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1) It’s not a fluke
Almost exactly a year ago, the Texas fan base was in a peculiar spot, and was trapped on the kind of emotional roller coaster that would make even the world’s best psychologist punt sanity to the curb in favor of a bottle of booze. After the Notre Dame debacle, Charlie Strong “demoted” his offensive coordinator, and the fan base clamored for Jerrod Heard. Its wish was granted, and although Texas found an inexplicable way to lose to California 45-44, Heard totaled 527 exciting yards and pumped life into the Longhorns. It appeared like Texas had, finally, found a quarterback. I, immediately after, thought so too.
When you haven’t seen something for so long, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish between what’s real and what’s a mirage.
What the game tape truly showed was a dynamic athlete making plays against a defense that ended up No. 82 in S&P+ overall, and No. 98 against the pass. Simply put, the performance, especially the passing part, wasn’t sustainable, rooted in a little luck against a bad defense, and we’d later learn that Heard wasn’t the answer to Texas’ quarterback woes. Fast forward to preseason camp this year, and that quarterback it at receiver, and looks like he could be a good one.
But this time, there’s no mirage to tease Longhorn fans and the Texas program. They’ve managed to make their way through the barren, torturous desert to the end, and to an actual quarterback that can produce in a productive offense.
Shane Buechele’s performance against Notre Dame wasn’t a fluke. Neither was the offense’s performance against the then No. 10 team in the country. Because there were no lucky breaks fueling big plays; there were no ill-advised throws into double or triple coverage that somehow went Texas’ way; a quarterback wasn’t staring down one read and fortunately finding it open over and over again.
Everything that Buechele and the Texas offense did they can do again.
2) Why you should buy Buechele’s Notre Dame performance moving forward
Let's take a look at some video clips to explain Buechele's impressive performance.
NOTE: Just realized the YouTube clips won't work unless you watch them on YouTube. Apologize for that. Only took me two hours to find them all. Anyway, hit play on the videos, and then in the bottom right hit the YouTube logo, which will take you to the video at that timestamp and play. They're worth it. Promise.
--- Take a look at his first touchdown throw to Aramnti Foreman, and watch Buechele’s head:
It’s very subtle, but Buechele, for a split-second, looks towards the right side of the field, where he knows he has a tight end going up the seam to compliment the slot receiver taking the under with a hitch. He looks but he knows before the snap he’s going to Foreman, who will have single coverage. All he has to do is look off that safety for a couple tenths of a second to make sure he’s going to respect the overloaded right side and the threat of the tight end.
That was the first drive of his career, and he was cool enough, and smart enough on the field to give the defense a slight look the other direction before throwing one of the best balls you’ll see all year.
--- During a 7-7 tie with solid field position, it would be tempting to force a third-down throw to try to pick of a first.
But Texas misses a block, and the play-call isn’t ideal. Instead of forcing something or taking a sack, Buechele smartly throws the ball away. Again, that’s one of his first collegiate snaps.
--- On a 3rd and 7, the true freshman from Arlington Lamar jogs onto the field, and is asked to make a quality throw, and a quality decision. Notice before the snap that Notre Dame shows blitz late, and comes with it.
Buechele knows that one of his first reads on blitz is that Jake Oliver, in the slot, is going to replace the blitzer. The young quarterback trusts his read, gets the football out of his hand quickly, and allows his guy to go make a play against single coverage.
Later in the game, Notre Dame doesn’t show pressure before the snap, but immediately brings it at the snap. Notice the defender lined up, splitting the difference between the left tackle and Jacorey Warrick.
That man comes, Warrick runs a quick hitch, and the young Texas quarterback gets the ball to him right out of his break so he can make a move on the safety coming from deep to try to make a play at the catch.
--- A few plays later, Texas is faced with another tough third-down conversion chance. Texas smartly lines up, gets Notre Dame to show something, resets with a call from the sideline, and Buechele sees blitz again.
And once again, he knows that Oliver is going to replace the blitzer in that area, and that the junior receiver is going to work back towards the middle. The freshman makes a quick decision, gets it out accurately, and allows his guy to make another play.
Immediately after that, he knows to look towards the sideline for a quick-snap opportunity against Notre Dame, who had just three-down linemen the play before, can’t get set and isn’t prepared with personnel for the quarterback sneak. Touchdown.
--- Look at how the safety is turned at the snap of the football.
Buechele sees not only the two-deep safety look, but the safety turns towards the outside receiver right at the snap of the football. Based on alignment, he knows the defender splitting the difference between the end of the line and Jerrod Heard can’t stay with Heard, especially with a little bit of a play-fake after just handing to Chris Warren for a first down. The slow safety is going to shade towards the outside vertical route. Pitch and catch for a monster gain, and the ball couldn’t have been thrown better thanks to his rhythm, balance, and weight-transfer in the pocket.
--- Watch at the snap of the football where the safety closest to John Burt is and where the opposite safety is.
This exemplifies the importance in spacing, and receiver splits. Closest to Burt, the safety is just six yards deeper than him once the ball is snapped and Burt breaks out of his stance. The quarterback knows that safety can’t catch Burt, especially at that angle and especially after a little play-fake to make him think for a split-second. The opposite safety is so far away on the opposite hash. It’s impossible for him to make it to the sideline.
The pre-snap read was blitz, Notre Dame brought one, and Buechele knew he had to get the ball out of his hand quick. Even in a cluttered pocket and slightly off-balanced, Buechele’s natural instincts and athleticism (this is where being a two-sport athlete and playing baseball comes into play) allows him to confidently make a tough throw and let his guy go try to make a play against one-on-one coverage. Touchdown.
Much later in the game after Warrick caught a hitch and turned it into a first down against a blitz, Texas hurries up and tries to take a shot to Warrick on a vertical down the seam. Notre Dame showed pressure pre-snap, backed off, and spied on the right edge.
The man lined up near Warrick immediately runs with him, and he’s helped by a safety over the top. First read isn’t there, Buechele scans his eyes back down to Foreman, who is working back towards him and under the cushion. The linebacker can’t get over to make the play, and the defensive back is too far off. Pitch and catch thanks to a clean pocket and smart QB play.
--- This play goes for basically no gain (Notre Dame was offsides at the snap), but it does display something critical to the success of the quarterback in Sterlin Gilbert’s offense.
Buechele is able to give a legitimate fake to the handoff, let the ball travel some beside the running back, bring the ball back, flip his feet and hips into a balanced throwing position, and deliver the ball quickly out of a slightly unusual angle. Again, he looks like an infielder in some of the stuff he does on the gridiron. He did all of that in 1.5 seconds.
Another example of the same thing:
The pre-snap read is the hitch being available because of the massive cushion Burt is getting at the snap. But if a quarterback doesn’t get his feet set and deliver the ball quickly and accurately, it can be jumped for a pick-six.
--- With 1:20 to go in the game and a 2nd and 6th, it looks like Texas is going to have another one of those easy pitch and catches to Burt on the outside after a little play-fake to Foreman. However, Notre Dame jumps it.
Instead of forcing the throw, Buechele somehow manages to pull the throw down, tuck it, and run up field. Either that safety was going to pick it, pick it and return it for a score, or at least knock it down. He made that decision in a tie game, and it might have been a game-saving decision. That’s almost unbelievable when you think about the context, and not going through with something that had been open all game.
3) A lot of what Buechele does is tough to teach and comes naturally
After watching all those clips, think about what we’re referring to regarding his performance. There are aspects like natural play-making ability and instincts; footwork; natural touch delivering the football down the field, and controlling velocity on short throws; delivering the football from different arm angles; reading defenses, and knowing where to go before the snap; confident, cool demeanor on the field; decision-making.
These are repeatable things. This is a young quarterback that thinks and plays well beyond his years, and is an ideal fit for what Texas does on offense.
This isn’t an attempt at being a Debbie Downer, but Texas fans absolutely do need to realize this is still a true freshman. There are absolutely going to be bumps in the road, some down moments in games, and some mistakes at inopportune times. After all, it’s one game, and teams now have tape of what Texas wants to do on offense. And he’s never played on the road. He wasn’t perfect.
But to suggest that Buechele’s performance is a fluke is putting too much stock into him being a freshman, and ignoring what happened Sunday night. Because what happened this past Sunday can be repeated, and is only the beginning.
Texas has its quarterback. This is no mirage.
4) Just because it needs to be said again…
The impressive synergy between the offense and the offensive staff can’t be overstated. On the sidelines, the offensive coaches radiated calmness and positivity even though they were trying to snap the football as fast as possible sometimes.
Considering the Notre Dame game was the new Texas offensive staff’s first game, the overall production was far smoother than most, myself included, anticipated.
5) College football week one thoughts
After one week, a look at teams trending in the right direction, and a look at some taking a Tower of Terror elevator ride the wrong way.
STOCK UP
--- Ohio State and Michigan
Both entered the year in the top 10, and both absolutely looked like playoff contenders. Yes, their opponents wore uniforms sponsored by Hostess, but they combined to score 140 points and gave up just 13; they did exactly what a powerhouse should.
--- Lamar Jackson
Before his day was done very early, the Louisville quarterback accounted for all eight of his team’s touchdowns (six passing and two rushing) in the first half of a 70-14 win over Charlotte. As much deserved hype as Houston’s Greg Ward Jr. gets, Jackson might be the more dynamic player and better passer.
--- Georgia
It looked like North Carolina was going to play its role in contributing to the SEC’s lackluster weekend when it opened up a 24-14 lead against Georgia. But the Bulldogs, in Kirby Smart’s first game, turned to their defense, true freshman Jacob Eason, and Nick Chubb and scored the next 19, and the game’s final 19 points.
Watching Chubb rumble and outrun defenders to the tune of 222 yards, you’d never know he’s coming back from a horrible injury.
STOCK DOWN
--- Tennessee
Because this will never, ever get old:
Saying that Tennessee needed luck, and big breaks to escape at home against Appalachian State in overtime is an understatement. Prior to kickoff and during the game, Butch Jones looked tighter, and more nervous on the sidelines than I did before proposing to my wife.
--- Oklahoma
Houston was more physical, had better skill players, won the battle in the trenches, and Baker Mayfield looked uncomfortable all game, which led to hesitation and lack of confidence. If Ward’s accuracy was better, he would have hit vertical throws all game because Houston just kept rolling out tall, fast receivers that ran by OU’s corners, who were put into single coverage over and over again.
--- Florida and LSU’s offense and quarterback situations
Florida needed 14 fourth-quarter points to beat Massachusetts 24-7 in The Swamp, and LSU’s quarterback Brandon Harris threw a ball literally right at a Wisconsin player to end the game. He finished with just 131 yards passing, two interceptions, and LSU’s offense looked like it was stuck in the 1960’s.
The most impressive thing I saw from a defense: Alabama destroying USC. It was like Lex Luger took Doink the Clown and put him in the Torture Rack for 60 minutes. I knew Max Browne was overrated as a prospect, but USC looked completely lost.
The most impressive thing I saw from an offense: Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois shredding Ole Miss for 419 yards through the air and another 59 on the ground. He took hit after hit and kept delivering strikes all over the field, which led to FSU erasing a 28-6 deficit and scoring 33 unanswered points.
If I had an AP vote…
1 – Alabama
2 – Clemson
3 – Florida State
4 – Ohio State
5 – Michigan
6 – Washington
7 – Houston
8 – Stanford
9 – Louisville
10 – Georgia
I’d have Texas at No. 13.
Big 12 Power Poll
1 – Texas
2 – Oklahoma State
3 – TCU
4 – Oklahoma
5 – Baylor
6 – Texas Tech
7 – West Virginia
8 – Kansas State
9 – Iowa State
10 – Kansas
Oklahoma State crushed an inferior opponent at home. Although TCU rolled up a ton of yards and points, its defense needs a lot of work after giving up 333 yards through the air, and 10.7 yards per attempt. Baylor didn’t look bad, but didn’t quite perform like the Baylor of recent past when it normally squashes some school you’ve never heard of three times a year to make up its non-conference schedule. West Virginia led 23-3 against Missouri entering the fourth quarter. Against Stanford, Kansas State held on and competed, but it wasn’t near enough. Iowa State lost to Northern Iowa, but Kansas celebrated a dominant win over Rhode Island by rushing the field, which tells you where Kansas is.
6) Another key official visitor will be at Texas this weekend…
Can Shaka Smart and his staff continue to reel in priority targets after official visits? They did with big man Jericho Sims, who made a huge jump from No. 146 to No. 54 in the updated Rivals150, and they’ll have a chance to make a big impression on Westfield (Spring) shooting guard Jase Febres this weekend.
Like Sims, Febres, a 6-5 guard that can shoot it quickly from anywhere, jumped high into the Rivals150, and he made his debut at No. 63 overall. He’s coming off of an official visit to Houston, and has visits scheduled to Stanford and Baylor, respectively, the two weeks following his Texas official. Most believe that Texas and Baylor are best positioned, but Febres’ recruitment is a little tough read because he was almost a complete unknown entering July, and barely had any offers at the end of the final July evaluation period.
7) Scanning the rest of the sports globe…
--- The NFL is finally back to join the football party this week. My picks:
AFC – Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs, Jaguars
Wild Card – Bengals, Colts
NFC – Giants, Packers, Seahawks, Panthers
Wild Card – Saints, Cardinals
Super Bowl – Seahawks over Steelers
Not buying the hype – Arizona Cardinals.
Yes, it’s the preseason and 99 times out of 100, an observer shouldn’t take a ton out of it. But Carson Palmer, after his horrendous game to end last season, looked old, turnover-prone, and like a quarterback in for a long season. Arizona is a popular Super Bowl pick, and I like the pieces on both sides enough for a Wild Card spot. But even that is pushing it some.
Buying the hype – Jacksonville Jaguars
This is partially because after watching Brock Osweiler last season, I’m just not a big fan of his decision-making in the pocket, although he does have some impressive weapons in Houston at both running back and receiver. And also partially because of the Colts offensive line and defense.
Blake Bortles threw for 35 touchdowns and 4,428 yards last season, has one of the game’s best receivers in Allen Robinson, some talent at running back, and Jacksonville added a ton of talent to it defense.
Best underdog bets – Saints +2400 to win the NFC; Titans +1100 to win AFC South; Chargers +900 to win AFC West
Yes, New Orleans defense often resembles the sort of thing that makes Saints fans want to put a bag over their head and pound as many hurricanes as possible. But it can’t get worse, right? A lot of chatter that Drew Brees has the best group of weapons he’s had in a long time.
If you aren’t buying the Jaguars or Texans and are worried about the Colts’ offensive line, Tennessee is worth the gamble. After investing in the offensive line over the years and adding Derrick Henry and Demarco Murray to the backfield with Marcus Mariota, the Titans look like a club that might surprise.
San Diego was wrecked by injuries last season, and had to play at Green Bay, at Baltimore, at Cincinnati, and lost on a last-second play against the Steelers and also in overtime at Oakland. This year the Chargers benefit from an easier schedule, and although they have to go to Carolina, their other non-divisional road games are Cleveland, Houston, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. The Broncos are due to make a move in the wrong direction, and the hype train surrounding the Raiders actually makes the Chargers the biggest betting underdog in the division.
--- There isn’t a worst time for Houston starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel to be sidelined with shoulder inflammation. Alex Bregman’s bat is hot, and Houston appears able to put up some told run totals. If it can survive the rest of the series at Cleveland before hosting the Cubs and Rangers for six games, the schedule is favorable down the stretch. But Houston is going to need its starting pitching to step up in a big way now that the team’s ace is dealing with something that normally, in September, puts a pitcher on the shelf for the rest of the season.
--- The only way to explain the St. Louis Cardinals being a Wild Card team if the season ended today is that the St. Louis Cardinals are zombies that can’t be killed.
--- Manchester United and Manchester City have been so good under their new coaches that I’ll actually wake up at 6:30 a.m. to watch the Manchester Derby this Saturday.
8) Anything and everything
--- Originally a little skeptical about how a plane landing in the water shortly after takeoff could be made into an entire movie, I’m all-in on wanting to see Tom Hanks in Sully. Sure, it feels like a near copycat – Hollywood often remakes movies, does sequels, or sticks with something successful for reason - of Denzel Washington and Flight, but the details about the situation, explained in the trailer, and the story surrounding the pilot make it absolutely worth seeing.
--- If I was a MLB pitcher or was in charge with pumping up the crowd before a college football team took the field, Pink Floyd's "In the Flesh" would be the song of choice. It has everything - the scream at the beginning, the buildup that sounds like it's made for a grim reaper to emerge from the shadows, which is long but not too long, and then the payoff.
(You can thank Anwar for that find today)
9) The best non-sports thing I read this week
In 1984, a young woman with Down syndrome entered a six-month training program to work at her local McDonald’s, and, at her french fry station, found a perfect match. After 32 years on the job, her community showed what kind of special impact she made. Tremendous story from The Boston Globe.
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1) It’s not a fluke
Almost exactly a year ago, the Texas fan base was in a peculiar spot, and was trapped on the kind of emotional roller coaster that would make even the world’s best psychologist punt sanity to the curb in favor of a bottle of booze. After the Notre Dame debacle, Charlie Strong “demoted” his offensive coordinator, and the fan base clamored for Jerrod Heard. Its wish was granted, and although Texas found an inexplicable way to lose to California 45-44, Heard totaled 527 exciting yards and pumped life into the Longhorns. It appeared like Texas had, finally, found a quarterback. I, immediately after, thought so too.
When you haven’t seen something for so long, it’s sometimes hard to distinguish between what’s real and what’s a mirage.
What the game tape truly showed was a dynamic athlete making plays against a defense that ended up No. 82 in S&P+ overall, and No. 98 against the pass. Simply put, the performance, especially the passing part, wasn’t sustainable, rooted in a little luck against a bad defense, and we’d later learn that Heard wasn’t the answer to Texas’ quarterback woes. Fast forward to preseason camp this year, and that quarterback it at receiver, and looks like he could be a good one.
But this time, there’s no mirage to tease Longhorn fans and the Texas program. They’ve managed to make their way through the barren, torturous desert to the end, and to an actual quarterback that can produce in a productive offense.
Shane Buechele’s performance against Notre Dame wasn’t a fluke. Neither was the offense’s performance against the then No. 10 team in the country. Because there were no lucky breaks fueling big plays; there were no ill-advised throws into double or triple coverage that somehow went Texas’ way; a quarterback wasn’t staring down one read and fortunately finding it open over and over again.
Everything that Buechele and the Texas offense did they can do again.
2) Why you should buy Buechele’s Notre Dame performance moving forward
Let's take a look at some video clips to explain Buechele's impressive performance.
NOTE: Just realized the YouTube clips won't work unless you watch them on YouTube. Apologize for that. Only took me two hours to find them all. Anyway, hit play on the videos, and then in the bottom right hit the YouTube logo, which will take you to the video at that timestamp and play. They're worth it. Promise.
--- Take a look at his first touchdown throw to Aramnti Foreman, and watch Buechele’s head:
It’s very subtle, but Buechele, for a split-second, looks towards the right side of the field, where he knows he has a tight end going up the seam to compliment the slot receiver taking the under with a hitch. He looks but he knows before the snap he’s going to Foreman, who will have single coverage. All he has to do is look off that safety for a couple tenths of a second to make sure he’s going to respect the overloaded right side and the threat of the tight end.
That was the first drive of his career, and he was cool enough, and smart enough on the field to give the defense a slight look the other direction before throwing one of the best balls you’ll see all year.
--- During a 7-7 tie with solid field position, it would be tempting to force a third-down throw to try to pick of a first.
But Texas misses a block, and the play-call isn’t ideal. Instead of forcing something or taking a sack, Buechele smartly throws the ball away. Again, that’s one of his first collegiate snaps.
--- On a 3rd and 7, the true freshman from Arlington Lamar jogs onto the field, and is asked to make a quality throw, and a quality decision. Notice before the snap that Notre Dame shows blitz late, and comes with it.
Buechele knows that one of his first reads on blitz is that Jake Oliver, in the slot, is going to replace the blitzer. The young quarterback trusts his read, gets the football out of his hand quickly, and allows his guy to go make a play against single coverage.
Later in the game, Notre Dame doesn’t show pressure before the snap, but immediately brings it at the snap. Notice the defender lined up, splitting the difference between the left tackle and Jacorey Warrick.
That man comes, Warrick runs a quick hitch, and the young Texas quarterback gets the ball to him right out of his break so he can make a move on the safety coming from deep to try to make a play at the catch.
--- A few plays later, Texas is faced with another tough third-down conversion chance. Texas smartly lines up, gets Notre Dame to show something, resets with a call from the sideline, and Buechele sees blitz again.
And once again, he knows that Oliver is going to replace the blitzer in that area, and that the junior receiver is going to work back towards the middle. The freshman makes a quick decision, gets it out accurately, and allows his guy to make another play.
Immediately after that, he knows to look towards the sideline for a quick-snap opportunity against Notre Dame, who had just three-down linemen the play before, can’t get set and isn’t prepared with personnel for the quarterback sneak. Touchdown.
--- Look at how the safety is turned at the snap of the football.
Buechele sees not only the two-deep safety look, but the safety turns towards the outside receiver right at the snap of the football. Based on alignment, he knows the defender splitting the difference between the end of the line and Jerrod Heard can’t stay with Heard, especially with a little bit of a play-fake after just handing to Chris Warren for a first down. The slow safety is going to shade towards the outside vertical route. Pitch and catch for a monster gain, and the ball couldn’t have been thrown better thanks to his rhythm, balance, and weight-transfer in the pocket.
--- Watch at the snap of the football where the safety closest to John Burt is and where the opposite safety is.
This exemplifies the importance in spacing, and receiver splits. Closest to Burt, the safety is just six yards deeper than him once the ball is snapped and Burt breaks out of his stance. The quarterback knows that safety can’t catch Burt, especially at that angle and especially after a little play-fake to make him think for a split-second. The opposite safety is so far away on the opposite hash. It’s impossible for him to make it to the sideline.
The pre-snap read was blitz, Notre Dame brought one, and Buechele knew he had to get the ball out of his hand quick. Even in a cluttered pocket and slightly off-balanced, Buechele’s natural instincts and athleticism (this is where being a two-sport athlete and playing baseball comes into play) allows him to confidently make a tough throw and let his guy go try to make a play against one-on-one coverage. Touchdown.
Much later in the game after Warrick caught a hitch and turned it into a first down against a blitz, Texas hurries up and tries to take a shot to Warrick on a vertical down the seam. Notre Dame showed pressure pre-snap, backed off, and spied on the right edge.
The man lined up near Warrick immediately runs with him, and he’s helped by a safety over the top. First read isn’t there, Buechele scans his eyes back down to Foreman, who is working back towards him and under the cushion. The linebacker can’t get over to make the play, and the defensive back is too far off. Pitch and catch thanks to a clean pocket and smart QB play.
--- This play goes for basically no gain (Notre Dame was offsides at the snap), but it does display something critical to the success of the quarterback in Sterlin Gilbert’s offense.
Buechele is able to give a legitimate fake to the handoff, let the ball travel some beside the running back, bring the ball back, flip his feet and hips into a balanced throwing position, and deliver the ball quickly out of a slightly unusual angle. Again, he looks like an infielder in some of the stuff he does on the gridiron. He did all of that in 1.5 seconds.
Another example of the same thing:
The pre-snap read is the hitch being available because of the massive cushion Burt is getting at the snap. But if a quarterback doesn’t get his feet set and deliver the ball quickly and accurately, it can be jumped for a pick-six.
--- With 1:20 to go in the game and a 2nd and 6th, it looks like Texas is going to have another one of those easy pitch and catches to Burt on the outside after a little play-fake to Foreman. However, Notre Dame jumps it.
Instead of forcing the throw, Buechele somehow manages to pull the throw down, tuck it, and run up field. Either that safety was going to pick it, pick it and return it for a score, or at least knock it down. He made that decision in a tie game, and it might have been a game-saving decision. That’s almost unbelievable when you think about the context, and not going through with something that had been open all game.
3) A lot of what Buechele does is tough to teach and comes naturally
After watching all those clips, think about what we’re referring to regarding his performance. There are aspects like natural play-making ability and instincts; footwork; natural touch delivering the football down the field, and controlling velocity on short throws; delivering the football from different arm angles; reading defenses, and knowing where to go before the snap; confident, cool demeanor on the field; decision-making.
These are repeatable things. This is a young quarterback that thinks and plays well beyond his years, and is an ideal fit for what Texas does on offense.
This isn’t an attempt at being a Debbie Downer, but Texas fans absolutely do need to realize this is still a true freshman. There are absolutely going to be bumps in the road, some down moments in games, and some mistakes at inopportune times. After all, it’s one game, and teams now have tape of what Texas wants to do on offense. And he’s never played on the road. He wasn’t perfect.
But to suggest that Buechele’s performance is a fluke is putting too much stock into him being a freshman, and ignoring what happened Sunday night. Because what happened this past Sunday can be repeated, and is only the beginning.
Texas has its quarterback. This is no mirage.
4) Just because it needs to be said again…
The impressive synergy between the offense and the offensive staff can’t be overstated. On the sidelines, the offensive coaches radiated calmness and positivity even though they were trying to snap the football as fast as possible sometimes.
Considering the Notre Dame game was the new Texas offensive staff’s first game, the overall production was far smoother than most, myself included, anticipated.
5) College football week one thoughts
After one week, a look at teams trending in the right direction, and a look at some taking a Tower of Terror elevator ride the wrong way.
STOCK UP
--- Ohio State and Michigan
Both entered the year in the top 10, and both absolutely looked like playoff contenders. Yes, their opponents wore uniforms sponsored by Hostess, but they combined to score 140 points and gave up just 13; they did exactly what a powerhouse should.
--- Lamar Jackson
Before his day was done very early, the Louisville quarterback accounted for all eight of his team’s touchdowns (six passing and two rushing) in the first half of a 70-14 win over Charlotte. As much deserved hype as Houston’s Greg Ward Jr. gets, Jackson might be the more dynamic player and better passer.
--- Georgia
It looked like North Carolina was going to play its role in contributing to the SEC’s lackluster weekend when it opened up a 24-14 lead against Georgia. But the Bulldogs, in Kirby Smart’s first game, turned to their defense, true freshman Jacob Eason, and Nick Chubb and scored the next 19, and the game’s final 19 points.
Watching Chubb rumble and outrun defenders to the tune of 222 yards, you’d never know he’s coming back from a horrible injury.
STOCK DOWN
--- Tennessee
Because this will never, ever get old:
Saying that Tennessee needed luck, and big breaks to escape at home against Appalachian State in overtime is an understatement. Prior to kickoff and during the game, Butch Jones looked tighter, and more nervous on the sidelines than I did before proposing to my wife.
--- Oklahoma
Houston was more physical, had better skill players, won the battle in the trenches, and Baker Mayfield looked uncomfortable all game, which led to hesitation and lack of confidence. If Ward’s accuracy was better, he would have hit vertical throws all game because Houston just kept rolling out tall, fast receivers that ran by OU’s corners, who were put into single coverage over and over again.
--- Florida and LSU’s offense and quarterback situations
Florida needed 14 fourth-quarter points to beat Massachusetts 24-7 in The Swamp, and LSU’s quarterback Brandon Harris threw a ball literally right at a Wisconsin player to end the game. He finished with just 131 yards passing, two interceptions, and LSU’s offense looked like it was stuck in the 1960’s.
The most impressive thing I saw from a defense: Alabama destroying USC. It was like Lex Luger took Doink the Clown and put him in the Torture Rack for 60 minutes. I knew Max Browne was overrated as a prospect, but USC looked completely lost.
The most impressive thing I saw from an offense: Florida State redshirt freshman quarterback Deondre Francois shredding Ole Miss for 419 yards through the air and another 59 on the ground. He took hit after hit and kept delivering strikes all over the field, which led to FSU erasing a 28-6 deficit and scoring 33 unanswered points.
If I had an AP vote…
1 – Alabama
2 – Clemson
3 – Florida State
4 – Ohio State
5 – Michigan
6 – Washington
7 – Houston
8 – Stanford
9 – Louisville
10 – Georgia
I’d have Texas at No. 13.
Big 12 Power Poll
1 – Texas
2 – Oklahoma State
3 – TCU
4 – Oklahoma
5 – Baylor
6 – Texas Tech
7 – West Virginia
8 – Kansas State
9 – Iowa State
10 – Kansas
Oklahoma State crushed an inferior opponent at home. Although TCU rolled up a ton of yards and points, its defense needs a lot of work after giving up 333 yards through the air, and 10.7 yards per attempt. Baylor didn’t look bad, but didn’t quite perform like the Baylor of recent past when it normally squashes some school you’ve never heard of three times a year to make up its non-conference schedule. West Virginia led 23-3 against Missouri entering the fourth quarter. Against Stanford, Kansas State held on and competed, but it wasn’t near enough. Iowa State lost to Northern Iowa, but Kansas celebrated a dominant win over Rhode Island by rushing the field, which tells you where Kansas is.
6) Another key official visitor will be at Texas this weekend…
Can Shaka Smart and his staff continue to reel in priority targets after official visits? They did with big man Jericho Sims, who made a huge jump from No. 146 to No. 54 in the updated Rivals150, and they’ll have a chance to make a big impression on Westfield (Spring) shooting guard Jase Febres this weekend.
Like Sims, Febres, a 6-5 guard that can shoot it quickly from anywhere, jumped high into the Rivals150, and he made his debut at No. 63 overall. He’s coming off of an official visit to Houston, and has visits scheduled to Stanford and Baylor, respectively, the two weeks following his Texas official. Most believe that Texas and Baylor are best positioned, but Febres’ recruitment is a little tough read because he was almost a complete unknown entering July, and barely had any offers at the end of the final July evaluation period.
7) Scanning the rest of the sports globe…
--- The NFL is finally back to join the football party this week. My picks:
AFC – Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs, Jaguars
Wild Card – Bengals, Colts
NFC – Giants, Packers, Seahawks, Panthers
Wild Card – Saints, Cardinals
Super Bowl – Seahawks over Steelers
Not buying the hype – Arizona Cardinals.
Yes, it’s the preseason and 99 times out of 100, an observer shouldn’t take a ton out of it. But Carson Palmer, after his horrendous game to end last season, looked old, turnover-prone, and like a quarterback in for a long season. Arizona is a popular Super Bowl pick, and I like the pieces on both sides enough for a Wild Card spot. But even that is pushing it some.
Buying the hype – Jacksonville Jaguars
This is partially because after watching Brock Osweiler last season, I’m just not a big fan of his decision-making in the pocket, although he does have some impressive weapons in Houston at both running back and receiver. And also partially because of the Colts offensive line and defense.
Blake Bortles threw for 35 touchdowns and 4,428 yards last season, has one of the game’s best receivers in Allen Robinson, some talent at running back, and Jacksonville added a ton of talent to it defense.
Best underdog bets – Saints +2400 to win the NFC; Titans +1100 to win AFC South; Chargers +900 to win AFC West
Yes, New Orleans defense often resembles the sort of thing that makes Saints fans want to put a bag over their head and pound as many hurricanes as possible. But it can’t get worse, right? A lot of chatter that Drew Brees has the best group of weapons he’s had in a long time.
If you aren’t buying the Jaguars or Texans and are worried about the Colts’ offensive line, Tennessee is worth the gamble. After investing in the offensive line over the years and adding Derrick Henry and Demarco Murray to the backfield with Marcus Mariota, the Titans look like a club that might surprise.
San Diego was wrecked by injuries last season, and had to play at Green Bay, at Baltimore, at Cincinnati, and lost on a last-second play against the Steelers and also in overtime at Oakland. This year the Chargers benefit from an easier schedule, and although they have to go to Carolina, their other non-divisional road games are Cleveland, Houston, Atlanta, and Indianapolis. The Broncos are due to make a move in the wrong direction, and the hype train surrounding the Raiders actually makes the Chargers the biggest betting underdog in the division.
--- There isn’t a worst time for Houston starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel to be sidelined with shoulder inflammation. Alex Bregman’s bat is hot, and Houston appears able to put up some told run totals. If it can survive the rest of the series at Cleveland before hosting the Cubs and Rangers for six games, the schedule is favorable down the stretch. But Houston is going to need its starting pitching to step up in a big way now that the team’s ace is dealing with something that normally, in September, puts a pitcher on the shelf for the rest of the season.
--- The only way to explain the St. Louis Cardinals being a Wild Card team if the season ended today is that the St. Louis Cardinals are zombies that can’t be killed.
--- Manchester United and Manchester City have been so good under their new coaches that I’ll actually wake up at 6:30 a.m. to watch the Manchester Derby this Saturday.
8) Anything and everything
--- Originally a little skeptical about how a plane landing in the water shortly after takeoff could be made into an entire movie, I’m all-in on wanting to see Tom Hanks in Sully. Sure, it feels like a near copycat – Hollywood often remakes movies, does sequels, or sticks with something successful for reason - of Denzel Washington and Flight, but the details about the situation, explained in the trailer, and the story surrounding the pilot make it absolutely worth seeing.
--- If I was a MLB pitcher or was in charge with pumping up the crowd before a college football team took the field, Pink Floyd's "In the Flesh" would be the song of choice. It has everything - the scream at the beginning, the buildup that sounds like it's made for a grim reaper to emerge from the shadows, which is long but not too long, and then the payoff.
(You can thank Anwar for that find today)
9) The best non-sports thing I read this week
In 1984, a young woman with Down syndrome entered a six-month training program to work at her local McDonald’s, and, at her french fry station, found a perfect match. After 32 years on the job, her community showed what kind of special impact she made. Tremendous story from The Boston Globe.
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