In many ways, the TCU offense is built to do the very things that a team has to do in order to beat their defense. Taking an opposite strategic approach could prove favorable against them. This would still include stopping the run, but would put an emphasis on not getting beat over the top and forcing the Horned Frogs to throw intermediate routes and sustain longer scoring drives. The TCU offensive line entered the season as a team strength and has played pretty well. At this point, it is a much better pass blocking line than run blocking unit. The potential loss of LT Vaitai could prove a bit problematic against the Cowboys' pass rush. Teams have been able to get some pressure on Boykin, but by and large, they have not been able to corral him. The Cowboys have enough athleticism to get to the quarterback, but this young man is going to make his share of plays and escapes. The biggest challenge is going to be on the back end of the defense where coverage must maintain longer than normal. Boykin is more likely to scramble to throw than scramble to run, and most of the time the scramble throws will be outside the numbers to wide receivers.
Last season while Kevin Peterson shut down Kolby Listenbee, Josh Doctson destroyed Oklahoma State, giving a glimpse of what would become the norm (100+ yards and 2 TDs.) In that game he caught 7 balls for 225 yards and 2 TDs. He turned 2 short routes into 60+yard breakaways and obliterated Ramon Richards in coverage. A healthy Ashton Lampkin and Michael Hunter would go a long way in helping to bring down the numbers, but Doctson is an elite talent (best player on their roster) that is going to make plays. His ability to separate from defenders on vertical routes, break tackles after the catch, and attack the ball in the air make him dominant at this level in much the same way Justin Blackmon dominated while at OSU. He is nearly unstoppable inside the 20 yard line on the fade. The key to defending him is to remain in position, make the throwing windows tight, and then tackle well. Hopefully the defense will be able to make a few plays, discourage some throws, and possibly get a turnover or two in the passing game. OSU can put a dent in the explosiveness of the TCU offense by turning Doctson into a possession receiver and not allowing him to get yards after the catch. The injuries to the corners are frustrating in terms of timing, but nearly as critical in this game as they will be against Baylor. This is a game where the safeties have to play well.
The other thing that has to happen defensively is that the run game has to be controlled. Last year TCU averaged 6.5 yards per carry against OSU. There were some mitigating factors that contributed to those numbers, like lack of depth at LB, inexperience at safety, etc. Oklahoma State simply can not surrender 261 yards on the ground again this time. Former Nebraska Cornhusker Aaron Green has great straight line speed and enough lateral quickness to hit the whole, make one guy miss, and take it to the house. It's important to eliminate the inside run lanes and force things to flow outside so that help can run to the football.
There is no question that the Cowboys will be the biggest defensive test that TCU has faced this season, but the Horned Frogs have enough individual open field talent to put up quite a few points on the board even if the defense is getting multiple stops and putting their offense in tough positions of down and distance over and over again.
Last week, the Cowboys faced Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were #1 in the country in 3rd down conversions (55%), and the OSU defense was unable to bring them below that average due to the efficiency of the short passing game and ability to keep third downs medium distance or less. TCU enters the game #2 nationally in that same category (53%), and they possess many of the same attributes offensively that gave the Cowboys problems. The difference this week is that TCU has more big play potential (especially with the outside receivers) and will attack the field vertically on early downs. Having some success in limiting early down play-action effectiveness and YAC in the screen game could set up a greater number of 3rd and longs. The bad news is that the big play ability of the offense means that TCU can easily convert some of those. The good news is that they will also miss, allowing the defense more chances to get off the field.
Obviously, turnover margin plays a big role each week, but this week, penalties, particularly holding and pass interference calls could play a major part in the game flow and potentially the outcome. TCU has committed a lot of penalties this year, and they are prone to mental errors. Additionally, there is a strong likelihood that both secondaries are going to be under attack vertically where DBs may resort to grabbing/holding. (It would also be nice for Ogbah to get some calls this week after getting held tigher than a 6 pack of Charmin last week without a call.)
Get ready, it is almost game time.
Last season while Kevin Peterson shut down Kolby Listenbee, Josh Doctson destroyed Oklahoma State, giving a glimpse of what would become the norm (100+ yards and 2 TDs.) In that game he caught 7 balls for 225 yards and 2 TDs. He turned 2 short routes into 60+yard breakaways and obliterated Ramon Richards in coverage. A healthy Ashton Lampkin and Michael Hunter would go a long way in helping to bring down the numbers, but Doctson is an elite talent (best player on their roster) that is going to make plays. His ability to separate from defenders on vertical routes, break tackles after the catch, and attack the ball in the air make him dominant at this level in much the same way Justin Blackmon dominated while at OSU. He is nearly unstoppable inside the 20 yard line on the fade. The key to defending him is to remain in position, make the throwing windows tight, and then tackle well. Hopefully the defense will be able to make a few plays, discourage some throws, and possibly get a turnover or two in the passing game. OSU can put a dent in the explosiveness of the TCU offense by turning Doctson into a possession receiver and not allowing him to get yards after the catch. The injuries to the corners are frustrating in terms of timing, but nearly as critical in this game as they will be against Baylor. This is a game where the safeties have to play well.
The other thing that has to happen defensively is that the run game has to be controlled. Last year TCU averaged 6.5 yards per carry against OSU. There were some mitigating factors that contributed to those numbers, like lack of depth at LB, inexperience at safety, etc. Oklahoma State simply can not surrender 261 yards on the ground again this time. Former Nebraska Cornhusker Aaron Green has great straight line speed and enough lateral quickness to hit the whole, make one guy miss, and take it to the house. It's important to eliminate the inside run lanes and force things to flow outside so that help can run to the football.
There is no question that the Cowboys will be the biggest defensive test that TCU has faced this season, but the Horned Frogs have enough individual open field talent to put up quite a few points on the board even if the defense is getting multiple stops and putting their offense in tough positions of down and distance over and over again.
Last week, the Cowboys faced Texas Tech. The Red Raiders were #1 in the country in 3rd down conversions (55%), and the OSU defense was unable to bring them below that average due to the efficiency of the short passing game and ability to keep third downs medium distance or less. TCU enters the game #2 nationally in that same category (53%), and they possess many of the same attributes offensively that gave the Cowboys problems. The difference this week is that TCU has more big play potential (especially with the outside receivers) and will attack the field vertically on early downs. Having some success in limiting early down play-action effectiveness and YAC in the screen game could set up a greater number of 3rd and longs. The bad news is that the big play ability of the offense means that TCU can easily convert some of those. The good news is that they will also miss, allowing the defense more chances to get off the field.
Obviously, turnover margin plays a big role each week, but this week, penalties, particularly holding and pass interference calls could play a major part in the game flow and potentially the outcome. TCU has committed a lot of penalties this year, and they are prone to mental errors. Additionally, there is a strong likelihood that both secondaries are going to be under attack vertically where DBs may resort to grabbing/holding. (It would also be nice for Ogbah to get some calls this week after getting held tigher than a 6 pack of Charmin last week without a call.)
Get ready, it is almost game time.
