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OSU/Mizzou Drive Charts Bode Well For Texas

Posted by Trips Right on October 23rd, 2008 under Football

Take a look at the drive charts for both teams and tell me what stands out to you? Don’t worry I’ll wait…

First off, I know OSU has played the likes of Texas Agricultural, Troy, and Washington State and offensively they’ve looked really good doing it. Hell, with the exception of the Aggie game where it yielded over 400 yards of offense, the Cowboy defense has looked much improved from a year ago. But that’s about as valuable as a stripper’s money management advice.

I want a true litmus test. No, I don’t buy into to the transitive property of football. Team X beats team Y who has beaten team Z, therefore X is better than Z. I think matchups and personnel are far more important than transitive indicators. And the Mizzou/OSU game provides the best matchup/personnel model as it applies to Texas’ game with the Cowboys this Saturday.

Bradley
Getting pressure with 4 allows Texas to play more coverage and avoid big plays.

So back to the drive charts. What jumps out at me on the Okie State side is the dearth of time consuming, multi-play drives. Other than the Cowboy’s opening 11 play 74 yard drive, the remaining scoring drives weren’t really drives at all. Just products of big plays. The other 3 scoring drives were 2 plays 72 yards capped by a 68 yard run by Hunter, 4 plays 66 yards capped by a 40 yard pass to Davis, and 3 plays 29 yards capped by a 31 yard pass to Davis. Hunter’s TD was a nice run that saw him break multiple tackles and then outrun the secondary. Davis’ first TD was a blown coverage that HenryJames would have housed, and his second TD was an up for grabs prayer similar to Malcom William’s grab.

Hardly the stay on the field and wear you out offenses reminiscent of OU and Mizzou. And I think that’ll play well for a Texas defense that bends but doesn’t break, and instead tries to force you into a penalty or sack to get you behind the chains. If Texas can avoid the brainfarts in the secondary, I have a hard time seeing OSU consistently moving the ball on this front 7, or dinking and dunking the back four to death. It’s not who the Cowboys are.

Flipping to the Mizzou drive chart, and you see quite the opposite. Two 11 play and one 9 play, 80+ yard drives from Mizzou show that this Cowboy defense is susceptible to the methodical wear you out drives Texas excels at. Mizzou couldn’t take advantage because of 3 costly INT’s, two missed field goals, and horrible coaching move to kick a field goal at the one foot line. As long as Texas can avoid multiple turnovers and find some balance by using its newfound running game, I think the Horns should be okay on this side of the ball as well.

The drive charts from the game in Columbia earlier this month tell us and awful lot. Thoughts?

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35 Responses

  1. Bob said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 5:42 am

    I think the 400 yds the aggies put up say even more? 400yds????

  2. uthookem said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 5:51 am

    Hey Bob, that Sherman doesn’t fuck around!

  3. HenryJames said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 am

    Drive charts are the new truffle oil.

  4. steven said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:11 am

    So can someone tell me what the hell happened to this so called gaunlet we were supposed to be running? You know, the one in which “we would not make it out alive”.

    And what has become of these statements, you flakey flip floppers?

    Seriously, you need to stop talking about things you obviously know nothing about and you make yourself sound like a total dumbass.

    No offense, but you’re out of your mind and you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about. Which is unfortunate, considering how much time you apparently spend talking.

    Like I said before in response, you oh so reasonable and rational sounding poo poo spouters:

    Well, I guess we’ll see as the season goes along who was more right — this simpleminded simpleton who barely watches CFB at all and doesn’t even care too much for it, or all you sophisticated, complicated CFB know it alls who actually bother to sit down to study and analyze these games?

  5. Dr Know said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:17 am

    Shut up fake steven.

  6. Spider said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:23 am

    I don’t know why OSU’s big-play capability is supposed to be comforting. OSU seemed to be taking advantage of Mizzou’s oversized (read: slow) DB’s, using plays that Gundy looked like he was drawing up on the sideline.

    OSU went vertical and Mizzou couldn’t do much about it. I was surprised when UT didn’t do the same (until Chiles’ TD pass).

  7. Trips Right said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:38 am

    Spider, really? A blown coverage and a hail mary aren’t really taking advantage of a secondary or a defense. If you’re counting on those things to beat a good defense, you’re in trouble. And Texas has better personnel than Mizzou on D, no?

  8. Massive Horn said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:41 am

    I’m only worried about Bryant cutting loose on Palmer or Beasley.

  9. Trips Right said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:43 am

    Robinson isn’t accurate enough to beat Texas with intermediate stuff like Bradford and Daniel. I expect to see alot of press coverage on Bryant with a rolled over safety.

  10. Uncle Rico said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:53 am

    seriously steven, did you just find out someone banged your sister?

  11. steven said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 6:56 am

    This actually may not be one of the better OSU teams in recent memory. Their skill players are an improvement somewhat, but they just do not seem to be as physical as they have been. Haven’t seen enough of them to be sure, but, just from what I have seen, I have been a bit disappointed with the physicality of their lines. They looked a little soft to me, but then it seems the whole damn conference has become one big bag of charmin.

  12. Parlin Hall said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 am

    The field goal from one foot out is a clear upgrade, in terms of coaching, from a punt.

    Although a quick kick always surprises, no?

  13. steven said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:00 am

    Naa, I don’t have me a sister, but I did find out that all those flakey flip floppers around here were WRONG, and they were probably born with any, if they bothered to check.

  14. steven said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 am

    That would be “without”. Edit steven.

  15. coach Callahan said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 am

    Steven doesn’t have him a sister, but he’s been his brothers fuck toy for more than a decade now.

  16. coach Callahan said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:06 am

    It must suck going through life as your brother’s sock steven.

  17. Ray Finkel said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:13 am

    No disrespect to any UT fans on this site but Jesus I have never seen so many people completely dismiss a really good football team the way some of you appear to be. Okay you got us, OSU isn’t the 200X New England Patriots but shit they are a pretty capable football team. OSU might get beat by 50 on saturday but your arrogance is not very flattering. In fact it might just come back to bite you in the ass down the road. You have a good football team just sit back and enjoy the ride.

  18. Nik said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:21 am

    I think the offensive thought process was more focused on beating up Missouri’s line early with methodical drives so as not to get in a scoring match: keep the defense off the field, keep the fauxhawk off the field, etc., etc.

    OSU bothers me due to their offensive balance. We really haven’t seen a team that could put up rushing numbers like they can all year. If we are able to limit the rushing attack and make Zac Robinson beat us with his arm, I will feel a helluva lot better.

    That being said, I am not that worried about the offense. We should be able to move the ball and put points on the board. If we have the opportunity to stick the boot on their throat early (see Missouri first half) then it could get out of hand. Thus, if we win the toss: Take the DAMN BALL FOR ONCE!

  19. BrickHorn said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:35 am

    To me, the A&M game gives even better insight. OSU won that game 56-28, but Aggy’s offense turned the ball over five times and still managed to score four touchdowns on the road. 21 of OSU’s 56 points came on INT or punt returns. The total yardage and TOP were both slightly in favor of Aggy.

    A&M is a terrible team this year, but they went toe-to-toe with OSU and only lost because they were slaughtered in the turnover battle. Even out the turnovers, and the score would have been must closer (and A&M might even have won).

    If we can control the ball and cover kicks, we should roll all over OSU.

  20. TXinDC said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:36 am

    If we just sat back and enjoyed the ride, what would we talk about on this site?

    Chase Daniel’s love for McCoy’s ass?

  21. A Uh said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 am

    Fickle Finkle – this is all talk and means nothing to the game or really to anything other than some bs’ing and enjoyment. If you’ve seen our coach and player comments then you can rest assured the team does not dismiss your beloved Pokes.

  22. Aggie Lurking said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:52 am

    Brick I was at the A&M game in Stoolwater and the points you make are valid. A&M stopped their ground game in the 1st half (we haven’t stopped anyone’s ground game for an entire game) and gave them 3 cheap scores to boot. Despite all of this benevolence Golf Prick left his starters in the entire game in an effort to cover the spread, make Boone happy, or show that he is indeed a man. You guys will expose these clowns this Saturday even if you spot them 3 scores. You are lucky to be playing them now while they are still undefeated and highly ranked.

  23. steven said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 7:58 am

    You see, Ray Ray, Aggie has no problem accepting that they suck. Why can’t Okie Pokies?

  24. Ray Finkel said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 9:12 am

    You’re right they suck. They are a fucking disgrace of a football team not to mention University. Boone Pickens is a dumbass and a criminal only to be outdone by the University President and Athletic Director. They are so damn lucky to have even won a game. If A&M doesn’t turn the ball over they beat OSU by 28. Missouri, they were just going through the motions, hell they suck anyway. It’ll be a good scrimmage on Saturday.. give the horns a chance to get some of their 4th stringers some PT and get the band tuned up on the fight song. I like the horns by 12 touchdowns. Okie State can’t hang. Does that sound about right?

  25. Bob said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 9:26 am

    Hey Ray… take a deep breath man. You starting to hyperventilate

  26. Trips Right said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 am

    I like the spot here for OSU. Texas coming off two huge wins, and OSU flying under the radar even ranked 6 in the country. They’ll be game. I just don’t think they matchup well with Texas especially in Austin. Texas will stuff the run and make Robinson beat them. That’s a good recipe. I won’t be laying the 12.5, though. I expect it’ll be a 7-10 point hard fought win for the horns.

    Tech in Lubbock’s another animal.

  27. Huckleberry said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 9:38 am

    I have found that the best way to get respect is to whine and cry about how you aren’t getting the respect you deserve. A solid strategy.

  28. Spider said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 9:44 am

    Texas has better personnel than Mizzou on D, no?

    For at least one half of football, yes.

  29. steven said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 10:32 am

    I won’t be laying the 12.5, though. I expect it’ll be a 7-10 point hard fought win for the horns.

    At some point one would expect Texas not to beat the spread and that just because, but I don’t think this will be the game. Too many matchup issues for Okie State on both sides of the ball, and we are playing at home. Actually, Mizzou was a better matchup and more dangerous for us than Okie State.

    Robinson running the ball will be key. If we stuff that play and not let him run all over us like McGee did a few years ago, then we take away OSU’s option game and pretty much stuff their O. Unless OSU is alot more physical than I think they are, this game will not be within 12 points. Hell, I doubt if it is even that close by the end of the 1st half.

  30. Hawkwing said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am

    “Texas has better personnel than Mizzou on D, no?

    For at least one half of football, yes.”

    I think we’ll do well for a whole game, when we need to. Who cares if out D had some hiccups in the second half? In the entire game, they still scored less than we did in the first half.

  31. EyesOfTX said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 10:43 am

    won’t be laying the 12.5, though. I expect it’ll be a 7-10 point hard fought win for the horns.

    At some point one would expect Texas not to beat the spread and that just because, but I don’t think this will be the game. Too many matchup issues for Okie State on both sides of the ball, and we are playing at home. Actually, Mizzou was a better matchup and more dangerous for us than Okie State.
    =============================================

    Ok, so, Steven won’t be laying the points, but he will.

    Everyone place your own bets accordingly.

  32. PB @ BON said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    Great post, Trips. Looking forward to hoops season? I’m looking forward to your takes once again.

    On OSU drive charts: You inspired me to plot ‘em all out. On a macro scale, your thesis is confirmed as well. Against teams on which OSU can run the ball, long drives are in play. Against tougher defenses, the Cowpokes depend greatly on the big play.

    Our safeties need to avoid a big play-action disaster and I think we’ll be just fine.

  33. Spider said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    Who cares if out D had some hiccups in the second half?

    Coach Boom, for one.

  34. RansomStoddard said:

    October 23rd, 2008 at 5:35 pm

    They will see who Number 13 is covering and throw the ball to him…over and over and over.

  35. Golf Prick Gundy said:

    October 24th, 2008 at 11:11 am

    Drive charts are GARBAGE! They make me want to puke.

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