Preseason is Over
by LondonRaider
on Sep 21, 2008 1:15 PM CDT
Looking ahead to our next few games, I’m feeling alot better this week than I was after the Nevada game.
It’s never 100% accurate to look at how your competition fared and extrapolate those results to how you might might play against the same teams, but nevertheless, I’ve always found it to be a useful indicator.
Missouri’s dismantling of Nevada still greatly concerns me, especially considering our struggles against Nevada’s inexperienced defense. Our defense surrendered 488 yards to Nevada, while Missouri’ defense allowed 362 yard. Fortunately, we won’t be playing Missouri until the Big 12 Championship game, and even Missouri is capable of having a bad day (see this week’s Buffalo game).
Kansas State lost badly to Louisville this week. Their three touchdowns, however, came on 50+ yard passing plays, so our defense will have to be sharp. We’ve shown a weakness against the big play in our first two games, and I hope we’ve gotten better in this respect.
Nebraska has done nothing to impress me just yet – pedestrian wins versus Western Michigan, San Jose State and New Mexico State. Let’s see how they do against Virginia Tech next week, before we’re really able to say anything (you might same the same thing about us, but I’d like to believe we’re a much better team).
Texas A&M just looks awful. I don’t think we’re looking at a ‘Norman Dale at Hoosiers turnaround scenario’ . They remind me a lot more of Notre Dame and Charlie Weiss.
Finally, Kansas lost a tough one to South Florida. But this week, South Florida beat Florida International (hey, didn’t we hang 70 on those guys recently?) by a paltry 17-9. Although I am still convinced that Kansas will suffer a big drop off this season, Kansas looks more beatable to me than they did a couple of weeks ago.
If we play to our potential, I think we’ve got a legitimate shot at 8-0 heading into the Texas game, but now we’re playing against ‘real’ teams, so let’s hope a lot of the kinks have been worked out of the offense (I thought the earlier post on the route running problems by the inside receivers was really interesting).
Let’s also be honest, our defense remains a big question mark. Even though they’ve played well against SMU and UMass (I would characterize the perfomance against Nevada as ‘gutsy’, but that’s different than being dominating or even solid), I don’t think we know enough still.
Go Red Raiders. Stay focused!!
(I posted this in another section, but I am not sure if it got posted, so sorry for the duplicate)
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Double-T Nation's writers or editors.
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Thru 4 weeks:
I would say we are right where I want us. 4-0, with no games being really close. Yes, the Nevada game was intense, but it was a tough road game and we came out on top without playing very well whatsoever. I don’t think you can really relate what Mizzou did against Nevada and what we did against Nevada, only because we went to Nevada where I’m sure they play tons better than on the road in Columbia.
There is nothing to be worried about to me. Graham was struggling, but he has bounced back and been really sharp the last 2 weeks. Our offensive line has been dinged up, but with this bye week they should all be as close to 100% as possible. Even being dinged up, they have only given up 1 sack in 4 games which is impressive with a healthy O-line. The receivers have been pretty good, but I would like to see more concentration as there have been several drops and fumbles that come to mind. Our biggest and most pleasant surprise is the running game. We are averaging 146.5 rushing yards per game which is awesome!! Woods and Batch have been great and I hope that Leach will continue to stick with the running game because we have some really talented backs that will make plays if given the chance.
On defense, we are pretty solid. Our defensive line has been very good. It appears that we finally have the depth to hang with some teams with a good rushing attack. The linebackers have been a pleasant surprise and have done a good job helping with the run and the pass. The secondary was torched the first 2 weeks, but since then have made HUGE plays, and really been on lockdown. That is a great sign going into conference.
The only real concern for me is the kicking game. Carona looks like he has a lot of potential but has been less than stellar in his first 4 games. I don’t mind the occasional missed FG, but we need the extra points to be automatic. That is something that could really come back to bite us if we cannot get the kinks worked out and we find ourselves in a tight game (and I’m sure we will).
All in all, I love where we are right now. We have just made it into #10 in the AP polls, and nobody is giving us ANY love. The media hasn’t said a word about us. This is ok. As long as we keep winning and keep improving, I am ok with the media bias against what we have going this year. If we are winning big 12 games and keep playing well, we will start getting the recognition that we deserve. Flying under the radar is fine with me, but we have to take every game very seriously, because the level of competition will most definately be bumped up a notch starting in 2 weeks at K-State.
liquidsmoke
by liquidsmoke on Sep 21, 2008 9:24 PM CDT 0 recs
hey liquidsmoke.....
you do know its not only Coach Leach that makes the decision to continue with the run right….. Some part is Coach Leach relying on his QB….. If Harrell sees something in the defense, he will adjust the offense for either the run or a pitch out to one of the backs. Harrell needs to have that credit for making some of those run plays work out the way they have been doing this season. Wow, this season is going to be something else…. Tech can pass with accuracy, can run with determination and the D is making a statement this early in the season. All they need to do is get the kicker consistant ;-P
by txt3ch6uy on Sep 22, 2008 1:12 AM CDT 0 recs
In the post-game presser after UMass, Woods and Batch said that while Harrell is in fact checking down to more run audibles more often, it’s largely because Coach Leach is sending in more runs in the check-down packages, especially in 3rd-and-short situations. It’s good that Harrell has that trust in his teammates, and Leach in his backs, that they aren’t limiting themselves to quick crossing routes or slants on every short-yardage play.
Woods also half-joked that he yells at Harrell to switch to a run on almost every play.
After all is said and done, more is said than done.
by ayleein on
Sep 22, 2008 6:07 PM CDT
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