Big 12 Roundup: A&M, Nebraska on the Brink
by PB @ BON
on Oct 14, 2007 11:05 AM CDT
in Football
18 comments
It was another wild week in college football in general, but the favorites took care of business in the Big 12.
Oklahoma 41 Missouri 31
Fast start? Check. Control OU rushing game? Check. Three hundred fifty yards passing for Chase Daniel? Check.
In looking ahead at this game, the keys for Missouri were to get off to a good start, not let Oklahoma dominate the game with rushing, and pick on an Oklahoma secondary which has been somewhat vulnerable. They did all that reasonably well, but still fell well short of a road upset against the Sooners.
What happened? Oklahoma picked up four turnovers - including two interceptions of Chase Daniel, as well as a Daniels fumble returned for a touchdown. Meanwhile, Sam Bradford was exceptionally steady, completing 23 of his 34 pass attempts for 266 yards and 2 touchdowns (0 interceptions). Bradford threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and managed the game for Oklahoma like a senior, helping Oklahoma successfully convert 10 of its 14 third downs.
Missouri did outgain the Sooners on the day, but the Tigers never were able to establish any offensive rhythm. Chase Daniel was scrambling for his life all night, picking up the bulk of his yards in the second half when Oklahoma was protecting a lead. The Tigers' 30 rush attempts netted a meager 57 yards. It was, in the end, just a solid, well-executed effort from Oklahoma at home. With the win, they remain in the national title conversation. Which is disgusting.
Next for Missouri: vs Texas Tech
Next for Oklahoma: at Iowa State
Texas Tech 35 Texas A&M 7
If Frannypants wasn't doomed before Saturday, he is now. The Aggies' 35-7 loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock yesterday embarrassed Aggie fans so deeply that I spotted two separate threads on TexAgs clamoring for RC Slocum. Compared to the FranMan, I suppose that's a justifiable feeling.
Texas Tech's Graham Harrell lit up the A&M secondary for 425 yards, including 3 touchdowns, while Mike Leach wisely gave Shannon Woods 21 carries to keep the Aggies honest up front. On the flipside, Stephen McGee continues to resemble a junior varsity passer, completing just 17 of 30 passes for 133 yards, 0 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Aggie fans like to point to his rushing abilities, but the guy's not dangerous enough a runner to justify tolerating those kind of passing numbers. I suppose "gritty and tough" is preferable to some over "competent at throwing," but it wouldn't be my first choice. If I were an A&M fan, I'd be clamoring for Jerrod Johnson immediately.
Michael Crabtree continued his assault on the record books, hauling in another 8 passes for 170 yards. For the first time in his career, the redshirt freshman didn't catch a touchdown, but he was once more a nightmare for the defense.
It should be noted that some of Graham Harrell's excellence is underappreciated because he plays in Mike Leach's system, but Harrell is having an incredible season, improving his efficiency significantly across the board. Harrell's completion percentage, yards per attempt, TD:INT ratio, and sacks taken are all improved over a year ago.
Next for Texas A&M: at Nebraska
Next for Texas Tech: at Missouri
Kansas Stsate 47 Colorado 20
Cody Hawkins: 19/41, 223 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Josh Freeman: 15/27, 214 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Colorado rushing: 36 rushes, 188 yards, 5.2 per attempt
Kansas State rushing: 39 rushes, 249 yards, 6.4 per attempt
Any questions? This win must have been at least a little bit bittersweet for K-State fans: while the Wildcats showed once more how strong they can be when they're playing their game, the week-to-week consistency is still lacking. Losing last week at home to Kansas hurts the team far more than this week's impressive win helps.
For the Buffalos, they're clearly much better than a year ago, but still have a ways to go. Cody Hawkins seems to be boom or bust. If he's making plays, Colorado can wreak havoc. If he's struggling, Colorado's doomed.
Next for Colorado: vs Kansas
Next for Kansas State: at Oklahoma State
Kansas 58 Baylor 10
Baylor is a bad, bad football team. Conversely, Kansas is good? Surprise, surprise, but it is so: the Jayhawks are playing great football this season and now sit alone atop the Big 12 North at 2-0. Can Kansas run the table the rest of the way?
It's possible, but Kansas would have to win three times on the road - at Colorado next week, at College Station the week after, and at Stillwater on November 10th. If they manage to win those three, they'll likely be undefeated on 11/24 when they host Missouri.
Is Kansas really as good as their record, though? They've essentially played one good team all year, but they won that game, on the road. And unlike a lot of teams ahead of them in the rankings, they've thoroughly slaughtered their crummy opponents. It's time to take Kansas seriously.
Next for Baylor: vs Texas
Next for Kansas: at Colorado
Oklahoma State 45 Nebraska 14
Things are disturbingly bad in Lincoln right now, with one Husker blogger noting that the team doesn't seem to care, the coaches are incompetent, and fans should prepare for the worst case scenario - a 4-8 season.
Nebraska tried in vain to beat Oklahoma State with the ground game, and though they did manage 200 yards on the ground, it took them 50 carries to get there. Conversely, Oklahoma State picked up 317 yards on an equal number of carries. The Cowpokes didn't turn the ball over; Nebraska gave it away three times.
Note, too, that Oklahoma State led this thing 38-0 at half. Did I mention this game was played in Lincoln? What a mess.
The fans of the loser of next week's A&M-Nebraska game are going to be deeply depressed. If they're not already.
Next up for Oklahoma State: vs Kansas State
Next up for Nebraska: vs Texas A&M
--PB--
0 recs |
18 comments
Email
Print
Comments
McGee sucks
I have never seen a more disolusioned fan base than A&M about their qb. I have been saying this since last year the guy doesn't know how to throw the ball. It doesn't matter how great your run game is but if teams stack 9 in the box you won't have that much success.
by longhorn4life on
Oct 14, 2007 12:31 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
Many questions
I want to give a little local consideration for McGee. I'm not from Burnet, but close by. I watched him play and he was a fine passer before his knees got beat up, a true 4.5 runner. He operated out of a great spread attack, with a lot of speed, a truly awesome receiver in Shipley and a strong, swift RB. In addition, his team had six major Division 1 recruits over the two final years, rare for a 3A school. McGee was a great field general, had fine touch on the ball, could make the deep throw with ease, and made good decisions.
The locals are as mystified as the now crazed aggies screaming for change. Most think he's incredibly beat up, that his arm is injured or there is some such combo of physical injuries that have reduced his capacity. Coaches note that Fran's offense is just horrible for passers, witness McNeil (who had no touch at all).
I once thought that perhaps Fran had adapted Les Koenig's offense but a coach here (an aggie, no less) who ran that successfully for many years said no, it's all Fran's - and it is Fran who dictates the plays, that the OC is that in name only. (The Koenig offense is fullback oriented and passes only out of need, so it's not an effective passing offense at all).
So, my conclusion is that part of it is the basic offense, which goes to Fran. However, McGee has a light frame (6-3, 205) and he is not built for the punishment that comes in the collegiate running game. He's tough as nails: he went into the first Burnet championship game with a knee injury which would require surgery later and as I was photographing him on a play he was hit from behind at the knees and was injured more. He never came out. So, you have a person who will play and endure with serious personal injury and that is always a mixed bag.
You must respect the personal integrity and grit of such a person - Stephen McGee has great heart - but there does come a time when both health and team considerations must rule. And I think we're all aware that Fran's considerations themselves may not always be in the interest of his players or his team.
I think the aggies have only distasteful choices to make. And that Fran has manipulated the living hell out of the fans and the team for his own benefit. I personally think as a human, not a Texas fan, the quicker they get rid of him the better it will be for them all - and I'm talking today, not after Turkey Day.
So, I understand you saying McGee sucks but I caution you about such statements. Did Colt suck for playing against the Aggies last year? A lot of college players have great heart and often go beyond what we, as adults, consider good judgment, and try to do what they think is best for their team, to fulfill the expectations of those around them. Sometimes your words can carry farther than you imagine and sometimes they convey more than you intend. These are kids, no pros. And if it were your son, those words would be the last thing you would want to hear.
by whills on
Oct 14, 2007 6:27 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
You make some good points
Yeah he is a tough guy and i give him credit for that but please don't go Mike Gundy on me. I watch almost every A&M because they are much more competive. Texas plays maybe three or four games a year which are competive and A&M plays more competive games.
Part of his toughness thing is he has to learn how to slide and get out of bounds and since his freshman year he has had no clue how to throw ball. You can't compare college and 3A highschool d's. He had to be a great passer in highschool to even get consideration to be a D1 prospect. He does not know how to read defenses and doesn't really have a clue of where to go with the ball. The coaches in highschool baiscally tell you where to go w/the ball and his recievers were probaly open by miles.
Reggie McNeal was not a bad qb at all. He was actually a very good passer and had really good touch its just he had a shitty Defense and shitty recievers.
I do believe that part of it is the coaching and the play calling but he just doesn't seem to know where to go with the ball and jerod johnson (in limited time) seems really good. I respect the kid alot (find him a prototypical bro aggie and a little bit annoying) but he doesn't seem like a smart football player at all.
This is a blog and we can say that someone sucks. I am not a journalist and my opinion has no weight whatsoever in the real world. I can say he sucks if i want to and he does. Also if he actually reads these blogs than he is obviously an idiot.
by longhorn4life on
Oct 14, 2007 6:50 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Boomerangs
While this isn't journalism per se, it is a public forum. You can say what you want; I didn't deny you that, only cautioned about possible consequences. I agree McGee shouldn't ever read it but others do; and as an ex-journalist, I will remind you that the capacity out there to misconstrue things is high. And the capacity to get highly emotional in a totally irrational manner over literally nothing is even higher. That's my scars talking, but have at it, if you must. It's your ass, not mine.
While there is a vast difference between 3A and the college level, the point was that he not only had good judgment and a arm - and I didn't point out he was a coach's son - but to ask 'why has it gone south?'
His on-the-field play now is as you describe. There's no disputing that, and I don't defend it. The point is more the system, which can obstruct a player's judgment because of the built-in ambiguities.
After seeing both McNeal's (and I did misspell it) and McGee's skills deteriorate in the system, I became more suspicious of the system and the coaching itself. Something's rotten and I'm glad it's an aggie problem and not the Horns, who have a full load of their own at this point.
by whills on
Oct 14, 2007 7:53 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Thats cool
I really don't think i will have consequences by saying McGee sucks. You make some excellent points and i agree i do think it is the system that is holding him back its his junior year and its too late now for him to get better.
Maybe it is on the coaching but it is also on McGee to a certain degree because it seems like he always took the easy way out on passing plays. He bailed on the play to early (like Colt) but he forget about the pass (unlike Colt).
I think its just the whole offensive which is baiscally expired in this day and age. You have to be able to throw ball well and downfield to win games.
by longhorn4life on
Oct 14, 2007 8:27 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Onward through the fog
The QB must be able to both pass well - and at a much higher level than the past - and run enough to scare the defense. And if you're QB can't do both, even mediocre defenses can load up on your weaknesses and seem much better than they are.
I don't know if there is a QB out there that can 'rescue' Fran's system because they all must go through Fran and his judgment. In the end, it's his judgment which is suspect.
I hope, for the aggie's sake, they find a way through this mess that preserves their integrity and that of their players.
by whills on
Oct 14, 2007 8:44 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Who's the new coach going to be?
I am just curious are you an A&M fan? It really doesn't matter to me b/c i ve seen the TexasAgs site and it isn't up to par as this one.
Anyways who should the new coach be? I personally think A&M should offer Mike Leach the job. If you can't beat 'em join 'em (or hire him in their case). If he can win 8 games a year in that desert and with an underfunded program than A&M would look like an oasis. I'm not sure that aggies would accept him though.
by longhorn4life on
Oct 14, 2007 9:00 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Not an A&M fan
Leach would be great for them, sure, but I don't know if he'd want the job. It would take him a couple of years to get the players he needs in his system but he would make it interesting immediately.
Contrary what is often expressed, there are a lot of good coaches out there if you don't factor in the current popularity contests that are part and parcel of football coverage.
I said it in another post that Mike Price is a good fit for them, despite his problems at Alabama. He's done a great job at UTEP.
I do think they need a Kubiak level coach to overhaul the whole program. Emory Bellard raised their system, but what has maintained through the progression of coaches has been, IMHO, a downhill trend from that level of integrity. (I'm not even sure if Price would make that profile.)
The real question is whether they want a quick fix or do they want a major overhaul that can put them in the MNC chase on a consistent basis with a cutting edge offense. And behind all this I suspect this is ultimately a political question and not necessarily a football one. Of all the alumni out there in this state, the most rabid and the most irrational are Aggies. They are as loyal as their damn dog but jeez they can howl.
by whills on
Oct 14, 2007 10:00 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
that will indeed be an interesting question...
I think it would be in the Aggies' best interests to look at a major overhaul. But to me, this would necessitate also overhauling their whole mentality. Although some of their treasured traditions are really good, I wonder whether the whole package of them is all that useful when it comes to building a modern-day program.
For one thing, quite a few of them I think would fail to, let's say, resonate with young, urban, African-American males. It's probably pretty darn difficult to build a winning program without drawing heavily on that demographic.
At the end of the day, and you allude to this with your "the most rabid and the most irrational" comment, I'm just not at all sure that's what the Aggies want, or will stand for. I think they probably want a Pete Carroll or Urban Meyer or Steve Spurrier, but only if they buy into the whole Aggie mindset, which, for the most part, would preclude them from being Carroll, Meyer and Spurrier. I don't know that someone who would buy into one side of that equation would work that well on the other side. At least without resorting to Sherrill-style cheating...
I must admit, I don't know whether it's a good thing really (for us, the Big12, etc.), but I am enjoying the current meltdown and looking forward eagerly to much, much more of the same for years to come. It absolutely could not happen to a more deserving group.
by agent orange on
Oct 16, 2007 2:02 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Chip Brown on the Aggies
Brown is on Austin radio every afternoon. He has said a couple of times that he expects the Aggies to drop their last six games. One down, five to go.
by awiggo on
Oct 14, 2007 1:08 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
Vince hurt against the Bucs
by chief on
Oct 14, 2007 2:08 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
Not drinking the Sooner Kool-Aid
Even Bobby Stoops admits there is still cause for concern in Norman. Ivan Maisel spells it out:
Here's what had Stoops' acid in full reflux:
After losing only one fumble in the past three games, Oklahoma lost two against the Tigers. Both came out of the usually sure hands of junior wide receiver Juaquin Iglesias, and Missouri turned both into touchdowns.
The usually sure hands of holder Hays McEachern mishandled a snap on an extra point in the third quarter, which eventually became the reason Oklahoma began the fourth quarter behind 24-23. The reason the Sooners scored only 18 points in that last quarter and not 21 is that Stoops chased after the point with two unsuccessful two-point tries.
When Stoops gave that up and tried for one point after the Sooners' final touchdown, Missouri blocked it.
Punt returner Reggie Smith fielded a punt on the 2-yard-line. Nothing bad came of that -- the Sooners drove the ball to their 41 and punted -- but that's the kind of decision that had Stoops sputtering after the game.
"I still feel we ought to be better than we are," Stoops said. "We've got to do a better job of coaching. I think players have got to do a better job of listening, too. I think sometimes they're listening to too many people telling them how good they are. We're really not where we should be."
The Sooners have the benefit of an easier closing schedule, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lost to both Tech and OSU. On the flip side, Texas could lose to both of those teams too.
I'm just not buying OU making it to a BCS game. Even if they win the South, I wouldn't be surprised to see them lose to, say, Kansas in the Big XII CG. If it weren't for all the wacky losses the past two weekends, this team wouldn't be in the Top 10, much less Top 5. But I agree with you PB, it still disgusts me to see them at the top of the charts.
by patienthornsfan on
Oct 14, 2007 3:10 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
And don't discount the HC factor
If it were anyone but Gary Pinkel at the helm yesterday, Missouri wouldn't have lost that game. Well anyone else except Les Miles.
Do you think Michigan fans are still clamoring for Miles in 2008 today?
by patienthornsfan on
Oct 14, 2007 3:12 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
MizzOU
I wonder how the absence of Tony Temple affected Mizzou's game plan and performance. Is he good enough that if he was healthy and played he could have been a game changer?
Someone with more knowledge than I, please answer.
by BigTexBD on
Oct 14, 2007 4:09 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
Darnell hasn't watched an Tech gametape?
a staple of Leach's offense - you put up a 3 man front against us and we'll steamroll your ass with our gigantic OL.
by cortexas on
Oct 14, 2007 10:25 PM CDT
reply
actions
0 recs
Not a single senior on the offensive line.
We are playing with one senior on offense (Danny Amendola), and two of them on defense. Next year should be a big year.
by Red Blooded on
Oct 14, 2007 11:11 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Crap
Are you kidding? Next year will have Texas, Tech, and OU on a collision course with a lot of heartbreak at stake. I hadn't had time to check your depth chart, but I was wondering if you were mostly a senior-laden team that was hitting its stride this year. If Tech can play better defense, this could set up like it did in 2005, but with a good Sooner team in the mix. F parity, dammit. Our whole secondary will be new next year, with only Beasley having significant PT. Luckily only Bobino will remain from the black hole of suck that is the starting LB corps, and there is hope for (my baby) Norton to supplant him. Can a strong front seven make up for an inexperienced secondary against Leach's offense?
by Horn Brain on
Oct 15, 2007 5:39 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Just checked...
it's actually 3 seniors on defense. Three of the starting o-linemen are sophomores, the other two are juniors. Danny Amendola is the only returning starter on offense.
by Red Blooded on
Oct 15, 2007 6:32 PM CDT
up
reply
actions
0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
New FanPost
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
