I hear you, but we are still really limited offensively overall compared to what Texas has defensively. You can’t have Rocco throwing 60 times either.
Defense
- Thread starter stewart092284
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My takeaway was that Texas is finally using that talent properly and are playing like a top ten team. That being said, even on what we thought was going to be a rebuilding year we’re still competing with that top 10 team. It is disappointing to lose but we’re seeing the building blocks of a special team in the coming years. And I predict that we’ll see the playoffs before Texas does.
Right. But there are ways to compensate for our limitations physically. Which we didn't see much of. How many middle screens did we run to slow down a pass rush? Or outside runs, jet sweeps, etc...
There's no doubt they have better athletes and were older. But there are ways you can try to mitigate that. And I just - in our running game - I don't feel like we ever do that.
We do a better job in our passing game - but in our run game - its like we go with the approach well, this is what we do so we're going to do it. Which works against the bad to average teams. Not so much the other ones.
Many successful head coaches have had long time coordinators. Bill Brashier under Hayden Fry. Norm and Phil Parker under Ferentz. Hell, Coach Fox had Luther as his DC. It is a symbiotic relationship. Heacock has been a head coach. Heacock is a fantastic Defensive Coordinator. Matt has been with Heacock for a long time. Both are evidently happy. Heacock has been instrumental in our success. We have lots of longtime assistants instrumental in helping Heacock as well.
Agree, also 2 points they scored on special teams and imo one of the first half fg was on Rocco taking a sack he shouldn't have forcing us to punt from the back of the endzone and set them up for a punt return/easy fg. Not really on the defense. So I would only account 19 scored on the d. They were solid.
All of your comments are fair. MC thinks our best way to win is to not become one-dimensional, pass first, and sprinkle in boring ass runs in the a and b gap. If we are within one score most of the game, which we were, I think the strategy works. I am not saying your strategy wouldn't work, but if you become more one dimensional with athletes like Texas, it could be a long day.
He is retiring and him and his wife are moving back to Ohio. I did a job for them and the wife told me they are selling and going home. She said he is done coaching and I can't blame him. He earned it.
I’m sorry if my reply wasn’t exactly clear.
Drove home after the game 3.5 hours.
The sleep deprived posting!
I agree with your Original Post.
And everyone knows we gave up too many big pass plays on too many key downs against KU and UT.
I made an observation about Heacock because I was sitting directly behind the defense benches.
He’s been extremely vocal to that group of late because:
He knows they are talented.
He knows these are meaningful games.
He knows those were games 9 and 11 for the group.
He knows someone made an incorrect read, which in his mind, is stuff they work on and should not happen. Even though it does to every team.
It’s just a different way of interaction that I haven’t really seen from him.
An NO it’s not pressure. It’s Heacock coaching them up more than I’ve seen in that manner.
And that is a good thing.
The defense is Rarely an issue. If we get torched it is usually due to multiple offensive turnovers, 3 and outs, etc.
Not always, but usually.
That play by Cooper to force a fumble was one of the best plays I’ve ever seen. I think Texas made adjustments and by the time we did it was far too little too late. My biggest indictment on the defense last night was it was super disappointing was getting burnt for the 3rd time in 2 home games on the same exact play.
What concerns me going forward is the lack of depth. When guys like Nikkel, Thompson, or Patton come into the game opposing teams go right after them because it’s clear they aren’t ready to play in the Big 12.
What concerns me going forward is the lack of depth. When guys like Nikkel, Thompson, or Patton come into the game opposing teams go right after them because it’s clear they aren’t ready to play in the Big 12.
The defense overall was very good. It has just shown a propensity to blow 3rd and long plays with blown coverages. Do they happen often? In the scheme of things not really…but when they do it stands out from the perspective of the fan hoping for a stop on third and 10.
Oh, I'm not saying be one dimensional. But CW pointed out, sprinkle in the QB run. I get not running Rocco early in the season but we're in week 11.
And we've done some pin and pull / stretch zone on occasion this year. Some of our better runs have actually come off it and or cut backs by the backs on those plays. I just would have focused there when trying to run.
If we had Hufford, Newell or another veteran center and Schweigert (spelling) inside, then running side, even if it results in 0.4 - okay, fine, you rolled with your veterans. But we have a brand new center and a true freshman guard going against the best interior defensive linemen in the nation IMO. Help them out. Run a toss or a sweep or stretch zone. Don't ask them to run into baby mountain for 4 quarters head first. I'm not saying abandon the run. I'm just saying, help your young pups out. Especially since we have the H/s and TEs to help us try to set the edge.
It wasn't a bad game. It wasn't a bad effort. I just think sometimes the offensive approach limits what we could be. While we're not going to challenge for a national title per say in football, I do think if we had a slightly more Kansas or K-State approach to offense, instead of 6-7 wins I think we could get at 7-8 wins as a more regular ceiling. BUt that's just me
Yes, but also keep in mind, a decent of that last night happened only after Verdon went out. We know we're not deep at safety. So when we went out, the game changed from a defensive stand point. Pre him leaving, we had done a pretty darn good job. Even after he left it wasn't god awful, but it was worse.
Honestly, as crazy as it's gonna sound... no, I'm not going to go that far. But I think the games even closer if he plays 4 quarters
The 3rd and long problems of past seasons seems to be remedied. They said last night that ISU is best in the league in defensive 3rd and long conversions.
I'm not even upset at the loss, because when I think about teams I've seen with my eyes in the Big 12 in the last 8 years - I don't know if I have seen one that good.
Those guys thoroughly deserve to be in the playoff.
Now where I'd like to see progress - KState has solid dudes everywhere, but they do not have NFL freaks all along their front 6 on defense. I want to see more points against Kansas State.
Rasheed is awesome but I think Tyson has more to do with the defense than he's given credit.