How much progress can (should) the Horns make this upcoming?
- Thread starter 12375CAT
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I would think anything less than a CC would be a setback considering how Texas finished last year with the win against Georgia.
False equivalent. But you knew this already. OU returns four on offense PLUS Hurts which is easily a fifth starter. OU also returns 8 on defense. Want to hear something funny? Texas returns 8 on offense and defense ------ combined.
Good news: Texas to implement the Run Pass Option.... this will be deadly with the skill Texas has as well as a running QB.
https://www.burntorangenation.com/f...-longhorns-priorities-preason-camp-tom-herman
For an explanation of RPO's
http://www.nfl.com/videos/good-morn...vsky-explains-how-to-stop-the-run-pass-option
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/09/nfl-falcons-eagles-what-is-an-rpo-run-pass-option-guide
Problems. We don't have any linebackers. We are likely playing a safety and D lineman in traditional linebacker positions. When teams run RPO against us, how will we do with the offensive reads?
https://www.burntorangenation.com/f...-longhorns-priorities-preason-camp-tom-herman
For an explanation of RPO's
http://www.nfl.com/videos/good-morn...vsky-explains-how-to-stop-the-run-pass-option
https://ftw.usatoday.com/2018/09/nfl-falcons-eagles-what-is-an-rpo-run-pass-option-guide
Problems. We don't have any linebackers. We are likely playing a safety and D lineman in traditional linebacker positions. When teams run RPO against us, how will we do with the offensive reads?
I think a bigger issue will be how Hurts compares to the giant helmet and the cop evader. If Hurts shows any drop off, will gelly tits defense pick up the slack?
Our offense should be improved with a better OL and an experienced QB. How much better may depend on sustaining drives and on Sam developing a more accurate deep ball.
Lots of questions on defense but lots a good potential answers as well. Could take some time for the new starters on D to settle in.
Lots of questions on defense but lots a good potential answers as well. Could take some time for the new starters on D to settle in.
Sooner fan here with the enemy's perspective.
These guys are going to hate me for saying this, but I think UT's defense takes a step back vs. what was a very good unit last year, and, I think this will probably cost them a game, maybe two.
The Evil Empire is on the road at Iowa state, and also vs. Baylor. Both games will be tough if those teams can keep their starting QBs healthy.
But Texas should take care of business at home vs. TT, OSU and the mildcats, and will be too much on the road for TCU and KU.
The Cotton Bowl game vs. OU is a toss up. We need to see how both teams come out of the gate before we talk about that one.
Believe it or not, Ehlinger is underrated as much as he is unlikable (some), and I covet their DC Orlando. Herman? idk. But it's seems clear he'll at least be good enough to marshal UTs vast resources and built-in recruiting advantages to get them back onto the national stage. And that's the way it should be.
If UT beats LSU (certainly possible), they might actually end up making the playoff. But I think UT ends up losing twice during non-conference and conference play, including the CCG.
I do think they'll make the CCG again, probably vs. OU.
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Care to enlighten us as to why Ehlinger is "unlikable". Seriously? This coming from a fan of a program that had douchebag QB's like Mayfield and Murray?
And who is Brown as DC? I assume that you mean Orlando?
Texas returns Sam, that is worth 10 starters on offense. We also return Duberney and Collin Johnson that makes our passing game legit.
We return 3 starters on the offensive line, but we bring in Parker Braun that is like a 4th starter right there. Plus we have Okafor who has started a lot of games for Texas over the last 2 years, he is basically a 5th starter.
We bring back Keontey Ingram who was our best back last year.
Not sure what more we could ask for on offense.
On defense we bring back all of our safeties, Malcolm Roach who has started a lot of games for us over the last 3 years. Jeffery McCullought who has played a ton for us over the last 3 years. Gerald Wilbon, Jamari Chisom and Ta'Quon Graham who all have played a ton for us. We aren't trotting out there a bunch of freshmen, these dudes have been playing a ton for Texas over the last 2 to 3 seasons.
Whoa. Easy Kemosabi. Some of that was a little tongue in cheek. If Sam is really mr. popularity good for him.
Also, if being a douchebag get's you drafted #1 in the NFL, I hope Hurts is a douchebag too. And I hope he torches UT's ass for about 700 yards in the Cotton bowl.
Thanks, I edited the DC name.
If you listened to Herman’s media day presser he said ‘replacing 8 starters on the defense is greatly overblown as all but two have has significant playing time.’
Did laugh at Belldozer’s usual setting the bar super high for Texas.
I think it's that people see him as 24/7 365 always in longhorn mode. Of course were he on THEIR team, that behavior would be acceptable.
The art of underselling--- you should learn it.
Lol,
How about this.
No, Ms woman I want to take home, I make 35K a year, I live with my parents and I only have 3 inches.
OU returns the worst defense in college football, funny you would leave that part out.
All eyes are on Texas to produce this year under Herman. He’s made progress but he must continue to improve Texas or the natives will get restless very quickly. Any drop off will have Texas fans grumbling imo.
With that logic Riley will be on the chopping block if OU doesn't win the national championship this season.
Haha, no not near the same logic. If anything Riley has overachieved given the circumstances
If anything, Herman has overachieved given the circumstances and has bought himself some time. He inherited a program coming off three consecutive losing seasons and became the third head coach overseeing the third coaching staff in a span of just three years. The program was in shambles, arguably at it's lowest point ever. From top down including school president, Athletic Director, and head coach, the program was in total rebuild.
In BOTH of his first two seasons, Herman put out a more competitive team than the program had seen since 2009, and did it with a depleted roster. It will take another two recruiting classes and two more years until the roster is rebuilt. It needs to be shown just how decimated the upper classes (2015, 2016, and 2017 recruiting classes) have become in result of the attrition following a period of three head coaches in three years:
2015 class: Would-be RS Seniors: There are only two players left on the roster from this class: a 2nd string WR, and a 3rd/4th string RB
2016 class: Would-be Seniors and RS Juniors. Of the 28 signees in this class only 13 remain. Of those 13 there only seven projected starters and nine total players in the two-deep.
2017 class: Strong/Herman transition class: Would-be Juniors and RS Sophomores. There were only 17 players in that class and only 14 remain. Just five projected starters and nine total in the two-deep.
So, of the RS Seniors, Seniors, RS Juniors, Juniors, and RS Sophomores (what should be the bulk of the starters/contributors/leaders) there are 12 projected starters and six back-ups.
The 2018 class alone, which will be true Sophomores and RS Freshmen, account for 12 starters (ten field players + kicker + punter) and ANOTHER 12 back-ups.
For me, expectations that Texas should win the conference championship and/or make the playoffs this season are premature and would make Herman a victim of his own success.
Riley and Oklahoma though are a different story. Riley came into the exact opposite scenario and I would definitely not say he has overachieved. He took over in one of the rarest take-overs you ever see in college football: The legend coach hanging it up and passing the torch while still on top. Stoops retiring right then was a total shocker to the college football world and Riley inherited a Corvette with a full tank of gas.
Let's see what Riley does when it's fully his program and players. One thing I would be worried about is with the same players AND coaches the OU defense plummeted to worst in school history under his watch....
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Lots of players have been #1 overall pick and not been a douchebag.
I mean honestly, Kyler is a little cocky but he doesn't seem to be that big of a douche. However, Baker is a big time meathead and his time will come. First sign of adversity (and it will come in the NFL) and his little act won't be so cute. He is a dude-bro to the max.
Just for the record, I’ve always thought Herman was a good hire for Texas and have said so on numerous occasions. My comments are not derogatory towards Herman, I’m just saying fan bases can be vicious and always wanting more wins, championships etc., Texas fans notwithstanding. As far as what Herman took over at Texas, Chuckulz Strong said when he got booted that the cupboard was full for the coach coming in so your argument appears to be more with Strong than with me.
And yes, I realize our defense sucks, I hope it turns around.
That's fair.
I'm a big fan of Mayfield, and sometimes he's defending himself, but sometimes he'll show another guy up unnecessarily. I wish he wouldn't do that.
Anyway, back to the OP. Texas goes 11-2 this year!
Yes fans always want more, especially the die-hards, but the fan-base is not putting out the idea that anything less than a conference championship is "a setback". That's just you and your straw man.
My argument is not with Strong by virtue of the facts I laid out that the cupboard was most certainly not full. And what merit does a coach that couldn't crack 6-6 with that cupboard have anyway?
My purpose was just to disassemble your straw man.
By the way, why does OU's defense suck with the same coaches and players Stoops had?
Well I’m glad you’re not one of the ones who hung on every word Strong delivered but you appear to be of the variety that pushes the perpetual rebuild mode is ok. I think if Texas were to regress this year, some grumbling will be heard as it would with any proud fan base.
Okay, so it looks like I’ve walked you back a few steps closer to reality. What is your definition of regress? Texas was 9-3 in regular season and 10-4 overall. Would regress mean 8-4 reg season or 9-4 overall?
I think if Texas isn’t in the Big 12 CCG it would be disappointing. Preseason, you have the best qb in the league, that should help tremendously.
I should also say that my personal expectation is to win the big 12. Anything less is a disappointment to me.
No think they get in Longyac. 12-2 assuming you guys win your bowl game.
Of course this assumes SE stays healthy. Kids a gamer, maybe too much for his own good. Needs to protect himself a little more.
After watching the spring game, I'm confident that Thompson will do just fine if he is called on
The coaches get this about Ehlinger. They have stated that they have a lot of confidence in the RB's this year and plan to try to protect him more.
The issue will be the defense. The defense has much more talent than last year but they are young. They will be vulnerable to veteran QB's early in the season. There will be some growing pains but as they settle in, they will be very good by October. Will Sam be able to score enough to cover mistakes on defense? I think so.
I’ll say this, I haven’t seen OU’s defense practice yet but I did see a picture posted from practice Saturday and I’ll be honest that defense is already looking Salt-eeeee and light years ahead of schedule.
On a side note, in honor of fall football camps kicking off I got in the spirit and wore my jockstrap to work today and have been getting a lot of compliments on my choice of work attire.
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