Just got back from Houston in time to watch OU crap their pants in the 4th quarter, and I haven't read the whole game thread, but here's a few of my thoughts:
--the difference in the first half when we were up 24-6 and 2nd half when we got outscored 17-7 was Bowman's play. In the first half, he was outstanding--and the second half I'd go as far as poor. If I had my choice, we'd land an experienced/athletic QB out of the portal...but since that's likely not going to happen, the best option is Bowman getting that waiver. He's done a lot of good things this year--perhaps the most important being a leader and a great locker room guy--but he's got to play more like a veteran next year if he's the guy. He just makes too many boneheaded decisions, and not just interceptions. He made some bad RPO reads, too. But, another year in the system, and time to work more with his WR and maybe he'll step his level up one notch.
--granted I was in the club level, but the OSU crowd seemed pretty dead. Maybe because we got out to a big lead and then just survived...but there was almost no one on their feet on third downs, just a general lack of excitement. Maybe it was just me.
--the defense still bewilders me. Now I will say--that Reed kid isn't just some 4th string QB--he was a highly recruited dual threat guy that A&M got, and he may end up being a real star. STILL, Nardo should be able to do things to confuse a kid like that...but instead, he read almost easily blitz and got the ball out easily, he knew where to go against every coverage, and caught our DL lunging inside alot and he ran outside. Gundy said "the starter getting hurt was the worst thing for our defense because we weren't ready for this kid at all." That was hyperbole but I see his point. But A&M obviously had more adjusting to do that we did, and they did it well. I'm hoping we see that big improvement between year 1 and year 2 for Nardo, because right now it looks like Gleason 2.0.
--I really hope BP comes back. He's a superstar, probably one of the biggest unsung heroes I've seen at OSU.
--should be lots of reason for excitement for the program in the offseason. We should be a preseason top 20 team and will be one of the favorites to win the league. We need a few more portal guys and then solve the QB situation. The new Big 12 won't be easy, though. Ask OU.
Overall it was a fun and crazy season, and a nice bounce back from the debacle of the previous season.