UL defense faces huge test in Tulsa

[Hark Mudspeth]

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?

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.

[CajunEXPRESS]

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

[CrappDaddy]

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

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.

[zephyr]

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

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.

[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.

[Turbine]

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.

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.

[CajunEXPRESS]

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.

[CajunNation]

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?

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.

[Ragin4U]

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.

This is the idea. Tulsa cannot score without the ball. If we can run it effectively, that will eat clock as well as open up the high-percentage passing game. If we attempt to "open the playbook" and start slinging it around, we end up with 3 and outs that play into Tulsa's strength. Again, as long as it is working! But 3 running plays and a punt is the same as 3 pass plays and a punt.
Turb-Both scores you posted would be bad but 21-14 means that we are in it at the end. I'm not talking about a moral victory, I mean we are in it with a chance to win. If we hold them to 21 points, I think we win by 2 scores.

[Turbine]

Turb-Both scores you posted would be bad but 21-14 means that we are in it at the end. I'm not talking about a moral victory, I mean we are in it with a chance to win. If we hold them to 21 points, I think we win by 2 scores.

I get what you are saying.

On sides kick, trick play, a last scoring drive. etc ...

Down by one score is better than down by two.

Makes sense.

[ManAboutTown]

If you can get it at 66, do it immediately. I bet that line moves over 70 before kickoff.

Vegas knows something... The o/u has FALLEN from 66 to 57.5.

I can't express enough how bizzare that movement is...

[Just1More]

This is the idea. Tulsa cannot score without the ball. If we can run it effectively, that will eat clock as well as open up the high-percentage passing game. If we attempt to "open the playbook" and start slinging it around, we end up with 3 and outs that play into Tulsa's strength. Again, as long as it is working! But 3 running plays and a punt is the same as 3 pass plays and a punt.
Turb-Both scores you posted would be bad but 21-14 means that we are in it at the end. I'm not talking about a moral victory, I mean we are in it with a chance to win. If we hold them to 21 points, I think we win by 2 scores.

If we CAN run the ball against Tulsa... and keep moving the chains... that's a different argument altogether. But we had one of our greatest, if not the greatest, running backs in school history... and could not run against crappy defenses (and win the game) in the SBC. Talking as if "game control" is within our arsenal... with a running game... is something some of you need to show me evidence of. It's fantastic theoretically... but unless you guys know something I don't... every coach in college football would run over pass every down if he knew he could "get first downs, keep his defense off the field, and score touchdowns". This mythology everyone keeps talking about... "we should control the clock by running the ball" is pure bunk. And talking about "execution"? Have you guys been watching Hud run offenses the past few years?

I hope you guys are right. But if we come home with an L... and we ran the ball excessively to the delight of this forum... I'm not going to be pleased. This program is not built for using the shield to win battles. I don't care how many times we get our legs cut out from under us trying to learn how to use our swords... we need to learn how to use the sword!