Sooners-Tigers Prediction Thread

[11WSChamps]

Don't feel at all good about this one regardless who the QB is.

You have a defensive wizard in Venables and then you have MU'S offense in Norman with perhaps the best defense in the country.

Not a recipe for success.

MU just doesn't have the balance offensively to keep that D honest.

OU 30
MU 13

[StlMike1969]

I'd like to see both Roberts and Hardy in the backfield at the same time. Fake a run to one, pass screen to the other. Rather see that kind of run vs a jet sweep by a WR. OU's D would have to keep track of both runners, and both are capable of breaking a long one with each run attempt or pass reception.

I've been a proponent of that duo backfield as well.

Mind boggling it's not a staple.

I agree. Those 2 weapons and they’re never on the field at the same time. The way Roberts catches the ball you’d think they could dream up some nightmare scenarios for a defense.

I never understood why the old 70's and 80's wishbone offenses had not been utilized more when you have dual RB threats. I agree whole heartedly that a dual threat would be recognizing the teams strengths, and coaching around it. Obviously the wishbone was hampered by single man defensive assignments, but I can guarantee you if they lined up in a wishbone or split "T" or both in at least 15 of the plays on Saturday even if just for some outside the tackle sweep pitches they would throw Oklahoma into a severe conundrum. I think that would go a long way to bringing the corners in and allowing the receivers to get some room. I could totally see Roberts coming out of a wishbone fake and getting 20 yard plays on quick short throws from Pribula as he breaks off in an outside route in the opposite direction. All Pribula has to do is fake the pitch, spin and dump the ball. Hardy will get half the crowd alone. Then when you do the split "T" sweeps outside the tackle Hardy is going to have an extra blocker on the guys that need to be blocked. The whole point of a single back is to spread the defense out, but if your line is not creating the holes then get them some help. No one is scared of any QB on this team nor the receivers. They are going to play tight and aggressive to the run. Pribula or Zollers has to make them fear the pass and that will not happen this late in the season. So do what works and make the defense tired so late in the game you can open up some passing lanes and take some shots.

[Flyboy65]

I expect the usual results, Drink gets embarrassed against a ranked team, then goes to Arkansas next week and beats an unranked team.

They go to a toilet bowl nobody cares about, with several big names on both sides sitting it out.

Wash. Rinse Repeat.

[Armchair QB]

I'd like to see both Roberts and Hardy in the backfield at the same time. Fake a run to one, pass screen to the other. Rather see that kind of run vs a jet sweep by a WR. OU's D would have to keep track of both runners, and both are capable of breaking a long one with each run attempt or pass reception.

I've been a proponent of that duo backfield as well.

Mind boggling it's not a staple.

I agree. Those 2 weapons and they’re never on the field at the same time. The way Roberts catches the ball you’d think they could dream up some nightmare scenarios for a defense.

I never understood why the old 70's and 80's wishbone offenses had not been utilized more when you have dual RB threats. I agree whole heartedly that a dual threat would be recognizing the teams strengths, and coaching around it. Obviously the wishbone was hampered by single man defensive assignments, but I can guarantee you if they lined up in a wishbone or split "T" or both in at least 15 of the plays on Saturday even if just for some outside the tackle sweep pitches they would throw Oklahoma into a severe conundrum. I think that would go a long way to bringing the corners in and allowing the receivers to get some room. I could totally see Roberts coming out of a wishbone fake and getting 20 yard plays on quick short throws from Pribula as he breaks off in an outside route in the opposite direction. All Pribula has to do is fake the pitch, spin and dump the ball. Hardy will get half the crowd alone. Then when you do the split "T" sweeps outside the tackle Hardy is going to have an extra blocker on the guys that need to be blocked. The whole point of a single back is to spread the defense out, but if your line is not creating the holes then get them some help. No one is scared of any QB on this team nor the receivers. They are going to play tight and aggressive to the run. Pribula or Zollers has to make them fear the pass and that will not happen this late in the season. So do what works and make the defense tired so late in the game you can open up some passing lanes and take some shots.

Mike you’re 100% right. I’m just not sure Moore has the ability or creativity to install strategies like that and show his offense how to execute. Maybe he’ll surprise us all today. That would be just delightful if he did and make for a fun Saturday.

I’m afraid we’re going to do same old same old and, if it doesn’t work, we’ll be lucky to have 10 points going into the 4th quarter. There always the chance that we are able to run block them into submission and they just can’t stop it like last week. But I think OU is better than that.

[fatlaz]

Oklahoma has been extremely lucky this year with some really poor officiating calls in their favor against Auburn and Tennessee plus some fortunate turnovers against Alabama. That being said I have to go with my head against my heart and pick Oklahoma 17-14.

As far as installing a special whole offense or defense for one team: in 1986 Al Onafrio came in on Tuesday and showed us the defense they ran (as Woody's staff was only familiar with pro offenses). We ran that defense on Saturday. The result was the Norman Conquest.

[rezero]

Chalk me up for 41-13 OU. They have an Auburn like front 7 so it will take an elite QB play out of Pribula to win.

[45s]

Boomer Sooner

34-13

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

22-12 OU

[dhsux]

I'd like to see both Roberts and Hardy in the backfield at the same time. Fake a run to one, pass screen to the other. Rather see that kind of run vs a jet sweep by a WR. OU's D would have to keep track of both runners, and both are capable of breaking a long one with each run attempt or pass reception.

I've been a proponent of that duo backfield as well.

Mind boggling it's not a staple.

I agree. Those 2 weapons and they’re never on the field at the same time. The way Roberts catches the ball you’d think they could dream up some nightmare scenarios for a defense.

I never understood why the old 70's and 80's wishbone offenses had not been utilized more when you have dual RB threats. I agree whole heartedly that a dual threat would be recognizing the teams strengths, and coaching around it. Obviously the wishbone was hampered by single man defensive assignments, but I can guarantee you if they lined up in a wishbone or split "T" or both in at least 15 of the plays on Saturday even if just for some outside the tackle sweep pitches they would throw Oklahoma into a severe conundrum. I think that would go a long way to bringing the corners in and allowing the receivers to get some room. I could totally see Roberts coming out of a wishbone fake and getting 20 yard plays on quick short throws from Pribula as he breaks off in an outside route in the opposite direction. All Pribula has to do is fake the pitch, spin and dump the ball. Hardy will get half the crowd alone. Then when you do the split "T" sweeps outside the tackle Hardy is going to have an extra blocker on the guys that need to be blocked. The whole point of a single back is to spread the defense out, but if your line is not creating the holes then get them some help. No one is scared of any QB on this team nor the receivers. They are going to play tight and aggressive to the run. Pribula or Zollers has to make them fear the pass and that will not happen this late in the season. So do what works and make the defense tired so late in the game you can open up some passing lanes and take some shots.

Mike you’re 100% right. I’m just not sure Moore has the ability or creativity to install strategies like that and show his offense how to execute. Maybe he’ll surprise us all today. That would be just delightful if he did and make for a fun Saturday.

I’m afraid we’re going to do same old same old and, if it doesn’t work, we’ll be lucky to have 10 points going into the 4th quarter. There always the chance that we are able to run block them into submission and they just can’t stop it like last week. But I think OU is better than that.

How about Moores infamous 3rd and 5 from the goal line and he calls the empty backfield?

WHAT?

[Armchair QB]

I'd like to see both Roberts and Hardy in the backfield at the same time. Fake a run to one, pass screen to the other. Rather see that kind of run vs a jet sweep by a WR. OU's D would have to keep track of both runners, and both are capable of breaking a long one with each run attempt or pass reception.

I've been a proponent of that duo backfield as well.

Mind boggling it's not a staple.

I agree. Those 2 weapons and they’re never on the field at the same time. The way Roberts catches the ball you’d think they could dream up some nightmare scenarios for a defense.

I never understood why the old 70's and 80's wishbone offenses had not been utilized more when you have dual RB threats. I agree whole heartedly that a dual threat would be recognizing the teams strengths, and coaching around it. Obviously the wishbone was hampered by single man defensive assignments, but I can guarantee you if they lined up in a wishbone or split "T" or both in at least 15 of the plays on Saturday even if just for some outside the tackle sweep pitches they would throw Oklahoma into a severe conundrum. I think that would go a long way to bringing the corners in and allowing the receivers to get some room. I could totally see Roberts coming out of a wishbone fake and getting 20 yard plays on quick short throws from Pribula as he breaks off in an outside route in the opposite direction. All Pribula has to do is fake the pitch, spin and dump the ball. Hardy will get half the crowd alone. Then when you do the split "T" sweeps outside the tackle Hardy is going to have an extra blocker on the guys that need to be blocked. The whole point of a single back is to spread the defense out, but if your line is not creating the holes then get them some help. No one is scared of any QB on this team nor the receivers. They are going to play tight and aggressive to the run. Pribula or Zollers has to make them fear the pass and that will not happen this late in the season. So do what works and make the defense tired so late in the game you can open up some passing lanes and take some shots.

Mike you’re 100% right. I’m just not sure Moore has the ability or creativity to install strategies like that and show his offense how to execute. Maybe he’ll surprise us all today. That would be just delightful if he did and make for a fun Saturday.

I’m afraid we’re going to do same old same old and, if it doesn’t work, we’ll be lucky to have 10 points going into the 4th quarter. There always the chance that we are able to run block them into submission and they just can’t stop it like last week. But I think OU is better than that.

How about Moores infamous 3rd and 5 from the goal line and he calls the empty backfield?

WHAT?

Yeah lots of headscratchers. Feels like this is a huge game for Moore. If the offense looks great and we pull off this upset, the heat is probably gone. If we stink it up and everything looks out of sorts he might be looking for other opportunities soon. Same for Jones.

[JackBolly]

I always prefer the block M.

[dugoutrex]

If it's close keep a sharp eye on the boys in the striped shirts. Handy to call tripping, DPI, unsportsmanlike and targeting to help a team out if called for.

all the early calls have went MU's way and yet ...

[dugoutrex]

22-12 OU

I think you were the closest!

[MIDMOBIRDTWO]

22-12 OU

I think you were the closest!

Very unusual, just didn't expect much offense either way. Much foot shooting by the returning QB and stacking the line against the run by a good OU defense.