SB Nation - Keith Toston

Sooners Deliver A Bedlam Beat Down!

ccmachine — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 06:58:43 -0000

19 days ago: Oklahoma running back DeMarco Murray, left, dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the second quarter of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009. Oklahoma wide receiver Jaz Reynolds is at center. Oklahoma State safety Markelle Martin is at right. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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Coming into Saturday's Bedlam football game the Oklahoma State Cowboys were fielding one of their best teams ever while the Sooners had the worst team Oklahoma fans had seen in the last ten years. When the two teams left the field you would have thought that the roles had been reversed after a 27-0 pounding of the 11^th ranked Cowboys.

Oklahoma was simply faster, stronger and more aggressive than the Cowboys were on Saturday and it eventually took its toll on Oklahoma State. With many Sooner fans "protesting" Oklahoma's miserable season by not attending (Band Waggoners) several thousand OSU fans took their places by purchasing their tickets only to see their BCS dreams dashed by the complete dismantling of their team. The cocky OSU fan mentality of, "this is the year we finally stick it to them" had faded to the "crap, I can't believe this is happening to us again" mindset by the time the fourth quarter of play had began. Once boisterous, they had nothing to cheer for all day and most of them left early.

Oklahoma's game plan was just this side of genius and the stars aligned for the perfect crimson storm to arise and blow the Cowboys away. On defense they wanted to stuff the run and force Zac Robinson to beat them and that's exactly what they did. Keith Toston entered the game as the Big 12's second leading rusher but was held to just 46 yards. As a team the Cowboys rushed for 62 yards on 29 carries for a very humbling average of 2.1 yards per rush. Unable to move the ball on the ground the Cowboys had to turn to senior quarterback Zac Robinson who failed miserably. Unable to shake the pressure from Oklahoma's defense Robinson produced one of the worst performances by a quarterback in the history of the OSU football program. Before getting yanked in the fourth quarter he completed 9 of 21 passes for 44 yards and a pick.

Oklahoma's defense dominated the line of scrimmage by sacking Robinson twice and recorded 6 tackles for loss. The linebackers aggressively attacked O-State's running backs by heading down hill and meeting them at or near the line of scrimmage. OU's linebackers recorded 19 total tackles. The Sooner secondary blanketed OSU receivers leaving Robinson no targets to throw to resulting in him either trying to force a pass, throw the ball away or tuck and run. None of these options worked exceptionally well as Robinson carried the ball 9 times for -6 yards and the Cowboys didn't move the chains once in the second half and never crossed Oklahoma's 45 yard-line the entire afternoon.

On offense the Sooners wanted to be patient and protect the football. They struggled with both of these in the first quarter but eventually got things rolling and never looked back. DeMarco Murray averaged 5.5 yards per carry and scored twice while Landry Jones completed 54% of his passes for 224 yards. Boosted by exceptional punting (59.3 average) and punt returns (26 yards per return) Oklahoma was patient in playing the field position game until it set them up for scores. At the end of the day the Sooners had run 84 plays and accumulated 367 offensive yards.

This will go down as Oklahoma's signature win of the 2009 season and is a good way to close out what has been a disappointing year. Now with the nation's longest home winning streak at 30 games we wait for a bowl destination and hope that this team can somehow figure out how to produce this type of game away from Norman.

Breaking Down Bedlam

ccmachine — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:16:33 -0000

More photos » by Sue Ogrocki - AP

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There are so many things that could go right or wrong for Oklahoma in today's Bedlam football game that I really have no idea what to expect. On one hand you consider how well the Sooners play at home and you think that they have an outstanding chance to win. Then you consider how bad they've played in their five losses and add the fact that the competition at home hasn't been that great and suddenly there's a huge knot in your stomach because you realize the realistic possibility that the nation's longest home winning steak very well could come to an end.

The roles are already reversed coming into the game. O-State is the ranked team with a shot at going to a BCS Bowl. Regardless of what the final score is the Cowboys are going to finish ahead of the Sooners in the Big 12 standings and will get a better bowl invitation. The only thing left to happen is for OSU to actually win the game and they come in as a legitimate favorite and for OU to avoid losing their sixth game of the season they must win one of the game match-ups that they're not supposed to.

Quarterbacks

Landry Jones is completing 58% of his passes this year and has 23 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. At times he's look exceptional and then at other moments he's look completely out of his element. The knocks against him are that he's not stable in the pocket and doesn't read through his progressions.

Zac Robinson has completed 63% of his passes with a touchdown to interception ration of 15 to 7. Robinson is a dual-threat quarterback who has rushed for 302 yards this year but has also been known for turning the ball over on a big hit when he runs.

Robinson's experience and leadership give him a clear advantage over Jones but there's the chance that he may not play due to injury or that he'll be playing at less than 100%.

Advantage: OSU

Running Backs

Chris Brown and DeMarco Murray are averaging 4.3 and 4.4 yards respectfully with 12 touchdowns between them but they are a far cry from the dynamic duo that we saw them become last season. After rushing for over 1,000 each last season the two have a combined 1,251 yards this year. The problem has been getting them in space to make plays and clearing holes for them to run in between the tackles. That's on the line and not necessarily the running backs.

Keith Toston is the Big 12's second leading rusher with 1,130 yards. He's averaging 5.5 yards per carry and has crossed the goal line rushing the football 11 times. He's a powerful runner with good speed and is one of only two players (KSU's Daniel Thomas) to average over 100 yards rushing per game.

Toston has clearly had the better season of these three backs and despite Murray having the added dimension of being Oklahoma's second leading receiver the Sooners don't have a rushing threat like Toston has been this season.

Advantage: OSU

Receivers/Tight Ends

Ryan Broyles is one of the most electrifying receivers in the country. He's averaging 12.9 yards per reception and has 861 yards with 12 touchdowns. He's on target to break 1,000 receiving yards this season and it would go a long way for the Sooners if he surpassed that mark today. Behind Broyles is a massive drop off as Brandon Caleb has almost 40 fewer receptions and only 2 touchdowns. Dejuan Miller is coming on and is has pretty much inserted himself as Oklahoma's #2 receiver.

O-State was dealt a huge blow when the NCAA took Dez Bryant away from them. Since then Hubert Anyiam has become the Pokes' top receiver. He's caught 39 passes for 482 yards and 3 touchdowns.

After Anyiam the Cowboys don't have another receiver playing in this game with more than 15 receptions. Conversely the Sooners have four receivers with more than 20 receptions. What's a tight end?

Advantage: OU

Offensive Line

I don't have the words to describe how disappointing Oklahoma's offensive line has been this season. Now this unit has become decimated with injuries and literally a walking triage unit. The latest victim is Trent Williams who may have to sit out today's Bedlam game due to a head injury. Oklahoma has given up 12 sacks this season.

Oklahoma State has only given up 7 sacks this year and is much stronger in both run and pass blocking than the Sooners are. The have a future NFL All-Pro in Russell Okung as their anchor.

Advantage: OSU

Defensive Line

Oklahoma's defensive line against OSU's offensive line is the match-up that could determine the game. Jeremy Beal is third in the conference in sacks with 11 and third in tackles for loss with 16. Gerald McCoy is fifth in the Big 12 in tackles for loss with 14.5.

Ugo Chinasa has 4 sacks for the Pokes and 6.5 tackles for loss. However, you have to go all the way down to 11^th O-States leader board for tackles to find Chinasa, a defensive lineman, listed.

Advantage: OU

Linebackers

Travis Lewis is third in the Big 12 in total tackles with 99 and Keenan Clayton is 39^th with 58. Oklahoma will be without Ryan Reynolds who is a field general for the Sooners defense and that may hurt the Sooners more than missing his 67 tackles. In his place Austin Box will step in and try to get a head start on taking over the middle linebacker position full time next season.

Donald Booker leads the Cowboys in sacks with 5 and tackles for loss with 7. He and Patrick Lavine lead the team in tackles with 80 and 67 tackles respectively. Lavine also leads the team in interceptions with 5.

Both team's linebacker units attack down hill and are solid run stuffers. O-State is second in the conference against the rush (82.6 yards per game) and the Sooners are third (91 yards per game)

Advantage: Even

Secondary

Oklahoma is second in the conference against the pass by holding opponents to just 197.5 yards per game. The OU secondary has a combined 11 interceptions led by Brian Jackson's 4. Jackson and Dominique Franks are one of the best corner duos in the conference and safety Quinton Carter is a hard hitter who's second on the team in tackles with 76.

Perrish Cox is not only the best athlete in Oklahoma State's secondary he's most likely the best athlete on the team. He has 32 tackles and 4 interceptions but as a whole the Cowboys are 9^th in the conference in pass defense.

Advantage: OU

Special Teams

Oklahoma State is last in the Big 12 in kickoff return average (18.6 yards per return) and while the Sooners aren't sitting pretty at #10 (21.2 yards per return) at least they're not last. Punt returns are a different issue for the Sooners where their 14.3 yards per return average are tops in the Big 12. OSU isn't too far behind at 13.9 yards per return which places them 3^rd in the Big 12.

In punting average the Sooners have a 39.6 (Best in the Big 12) to 37.5 advantage. Oklahoma's place kickers have missed seven field goal attempts this season while the Cowboys have missed five.

If this game becomes a field goal kicking contest then I'm not sure that I like Oklahoma's chances. However, in the battle for field position OU's special teams units are outperforming O-State's in just about every category.

Advantage: OU

Tulsa World: Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson Not Expected to Start, Probably Won't Play Against Buffs

irish1611 — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:47:02 -0000

The Colorado Buffaloes might get some help tonight against the 12th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys. According to the Tulsa World, sources have told them that QB Zac Robinson is not expected to start tonight and will probably not be seeing any action just five days after a big collision with less than two minutes remaining in the Texas Tech game. Oklahoma State went on to win that game 24 - 17. At first the hit was believed to have caused a concussion but it now looks like the bigger issue is the injury it caused to Robinson's throwing shoulder.

The Cowboys (8-2) are still in the running for a BCS game so any loss would be detrimental to that cause. Next week, Oklahoma State takes on its in-state rival the Oklahoma Sooners, a game which will carry major implications for the Cowboys if they were to beat the Buffs tonight in Stillwater.

The Tulsa World also reports that QB Alex Cate is likely to get the start tonight:

"Alex Cate, who has not started a game since the 2005 season at Cottonwood High School in Salt Lake City, Utah, is expected to start at quarterback for OSU. A fourth-year junior, Cate has taken the majority of first-team snaps in practice this week."

Colorado will be attempting to win only it's third game on the road in the Dan Hawkins era tonight (2-18). This news will certainly help their cause considering both Robinson's success as the Pokes' quarterback and the very limited experience Alex Cate has at the collegiate level. Cate has attempted justfive passes in his career at Oklahoma State completing four, all in 2008. He has not attempted a pass this year but has rushed the ball one time for two yards.

Expect the Oklahoma State Cowboys, regardless of who plays at quarterback tonight, to be a very run-oriented team. The Pokes recently returned preseason All American candidate RB Kendall Hunter into the lineup after missing half of the season with a severe ankle sprain. Last year, Hunter ran for 1,555 yards and 16 touchdowns. In Hunter's absence, Keith Toston has emerged and has filled in beautifully as the former starter begins to work his way back (Hunter ran 17 for 68 yards against Texas Tech last week). Toston, after only carrying the ball an average of ten times the first two games of the season, has taken over the lead role for the Pokes and is now just 42 yards away from 1,000 on the season. Toston ranks 30th in the nation in rushing yards/game at 95.8, good for 4th in the Big 12. A big reason for the seamless transition between running backs is the dominant offensive line OSU brings out led by All American candidate T Russel Okung. This season, the offensive line has only given up 0.7 sacks a game which is third in the nation and first in the Big 12. Compare that number to the Colorado Buffaloes, who are giving up 3.8 sacks per game which ranks 117th in college football.

Last week, the Colorado Buffaloes' defense gave up 138 yards to Iowa State RB Alexander Robinson.

Colorado Buffaloes Open as 14.5 Point Underdogs on the Road Against Oklahoma State

irish1611 — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:43:57 -0000

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

Oklahoma State running back Keith Toston (5) has filled in nicely for the injured Kendall Hunter this season. Oklahoma State is one of the best running teams in the nation behind a very good offensive line led by OT Russell Okung (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

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It doesn't get any easier for the Colorado Buffaloes (3-7, 2-4) as they travel on a short week to face the 12th ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-2, 5-1) in Stillwater this Thursday night (ESPN, 5:30 PM MT). Currently, odds makers have this one pegged at 14.5 points in favor of the home team. It marks the 8th consecutive game the Colorado Buffaloes will go into the game as an underdog. Oklahoma State is the third ranked team the Buffs will have played this season with Nebraska potentially being a fourth next week if they take care of business against Kansas State in Lincoln.

Oklahoma State beat Texas Tech this past Saturday 24 - 17 in Stillwater. Oklahoma State turned the Red Raiders over three times and was able to hold on after Texas Tech had a 10 - 7 halftime lead. Former Colorado prep and current OSU starting quarterback Zac Robinson was part of a scary collision last night with 98 seconds left in the game. He was helped off the field after suffering what looked like a concussion. Before getting hurt, Robinson only passed for 90 yards but was the Pokes leading rusher with 99 yards on 19 carries. The senior signal caller ranks eighth in the Big 12 in passing yards this season but is second in the conference in passing efficiency, throwing for 15 scores and only 7 interceptions. For his career, Robinson has passed for 8,155 yards and 66 touchdowns.

Initially, one had to wonder if Oklahoma State would hold out Robinson on a short week with the rivalry game against Oklahoma in two weeks. But according to the Tulsa World, Robinson plans to play against Colorado. It is also senior night for Robinson and the rest of the graduating Pokes which should provide them some extra motivation to come out strong against the Buffs.

read more of the game preview after the jump...

Robinson and the Oklahoma State offense were dealt a big blow when All American wide receiver Dez Bryant was ruled ineligible by the NCAA after the third game of the year. Bryant still ranks as the second leading receiver on the team. But Oklahoma State has recovered nicely.

The key for Oklahoma State this year has been the emergence of running back Keith Toston after All Big 12 back Kendall Hunter was injured the third game of the year suffering a sprained ankle. Hunter essentially missed six games before returning two weeks ago in a limited role. Last year, Hunter ran for 1,555 yards and 16 touchdowns. Not very often a team losses their two best players in the same year and still has a chance to go 10 - 2 but that is what Oklahoma State has done. Toston has filled in beautifully for the injured Hunter aas he begins to work his way back (Hunter ran 17 for 68 yards against Texas Tech last week). Toston, after only carrying the ball an average of ten times the first two games of the season, has taken over the lead role for the Pokes and is now just 42 yards away from 1,000 on the season. Toston ranks 30th in the nation in rushing yards/game at 95.8, good for 4th in the Big 12. A big reason for the seamless transition between running backs is the dominant offensive line OSU brings out led by All American candidate T Russell Okung. This season, the offensive line has only given up 0.7 sacks a game which is third in the nation and first in the Big 12. Compare that number to the Colorado Buffaloes, who are giving up 3.8 sacks per game which ranks 117th in college football. That tells you a lot about why the Buffs have only three wins and why Oklahoma State, who lost their two biggest play makers from a year ago, has a chance at 10 wins, something Dan Hawkin's "muttered" this offseason.

With the losses of Dez Bryant and Kendall Hunter for a big chunk of the year, Oklahoma State's offense has fallen off from last year where they finished the season as the 6th ranked unit in the nation averaging 487 yards a contest. This year, they find themselves 48th averaging just over 400 yards per game. But the big improvement and the main reason why the Cowboys are still a player in the Big 12 is a vastly improved defense. In 2008, Oklahoma State struggled stopping the opposition, ranking 93rd in the nation allowing 405 yards per. This year, the defense is only allowing 333 yards a game and is 7th in the nation allowing just 89 yards on the ground.

As for the Colorado Buffaloes, there are only a few things that need to be highlighted. CU is now eliminated from bowl eligibility after a loss last weekend to Iowa State in Ames. Under first year coach Paul Rhoads, Iowa State is now bowl eligible and, in one year, has won the same number of road games as Dan Hawkins has in four seasons at the helm in Boulder. Just two weeks ago, Iowa State was manhandled by Oklahoma State in Stillwater, 34 - 8. Cyclones RB Alexander Robinson, who ran wild on the Buffs' defense for 138 yards, was held to just 51 yards and 3.2 a carry, his lowest average this year. ISU was held scoreless until the fourth quarter and QB Austin Arnaud was intercepted three times. Pokes RB Keith Toston ran for 206 yards on the Cyclones and three scores.

One has to wonder if the Buffs will come out and play with an pride after being eliminated from postseason play for the third time in four years. With the season already an embarrassment, this national appearance could be very dangerous if Colorado comes out like they usually do on the road - uninspired, timid and lacking confidence - but now with even less to play for. Last week's loss also marks the fourth consecutive season with a losing record, all under Dan Hawkins. As you know, Hawkins at Colorado is 2 - 18 on the road and 3 - 20 when the game is not played in Boulder. Last season, Oklahoma State beat the Buffs 30 - 17 in Folsom, racking up 443 total yards, 226 of which came on the ground. With the injury to Robinson against Tech and the desire to protect him for the Sooners in two weeks, you can expect a heavy dose of Toston and Hunter on Thursday night.

13 days and counting...

Sunday Buff Bites - 13 Days Until This Nightmare Is Over...Hopefully

irish1611 — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 14:36:53 -0000

Woelk: Decision on Hawkins` future must come soon - Buffzone

It means that very soon, athletic director Mike Bohn and chancellor Phil DiStefano must come to a decision. Clearly, the program is nowhere close to where Bohn envisioned it being when he hired Hawkins. When Bohn managed to land one of the nation`s hottest young coaching prospects in December of 2005, he certainly never thought he`d be contemplating another change just four years later. Now such a decision is a distinct possibility. Today, I`m still not ready to say a change would be in the best interest of the program and the university. But, whatever decision is reached, it must be reached soon. After Saturday`s effort at Iowa State, waiting for the outcome of the last two games makes absolutely no sense. Bohn and DiStefano must sit down as soon as possible and examine the situation from every angle. Economics. Possible fallout from all sides. Recruiting. Next year`s schedule. Returning players. Then make a decision and move on. Let Hawkins know whether he`ll be here next year or not. If he`s going to be the head coach, make it known so he can begin to reassure recruits, contemplate staff changes and move on with business. If not, give him and his staff the opportunity to assess their futures. But whatever the decision, make it soon. Waiting will only increase the questions hanging over the program while doing nothing in terms of moving forward. Simply, a quick resolution is the only sensible solution.

Bowl ineligibility befalls Buffs - The Denver Post

Hawkins' problem is, in his fourth year, his team is going in the opposite direction of two rebuilding programs that beat him with first-year coaches. Paul Rhoads' Cyclones (6-5, 3-4) joined Kansas State in downing the Buffs at home. This time the nearly packed house of 43,208 stormed the field, celebrating bowl eligibility a year after going 2-10. Once again, offensive ineptitude on the road crippled Colorado. CU scored one touchdown against the second- worst defense in the league. That doubled its number of TDs in the past 10 quarters on the road to two.

CU Buffs bowl hopes end in another road wreck - Boulder Daily Camera

The signs are all there and they`re pointing toward a coaching change at Colorado. The football team isn`t playing well when it desperately needs to. Athletic director Mike Bohn, who just three months ago robustly defended head coach Dan Hawkins, turned away requests for comment after another loss Saturday.

Buffs lose 17-10 at Iowa State - The Denver Post

Lacking a killer instinct, Colorado (3-7, 2-4 Big 12) produced just three points — total — out of four possession inside the ISU 10-yard line, committed costly, careless penalties and set up Iowa State's third-quarter touchdown with a turnover. "We went from being one of the better teams in the red zone in the country to one of the worst," Colorado coach Dan Hawkins said.

Same old story for Buffs - The Longmont Times-Call

Hawkins, repeating another familiar line, said it just came down to a couple of plays. "Particularly with this group of guys, when you have a big play against you, there’s a huge momentum thing going on," Hawkins said. "We just have to be able to counter that a little bit better."

CU vs. Iowa State Game Quotes
Momentum thing, rhythm thing, confidence thing...blah, blah, blah, blah

On poor passing game
"On the first drive we had a couple of drops. You talk about that rhythm thing and that confidence thing and that momentum thing. A couple of drops on the first drive took us out of rhythm."

The Longmont Times-Call

From CU offensive coordinator Eric Kiesau: "The frustrating part is the turnovers and the penalties. We’re not getting outschemed. We know what they’re doing. If we eliminate turnovers and penalties, this is a completely different ball club." CU committed 11 penalties and three turnovers Saturday. CU was also 2-for-14 on third down conversions.

Bruising running game paves way for OSU - Big 12 Blog - ESPN
The Colorado Buffaloes next opponent, Oklahoma State, had a good win last night against Texas Tech but lost their starting quarterback in the process. Zac Robinson was hit hard late in the game and supposedly has a concussion.

One negative coming out of the game was an apparent concussion sustained by OSU quarterback Zac Robinson on a devastating hit by Tech cornerback Jamar Wall. With the Cowboys playing Thursday night against Colorado, it might be asking a lot for Robinson to return to action that soon. And Robinson was the key before his injury. He piled up a team-high 97 yards. Keith Toston added 78 and Kendall Hunter had his most impressive performance since returning from his foot injury with 70 tough yards on 17 carries.

Two key fumbles put Stewart in tough situation - The Denver Post

Stewart lost two fumbles, both coming at crucial times in the second half. His first turnover, on the Colorado 33-yard line, occurred early in the third quarter. That set up Iowa State's final touchdown and, ultimately, the Cyclones' winning score. The second turnover came at the end of a 7-yard run to the ISU 8 on a hit by safety David Sims, ending a CU threat early in the fourth quarter.

Givens' strange season takes another turn - The Longmont Times-Call

The strange season Bryce Givens is enduring in his redshirt freshman year at Colorado took another twist during Saturday’s 17-10 loss at Iowa State. Givens, making his first start Saturday since the Big 12 opener at Texas, was called for a personal foul during the third quarter for hitting an Iowa State pass rusher in the face as quarterback Tyler Hansen scrambled to the Cyclones’ 2 on first-and-goal. After Givens turned and said something to referee Tom Walker, Walker picked his flag up off the ground and tossed it high into the air to call a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. The penalties gave CU a first-and-goal at the 39. The drive ended when kicker Aric Goodman missed from 42 yards. Coaches pulled Givens from the game and he did not return. Ryan Dannewitz took his place at right tackle.

ISU Football: Cyclones beat Colorado, become bowl eligible - The Des Moines Register

They reached bowl eligibility for the first time since 2005 after a 17-10 win against Colorado before a boisterous 43,208 who held breaths as the Buffaloes tossed the ball around backwards on the final play before finally ending 69 yards from the end zone.

Go Cyclones - ISU bowl eligible after Colorado win

Iowa State beats Colorado 17-10 and Cyclones become bowl eligible - KansasCity.com

For some programs, reaching bowl eligibility is little more than a footnote. It’s a much bigger deal for Iowa State. Picked to finish last in the Big 12 North, the Cyclones can at least dream of their first bowl bid since 2005 after beating Colorado 17-10 on Saturday for their sixth win.

CU players say they`ll play for pride - Boulder Daily Camera

Crunching the Numbers :: Oklahoma St. Cowboys Edition

Seth C — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 18:00:36 -0000

Texas Tech Red Raiders
(6-3, 3-2)

vs.

Oklahoma St. Cowboys
(7-2, 4-1)

Game Information:
Date: November 14, 2009 :: Time: 7:00 p.m. CST :: Weather: Stillwater, OK
TV: ABC :: Radio: Affiliates :: Game Cast: Fox Sports

I'm going to be pressed for time this week. I was able to have a preview of the numbers between the two teams and rather than give my 5 thoughts, I'd love to hear any thoughts that you may have about these two teams based on the statistics. You can find additional statistics on both teams here: Texas Tech and Oklahoma St.

CATEGORY	STATISTIC (NCAA RANK, CONF. RANK)	WINNER
TTU Pass Offense vs. OSU Pass Defense	400.44 (2, 1) 237.33 (87, 10)
TTU Rush Offense vs. OSU Rush Defense	73.56 (116, 12) 94.00 (9, 3)
OSU Pass Offense vs. TTU Pass Defense	212.11 (71, 9) 232.78 (77, 6)
OSU Rush Offense vs. TTU Rush Defense	196.00 (20, 1) 122.78 (44, 8)
TTU Scoring Offense vs. OSU Scoring Defense	40.22 (4, 2) 21.00 (33, 4)
OSU Scoring Offense vs. TTU Scoring Defense	34.11 (17, 4) 23.44 (55, 7)

Team Leaders


STATISTIC	TEXAS TECH	OKLAHOMA ST.
Passing	Taylor Potts :: 195-290 : 2,221 : 15 : 9	Zac Robinson :: 149-228 : 1,832 : 14 : 7
Rushing	Baron Batch :: 93 : 531 : 10	Keith Toston :: 155 : 882 : 9
Receiving	Detron Lewis :: 46 : 625 : 5	Hubert Anyiam :: 35 : 416 : 2
Punt Returns	Austin Zouzalik :: 16 : 161 : 0	Perrish Cox :: 9 : 75 : 0
Kickoff Returns	Eric Stephens :: 21 : 543 : 0	Perrish Cox :: 20 : 474 : 0
Tackles	Brian Duncan :: 62	Donald Booker :: 63
Sacks	Brandon Sharpe :: 10.5 : 63	Donald Booker :: 4.0 : 27
Tackles for Loss	Brandon Sharpe :: 11.5 : 65	Lucien Antoine :: 6.0 : 17
Interceptions	Will Ford :: 1 : 0 : 0 D.J. Johnson :: 1 : 7 : 0 Franklin Mitchem :: 1 : 7 : 0 Marlon Williams :: 1 : 0 : 0 LaRon Moore :: 1 : 3 : 0	Patrick Lavine :: 4 : 4 : 0

Mizzou Links, 11-9-09

Bill C. — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:49:45 -0000

More photos » by L.G. Patterson - AP

about 1 month ago: Missouri defensive back Kenji Jackson beats the turf after he dropped a ball he nearly intercepted during the fourth quarter of an NCAA football game against Baylor on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. Baylor won the game 40-32. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

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Well, since you got no links from me yesterday, I guess that means you get a metric ton of them today...

Baylor Wrap-Up Links

The Trib (Dave Matter): Emptying the Notebook
How can a group that smacked around Colorado so confidently on the road come back home in front of a great crowd and get pushed back on its heels against a Baylor offense operating with a third-string freshman quarterback? The Bears all but nullified Missouri’s pass rush with its horizontal, quick-hitting passing game that essentially asked its receivers to catch a pass behind the line of scrimmage, zip behind a block on the perimeter and break tackles. The Bears followed that script immaculately and sprinkled in a few downfield passes just for variety’s sake. Missouri never had an answer. Even when the Tigers’ corners and safeties had tight coverage on Florence’s target, the receiver almost always came up with the ball.
“Everything we saw today was exactly what we saw on film,” cornerback Kevin Rutland said. “There was nothing you could say about that except that it’s all on us.”

A few defensive players acknowledged that MU shut down Baylor’s running game, but credit Weatherspoon, again, for speaking the truth. The most astute defensive MU player I’ve covered called MU’s rush defense numbers “a little deceptive … because those bubble screens they kind of treat that like their running plays,” he said. “That’s something that as a defense it’ll kill you. And if we don’t fix it, it’ll continue to kill you. That’s all it was. … They kept going back to what’s working. That’s what people do. If what you’re doing is working, why stop it until they stop it?”

“They get rid of the ball quick, even on the deep passes,” he continued. “It wasn’t like post patterns or play-actions. It was ‘catch the ball and chuck it up.’ That’s what they do. They throw the little out screens to their receivers. They want their guys to break tackles and make plays.”
The Trib: With Nick Florence, Bears not dead yet
The Trib: Second-half woes have Missouri riding into sunset
The Trib: A career day to forget for Danario Alexander
The Trib: EmBEARassed
The Trib: Slide Show
The Missourian: Another breakout game from a Missouri defensive lineman
The Missourian: Florence has record day leading Baylor over Missouri football
The Missourian: Missouri sports doubleheader not as enjoyable as planned
The Missourian: Baylor football fans still support despite early disappointment
KC Star (Campus Corner): A Players Meeting at Mizzou?
Post-Dispatch: Baylor cuts Mizzou in half
Post-Dispatch: MU at loss to explain latest loss
Post-Dispatch: Offense can't find Alexander in second half
Waco Tribune: Florence, Baylor upset Missouri for 1st Big 12 victory of year, 40-32
Waco Tribune: Baylor defense puts pressure on Missouri in 2nd half
Terrance Curry: MU Tigers Review...What I like, dislike and suggest: MU vs Baylor

Sunday Buff Bites - Playmaking, Timely Defense Leads the Way To Buffs' Victory

irish1611 — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:33:16 -0000

More photos » by JACK DEMPSEY - AP

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The talk around the web this morning centers around a few topics.

-It is good to have Tyler Hansen at quarterback. Watching the highlights on cubuffs.com, the Buffs could have given up 20 sacks instead of the eight they actually were tallied with if it wasn't for Hansen's mobility. The kid has to be sore after the last two weeks where the Buffs have given up a total of 16 sacks. But just alluding the pressure wouldn't have been enough yesterday. Hansen was able to move well, make throws on the run or tuck the ball and keep the ball for big gains. If you remove the sacks, Hansen would have had over 100 yards rushing to go along with his 270 yards passing. He was hitting receivers in both the deep and intermediate passing game as well as going through his progression successfully hitting many second and third reads. He is still young and growing, behind a poor performing offensive line albeit, but Hansen looks to have the potential for a bright future. Now only if he can get the protection he needs to be successful. The Buffs are flirting with disaster letting Hansen take the number of hits he is in a game. Hansen is not a big kid and will wear down with all of the abuse. The Buffs need to get it figured out up front fast.

-WR Markques Simas introduced himself to the rest of the Big 12 with a break out performance. Along with Hansen and Rodney Stewart, who also ran for over 100 yards and two scores, the Buffs might have some playmakers developing. Once again, you would love to see these three aided by a solid offensive line rather trying to compensate for them. Simas finished the day with 7 catches and 135 yards, good for a 19 yard average. That 19 yard average has been unheard of this year for a Buff player and is certainly a good sight to see for Buff fans. Simas made big catches in key situations. What is nice is that Hansen, Stewart and Simas are all sophomores and could form to be the key trio for Colorado's future. Throw in WR Toney Clemons and potentially WR Andre Simmons, that is a pretty nice corp. Again, it all comes down to getting the offensive line to perform and limit the mistakes the offense seems to make. Without fixing those things, winning will be constant battle against stacked odds, especially against teams with better defenses than the poor one we saw in Texas A&M.

-The defense continues to play pretty well. They still gave up 27 points but key turnovers and crucial drive stopping plays that resulted in field goals and a turnover on downs was spectacular. Also impressive was holding what was an explosive offense to under 375 yards when they came into the game averaging 490 yards per contest, good for first in the offensive minded Big 12 and third in the entire nation.

-Consistency and building momentum will be the big discussion this week. You know the stats from the Ralphie Report. Only twice in the Dan Hawkins era has a Buffs' team won consecutives (two three game streaks). Obviously, this year Colorado has not won back to back games. After the prior home victories against Wyoming and Kansas, the Buffs had to go on the road to try and get a win streak going, both of which resulted in a loss. Along with a lack of winning consecutive games, CU is 2 - 18 away from the state of Colorado in the last four years. Colorado will need to win on the road if they want to get that important back to back win with that has not happened in the past. Next week they play an Iowa State team that was the talk of the Big 12 after Nebraska turned the ball over eight times giving Iowa State a victory in Lincoln. Since that game, Iowa State has been outscored 69 - 18. Against Oklahoma State, the Iowa State offense was non-existent, totalling only 242 yards with 54 rushing yards. Cyclones QB Austen Arnuad threw three interceptions while Oklahoma State running back Keith Toston rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns. The game was played in Ames, Iowa where Colorado will play next week. Moral of the story: this is a winnable road game, no question about it. Part of the frustration with yesterday's win is the fact that you have to temper excitement because of what might happen next week. Colorado has been so inconsistent that many of us have bitten on a solid performance and started believing only to be dissapointed the next week (see Kansas this year). This game against Iowa State next week is a game the Buffs usually lose that leaves us scratching our head.

Buff bites are after the jump...

ESPN Highlights

Here is some game highlights from ESPN from the Buffs game against Texas A&M. Also, check out these highlights from former Buff commit now Utah QB Jordan Wynn. Wynn started last night for Utah as a true freshman and he impressed, going 18 - 28 for 297 yards and two scores. Good performance from Mr. Wynn.

Woelk: Now, CU Buffs must learn to build on win - Boulder Daily Camera

What we know for sure this morning: Tyler Hansen can play quarterback. The kid who a few weeks ago led Colorado to a win over Kansas by virtue of pure athletic ability continues to grow into the position. His play in the fourth quarter on Saturday, when the Buffs overcame a 31-21 deficit, showed a level of maturity that wouldn`t have been present even a couple of weeks ago. There`s a future there.

However, we`ve been through this drill before. After a win over Wyoming. After a win over Kansas. And now ... Now we`ll wait. Wait to see if the Buffs can actually build off of a big victory. Skeptical, you say? Darned right. Consistency has never been a Buff trademark in the Hawkins era; in fact, it might be the biggest missing component since his arrival. It`s been a maddening trend.

Hansen, CU Buffs regain winning form against A&M - Boulder Daily Camera

Hansen looked more like the quarterback who led the Buffs to an upset over then-No. 17 Kansas three weeks ago. He threw for 271 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 45 yards. He actually gained 105 yards on the ground on 20 carries, but losses from eight sacks severely reduced his total rushing yards. It was the second consecutive week he was sacked eight times. The sophomore quarterback, who took over the starting role at midseason, led four different scoring drives of at least eight plays. He committed only one turnover after consecutive weeks of multiple miscues against Kansas State and Missouri. "This was probably the first game that Tyler has played where he really looked to me like he was in a groove," coach Dan Hawkins said.

Buffs give up eight QB sacks again - Boulder Daily Camera

Here is a statistic to chew on. Anyone wondering why the Buffs will be hard-pressed to qualify for a bowl game this season need look no further than the inability of the offensive line, tight ends and running backs to protect the quarterback this fall. The last time the Buffs went bowling in 2007, that team gave up 16 sacks the whole season. These Buffs have done it two weeks.

A week ago, the Buffs began making themselves run for penalties committed in practice. It doesn`t seem to be having much of an effect. Colorado came into the Texas A&M game as one of the most penalized teams in the country. Only four teams had committed more penalties this season than the Buffs prior to Saturday. CU committed 10 more penalties against Texas A&M and has now committed 82 penalties for 683 yards this season. The Buffs are probably not going to threaten the CU single-season record for penalties, set at 116 in 2005.

Great game in Simas' grasp - The Denver Post

Simas' 135 receiving yards were more than double any of his previous games. "I feel real good about it," Simas said. "I feel like I've had that in me the whole time, and now I had a chance to show it. I was able to give everyone a taste of what's to come."

Buffs' Perkins picks great time for first interception - The Denver Post

Not so blue. A protest of CU's football program organized on Facebook urged fans to wear powder blue (per CU's teams in the Chuck Fairbanks era) to the game to show their disgust at the state of the team. It didn't go unnoticed in CU football camp. "Real Buffs fans wear black and gold," CU coach Dan Hawkins said.

Playmakers put spark in Buff offense - Boulder Daily Camera
Stewart, Simas, Devenny all come up with big plays

CU Buffs rally late to defeat Texas A&M - The Denver Post

Colorado's gritty defense did its job too. Jerrod Johnson, second nationally in total offense at 328.9 yards a game, had only 251. The Buffs held A&M (5-4, 2-3) to field goals on back-to-back drives in the fourth quarter.

Colorado-Texas A&M Notes - CUBuffs.com

Colorado-Texas A&M Quotes - CUBuffs.com

Givens returns to CU offensive line - The Longmont Times-Call

CU reported the attendance at 47,227. Athletic director Mike Bohn said 2,500 tickets were sold for the game over the previous week. ... CU linebacker coach Brian Cabral wore his trademark lava lava for the game, his 300th (254th as a coach, 46 as a player) with the program. ... CU had four plays of 30 yards or more; it entered with seven in 2009. ... Rodney Stewart now has 1,210 rushing career yards; good for fifth all-time for a sophomore at CU. ... Scotty McKnight extended his reception streak to 33 straight games with at least one. ... Texas A&M went 6-for-9 on third down conversions in the first half, 0-for-5 in the second.

Aggies stunned by Colorado

What was wrong was that A&M's defense surrendered 35 points to a CU team averaging a Big 12-low 21.8 coming in. The Buffs, also last in the league with 286.1 yards of total offense a game, gouged the Aggies for 437. That was most in a Big 12 game and second-highest total overall for the Buffs (3-6 overall, 2-3 Big 12) this season.

Colorado Edges Texas A&M 35-34 - CUBuffs.com

Buffs answer critics - The Longmont Times-Call

Scott's transfer puzzle for CU - The Denver Post

"He should have stuck it out," Hagan said. "(The lack of playing time) was no fault of his own. The guy just wasn't healthy. If he could have gotten healthy, he could have been a dynamic back here. One day, he'll realize his decision was not the right one." Asked if he would have changed anything about the way he handled his prized prospect, Hagan said he would have been more stern. "I wasn't hard on him at all," Hagan said. "I gave him a lot of leeway. In retrospect, maybe (stronger discipline) is something Darrell should have had. But that's not the way I was coached (by Bill McCartney). It's not the way I like to coach."

Kiszla: CU blues start with loyalty - The Denver Post
I really don't know what Mark Kiszla is trying to say with this article, maybe you guys can figure it out. Below is all I could really figure out:

It has been trendy to suggest athletic director Mike Bohn start looking to replace Hawkins and his 16-30 record. The frustration is understandable, but from a practical standpoint, how many proven coaches would be gung-ho to take the whistle at a football program that ranks outside of the top 40 in attendance and lacks top-of-the-line facilities?

In the Trenches - Answering the Call

burnt in ny — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:33:24 -0000

July 30 2009 - In a pre-season fanpost, I expressed the following concern for the upcoming season

As evidenced in last year's games against Oklahoma State and Ohio State, Texas's defense, which is increasingly designed to emphasize speed and quickness in order to match up with spread offenses, is vulnerable to power rushing attacks.

Numerous pre-season posts expressed anxiety about Texas' defensive tackles behind Lamarr Houston, who was an unknown commodity himself, such as perceived journeyman Ben Alexander and green redshirt sophomore Kheeston Randall. Visions of helpless collapses against power running teams in critical games filled everyone's heads. 2009 could be the year of Motown's Lamarr and the Space-Eaters against the blitzkriegs of Chris Brown, Kendall Hunter, Christine Michael, Tim Tebow, or Mark Ingram. The Horns might even have to use, gasp!, true freshmen Calvin Howell and Derek Johnson. The call went out by anxious UT fans for anyone, anyone to step up.

The Space Eaters - Ben Alexander (92) and Kheeston Randall (91)

Sure, UT could win 10 and maybe even make a BCS bowl (little did we know that there might be as many as 6 undefeated teams after 9 weeks in the 2009 season), but if it was the 2009 mythical national championship the Horns wanted, these guys had to step up.

Jimmy Hoffa, from the grave, "I need some nasty, beefy guys up front, and not ya cousin Guido. Whatevah it takes, capisce?!"

November 1, 2009. Basking in the glow of 41-14, the report is in: The call was ANSWERED!

For the details and more on the offensive line, Will Muschamp, and other tidbits, make the jump!

The Evolution of the Defensive Tackles: Space Eaters to Gap Monsters

No doubt, the Cowboys thought they could build on last year''s success and overpower the spread-ready Texas D. From the first offensive play, Oklahoma State's strategy was clear. Double the strongside DE (Acho or Kindle) with a tackle (Russell Okung or Brady Bond) and tight end Wilson Youman. Let Lamarr Houston penetrate into the play and have Keith Toston cut back behind a double team from guard Noah Franklin and center Andrew Lewis on the presumed sacrificial Kheeston Randall. Randall holds position with his shoulders underneath Lewis, and then when Franklin leaves to block Rodderick Muckelroy, he reaches out and slaps the ball out of Toston's hands, luckily recovered by Oklahoma State. OK, not exactly chopped liver, but it's one play.

On the first drive, powered largely by Zac Robinson's scrambling and a couple of trick plays, OSU ran some variation of the inside power run at Kheeston Randall 6 times. In the half they tried it 8 times The result: gains of 2, 2, 3, 1, 3, 4, 5, and 3 yards. That's a 3.8 ypc average if you're calculating at home. Not exactly 2008, when the Pokes averaged over 6 yards per carry. On all six runs, either Randall or Houston was able to slide off their block into the gap chosen by Toston, or were able to tie up two offensive linemen without losing ground for long enough to let Keenan Robinson or Roddrick Muckelroy make the tackle.

Even more interestingly, on the second drive, OSU abandoned the inside run almost completely (only two more inside runs the rest of the half) and instead began to attack Texas' corners. In the next 7 plays, 3 before and 4 after Jordan Shipley's fumbled punt, and ending the dropped fourth down pass in the end zone by Hubert Anyiam, OSU ran speed options to the outside or passed. They did not make a first down on either drive, and both Houston and Randall had QB pressures. Indeed, for most of the game the primary pressure on Zac Robinson was from either Houston or Randall.

This is worth taking a moment to appreciate. The play of the Longhorn defensive tackles, perceived to be a weakness at the beginning of the season by the fans and clearly also by Mike Gundy (otherwise why call 6 inside runs?) so completely defeats the OSU power running game that the Cowboys have to go to Game Plan B after the first drive. This shift in offensive philosophy eventually leaves Robinson vulnerable to the Texas secondary and perhaps provided the key to the blowout. While the Houtson-Randall-Alexander trifecta may not be composed of the best individual defensive tackles in the Big 12, they are good enough to stop the best power running team on the schedule without altering the defensive formation or changing personnel.

34 or 43: Which is the Magic Number?

The average fan is often aware of offensive formations (Wildhorn vs. empty set, etc.) but oblivious to details in defensive formations. Texas features a "Buck" package with Sergio Kindle as the "Buck" linebacker who can put a hand on the ground as a defensive end (to make a 4-3 alignment) or line up as a linebacker (to create a 3-4). The 3-4 alignment allows Will Muschamp to move Kindle around and create confusion in the blocking scheme. The success of the 3-4 alignment depends heavily on Texas having a strong presence at the nose, and Kheeston Randall filled that bill pretty well. A 3-4 defense is strongest against the pass because of the flexibility and uncertainty it creates for the offense in choosing routes and pass-blocking assignments. The 4-3 has the greatest potential against the run because the defensive tackles can take just one gap and penetrate and the linebackers are more protected.

In the Oklahoma State game, Texas switched regularly between the two alignments, and with largely the same personnel on the field. Although both fronts played well, there was a striking difference in OSU's performance against the two that highlights their strengths and weaknesses. Oklahoma State ran (not counting QB scrambles) against the 4-3 front 5 times in the first four drives, gaining 3 total yards (0.6 ypc). They ran against the 3-4 front 9 times, gaining 45 yards (5 ypc), with two runs accounting for 20 of the 45, including a 13 yard "jet sweep" by Travis Miller. On the other hand, Robinson passed against the 4-3 alignment 8 times, going 4-7 for 31 yards and an added 5 yard scramble (4.5 yards per play). Against the 3-4 front, Robinson threw five incompletions and had one scramble for 5 yards (0.8 yards per play). By the second quarter, Robinson was checking in and out of running plays to try to avoid running against the 4-3. Eventually, that caught up with him as he checked out of a run on 3rd and 2 from the Texas 30, only to throw the pick six to Curtis Brown.

The moral of these stats is that there will be a little cat and mouse game every week with opposing offenses trying to avoid running against the 4-3 and passing against the 3-4. The dominance of each defensive front against the offense it is designed to stop allows Texas to play against the offensive tendency, such as to expect a playaction pass on first down against its 4-3 or expect a run against its 3-4. Reducing an offense's playbook by half is a powerful defensive weapon.

Muschamp, You Wily Fox, You

Muschamp, the fox, playing with the mind of Zac Robinson. No chance, mouse: 41-14!

In going back over my notes and studying the tactics of both teams' playcalling, I'm convinced (without proof of course) that Muschamp baited Zac Robinson into Earl Thomas' interception. One of the great things about spread offenses is that receivers' routes are dictated by coverage, which allows the receiver to exploit the right seam or gap in the defense. However, I think that one of the reasons Texas' offense is struggling as much as it has this year is because defenses have now learned what choices receivers and QB's tend to make against particular formations. Defenses can now "show" one formation, know what choice a QB will make, and then run someone to that spot to jump the route. Against OSU, Earl Thomas began to run with the slot receiver, likely knowing that if he went with the receiver, Robinson would make the read to throw to the receiver running underneath to the area Thomas vacated. Knowing that, Earl released his man to Gideon deep and jumped the underneath route. If a defense gets to the point of responding to an offense's read rather than the actual player movements, then the offense will suffer the fate of the poor mouse in the photo, especially since there's no hole in the snow for an offense to hide.

Takin' it to the house!

Jekyll and Hyde, Version 2009.8

The offensive line that is. Frankly, I'm tired of analyzing the line's play because it's the same infuriating play every week. Any given individual along the line makes 3 great plays, 3 okay plays, and one really bad play. Against OSU, it was MOS. Chris Hall lets the defender get underneath him and thus enough penetration to trip Colt McCoy for a first down on 3rd and 2 in the red zone (Texas 3-0 instead of 7-0). Adam Ulatoski takes the wrong pass rusher and Colt takes a sack (end of drive). Charlie Tanner turns his head to the left and a blitzing LB goes by him to his right - sack and end of drive.

The good news is that, for the first time in three games, the OL was not physically overmatched at any time. The bad news is that this means it's all mental and after 140 collective starts or whatever it is, there shouldn't be this many mental errors. The offensive line is like an old house with faulty wiring: when you flip the switch, the light comes on most of the time, and good luck figuring out why it doesn't come on a few times. That said, GD had better be careful in how much he relies on only the core 5 offensive linemen to protect Colt. Five wide may be a nice change of pace, but an entire series of plays based on it, or using it on third and long, is going to get Colt injured or result in a turnover.

Greg Davis is a Genius

In an ode to GhostofBigRoy's call for series-based playcalling, I give you Texas' third drive against the Pokes at 14:25 of the second quarter. The previous (second) drive self-destructed from missed blocks by Greg Smith and Chris Hall and a failed run on first down, Colt throwing to a triple-covered Shipley for 3 yards when James Kirkendoll was 10 yards from anyone wide open 3 yards downfield on the opposite side of the play on second down, and a missed block by David Snow allowing Colt to get tripped up on a QB scramble.

With visions of Wyoming and Colorado dancing in the fans' heads, Texas started their third drive, after Hubert Anyiam's fumble, with three plays from 4 or 5 wide receiver sets. After overcoming a first down failure of the empty backfield and a sack of Colt, the Horns started first down on the OSU 38. The Horns, using their 11 personnel set with a running back and Greg Smith as the TE, ran the most beautiful series of running plays of the season.

1st down - Jet sweep to Marquise Goodwin (surprise, not DJ Monroe) for 7 yards.

2nd down - Spread counter to Cody Johnson up the middle for 7 yards. Charlie Tanner had awesome lead block.

1st down - Fake the jet sweep to the left and run Fozzy on a counter sweep to the right for 6 yards.

2nd down - Zone read, the DE crashes on Fozzy to seal the backcut, and Colt keeps for 6 yards.

1st down - Play action, fake the zone stretch left, Colt rolls out to the right and finds Marquise Goodwin in a seam vacated by Jordan Shipley's crossing route for 11 yards.

1st down - Jumbo package - Cody Johnson goes 2 yards and breaks the plane of the goal line - touchdown.

So the next time someone tells you that Texas has no running game, no misdirection, or no playaction passing, you can whip this out. The Horns have now used multiple plays to set up multiple other plays on the same drive, including in the running game. MORE OF THIS PLEASE!

Greg Davis goes from genius to imbecile on the same drive

It's the first drive of the second half. After the best playaction pass of the year for 44 yards to Malcolm Williams on a post pattern vacated, once again, by a Shipley crossing route underneath, Texas has the ball on the OSU 20. We're seconds away from 31-7 and good night ladies....

1st down - Cody Johnson on the zone stretch, cuts back inside and, with a good block from Buckner, gets 6 yards.

(Yeah, baby, pound it home!)

2nd down and 3 - Oops, OSU dances in front of Adam Ulatoski, threatening the blitz. Uli decides to tango. False start -5 yards.

2nd down and 8 - Davis can't get the play in in time AFTER A PENALTY &^&%&I. - 5 yards

2nd down and 13 - Let's call a play that hasn't worked all year against a defense that isn't blitzing. Shovel pass to Fozzy, who is clocked by an unblocked linebacker. - 4 yards

3rd down and 17 - Using 11 personnel (Okay, the Horns aren't running, it must be for max protect), Greg Smith runs out in the flat, Colt gets harassed and throws it to Smith for 5 yards.

4th down and 12 from the OSU 23 - Hunter Lawrence bails out the Horns with a 40-yard field goal.

What does it all mean?

Somehow, out of the flickering lights of GD's brain and the offensive line's attention span, Texas has a top offense that is going to look unstoppable on some series and infuriating on others. It is what it is, and I will officially stop complaining from now on and start appreciating it when the lights are fully on.

Texas at Oklahoma State: OSU Offense Preview

Peter Bean — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:10:55 -0000

More photos » by Sue Ogrocki - AP

Oklahoma State tight end Wilson Youman acknowledges that Brandon Pettigrew is missed, but not by as much as you think.

Browse more photos »

Hopefully you've been reading TES's invaluable State of Oklahoma series -- outstanding stuff for two straight months. But now, with just 48 hours to kickoff, and having just spent the past 6 hours watching OSU game film, I've got my own set of thoughts on this Oklahoma State football team. First up, the offense...

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACK: Zac Robinson is both a bit better of a passer, and less capable a runner, than he's generally given credit for. After Robinson took a beating down the stretch last season, Mike Gundy has reduced his quarterback's usage in the running game. Which is not to say OSU doesn't put Robinson's solid mobility to use: The Pokes still run the zone read a dozen or so times a game and they love to roll Robinson on bootlegs to his right, where he can be a threat to run or pass (he throws very well moving that direction). Robinson has developed into an excellent quick-strike passer on short routes, throwing quickly and accurately from a high release; he's not afraid to throw downfield and has a strong enough arm to deliver some great strikes, but the accuracy wanes. Especially with Dez Bryant out, I'm guessing Muschamp will aggressively challenge Robinson's short and intermediate passing game with Earl Thomas, hanging Gideon back to handle OSU's deep challenges. I'm sure Gideon is being drilled over and over about not biting on play action, which Mike Gundy uses frequently, and well.

RUNNING BACKS: While the latest report is that if Kendall Hunter (ankle injury) plays at all he'll be limited to 8-10 touches, it won't be of too big a concern to OSU -- like Texas, the Cowboys feature several good-not-great tailbacks who are roughly equally capable of succeeding in their rush scheme. Assuming Hunter is out, senior Keith Toston will be the starter; while at 6-0, 214 he's a bigger and stronger rusher than Hunter, it's at this point unclear whether, against this Texas defense, there's any advantage in one style over the other. Watching Toston over his past three games, I'm not convinced he's not the better tailback for them, anyway -- he hits holes with plenty of speed and strength and Hunter's not so elusive that he's clearly superior. In any case, OSU's rushing success will come down to the war in the trenches. Spelling Toston will be Beau Johnson, a bowling ball, power back who rumbles downhill like Cody Johnson, with better speed and less strength. Coming out of the backfield, Toston's an improving receiver who Robinson is good at finding both on designed plays and check-downs; Muck and Robinson will need to be on their toes as coverage LBs on Saturday.

TIGHT ENDS: For all the time we've spent thanking the football gods that Brandon Pettigrew is gone, I was stunned to see in film that OSU is in such good shape with their tight ends. The guy that really impresses me is sophomore Wilson Youman, an enormous, strong, technically sound blocker with surprising speed and improving pass catching abilities. Count on OSU taking multiple shots up the seam with him like Colorado did -- again, Gideon's awareness will be key. As much recent frustration as we've had with our own offense, watching OSU it's easy to see how much better we might be with a tight end or two who can block for the run game and release out for a pass. Though the Cowboys operate out of the 11-personnel more often than not, they use three tight ends throughout the game and will go to a two tight end set a dozen snaps each contest; when they do, they run the zone read to the short side around 50% of the time. When fielding two TEs, OSU will usually bring out Youman and either Justin Horton (who possesses nice quickness but struggles in blocking) or, increasingly, Cooper Bassett, a big-bodied freshman who blocks pretty well and is easy to lose track of in the passing game.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Obviously, the big absence is Dez Bryant, but the Pokes have steadily resuscitated the passing attack in the weeks since his suspension. With 19 catches over the past two weeks, sophomore Hubert Anyiam is Robinson's favorite new target, but he's a very different receiver than Bryant. Anyiam isn't a big guy, for one thing, and he can be pushed around at the point of attack. He runs good quick routes, though, and while his vertical speed is merely good, his lateral movement is excellent; he'll make guys miss. If fellow sophomore Keith Cooper were at Texas Tech, he'd finish the season with 70 catches and 800 yards -- he's not particularly fast and rarely stretches the field, but he's a zone buster specialist, runs great routes, has terrific hands, and will catch a ball as he's taking a lick. (Yes, he's white.) When OSU goes four-wide, they'll mix between split aces and trips to the left, and Texas will need to keep an eye on the freshman Tracey Moore, who's OSU's version of Dan Buckner -- big kid with solid speed, great hands, and a dangerous ability to get open 15 yards downfield.

OFFENSIVE LINE: The Pokes are strong at center and at each tackle, but have question marks at each guard position. Right guard Anthony Morgan plays far too vertically and can be muscled around; left guard Noah Franklin has good feet but lacks good drive strength. Right tackle Brady Bond is solid, but the real prize on the line is the left tackle Russell Okung -- you won't see many guys that big who can move that well. And oh does OSU like to move him -- I'm not sure I've ever seen a team shoot and pull their left tackle as often as does Mike Gundy with Okung. In their base 11-personnel, OSU loves to run to the right through the B gap, sealing the edge with Youman on the outside while pulling Okung over to the middle to crush a linebacker or stunting end.

BOTTOM LINE: I underrated this Cowboys offense prior to watching the film; they do miss Pettigrew, but this new kid Youman is a beast, the offensive line is excellent in pass protection / solid in run blocking, and the loss of Bryant -- while clearly a loss -- has been something of a blessing in disguise, forcing them to diversify their attack. Gundy and Robinson are at their best when the Cowboys are an offense you have to respect both on the ground and through the air; with each passing week in the post-Bryant era, that's becoming more a concern. They're running the ball well enough, using their tight ends in the passing game more, and finding a solid, if unspectacular, group of receivers with whom they can move the chains.

The counterpunch to that, of course, is to try to make OSU one-dimensional, and I expect that's what we'll see Muschamp open with in the first half. I expect Texas to play to the run and short passing games to test Zac Robinson and Mike Gundy on their willingness/ability to keep us honest by going deep. If they won't, or can't, the Cowboys are containable. If they hit a big play or two early, the chess game will be on.

Tomorrow: previewing the OSU defense.