This is a solid football team.
Ranks
Scoring O - 26th
Scoring D - 21st
Total O - 31st
Total D - 27th
3rd down O - 14th
3rd down D - 92nd (weakness)
RZ Off - 114th (weakness)
RZ D - 76th (weakness)
Rush O - 18th
Rush D - 22nd
Pass O - 62nd (average)
Pass D - 57th (average)
Turnovers - 6th (elite)
Penalties - 95th (weakness)
My synopsis...
AzSt is a very good team. They don't have much in the elite talent ranks, but they are like playing KState back in the day under Bill Snyder. They truly believe they can win. They are going to Atlanta to win this game and have ZERO fear. Texas does not scare them. Change that shit 1st quarter and lean on them the rest of the game.
This game rests on the shoulders of Quinn being sharp, especially on 3rd down and in the RZ. As stated above (EtLH I think) we need Smart Sark and not Dark Sark. If he just calls plays that allows our talent to overwhelm the AzSt defense we will be fine. If he tries to do all the "look how smart I am" bullshit then we will be in trouble. K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Sark!
Take away the big plays in the run game and squeeze the pocket. They are average in protecting the QB. Leavitt is good, but he is a major step down from Klubnik.
They don't turn the ball over. So you are going to have to stop them and make them punt. This also means that our offense is going to have to sustain drives and play penalty free. Quinn is going to have to be smart with the ball. The good thing is that AzSt doesn't sack the QB much, but they do get INTs
Get after their ass on O on 1st down and keep them at or behind the sticks. Show some different looks and make them panic up front. Cause some timely penalties and make them start to try and force things to happen. That is where you will see the mistakes.
We should control this game from start to finish. SHOULD. Be sharp early, allow the defense to do their thing and we will see you in the SF in Arlington!