I've gone back and watched the game twice all the way through now. So, I figured I would share a few of my own thoughts.....
*38 points in the first half, which was more than OSU has given up all season in a game. Again, when this Tech offense is rolling, it's the best the Red Raiders have fielded since 2008, IMO.
*But therein lies the problem. When the Tech offense stagnates, things get stuck in the mud for a handful of drives at a time. That's what happened in the third quarter before Tech started rolling again in the fourth. Chunk plays fuel the offense toward snowballing into bunches of points. Dink-dunking on three and four yard gains don't.
*If it weren't for the late 4th INT while driving to take the lead, I believe Saturday's performance would've been Mahomes' best of the season. He made a whole lot of really good decisions, and he's starting to learn to take the underneath stuff that's given to him, similarly to how he did against Arkansas in the second half. Lots of great decisions, and a handful of NFL throws.
*But therein lies the problem for this team right now: They have an extremely thin margin for error against quality teams. Pat was great for 3 and a half quarters before giving it away, and that took away most of what was left of Tech's surging momentum. Then, when the offense Gina
*The defense wasn't as bad as the final numbers indicated. Wasn't good, but I thought they made more tackles than they had all season long in the first half, were in position. The straightforward run plays were mostly stifled, and then OSU went to all their reverses to get the offense going, then switched to Walsh which makes their misdirection stuff in the run game even more dynamic. The switch to Walsh is what won OSU the game, IMO.
*Again, like they have quite a bit so far this season, the Tech D even gave the Tech offense a handful of opportunities to try and get up big again in the third. They just don't have the personnel to slow down the elite playmakers in the Big 12 consistently. James Washington is that guy for OSU, Perine/Mixon are those guys for OU, Doctson is the guy for TCU, and Coleman is the guy for Baylor. Those guys have all been big in wins against Tech.
*Taylor Symmank is needed, and from what I know, he very likely could be back this weekend. Punting was an adventure after halftime, which I'm sure Cosch Chiavarini wasn't pleased with, as his special teams units have mostly been great all year.
*Two positives to take away from the game: Ian Sadler is developing into a go-to player for Mahomes. He's great and finding space and is almost always seemingly open. Second, Tech fought back and had several chances to win it after OSU surged so hard in the third and early fourth.
*And that's the next step for this Tech team. They fight and don't give up. Now it's time to get over the hump with the big plays in key situations. OSU has a number of veterans that know how to win and make big plays when they have to be made, which is why they've won so many close games this year. Tech's only got one guy that can do that right now: DeAndre.
*Outside receiver is just a flat out issue for Tech right now, starting with Davis and Lauderdale. Neither is winning downfield match ups right now. That's limiting Tech's offense. It wouldn't surprise me if Tony Brown and KeKe Coutee keep getting a bigger share of the reps as we close out the season.
*Now, this team has two choices: Keep pushing forward and win or collapse. They've collapsed in November over the last half decade. They have three games that are all certainly winnable left on the schedule. Time to find out.
*38 points in the first half, which was more than OSU has given up all season in a game. Again, when this Tech offense is rolling, it's the best the Red Raiders have fielded since 2008, IMO.
*But therein lies the problem. When the Tech offense stagnates, things get stuck in the mud for a handful of drives at a time. That's what happened in the third quarter before Tech started rolling again in the fourth. Chunk plays fuel the offense toward snowballing into bunches of points. Dink-dunking on three and four yard gains don't.
*If it weren't for the late 4th INT while driving to take the lead, I believe Saturday's performance would've been Mahomes' best of the season. He made a whole lot of really good decisions, and he's starting to learn to take the underneath stuff that's given to him, similarly to how he did against Arkansas in the second half. Lots of great decisions, and a handful of NFL throws.
*But therein lies the problem for this team right now: They have an extremely thin margin for error against quality teams. Pat was great for 3 and a half quarters before giving it away, and that took away most of what was left of Tech's surging momentum. Then, when the offense Gina
*The defense wasn't as bad as the final numbers indicated. Wasn't good, but I thought they made more tackles than they had all season long in the first half, were in position. The straightforward run plays were mostly stifled, and then OSU went to all their reverses to get the offense going, then switched to Walsh which makes their misdirection stuff in the run game even more dynamic. The switch to Walsh is what won OSU the game, IMO.
*Again, like they have quite a bit so far this season, the Tech D even gave the Tech offense a handful of opportunities to try and get up big again in the third. They just don't have the personnel to slow down the elite playmakers in the Big 12 consistently. James Washington is that guy for OSU, Perine/Mixon are those guys for OU, Doctson is the guy for TCU, and Coleman is the guy for Baylor. Those guys have all been big in wins against Tech.
*Taylor Symmank is needed, and from what I know, he very likely could be back this weekend. Punting was an adventure after halftime, which I'm sure Cosch Chiavarini wasn't pleased with, as his special teams units have mostly been great all year.
*Two positives to take away from the game: Ian Sadler is developing into a go-to player for Mahomes. He's great and finding space and is almost always seemingly open. Second, Tech fought back and had several chances to win it after OSU surged so hard in the third and early fourth.
*And that's the next step for this Tech team. They fight and don't give up. Now it's time to get over the hump with the big plays in key situations. OSU has a number of veterans that know how to win and make big plays when they have to be made, which is why they've won so many close games this year. Tech's only got one guy that can do that right now: DeAndre.
*Outside receiver is just a flat out issue for Tech right now, starting with Davis and Lauderdale. Neither is winning downfield match ups right now. That's limiting Tech's offense. It wouldn't surprise me if Tony Brown and KeKe Coutee keep getting a bigger share of the reps as we close out the season.
*Now, this team has two choices: Keep pushing forward and win or collapse. They've collapsed in November over the last half decade. They have three games that are all certainly winnable left on the schedule. Time to find out.
