5 Things I'm Looking for vs. UAPB
1. Trenches
For three straight seasons, I’ve walked into the Jones expecting our guys in red and black to push around the teams their for a pay day, and for three straight seasons, I’ve left disappointed.
Sure, the final scores against Murray State or Tarleton looked fine, but if you actually watched those games, you know the story. At the line of scrimmage, there was almost no consistent push. It felt like a stalemate. Then you’d turn around the next week against real competition, and surprise, those issues cost you games.
Take last year: against Tarleton and ACU, Tahj Brooks ran for 160 and 157 yards. Great numbers, right? But in those same games he had 92 and 100 yards after contact. That’s not dominance up front — that’s Tahj being Tahj.
Defensively, it wasn’t much better. The pressure numbers against these teams were… meh. Against this level of opponent, you should be feasting, not just scratching out a couple hurries and sacks.
| Opponent | Hurries | Sacks |
| Murray State | 16 | 5 |
| Tarleton | 13 | 3 |
| ACU | 15 | 0 |
That’s not good enough. Saturday, I want to see the lines actually impose their will.
2. Overall Team Speed
There were times in the Kliff and Wells years when we’d line up against OU and the speed difference made it look like two different sports. That’s what I want flipped this Saturday.
There’s no real stat for it, but we’ll know it when we see it:
- Receivers blanketed with zero separation.
- Ball carriers trying to bounce outside and instantly regretting it.
- A QB breaking the pocket only to get tracked down in two steps by a defensive lineman.
- Our ball carriers pulling away from defenders.
- Our receivers looking like they’re running routes on air.
I want the speed gap to be obvious. That’s not too much to ask is it?
3. Beheren’s Eyes
I’ve said this before, but I really started to question Kittley’s quarterback development. It often looked like if the pre- or post-snap picture wasn’t exactly what was repped in practice, things went sideways fast. You could see defenses baiting the QB into turnover-worthy throws as the games went on.
Now I want to know: was that a Kittley problem or a Morton problem? We won’t get the final answer in one game against UAPB, but we will know if it’s not fixed. If Behren looks comfortable and processes cleanly, that’s a big step forward.
4. Coverage
This ties back to speed and the upgraded pass rush, but with the athleticism and experience in the secondary, I don’t want to see a single big play, unless somebody literally slips on the turf… and even then!
If UAPB’s QB somehow gets time to throw, there shouldn’t be anyone open downfield. With all the new pieces, I can live with the occasional busted coverage or miscommunication, but not with guys getting flat-out beaten.
5. Leaving After the Drone Show
Finally, a personal one: I’m taking my four-year-old, and my plan is to enjoy the drone show with zero stress about what’s happening on the field. Here’s hoping the weather holds up, because Saturday should be about fun, family, and a celebration of one of the biggest seasons in Tech history.
But, if things are close and if I am still sitting in my seat after that drone show…
