What’s wrong with the offense?

[Bob f]

Very hamstrung with Rocco only looking at 2 wide receivers most passing plays.

 

[IlliniCy]

Agree and disagree. So, #1, the offensive coordinator can have a huge impact on the OL play. Sometimes, you just get whipped and the DL just hands you your a**. Nothing an OC can do in those games.

However, when you see what they're doing and you never adjust ( call screens, roll out the pocket, etc) and just keep thinking (well, we're going to pick up the blitz eventually) without really changing anything? That's coaching. That's the definition of insanity. We NEVER moved the pocket. We didn't have a TE in to chip on the edge to prevent the free rusher. We didn't adjust to what they were doing just basically looked at the OL and said

"FIX IT". Which, yes, the OL needs to "fix it" but also, the coaching staff needs to say at some point " well, ****, they need some help so let's try this". What's the saying from Mike Tyson? Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face? We got punched in the face, and neither the OL nor the coaching staff seemed to have a backup plan. Other than bringing Bonifas in at guard, who, I might be wrong, I don't think has every played there before?


That's the problem though. You can't let a bad defense or worse, a good defense (Not that Tech's good ) but even a bad defense when they know what's coming, can stop you. Unless you have Derrick Henry (and we don't) who can just truck people out to Pluto - or Barry Sanders (and we don't) who can make 11 guys miss him in a phone booth - you can't say OK, we're bringing in all these TE's and Carsen and we're going to run it straight ahead 100% of the time. Not by week 8. Those other guys are getting paid - coaches and players now - too. That's on Mouser.

Not scheming the Brahmer's, Burkle's, Green's, Alston - open early so that a line backer or safety can't be a free rusher and you just bracket Noel and Higgins - that's on Mouser. And to a lesser degree Rocco. Cause if you target the other guys, your main guys don't get double covered or bracketed so much. its kinda like a pitcher setting up the slider by throwing a fastball. You want to throw to Higgins and Noel, DUH, but you set the defense up by throwing to Brahmer, Green, Brown, etc. Not like 10 times to one but maybe collectively, but 4-5 targets to a couple of guys each is enough so their DC says crap, I can't bring the over-hang defender cause they're killing me in the flat or down the seam, where-ever. That also helps your offensive line because that guy is now out of the box and can't be a free rusher. Its not an accident we did that yesterday and Rocco had nearly 300 passing even in a non-perfect game. Defense's don't have to defend the whole field when you are basically throwing to 2 guys.

Here's an insane Stat. Higgins (55 receptions), Noel (43 receptions). Next? Brahmer has 10. Burkle has 6 but had 2 coming into yesterday. All of our other receivers combined have 36 receptions. Yes, you want to get your best players the ball. DUH. But that also makes it so incredibly easy late in the season on DCs. Which is why completion percentage drops. Passer ratings drop. When a secondary coach can say, hey, watch him and him - everyone else, don't worry. They're probably not throwing it to them. That makes it hard to block a blitz, it makes it hard to get open, it makes EVERYTHING hard when you are so one dimensional in the passing game. To use another baseball analogy, its Sammy Sosa. You're going to hit a home run or strike out.

Carsen Hansen (Barring injury) touching the ball 5 times in a half where he's averaging 6 yards a carry, essentially, and has one reception for 8 yards while the rest of the ground game had 12 runs for 8 yards -that's on coaching and not having the "hot" hand in the game. Again, barring injury.

Or, case in point, Hansen before his hot run of running the ball typically has been our best blitz pick up back - yet, in a game where we are getting pressured, we have Jackson in on 3rd and long and we get some pressure - not a fan of side arming the ball, I'd rather take the sack but I get trying to make a play so it's not a huge critique of the QB - but again, why? Unless he was still injured or less than 100%. But then why not use Klotz or someone whose bigger and in theory, slightly better at picking up rushing defenders? It wasn't terrible by Jackson but I just thought, that's a weird personnel to have out there against a team that's blitz heavy, to not have your best blitz pick up crew out there on 3rd down.

Why we passed on a long FG in dry weather then called a play in the rain to set up a long, albeit slightly shorter by about 2-3 yards is a strange scenario. Cause I'd agree the field conditions made the 51 yarder as long as the 54-55 yarder would have been and maybe even harder at that point in time.

And the use of time outs in the 3rd quarter. Just... wow. Especially the 1st one. Wouldn't that have been nice to have.

--------------------------------------------

All of that said, yes, the players have the lions share of blame. Rocco's pick which wasn't 100% on him, but even without the false start on the goal line, fumbles the snap. Higgin's had the 4th down drop, etc.

I won't kill Hufford because while yes, he has to hold his water, man that's tough on RPO's. Like, there's an internal clock where you're thinking as an OL, that if the QB gave it, your RB will die if you don't get the LB. So, those are tough. Its a combination of Hufford needs to be a little patient, and also, the ball's gotta come out quicker and have a faster developing RPO aspect. Cause the OL has no freaking clue if its a run or pass unless its pre-determined so its hard to tell him " okay, you need to get the LB but also, you need to not get the LB in case we throw it". That's a weird no man's land for an offensive linemen.

I wanna know where the wrinkles went. Like, early in the year we threw out of the Maryland I I think once our twice. Like we hit Brahmer on that 4th down I think where he makes an insane catch. We ran that short option on a 4th down, etc. We weren't doing crazy half back pass flea flicker reverses to the uncovered offensive linemen crap - but we were just unpredictable enough that it was hard to figure out what we were doing.

But we seem to have regressed - IDK if what was the pressure? Like, it happens all the time with coaches and players, especially if they're not used to it - like, we played not to lose yesterday. That was how that game felt.

It felt like the last couple of weeks, the team was struggling a little with the idea of being the hunted instead of the hunter, like all the playoff talk, all the undefeated talk, started to seep in. Which is human nature. Look at Ohio State, Clemson, Texas A&M, etc... all these teams, even a couple that won, really really have been struggling and not playing super great. So now, we're in uncharted territory, are banged up, facing a dangerous team that feels disrespected - and we picked a terrible time to basically lose the game with all the mistakes and it started to show.


Its all tied together. Its like a car. The players have to execute better, OF COURSE.

But play calling, scheming, working other players into the game to at least make the defensive coordinator say "OK, I have to account for him" even just throwing the ball to Sama or Hansen out of the back field more. Something.

That also makes it EASIER for the players to execute because you put more doubt, more conflict into a defense than what we are doing currently. That's why we had the success against Baylor or the 2nd half against Iowa. Because we were finding ways to put the defense in conflict. Yesterday, and even against WVU - and Houston - it was like "meh, we're just going to play straight up no matter what" and sure... it MIGHT work out. And it had until yesterday.

But it makes playing offense so MUCH harder when you stop putting the defense into conflict.

So on all fronts, yesterday was a fluster F but one you could kinda see coming to some degree.


I know that got long again but just trying to cover all the basis of what I see, not that I'm some savant, lord knows I'm not but I did spend a decent amount around the game at various levels including college, albeit never anywhere close to Big 12 or power conference so I know all the coaches know way more than I do and are smarter. Just trying to break things down from what I see is all.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

TLDR, but I totally agree.

 

[Bob f]

OC’s in the past didn’t have the talent we have now.

Like in 21?

 

[stewart092284]

Yeah, it got way longer than I initially wanted. Apologies. Just, again, wanted to try to add some of what I see watching. I'm no Lombardi but I did work with an FCS program and NAIA which again, isn't anything compared to what these coaches have done or accomplished. Not arguing that.

But just trying to say as I watch the game, those are the little tidbits I pay attention to or look for, FWIW.

 

[singsing]

Agree and disagree. So, #1, the offensive coordinator can have a huge impact on the OL play. Sometimes, you just get whipped and the DL just hands you your a**. Nothing an OC can do in those games.

However, when you see what they're doing and you never adjust ( call screens, roll out the pocket, etc) and just keep thinking (well, we're going to pick up the blitz eventually) without really changing anything? That's coaching. That's the definition of insanity. We NEVER moved the pocket. We didn't have a TE in to chip on the edge to prevent the free rusher. We didn't adjust to what they were doing just basically looked at the OL and said

"FIX IT". Which, yes, the OL needs to "fix it" but also, the coaching staff needs to say at some point " well, ****, they need some help so let's try this". What's the saying from Mike Tyson? Everyone has a plan till they get punched in the face? We got punched in the face, and neither the OL nor the coaching staff seemed to have a backup plan. Other than bringing Bonifas in at guard, who, I might be wrong, I don't think has every played there before?


That's the problem though. You can't let a bad defense or worse, a good defense (Not that Tech's good ) but even a bad defense when they know what's coming, can stop you. Unless you have Derrick Henry (and we don't) who can just truck people out to Pluto - or Barry Sanders (and we don't) who can make 11 guys miss him in a phone booth - you can't say OK, we're bringing in all these TE's and Carsen and we're going to run it straight ahead 100% of the time. Not by week 8. Those other guys are getting paid - coaches and players now - too. That's on Mouser.

Not scheming the Brahmer's, Burkle's, Green's, Alston - open early so that a line backer or safety can't be a free rusher and you just bracket Noel and Higgins - that's on Mouser. And to a lesser degree Rocco. Cause if you target the other guys, your main guys don't get double covered or bracketed so much. its kinda like a pitcher setting up the slider by throwing a fastball. You want to throw to Higgins and Noel, DUH, but you set the defense up by throwing to Brahmer, Green, Brown, etc. Not like 10 times to one but maybe collectively, but 4-5 targets to a couple of guys each is enough so their DC says crap, I can't bring the over-hang defender cause they're killing me in the flat or down the seam, where-ever. That also helps your offensive line because that guy is now out of the box and can't be a free rusher. Its not an accident we did that yesterday and Rocco had nearly 300 passing even in a non-perfect game. Defense's don't have to defend the whole field when you are basically throwing to 2 guys.

Here's an insane Stat. Higgins (55 receptions), Noel (43 receptions). Next? Brahmer has 10. Burkle has 6 but had 2 coming into yesterday. All of our other receivers combined have 36 receptions. Yes, you want to get your best players the ball. DUH. But that also makes it so incredibly easy late in the season on DCs. Which is why completion percentage drops. Passer ratings drop. When a secondary coach can say, hey, watch him and him - everyone else, don't worry. They're probably not throwing it to them. That makes it hard to block a blitz, it makes it hard to get open, it makes EVERYTHING hard when you are so one dimensional in the passing game. To use another baseball analogy, its Sammy Sosa. You're going to hit a home run or strike out.

Carsen Hansen (Barring injury) touching the ball 5 times in a half where he's averaging 6 yards a carry, essentially, and has one reception for 8 yards while the rest of the ground game had 12 runs for 8 yards -that's on coaching and not having the "hot" hand in the game. Again, barring injury.

Or, case in point, Hansen before his hot run of running the ball typically has been our best blitz pick up back - yet, in a game where we are getting pressured, we have Jackson in on 3rd and long and we get some pressure - not a fan of side arming the ball, I'd rather take the sack but I get trying to make a play so it's not a huge critique of the QB - but again, why? Unless he was still injured or less than 100%. But then why not use Klotz or someone whose bigger and in theory, slightly better at picking up rushing defenders? It wasn't terrible by Jackson but I just thought, that's a weird personnel to have out there against a team that's blitz heavy, to not have your best blitz pick up crew out there on 3rd down.

Why we passed on a long FG in dry weather then called a play in the rain to set up a long, albeit slightly shorter by about 2-3 yards is a strange scenario. Cause I'd agree the field conditions made the 51 yarder as long as the 54-55 yarder would have been and maybe even harder at that point in time.

And the use of time outs in the 3rd quarter. Just... wow. Especially the 1st one. Wouldn't that have been nice to have.

--------------------------------------------

All of that said, yes, the players have the lions share of blame. Rocco's pick which wasn't 100% on him, but even without the false start on the goal line, fumbles the snap. Higgin's had the 4th down drop, etc.

I won't kill Hufford because while yes, he has to hold his water, man that's tough on RPO's. Like, there's an internal clock where you're thinking as an OL, that if the QB gave it, your RB will die if you don't get the LB. So, those are tough. Its a combination of Hufford needs to be a little patient, and also, the ball's gotta come out quicker and have a faster developing RPO aspect. Cause the OL has no freaking clue if its a run or pass unless its pre-determined so its hard to tell him " okay, you need to get the LB but also, you need to not get the LB in case we throw it". That's a weird no man's land for an offensive linemen.

I wanna know where the wrinkles went. Like, early in the year we threw out of the Maryland I I think once our twice. Like we hit Brahmer on that 4th down I think where he makes an insane catch. We ran that short option on a 4th down, etc. We weren't doing crazy half back pass flea flicker reverses to the uncovered offensive linemen crap - but we were just unpredictable enough that it was hard to figure out what we were doing.

But we seem to have regressed - IDK if what was the pressure? Like, it happens all the time with coaches and players, especially if they're not used to it - like, we played not to lose yesterday. That was how that game felt.

It felt like the last couple of weeks, the team was struggling a little with the idea of being the hunted instead of the hunter, like all the playoff talk, all the undefeated talk, started to seep in. Which is human nature. Look at Ohio State, Clemson, Texas A&M, etc... all these teams, even a couple that won, really really have been struggling and not playing super great. So now, we're in uncharted territory, are banged up, facing a dangerous team that feels disrespected - and we picked a terrible time to basically lose the game with all the mistakes and it started to show.


Its all tied together. Its like a car. The players have to execute better, OF COURSE.

But play calling, scheming, working other players into the game to at least make the defensive coordinator say "OK, I have to account for him" even just throwing the ball to Sama or Hansen out of the back field more. Something.

That also makes it EASIER for the players to execute because you put more doubt, more conflict into a defense than what we are doing currently. That's why we had the success against Baylor or the 2nd half against Iowa. Because we were finding ways to put the defense in conflict. Yesterday, and even against WVU - and Houston - it was like "meh, we're just going to play straight up no matter what" and sure... it MIGHT work out. And it had until yesterday.

But it makes playing offense so MUCH harder when you stop putting the defense into conflict.

So on all fronts, yesterday was a fluster F but one you could kinda see coming to some degree.


I know that got long again but just trying to cover all the basis of what I see, not that I'm some savant, lord knows I'm not but I did spend a decent amount around the game at various levels including college, albeit never anywhere close to Big 12 or power conference so I know all the coaches know way more than I do and are smarter. Just trying to break things down from what I see is all.

Hope everyone has a great Sunday.

Good analysis. Seemed like Mouser had a script and never got off it. Pushing square pegs into round holes. Tech's got a crappy D, but we have a couple decent one's coming up in Cincy and Kstate. Guarantee they're going to bring pressure after watching this film.

 

[Cyclonepride]

As expected, I think people are going way too close to the ledge here.

Our offensive game plan under Campbell is going to be to control the ball and the clock. The main problem yesterday was that we drove repeatedly into their territory and either settled for a field goal or turned it over. About the only thing that I would have added to the plan would have been to stay aggressive passing the ball once we got down there. Way too many 1st and 10 run plays that went nowhere.

 

[FarminCy]

Lots of concerns about the offense.

To me the biggest concern was how easy Tech got pressure with only bringing 4 most of the game.

 

[madguy30]

Very hamstrung with Rocco only looking at 2 wide receivers most passing plays.

He often doesn't have time to look anywhere else.

 

[stewart092284]

I would much prefer the Maryland I than the Ngoyi/3 TE formation. I don’t know if that has been stopped in short yardage all year, but they stopped running it. Is someone who is a major key in that formation injured?

I don't mind the Ngoyi formation - if we actually threw it to Ngoyi from time to time. Like 1-2 times we're in the formation. Cause otherwise, the defensive coordinator can tell his safety - F that guy , get your butt down hill and into the box - and just let Ngoyi block the corner, whom in short yardage for the most part, a DC isn't that concerned with in terms of stopping the run anyways.

The problem isn't so much the formation - its letting the defense know - OK, now we're in this look, and we're going to do this and stop us - that works great if you have prime Alabama's offensive line or Georgia's big 350+ athletic monsters who can just maul you like a grizzly bear -

it works less well with that approach when you don't have those horses up front. And while the OL is certainly better than in recent memory, it doesn't have THOSE dudes yet. Black could be really good as he gets better. Buhr I like a lot. Hystert? (Spelling) ... I think also could be that, potentially. But as of today, none of them are there.

 

[madguy30]

Like in 21?

The OL wasn't good then either. It all comes down to that.

 

[stewart092284]

Lots of concerns about the offense.

To me the biggest concern was how easy Tech got pressure with only bringing 4 most of the game.

Umm... they didn't? Their LB came a ton and they brought pressure off the edge.

 

[madguy30]

Umm... they didn't? Their LB came a ton and they brought pressure off the edge.

They blitzed a corner or similar off the edge early and often. It seemed to get Rocco sped up which I don't blame him for.

 

[Cychl82]

It’s obvious it’s the play calling. We have good backs, good recievers, good quarterback. That 3rd and ten where Rocco just took off running should get a coach fired. So many questionable play calls today. Can’t we go find a coordinator? I mean we are a power 5 team.

Actually lately it’s been the pass blocking as much as anything

 

[ghettocowboy4cy]

Yes, our offensive line sucks and it always has under Campbell. I’ve said it multiple times tonight. It is mind boggling to me how we don’t have anything even near a good as a good G5 line. Someone gets manhandled every play, plus, we have guys who can’t figure out that you can’t just run downfield on a pass play.

Ya that play (which we needed badly) made me want to rip the tv off the wall. It’s basic knowledge on a pass play.

 

[stewart092284]

He often doesn't have time to look anywhere else.

Way too simplistic.

He gets pressured cause he doesn't get off his first read. Rocco does many things well, but he locks onto Noel and higgins and very rarely reads the "hot read" effectively.

Which defensive coordinators are picking up - which is why they are bringing pressure so often.

So its a very much - carrot, stick.

You don't have quick hitting passing plays - its easy to pressure. Look at the Cincinnati Bengals... how much does Burrow get sacked? All the Bengals OL are probably better than anyone Iowa State has. I'd argue the Bengals WR when healthy, are again, better than ours. Burrow is a better QB.

Yet, he gets sacked a ton because they don't have a lot of quick hitting pass plays designed to prevent defenses from blitzing and he locks in on his primary targets at times too often and is late coming off them.


Nothing in life, nor football is as simple as he doesn't have time. Its 11 on 11. You wanna stop pressure as an offense there are 7 things you can try to do.


1) Change cadence, rhythm of a play
2) Formation a defense out of the ability to bring pressure
3) Utilize motions and shifts to try to tell the QB pre-snap and help him and the OL identify the pressure
4) Screens, draws, reverses, to not let the rushers get in sprinters stance and just tee off on the offensive line
5) Break tendencies to try to prevent a defensive coordinator from getting into a rhythm
6) Move the pocket - half rolls, semi-rolls, sprint outs - or have the OL cut the defensive linemen and do some quick screens outside.
7) Tell the QB - take the check down - we'll take 2nd and 5, 2nd and 7 over 2nd and 10 or 3rd and 5 over 2nd and 10. Nickel and dime them to death. Chicks love the long ball, Defensive coordinator's get pissed at being bleed to death.
8) Bring in another TE to help protect or adjust the protection scheme. Which we did somewhat with a TE but not a great deal.


Now... how many of those things did we do?

1) IDK. Maybe? Hard to tell from TV
2) Very rarely. IF anything , we shifted into tighter sets more often and brought more people into the box
3) At times? But didn't feel like we did it a lot.
4) I don't know that I saw once
5) Uh... again, IDK that I saw any or many
6) See above
7) Rarely. He did it once to Burkle and it was just off his finger tips. Did it once to Hansen for 8 yards, etc. But very rarely.
8) Somewhat? But again, not a great deal it didn't seem like.


So, its easy to say the offensive line couldn't block. But we literally went, 0 for 7 when it comes to ways to slow down a blitzing, aggressive defense. Maybe, if you want to be generous you can say we went 1-8 or at best 2-8, maybe if you are extremely generous 3 for 8

While the OL needs to block better, you can't appreciate how hard it is to block a guy whose faster, quicker, and twitchier than you are in a short space when you are literally doing none of the things to make your job easier.

 

[stewart092284]

And that's where I don't understand where we went from earlier in the season... cause we had that.

Heck, Eli Green looked great - yes, against North Dakota - but the passing game was fluid. You need a 3rd guy. And since Brahmer has been banged up most the year - we've struggled there.

Because its that 3rd guy that really occupies the safeties and LB's. AN offensive line's biggest advantage is that in most pass pro's, they are playing 6 on 4. Sometimes 6 or 5 on 3.

That 3rd receiver, be it a RB, TE, or actual WR - is responsible for pulling the safety and LB out of the pressure package. Or, if you have a QB whose crazy athletic, then has to become a spy, although in theory, can still rush.

Cause the corners, whether they actually can cover Noel and Higgins are already on them. So now it becomes 9 on 3 (Discounting the 5 OL and QB). Even if you take off say, 3 DL its still 6 on 3. Or 5 on 3, and 6 on 2 or 5 vs. 2 if you have RB in to block.

So its incredibly hard for Rocco or any QB to look super great with those closed windows. Or for any OL to look great.

Because if you say double cover Noel and Higgins, its still 3 vs. 2 presuming the back is blocking or 4 vs. 2. That's where pressure comes from.

That 3rd receiver as a threat, whoever it is, makes it 2 vs 2 or 3 vs 3, etc. It opens everything up a lot more.

Mouser is 100x smarter than me. But against Kansas, what I'd do is design a couple plays early to Brown, Burkle, Brahmer, Green. Not crazy like but a little curl, arrow into the flat, whatever. Just enough to make Kansas think - huh.


Right now, we're simply beating ourselves by making everything so hard.

We're making it hard for Jaylin and Jayden, Rocco and the OL and the RB's.

Earlier in the season we were making it easier with some of the motions, the checks and counters. But it seems like we've slowly become more and more conservative.

And I don't mean conservative in terms of running the ball. I just mean, it seems like we've gotten away from utilizing some of those motions and checks that allowed us to punish Iowa in the 2nd half, or even Baylor and West Virginia at times. We've got back into trying to play everything in a phone booth and man, that's hard to do consistently week in , week out.



Sorry, I know its another long one. Its just.. like I said, trying to provide context to what my analysis is is all.

 

[stewart092284]

They blitzed a corner or similar off the edge early and often. It seemed to get Rocco sped up which I don't blame him for.

I largely agree... the one thing he can do himself is find the short throw more. I get it, Higgins and Noel are big time. But finding the check downs will help him. Sometimes I think he has so much trust in those guys, for obvious reasons, he holds the ball trusting them to get open. Or make a play. Which again, I can appreciate cause most of the time they do.

But he can help himself a little by saying "okay, I'll take the 3-4 yard dump down cause you won't tackle that guy every time and we'll bleed you to death"

But that's also on the OC. He needs to build those little flares, short curls / hitches, arrow routes, into the offense more to help the QB as well. Heck, even a jet sweep can work because it slows the edge rusher and its super easy and you can run it with Noel if you want cause we have before.

That was what was frustrating yesterday. It was we've seen us use answers to what Tech was doing yet for some reason, we kept trying to run straight ahead . I don't mean literally with the ground game but we just never seemed to get off of Plan A.


Rocco's great. Don't get me wrong. The check down thing is part of growing as a QB, and experience. He'll get there, I have no doubt and he didn't play bad though didn't play great. He played an averagish game. Good enough to win with, but not quite good enough to over come all the mistakes we made. Like I said, a very reasonable but not special game.

If anything - yesterday I just felt like we never really adjusted well to what they were doing and that was the first time I had felt that way all season. Perhaps then its not a surprise, we also were on the short end of the score board for the first time all season

 

[CYEATHAWK]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but Tech was ahead 17-16 in the 4th when they decided to go for it 4th and 6 at midfield.

And Matt called for a squib kick ahead 22-17 with just over 2 minutes left.

One is playing to win. The other is playing not to lose.

Sort of frustrating to think that might be a default position.

 

[ttuadvisor]

You aren’t listening to what I am saying. Yes the deep ball was always there against the guys you spoke about. They were able to not allow that tonight, but that’s only part of the field. The underneath stuff was there all night long and Iowa State refused to go after it or when they did they dropped the pass or had a linemen downfield. It was uncharacteristic stuff from us.

You're not listening to what I'm saying. Every coach and fanbase in America would prefer to give up the "underneath stuff" and shut down the deep ball. Of all fans, I would think ISU fans would understand that the best because that's your entire football identity.

THE reason Tech had the worst pass defense in CFB was because the backups were consistently giving up the deep ball. That's the reason Tech lost the Baylor and TCU games and almost cost them the ACU game. Give their QB's credit for being able to make those throws, ASU and Cincy couldn't.

That's most likely what ISU saw on film for two weeks and that was the gameplan. Tech finally got healthy in the secondary and shut that deep stuff down(except for one play), but ISU didn't adjust and take the
"underneath stuff"(except for one play). It's hard to blame them, if I turned on the TCU and Baylor game film as an opponent coach, it would be really difficult to not just launch bombs to Higgins all game.

Again, congrats but where were you before the game. Despise fans that show up only after the fact.

1. I was out of town at a work conference all week, which really limited my amount of time I could spend reviewing and discussing this game this week
2. You can look through my posting history, I've been here for years after wins and losses.

You all won, but I bet we see the norm next week and Colorado throws all over your defense.

We'll see, it will certainly be the most difficult test to date as Sanders will be the best QB Tech will see all season. If Tech's backup CB's have to see significant time, I would guarantee a loss.

 

[3TrueFans]

Someone can correct me if I am wrong, but Tech was ahead 17-16 in the 4th when they decided to go for it 4th and 6 at midfield.

And Matt called for a squib kick ahead 22-17 with just over 2 minutes left.

One is playing to win. The other is playing not to lose.

Sort of frustrating to think that might be a default position.

They didn't get the conversion and gave us great field position while the squib kick netted TTU 5 extra yards compared to a touchback, so I'm not sure how they would be seen as the winners there.