Puzzling decisons doomed Oklahoma Sooners in loss to Texas Tech

There have been a number of selections made by the Oklahoma Sooners teaching workers that got here again to chew them of their 51-48 loss:

1. The faux discipline aim try up 14-0
2. Oklahoma’s fourth down selections
3. Brent Venables icing the kicker on the finish of regulation
4. Jeff Lebby sending Dillon Gabriel out to obtain a go from Drake Stoops

Early within the recreation, the Oklahoma Sooners have been dominating Texas Tech. They have been up 14-0 and within the pink zone with an opportunity so as to add on to the lead. The drive stalled when Oklahoma couldn’t choose up greater than two yards on 2nd and 10 and had no achieve on a Dillon Gabriel completion to Drake Stoops that went for zero yards.

That put the Oklahoma Sooners at 4th and eight with a possibility to go up 17-0 within the first quarter. Ever the aggressor, Brent Venables elected for a faux discipline aim and Michael Turk’s go was dropped by Brayden Willis to show it over on downs.

Venables was attempting to rise up 21 factors and actually step on the throat of Texas Tech, however the failed try took factors off the board and gave the Crimson Raiders life. From that possession on, Tech outscored the Oklahoma Sooners 51-34 over the rest of the sport.

Oklahoma hasn’t been adequate on third and fourth down for the Sooners to go for it on fourth down as typically as they did towards Texas Tech. The Sooners have been 1 of 4 on fourth down and gained minus-9 yards on these performs. I get desirous to be the aggressor, however there have been occasions on this recreation when it seemed like Oklahoma was setting as much as try a fourth down. On the third and lengthy, they’d simply attempt to get as a lot yardage as attainable so they may try to select up the primary on fourth down. Oklahoma is now changing on third down at slightly below 40% of the time and on fourth down simply 37% of the time.

Now, I’m much less upset about Venables icing the kicker than I used to be final night time. Typically it really works. Typically, it doesn’t. If a Sooner doesn’t get his hand on it, Trey Wolff’s first try in all probability goes in.

That being stated, a Sooner did get his hand on it. The sphere aim was blocked and the play didn’t depend. That’s the way it goes typically. If icing the kicker labored, we’re speaking about how artful Brent Venables is.

I’ll let this one go. Maybe if the protection didn’t enable 48 factors in regulation, they wouldn’t have been in that scenario to start with.

Quantity two is the one I actually have an issue with.

Texas Tech couldn’t cease OU in any aspect of the sport. Dillon Gabriel was having a profession night time and Eric Grey–but once more–was working in every single place.

Jeff Lebby took the ball out of Gabriel’s fingers, gave it to Drake Stoops, who then lobbed it to Gabriel. Gabriel then received laid out and needed to come out of the sport for a play.

The Texas Tech DB had about an eight-yard cushion to line up Gabriel on an enormous hit. The OU teaching workers once more confirmed they don’t have any religion in any QB not named Dillon Gabriel and put Brayden Willis within the shotgun for the wildcat formation.

Gee, I ponder what the tight finish goes to do whereas lined up at quarterback.

To his credit score, Willis tried his greatest to make one thing out of it, however this siutation was utterly avoidable.

Jeff Lebby known as a play that put his Most worthy participant who was concussed a month and a half in the past in hurt’s manner. The Sooners misplaced all momentum on the drive after Gabriel went out. It was a nonsensical and pointless play name.

I’m an enormous believer in not tempting destiny. Placing Gabriel in that scenario was tempting destiny. You don’t name that play in extra time.

It was only a dangerous recreation in what has been a foul season. Venables icing the kicker is one factor, however Lebby ought to know higher than to place his quarterback in that spot. This teaching workers has loads of points with themselves they should work out earlier than week considered one of subsequent season.