Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas Longhorns | Two Reasons to Win and Lose
by Seth C on Nov 3, 2011 11:00 AM CDT
in Texas Tech Football 2011
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PrintTWO REASONS TEXAS TECH WILL WIN
DECEIVING PASS DEFENSE | There's no doubt that the Longhorns can stop the run, boasting the 19th best rush defense in the nation. That's all well and good, but the Longhorns also have the 21st best pass defense and I started to consider the opponent. Of the two Longhorn losses, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St., OU's Landry Jones passsed for 367 yards, 3 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Against OSU, QB Brandon Weeden only passed for 218 yards, 1 touchdown and zero interceptions, but he was helped with 202 yards rushing from his running backs. Essentially, Jones carved up the UT secondary and it wasn't necessary for Weeden to do much damage because UT couldn't stop the OSU running backs. The one thing that I am a bit concerned about is that in both instances, Jones and Weeden only completed about 55% of their passes and I don't think that QB Seth Doege can really afford to complete that low of a percentage of passes and Texas Tech doesn't have the running game of OU or OSU. And not surprisingly, last week, Texas Tech ended their streak of rushing for over 100 yards on the season with only 99 yards against Iowa St. But back to the point, I do think that it's a bit deceiving in looking at the passing numbers for UT as they've played teams at this point in their schedule that really aren't known for passing the ball (Rice, UCLA and Kansas). BYU, OU, and OSU are the exceptions, although BYU is only averaging about 230 yards a game passing and UT allowed a shade under 200 yards against the Cougars.
INEXPERIENCE AT QUARTERBACK | By all accounts, I do think that eventually, QB David Ash is going to be what people thought Garrett Gilbert was supposed to be, which is a quarterback that controls the offense and doesn't try to do too much. Ash is slowly morphing into that as the season progresses and if you haven't seen him play, he has a strong arm a good set of wheels and will be handing the ball off a lot on Saturday. I mentioned this earlier in the week, but it bears repeating, which is that Ash is still inconsistent and that's understandable. In his first game of significant action, he threw 2 touchdown passes and no interceptions, but in the last three games, he's only got one touchdown and five interceptions. It wouldn't surprise me to see the exact same game-plan for UT that Texas Tech employed against OU, which is to make Ash complete the short and intermediate passes and hope that he makes a mistake or two along the way. UT does have a strong running game and it's been pretty consistent for most of the year, save the OU game (only 36 total rushing yards).
Two reasons to lose are after the jump.
TWO REASONS TEXAS TECH WILL LOSE
NOT CONSISTENT ENOUGH | There were so many things that I learned last week, but one of them is that this team lacks consistency. You can chalk it up to young players or a new defensive scheme for two years in a row or whatever, but I think this strikes me more so on the defensive side of the ball than anything else. This isn't to say that the offense didn't fall last week, because they did, but I do think that the offense is more consistent, or have been, over the course of the last two years to lose too much faith. What does bother me is the fact that the defense continues to have problems stopping the run. I do think that a lot of it is personnel and wish there was a bit more size on the defensive line, but even then players need to adhere to the system and play accordingly. Although I joked about what DT Donald Langley said during Monday's press conference (he didn't know who Malcolm Brown was) I think he said that the team needed to do a better job of executing maybe 20 different times and I have no doubt that he's right. The defense didn't play like they played against OU, or even close to resembling that defense. I mentioned after the game that the linebackers looked like they were guessing in large spurts, but the defensive line needs to do a better job of keeping the linebackers clean so they can make plays. I think a large part of this is that the defensive ends need to do a better job of containment and getting a push along the line other than just running up the field. Langley's teammates need to listen to him:
So with our defense, we're a penetrating defense and with our offense and things like that. Really it's execution. I wouldn't say it's a real big problem, I'm just saying we have to execute better, because at the end of the day, when we play each and every Saturday, it's not about the other team. It's about us executing and playing Texas Tech football. So at the end of the day we lost on Saturday, and we didn't execute. So that's really on us. It's not about the other team, it's really us.
LOTS OF REASONS | After watching last week, it wasn't difficult to think of more than just two reasons. The thought that keeps sneaking into my mind is that Iowa St. didn't do anything extraordinary or surprise Texas Tech in any form or fashion. That's not to say that there may not have been some coverages that were different or looks on offense that they may not be accustomed, but the truth of the matter is that Iowa St. just did what they do and I'm afraid that the Longhorns are going to do the same. They're going to just do what they do, which is run the heck out of the ball, be stingy on defense and make every effort to force as many quick three-and-outs for the Texas Tech offense. The encouraging thing is that obviously, Texas Tech is capable of beating UT as I don't think that anyone is proclaiming them to be world-beaters at this point of their rebuilding process, but they're still capable of doing those things that Iowa St. did, as is every team left on the schedule and that's the troubling part.
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Texas Tech
wins because the red and black color scheme outshines white and baby puke orange any day of the week. Choosing the winner by color of the uniform makes as much sense as trying to figure out what the Red Raiders will do.
I hope Tech shows up ready to play Saturday. The program needs to peform like a competitive Big 12 team.
Stopping the run
This whole games will ride on that. Can our defense play like they did against OU and take an early lead? The defense has to contribute in this game for Tech to walk away with a win. Doege needs to get rid of the ball faster and be careful not to force passes when players are covered up. I see this game being a lot like the Tech/A&M game.
"You've got to find your inner pirate" - Mike Leach
Stop the run..?
I think not. This team has not, will not stop the run in 2011. This season has proven that. Not a knock on the D…its just the truth.
Tech Needs to take advantage of opportunities offensively, create a turnover (special teams included), & take care of the ball when they have it.
Dont be surprised if t.u. has 200+ yards rushing. We need to play TT ball.
by TechPrezNB on Nov 3, 2011 11:41 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
We can stop the run...
…once their Offense comes of the field!
Dos mas por favor...dos mas!!
by RGV_REDRAIDER on Nov 3, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
The amount of plays is what worries me more than the number of yards.
Does UT run a lot of plays and keep our defense on the field and our offense off the field?
Sell out on the run.
Make them beat us with big plays….With a young QB that hasn’t shown he can throw the deep ball…make them beat us over the top for big plays. If we can do that we win.
Texas Tech Defense..."60% of the time it works every time."
by I bleed Red and Black on Nov 3, 2011 11:59 AM CDT reply actions
The university "sold out in Dec 09".........that should have been enough
"As we continue to merely "talk about championships""
ZING
Texas Tech Defense..."60% of the time it works every time."
by I bleed Red and Black on Nov 3, 2011 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Imposing your will
The keys to the game are many but imposing your will on the opponent when on defense is one facet and getting into a offensive rhythm which successfully converts 1st downs to 2nd down, to another first down is the other.
The comments about LB’s guessing which hole to plug.. well maybe the linebackers are but the defensive line got mushed (they did against aTm too). When we have two or more defensive linemen on the ground per play its real bad. So then what’s the answer ? One I think its beat one guy at the point of attack. Either one of the defensive ends needs to 2 yards deep in the back field forcing the Qb to make a bad decision i.e. throw early or keep the ball and run it (in Ash’s case I know he has wheels but it’s better than letting the covey of Ut running backs gash the raiders for 4.9 yards a pop. So what’s the problem? Time of possession, shorten the game, remove Raider snaps, impose your will..knick up and wear down that thin Tech Defensive line.. Number two with his level of players Russian Coffee the defensive coordinator may need to blitz on every play. Sounds a lot like last year doesn’t it? What the hell play man coverage all game? Yep it’s dictated because Tech can’t stop the run.
At the macro level here’s the rub.. Tech can only win games at this level when they own a lead (at some point in the game) by two plus scores and force the opponents offense into a stern chase. Yeah but Centex look how they got up off the mat in the Texas State game and versus Nevada and Kansas. Yes aberrations all. Every comeback by Tech was a deviation. It’s a comeback that was Allowed by the level of competition. Tech doesn’t have the comeback option against this level of opponent. Techs comebacks were forced by the opponent’s actions and successes. I am talking about game management to fit the level of ability which they can field today right now. Tech is at a point where our game domination formula is to drive 80 yards in 5 – 8 plays score, force a defensive stop by playing soft and allowing the Qb to throw his way into a mistake and or getting the 2 stops at the line of scrimmage which forces third down and long and we get the big defensive play i.e. the pass break up, tipped pass, sack or forced fumble. Force a punt. Then use the special teams to provide decent to good field position go back up the field in 5 – 11 plays score and Impose the stern chase on the opponent.
The game management formula is enabled by NASCAR and these type of and or skill level athletes of the players Tech is fielding. IMO the Tech coaches want to do that and when the opponents who get those 3 or four (KSU, aTm, Iowa State) rushing plays strung together in a 10 play drive which yields 3 to 5 first downs means the Raiders are sunk. It’s just a variation of the theme of don’t goof around with Tech playing catch and run.
The Longhorns want to Keep Doege and crew idle so they don’t play much defense over the course of the game.
"do routine things routinely"
it would be wise for Tubs to review this.............
http://www.doubletnation.com/2010/10/29/1781665/revised-contract-quiz-for-our-head-coach
"As we continue to merely "talk about championships""
"We're not a rich state like Alabama"
That is a line for the ages.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
"See: Attachment A: A Case Study of David McWilliams (hereinafter referred to as "Kiffin before Kiffin was Cool")."
priceless
"As we continue to merely "talk about championships""
He said rich state
Alabama is one of the poorest states in the country. Texas does all right for itself.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
Tech has a chance to win....
….if we play run first. That means at least 7 preferrably 8 guys “in the box”. If we play the same defense that we did against ISU, we get crushed. And I mean crushed. I’ll be counting the number of defensive plays that Tech runs a standard 6-man front. This means standard for the 4-2-5. We can’t do that and stop the UT running attack. We must move safeties up, and take a chance that the QB’s won’t take advantage of that,
I’ll have that recap after the game, and we’ll see if I’m totally insane.
I don’t know what we did against K-State the first half but…
They are a run first team and we held them to under 50 yards in the first half.
We need that Defense to show up again.
Listen to the presser from yesterday
Tubs finally admits that the defense against ISU was mainly “the basic”….meaning a 6-man front. He talks about moving extra people “in the box” for this game. So I’m hopeful that we see something different against UT. All of us know that whatever we did against ISU didn’t work.
I like
Davis moing up to the line…better than in deep coverage. Bullit is also good, but hurt.
If we could find one more year of eligibility (or just one game), I would take Marcus Coleman for this game and take my chances.
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Nov 3, 2011 2:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Mooing up the line?
What is he a cow? I like him near the line of scrimmage.
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Nov 3, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
Hey now,
maybe putting a cow on the line is a good thing against the whorns.
"As we continue to merely "talk about championships""
Is Tubby reading the blogs?
Isn’t this what everyone was screaming for him to do ‘during’ the ISU game?
Honest question here.....
Isn’t UT entitled to this WIN?
Lets hope they think so.
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
I don't mean to be rude OSR, but, DUH
What isn’t UT entitled to? In their own minds at least…
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "oh crap, she's up".
Agreed. They are entitled to drive their (re: Daddy’s) BMW and run into no traffic and get the best parking spot and watch UT beat Tech.
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Nov 3, 2011 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
like totally...
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Nov 3, 2011 4:03 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions
Ha! haven't heard that phrase in a while!
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "oh crap, she's up".
If it's no traffic they want, Austin is the wrong place for them to be
Not even Deloss Dodds can fix Austin traffic.
2011 Season - No excuses. Just win!
I think you should go back and watch the Oklahoma State game
Landry Jones did carve us up (although the primary reason we got blown out was because of five turnovers that turned into 31 points), but Brandon Weeden definitely struggled against us. It wasn’t just because he didn’t “have” to pass; the majority of Oklahoma State’s rushing yards came off of two big runs that were the result of busted assignments, so it wasn’t like OSU was constantly gashing us on the ground. Weeden never got into a rhythm that game and our defense legitimately played their passing attack better than anyone else thus far, but they were able to make enough plays to keep our young team at arm’s length throughout the contest.
Also, the 36 rushing yards against OU was because of massive negative plays due to pretty awful offensive execution in the passing game (sacks, basically) as well as things like reverses. When we just lined up and ran it, we did okay, but obviously when you fall behind so quickly you have to throw that gameplan out the window.
All that said, Tech definitely has a dangerous offense when it’s clicking, and while we have a talented secondary, they are still mostly very young. If Doege can avoid the mistakes that he made against ISU and get Tech a lead, Tech will be in good shape because our team is not built to come from behind at all. If Doege makes early mistakes and we can build a two score lead, then Texas can run with impunity and really wear the already hurting Tech defense down.
by TheElusiveShadow on Nov 3, 2011 4:44 PM CDT reply actions
Talented secondary really?
The defense as awhole plays on their heels. Except for maybe Scott Smith.
I'm a Longhorn fan
“We” refers to Texas. I am not familiar enough with Tech’s secondary to say much, although I know they are hurting with injuries.
by TheElusiveShadow on Nov 3, 2011 5:17 PM CDT up reply actions
No bullfights. No gambling. No donkeys. No vanilla extracts. No piñatas. None of that stuff. Straight football. No switchblades.
by San Antonio Red Raider on Nov 3, 2011 6:52 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, but
do you have the moves to go with that cowbell?
Be the kind of woman that when your feet hit the floor each morning the devil says, "oh crap, she's up".
Looks like....
Shipley will be out for the game, according to the posters at BON. Good news for Tech, which means we can hone down on the run. Lets get 7-8 men in the box and DARE Ash to step up and throw it.
I just heard on the radio he’s back in practice and will play.
by Techcuz on Nov 3, 2011 7:46 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Good thoughts, Seth
A minor point to consider. While true OSU gained 202 yards against us, 104 came on touchdown runs of 74 and 30 yards. Certainly not suggesting it couldn’t happen again, but those explosives were what you might call outliers.
Good luck on Saturday.
Burnt Orange Nation
Follow Along on Twitter @TXStampede
Good news
If we lose we may have a chance at getting Andrew Luck!
by Remington870 on Nov 3, 2011 7:50 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
It all begins...
with the D-line. They played excessively well against OU, allowed the linebackers to make plays in the running game and put enough pressure on Jones to allow coverage in the passing game. I thought IaST really wore out our line and their linemen were able to get to our backers easily.
Also saw the orangebloods report and they are correct about our defensive ends. They’re either collapsing or headed way up field on many occasions. We need our tackles to control their interior line and our ends need to play solid assignment football or we’re going to watch that zone read go for about 350 on Saturday.
Correct...if your D line can play like they did against OU, this could be a very interesting game....
We will definately run the ball at you more than OU did….if you stop us, we are in serious trouble. Our freshman QB is good, but is still making freshman mistakes.
This game really depends on which Tech team is going to be in Austin Saturday….The OU-Tech or the ISU- Tech.
I'd kill for a Nobel Peace Prize
by MeatchickenHorn on Nov 3, 2011 8:42 PM CDT up reply actions
as long as
The real doege shows up (not the imposter from 6 quarters this year)…it’s game on. I would gladly get embarrassed at home by isu in order to give ut our best shot.
"Trust your gut....mine always finds good Mexican food"
-Me
by oldschoolraider on Nov 3, 2011 8:56 PM CDT via iPhone app up reply actions 1 recs
No bullfights. No gambling. No donkeys. No vanilla extracts. No piñatas. None of that stuff. Straight football. No switchblades.
by San Antonio Red Raider on Nov 3, 2011 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
is there room in that picture for an 'egg machine gun'?
"Fill it up again". "It's so good! Once it hits your lips it's so good!" -Frank the Tank
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
GOOD:
a) We have no idea how Tech will Play
b) Tech is coming off a bye week (Didn’t play last week)
c) It is an early game and the Tech players have less time to get distracted.
c) Our Record on November 5th football games is outstanding
ON THIS DATE IN TEXAS TECH HISTORY
NOVEMBER 5 – (10-1-2 Overall; 7-1-1 Home; 3-0-1)
2005 – vs. Texas A&M W 56-17
1988 – at TCU W 23-10
1983 – vs. TCU T 10-10
1977 – vs. TCU W 49-17
1966 – vs. Oklahoma State W 10-7
1960 – vs. Tulane L 35-21
1955 – vs. Arizona W 27-7
1949 – at Texas Western W 13-0
1938 – vs. Loyola of the South W 55-0
1937 – at Loyola of the South W 25-6
1927 – vs. Daniel Baker W 19-7
1926 – at Daniel Baker T 0-0
1925 – vs. Wayland W 120-0
BAD
a) We have no idea how Tech will play.
b) Tech passing game hasn’t solved press coverage and man-under schemes
c) Rain is not in the forecast
d) Tech football victories against Texas are limited
9/07/1955 20-14 at Texas
9/30/1967 19-13 at Texas
9/28/1968 31-22
9/28/1974 26-3
10/30/1976 31-28
11/01/1980 24-20
11/01/1986 23-21
10/29/1988 33-32
11/04/1989 24-17 at Texas
10/30/1993 31-22 at Texas
10/29/1994 33-9
11/08/1997 24-10 at Texas
11/14/1998 42-35
11/16/2002 42-38
11/01/2008 39-33
UGLY
a) Texas has the personnel to completely shut down our offense
b) Tech coaches still haven’t recognized their responsibility to provide psychological
and technical support to the players
c) We have an overall record vs Texas of 15 Wins and 42 Losses
d) I will be attending the game with my wife
Prior history between these two teams means....nothing.
Tech has definitely rounded the corner in fielding talent, and we’re gaining traction on Texas. They know it, the alumni and fans know it, everyone knows it. I have a lot of faith that these kids can right the ship after taking last week off. I fully expect for us to pass all over Texas in this game, and for Doege’s jersey to remain relatively clean.
Couple of sticking points for Tech to look at if they really want to put this game out of reach early.
1) Run the WR screen slant a-la OU game. Screw staying balanced, this team needs to come out guns a blazin with chucking the ball downfield like we did at OU. The whole “nothing to lose” mentality is what we saw in that last victory we had. I’d keep a 70% Pass to 30% run in this game. This was a mantra that we saw our previous HC instill in his players, and that attitude will almost always keep you in ballgames. Play to win, don’t play not to lose….yes, I’m talking to you, Tubberville.
2) Load the box up, for the love of God. Slow their running game down, thats all that we need to do, and this game is ours. Keep their total rushing yards at under 200 and we’re in great shape to take care of the ’Horns in Austin.
by TTU RHIM '09 on Nov 3, 2011 10:17 PM CDT up reply actions
One thing u can be sure of
Mack Brown will get his sideline ref to call at least one critical offensive pass interference against Tech.
There will also be a fandom hold on a Tech TD
Tech will get some horrible spots too.
Hope Tubs undstands how the zebras treat UT.
Also if we win, Mack Brown will give Tech zero credit
Tackle
I think we have all forgotten the name of the game. Tackle the longhorns when they have the ball, and we can win. Miss tackles, and we lose. It isn’t rocket science.
The analysis is good as usual.
More than anything this game like the last will be determined by the team that is ready to play Div1 football at a high level.
Everyone has the ability to block and tackle, play defense, play offense, and special teams.
Not everyone has the ability to consistently rise to an occasion. That comes from the inside of every individual apart from team, apart from coaching, apart from leadership from another person.
Living large in Texas...Texas forever.
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