pass efficiency: 13th rushing: 33rd total offense: 19th punt average: 33rd link My one concern: vertical passing game Colt had by all accounts a very efficient day passing. Yet you would think after such a great day (24-29, 3 TDs, 0 INTs) he would be higher up the pass efficiency chart. The reason he is not higher is yards per attempt. Colt averaged 7.7. Mark Sanchez, by comparison, averaged 9.7. I would like to see more downfield passing as the year progresses. The question is: Do we have the horses at WR?
Frankly, I couldn't care less about the stats on pass efficiency. What counts is wins and losses and Colt is on the road to being one of the best. He admits he probably shouldn't run as much as he did last week and when he dumps the ball off to his check off receivers (backs and tight ends), the stats will go way up, if that matters at all.
I don't know how we'll be able to beat OU with such average punting from the QB position. Really, though, let's revisit those numbers after our 4 warm up games. We have 4 guys who have the potential (so we've been told) to help open things up downfield - Williams, Kirkendoll, Buckner Collins. We've seen reasons for hope out of 3 of 'em, and the staff seems to think the the 4th was pushing the others, especially Malcolm, before the admin. error sidelined him for a game. I like the chances that we find a Sweed/Pittman like combination. As I remember it, those two suddenly became playmakers in the OSU game. I'm hoping at least one of those four reach a comfort level by Colorado, and holding out a touch of optimism that 2 of 3 will.
If you can move the ball and score TDs without a vertical passing game, then that's great. Long passes can be game breakers, but they can also stall drives and cause turnovers. I'd expect to see more in tougher games.
I'm happy to see Colt stay consistent, even if he doesn't go downfield much. Consider these two options: (1) Colt sustains his 7.7 YPP, getting 5+ yards well more than half the time he drops back. (2) Colt throws downfield more, occasionally conencting for 30, 40, or 50, but also incrasing the number of incompletions. His average YPP climbs to 9.7, but he now gains 5+ less than half the time. Option (1) is a prescription for moving the ball down the field on a sustained basis, scoring more often than not. Option (2) would lead to more Sports Center highlights and Heisman votes, but more 4th downs as well. Overall, I think we are better off with option (1). Colt should throw downfield just enough to keep the defense honest -- no more.
First, they were facing a defense that was set up to keep the passing game short, and as we all know, this offense is going to take the underneath stuff all day if it's open. (And btw, there's nothing wrong with that.) I think a lot of people are in love with the "deep ball" because they see it on TV highlights and forget that it's a low percentage play. You pick your spots and matchups and do it when it's available, not just to throw it up in double coverage for the sake of throwing deep. From what I've read, UTEP is going to go for a lot more pressure and tighter coverage, which means the deep ball is likely to be more available. We'll see. But the fact is that you don't have to throw deep a lot to win.
Guys one week does not mean we won't do it all season long. Lets see how we do the next couple of weeks before we start talking about thats the only way to beat ou.
My main concern are his punting numbers. He needs to do better than that if he wants the Ray Guy this year. Seriously who gives a **** about national ranking in stats. Ws are what count here boys this in TEXAS. ****** consolation prizes are for aggie who relishes in the fact that their starting QB out runs other teams RBs.
We've gone up top in the last three games against OU. It hasn't always worked but we have had some nice plays downfield. The problem is, when many people say "we should go deep on OU" they mean "we should throw 70-yard touchdowns against OU". No one remembers the deep patterns that don't connect, the passes downfield that "only" gain 20-30 yards, or for that matter the post patterns that are completed 15 or so yards downfield but can turn into much longer gains with a missed tackle or missed assignment or against the right defense.
Heck, we tried several long passes against OU in 2004 too, they just didn't really work (outside of the one awesome sideline route to Sweed).
