Early Ups and Downs

#1
avolation

avolation

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#1
[YouTube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I45tU0GGc9k[/YouTube]

Last year our first real test was the second week of the season against the Sooners. Our offense came out strong in the first quarter, but slowed considerably throughout the game. Coaching was the biggest complaint as fans took issue with the first drive field goal from the 1 and the overly conservative second half play calling. I re-watched our Offensive plays (Thanks Freak!) and although I wasn't happy with the play calling, there was something else that stuck out to me more.

1. Our offense got tired.
2. The Sooner's Defense became more physical.

Oklahoma frequently brought a lot of pressure from guys in the box as the game went on to try to stop Dobbs and our run game while their secondary was tightly covering our receivers. Our o-line hadn't gelled yet also and a lot of d-linemen slipped through. The result? A Porsche 911 Turbo with a dead battery. Does our offense experience any early ups and downs this year? Or do we come out of the gate like American Pharoah and leave teams in the dust?
 
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#3
#3
^ THIS. Our opponents the first half of the season will have ups and downs. We will pick up exactly where we left off with Northwestern on offense. I truly do believe that. All the pieces are back,just a year older, a year stronger, a year faster,and a year more experienced.

I also think our defense will be faster and looser with the addition of Shoop, which should allow all of our natural talent to shine. The more I look everything over team 120 really could be the perfect storm.
 
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#4
#4
I agree too chattaboogie. When Butch took over and started recruiting like he did it wasn't rocket science to see 2016 was the year we would really hit payday. Right off we saw immediate improvement on the field but had to tough a schedule for the record to improve much. Then the record improved a little each of the next two years and now we're back in talent and attitude. Can't help but chuckle and the knuckle heads that compare Butches record first two years to Dooley's because the numbers were almost identical. The teams and direction are totally different.
 
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#7
#7
You could see it throughout the season last year. We did look tired at the end of games. I think that was the reason our S and C coach was let go and we went in a new direction as far as how they are trained. Even the players said they notice the difference. We'll see in the games this year, but with the experience, the new type of training, and depth, I think we'll be much better deep into the games.
 
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#10
#10
avolation said:
[YouTube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I45tU0GGc9k[/YouTube]

Last year our first real test was the second week of the season against the Sooners. Our offense came out strong in the first quarter, but slowed considerably throughout the game. Coaching was the biggest complaint as fans took issue with the first drive field goal from the 1 and the overly conservative second half play calling. I re-watched our Offensive plays (Thanks Freak!) and although I wasn't happy with the play calling, there was something else that stuck out to me more.

1. Our offense got tired.
2. The Sooner's Defense became more physical.

Oklahoma frequently brought a lot of pressure from guys in the box as the game went on to try to stop Dobbs and our run game while their secondary was tightly covering our receivers. Our o-line hadn't gelled yet also and a lot of d-linemen slipped through. The result? A Porsche 911 Turbo with a dead battery. Does our offense experience any early ups and downs this year? Or do we come out of the gate like American Pharoah and leave teams in the dust?
Click to expand...


I think you are over-analyzing this a bit. This game was about one coach that went conservative prematurely to preserve a 2 TD lead, and another coach and quarterback that had the will to not give up. Nothing more.
 
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#11
#11
Early last season we were still feeling out how good we were. We played and coached pretty conservative on plays compared to the end of the season. Debord realized after the Florida game that he had to let Dobbs loose and throw the ball down the field a little more. That should not be a problem this year.
 
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#13
#13
fade route said:
I think you are over-analyzing this a bit. This game was about one coach that went conservative prematurely to preserve a 2 TD lead, and another coach and quarterback that had the will to not give up. Nothing more.
Click to expand...

You're right. The Oklahoma game wasn't about us getting tired, it was about confidence and momentum. We had both for 2+ quarters until, as you said, we pretty much surrendered both by how we approached the game and tried to manage it rather than win it. Oklahoma, with a helluva competitor at QB and head coach who's seen it all promptly seized them and took the game from us. Plain and simple.
 
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#14
#14
there's always gonna be times of ups and downs. it's when the game is on the line and who mans up better, coaches and players. clearly the Okie and Gator games should be reminders to Butch to "don't be stupid again"...gotta keep the pedal to the metal...we'll see...:)

GO VOLS!
 
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#15
#15
VolsnRavens said:
You could see it throughout the season last year. We did look tired at the end of games. I think that was the reason our S and C coach was let go and we went in a new direction as far as how they are trained. Even the players said they notice the difference. We'll see in the games this year, but with the experience, the new type of training, and depth, I think we'll be much better deep into the games.
Click to expand...

Your post points out something that must be about as important a staff position as there is. Trainer. Ala. must have the best, they always seem to be just a little fresher than all others at the end of games. I know someone is going to holler depth, but from top to bottom they seem fresher.
 
#16
#16
chattaboogie said:
^ THIS. Our opponents the first half of the season will have ups and downs. We will pick up exactly where we left off with Northwestern on offense. I truly do believe that. All the pieces are back,just a year older, a year stronger, a year faster,and a year more experienced.

I also think our defense will be faster and looser with the addition of Shoop, which should allow all of our natural talent to shine. The more I look everything over team 120 really could be the perfect storm.
Click to expand...

THIS + our kids on defense no matter what they say had to have taken an internal hit to their confidence the way our defense played, it set the stage IMO for our under performing against the gators and Hogs. I think the DC lost his team after that OU game. We cured that with the Shoop hire, I think our kids are confident and when we roll the gators 9/24 Katy bar the door, we back!!! Bama already butt hurt and hearing our 2 deep is as good or better than what they will put on the field and they're coming to us this season. GBO!!
 
#17
#17
The youth factor isn't a legitimate excuse any more and butch jones knows that. It's either be prepared for an ass kicking season the first game or be prepared to lose
 
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