I’m going to try not to rehash a lot that has already been said on the board over the past few days, there might be some overlap, but I hope some time and space can provide a different perspective on that annoying Saturday in Fort Worth.
But, a couple of things I want to quickly express my opinions on that I saw over the weekend.
Okay, with that out of the way, I want to show some plays from the offense that were probably the difference between winning and losing. I labeled these plays as “missed opportunities,” they are plays that I would expect a player playing for Texas Tech to make. This is not all to defend Kittley, I don’t like his offense. I have not liked this offense since about year two of Kliff. It is not my preference, but I also do not think it can provide enough answers for the test. However, I do believe that it can be successful enough, at Texas Tech, for our goals to be met.
Not to excuse the offensive staff, but I think it is fair to logically consider the situation. Rotating cast of QBs due to injury (look what QB injuries have done to Oklahoma State), bad offensive line (plus injuries), no experience at the WR position, and no speed at the WR position. This is why, even though I am incredibly frustrated, I am not calling for heads. Additionally, before we get to these clips, it is fair to argue if a staff should put players in a position to make plays that they may not be able to make. I would not make that argument, but it is a solid one.
The first play in this clip is simple, Bradley has a huge height advantage, he gets both hands on the ball, and it needs to be caught. Simple. Kittley’s offense thrives off the big play, and that’s a big play that needs to be made. The lack of skill on offense makes Kittley must call a perfect game, no OC looks good in that situation.
Next play is is 4 verts, a staple of just about every modern offense. Shough is not pressured, but we’ve seen this from him before, he cannot read the field. Watch the #2 receiver up top, the moment he breaks the second level there is a miscommunication, and he is wide open. That’s the throw, not to price. The correct throw there = 6.
Again, like the first play, this ball must be caught, and we saw Sparkman make a better play on a ball in the end zone. Some of these receivers HAVE GOT TO BE more consistent if this offense is going to find any kind of success. Another big play that should have been made, missed.
On the next play, watch the #2 receiver on the bottom, same situation as on the second play. Shough is not pressured, but instead of finding the wide-open man for 6, he throws into double coverage.
I didn’t add it, but you could include the Smith 4th down where he should’ve thrown to Brooks. That’s a good play design and call, just not executed. The offense is bad, but there’s blame to go around.
This next clip highlights the defense, I know the end of the past two games have been frustrating for this unit, but they have played well enough, if the offense could have helped them out, to win both games. This performance was especially impressive considering how good TCU’s offense has been.
In the first play, I love the way they play the counter. If I was Garrett Riley, I would have started celebrating seeing the way it had set up, but Pierre, Kosi, and Krishon play this just about perfectly. Take on the blocks, shed them, and fill gaps to make the tackle. TCU was not expecting us to play their pulling plays this well.
Just watch Muddy on the second play, he baits and switches the reevier perfectly so that Duggan thinks this is a good throw. It’s not, and Muddy makes him pay. I’m going to miss him.
As much as I am going to miss Muddy, I am equally excited about Adedire. How many times as Duggan made us pay on a play like this? Adedire is so quick in those small spaces and brings down Duggan before he can break the pocket.
Jacob Rodriguez pops every week. I love this play uses his hands and strength to read the play, shed the blocker, then make a perfect form tackle.
Honestly, I was pretty sure we were going to win after this last play, the secondary does a great job of cutting off any quick reads for Duggan, the d line stay in their lanes and doesn’t give him an easy out to run, and Hutchings comes through to finish off the play.
Contrary to what most seem to think, I’m feeling pretty good about where things stand currently with this football team. I believe they are headed in the right direction and might have been ahead of schedule with some injury luck.
If Morton were healthy, I would predict a 3-0 finish, but I just can’t do that with Shough behind center, I do not trust him to see what he needs to see.
If I were in charge, I would make a copy of Cumbie’s gameplan against ISU last season and try to duplicate that with Donovan the rest of the year, and I think it would work to a great deal of success. I’m not sure that’s Kittley’s way, but we’ll see. I’m excited to see how this shakes out.
But, a couple of things I want to quickly express my opinions on that I saw over the weekend.
- I agree with the 4th down strategy, even though I may not have gone for all the ones McGuire chose to go for. I like having a code.
- I do not think Kittley needs to be fired… right now. This offense was going to be bad, especially considering situation, no matter who was calling plays.
- This team is good, competitive, but fatally flawed (athleticism on offense and offensive line) that has cost them games.
- Building something takes time and the impatience shown for this team and staff is immature.
- This game was changed by the officials.
Okay, with that out of the way, I want to show some plays from the offense that were probably the difference between winning and losing. I labeled these plays as “missed opportunities,” they are plays that I would expect a player playing for Texas Tech to make. This is not all to defend Kittley, I don’t like his offense. I have not liked this offense since about year two of Kliff. It is not my preference, but I also do not think it can provide enough answers for the test. However, I do believe that it can be successful enough, at Texas Tech, for our goals to be met.
Not to excuse the offensive staff, but I think it is fair to logically consider the situation. Rotating cast of QBs due to injury (look what QB injuries have done to Oklahoma State), bad offensive line (plus injuries), no experience at the WR position, and no speed at the WR position. This is why, even though I am incredibly frustrated, I am not calling for heads. Additionally, before we get to these clips, it is fair to argue if a staff should put players in a position to make plays that they may not be able to make. I would not make that argument, but it is a solid one.
The first play in this clip is simple, Bradley has a huge height advantage, he gets both hands on the ball, and it needs to be caught. Simple. Kittley’s offense thrives off the big play, and that’s a big play that needs to be made. The lack of skill on offense makes Kittley must call a perfect game, no OC looks good in that situation.
Next play is is 4 verts, a staple of just about every modern offense. Shough is not pressured, but we’ve seen this from him before, he cannot read the field. Watch the #2 receiver up top, the moment he breaks the second level there is a miscommunication, and he is wide open. That’s the throw, not to price. The correct throw there = 6.
Again, like the first play, this ball must be caught, and we saw Sparkman make a better play on a ball in the end zone. Some of these receivers HAVE GOT TO BE more consistent if this offense is going to find any kind of success. Another big play that should have been made, missed.
On the next play, watch the #2 receiver on the bottom, same situation as on the second play. Shough is not pressured, but instead of finding the wide-open man for 6, he throws into double coverage.
I didn’t add it, but you could include the Smith 4th down where he should’ve thrown to Brooks. That’s a good play design and call, just not executed. The offense is bad, but there’s blame to go around.
This next clip highlights the defense, I know the end of the past two games have been frustrating for this unit, but they have played well enough, if the offense could have helped them out, to win both games. This performance was especially impressive considering how good TCU’s offense has been.
In the first play, I love the way they play the counter. If I was Garrett Riley, I would have started celebrating seeing the way it had set up, but Pierre, Kosi, and Krishon play this just about perfectly. Take on the blocks, shed them, and fill gaps to make the tackle. TCU was not expecting us to play their pulling plays this well.
Just watch Muddy on the second play, he baits and switches the reevier perfectly so that Duggan thinks this is a good throw. It’s not, and Muddy makes him pay. I’m going to miss him.
As much as I am going to miss Muddy, I am equally excited about Adedire. How many times as Duggan made us pay on a play like this? Adedire is so quick in those small spaces and brings down Duggan before he can break the pocket.
Jacob Rodriguez pops every week. I love this play uses his hands and strength to read the play, shed the blocker, then make a perfect form tackle.
Honestly, I was pretty sure we were going to win after this last play, the secondary does a great job of cutting off any quick reads for Duggan, the d line stay in their lanes and doesn’t give him an easy out to run, and Hutchings comes through to finish off the play.
Contrary to what most seem to think, I’m feeling pretty good about where things stand currently with this football team. I believe they are headed in the right direction and might have been ahead of schedule with some injury luck.
If Morton were healthy, I would predict a 3-0 finish, but I just can’t do that with Shough behind center, I do not trust him to see what he needs to see.
If I were in charge, I would make a copy of Cumbie’s gameplan against ISU last season and try to duplicate that with Donovan the rest of the year, and I think it would work to a great deal of success. I’m not sure that’s Kittley’s way, but we’ll see. I’m excited to see how this shakes out.
