On the plus side, TCU's top back only averaged 4.1 yards per carry. Of course, everyone knows that a Sonny Dykes team is going to be much better at passing than running. Overall, I am encouraged by the defensive showing tonight. We knew going in that the Stanford secondary was relatively better than the front seven, but I think we learned tonight that the Stanford secondary will compete and not get manhandled against good receivers/good QB, even if they are going to give up some big plays.
I just don't know if the relative success against the run tonight is more about Stanford's defensive improvement or the opponent's shortcomings...
As far as the offense, the playcalling was hyperbolically aggressive, with Stanford attempting *five* fourth-down conversion attempts and several misdirection/unconventional play calls. The results weren't great, and even when things worked--the 3rd-and-11 running play in the first half that gained a first down--the choices were very questionable to us fans given down, distance and scoreboard.
OTOH, overall I like having an aggressive mindset as a big underdog going into the first game (recall the first play was a deep shot to Ayomanor). I've been as big a critic of TT as anyone, but coaches need some time to learn the hard truths about their team's limitations and how to play to a team's strengths. It is only game one, so I am hopeful that TT will get a better handle on what the team's true strengths are. But, yes, the "win rate" for offensive plays tonight was very disappointing, and TT has to shoulder more of the blame for that in his second season.
ONE MORE THING: Checked the stat sheet, TCU had 10 TFLs tonight. That's the key stat if you really want to worry that TT is in over his head.
I just don't know if the relative success against the run tonight is more about Stanford's defensive improvement or the opponent's shortcomings...
As far as the offense, the playcalling was hyperbolically aggressive, with Stanford attempting *five* fourth-down conversion attempts and several misdirection/unconventional play calls. The results weren't great, and even when things worked--the 3rd-and-11 running play in the first half that gained a first down--the choices were very questionable to us fans given down, distance and scoreboard.
OTOH, overall I like having an aggressive mindset as a big underdog going into the first game (recall the first play was a deep shot to Ayomanor). I've been as big a critic of TT as anyone, but coaches need some time to learn the hard truths about their team's limitations and how to play to a team's strengths. It is only game one, so I am hopeful that TT will get a better handle on what the team's true strengths are. But, yes, the "win rate" for offensive plays tonight was very disappointing, and TT has to shoulder more of the blame for that in his second season.
ONE MORE THING: Checked the stat sheet, TCU had 10 TFLs tonight. That's the key stat if you really want to worry that TT is in over his head.