Predictions / What do you need to see against OU?
- Thread starter Jer
- Start date
I would LOVE this. Especially since we don't seem to have a dominant bell cow back.
I've seen multiple posts indicating predictions of us scoring 20+ points.
Is OU that much worse than Ohio? Our O didn't change that much in 14 days
(Yes, Okie state is that much worse)
Is OU that much worse than Ohio? Our O didn't change that much in 14 days
(Yes, Okie state is that much worse)
Ultimately, would like to see a continuation of passing to set up our runs. Last game was good, but I still got the feeling that they still wanted to run first and pass second.
Don't feel great about it - I voted OU by 20+ but hope I'm wrong. I just see frustration building against their defense not being able to run the ball causing us to take extra risk throwing the ball down the field. The difference is we'll find out if we actually have an air-raid option or if Okie State defense really is terrible.
If there's two backs I'd hope they'd slip one out for short passes that are basically a run and take what's there.
I'm actually surprised more teams don't do this.
I'm going to guess OU 27-17, so I voted 10-19, but just barely.
I want to see our offense continue to advance, and against a much tougher OU defense, I think scoring 20 would be advancement. Hoping that we find a way to establish the run and utilize the backs in the passing game. I just want to see the defense hold up reasonably well, and I think 27 would do that for me.
I want to see our offense continue to advance, and against a much tougher OU defense, I think scoring 20 would be advancement. Hoping that we find a way to establish the run and utilize the backs in the passing game. I just want to see the defense hold up reasonably well, and I think 27 would do that for me.
I never pick against the clones so I have us winning by a single score. On my down to earth expectations. I just want to see the offense move the ball a bit. Pretty much I'm going to be paying attention to 3 and outs. I just want to see our offense go on drives and not resort to Run-Run-Pass-Punt. I'd be pretty happy if we put up 20 plus points. Defense I want to see them return to form. I'm less concerned with setting expectations since if the offense keeps stalling out then i don't expect the tired defense to stop OU.
Downfield passes. Very few run up the middle on first down. Open it up. Be nice to get a defensive score
I think it is really important to watch the Cyclone defense. I hope that the defense plays well, and if it can hold OU under 25, I think that will be a solid performance. Offensively, anything better than how it played against Ohio. If ISU can move the ball like it did against OSU, I think they may be able to keep the margin to about 10 points.
Agreed. My frustration is they keep running what appears to be a read option where they hand the ball off and Rocco pretends to run off tackle without the ball. The problem is Rocco never keeps the ball. So the defensive ends always crash down the line.
If Rocco won't carry the ball off tackle, you have to keep the defensive ends honest. Misdirection or your idea are a perfect way to accomplish that feat
CycloneErik
Well-Known Member
I'm more optimistic here than @Cyclonepride. I don't really know what to do now.
We keep hearing the coach speak about the team's "youth." They are 20 pt dogs with absolutely nothing to lose. Give the "youth" a little longer string and see how they react. I am in the belief that Rocco is starting to come into his own and the game is slowing down for him. Give the kid some string and see how he handles it. WTH? If he gets (3) interceptions and we lose by 20 - no problem obviously the experts expected that. We'll see how he learns and responds the next week because of it. Or..... the kid straight up balls out and the trust in him from the coaching staff improves also.
You've nailed it on my confliction. I HATE that we're at the point where moral victories are good enough, but we are. To me, that means we look competitive in each phase of the game and keep it close through 3 quarters. Yes, that's nothing more than a moral victory, but I don't know that I can realistically hope for more than that based on what we've seen thus far. If we do those things and show development, I'll be pleased enough. But we need to continue to see growth and development each game. OSU had maybe the worst defense we'll play all year and still couldn't run the damn ball. Growth and development includes coaching staffs that are willing to adapt in-game.
I want to see us continue to attack down field. OU has an improved defense but there ARE weaknesses. I don't think our run game vs OU's DL will work much at all, so I'm not sure what to do there.
I could see a 31-17 type game. Since Campbell has taken over, OU hasn't won by more than 14 points....I think history repeats itself and we cover.
I could see a 31-17 type game. Since Campbell has taken over, OU hasn't won by more than 14 points....I think history repeats itself and we cover.
23-10 BummerSooner
1) Some type of progress from the Oline. Pass blocking has been adequate and there were glimmers of effectiveness last week. I think play calling may have more impact on this than talent or Oline coaching at this point.
2) More Noel/Jackson from last week. Not from Iowa game. If they play like last week, we are in every game.
3) Oh, I shudder to even say this but I am going to - The Margins. I will argue we are 2-3 plays from being 4-0. (See pick 6 in 2nd half against Iowa and missed FG at Ohio. They are part of the game but if we are going to be upper half of conference, need to fix those
1) Some type of progress from the Oline. Pass blocking has been adequate and there were glimmers of effectiveness last week. I think play calling may have more impact on this than talent or Oline coaching at this point.
2) More Noel/Jackson from last week. Not from Iowa game. If they play like last week, we are in every game.
3) Oh, I shudder to even say this but I am going to - The Margins. I will argue we are 2-3 plays from being 4-0. (See pick 6 in 2nd half against Iowa and missed FG at Ohio. They are part of the game but if we are going to be upper half of conference, need to fix those
Exactly. You can't learn from your mistakes if you are scared too death to make any.
Not many people if any expected much this season. So why not just let the horses out of the barn and let them run?
Originally I voted 1-9 points defeat, but had to change to the next tier up. I will be surprised if Iowa State can scrape together more than two scoring drives. I think we could get kept out of the end zone against a Venables defense that is really looking like they've figured it out a little bit in year 2. On the other side of the ball, I think our defense will perform better than last week but in a wasted effort. This OU offense is not the type to move fast and explosively as we have seen in the past. I think it will be pretty close throughout, but we lose something like 20-6 while getting a couple field goals from Contreraz.
From what I've gathered reading various anecdotes and listening to podcasts this week:
I think a win would just be gravy in this one. I want to see a lot of what has been mentioned. Creativity on offense, a more aggressive approach on both sides of the ball, and a clean game on special teams. Call it a moral victory if you will, but I don't think this years version of the Cyclones is overqualified for moral victories.
From what I've gathered reading various anecdotes and listening to podcasts this week:
- OU has similar issues to us in terms of running the ball.
- OU has a freshman punter who has struggled, which could be the best possible thing we could use to our advantage. If we can somehow win the field position game, we might be able to pull an upset.
- Dillon Gabriel is not a gun slinger. He takes what the defense allows. I could see this hurting us since we do not bring a lot of pressure and tend to give generous cushions to the opposing receivers. Our LB play is poor, so the short to intermediate middle will be getting picked on a lot. I get the sense that OU will have a lot of time consuming methodical drives, and will look to just squeeze the life out of us ala Ohio. I think Heacock will have to call a more aggressive game than what we've seen so far in order to have a chance at stopping them.
- OU does not have a discernible area of weakness defensively. This leads me to believe Iowa State will struggle to score and move the ball. That is not a very hot take, I realize.
- OU is in a look ahead spot. +1 point for Iowa State
- OU is playing under the lights at home. -1 point for Iowa State.
- OU has beaten up on a lot of bad teams so far, so that should leave some room for optimism, although we do have some evidence to believe Iowa State may not be very good team either.
I think a win would just be gravy in this one. I want to see a lot of what has been mentioned. Creativity on offense, a more aggressive approach on both sides of the ball, and a clean game on special teams. Call it a moral victory if you will, but I don't think this years version of the Cyclones is overqualified for moral victories.
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