A Match-Up to Learn From: #16 Baylor vs. #9 Oklahoma State
Oct 01, 2022 2:20 pm
Coach ,
It is arguably the biggest match-up this weekend. #16 Baylor and #9 Oklahoma State face off for the third time in the last year. The Cowboys won the 2021 regular season match-up 24-14 and the Bears won the Big 12 Championship Game 21-16, knocking the Cowboys out of the College Football Playoffs.
The game once again has implications for post season play.
Let’s take a look at what we can learn from some of the coaches in this week’s match-up
#16.) Baylor Bears
Baylor looks to repeat as Big XII Champions, and the growth in leadership is evident. Head Coach Dave Aranda can be found in most virtual clinic audiences. He is always learning the game.
Coach Aranda proved to have learned from year one of being a head coach. He shared that in Lessons of a First-Year Head Coach.
He talks about his learning over the last two years and how that applies to developing the culture of Baylor Football in this video (click on image for video):
Jeff Grimes enters his 3rd season of leading the Bear's offense. In this clinic presentation, he shared the philosophy and design of how they created the Baylor offense which is powered by the base Wide Zone play. He includes how they incorporate Fly for misdirection as well as play-action and RPO components.
For Coach Grimes, the design is about understanding complimentary plays. He equated his young days as a coach to coming to a “potluck” dinner and ending up with a bunch of things that don’t fit together. He explains it here (click on image for video):
Video: Complimentary Play Design
In order to run an effective offense, you have to get it done upfront. Offensive Line Coach Eric Mateos details the Baylor Wide Zone Play and their 5-Man Protection.
He had a realization about their run game including RPO and what he felt was missing. He shares what he believes to be the three most important components of the Wide Zone play here (click on image for video):
Dave Aranda made his name on the defensive side of the ball. In this clinic presentation, he shares his thoughts on defending the spread offense.
He explains how they use “Nail” and Red Hammer” coverage to defend quick, RPO, and downfield throws as well as defending power read in this video (click on image for video):
Ron Roberts is known for his multiple defense as well as Creepers. He shares their base 3-4 and adjustments plus his Creepers Peyton and Carr in this clinic.
In his presentation at Lauren’s First & Goal he explains how they determine who the aggressor and the protector are against the Pistol set. This can’t be determined until they see flow (click on image for video):
#9 Oklahoma State Cowboys
Mike Gundy and the Cowboys were literally inches away from a Big 12 title last season, and possibly a spot in the College Football Playoff. They will have to address losses on defense including defensive coordinator Jim Knowles who moved on to Ohio State.
The good news is Coach Gundy has an eye for spotting coaching talent, and Derek Mason certainly has stepped up to lead the defense. They are #5 in 3rd Down at .324, and are holding opponents to 111.3 ypg on the ground and 22.67 points per game.
Offensively, look for the Cowboys to get it going on the ground to support QB Spencer Sanders. He earned first-team All-Big 12 honors in '21 and is passing for 305.5 yards per game in 2022..
A good rushing attack is a QB’s best friend, and the Cowboys look to get that going with their outside zone play, something that Cowboy Backs Coach (TE/FB) Jason McEndoo knows a lot about.
The Cowboys have made an investment in the outside zone scheme because it allows them to distort a defense while being creative in their attack. Over a 3-year period the two variations, outside zone and search, have netted the Cowboys 1,726 yards with nearly a 5-yard average every time they call it.
Coach explains the importance of the scheme and its success in their offense here (click on image for video):
The success of the scheme starts with a sound teaching progression. Coach McEndoo believes that in order to be good at something, they need to understand everything about their jobs. That means that everything that they do is taught in a progression. He explains that here (click on image for video):
This is definitely a game to pay attention to and see how these coaching points come to life.
Enjoy all of the games this weekend!
Always be growing!
Coach Grabowski
P.S. Here are the othe CoachesClinic.com match-ups featuring coaches from our clinics. Click on the link to see the clinic.
#7 Kentucky HC at #14Ole Miss OC DC DC
#22 Wake Forest HC RB DL DB at #23 Florida State DC OL
Northwestern HC OC DC STC OL RB WR DB DL LB at #11 Penn State HC HC HC DC STC DB
#2 Alabama HC HC AHC OC WR at #20 Arkansas HC STC OL OL
#17 Texas A&M HC HC at Mississippi State HC STC
#10 NC State HC DB at #5 Clemson OC DC
Georgia Tech HC at #24 Pitt DC LB DB
Northern Illinois HC DB at Ball State OC ST
East Carolina DC at South Florida ST OL
Iowa State HC QB/PGC LB at Kansas OC OC QB GM
Virginia Tech HC HC at North Carolina HC SC OC OC OC A A
Ohio HC OL at Kent State HC OC
FAU OC OC at North Texas HC HC
West Virginia DB at Texas HC HC OC/OL OC/OL WR DB ST