What texas CAN do...

[8timechamps]

We all know how pathetic the texas defense is this year, so whether it be on the ground or through the air, OU should be able to move the ball and score.

As inept as Texas has been on defense, they're not a complete mess on offense and will have the best RBs we've seen all year. After last week's ISU game, Mack said they gave up on the run game too soon. That, combined with a desire to keep the score down, leads me to believe we'll see a healthy does of the whorn running game. It appears we have a pretty stout line this year (and I was very impressed with Jordan Wade last week), but texas knows we are wounded at linebacker. I think the whorns will try to establish an inside running game. Young Mr. Alexander is going to have to step up and prove to texas that he's not a weak link. If Franklin gets the nod, he'll have the same task.

McCoy, while not as terrible as we make him out to be, isn't going to win the game for them. But, if he's allowed to get clean looks, he can keep drives alive.

[olevetonahill]

I wont be surprised by a Close hard fought game Nor by a Blow out, OU wins either way.

[Jacie]

We already know he can throw the hail mary . . .

[picasso]

Texas will com fired up. Then lose focus.

[8timechamps]

Texas will com fired up. Then lose focus.

My prediction too.

[BoulderSooner79]

They will play a lot of man coverage; especially after our WRs showed problems getting separation last week. Not saying they will cover as well, but that's their tendency anyway. Sure would be nice to have a receiving TE matched up against an LB. Maybe we'll use Millard in that role, he seems to like putting the hurt on horns. I see us using a higher percentage of run plays than usual. The thing that is very different than the last 2 years is we don't have the kind of offense to pile up the points and knock them out of the game early. We'll have to be consistent and never let up. As we saw against TCU, a 13-0 halftime lead is not safe even though we totally dominated the 1st half. I don't expect our lead to be much bigger than that at half this week.

The emotional factor here is that no UT starter has ever beaten OU and I'm sure they would love to fix that. I see them as being focused this week and coming out fired up the way others have already mentioned. But a team in chaos will wilt pretty easily if things don't go their way. OUr guys need to play physical and hit them in the mouth early.

[8timechamps]

They will play a lot of man coverage; especially after our WRs showed problems getting separation last week. Not saying they will cover as well, but that's their tendency anyway. Sure would be nice to have a receiving TE matched up against an LB. Maybe we'll use Millard in that role, he seems to like putting the hurt on horns. I see us using a higher percentage of run plays than usual. The thing that is very different than the last 2 years is we don't have the kind of offense to pile up the points and knock them out of the game early. We'll have to be consistent and never let up. As we saw against TCU, a 13-0 halftime lead is not safe even though we totally dominated the 1st half. I don't expect our lead to be much bigger than that at half this week.

The emotional factor here is that no UT starter has ever beaten OU and I'm sure they would love to fix that. I see them as being focused this week and coming out fired up the way others have already mentioned. But a team in chaos will wilt pretty easily if things don't go their way. OUr guys need to play physical and hit them in the mouth early.

I agree with what you said...in theory. :)

Texas' defense is just bad. I don't know if it's a heart/pride issue, a talent issue or a coaching issue, but it could be a combination of the three. I think Texas had two very good defensive players entering the year; Jordan Hicks and Quandre Diggs. Hicks is done, and Diggs, while good, is lost in the horrid-ness of the Texas defense.

I just don't see the Texas defense being able to stop the OU running game enough to stay in the game. If OU ends up with less than 200 yards in this one, I'll be surprised.

As for Texas being "up" for this game, I'm sure they will be, but recent history has shown that that doesn't do them much good.

I've said this several times in the last couple of years; the difference between OU players entering this game and Texas players entering this game:

OU players KNOW they can win. Texas players HOPE they can win. -and that's in a "normal" year. This isn't a "normal" year.

[VA Sooner]

I see this being a closer game than most folks expect... the rivalry game always brings it to another level, especially if the public is expecting it.

Then I ready Mike Davis' tweet about his hit on ISU's Broomfield...

That being said... OU 42, Texas 12

[SanDiegoSoonerGal]

Am I not playing correctly if I say that Texas CAN jump up and bite my ***?

[MyT Oklahoma]

The eyes of Texas are a crying, all the live long day.
The eyes of Texas are a crying, please make Mack go away.
Can't you feel the beatdown coming, we do not stand a chance.
Can't you feel the beatdown coming, OU will kick our a$$.

[IronHorseSooner]

Does anyone know if Phillips will play? I mean, Wade and Peterson played well last week...

[stoopified]

We are in BIG trouble.I saw a clip where UT players were saying they were motivated by the 63 points we scored on them last year and willl play ANGRY. I have to admit however that playing angry did not help them so far this year,considering their blowout losses to BYU and UCLA.

[stoopified]

On second thought the BURNT ORANGE COWS were likely holding back their MIGHTY, RIGHTEOUS, ANGER AND FURY just for us. I am shaking at the very core of my being at what awaits OUr Sooners Saturday . :D

[ashley]

Conventional wisdom is that the worse you are in the secondary, and they have to know they are bad, the more zone you play.

[olevetonahill]

Am I not playing correctly if I say that Texas CAN jump up and bite my ***?

Can you post that Vid? I cant find it.

[Widescreen]

We are in BIG trouble.I saw a clip where UT players were saying they were motivated by the 63 points we scored on them last year and willl play ANGRY. I have to admit however that playing angry did not help them so far this year,considering their blowout losses to BYU and UCLA.
The 55 points we put on them the prevous year didn't seem to make them angry enough to play well last year.

[olevetonahill]

The 55 points we put on them the prevous year didn't seem to make them angry enough to play well last year.

Yea well this time they are REALLY mad.

[BigTip]

Texas' defense is just bad.

Yup, NCAA rankings in the paper this morning.
Rush Defense, 117th
Pass Defense, 49th
Total Defense, 108th

[olevetonahill]

Yup, NCAA rankings in the paper this morning.
Rush Defense, 117th
Pass Defense, 49th
Total Defense, 108th

I havnt watched Much just some of the ISU game, But I have a hard time seein em Stop our O and I dont think their O will be able to much against our D

[Mac94]

Texas SHOULD rely heavily on the run game against OU ... but they SHOULD have done it last week against Iowa St but instead had McCoy throw it over 40 times. What should be the game plan and what they will actually do might not be all that connected. Hopefully OU will jump on Texas early and get a two score lead ... which will lead to Texas panicing and forcing things ... which will lead to turnovers ... which will lead to a the Sooners rolling and the Burnt Orange clad faithful that actually showed up in Dallas headed for the exits by halftime.

Just for grins, since Texas has struggled against the run, if OU gets a huge lead would love it if Knight came in and OU lined up in the old Wishbone formation will Millard, Williams and Ford or Clay. Go triple option on them to run clock and see if they can stop a throwback Sooner attack.

[Wishboned]

Yea well this time they are REALLY mad.

It's almost like we're on double secret probation with them.

[olevetonahill]

It's almost like we're on double secret probation with them.

Im Skeered!

[SanDiegoSoonerGal]

Vet: (forgot to quote post)

This video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqVfhQXpz9k

[olevetonahill]

Vet: (forgot to quote post)

This video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqVfhQXpz9k

Yes Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqVfhQXpz9k

[badger]

Texas masterful gameplan:

Defense:
1- Blitz every first and second down. Forget Blake's 64 percent completion rate against TCU, we've already all heard repeatedly that Blake can't throw.
2- Zone coverage on third down. If the players are not close enough to "target," then they won't be flagged an ejected.
3- If the Sooners should go for it on fourth down, expect Belldozer. Even if it's 4th and 20, the only time OU brings Blake on the field for 4th down is Belldozer.

Special teams:
1- Do not attempt to block or field any OU punts. We are already getting the ball, it doesn't matter where we get it!
2- Do not attempt to punt to OU. Hail Mary always. If OU catches it instead of UT, it'll be like a punt! Quarterbacks named McCoy are renowned for their deep ball passing skills!
3- No onside kicks, no OU kickoff returns. Just kick it out of bounds so there's no chance at failure. They'll get better field position, but at least they won't score! Immediately.

Offense:
It really doesn't matter what we do, here. A good mix of running the ball to run clock and hail marys (if ou catches it, it'll just be like a punt, as stated earlier!) will make the final score more bearable.

[Ruf/Nek7]

Well, if the the ut run game is such an issue, be sure to establish three good offensive drives that end in points and it will be hard to keep the run game when you are playing two or three possessions behind.

[Jason White's Third Knee]

Yea well this time they are REALLY mad.

Super duper mad!!!

[KantoSooner]

Is that more or less than being really, really, peeved?

[BoulderSooner79]

Is that more or less than being really, really, peeved?

Not sure, but I don't think it is up to fully p*ssed off yet.

[KantoSooner]

Maybe it's kind of like Italian military escalation. They can now move on to running around in circles, waving their hands and making bellicose statements. (following that, they 'change sides' - which seems to be what many whorns are already doing.)

[olevetonahill]

Maybe it's kind of like Italian military escalation. They can now move on to running around in circles, waving their hands and making bellicose statements. (following that, they 'change sides' - which seems to be what many whorns are already doing.)

Think its mor like a French Military deal. They so dayum MAD they just gonna throw down their weapons and go home .

[cvsooner]

The one thing I keep forgetting: OU has a bunch of seniors who have never ever lost to Texas and don't intend to screw up their win streak this year. That said, I'm still a bit concerned that we might be a wee bit overconfident...well, guess we'll find out.

[Breadburner]

The fans might be...But I highly doubt this team is.....!!!!

[8timechamps]

The one thing I keep forgetting: OU has a bunch of seniors who have never ever lost to Texas and don't intend to screw up their win streak this year. That said, I'm still a bit concerned that we might be a wee bit overconfident...well, guess we'll find out.

Hearing that the team has practiced really "edgy" this week. Whatever that means.

[8timechamps]

Does anyone know if Phillips will play? I mean, Wade and Peterson played well last week...

Stoops said in his Monday press conference that Phillips should be ready to practice and play this week. Apparently, he has a "genetic" issue that causes him issues from time to time, and that resulted in his missing the TCU game. Stoops said he was really close to playing against TCU, so I'm assuming whatever it was, happened early last week, and he should be good to go for the RRR.

After seeing Wade play so well (and Peterson did a solid job too), I'm not quite as worried if Phillips can't go every down. Our DTs have really stepped it up this year.

[cvsooner]

The big question I would have, or questions, really, is if Texas can finally put it together, because they just haven't this season, and if we're due for a letdown of some type, as in turnovers, injuries, something. I figure that's Texas' only chance, really--we lose Millard and Bell and half the defense to injuries. Or Texas just comes out and plays brilliantly--but I don't see that happening either.

I still think it won't be a blowout but we probably win reasonably convincingly.

[8timechamps]

The big question I would have, or questions, really, is if Texas can finally put it together, because they just haven't this season, and if we're due for a letdown of some type, as in turnovers, injuries, something. I figure that's Texas' only chance, really--we lose Millard and Bell and half the defense to injuries. Or Texas just comes out and plays brilliantly--but I don't see that happening either.

I still think it won't be a blowout but we probably win reasonably convincingly.

I keep thinking "things seem too good to be true", but the proof is in the pudding, and texas is just not very good. As for a Sooner "letdown", I don't think we have to worry about that. With the exception of the Tulsa and ULM games, we haven't looked great on both sides of the ball. We've looked good on offense, and decent on defense, and vice versa, but we've yet to put together a really complete game. Which tells me we are only going to get better. Since that's the case, I don't think our guys are anywhere near comfortable enough with their play to have a "letdown". Baylor, on the other hand...

[aurorasooner]

The big question I would have, or questions, really, is if Texas can finally put it together, because they just haven't this season, and if we're due for a letdown of some type, as in turnovers, injuries, something. I figure that's Texas' only chance, really--we lose Millard and Bell and half the defense to injuries. Or Texas just comes out and plays brilliantly--but I don't see that happening either.

I still think it won't be a blowout but we probably win reasonably convincingly. If we can't beat the whorns convincingly with Derp at QB then coaches and players will deserve the scorn they'll get from the CFB media.
This game is a no-win situation for us. Hammer them as we did in last couple of years and the national perception will be "yawn" Texass sucks. Barely beat them or lose, and they'll say we're over-rated.
Hopefully we'll jump on them early and this game will be over by halftime.
The variable imo is the Nelson injury. In 2008 (the Shipley TD KO return) we were up something like 21-3 or 21 to 7 and let them back in the game by giving up that return. Then Ryan Reynolds goes down and we can't stop them, and couldn't catch a break after he went down. Travis Lewis had a couple of late hit OB penalties on Colt McCoy (Colt deserved a CFB oscar award for both of those), the we just flat dropped a sure pick in the EZ and they got 3 which started their final run.
Both Reynolds and Nelson were our defense equivalent of a QB. However, if Nelson has to go down, it's better, imo, that it happened last week, so his replacement (Alexander or Franklin) will get up to speed with a week of snaps.
If Nelson didn't have the injury and played the whole game against Texas, I think we would have a pretty good chance to skunk them this year.

[OU_Sooners75]

Keep in mind, only once since Stoops and Brown have been going head to head, has the team favored to win, lost the game. That was 2008.

And as I see it, Texas has no where near the team they did in 2008.

[OU_Sooners75]

The one thing I keep forgetting: OU has a bunch of seniors who have never ever lost to Texas and don't intend to screw up their win streak this year. That said, I'm still a bit concerned that we might be a wee bit overconfident...well, guess we'll find out.

We fans may be a little over confident. But I can almost bet the team isn't.

They just got finished playing two tough games. They are focused. And they have a respect for UT unlike is fans do. They know what type of talent is dressed in puke orange. And they know that they have to go out and put them away.

[OU_Sooners75]

The one thing I keep forgetting: OU has a bunch of seniors who have never ever lost to Texas and don't intend to screw up their win streak this year. That said, I'm still a bit concerned that we might be a wee bit overconfident...well, guess we'll find out.

Hearing that the team has practiced really "edgy" this week. Whatever that means.

Means they are practicing to win. They are practicing to dominate. And that they are focused on the game, not the rhetoric.

[cvsooner]

Yeah, Nelson going down is a wild card. Fortunately Alexander has been playing and has a couple of relatively weaker opponents coming up before things get tough again...that two week stretch of October 26 and Nov. 7 will be interesting, to say the least.

[TheHumanAlphabet]

The eyes of Texas are a crying, all the live long day.
The eyes of Texas are a crying, please make Mack go away.
Can't you feel the beatdown coming, we do not stand a chance.
Can't you feel the beatdown coming, OU will kick our a$$.
Texas Bites! Texas Bites!
oh Texas can bite my ***
Texas Bites! Texas Bites!
oh Texas can bite my ***,
Texas Bites! Texas bites...
oh Texas can bite my ***...
naw, naw, chew, chew
texas can bite my *** in two!!!
texas can bite my ***!

[BoulderSooner79]

Hearing that the team has practiced really "edgy" this week. Whatever that means.

New haircuts and avant garde practice jerseys.

[BoulderSooner79]

If we can't beat the whorns convincingly with Derp at QB then coaches and players will deserve the scorn they'll get from the CFB media.
This game is a no-win situation for us....

No such thing as a no-win situation against the horns - this is a 100 year old rivalry. Win and it's a win whether by a point or by half a hundred. End. Of. Story.

[Jacie]

What some may have missed whilst getting ready to celebrate a program-crushing victory over the whorns, perhaps sa*et's close game vs. ISU is less about their abilities, particularly on defense than that they may have spent the week before practicing to stop OUr offense, not Paul Rhoad's . . .

[XingTheRubicon]

Keep in mind, only once since Stoops and Brown have been going head to head, has the team favored to win, lost the game. That was 2008.

And as I see it, Texas has no where near the team they did in 2008.

Um.....no.

In 2000, OU was a 4 point dog.

2001 and 2002 OU was a field goal dog.


OU won all 3.



However, the HIGHEST RATED team in the polls has won every year but 2008.

[KantoSooner]

Think its mor like a French Military deal. They so dayum MAD they just gonna throw down their weapons and go home .

Yes, that may be. But remember, we're talking escalation here. Surrender is the first, and last, option of the French military. Well, technically it's followed by "collaboration", but I quibble.

[8timechamps]

What some may have missed whilst getting ready to celebrate a program-crushing victory over the whorns, perhaps sa*et's close game vs. ISU is less about their abilities, particularly on defense than that they may have spent the week before practicing to stop OUr offense, not Paul Rhoad's . . .

That's a myth Jacie. Teams don't practice for an opponent they play in two weeks, unless they're on a bye. That may have been true back in the Switzer days, but nowadays, especially in the Big XII, things are too complex to take time away from preparation for the next opponent.

Then there's the fact that Texas isn't good enough to take time away from the ISU game plan even if they wanted to, as the results showed.

Texas is really just not good.

[8timechamps]

If we can't beat the whorns convincingly with Derp at QB then coaches and players will deserve the scorn they'll get from the CFB media.
This game is a no-win situation for us. Hammer them as we did in last couple of years and the national perception will be "yawn" Texass sucks. Barely beat them or lose, and they'll say we're over-rated.
Hopefully we'll jump on them early and this game will be over by halftime.
The variable imo is the Nelson injury. In 2008 (the Shipley TD KO return) we were up something like 21-3 or 21 to 7 and let them back in the game by giving up that return. Then Ryan Reynolds goes down and we can't stop them, and couldn't catch a break after he went down. Travis Lewis had a couple of late hit OB penalties on Colt McCoy (Colt deserved a CFB oscar award for both of those), the we just flat dropped a sure pick in the EZ and they got 3 which started their final run.
Both Reynolds and Nelson were our defense equivalent of a QB. However, if Nelson has to go down, it's better, imo, that it happened last week, so his replacement (Alexander or Franklin) will get up to speed with a week of snaps.
If Nelson didn't have the injury and played the whole game against Texas, I think we would have a pretty good chance to skunk them this year.

If we were in the top 5, looking to move up to the #1 spot, that may be true. Right now, it doesn't matter.

All OU needs to do is keep winning. I know it's cliche, but if they do that, the rankings will take care of themselves.

The benefit of this being one of the biggest rivalry games is that most of the media knows anything really can happen. So, a close win over Texas isn't going to surprise too many folks.

[BoulderSooner79]

If we were in the top 5, looking to move up to the #1 spot, that may be true. Right now, it doesn't matter.

All OU needs to do is keep winning. I know it's cliche, but if they do that, the rankings will take care of themselves.

The benefit of this being one of the biggest rivalry games is that most of the media knows anything really can happen. So, a close win over Texas isn't going to surprise too many folks.

Especially after a close win over TCU.

One thing not mentioned in this thread is that the horns are probably the most potent offense we've faced so far. Not by a lot, but I would rate them higher than ND. Our defense will need to force some mistakes (I think they will) and the offense will need to continue to be efficient (I believe this as well).

[8timechamps]

Especially after a close win over TCU.

One thing not mentioned in this thread is that the horns are probably the most potent offense we've faced so far. Not by a lot, but I would rate them higher than ND. Our defense will need to force some mistakes (I think they will) and the offense will need to continue to be efficient (I believe this as well).

They are the best offense we've faced to date. They are probably the best over-all in talent too.

The one thing I'll add is that their running game has really on come on in the past game or two. Prior to that, they weren't very effective running the ball, so I think they've tried to commit to that a little more.

Another thing that hasn't been mentioned is the numerous injuries Texas has been hit with this year. Injuries happen to every team throughout the year, but Texas appears to have taken our place as the most injured in the conference.

[OU_Sooners75]

Keep in mind, only once since Stoops and Brown have been going head to head, has the team favored to win, lost the game. That was 2008.

And as I see it, Texas has no where near the team they did in 2008.

Um.....no.

In 2000, OU was a 4 point dog.

2001 and 2002 OU was a field goal dog.


OU won all 3.



However, the HIGHEST RATED team in the polls has won every year but 2008.

Yeah it was the higher ranked team but 2008. Thanks.

[Okie35]

Texas will com fired up. Then lose focus.

It's happened the last two. I think it'll be close unless Texas turns over the ball early. The fact both teams will try to establish a run game will be the reason it stays close. By close we win by 14-10 points.

[Okie35]

Especially after a close win over TCU.

One thing not mentioned in this thread is that the horns are probably the most potent offense we've faced so far. Not by a lot, but I would rate them higher than ND. Our defense will need to force some mistakes (I think they will) and the offense will need to continue to be efficient (I believe this as well).

Rees is better than McCoy. ND has a better TE and TJ jones is better than mike Davis (NFL wise) ... Atkinson is about as good as Gray but the Texas running backs are deeper. Anyway, they'll have to throw to beat us and it's not happening. I think their run game will be contained.

[8timechamps]

Rees is better than McCoy. ND has a better TE and TJ jones is better than mike Davis (NFL wise) ... Atkinson is about as good as Gray but the Texas running backs are deeper. Anyway, they'll have to throw to beat us and it's not happening. I think their run game will be contained.

You may be right Okie35, but the NFL guys consider Rees much better than McCoy, and they absolutely are in love with Mike Davis. Both were considered better players than their Notre Dame counterparts coming out of high school too. As for Jonathan Gray, he was considered much, much better out of high school, and I think he's a better back than Atkinson, but he's playing behind a very mediocre line, and for a coach who can't stay with a running game plan. I really wanted Gray to come to OU, but that obviously didn't happen. I would concur that ND beats Texas at the TE spot and the O-line.

[cleller]

The foregone conclusion that the whorns are gonna be stomped is like nothing I've ever seen this year. Across the board agreement from Soonerfans to Shaggy Bevo, to the media.

Sure looks like the likely scenario, but that kind of stuff spooks me when it comes to college football. Having Mike Stoops on the sidelines calms me, though.

[OU_Sooners75]

Rees is better than McCoy. ND has a better TE and TJ jones is better than mike Davis (NFL wise) ... Atkinson is about as good as Gray but the Texas running backs are deeper. Anyway, they'll have to throw to beat us and it's not happening. I think their run game will be contained.

You may be right Okie35, but the NFL guys consider Rees much better than McCoy, and they absolutely are in love with Mike Davis. Both were considered better players than their Notre Dame counterparts coming out of high school too. As for Jonathan Gray, he was considered much, much better out of high school, and I think he's a better back than Atkinson, but he's playing behind a very mediocre line, and for a coach who can't stay with a running game plan. I really wanted Gray to come to OU, but that obviously didn't happen. I would concur that ND beats Texas at the TE spot and the O-line.


ND beats Texas where it matters most. Scoreboard.

Who's is better?
OL: ND
DL: ND
LB: push
DB: push
QB: ND
RB: UT
WR: ND
TE: ND

Coaching: ND

[BoulderSooner79]

I still think the horn offense is slightly more capable than NDs and thus the best we will have seen so far. Rees was terrible under pressure and threw 2 bad picks against us. Rees was also lost when they got behind late in the game. Davis is more dangerous than any ND receiver. Obviously, ND has a much better defense and is a better team overall.