Oklahoma State vs Texas Offensive Analysis

This game had a decent amount of new looks for the Cowboys in their 38-13 win against the Texas Longhorns. Let's take a look:


The cowboys have really figured out the ground game.  The two back inside zone read has become their bread and butter. In fact, their second score was with that very play.

The touchdown was with the FB aligned in front of the RB, but they have multiple backfield formations for the two back set.

It also seems that with Yurcich, QB draw is here to stay. Here are the two plays ran by the Cowboys on their first scoring drive; if you take a close look, this is practically the same play, just out of the one or two back formation. Similar to Chelf's draw for a touchdown against TTU, there are routes being run by some of the receivers. Whether these are pre-snap reads or just dummy routes is unclear.

The Cowboys also dusted off an play from the earlier half of the season. The invert option was seen in the very early games by OSU, and although it didn't result in any big QB gains today, it was a nice wrinkle to add.

This is just a variation on a quarterback choice play, but instead of reading the backside defensive end, he reads the play-side end. Anyone with a good memory can recall how Baylor abused OSU with this exact play last year. 

When you can run the ball consistently, the play action game becomes a viable asset. This play was ran after setting it up by running the ball using the same formation and motion. Although it ended up on an interception, it was because Chelf didn't look off the high safety, not because the defense wasn't fooled. One thing I have noticed is that Yurcich loves to use that skinny post. Great concept here, just poor execution by Chelf on that play.

The Cowboys were also able to have success in the play-action passing game from the full house formation. From what it seems, OSU occasionally staggers the backs adjacent with the quarterback. 

Although you can't see it in the diagram, when you watch the replay, you can clearly see that one up-back is closer to the line of scrimmage than the other. This staggered set usually implies a triple option threat, which is an interesting possibility, considering that OSU (the first to use the pistol full house) has never used the triple option in this formation.

Take the Redskins, for example. See how one of the two backs next to RGIII is slightly behind him? 

The full house can be so dynamic in the run game if ran correctly. 

Another standout passing play by the Cowboys earned them a crucial 3rd down conversion in the late 2nd quarter. 

Jhajuan Seales, who is represented by the "S" receiver here (for Seales), ran an out and up on the left sideline. Luckily, Texas was bit on the double move, and Seales was left in a huge soft spot between the corners and the safety.

The final play that we will look at got Tracy Moore a bizarre touchdown catch in the right corner of the end zone. 

From what it seems like, this play was trying to get Moore one-on-one on a poco route. A poco, standing for post-corner, is a double move where the receiver cuts to the inside, faking in inside route, and then running toward the corner. The Longhorns were in zone, leaving two secondary defenders on Moore. Since Moore was the only man on a route, and Chelf received late pressure, he took a chance and threw into double coverage. He seriously lucked out on this, because that pass should have been Texas ball. Still, I'm not complaining.

There was certainly a lot of new stuff in this game today. Some things that weren't mentioned were the return of the jet sweep, the stick draw, and a new misdirection screen out of the split. Looking ahead to next week, I would not be surprised if OSU has some new tricks up their sleeves. It's no easy task to keep up with Baylor, and you will take all the help you can get. Heck, half of the Cowboy's offense last year was gadget plays. Either way, next week should be a big one.

Hope you enjoyed this analysis. Be sure to stay informed, support your Cowboys, and as always, keep lovin' football.