Texas Tech vs. Iowa State: Keys to the Game
by NM99 on Oct 28, 2011 9:21 PM CDT
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It's amazing how much better the week goes after a win.
Iowa State beat a pretty good Iowa team early in the year. Granted, this was a home game for ISU against their in-state rival, but it just goes to show they are dangerous and not to be overlooked. The Cyclones are young, scrappy, and capable of punching above their weight class. Coming off of a huge win last week, it will be easy for the Red Raiders to still be feeling a little hung over. The coaches indicated early in the week they needed the team to keep their focus in practice. There is not a "gimme" left on our schedule. Texas Tech needs to stay focused. See Rangers in game 6 and 3 blown opportunities to win the series (as I write this, they are down 2-3 in the 5th...grrrr).
The Cyclones have been about a 50/50 run-pass team; however, with Barnett at QB I expect them to run early to help him settle in (he is 19/44 passing on the season) and to try and control the clock. The two leading rushers for the Cyclones, James White and Shonrtelle Johnson, are both sophomores, and both are averaging close to 5 ypc. Look for ISU to test the Tech defensive front. If they have success early, this could hurt later in the game.
For Texas Tech, this is a week to try and get guys that have been injured back in the game and up to speed. We will need them going into the rest of the season. The thing that worries me about this is they could come out cold and flat, letting ISU stick around too long. In the game against KSU, we saw what a series of mistakes can do, and here in the 6th inning I am watching it again.
Key #1: Avoid the let down
This one is obvious, but must be stated. After last week, teams are looking out for us. As a ranked team, a win over Tech is a quality win. To a team trying to avoid the basement and find some way into a bowl following 4 straight losses, it is a must win. Last week, the guys were playing on adrenaline. This week, they need to settle down, act like they've been here before, and take care of business.
Key #2: Stop the run early
Barnett has struggled in limited time. He may be the QB of the future for Iowa State, but I have a feeling they will ease him into the role. That means run a lot. Stopping the run and getting the defense off the field is key. Successfully stopping the run and forcing the Cyclones to beat Tech through the air would be huge. ISU is giving up almost 3 sacks a game. This could be a field day for Scott Smith.
Key #3: Establish the ground game
What? Did I just type that? Yes I did. Iowa State is giving up more yards rushing than even Tech (though slightly fewer ypc). Force them to commit to stop us up front, and Doege will be able to pick the clean. I would love to see some play action work.
7th inning. TIme for a rally.
Wreck 'em.
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No Washing Machine tonight damn it. Weekend is not off to a good start.
I want to see Doege stay within himself just like he did against OU and pass for 400 yards
I want to see Crawford and Washingto power and slahsing their way to 150 yards rushing
I want to see Russian Coffee Defense continue to improve
I want to see TT go for it on fourth down and do not on side kick under any circumtances
"I feel sorry for the guys," Tech head coach Tommy Tuberville said. "They fought hard tonight. We didn't look good on offense or defense at times, and at times we looked pretty good. It's just, I don't know. Weird game.
Rangers lose
As NM99 said, you cannot take anything for granted. This Tech team is still wet behind the ears, so getting them back up after the emotional win over the Sooners will be a chore for the coaches, as well as the players.
Key #4. Don’t let them socialize with their “fat little girlfriends.”
Key #5. Protect the QB. ISU will bring the heat because that is all they can hope for right now.
Key #6. Complete a couple of deep balls early, then run it and chunk it down their throats for a quarter.
Key #7. For me, this would be a great game to re-introduce Mrs. Daniels and Amaro on offense, Mr. Mackey on defense.
Easy recipe. But, not easily done if unprepared.
Some of us need this win to erase the tough loss by those Rangers, especially after their missed opportunities last night.
TTpilk
"Never, never, never give up." Winston Churchill
Agreed
Around here football is bigger than the state of Texas!
by Distant Raider on Oct 29, 2011 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Go for it on 4th every time if we are between the 20s
force the O to make it and/or force our D to stop ISU on short fields. If Doege knows he has 4 downs he will make the right decisions.
I would love to see a team do this. This would be a great time to put it to the test.
go for it on 4th down
Any time we’re on their side of our own 35… And you’ll have my vote.
by MDRaider06 on Oct 28, 2011 11:25 PM CDT via iPhone app reply actions
Run the same offense we ran last week
That was a thing of beauty. Call it NASCAR, call it the spread, call it Air Raid. I’m OK with whatever Brown wants it called as long as he keeps calling the plays the way he did against Oklahoma. We win tomorrow and then we win out.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
by mbrown603 on Oct 28, 2011 11:50 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
There were a ton of plays that worked against OU that won’t work with Iowa. With OU, we took advantage of their super agressive defense. I don’t think we will see another defense like OU’s . We have to treat this game like Nevada, Texas state minus the horrible special teams. Our passing game should Excel. We need to continue to throw deep. But they need to take out Moore if he is not 100%. Last week he was like 0 for 6. Franks or swindall should be able to help.
"Running in place will never get you the same results as running from a lion."
- most interesting man in the world
by Techcuz on Oct 29, 2011 8:01 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Want to see a pop the clutch step on it Raider start..
The fact is Paul Rhodes watched that game film from Oklahoma a minimum of 20 times this week and we will see a concerted effort to stuff up our draw play and shut off the screen to the wide receivers. Like Kansas they will run zone read early, then switch to play action passes to take advantage of the linebackers creeping up to the line of scrimmage. To win this game Iowa states needs what we had last week the perfect half preferably like KSU the second half. Expect them to defer if they win the coin toss. Rhodes stayed within 5 points of Nebraska 2 years ago and nearly knocked them off and that’s the recipe.. playing for the threat of overtime and kicking the winning FG with no time left on the clock for a Raider drive.. Above all else Tuberville/Neal Brown needs this to be a Raider imposed 2 plus score stern chase from the beginning force as other s have noted the Cyclones to throw and dink and dunk down the field in 812 play increments. Maximum chances for Porter, Davis and Vest to get a pass break up and or Mackey, Hyder and Scot Smith to drag down the Freshmen QB (btw we played our worst defensive game this year versus a Nevada freshman QB ..Russian Coffee beware I know you know just saying..) The Clones two running backs must be kept to their average no more than 4 and a half yards a pop. We must live defensively for third and longish…3 plus yards. This is the game where a Raider special teams explosion would be a big assist providing good to excellent field position to tighten up the Clones defenders so their excellent Line backers don’t get to zero in on Crawford and D. Washington. They won’t allow the draw this week folks. There will be a lot of manhandling of wide outs on the line of scrimmage by the D hacks. It might present an opportunity for a few Doege keepers and RB jail breaks..I smell a fast clock burning game ala Bill Snyder. Tech must get a couple of turnovers per half..step on the gas. Go Baby Go!
"do routine things routinely"
meant ..8 to 12 play increments..
"do routine things routinely"
by centexraider on Oct 29, 2011 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions
keys to game
No beating ourselves
No punting
No Special teams mistakes.
No turnovers
Stop the run!
"Running in place will never get you the same results as running from a lion."
- most interesting man in the world
by Techcuz on Oct 29, 2011 7:49 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
++++Karma
Staying positive on this beautiful day. Hope everyone has a good one. Wreck em Tech!
Teach me how to Doege teach me teach me how to Doege!!!
by ChippaDip on Oct 29, 2011 10:06 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Key #1: Avoid the let down
We all will agree that the coaches are always accountable. But this is really on the team leadership, seniors, qb, and linebackers. Team captains. I read nice words from the players about how much they are team, how much they care about each other, this is a test of that.
Key #2: Stop the run early
I want to see Q and Danny Cobb at linebacker again, they played run as well as any one I remember in a long time.
Key #3: Establish the ground game
I won’t agree here, I want downfield passes again if there is room given by ISU’s d, mid range passes again, Air Raid those clones silly….!!! 40% run is more than enough, but it needs to average about 5 yards and we need about 100 plays. So the run game would look good, healthy. Give the next opponent something to worry about.
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
I think we are saying the same thing
about the run game. Not calling for 70% run. Just a healthy dose to keep them on their heals and make sure that they are tired in the 4th quarter.
Play to Win!
Be aggressive. Go for it on fourth down between the forties and depending on the score inside the opponent’s forty. Be aggressive. Play to win. Believe in the offense’s ability to score touchdowns.
Throw deep. Throw often. Throw for 500 yards. Texas Tech lives by the pass and dies by the pass. Run when you can and run tough. Run for 200 yards if you can. Crawford and Washington must make opponent’s defenses pay for selling out in defending the pass. Tech’s offense can’t settle for scoring 35 points. Tech’s offense must score 40 to beat any quality opponent and Iowa State is a quality opponent. Rhoads is an excellent coach and he’s going to be Iowa State’s coach for a long time. He is where he wants to be.Iowa State is an improving program. The Big 12 is going to be a bitch even in the future with A&M and Missouri leaving.
Tech’s defense must play tough against the run. Tech’s defense must improve. If Texas Tech is ever going to win the Big 12, the defense must become a force equal to the offense. Tech beat OU because the defense had six straight 3 and outs. Without that defensive effort, OU beats Tech. The defense also needs to creat turnovers. At a minimum, Tech must create as many turnovers as the team otherwise loses. Lose the turnover battle, lose the game.
Special teams can’t make mistakes or give up big plays. Play smart and play like your hair is on fire! Ben McRoy, stay on your feet and run as fast as God made you. Your speed is a beautiful thing and we are all rooting for you to score. Take advantage of some offensive plays to deliver as well.
Every Division 1 team is a different team from week to week (the one thing Lou Holtz says where he is 100% right) and you only get twelve games to play a year (Leach was great at this math), unless you get to a Bowl. Every game can be your last, also (see injury reports for every BCS team). Play hard. Play to win. Strive for honor.
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