For the second time this season, Oklahoma’s impressive home performance has been followed with a sub par one on the road. Despite a valiant 3rd quarter effort, they couldn’t close the deal in the 4th quarter………………again.
What went wrong this time around? Was it the errant snap that sailed over Landry Jones and through the end zone for a safety? How about when they couldn’t score on 4th & Goal from the 1 yard line in their first trip to the end zone and later in the game (three times if you're counting!!!). It could have been the touchdown they gave up on a kickoff return to open the second half. Or the missed field goal to cut the deficit to 26-20. Don’t forget the pass off the fake field goal attempt that James Hanna wasn’t able to haul in for a score.
I’ll give Bob Stoops some credit for rolling the dice on that play. However when he came up empty, the opportunity to take the lead was lost and so was any momentum that Oklahoma had gained. The Aggies scored on back to back possessions to put the outcome of the game beyond doubt.
We have heard time and time again how Kevin Wilson, the offensive coordinator, preaches for the need of a balance of offense to take pressure off Landry Jones. 59 pass plays compared to 29 running plays doesn’t exactly seem balanced to me. This time, it wasn’t the turnovers that were the problem but the rather predictable play calling; and yet we wonder why Oklahoma plays poorly on the road.
Oklahoma was beaten in the trenches, between the lines. The Aggies dominated the line of scrimmage on offense by gaining more rushing yards and making it count when it mattered in the 4th quarter. They dominated the line of scrimmage on defense by stopping Oklahoma on three “4th & Goal” situations from the 1 yard line; including twice in the 4th quarter.
Is it me, or does Oklahoma seem to suffer from a kicking recession? How did we get from Garrett Hartley, a super bowl winner, to whatever we have now? If there is any way in which Jimmy Stevens and Patrick O’Hara complement each other, it’s that they are both mediocre on a good day. Stevens missed a chip shot field goal that would have tied the game against Mizzou, while O’Hara followed up by missing a field goal that would have cut the deficit to a one-score game. Both misses helped swing the momentum greatly in favor of the opposition.
The defense kept the game within reach by getting some crucial stops and forcing turnovers as well; but the offense couldn’t take advantage. Despite rushing for only 10 yards in the first half, Oklahoma used the run effectively and was rewarded with 17 points to keep the game close. Then somehow, the running game was abandoned in favor of a predictable passing game that resulted in “3rd & long” situations that weren't converted. They ran the ball when they needed to pass and passed when they needed to run.
Oklahoma ran more plays, had more time of possesion and won the turnover battle; yet lost by 14 points. There are some issues that if not addressed come Bedlam, don't be surprised should Oklahoma come out on the losing end.
No comments:
Post a Comment