Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (About the quarterbacks... Part III)

[Bode1025]

When we talked about this exact thing all off-season and used it as reasoning for why this team wouldn't make it to the Big 12 title game.... there were more people saying we were being negative than agreeing with us.

The not enough talent narrative just popped up out of thin air.

We knew we lacked at safety and linebacker and were missing a solid edge rusher. We knew our O line was a big ?? What is surprising is the D linemen. I thought that would be more solid. We have talent but we definitely lost in some areas. We also had a leader in Sam. Not necessarily a great QB but he was a gamer and Longhorn for life. Remember Tech last year?

We didn’t even name season captains and just name them weekly instead. Perhaps starting the season with named leaders would have helped with player leadership.

I agree we had some talent but we knew there were big red flags.

 

[YourMothersAss]

It’s obvious we need a QB and I don’t think Casey is the answer. But let’s say Card hits the portal and if Rattler also decides to hit the portal instead of declaring for the draft, does Sark kick the tires?

 

[trophies2]

Bingo. Expect to see it as a media narrative this week. The calls have all been made.

They have talented athletes in a macro sense.

They sure as hell don’t have enough talented playmakers.

Texas doesn’t lack talented athletes, but they do lack talented playmakers - the difference makers that decide games.

There’s a substantial difference.

Does that excuse the coaching deficiencies this season? No.

However, Texas has changed head coaches 4 times since 2010, 8 different offensive coordinators, 8 different defensive coordinators and countless new positions coaches since 2010.

Texas has talent everyone says, and yet the more things change, the more things stay the same.

Texas is 82-74 since 2010.

Texas is and has been EXACTLY what their record says they are.

You say it yourself, Ketch…

Texas doesn’t land nearly enough of the bonafide difference making recruits - the guys in the top 70ish in the country. The guys that go on to be high NFL draft picks by and large.

Look at Herman’s 2018 and 2019 classes and see how many of those highly rated guys have actually produced. Many are gone.

Does this team have talent? Not nearly enough imo.

Was Mack Brown a great coach in a tactical sense? Not especially.

His gift was recruiting and hiring good assistants that could likewise recruit.

Mack went 127-28 from 1998-2009 because he recruited guys like:

Chris Simms, Roy Williams, BJ Johnson, Cory Redding, Cedric Benson, Derrick Johnson, Rod Wright, Michael Huff, Cedric Griffin, David Thomas, Cedric Griffin, Tarrell Brown, Justin Blaylock, Romonce Taylor and some guy named Vince Young.

Most of the guys came in as highly rated elite level recruits and produced immediately as difference makers. Those guys are why Texas won a shitload of games for Mack’s first 12 years.

Texas has a few guys of that caliber. They don’t have a roster that’s littered with those caliber of players. Not even close.

How do I know?

They’re 36-22 since 2017.

They are what their record says they are. They are what their talent level says they are.

Texas doesn’t hire Bill Snyder type coaches. They hire guys like Tom and Sark to bring in high caliber prospects.

We’ll see if Sark can ultimately succeed where Tom, Charlie and late Mack failed.

 

[linked]

I think it's more of a "PK, dude, you gotta adjust to the players you have" when Sark has a sit-down with him.

If he continues to suck next year, then he's obviously done at some point.

Bet Saban wouldn't wait till after the season. Who is running this team anyway?

 

[Thegregl]

We should try Jamison at receiver again. He has better hands than Moore or Washington

 

[utped]

You know, I’ve reread my posts multiple times now and not once did I insult you. I do believe you have an agenda and I’ve developed that belief by reading your posts and your articles.

16 years Ketch

If you want me to go away and want me to stop posting then I’ll leave. Your call….

Hope you don't go, I enjoy your posts!

 

[PaulieD]

@Ketchum you’re missing the point on the culture part. No one is saying this is a new problem. This has been a problem for a decade. It’s why BJ foster can quit on the team and yet play significant time the following week. You point out that all of Texas’s losses last year were of the one score variety, but you fail to mention that 3 wins against very pedestrian competition were also of the one score variety. The culture at this place has been garbage for a long time.

and you can have a culture problem AND win 8 to 9 games - but the same team could've been better with heads on straight. You have to hate losing more than love winning.

 

[Ketchum]

Stop it….Baylor was 2-7 last year. Against OSU….oh wait, that was Ossai making the winning play. Last I checked Sark doesn't have him on this year’s squad. Which is my point….Sark doesn't have the pieces Herman had last year. Those pieces help win games.

I don't disagree that those pieces win games.

It's why this team was never championship material.

However, it shouldn't be 4-4. I simply believe in accountability. This is Sark's team.

 

[Ketchum]

Maybe this is how it goes @Ketchum

1) CT loses a fourth straight game at ISU
2) Card reinserted back into the lineup.
3) Texas wins a couple in a row.

Allows you to use the narrative that the ship has been righted. “Just needed time for our freshman qb to get it together.”

Could help generate some momentum to possibly get a couple more OL and Evan Stewart.

It's not out of the realm IMO.

 

[Ketchum]

But it is. We have been hot garbage for a decade plus.

The two seasons in the last 11 that have ended with the team being ranked the highest at the end of the season were what years?

2018 and 2020.

 

[Ketchum]

If we had Baylor or Oklahoma State’s offensive line (ie a solid but not elite OL), I think the overwhelming majority of our problems on offense go away. Recruiting recruiting recruiting.

But I’m dumbfounded about the problems on defense. The problems there seem systemic and much harder to solve.

I'm kind of dumbfounded by the defense as well.

 

[Ketchum]

Lulz what breaks? The closest game we played all year was at OSU. The Aggie game blew but was still a double digit victory.

A few breaks in the Ohio State game... and certainly a few in the USC game.

 

[Ketchum]

It’s cute and funny to troll with comments like this but Charlie Strong was and will remain the absolute worst coach in the history of this program and it won’t be close.

agreed, but charlie never lost four straight.

 

[Ketchum]

Even if he hasnt “sucked” he’s had 3 straight weeks with opportunities to help save this season at the end of games and just didn’t even get close to doing it. And he’s a junior…

I don't disagree.

 

[Ketchum]

What’s happening right now is literally quite the same as what this team did the past two years before the season effectively ended: playing coin flip games every week and being a .500 or just above .500 ball club. It was 2-4 against ranked opponents the last two seasons, and OU wasn’t even ranked when they played last year.

In Herman’s four seasons, Texas went 1-4 in regular season non-conference games against Power 5 schools. If my memory is correct, Texas hasn’t won a regular season non-conference game away from home since 2012 at Ole Miss. The Arkansas result just followed the trend.

You mentioned earlier that 8-4 is pretty good…..Texas could win the next four games and go 8-4 (not saying they will). Yet everyone who watched the games would know that’s not a pretty good season. The season effectively ended October 30th, and the only win against a ranked opponent would be against Louisiana. Context really matters.

I mean... this season isn't pretty good right now. WE all agree on that.

 

[Ketchum]

Here's why (& it's important imo) you go to Card.

The offense has been ineffective in the 2nd half & especially the 4th quarter.

We now (w 5) are the Champs at losing leads in the 2nd half. The offense HAS to keep the pressure on. Because...

The Defense sucks.

fair enough

 

[drunk randoke]

This thread is a wild ride.

 

[Ketchum]

We knew we lacked at safety and linebacker and were missing a solid edge rusher. We knew our O line was a big ?? What is surprising is the D linemen. I thought that would be more solid. We have talent but we definitely lost in some areas. We also had a leader in Sam. Not necessarily a great QB but he was a gamer and Longhorn for life. Remember Tech last year?

We didn’t even name season captains and just name them weekly instead. Perhaps starting the season with named leaders would have helped with player leadership.

I agree we had some talent but we knew there were big red flags.

agreed.

but, 4-4 and possibly soon to be 4-5 were not on anyone's expectations radar.

 

[Ketchum]

It’s obvious we need a QB and I don’t think Casey is the answer. But let’s say Card hits the portal and if Rattler also decides to hit the portal instead of declaring for the draft, does Sark kick the tires?

I think you'd have to kick every tire.

 

[Ketchum]

They have talented athletes in a macro sense.

They sure as hell don’t have enough talented playmakers.

Texas doesn’t lack talented athletes, but they do lack talented playmakers - the difference makers that decide games.

There’s a substantial difference.

Does that excuse the coaching deficiencies this season? No.

However, Texas has changed head coaches 4 times since 2010, 8 different offensive coordinators, 8 different defensive coordinators and countless new positions coaches since 2010.

Texas has talent everyone says, and yet the more things change, the more things stay the same.

Texas is 82-74 since 2010.

Texas is and has been EXACTLY what their record says they are.

You say it yourself, Ketch…

Texas doesn’t land nearly enough of the bonafide difference making recruits - the guys in the top 70ish in the country. The guys that go on to be high NFL draft picks by and large.

Look at Herman’s 2018 and 2019 classes and see how many of those highly rated guys have actually produced. Many are gone.

Does this team have talent? Not nearly enough imo.

Was Mack Brown a great coach in a tactical sense? Not especially.

His gift was recruiting and hiring good assistants that could likewise recruit.

Mack went 127-28 from 1998-2009 because he recruited guys like:

Chris Simms, Roy Williams, BJ Johnson, Cory Redding, Cedric Benson, Derrick Johnson, Rod Wright, Michael Huff, Cedric Griffin, David Thomas, Cedric Griffin, Tarrell Brown, Justin Blaylock, Romonce Taylor and some guy named Vince Young.

Most of the guys came in as highly rated elite level recruits and produced immediately as difference makers. Those guys are why Texas won a shitload of games for Mack’s first 12 years.

Texas has a few guys of that caliber. They don’t have a roster that’s littered with those caliber of players. Not even close.

How do I know?

They’re 36-22 since 2017.

They are what their record says they are. They are what their talent level says they are.

Texas doesn’t hire Bill Snyder type coaches. They hire guys like Tom and Sark to bring in high caliber prospects.

We’ll see if Sark can ultimately succeed where Tom, Charlie and late Mack failed.

good stuff

 

[Ketchum]

and you can have a culture problem AND win 8 to 9 games - but the same team could've been better with heads on straight. You have to hate losing more than love winning.

i don't disagree.

But, this season completely collapsing is something I believe the current coaches need to own some responsibility over. Kind of simple as that.

 

[Ketchum]

This thread is a wild ride.

we all want accountability, I suppose, until we don't.

People are upset that I'm putting responsibility on Sark and not offering free passes.

 

[PaulieD]

i don't disagree.

But, this season completely collapsing is something I believe the current coaches need to own some responsibility over. Kind of simple as that.

They most definitely have a part in this - and it's baffling them imho. Hell, it baffles me.

 

[KingEd70]

lol... wut?

Link and quote, please. You just ****ing made that up.

I wouldn't say you started going after Sark but your narrative and tone about the team definitely changed. If you can't see that without quotes and links, that's on you. It's not hard to see.

 

[TilGabriel]

This team lacks a pass rush of any kind, playmakers on defense and quality offensive line play.

Some of that falls on the roster. Some of it falls on a lack of development at those positions at all. Some of it is decision making in the off-season towards roster building.

It's not just one thing.

To me the biggest culprit is the coaches overestimating what they had in thr lines because these guys look SEC but play like AAC.

i get that the talent narrative is overblown, but it was critI ally bare in places. As for development, I for sure see that at O line. But on D it just seems like we really don’t have the horses.

 

[drunk randoke]

we all want accountability, I suppose, until we don't.

People are upset that I'm putting responsibility on Sark and not offering free passes.

I have no answers just fatigue like everyone. And no more patience which is my problem I reckon.

 

[LonghornsFanDC]

The quarterback position is the most important aspect in all of college football.

It needs to be a concern.... always.

Agree. With college and pro football, the QB position is critical if u want to win at a high level. However, u r being 2 dramatic and/or critical with Sark, Casey, Card, and this team. This season was and is a new beginning for Sark as a new head coach and Casey and Card as a new starting QB. Reality is a b_tch sometimes. They r all LEARNING ON THE JOB this season. We all have to be patient and let them perform and learn. We played and lost (almost won) to 3 top 25 teams in a row. We didn't get embarrassed and blown out like we did to Arkie. It's like seeing my nephews and nieces learn and grow thru the years. If these results continue during much of next season, then Sark should be on the hot seat. Way 2 early for the Sark drama. We definitely need to see Card play a lot more the rest of the season to see if he has gotten better since Casey is struggling in the 2nd half of games. Kind of like Rising getting his chance at Utah now. PATIENCE is a must this season!!!

 

[curtis7mills]

I don't disagree that those pieces win games.

It's why this team was never championship material.

However, it shouldn't be 4-4. I simply believe in accountability. This is Sark's team.

I agree with that. Thank you for the great back and forth. Also, thank you for giving us fans/lunatics a place to vent.

 

[TurfHorn]

This team actually fight its guts out in every game last year, even when they played like warm piss.

This made me spit my coffee out. I guess I've been watching a football team play like warm piss for the last 10 years. 😂

 

[ArielC]

Hope Ewers hits the Portal and go all in to get him...

It'llnever happen now but if it did ,I'd prepare for two QB's leaving in the portal

 

[TurfHorn]

This thread is a wild ride.

A bunch of pissed off mo fo's up in here!

 

[ArielC]

When we try to be dramatic, we often find the most sensational and pessimistic example possible to justify the narrative.

A team with no talent can't be as good as we are in the 1st half.Where's the problem? stamina,? lack of adjustments?QB can't read defenses?

 

[RLong68]

... I still don't understand why involving Keilan Robinson in the running game, especially when it struggles, has proven to be so difficult, especially if Stan Drayton and Steve Sarkisian are two of the best in the sport at what they do. Maybe that 7.3 yards per carry and all that speed is just a mirage.

I brought that up weeks ago. I find it quite concerning that Sark can't seem to find ways to get him involved. it really shouldn't be THAT hard.

 

[RLong68]

(Buy) In hindsight, Arch is more of a sure thing at this point because he isn't coming off of a major surgery from his junior season that he wasn't fully recovered from when he arrived at Texas.

Let's not pretend that was really THE issue with Gilbert. He simply wasn't a very good collegiate. And history has shown that Barkley was easily the better of the 2.

 

[Ketchum]

I wouldn't say you started going after Sark but your narrative and tone about the team definitely changed. If you can't see that without quotes and links, that's on you. It's not hard to see.

You mean my tone changed after they lost by three touchdowns in week 2?

I mean... maybe, yeah.