Coach's Breakdown vs. Texas Tech

[CoachOSU]

Coach back again for all your inside information on what to look for in Saturday nights game against the Sand Riders....
I will label this game "the first to 60 wins"... If you go by the offensive numbers and the defensive outputs, you are likely to get about 110 points scored in this game.

Matchups-

1. Potts/Doege (QB) vs. OSU Secondary/LB's- I feel our offense can move the ball against Texas Tech..however the game will be won or lost right here in this matchup....Can we confuse the Tech QB with different coverages? Can our LB's pressure whoever comes out to play QB with different blitz looks/ zone protection looks? I don't think we can totally shut down the passing game (no one has done it really yet) WE CAN slow it down and get some key turnovers. We have to not have any busts in the coverage and battle the Tech WR's all night, making them work to get any kind of catch.
Both QB's can throw the ball all over the field if you give them time... however, both also are likely to make bad decisions if you put pressure on them and smack them around in the pocket.

2. The OSU Running Game vs. TT run defense- Tech is ranked 44th in the NCAA in run defense, allowing only 1,105 yards total on the whole season out of 326 opponent rushing attempts... that means they allow an average of only 3.39 yards a carry.. We are 20th in rushing Offense averaging 4.53 yards a carry... We have to win this area of the game...
WHY??? If you play a spread team who can really drive it up an down the field, the best defense is a good offense.... keep them off the field with long drives and chew up the clock... They can't score if they aren't on the field... Look for OSU to run the ball and chew up as much clock as we can.

3. O-Line vs. Texas Tech pass rushers- Most people don't know but Texas Tech has two STUDS in the D-Line that can disrupt a lot of things an offense does in the pocket. Brandon Sharpe is 2nd in the nation,behind Miller of A&M,in total sacks with 10 on the year. The other D-Lineman Daniel Howard is 33rd in the nation with 6.5.. both these guys have given O-Line fits all year... look for Robinson to move in the pocket and roll out a lot away from these two dominate D-Lineman.

4. Turnovers- We need to force some turnovers on our defensive side... get some interceptions right off the bat and get inside those QB's heads... Make them start really feeling the pressure from the D-Line... Make them throw high and cause some fumbles on their spread running attack. Turnovers will be key in a game like this when both Offenses can score in bunches.


Players to Watch-

1. Kendall Hunter- I have a feeling he will show his old form somewhere in this game... I think he really wants to contribute to this game and look for him to get some more snaps than last week vs. Iowa State. We will need him to get some tough yards and give Toston a rest.

2. Sharpe/Miller (TT DT's)- It will be key to stop these aggressive DT's with lots of roll outs and zone reads... wear them out by making them run all over the field in pursuit.... They are sack machines so we need to account for them when Zac is dropping back and not rolling out.

3. OSU pass defense- OSU is ranked 87th and allowing 237.3 yards per game passing... we had some trouble with spread offenses Houston, Rice).. It is time to put up or shut up.. the defense has seemed like they are ready to prove themselves so let's see what we got as a pass defense.... Not a better spread offense to test yourself against then this one.

4. Parrish Cox (DB)- He needs to have a monster game.. in pass defense and in the return game.... If he doesn't need 4 hot showers, 2 massages, and 3 ice baths after the game then I will be upset... he has to be effective in this game.


Score Prediction-

This week is extra tough because I KNOW how tough TT is for us to play and matchup with against... I also know how hot and cold TT can be this season (one game they look great another look horrible)....

I think it being at HOME IS HUGE for us... and I think that gives us the edge (I hope).. either way it will be a nail bitter ...

OSU- 49
TT- 45

I see it as a back and forth game all game long.. hard hits, key returns, and throw in a couple of turnovers that make this game a heart stopper.

[mejake007]

Nice breakdown but I have a couple things.

Mainly, I think you're underestimating our D. I hesitate to say anything because this will be a good barometer for BY's D but I think we'll do well against them.

The other is our OL is really starting to gel. This will take tech's DTs out of the game, much like they did with Von Miller in the A$M game.

If our DL (and Booker) can continue to be disruptive...we should be able to throw them off a bit. Regardless who's qb. I hear it's Sheffield but he's not a full strength. Anyways, hopefully we can get some pressure up front to take some heat off our DBs and safeties. Perrish does need to step up big just like he's done all year.

[MemphisPoke]

From the very start of the season this game has been circled for me. I am truly worried and it is because of Leach and his play calling and personnel.

And for what it is worth Sheffield has been apparently taking snaps in practice for TT. Potts is good, Doege is adequate but Sheffield is a beast and was able to move their offense better than the other two, in game situations.

I hope that we can put pressure on whoever plays at QB to cause an occasional errand throw and then we might get an interception.

Should be high scoring and entertaining with hopefully a win, for the good guys, as the outcome.

[CoachOSU]

Memphis....Sheffield is starting? All the stuff I read made it sound like he was still recovering from injury.,... I didn't realize he was fully back ready to play

[OSUFan]

This is all I can find on Sheffield.

---------

Sheffield’s road back

Texas Tech quarterback Steven Sheffield returned to practice Tuesday, as Tech coach Mike Leach said he would. But Sheffield was hobbling on his surgically repaired left foot as the team left the field at the end of practice.

The Avalanche-Journal later learned Sheffield took a few snaps in the 11-on-11 team period, but the large majority went to Taylor Potts. Seth Doege, who started Tech’s last game but was replaced by Potts at halftime, didn’t get any snaps in team period, the A-J learned.

Sheffield suffered the foot fracture during Tech’s Oct. 17 victory at Nebraska, which was the second straight game Sheffield started and won.

[CoachOSU]

This is all I can find on Sheffield.

---------

Sheffield’s road back

Texas Tech quarterback Steven Sheffield returned to practice Tuesday, as Tech coach Mike Leach said he would. But Sheffield was hobbling on his surgically repaired left foot as the team left the field at the end of practice.

The Avalanche-Journal later learned Sheffield took a few snaps in the 11-on-11 team period, but the large majority went to Taylor Potts. Seth Doege, who started Tech’s last game but was replaced by Potts at halftime, didn’t get any snaps in team period, the A-J learned.

Sheffield suffered the foot fracture during Tech’s Oct. 17 victory at Nebraska, which was the second straight game Sheffield started and won.


This is very close to what I read/heard... every story I read online it makes it seem like he is still struggling and in a lot of pain from the injury. I guess we will see.

[mt_goat]

I saw this, but I guess its a few days old now: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/big12/ttech.htm

Quote from link: --QB Steven Sheffield needed additional time to recover from a broken foot after an early report indicated he might be available to practice after the Kansas game. His status for the Oklahoma State game is questionable

[jbug]

Everything Techster...at least as of today... says he WILL play??

[MemphisPoke]

Now coach.....I didn't say he was starting. I just said he was taking snaps.

From what has now been posted...it apparently must have been while he was in his wheelchair.

:biggrin:

[OSU_Fan_In_KS]

Coach:

I have another question for you to ponder.

Do we have, in your opinion, the talent on defense to play the Tech WR's close, jam them at the line, throw off the timing between the QB and WR and give our DL and LB's time to get in the face of the QB?

It seems to me the teams who have success against them press their WR's and take away their short quick passing game. Tech seems to be very good at picking apart the zone defense with the corners 10 yards off the WR's.

Looking forward to your reply.

Thanks

[CoachOSU]

OSU_FAN_IN_KS -- Always enjoy your questions... very well thought ideas on how to slow down the Sand Worshippers talented WR's....

I would say that as far as jamming them on the line, I absolutely think Parrish Cox can cover anything thrown out there from the TT stable of WR's....
I am a big fan of Anderson, however I am not as sold on him being able to jam and then run with them like I am Cox, so if I were Young (which in no way am I) I would make sure Anderson had safety help over the top... in other words, I feel like Cox could handle his own whereas Anderson I would make sure and have a safety cheated over to help.

I think our Safeties will be big- Martin, Antoine, maybe Thomas... will be the key in this game, picking up all ther confusing complimentary routes that TT runs... also coming up in run support

LB's will be big in picking up slants, curls, over the middle routes.

I agree that jamming them is a good idea, but we need to only jam them in certain situations... if you commit to jamming them at the line then running with them all the time, then you are putting a lot of confidence in the fact that the WR won't ever make a move and get off our cornerbacks... if they have 5 WR's in routes, our CB's may not have any safety help behind them.

If they make a move and our CB's can't jam them, then you look at a big play for TT....

I think we should mix it up, some jamming, some drop back zone, some man on man, ... Just make Potts, Sheffield,etc... really have to think and pressure them with our DL to not give them time to think... I also would like to see some Cover 2 mixed in where we have our CB's funnel the WR's inside to our Safety help on the hash- this allows our CB's to cover the flats and take away all the bubbles, bubble screens, flare routs.

Hope that helps. Once again they know a lot more than me.. just my thoughts.

[OSUFan]

What about onside kicks everytime so they don't get the ball? They can't score if they don't get the ball. ;)

[CoachOSU]

or we could just take the air out of the team bus tires picking them up from the airport.See can't beat us if they don't even make it to the game!!!

Haha..beat that :music-smiley-005:

[mt_goat]

What about onside kicks everytime so they don't get the ball? They can't score if they don't get the ball. ;)

I don't know why we didn't try that last year in the Bedlam game, they were scoring every time they got the ball. Why not at least try it!!!

[GoPokes83]

We looked so solid against ISU, relaxed and confident. Why can't Gundy get the guys to that level for a major game? Seems like every big game the guys come out like they've never seen the stadium before. IF the Pokes can just play the same way they did against the lowly 'Clones, we'll roll over ttu. We have the skill for a blowout, but can we have the attitude?

[MarkOSU]

We looked so solid against ISU, relaxed and confident. Why can't Gundy get the guys to that level for a major game? Seems like every big game the guys come out like they've never seen the stadium before. IF the Pokes can just play the same way they did against the lowly 'Clones, we'll roll over ttu. We have the skill for a blowout, but can we have the attitude?

Because they are BIG games.

[mt_goat]

These guys are thinking Potts will be the QB Sat: http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=188&f=1650&t=5103371

[GoPokes83]

Because they are BIG games.

Oh I understand that. But I'm looking forward to the day the guys will believe in themselves enough to realize just how good they really are.

[Roman Craig]

Those are some fine folks!!!!

[osupsycho]

It may be the orange koolaid but my gut is saying we put a whooping on the pirates from Lubbock. My brain says otherwise but I can't shake the feeling that we are due and they are in the right time and the right place for us to get a few easy TDs and roll over Tech like Texas rolled over us. No one wake me till Sunday...lol.

[jbug]

'psyc' - MAN I like your 'feeling'...it would be great to be able to lay back Sat. and watch OSU put an arse kickin' on the Techees. Sure hope your 'gut' is right :party-smiley-018::music-smiley-005::action-smiley-033::food-smiley-007::rolleyes::koolaid:

[CaliforniaCowboy]

ISU was a rushing team (rush defense our strength), TTech is a passing team... I don't think it's about "being a big game" as it is about matchups.


My gut tells me that it will not be a high-scoring game (40's and 50's); but if either team scores more than 40, then they will win.

Both defenses are better than they've been in the past contests (between us), which I think will hold the score down somewhat.

My concern is Gundy's stick-to-it approach to running the ball, when other options might be much more productive.

The QB play is going to be the key for both teams... how they perform with some pressure. Potts seems to get rattled when the heat is on, and Zac has been pressing to much instead of just letting the game come to him (and running if that's the best choice).

The teams are fairly evenly matched, but the styles are night and day different.

We've got to be able to run the ball and control the clock (i.e., slow it down and lower the points) if we're going to be successful in this game.

[CanadianCowboy]

ISU was a rushing team (rush defense our strength), TTech is a passing team... I don't think it's about "being a big game" as it is about matchups.


My gut tells me that it will not be a high-scoring game (40's and 50's); but if either team scores more than 40, then they will win.

Both defenses are better than they've been in the past contests (between us), which I think will hold the score down somewhat.

My concern is Gundy's stick-to-it approach to running the ball, when other options might be much more productive.

The QB play is going to be the key for both teams... how they perform with some pressure. Potts seems to get rattled when the heat is on, and Zac has been pressing to much instead of just letting the game come to him (and running if that's the best choice).

The teams are fairly evenly matched, but the styles are night and day different.

We've got to be able to run the ball and control the clock (i.e., slow it down and lower the points) if we're going to be successful in this game.

VERY interesting post, especially reading through it point-by-point AFTER the game. CCWest...are you related to Jeane Dixon....?:music-smiley-005: