LUBBOCK, Texas — Bob Stoops bristled when asked last week if containing Texas Tech's high-powered offense was the best he could hope for defensively.
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"You try to stop it,” Stoops said. "And you try to control it at times too. It's a little of both.”
Turns out, the Sooners couldn't do either.
Texas Tech shredded the Oklahoma secondary for 420 passing yards and 34 points Saturday. A week after Baylor turned the heat on OU's pass defense, the Red Raiders blew it up.
Most of the defensive damage came at the hands and feet of the NCAA's top receiver, Michael Crabtree. The freshman phenom from Dallas caught nine passes for 141 yards and a score in the first half alone. He finished with 154 yards on 12 receptions.
"They were in zone most of the night,” said Crabtree, who leads the nation with 125 receptions for 1,861 yards on the season. "We didn't keep scoring in the second half and that was a little disappointing. But we did our job.”
Without Big 12 sack leader Auston English — sidelined for a second-straight game following minor surgery to repair a hairline fracture in his right ankle — the Sooner pass rush was almost non-existent.
Unharrassed in the pocket, Red Raider quarterback Graham Harrell dinked and dunked the Tech offense up and down the field. He attempted 47 passes in the first two quarters, completing 30 of them.
By game's end, Harrell had attempted 72 passes.
"This is the biggest win I've played in,” Harrell said. "It's something we can really build on. It's a big win for the program.”
Running the ball is a bit unconventional in Mike Leach's pass-happy offense. But Texas Tech did that well, too.
Aaron Crawford, starting for the demoted Shannon Woods, rushed 12 times for 47 yards and a score. Harrell also scored on a 1-yard run.
"Tonight was the ultimate team effort,” Leach said. "There were huge contributions by the defense, huge contributions by the special teams and huge contributions by the offense.”
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Just wait till Robinson gets a shot at your sorry defense....Texas Tech will seem like a walk in the park!!! Get ready for loss # 3 this weekend...Go pokes
As Sooner fans, of course we are disappointed. Bradford goes down, we continue to play soft in secondary, and we simply continue to make stupid mistatks. However, if we (or any school in the country) fired a coach or his staff after every seeminly bad loss, then most coaches would need to be hired from a Temp agency. Replace Stoops, are you kidding? We are lucky he is still here.
Why are you Sooners lamblasting your secondary? My gosh you've got two or three All-Americans back there! It's your pass rush that's woefully missing since Auston English is injured! No one can cover all day! Sure Texas Tech averages 330 across the line but that's no excuse for not blitzing! You shouldn't feel so bad about your defense, Tech scores big on everyone! Crabtree is a first round NFL pick! He's that good! Harrel is a seasoned accurate throwing quarterback who doesn't make mistakes. You have nothing to be ashamed about. Had you not lost Bradford you were destined to win the game in a shootout! My gosh everyone has a tough time playing in places like Boulder and Lubbock! Hold your heads high! You guys have nothing to be ashamed about! That's football. You have injuries and the ball doesn't always bounce your way! Pat yourselves on the back and stop this non-sense! Get back out there and support Bob Stoops and his staff and your team! What's wrong with you people?
Seventy-two passes and not one sack. What is that all about? Some ability we have in that defensive front seven, eh? I'm most disturbed by our lack of grit. Yes, the kids played hard all game. They ran around and didn't stop. That being said, there isn't that scratch and claw for every inch attitude with which the Sooners won the title in 2000. These guys seem to be more concerned with running their mouths and all the flash that comes with today's game than with winning and being fundamentally sound (a la 2000). Along with that, the lack of grit seems to come directly from the coaching staff. I think Bob Stoops is the guy for the job. His coordinators still have some proving to do. This program hasn't had the same swagger since the K-State debacle. I feel like I'm just rambling right now. I'm just so frustrated with our constant failures to unranked teams.
To all OU bashers. Are your teams ranked in the top ten? Probably not and probably never will be. If we win the Big 12 title, you guys won't have crap to talk about, will ya???
Josh.....you're a freakin' idiot. Dink and dunk? Do you know how may long passes Bradford has completed this year? He's a freshman, for heaven's sake. He would have broken the NCAA freshman TD record if he wouldn't have gotten hurt Saturday night. He's the number one rated passer in efficiency in the nation. You need to do a little research before you start spouting off. I would think that next year would be the year OU gets a good shot at the title because they will have one of the most experienced teams in the country. Get ready!!!
R.was Bradford getting hurt Stoops' fault? Was Austin English getting hurt Stoops' fault? Be glad you have a Bob Stoops. Who the heck else would you get to coach this team. We weren't picked to compete for a title this year with a freshman qb anyway. Still may get a Big 12 title.
Maybe it's just me, but when Mike left the fold the defensive talent did too. OU sucks now. They can't win the big games anymore. Hell, they struggle with the little games too (like Boise State and Colorado). Bob has failed OU miserably since the OU/LSU National Championship game. Is this guy really worth 2 million dollars??? How can a coach go from national champions to national embarassment so fast?? Boise, Colorado and TT were all because of a lack of vision and talent of the coaches.
The loss to OSU next week will be a lack of coaching also. Wake-up OU fans. You have not had a coach that can put the unquestionable talent that OU has into play.
Evidently, Josh (Stratford) must be an SEC fan. The only onbes in the nation that can brag about as many nat'l championships is USC or Notre Dame. I guess we were overated when we beat Florida State too? Enjoy your moment of glory, LOSER!!!!
bob, you idiot. OU is always overrated, just because of their name. It doesnt take the head cashier at the walmart where the ohsogreat jason white signs autographs to figure out that a team that plays patsies, ie, north texas, utah state, baylor, tulsa, miami and loses to ones like tech and colorado that this team is overrated. Always has been. What wins have they had this year? beat a medoicre Texas by 7?? beat another overrated team in missouri? who the hell thinks thats a number 3 team??!!?? Look what's happened the past 5 years when they finally play good teams. LSU or USC ring any bells? And as for bradford, the GEICO caveman look-alike. JUST AS OVERRATED. DINK AND DUNK. DINK AND DUNK. 2 yard passes and amazing catches by his good recievers is the only reason his rating is high. OU is on their way down, and its about time. The integrity of that program was best reflected when howard was coach. That was the TRUE OU.
Here we go again with all the OU bashers!! Yeah, we dropped a very important game last night but, you know we still find our team in the top ten and like it was stated on another web site "how many other collegiate teams can say that they have a shot at the nat'l title in consecutive years"? I know that everyone is headhunting about the coach, defensive coach and the secondary but, remember it is an overall team effort. Penalties and fumbling the ball last night just maginified the problem overall. The team with the fewest penalties and mistakes usually win. Don't forget either that it has been a wacky season overall for every college team. Our time will come again to rise above all others. Patience!!!!
This is a very overrated (if you can even call them that anymore) coaching staff....I truly thought that the Colorado game was a fluke, seeing as how OU could not have scripted a worse half than the 2nd half of the CU game....Then they looked terrible on the road at ISU, and so all this past week--there were a lot of questions about OU and going on the road, and how they would do on the road against a slightly better than average Texas Tech team....Most deserving top 5 teams would have responded by atleast playing an emotional and spirited game, and I think most coaching staffs would have used that as a challenge to the team....Not this one-----that was a pathetic effort across the board last night, and the buck stops with
Bob Stoops....I'd like to think that Sam would have made a huge difference last night, but I can't force myself to believe that...something has to be done with how this team is "prepared" each week...."Big game Bob" left Norman in 2001....
I don't care for Coach Kevin Wilson at all. His play-calling has been a problem since earlier in the season. He's slow to make adjustments when the current game plan isn't getting the job done.
I hope that for next year, we can get a new offensive coordinator (maybe promote Cale Gundy? It worked for the Pokes) and a new secondary coach. The secondary hasn't been the same since Mike Stoops went to Arizona. Listening & later watching to the game last night, I thought the defense did a decent job in the beginning. But the Sooner offense wasn't getting the job done at all. It was stagnant & was unable to do anything with the opportunities the defense gave them.
I think it's time for a change at offensive coordinator, special teams, and secondary coaching positions.
I want to just give props to the OU players for not folding it in last night, and for making the game less embarrasing.
The bottom line is coaching. Yes the players have to execute, but they also need to be put in a situtation to succeed. During the Baylor Walker and Harris would look at eachother after every play and you could tell they were completely lost. The D is in need of an overhaul. How many times over the last 2 seasons have we made a Below average QB look like Montana or have the one WR every ganme that has 10 total career catches, but is able to match that by halftime. Its the same story week in and week out. I honestly think Stoops needs to really look at things over the summer, but I am not gonna rip these guys for winning most of the time. Just think Nebraska people. We should be very happy we have Stoops, lets see how he handles this adversity.
I'd like to think Kevin Wilson is a smart coach. And if he what was he thinking with his play calling after Sam Bradford left the game? Bradford started his passing career off by throwing bubble screens to the receivers and our talented tight end. Then after a few completions he had the confidence to throw the ball down field. And look how Sam turned out. Joey Halzle may not have the same arm strength as Bradford but he should have been given the same opportunity to get his confidence up just like Bradford did early in the season. Instead he was placed in obvious 3rd and long passing situations and Tech blitzed him unmercifully. Wilson is starting to act like Chuck Long in his playcalling in big game situations. We all know Chuck's tendency to call the wrong plays at the wrong times(Sugar Bowl loss to LSU comes to mind). I think Kevin is better at his playcall selection than Chuck he just needs to do it more when it counts. Kinda reminds me of the saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it"! If he could remember to do that then it wouldn't matter who we put under center.
Not sure. What was funny about the commentators last night they had no idea how to say bradford's name. LOL. Right before halftime lady talking to stoops called him botford, then one of the others called him crawford. LOL! He look about dumb as a sooner fan shoping at wal-mart.
Stoops and his staff are way overpaid! The real Stoops is at Arizona, OU got left with the impersonator. Biggest mistake Stoops ever made was letting Leach and Mangino go in the first place! Finally! He managed to get an OC noone else wants!
John, you are right about one thing, there is a lot of talent on OU's roster, but they sure didn’t show it last night. This loss can’t be blamed on Bradford, it’s not like this team has been playing with him for the past 3 or 4 years and they have some team chemistry that totally fell apart when he got hurt. OU's coaching staff and players have all bought in to all the hype about how GREAT they are and they didn’t give it 100% last night and in my OPINION that makes them overrated. Stoops is a first class jerk that thinks he can do no wrong. Look at his condescending attitude he has every time he does a press conference. Like everybody is beneath him and they should all be happy he taking time out of his day to give them the privilege of seeing his smug face. He hasn’t won a NC since what, 2000 and he won that with players that he had to do with recruiting or coaching for the biggest part of their time playing at OU.
So, I'm going to go on and on...You're playing one of the worst run defenses in the Big 12, you're down, the D has been on the field the whole game, so you put the game in Halzle's hands when you need to run, run the clock, rest the D, and have three good backs. I'm sorry I'm not smart enough to be a coach. Any moron can see that was just stupid, had nothing to do with the kids. You have to remember: Your average football coach is not a genius. The "you're not a coach, shut up" put down of critics is ridiculous for this reason. Most of us aren't coaches, and we actually smarter than the coaches, IQ wise. Football is not medicine, engineering, or anything remotely close. It's all been done. I'd be happy to take the playbook for a month, a $2.5 million salary, and take my shot. I truly don't think I'd do any worse than what we saw last night.
Colbie...The players aren't overrated, the staff is. Crabtree can get open all night, but we can't scheme a way to get Kelly open? 2nd and goal from the one, OU goes straight ahead, and five Red Raiders meet a fullback-less Murray almost as soon as he gets the ball. (I think the big guys up front are too tall, don't have good knee-bend and leverage, which is why they pass-block well, but can't run block...And this is a coaching error in recruitment, selection and development, and in not game-planning around the talent you have, not the talent you wish you had.) On D, the same busts week in, week out, receivers finding the soft spots in the zone, settling in and catching the ball bracketed by three Sooners looking on. Pinkell has less to work with, but gets Maclin the ball whenever he can. Wilson insists on rotating running backs, is using no misdirection, precious little play action. Murray should have at least 30 touches a game, rushing and receiving. Gresham, possibly the best TE in the country only gets one look last night? Halzle throwing downfield instead of being given some simple swing passes, screens, etc., to get into the game, and keep things moving? Even just putting the game in Halzle's hands when you're down, imploding, and Halzle's seen no meaningful action? That was just stupid, as we all clearly saw. Nichols should've gotten the nod, since he can run, too, and that would've given OU more options, Tech more problems, without having to put the ball up. I could go on and on, and none of this has anything to do with the players' talent.
The coaching staff is not getting the job done. The schemes on both sides are simplistic and predictable. Zone is asking the kids to think too much. They just just line up man. On O, Wilson hasn't developed the O-line to run block (which is why he was brought in), can't figure out Murray is his starter (the one back who isn't dependent on the line to make holes), has a too-simple scheme, and can't play-call to save his life. The game was over the series after Halzle tackled himself. When OU needed to run, take time off the clock, rest the D and get a score, Wilson decides to put the game in Halzle's hands, three passes, three and out, ball back to Tech, D back on the field, touchdown, game over. Then, to open the 3rd, we come out throwing again, then admit we can't run block by going for a fake on 4th and 1. If you can't line up and get a yard to save a national championship, you have no business playing for one. Wilson and Venables may be fine human beings, and I have interest in being ugly regarding them, but they're just in over their heads. Either that, or OU is recruiting some of the dumbest, most uncoachable athletes in the country. But given how Harris and Peterson actually went backward at OU and have excelled in the NFL, I think it has more to do with the coaching than the kids. What AD has shown OU fans is that we basically should never have a lost a game where he was on the field. The CU game, we blow a 17-point lead to a lousy team for not being able to pick up a couple first downs. Wilson decided he'd rather lose than admit the line couldn't get the job done and put in Murray rather than Patrick. Patrick's a great runner, but he's a run-to-the-hole guy, and there aren't any holes. OU won't win another championship with this staff. No one is interested in Wilson or Venables, and that tells you all you need to know. Baylor's Morris said OU's defense was simple and easy to gameplan. USC's players knew not only when we were running or passing, just by personnel and formations, but also which hole the runs were going to. It's hard to succeed against solidly coached teams when you're giving that much away to begin with. Apart from the LBs, OU has as much talent as anyone in the country, but they're sure not playing like it. This team should, in this wacky season, be undefeated, playing for a title, and looking for another next year. But, alas, they're nowhere near ready for primetime, as last night clearly showed. I shudder to think what Nick Saban would have this group doing.
OMG!! “OU Fans” are such pompous jerks! Lets lay the blame on the officials and everybody else and not where it really goes………the OVERRATED players! The bottom line is they got their a$$’s handed to them last night and it would have played out the same way with their golden boy Bradford in the game. Who cares how many trips OU has made to a NC game in the past 8 years, the bottom line is they CHOKE every time and cant pull out a W. Nothing would have been different this year.
"Of course OU doesn't want to move the Texas game to a home and home series because they'd never win in Austin whereas they at least have a neutral field advantage at the Cotton Bowl....Any Sooner or Horn fan knows exactly why they want to keep it in Dallas...Wouldn't understand if you aren't a UT or OU fan...But this argument doesn't make sense anyway...Neutral site advantage?...Can't say I have ever heard that one before
You can be upset by the officiating crew. There's no doubt the Sooners have been ripped by a few calls in the past. But, not this game. When it comes down to the facts, OU's backup QB could only deliver to the very end corners of the endzone. He had 10 yards deep by 53.3 yards wide to find a place to put the ball. You can't argue that.
Granted, once Bradford went out we really had no chance, but someone please tell me why do you try a fake punt on a 4th and 1 when your down by a considerable margin and it is late in the game? Why not just line up in your normal offense and let Murray or Brown run off tackle and pick up the one yard. You're alot more likely to get the first down this way. Kevin Wilson's play calling has been very suspect this year.
It isnt' just when OU loses. I see in the other games as well. I just hate it when a game can't be decided by the teams on the field. The officials do have control on the outcome of the game. That has been proven over and over again. I have no problem when OU loses. I had no problem when we lost to Colorado, because it was a legit loss. This however was not. OU is not perfect but no team is. I think officials should be held accountable for their actions as well. Why are they untouchable?
Why is it that when OU loses some will blame officiating crew? Maybe if they would stop their complaining it would help. Putting the blame on others is wrong.
Why is it that when OU loses some will blame officiating crew? Maybe if they would stop their complaining it would help. Putting the blame on others is wrong.
I can't see how anyone, after seeing the Tulsa game, could not see the secondary would be OU's demise. Sure Bradford went out in the first few minutes. Sure a fake punt was screwed up. Sure there was a questionable call. Those are things that can or cannot happen during a game. But other teams shredding the secondary was always a constant. How many times have we seen 1st down conversions being made by a pass up the middle. Even the announcers were baffled at how open Michael Crabtree was being played softly. It seems their receivers caught the ball without a defender anywhere 10 yards away. I wonder what gameplan Gundys coming up with?
The officiating in this game was some of the worse I have seen. If OU would have legitimately then I would have no beef here, but that isn't the case. If this game was called correctly Harrell would have been sacked at least 5 times and probably at least 3 of those TDs would not have been. Tech was getting away with murder during that game. OU had a clear TD that after review said that it wasn't. Come on were they watching the same game. Gimme a Break!!!! Something has to be done about the poor officiating this season in college football. It's been rampant across the board.
I told you Gooners way back that you would not beat Texas Tech in Lubbock! For one thing OU isn't that good! If we go back an look at the combined record of the teams OU beat this year you'll see they played a powder puff schedule. But then that's what OU always does, isn't it? Ala Bill Snyder at Kansas State! Of course OU doesn't want to move the Texas game to a home and home series because they'd never win in Austin whereas they at least have a neutral field advantage at the Cotton Bowl. Miami, a big name school turned out to be attrocious this year! The best thing OU can do right now is lay down against OSU and forgo a BCS Bowl bid in favor of a lesser bowl and a lesser opponent that you can actually beat! Pray tell hope you don't draw Boise State, though!
With the talent on hand, our coaching is the only weakness. I know we've suffered since Mike and Mark left, but Bob Stoops benefited from the kids he did not recruit, and is the living example of the "peter principle." We can either be happy to be in the chase for the championship, or we can find a coach who knows the difference between "athletes" and "football players."
Jesus, Travis, why don't we split some hairs? What difference does it make whether it was 8 or seven years past? But, in fact, Walter is correct. The NC was won seven years ago; this is the eighth year since we won it... when you say 'ago', you count backwards and you start with '06. Fact of the matter is that OU capitulated last night after Bradford was pulled. Essentially, Stoops elected to save Nichol's redshirt year at the expense of a shot at the national title.
You people claiming to know exactly what the problem is crack me up. You act like a child who has lost his priviledges due to bad behavior. Stoops and staff are still among the best in the nation. The talent of players is still among the best in the nation. Joey Hazle kept plucking away and when the line blocked for him he was able to settle down and make improvement toward the end of the game. We still have a shot at the Big 12 Championship. I hope Murray, Bradford and the other players injured heal up soon. If they don't, that means someone else will have to step up. Great game Tech...you played well. O-U did not. It happens. Boomer Sooner!!!
Watched most of the game last night and I didn't see Coach Stoops complete one pass or make one tackle. Star ratings of recruits doesn't mean squat You win or lose with the effort put out by members of the team. It is still my opinion that OU will be 11-2 or 10-3 after the Big 12 Championship Game.
Walter, OU won the NC 8 years ago and got burned 7 years ago, how soon we forget. Count, 1)2000, 2)2001, 3)2002, 4)2003,5)2004,6)2005,7)2006,and here we are in 8)2007, not much has changed. At least in 05 and 06, they did not disappoint, we knew what was going to happen.
As a coach, I feel for Stoops. I think when he recruited these guys he thought he was getting great athletes with mental toughness - but they have not delivered. You can question coaches all you want - I too thought we should have ran the ball - but in the end it was the simple mistakes that cost us the ballgame. How many times is Allen Patrick going to fumble? How many times is the all world Kelly - who looks like he is trying to not get hurt for the draft - going to drop a ball that gives us a first down? Duke Robinson? Love him - two dumb penalties that killed drives, plus holding calls. To win the national championship you have to have mental toughness and luck. OU's athletes are better than the 2000 NC team - but they arent as hungry or as mentally tough as that team. If everyone comes back next year - hopefully one more year will give them that sense of urgency to play each snap. I watched Stoops on the sideline and as a coach I have experienced that feeling of helplessness when your kids are playing hard - but just cant stop making mistakes.
First, the last great OU defense was orchestrated by Mike Stoops (seven years ago). Second, when coaches talk about bad coaching, that’s an internal problem that should not be voiced to the media; but fixed in-house? It was Venables commenting “bad coaching” last week now it’s Stoops: "Then we got all kinds of personal fouls and penalties, just bad football, and you can't play like that and win on the road, or even at home," Sooners coach Bob Stoops said (bad football is a real cop-out for bad coaching)! The media and our competitors eat up that kind of commenting and it lowers OU’s presence as a great football program. Quite simply, if there’s a coaching problem; Stoops should figure it out and fix it. OU’s most embarrassing moments came as the result of bad coaching: (lose to KSU (Big 12 Championship), LSU (Nat Title), USC (Nat Title), and Boise State).
Our secondary is not very good. It has not been very good since Mike Stoops left. After he gets let go from AZ we should try to get him back at OU. Brent can not run this defense by him self. With the great players we have we should have a secondary that can cover better than they did last night and even most of the season.
This is what happens when you run a simple defense, but the thing is... Venables is not smart enough to run a more complex "D". They rely too much on the good athletes. Jerry, you want some cheese with that big glass? Sooners have been lucky, winning with athletes, except in Colorado. Think before you speak Jerry. We need the coaching staff to start earning their money. Boomer Sooner Baby!
You clowns who find it "hard to be a Sooner fan" when we lose are not really Sooner fans. I'm not sure what you are, but you're not Sooner fans. You also need to grow up! Only a moron, in the press or the stands, thinks they can outcoach the coaches we have at Oklahoma. I don't want to trade our players or coaches after this loss, but I sure would like to get rid of some of you fake fans. You sicken real Sooner fans!
Those who think defense contributed to this loss are crazy. I haven't looked at the stats but I'll be surprised if they weren't on the field close to 3 out of 4 quarters against TT. They played admirably well under those circumstances. The puzzling and disappointing issue continues to be the game-time offensive strategy and personnel decisions.
I'm losing my confidence in Bob Stoops' ability to effectively utilize the talent he has in his offensive camp. I was stunned that he didn't start ramming the ball down Tech's throat at the beginning of the second half, especially when it was obvious that Halzle was not able to execute the pass. This coaching staff doesn't seem to be able to instill mental toughness in these players by calling gutsy strategy and expecting them to execute it. I dunno..maybe they don't believe they have good enough players to do things the way they used to.
Those who think defense contributed to this loss are crazy. I haven't looked at the stats but I'll be surprised if they weren't on the field close to 3 out of 4 quarters against TT. They played admirably well under those circumstances. The puzzling and disappointing issue continues to be the game-time offensive strategy and personnel decisions.
I'm losing my confidence in Bob Stoops' ability to effectively utilize the talent he has in his offensive camp. I was stunned that he didn't start ramming the ball down Tech's throat at the beginning of the second half, especially when it was obvious that Halzle was not able to execute the pass. This coaching staff doesn't seem to be able to instill mental toughness in these players by calling gutsy strategy and expecting them to execute it. I dunno..maybe they don't believe they have good enough players to do things the way they used to.
Not the best effort by the receivers last night.OU would need 4 yards,the receivers would run 3 yard routes.Kelly dropped a couple that he should have caught.Still in all you need to use your tight end.
I just don't think we could have expected much better out of Halzle or the defense. People rag on our defense, but I'd like to see one that's playing better. Ohio State gives up points to Illinois. LSU is actually giving up quite a few points to vastly inferior competition. What D could be expected to come out of that first half much better, given the circumstances? So many short fields, and so little rest. Plus, we had an aggressive game plan, rushing 5 and 6 a lot. I liked it. Take away the freaky circumstances, and you take away about 10 Tech points. They just got the breaks... and that's part of the game. No excuses there.
OU is so pathetic that they'll beat the KU-MIZZOU winner in the big 12 championship thereby eliminating any chance of a big 12 team being in the BCS championship game and allowing the conference to split $17M. 2007 was a long time ago. since then big game bob has been hardly that. unless you mean lose them.
Grant in Edmond...
I understand your points. The problem that I have is that if the coaches had done a better job throughout the earlier games, we may have had a chance for Halzle to get more snaps. The D couldn't keep the other teams from scoring or get them off the field. This team has shown little improvement from the beginning of the season, especially on defense. And we all know defense wins championships.
How come watching Mike Stoops on Thursday his D blitz's reminds me of 2000, causing caos, getting to the QB and every since he left we blitz and get picked up time and time again! 3rd downs in the 1st half killed us and we get inside the 20 4 times in the game and come away with 6 points!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Say what you want about the ref in the Oregon game last year but this TT game and last years Oregon game are very similar, when you settle for FG's you lose!!!
As for this article, it's moronic. A gassed defense, struggles to contain an offense after their running back fumbles the ball away, then their back up has a slow start, going 3 and out several times. Then in the second half, they hold Tech to 7 lousy points. That's impressive. And, what kind of idiot reasoning states "Running the ball... Texas Tech did that well, too. Aaron Crawford... rushed 12 times for 47 yards..." Twelve rushes for 47 yards is good? A 3.9 yard/rush is good? That's completely dumb. Bottom line, Two of the best QB's in the country should have faced off tonight. One played three snaps, the other one played 80. And the grand total difference was 7 points? Our D played fine, certainly good enough to win. Bradford is good for at least 7 more offensive points, and would have kept the ball out of Tech's hands enough to prevent at least 7 of theirs. And, I think I'm being really conservative here. I'm proud of the team. Should have won. Tech can call it a "great win" and it was, but everyone will know it took a major injury to even the playing field (just like Arizona vs. Oregon, everyone knows the truth about that game too. Ironic that it happened to both teams, huh?)
Some people have not been paying attention to what has been happening in college foot this year,nor have they paid much attention to Bob Stoops who has repeatedly pointed out the small margin in peformance between winning and losing. The Sooners did not play well enough to win in the first half especially,but they still managed to come back late and almost pull out a miracle. Paul,I'm glad you have no say in hiring and firing coaches at OU,because you probably would be out trying to bring back John Blake,Howard Schnellenberger or Gary Gibbs. I can remember some REALLY embarrassing losses back in those regimes.
Play calling wasn't the problem. Coaches don't let touchdown passes bounce off their face masks. Coaches don't ref the game. I'm not angry a bit. For any "bad" call by the coaches, I can think of a great one. Who can fault Halzle for taking a quarter or two to get up to game speed? Once he did, he plays a 4th quarter that was as good as we'd have expected from Bradford. Losing your QB in college is almost always a loss.
It is very hard to be a Sooner Fan, getting embarrased on national TV regularly by teams that shouldn't even be close. The offensive play calling continues to be pitful and predictable. The defensive game plan terrible (how about covering the most dangerous player on the field..Crabtree, for a change!!!). Stoops continues to underperfom with superior talent and either needs to get a new coaching approach on both sides of the ball or get out of town. How many times do you see a team completely fall apart when things start going badly except for the Sooners. I hope all those high-powered recruits don't have access to television sets or they may want to go someplace where the coaches can actually utilize their talents.
Slammed Shut: National-title goal suffers Technical... 11/18/2007 LUBBOCK, Texas — Even before Allen Patrick dropped an early handoff and Malcolm Kelly dropped an early pass...
Even before Sudden Sam Bradford went out...
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The loss to OSU next week will be a lack of coaching also. Wake-up OU fans. You have not had a coach that can put the unquestionable talent that OU has into play.
Here we go again with all the OU bashers!! Yeah, we dropped a very important game last night but, you know we still find our team in the top ten and like it was stated on another web site "how many other collegiate teams can say that they have a shot at the nat'l title in consecutive years"? I know that everyone is headhunting about the coach, defensive coach and the secondary but, remember it is an overall team effort. Penalties and fumbling the ball last night just maginified the problem overall. The team with the fewest penalties and mistakes usually win. Don't forget either that it has been a wacky season overall for every college team. Our time will come again to rise above all others. Patience!!!!
Bob Stoops....I'd like to think that Sam would have made a huge difference last night, but I can't force myself to believe that...something has to be done with how this team is "prepared" each week...."Big game Bob" left Norman in 2001....
I hope that for next year, we can get a new offensive coordinator (maybe promote Cale Gundy? It worked for the Pokes) and a new secondary coach. The secondary hasn't been the same since Mike Stoops went to Arizona. Listening & later watching to the game last night, I thought the defense did a decent job in the beginning. But the Sooner offense wasn't getting the job done at all. It was stagnant & was unable to do anything with the opportunities the defense gave them.
I think it's time for a change at offensive coordinator, special teams, and secondary coaching positions.
The bottom line is coaching. Yes the players have to execute, but they also need to be put in a situtation to succeed. During the Baylor Walker and Harris would look at eachother after every play and you could tell they were completely lost. The D is in need of an overhaul. How many times over the last 2 seasons have we made a Below average QB look like Montana or have the one WR every ganme that has 10 total career catches, but is able to match that by halftime. Its the same story week in and week out. I honestly think Stoops needs to really look at things over the summer, but I am not gonna rip these guys for winning most of the time. Just think Nebraska people. We should be very happy we have Stoops, lets see how he handles this adversity.
Watched most of the game last night and I didn't see Coach Stoops complete one pass or make one tackle. Star ratings of recruits doesn't mean squat You win or lose with the effort put out by members of the team. It is still my opinion that OU will be 11-2 or 10-3 after the Big 12 Championship Game.
I'm losing my confidence in Bob Stoops' ability to effectively utilize the talent he has in his offensive camp. I was stunned that he didn't start ramming the ball down Tech's throat at the beginning of the second half, especially when it was obvious that Halzle was not able to execute the pass. This coaching staff doesn't seem to be able to instill mental toughness in these players by calling gutsy strategy and expecting them to execute it. I dunno..maybe they don't believe they have good enough players to do things the way they used to.
I can't see them winning the Big XII
I'm losing my confidence in Bob Stoops' ability to effectively utilize the talent he has in his offensive camp. I was stunned that he didn't start ramming the ball down Tech's throat at the beginning of the second half, especially when it was obvious that Halzle was not able to execute the pass. This coaching staff doesn't seem to be able to instill mental toughness in these players by calling gutsy strategy and expecting them to execute it. I dunno..maybe they don't believe they have good enough players to do things the way they used to.
I can't see them winning the Big XII
I understand your points. The problem that I have is that if the coaches had done a better job throughout the earlier games, we may have had a chance for Halzle to get more snaps. The D couldn't keep the other teams from scoring or get them off the field. This team has shown little improvement from the beginning of the season, especially on defense. And we all know defense wins championships.