them.

If he is redshirting it is because he told the coaches he's done and transferring. And I don't blame him

 

[Boom Soon]

If he is redshirting it is because he told the coaches he's done and transferring. And I don't blame him

I’m sure he’s sick of DM and the clueless rotations

 

[cbertus6]

Also, if any of you follow Kegan Reneau on X/Twitter, he does a really good job of actually breaking down the games. I think he showed that Mateer missed a lot of open stuff Saturday and we actually had a lot of opportunities to punish Texas had he been mentally sharp.

 

[hoopsaustin]

I’m sure he’s sick of DM and the clueless rotations

THIS no one can get a hot hand or get into a rhythm under DM. If he's doing it to try and keep his RBs all fed or happy, hes failing bc hes failing all of them. They all likely would respect simply picking your rotation and here how it'll be every week

DM would have instantly Xferred if he coached himself..