Great analysis / content. Is anyone else struggling to reconcile OU’s talent and projection with how poorly they played in Dallas last year? The PFF grades, stats, and eye test in other games clearly show a lot of talent on the DL, and arguably in the secondary. I also respect Venables’s defensive game planning and expect that to improve this year, even though he does look like a desiccated husk of a youth pastor.
But man, they looked terrible in Red River and were lucky the score wasn’t worse. Even in the first few series where they played the best and had a great script, they survived some Ewers overthrows and pocket anxiety. And when the game was still in the balance in the second quarter, this statically amazing defense got shredded in the ground by our statistically mediocre running game. This is emphasized by that great shot of RSJ tripping and falling down when trying to tackle Wisner (Bowen was out of position and out of frame).
On the team outlook, I would argue that you’re slightly understating the talent on the DL, and maybe even too optimistic on their LB core. The DL is what A&M wishes they had, although MJJr will be comically negative and take playing time away from better players. On the flip side, Stutsman did a lot for that defense in terms of getting the team organized and being in the right spot even if he did not make a play. Texas game aside, he didn’t take many false steps and allowed the rest of the defense to play faster. I think they’re really going to miss him this season.