I believe Arch's struggle was affecting the team which jumped to horrible life against Florida. Before OU, I saw the usual habit of Arch running around pre-game encouraging the team, and I wondered just how hollow it felt to the other players. Arch is sincere to the core, so it was not mere show. My point is that the team has spent weeks trying to encourage him. That gets old when you begin to believe it won't matter.
Arch's successful plays in the second half, improvised or otherwise, made him inspirational rather than struggling. The offense began playing with more belief and fed on Arch's plays where he turned third and hopeless into a fucking first down by gunning a perfect pass to the sideline while on the run.
Everything changes.
I hope we can do this becomes fuck yeah, we're doing this, motherfucker.
Oddly, getting a couple of scores ahead seemed to have a temporary negative effect on stellar defensive performance. Were we suddenly more cautious and going victory defense? I don't know, but that changed, too. The end of the game was a slaughter. It was beautiful.