OU keys to beating Cincinnati

Originally Published: Sep 23, 2010 9:41 AM CDT&#160;OFFENSE1.&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;

Thursday, May 26th 2011, 1:27 pm

By: News 9

Originally Published: Sep 23, 2010 9:41 AM CDT

OFFENSE1.       QB Landry Jones must lead and execute2.       Avoid no gain or lost-yardage playsgetting behind the chains in long-yardage situations the easiest way to get the home crowd into game, which is not good for a young squad with a history of limited success on the road3.       Play callingOC Kevin Wilson must find a balance up-tempo vs. normal pace, gun vs. under center, run vs. pass and short throws vs. lower-percentage deeper ballsDEFENSE1.       Don’t let Cincy QB get rollingZach Collaros is better than the numbers show. Getting behind at Fresno and a fired up Thursday crowd at NC State did not help as they both pinned their ears back and put pressure on him all night long. He’s a duel threat who can eat you alive if he gets goingmuch, much easier to do in friendly confines2.       Hard Knocksthis team has been disappointing in the scarcity of head-rattling hits its made, particularly from the secondary where it’s easier to get a head of steam. We saw a glimpse of it vs. Air Force but not enough “make ‘em think about it twice” hits3.       Better play from the interiorleading to longer yardage plays and more one-dimensional playINTANGIBLES1.       Handle momentum swingsa much bigger factor on the road2.       Play “on edge”done only once this year when they routed a 2-1 FSU team. There must be more of a sense of urgency and must  play like underdogs and not seventeen-point faves3.       Break even or win turnover gameRB Murray has done a great job in ball security but Jones must not gamble and young receivers must protect ball while rush should get to Collaros (sacked 15 times in three games) and needs to create a turnover or two4.       PK Jeremy Stevens must come through and convert every opportunityBob Stoops won’t put him in FG attempt situations beyond 45 yards, thus he must hit all extra points and FGAs because picking up points on the road every time possible is important5.       Bouncesall you ever hope for is your share of good bounceswe’ve all seen games where a lesser team gets all the bounces and close calls and upsets the better team. OU is the better team so just breaking even here is all you can ask6.       Play on road with same confidence it does at homesomething not seen from this current bunch of players The final key is to score more points than the other team. Ninety nine percent of the time the team with the most points wins!