Here for the Wins

Yes, that’s what I am saying, the offense had its chances versus Ohio State. Sure, the defense could have done more. I won’t blame any one player or any one unit for any loss. In the end there are opportunities and plays to be made for anyone, any unit. I also like stats and the relativity of metrics like OFEI/DFEI. Those happen to say the defense has been better ranked than the offense. Any fan who follows closely will have complaints about any OC or DC. My complaint on the 4th and 19 versus Vandy is different than most. Mine is that we rushed 5 and left a LBer short essentially leaving 5 to cover 4 I think it was. Others will not like it because we didn’t run tight man coverage. Suppose those same people were happy with 3rd and 17 versus LSU. Blitz with man behind it.

We were down two safeties, a 3rd was banged up. Pretty sure a CB was banged up too. Vandy was the #1 OFEI team. They were #56 in DFEI. # 1 FPI offense. #54 FPI defense. Surprise, the #1 scored points against a depleted defense. Disappointing, the offense could not finish 1 drive in the 4th against a middle of the road defense. Since Sarks arrival the offense has struggled to finish. Ohio State, Kentucky, Vandy last year. There have been FGs to tie or take the lead when first downs or TDs finish the game. The opportunity was there versus Vandy. It didn’t happen.

Kicking his ass individually does little for our team objective. I interpreted it as Texas kicking OUs to include him. There should be no specific objective to hit him harder, more often, whatever than any other Sooner. And if the opportunity presents to waylay any Sooner, at any time, we need to take advantage of it.

I’m one who’ll stick up for PK. I do think we’ll improve numbers-wise this year. Jackson and/or Zina stepping up their rush game will be the biggest factor as to how much. Then if one of the interior guys ups their pass rush game, we could have a devastating defense.

Texas had more sacks per game and more interceptions per game than Indiana. His pass defenses were not below average. That is a complete and utter disregard for applying any context. Now to the specific example. Sayin threw a pick versus Indiana drive 1. Then proceeded to throw for 245 yards with no interceptions subsequent to that. J Smith did more in that game than two versus Texas combined. On a 4th and 1 from the IU 5. Play by play shows that was overturned on a Sayin run. Then OSU missed a game tying 27 yard FG. I guess that’s the defense taking it to him. Id say those two defensive performances were comparable given the contexts.

I think we’ll return to top 10. Muschamp can take some credit, but personnel on defense is much more prepared this year. Last year, DT was a question mark with limited big play ability. All the key parts are back. And hope is that Justus brings some plays. Simmons should be better. Zina, Jackson better. LBer similar but Biles adds a bit more versatility. Then the maturity of the DBs takes a pretty solid jump. And absolutely the improved offense makes life easier for the D. Taaffe, Hill, Manny all missed games last year. January too. McDonald missed the majority of Vandy. So whatever we started with took some hits.

I do think Guilbeau blitzed but the opposite side defender dropped so still only rushing 4. I could be wrong on that. Angles were a problem. You’re the first I recall mentioning this so kudos to you. Players need to make plays. I’d classify this play as one of those. Guilbeau should be aware that a screen is very possible on that play. On the back end, we had one guy let him get outside while at the same time taking out another one of ours.

Curl is certainly underappreciated. It’d be cool to talk football with him. A generation too soon. A football player.

He sure threw a better pass.

I was always curious about his pro career. His production was excellent. From what I recall his combine/pro day numbers were solid. Why did it take awhile to get the surgery?

Please explain those limitations . There were effectively 3 plays that kept the game in question. And one of those was the offense taking a lower percentage shot on 3rd down on the non-Pi call. The same play that had a secondary effect of a slightly more difficult FG because no yards were gained. It virtually eliminated any decision of a potential 4th down try. And it stopped the clock. Seeing as how Vandy scored with 33 seconds it certainly changed Vandys philosophy with that extra half minute. Yes, a TD ends the game but a first down virtually does as well. So we chose poorly on the risk/reward side of that playcall. Then the next possession we have 4 plays and punt. The offense had an opportunity to end and did not. So let’s keep that in mind given there was a questionable strategic decision. The other two were the TD pass right before half and the 4th and 19. I just saw an article saying that was a busted coverage in the first half. I did not see elaboration on what should have happened though. Then the 4th and 19. But what I do know is that we had two backup safeties out for the majority of the game. I also thought Filsaime got dinged too. Maybe Manny. Or maybe another DB as well. So some confusion given Vandys offense and our experience level was not completely surprising. What exactly does they weren’t playing together mean? The long Stowers TD - there wasn’t much apparent the front had anything to do with it. The other two plays are difficult to determine how they weren’t playing together. I don’t know the dynamics internally. No idea who wanted Akina. Maybe I’ve forgotten but I do not recall ever hearing that a teams front and secondary are not working together.

I can see OSU 2025. Their schedule was pretty weak too. Bama - I don’t remember who was on that team. I remember the offense moreso. Georgia - was it the secondary or a dominant front? Bama and Georgia each had a 5 year window in which their overall talent completely overwhelmed most opponents. May be why the names don’t just jump out at me.

I’m curious what you think is elite. The QBs and WRs faced in 2024 were mediocre at best. And that’s only cause we made a deep run into the playoffs.. When we played competent teams, they did reasonably well. Clemson hit for 300+ passing and 3 TDs. Michigan and UF didn’t even throw out D1 QBs. The two turnovers had a bit to do with the UW loss. No sacks. But talk about competence. The tackles have started in the NFL. 3 WRs drafted, pretty highly too. One TE ran a sub 4.5 40. The other is in the NFL. The center just got drafted. The QB a top 10 pick. My point is that defending teams is more difficult when the offensive competence and skill increases. The 2024 defense was great, but our regular season opponents had poor offensive talent. Even the playoff contenders had some kinks offensively.

Out of curiosity, name some elite secondary’s.

He did leave a year early. He compiled some stats too. When he was a freshman we had too many freshman defenders playing. I’m not sure he would ever been terribly instinctive, but he could run around and be active.

Dusty Renfro some underappreciation.

Interesting name selections as it includes two guys Texas likely don’t take out of high school.

Believe in Team. Thats where our potential lies. The season’s ultimate outcome will depend on whether we make critical plays. We don’t have to rely on one source or one side of the ball.

R Williams concussing 3 opponents also hard to top.

Kevin Watler?

Well obviously poor planning on the schedule committee. Two headliners at the same time.

Look forward to the H Wiggins summary @Jeff Howe.

I assume you’re speculating here. Or did Sark communicate something to trigger this particular thought?

At Texas? I don’t remember that.