Should Oklahoma be concerned about allowing 418 yards and 31 points to Missouri?
Though the numbers are bulky, they're not as bad as they look.
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Other than some poor tackling at times, the OU defense played well. Missouri had 85 yards on a drive right before halftime when OU was trying to avoid giving up the big play.
In the fourth quarter, the Sooners forced Missouri to burn up the clock and two timeouts on an 80-yard drive that eventually resulted in an irrelevant touchdown with 12 seconds left in the game.
"We knew going in that they're gonna get some yards. They're gonna make some plays,” OU defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "And I'm willing to bet that's the least amount of yards and points they'll have all year.
"We won the game, and there's no glaring issues out there.”
Will OU face another set of offensive skill players like Missouri has?
Not for a month, at least. Iowa State, Texas A&M and Baylor can't stack up to Missouri's depth or talent at the skill positions.
Texas Tech on Nov. 17 and Oklahoma State on Nov. 24 will offer similar skill players, though neither will present the matchup problems Missouri did with its big tight ends, speedy receivers and accurate, athletic QB.
How do quarterback Sam Bradford's numbers stack up on a national scale?
After finishing 24-of-34 for 266 yards Saturday, Bradford held onto the nation's top spot in passing efficiency at 181.1, barely ahead of Texas Tech's Graham Harrell at 178.4.
Because of the Sooners' reliance on the run game, Bradford's totals aren't as impressive as some. He ranks 25th in total passing yards with 1,689; 38th in passing yards per game with 241.3; and 49th in completions per game with 18.3.
His 5-to-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio is still among the country's best.
Was the OU-Missouri game a preview of the Big 12 Championship?
It's certainly possible. Both teams appear to be the best in their respective divisions, though undefeated Kansas might have something to say about that in the North.
Missouri's biggest threats are the Jayhawks and Kansas State, while the Sooners need to most worry about Texas Tech and Oklahoma State.
It's possible the division winners won't be decided before the final weekend of the regular season, when OU hosts OSU and Missouri faces Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
By Scott Wright
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Enjoyed your article "Four Questions: Tigers rack uup yards, not points".
It seems to me that covering a spread attack should be done much the same way that Penn State covered Miami's passing attack in the Fiesta Bowl to win the 1986 National Championship. Don't know whether it was Joe's idea or his Def. Coor. but it was brilliant. Penn State used crisscross coverage with its linebackers. Rt. backer covered slant routes coming from right side offensive receivers and vice versa. Penn States line backers were essentially running a mirror route of what Miami's receivers ran, but inside the Miami receivers route intercepting or kncking down the passes. This proved much more effective than trying to cover a slant route by coming straight up on the receiver on your side who can use his body to shield the backer from the ball.
One more thing that might help the quickness of OU's secondary and pass rush is something that I believe helped make Joe Washington as quick and agile as he was, apparently Little Joe played lots of racket ball. I think racket ball helped make him cat quick. I have often wondered if this might improve OU's quickness.
Thank You for letting me share these thoughts with you. Hey maybe you can pass them on to our great coaching staff.
Franks was back a couple times to return punts. Right now Reggie is in a funk, but he totally capable of breaking off a big one here soon. I do miss Antonio Perkins though. He was always a threat to go to the house. Kicking is also one of those things that comes and goes. Hartley seems to be thinking about the kick too much instead of just kicking it. He needs to gain some confidence over the next couple weeks, which he should get if OU keeps pointing the points on the board, especially against the next two or three opponents. I have no clue about the opponents kickoff returns being so good though. Hartley shouldn't be making touchdown saving tackles.
I have another question that I consider critical. What has happened to the special teams? They are giving up too many yards on kick returns. The extra points have become nail biters. Watching our punt returns is getting scary (fair catches inside the 10 and fumbles). Special teams used to be a strength but not anymore.
Stoops gets out the duct tape with Iglesias, o-line starts playing with a little bit more attitude on run plays, linebackers quit biting on play action and clog over the middle pass plays, we will be completely dominant for 4 quarters. I can think of alot of programs that would love to have our problems, right now!!
Reggie Smith is killing the Sooners with poor decisions as a punt returner. Why is he still back there fair catching balls inside the 10 yard line. He has been the best special team player for the other team for 3 straight games now. Let him be the great corner that he is and put somebody else back there fielding or getting the heck away from deep punts.
This season, literally anything is possible. The division and conference champ could conceivably be a two loss team in it's division. The thing to do is play one game at time and stay focused.
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Enjoyed your article "Four Questions: Tigers rack uup yards, not points".
It seems to me that covering a spread attack should be done much the same way that Penn State covered Miami's passing attack in the Fiesta Bowl to win the 1986 National Championship. Don't know whether it was Joe's idea or his Def. Coor. but it was brilliant. Penn State used crisscross coverage with its linebackers. Rt. backer covered slant routes coming from right side offensive receivers and vice versa. Penn States line backers were essentially running a mirror route of what Miami's receivers ran, but inside the Miami receivers route intercepting or kncking down the passes. This proved much more effective than trying to cover a slant route by coming straight up on the receiver on your side who can use his body to shield the backer from the ball.
One more thing that might help the quickness of OU's secondary and pass rush is something that I believe helped make Joe Washington as quick and agile as he was, apparently Little Joe played lots of racket ball. I think racket ball helped make him cat quick. I have often wondered if this might improve OU's quickness.
Thank You for letting me share these thoughts with you. Hey maybe you can pass them on to our great coaching staff.
Thank You Don