[Husker] Oklahoma's Fast Tempo Offense (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Andrew Smith]

I'm not saying OU's tempo isn't an issue, but I think some other factors 
much more important.  As you point out "if we fail to mount long drives, 
taking time off the clock and eventually getting points, we hand the ball
back to them and the pace of the game becomes theirs".

The stats suggest that OU's defensive line and linebackers are NOT 
impressive, at least against the run.  They are #63 in rush defense and 
against the 3 best run teams they faced they gave up 5.3 yard/rush or more:
   Air Force 5.6
   Baylor 6.2
   Oklahoma St. 5.3
Statistically, Nebraska is the best rushing offense OU has faced while 
OU is one of the weaker rushing defenses Nebraska has faced.

While Nebraska can't get too one-dimensional, OU's pass efficiency 
defense is comparable to Missouri's and Texas A&M's so Nebraska will 
need to be careful when passing.

IMHO, Nebraska's keys are:
* Establish a successful running game.
* Shut down OU's running game so Nebraska can focus on pass defense.

Go Big Red!

On 12/1/2010 9:27 AM, Nick Chevance wrote:
> On Tue, Nov 30, 2010 at 8:57 PM, Andrew Smith<arossman at earthlink.net>  wrote:
>> If Nebraska has problems with Oklahoma, I don't think it will be due to the
>> tempo.
>>
>> Nebraska is going to rush more than 23 times!  If Nebraska is in this game,
>> they will take time off the clock and Oklahoma will not have 18 possessions.
> I don't know about you but those numbers are a big concern to me.
> Nebraska, in the first half against Okie State, had some difficulty
> getting the right players on the field on defense, and Okie State's
> tempo while quick, seems a walk in the park next to the Sooners pace
> in the Bedlam game.  I'd say the scoring drives that Okie State had
> against us in the second half were related to penalties, pace, and a
> tired defense.  Luckily we were able to outscore them with more ease
> than what they could do to us.
>
> I think most folks will say that a cure to the quick pace is several
> three and outs.  That simply stops the pace of the game and takes it
> out of their hands.  However, if we fail to mount long drives, taking
> time off the clock and eventually getting points, we hand the ball
> back to them and the pace of the game becomes theirs.  And I have some
> doubts how successful we might be simply running the ball.  Their
> defensive line is impressive, and the linebackers run to the ball very
> well.  I think we'll really have to mix it up with a lot of runs, play
> action, and options to keep the Sooners on their heels.  And this may
> be a game where the number of three and outs (or number of first
> downs) dictates the outcome.
>
> Can't wait.  But my fingers are crossed (which makes it really tough to type!)
>
> Nick