UL defense faces huge test in Tulsa

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Originally Posted by CrappDaddy

This game will tell the tale of the season. Based on Huds comments it sounds like they plan to run the ball and play keep away, more of the last 2 years in other words. If play calling go's vanilla after Davis's first interception then this season is over. We need to go in there and pull every damn play out of the playbook we can.

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If we can keep them from running 100 plays by driving the ball down the field while burning the play clock, I'm all for it. Vanilla all the way. I'm all for a 3-0 win

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Originally Posted by Hark Mudspeth

I have no problem with that game plan if it's working...continuing to stick with an unsuccessful game plan is the problem.

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Hud always "wants" to run the ball... to eat up clock, keep the defense off the field, pound their DL and hope to soften it up, lessen the chance of a turnover, etc, etc, etc. But the reality of it is... and Hud has to know it... he has to open up this offense in order to win 6 this year. He is not going to withdraw into pounding the ball and win more than 4 games. There are ways to produce open looks for JD to throw.

If the rushing attack works... it's obviously the smart way to go. But we also need to get the passing game moving. The rest of the season depends on it. Our defense is just going to have to pull their own weight. If not against Tulsa... then when?

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Originally Posted by Just1More

Hud always "wants" to run the ball... to eat up clock, keep the defense off the field, pound their DL and hope to soften it up, lessen the chance of a turnover, etc, etc, etc. But the reality of it is... and Hud has to know it... he has to open up this offense in order to win 6 this year. He is not going to withdraw into pounding the ball and win more than 4 games. There are ways to produce open looks for JD to throw.

If the rushing attack works... it's obviously the smart way to go. But we also need to get the passing game moving. The rest of the season depends on it. Our defense is just going to have to pull their own weight. If not against Tulsa... then when?

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Absolutely, controlling the clock does not have to equal 3 yards and a cloud of dust. You can move the chains, throw the ball, attack and be creative while controlling the clock.

We don't need to eat that clock, we simply need to score touchdowns.

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Originally Posted by Ragin4U

If we can keep them from running 100 plays by driving the ball down the field while burning the play clock, I'm all for it. Vanilla all the way. I'm all for a 3-0 win

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We've tried this the last 2 years with zero success and zero adjustments. We were able to do it in 13-14 but we arent built that way now. At least I don't think we are. We'll find out Saturday.

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Originally Posted by CajunEXPRESS

We don't need to eat that clock, we simply need to score touchdowns.

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Agreed. You run the offense that scores you points. If it means rushing for 250 yards, fine. If it means slinging it 45 times, fine. It will likely require some balance between the running and passing game and we have to run our offense. I hate the term "open up the playbook". I'm a firm believer in running your offense. Execution trumps all. Teams can get an idea of what you do best but if you execute properly and efficiently, you will be successful. See 2008 when our offense seemingly ran about 7 plays. We were amongst the best offenses in the country statistically and were on a course to challenge for the conference title until both Des and Fenroy got banged up.

If we throw the ball 45 times, the chances are we lose 55-28 or some other unsatisfying score. Tulsa will score if given the opportunity. I think the best chance to win this game is to limit their opportunities to score. Of course. we still need to play our game, whatever that is, but I think we will be disappointed if we try to get into a shootout with one of the best offensive teams in the country.

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Originally Posted by Ragin4U

If we throw the ball 45 times, the chances are we lose 55-28 or some other unsatisfying score. Tulsa will score if given the opportunity. I think the best chance to win this game is to limit their opportunities to score. Of course. we still need to play our game, whatever that is, but I think we will be disappointed if we try to get into a shootout with one of the best offensive teams in the country.

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Limiting opportunities would only look better on paper.

21-14 vs 42-28 the percentages would stay the same.

To me the bigger danger is not running your most effective offense just so the stats don't make you look as bad.

For the record, Hud said that we didn't open up the playbook vs SLU. Guessing he felt fine with our scoring against SLU, and just needed more from defense.

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Originally Posted by Just1More

Hud always "wants" to run the ball... to eat up clock, keep the defense off the field, pound their DL and hope to soften it up, lessen the chance of a turnover, etc, etc, etc. But the reality of it is... and Hud has to know it... he has to open up this offense in order to win 6 this year. He is not going to withdraw into pounding the ball and win more than 4 games. There are ways to produce open looks for JD to throw.

If the rushing attack works... it's obviously the smart way to go. But we also need to get the passing game moving. The rest of the season depends on it. Our defense is just going to have to pull their own weight. If not against Tulsa... then when?

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It's like this.

I want to do whatever it takes to beat the team in front of us on Saturday. This Saturday, that calls for ball control.

Next Saturday, unload the playbook.