September 6, 2009

Sooner fans: Don't put all your blame in one basket

In checking the blogs and youtube videos this morning, I'm seeing an alarming number of Oklahoma faithful who are pinning the 13-14 loss to BYU solely on an injury to Heisman winner Sam Bradford or a missed 53-yard field goal attempt by a freshman punter hand-picked by Stoops to try the game winner.

With all due respect to the Sooner nation, that dog just won't hunt. For certain, the injury and missed field goal hurt, but - beyond those to factors - there's a longer list of reason why BYU won last night.

When Bradford when down, the game was tied on the scoreboard, but BYU was already out-gaining the Sooners. Despite a strong effort from OU's defense, the Cougars ended the night averaging five yards per play and racking up nearly 100 more net yards than Oklahoma. If you let a team like BYU get away from you on the box score, you're probably going to get beat on the scoreboard, too.

The Sooners never got in a rhythm on offense - even when Bradford was in the game - because the offensive line never owned the line of scrimmage. The same unit that Kevin Wilson praised in August fell flat on its face in September. Three false start penalties... on the opening drive? Repeatedly missing assignments on linebackers (one of which led to the Bradford injury)? Failing to move the smaller Cougar defense in the trenches? Does anyone still think converting a tight end to center is a great idea today?

Late in the game and holding a three-point lead, Stoops elected to kick a field goal from BYU's six-yard line. The coach's decision gave OU a 13-7 lead, but it also meant that BYU was going to get the ball back with a chance to win in a one-score game. During the post-game, Stoops was asked about that fateful decision.

"I did (think about going for it)," Stoops said. "That's on us as coaches."

Stoops decision opened the door for the one-point loss, but - in all honesty - it was the Cougars who left points on the field. Not only did BYU miss a field goal of their own, but the Cougars also fumbled inside the red zone and punted twice from within OU territory. A one-point win could have easily been an eleven point BYU victory.

As strong as the Sooners may become this season, they weren't good enough to overcome their own mistakes or bounce back from BYU's punches.

Comments:

Sooner fans: Don't put all your blame in one basket
In checking the blogs and youtube videos this morning, I'm seeing an alarming number of Oklahoma faithful who are pinning the 13-14 loss to BYU solely on an injury to Heisman winner Sam Bradford or a missed 53-yard field goal attempt by a freshman punter hand-picked by Stoops to try the game winner. With all due respect to the Sooner nation, that dog just won't hunt. For certain, the injury and missed field goal hurt, but - beyond those to factors - there's a longer list of reason why BYU won last night. When Bradford when down, the game was tied on the scoreboard, but BYU was already out-gaining the Sooners. Despite a strong effort from OU's defense, the Cougars ended the night averaging five yards per play and racking up nearly 100 more net yards than Oklahoma. If you let a team like BYU get away from you on the box score, you're probably going to get beat on the scoreboard, too. The Sooners never got in a rhythm on offense - even when Bradford was in the game - because the offensive line never owned the line of scrimmage. The same unit that Kevin Wilson praised in August fell flat on its face in September. Three false start penalties... on the opening drive? Repeatedly missing assignments on linebackers (one of which led to the Bradford injury)? Failing to move the smaller Cougar defense in the trenches? Does anyone still think converting a tight end to center is a great idea today? Late in the game and holding a three-point lead, Stoops elected to kick a field goal from BYU's six-yard line. The coach's decision gave OU a 13-7 lead, but it also meant that BYU was going to get the ball back with a chance to win in a one-score game. During the post-game, Stoops was asked about that fateful decision.
"I did (think about going for it)," Stoops said. "That's on us as coaches."
Stoops decision opened the door for the one-point loss, but - in all honesty - it was the Cougars who left points on the field. Not only did BYU miss a field goal of their own, but the Cougars also fumbled inside the red zone and punted twice from within OU territory. A one-point win could have easily been an eleven point BYU victory. As strong as the Sooners may become this season, they weren't good enough to overcome their own mistakes or bounce back from BYU's punches.