I wish Heupel would apply for the SMU job...

[Tear Down This Wall]

...and get it because Stoops ain't even gonna fire him.

[okiewaker]

I thot he was waiting for HCBS to retire?

[Widescreen]

If you want Norvell to be OC then go ahead and wish that.

[AzianSooner]

your wishes will be extended to the next OC, and the next OC after that, and the next one after that.

You might just don't know what you wish for.... so be careful.

I remember we fan want to hang Mangino, Chuck Long, Wilson... and a few more...... We human just want to hang Jesus... so no surprise there.

I hope things will change dramatically for OU. So far, I recognize why OU has been pushed for a better WR corp by inact the WR from Mizzou transfer. They knew!!!

[olevetonahill]

Some people are just idiots.

[Curly Bill]

Some people are just idiots.

This is true, but it doesn't include people that want Heupel gone.

I was someone that wanted Kevin Wilson's fat a** to hit the road, and Heupel to get the job.

I'm still glad Kevin Wilson's fat a** is gone, but Heupel wasn't and isn't the answer.

[yermom]

are the other receivers just that bad?

[Eielson]

I'm not fond of Heupel, but in all of Stoops' years, I think we've spent about 2 years not complaining about the OC's.

[Curly Bill]

I'm not fond of Heupel, but in all of Stoops' years, I think we've spent about 2 years not complaining about the OC's.

So, Bob's the problem?

Hell, I'm good with that! I don't know if he's the problem or not, but he's not exactly looking like the solution.

[EatLeadCommie]

I'm not fond of Heupel, but in all of Stoops' years, I think we've spent about 2 years not complaining about the OC's.

Yep, and one of them was his first year in 1999.

I've been very patient with Josh. He was trying to toughen us up in the trenches and do some stuff with a power running game that I appreciated. And now the pieces are in place and we're back to running Kevin Wilson finesse sets and limiting our QB's options. I was so stoked after the Alabama game last year thinking that we had finally turned a corner and he was gonna change the offense toward that (note that the offense against Bama was completely different from anything Josh had done before). But nope. It was back to the drawing board this year.

[BoulderSooner79]

I didn't see how the Bama game was so different. It certainly wasn't a power running approach - did we get 100 yards? It wasn't TK doing the option read. It was TK dropping back in the pocket and hitting WRs when they got open. We didn't get a bunch of yards on the ground, but we got some critical ones due to pure force of will from Clay. We did stretch the field more than usual and TK hit them perfectly. I think the biggest key to success was that Bama was expecting a run first game plan with TK using the zone read a lot, but we crossed them up by turning TK loose with his *arm*. That and execution.

[yermom]

Yep, and one of them was his first year in 1999.

I've been very patient with Josh. He was trying to toughen us up in the trenches and do some stuff with a power running game that I appreciated. And now the pieces are in place and we're back to running Kevin Wilson finesse sets and limiting our QB's options. I was so stoked after the Alabama game last year thinking that we had finally turned a corner and he was gonna change the offense toward that (note that the offense against Bama was completely different from anything Josh had done before). But nope. It was back to the drawing board this year.

we went 7-5 in '99, about like Tech did most years under Leach. i think the only reason we were happy was that 2000 hadn't happened yet, and we hadn't finished above .500 in quite a while.

not to say the transition wasn't needed, or that Leach didn't have a positive effect on our offense, but he kept the defense on the field a lot...

OC's have a short shelf life with the fans here :)

Mangino only took a year after winning #7 to become a donkey everyone was happy to see go to Kansas after Josh left.

[Widescreen]

I think there's a disconnect between the fans and the coaches regarding what's happening on the field. The coaches typically blame execution and the fans typically blame the game plan (and thus the OC/DC). The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. The thing that really rubs the fans the wrong way is the assumption that the game plan was pristine but was blown up by the players. This is tough to swallow when you look at certain games (like last year's Texas game) where it is so obvious the game plan was a complete turd. e.g. "We're not going to commit to the run against one of the worst run defenses in the nation because that's just what they'd expect us to do".

[SoonerPride]

For the life of me I can't understand why no one seems upset that our defense is terrible.

[TheUnnamedSooner]

Kevin Wilson had one of the highest scoring offenses of all time and people couldn't wait to show him the door.

[SoonerPride]

Kevin Wilson had one of the highest scoring offenses of all time and people couldn't wait to show him the door.

OU fans by and large are idiots.

That should be evident by now.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

For the life of me I can't understand why no one seems upset that our defense is terrible.

Because everyone who ached for Mike Stoops to come back does not want to go there.

Not saying it's his fault, but it's the nature of people..A coach you like gets a pass.

[EatLeadCommie]

I didn't see how the Bama game was so different. It certainly wasn't a power running approach - did we get 100 yards? It wasn't TK doing the option read. It was TK dropping back in the pocket and hitting WRs when they got open. We didn't get a bunch of yards on the ground, but we got some critical ones due to pure force of will from Clay. We did stretch the field more than usual and TK hit them perfectly. I think the biggest key to success was that Bama was expecting a run first game plan with TK using the zone read a lot, but we crossed them up by turning TK loose with his *arm*. That and execution.

It was the right game plan for Bama. Not saying that it applies to every game we ever play, but it was a breath of fresh air. We moved TK in the pocket. We ran him. And of course, he made big plays when he had to. We also ran some very odd offensive formations, the likes of which I hadn't seen since Heupel was taking snaps.

[EatLeadCommie]

Because everyone who ached for Mike Stoops to come back does not want to go there.

Not saying it's his fault, but it's the nature of people..A coach you like gets a pass.

We also know that Mike isn't going anywhere and that the D has still improved leaps and bounds from where it was under Venables. Still, we are seeing the same lapses in the secondary that we saw in the tail end of Mike's first go-round at OU. I'm not seeing systemic problems like we had under Venables, though.

[SoonerorLater]

For the life of me I can't understand why no one seems upset that our defense is terrible.

This is purely speculation on my part but I think the reason people don't think they are terrible is because they aren't.

[SoonerPride]

For the life of me I can't understand why no one seems upset that our defense is terrible.

This is purely speculation on my part but I think the reason people don't think they are terrible is because they aren't.

Sure fooled me the last two weeks.

[olevetonahill]

I dont want ANYONE fired or to take another job.

I want The whole dayum bunch to Dig in and remember the fire they had in their eyes and Guts they had when Coach Stoops 1st took over.

I would HATE to have to start over again

[rock on sooner]

I dont want ANYONE fired or to take another job.

I want The whole dayum bunch to Dig in and remember the fire they had in their eyes and Guts they had when Coach Stoops 1st took over.

I would HATE to have to start over again

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

However, at some point Heupel will need to "season" himself before he can
run the OU program....:cheerful:

[SoonerorLater]

Sure fooled me the last two weeks.

Without the defense scoring a touchdown last week we would now be 4-2. As of now we have the number 42 ranked defense (21.5 points allowed) in the country while we have to this point played the 12th toughest schedule (per Sagarin). So this isn't a terrible defense. As a matter of fact the numbers suggest an above average defense.

[Eielson]

This is purely speculation on my part but I think the reason people don't think they are terrible is because they aren't.

I think that's some pretty solid speculation.

[SoonerPride]

Sure fooled me the last two weeks.

Without the defense scoring a touchdown last week we would now be 4-2. As of now we have the number 42 ranked defense (21.5 points allowed) in the country while we have to this point played the 12th toughest schedule (per Sagarin). So this isn't a terrible defense. As a matter of fact the numbers suggest an above average defense.

Texas has a terrible offense and a very good defense.

TCU has an ok offense and a very good defense.

I can kind of excuse our offense the last two weeks due to the level of competition but it is hard to excuse a defense that constantly allows long 3rd down conversions to average and mediocre offenses.

[EatLeadCommie]

Texas has a terrible offense and a very good defense.

TCU has an ok offense and a very good defense.

I can kind of excuse our offense the last two weeks due to the level of competition but it is hard to excuse a defense that constantly allows long 3rd down conversions to average and mediocre offenses.

I wouldn't have a problem with the offense performing poorly if I didn't know what was coming on every play. It's one thing to call a good gameplan and have the defense just have your number. It's another to have a crappy gameplan and get stymied because of it.

[OUmillenium]

I think we feel frustrated when, as fans, we have a general understanding of OU's strengths/weaknesses on offense and defense as well as the opponents strengths/weaknesses but the coaching staff has other ideas that...
1.don't seem to attempt to exploit what we see
2.fail repeatedly
3.then tend to blame said failures on the players

[SoonerorLater]

Texas has a terrible offense and a very good defense.

TCU has an ok offense and a very good defense.

I can kind of excuse our offense the last two weeks due to the level of competition but it is hard to excuse a defense that constantly allows long 3rd down conversions to average and mediocre offenses.

How can we have a terrible defense and Texas have "a very good defense" when we are giving up almost exactly the same amount of points per game (21.3 vs 21.5)?

How can TCU have "an OK offense and a very good defense" when they are the number 3 team in the county in scoring and number 52 in defense (23 points allowed) ? It looks like TCU has an excellent offense and an average to a little better than average defense.

[soonerboomer]

Whether you like Heupel calling the plays or not, Heupel applying and accepting the SMU job is a "no" winner. It will take years to turn the ponies around. SMU is overshadowed by TCU locally, OU and OSU up north, and Baylor, Texas, and Texas A&M down south.

[BlownGP]

Texas has a terrible offense and a very good defense.

TCU has an ok offense and a very good defense.

I can kind of excuse our offense the last two weeks due to the level of competition but it is hard to excuse a defense that constantly allows long 3rd down conversions to average and mediocre offenses.

I guess you didn't what TCU did too Baylor? Baylor I though had a better D than us..
That game made us look VERY good.

And without TKs pick 6 in the TCU game. We would have won....We can play this game all day..lol

[cherokeebrewer]

Whether you like Heupel calling the plays or not, Heupel applying and accepting the SMU job is a "no" winner. It will take years to turn the ponies around.

It's already taken years and I have doubts that it can ever be done. June Jones may have been their last best hope...

[LakeRat]

Sure fooled me the last two weeks.

When your offense has 1 first down in the first half... I expect the defense to be on the field for more plays. This results in more yards, more points and more mental busts. Not saying they were good, just that they were better than they were BM(before Mike). Defense didn't play as well as they had the first 4 weeks of the year and had way to many mental busts, they just make a lot less than BM.

As far as the offense against Bama, it helps when Trevor hits throws and receivers catch the ball. If he makes a good throw to shephard on 2nd down and doesn't skip it, if Young catches the ball on 3rd, if Trevor doesn't overthrow Shephard over the middle, then our offense stays on the field and we look a whole lot better.

Against Bama he was making these plays and you had receivers coming up with spectacular catches. Cant remember the receiver over the middle against bama on a huge 3rd (number 12 I think), and you had Saunders make the spectacular catch in the endzone.

If we make a few plays and convert the easy ones, it makes Josh look a lot better.

[SoonerForLife92]

Texas has a terrible offense and a very good defense.

TCU has an ok offense and a very good defense.

I can kind of excuse our offense the last two weeks due to the level of competition but it is hard to excuse a defense that constantly allows long 3rd down conversions to average and mediocre offenses.

It's hard to excuse an offense that constantly fails on 3rd down conversions and refuses to change up the run game, giving the defense absolutely no help all game. Our offense is absolutely INEXCUSABLE. Our defense is above average besides horrendous safety play

[8timechamps]

For the life of me I can't understand why no one seems upset that our defense is terrible.

Maybe because they're not?

The defense is fine. The past two weeks we made some very uncharacteristic mistakes. That wasn't showing up the first few games of the season, and has a lot to do with inexperience at safety.

There's also the issue with the defense being on the field so long. Against Texas, we put the defense on the field for almost 40 of the 60 minutes. That's entirely too long, and you're not going to win many games like that.

This defense is good enough to win the conference, and possibly a title. However, the coaches/players must correct some mental issues and the offense must keep them off the field so much.

[bmjlr]

I think the Defense can be great again if only the OFFENSE would help!! Countless three and outs after long Texas drives had them gassed. Heck, Texas started off with a long drive that took up almost half the first quarter. They hold them to a field goal, and then (not complaining), but a kickoff return, and the Defense was back out there. Too many three and out's and the Defense never gets a break. I think we all have witnessed that before.

[EatLeadCommie]

How can we have a terrible defense and Texas have "a very good defense" when we are giving up almost exactly the same amount of points per game (21.3 vs 21.5)?

How can TCU have "an OK offense and a very good defense" when they are the number 3 team in the county in scoring and number 52 in defense (23 points allowed) ? It looks like TCU has an excellent offense and an average to a little better than average defense.

TCU's numbers are kind of jacked up after the last Baylor game.

[jkjsooner]

Kevin Wilson had one of the highest scoring offenses of all time and people couldn't wait to show him the door.

I don't think you understand. The guy behind me had a daughter who could predict every play that Wilson ran. He also knew that a call was bad as soon as it blew up. He just happened to know that it was going to blow up ahead of time.

;-)

[jkjsooner]

It was the right game plan for Bama. Not saying that it applies to every game we ever play, but it was a breath of fresh air. We moved TK in the pocket. We ran him. And of course, he made big plays when he had to. We also ran some very odd offensive formations, the likes of which I hadn't seen since Heupel was taking snaps.

But had TK thrown a bunch of interceptions everyone would have been crucifying Heupel. You can't possibly argue that that wouldn't have been the case.

It's another example of pointing to the results and using that to praise or criticize the game plan.

I happen to think that it was a good plan because it was our only chance to be competitive. We were lucky it worked out but we had to take that chance.

When you're favored you don't have that luxury. It would be stupid to completely mix up the game plan when you are the better team.

It is true that the college football game is a chess match. No coach wins the chess match 100% of the time. That is simply an impossibility. Some may win games almost 100% of the time but that's because they have superior athletes.

Just look at LSU and Alabama when they played for the national title. Saban didn't have the greatest game plan on the first game. It was way too conservative. He got outcoached in the game. He turned around and opened the offense up and the second game was a completely different story. Great job by Saban but he was lucky to have another shot at it.

[8timechamps]

But had TK thrown a bunch of interceptions everyone would have been crucifying Heupel. You can't possibly argue that that wouldn't have been the case.

It's another example of pointing to the results and using that to praise or criticize the game plan.

I happen to think that it was a good plan because it was our only chance to be competitive. We were lucky it worked out but we had to take that chance.

When you're favored you don't have that luxury. It would be stupid to completely mix up the game plan when you are the better team.

It is true that the college football game is a chess match. No coach wins the chess match 100% of the time. That is simply an impossibility. Some may win games almost 100% of the time but that's because they have superior athletes.

Just look at LSU and Alabama when they played for the national title. Saban didn't have the greatest game plan on the first game. It was way too conservative. He got outcoached in the game. He turned around and opened the offense up and the second game was a completely different story. Great job by Saban but he was lucky to have another shot at it.

Well said.

I was thinking about Kirby Smart today (the Alabama D-coordinator). A couple of years ago, he was universally (among fans) considered the best defensive coordinator in the game. He was consistently a rumored candidate anytime a head coaching job became available. Then...the 2013 Iron Bowl happened...followed by the 2013/14 Sugar Bowl. I remember reading comments from Bama fans about getting rid of Smart (or similar comments). All because Bama was on a two game losing streak (the first in years).

It's funny how the mob operates.

[BoulderSooner79]

The OC has the job that every fan wants (or think they want). It is the video game-ish control point. He who has possession of the console controls the game. What the fans don't want is to face the media and fans on Monday when their game plan/play calling doesn't pan out.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

I need to back track a bit..I don't think the defense is terrible..I just don't think they are as good as most people feel..It's a feast or famine defense. And they are still having to work out kinks that I at this point I figured were taken care of. Some of my opinion comes from what I see and part from listening to the radio broadcasts and hearing what Johnson, Dvoracek, and Lehman are saying.

And the inability to get off the field on 3rd down is not the mark of a bad offense, it's unsound defense..

Again, not saying they are terrible, but they just aren't what people seem to think they are.

[8timechamps]

I need to back track a bit..I don't think the defense is terrible..I just don't think they are as good as most people feel..It's a feast or famine defense. And they are still having to work out kinks that I at this point I figured were taken care of. Some of my opinion comes from what I see and part from listening to the radio broadcasts and hearing what Johnson, Dvoracek, and Lehman are saying.

And the inability to get off the field on 3rd down is not the mark of a bad offense, it's unsound defense..

Again, not saying they are terrible, but they just aren't what people seem to think they are.

I don't think anyone is saying they are great.

The problems are all mental/execution. None of it is talent, which is a big step up from issues we've seen in past years. The fact that they are mental/execution means they are all fixable. The question is whether or not that happens.

[rock on sooner]

I don't think anyone is saying they are great.

The problems are all mental/execution. None of it is talent, which is a big step up from issues we've seen in past years. The fact that they are mental/execution means they are all fixable. The question is whether or not that happens.

Execution, execution, execution...kinda like location in real estate...you
know the boys have been coached/taught and are good athletes, for some
dayum reason, there are brain cramps/farts/checkouts and it bites us. Can
the boys hit? Hellyeah! Can they run? Hellyeah! Can they tackle? Ummmm?
Have seen a bunch of "run through arm tackles" kinda thing....

[SicEmBaylor]

I'm kind of astonished we've been able to keep Phillip Montgomery.

[BlownGP]

Well said.

I was thinking about Kirby Smart today (the Alabama D-coordinator). A couple of years ago, he was universally (among fans) considered the best defensive coordinator in the game. He was consistently a rumored candidate anytime a head coaching job became available. Then...the 2013 Iron Bowl happened...followed by the 2013/14 Sugar Bowl. I remember reading comments from Bama fans about getting rid of Smart (or similar comments). All because Bama was on a two game losing streak (the first in years).

It's funny how the mob operates.

How do you think there feeling now?
Frustrated I tell ya.... haaha

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/nick-saban-alabama-press-conference

[SoonerPride]

Well said.

I was thinking about Kirby Smart today (the Alabama D-coordinator). A couple of years ago, he was universally (among fans) considered the best defensive coordinator in the game. He was consistently a rumored candidate anytime a head coaching job became available. Then...the 2013 Iron Bowl happened...followed by the 2013/14 Sugar Bowl. I remember reading comments from Bama fans about getting rid of Smart (or similar comments). All because Bama was on a two game losing streak (the first in years).

It's funny how the mob operates.

How do you think there feeling now?
Frustrated I tell ya.... haaha

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/10/nick-saban-alabama-press-conference

Contrast Saban's whine fest with Stoops' radio show last night. Asked about criticism after beating Texas. He said "that's Oklahoma football, baby!"

Then the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

He went on to say he'd rather be criticized after a win than praised after a loss.

[Tear Down This Wall]

Whether you like Heupel calling the plays or not, Heupel applying and accepting the SMU job is a "no" winner. It will take years to turn the ponies around. SMU is overshadowed by TCU locally, OU and OSU up north, and Baylor, Texas, and Texas A&M down south.

I could care less what SMU does. IF Heupel went down there and went 0-50, I'd be fine with it. I don't care about SMU or Heupel. I'm not an SMU season ticket holder. And, I'm not a Josh Heupel season ticket holder.

I've held season tickets before he ever played a down of college football for us, and I'll be a season ticket holder long after he's gone. SMU and whether Heupel could win there is the furthest thing from my mind.

What I'm not fine with is Perine not getting significant carries until the fourth quarter, and being treated like he's just another back on the roster.

What I'm not fine with is Knight not being able to hit more than 55% of his passes after being here for three years, and not having anyone else to turn to until next spring.

Heupel is the co-offensive coordinator and QB coach. We do this dance every year: We're fine, we're fine, we're fine. Look, we're doing so well. Then...two, three losses later, it's yet another year without challenging for the national title.

And, now, the conference titles are not coming in like before. We're always behind, chasing, hoping this team or that team loses instead of being in control of our own destiny.

(And, that's completely fine if we want to be like Texas Tech...just happy to be included with the big boys because of Texas politics in 1994, and satisfied with mere bowl appearances in any old bowl. But, my assumption is, we aim higher than the slobber droolers in Lubbock.)

If Kansas State beats us this weekend, it's hello battle for the Cotton Bowl or Alamo Bowl. Disgusting. With as many defensive starters as we had returning from last year, this shouldn't be acceptable. And, I think the main culprit is our offense not being able to hold the ball for enough sustained drives to keep our defense from having their as*ses worn out.

[Tear Down This Wall]

Freebie: I'm also not sold on these two new position coaches yet - the OL or DL coach, Bedenbaugh and Montgomery. I don't see them as a step up or even a lateral step from what we had before. Not on the field, and not in recruiting.

Poaching half-as*sed coaches from failing Michigan and average to the nth degree West Virginia. WTF?

[Curly Bill]

Whether you like Heupel calling the plays or not, Heupel applying and accepting the SMU job is a "no" winner. It will take years to turn the ponies around. SMU is overshadowed by TCU locally, OU and OSU up north, and Baylor, Texas, and Texas A&M down south.

Who gives a flying f**k about SMU? Heupel taking the SMU job would be great for OU!

[Sooner Schemer]

It was the right game plan for Bama. Not saying that it applies to every game we ever play, but it was a breath of fresh air. We moved TK in the pocket. We ran him. And of course, he made big plays when he had to. We also ran some very odd offensive formations, the likes of which I hadn't seen since Heupel was taking snaps.
Keep in mind that both Josh and Trevor had much more time to prepare for the Sugar Bowl than they do for a regular-season game. It may be that we're trying to change too much from week to week.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

Well, again, the defense is less than average, but special teams kills.

[Mookie91]

At the beginning of I was told OU would average 39 points a game and be 5-2 I wouldn't be blaming the offense.

[BoulderSooner79]

Well, again, the defense is less than average, but special teams kills.

As bad as we messed up and blew all our times out, I don't think it would have made a difference. I think KSU would just have gotten another first down anyway. Sad.

[SoonerMarkVA]

At the beginning of I was told OU would average 39 points a game and be 5-2 I wouldn't be blaming the offense.

That's because you're apparently sane. Defense started the season like a lion, and is on its way to ending it like a lamb.