My assumption, plus all reports that I recall, do not suggest that he was having problems in practice. A problem throwing at least the middle distance routes should have shown up there, one would think.
Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend: (Does Sark need to sit Ewers?_
- Thread starter Ketchum
- Start date
My assumption, plus all reports that I recall, do not suggest that he was having problems in practice. A problem throwing at least the middle distance routes should have shown up there, one would think.
Two of the biggest turning points in this game that no one seems to be talking about:
1. 1Q - Dropped Wisner pass after first Interception by Texas. He had all the room in the world to run and it would have resulted in Texas scoring first (at least a FG) and gaining some momentum.
2. 3Q after Texas got the game 23-15. Blatant missed holding call on UGA on the 2nd and 10 play from the 11 yard line. Would have had UGA 3rd and long from inside the 5 yard line. UGA would have been forced to run it with their backs to the goal and instead they convert 3rd and 10. Then went on to go on 89 yard drive to go back up 15 points. Lost all momentum here.
1. 1Q - Dropped Wisner pass after first Interception by Texas. He had all the room in the world to run and it would have resulted in Texas scoring first (at least a FG) and gaining some momentum.
2. 3Q after Texas got the game 23-15. Blatant missed holding call on UGA on the 2nd and 10 play from the 11 yard line. Would have had UGA 3rd and long from inside the 5 yard line. UGA would have been forced to run it with their backs to the goal and instead they convert 3rd and 10. Then went on to go on 89 yard drive to go back up 15 points. Lost all momentum here.
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Geez, enough Quinn bashing! Like Anwar said: "Sark needs Quinn to be ELITE...AGAIN. And after after the whole offense, along with Sark, got their collective ass handed to them by a ferocious, hair on fire Georgia defense, for Quinn to come roaring back the way he did in the 3rd quarter not only says a lot about his character, but is also is great indicator that he will do just that..be ..elite..again.
Quinn is not the answer for the success of the program.
Excellent points.
Quinn has never been elite. That's just a fallacy. He's been elite in individual games, but never in extended action.
He's had one sequence of 3 consecutive games with 160+ ratings and thse were the first three games of his career.
Yes, at this point in his college career, Quinn is what he is...a pretty good QB with some flashes of brilliance, but lacking the consistency and the "take charge" mentality to lead Texas to a natty. This is not a knee jerk reaction, but an assessment made by reviewing his extensive body of work. We are talking now about the same problems with him that we were talking about two years ago. It is time for the Manning era to begin. Arch gives us at least as good (if not better) of a chance to win as Quinn does, and it also gives him a head start on refining his game for the next two seasons.
I was always hoping Quinn had some carson palmer in him and that it would happen for him late. It's not happening.
His reputation as a QB developer takes a hit, too. He wants Quinn to work out for several really big reasons.
Regarding the running backs, it must be that blue is fumbling in practice. Freezing him completely out when Wisner is making mistakes makes no sense. For that matter, Gibson must be doing something wrong in practice also as he has looked solid but can’t get any run at all. Or maybe they are redshirting him?
In this day and age, I've never liked the idea of redshirting someone. If they're good enough to play, then play them because, if they're good, they're not going to stick around for all four years anyway.
Extraordinarily disappointed in Ketch and others for slamming Ewers. All he has done while at Texas: 49-0 beat down of ousux, 2 wins (could have been 3) against ousux, Big XII Championship, semi-final in College Playoff, beat defending champs in Ann Arbor. Geez, we finally lose a game this year against a hugely talented team and you to run him out to pasture. Get over yourselves. Hypocrisy only leads to ruining your own credibility. One game does not make a season. Be better Ketch and others. 🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
Eight games into his fourth college season, the Texas football program has a Quinn Ewers problem.
Actually, the Texas football program has Quinn Ewers problems. Plural.
Coming out of a not-quite-ready-for-primetime-performance against Georgia, the single most concerning aspect of the night as it relates to Steve Sarkisian's starting quarterback is that it's kind of impossible to pin down which of the many problems is the most concerning.
Was it his shockingly poor feel and awareness for the game? Was he seeing ghosts? Why is this still happening at this stage of his career? Is he still hurt to the degree that it's a problem?
It feels a little bit like the scene from the movie Bull Durham when the team has a meeting at the mound and when the pitching coach asks what the hell is happening, Crash Davis replies, "Well, Nuke's scared because his eyelids are jammed and his old man's here. We need a live ... is it a live rooster? We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose's glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present. Is that about right? We're dealing with a lot of shit."
As it relates to Ewers, Texas is dealing with a lot of shit.
Consider that in the last eight days, Ewers has delivered two of his six worst statistical performances in a Texas uniform and that the performance against the Dawgs was statistically his third-worst performance of his entire college career.
When asked about his play after the game on Saturday night, Ewers indicated that his oblique injury is still a problem, which begs a lot of questions ... should he be playing right now? Has he been rushed back? Is whatever percentage of Ewers that exists right now better than a 100 percent Arch Manning?
Oh, and should Ewers start against Vanderbilt in six days?
Coming out of the game and a respectable second half, I felt like the answer was very probably a yes for all of the reasons that Steve Sarkisian has stressed all season. Yet, that changes if the last two games are even slightly a byproduct of Ewers being unable to play at a high level because he's physically struggling.
Maybe Ewers was making an excuse. Or maybe the excuse is the reason why he's struggling. Regardless, Texas can ill afford to go on the road next week with a quarterback that mentally believes he's not able to do what he needs to do physically to thrive at the position.
A week ago, I gave Ewers all the benefit of the doubt. I'm much less willing to do so after Saturday's performance and Ewers' explanation for his play after the game.
Ultimately, Sarkisian has to figure out the riddles and while I typically trust him to have the answers with his quarterbacks, it's hard not to wonder if his own confirmation bias in this situation is blinding him. Like Ewers throwing the ball to a receiver whether he's open or not because he's determined before the snap of the ball that he's throwing it, results be damned, it does feel like Sarkisian is making his decisions based partly on the fact that he's pre-determined that Ewers is going to start, results be damned.
Ewers is a very good college quarterback, but he hasn't been for the last two weeks.
I'm really not sure what to think about what happens next if the shaky play extends into a third week.
No. 2 - Let's be clear ...
In the event that you're wondering how you should feel about the Texas defense on a night when Georgia scored 30 points, consider the following:
* Coming into Saturday night, Carson Beck had never started a game and finished with a quarterback rating worse than the 133.9 he delivered against Vanderbilt last season. He finished the Texas game with a 77.3 rating and three turnovers.
* No Georgia wide receiver finished with more than 35 yards receiving. Arian Smith averaged 5.3 yards per reception. Dominic Lovett averaged 8.8 yards per reception. Dillon Bell averaged 9.0 yards per reception. That might be the best trio of receivers that the Texas secondary will play all season and they pitched a virtual shutout.
* The Dawgs averaged 3.6 yards per carry on the ground, while Trevor Etienne finished the night with a modest 4.8 yards per carry.
* No Georgia scoring drive went for more than 35 yards in the first half when the Dawgs built a 23-0 lead.
This unit deserved a win, but ...
No. 3 - The Texas defense vs. the world heading into the Vandy game ...
Here's where the Texas defense ranks in the major statistical categories ...
Scoring Defense: (9.71) 1st nationally
Total Defense: (237.3): 1st nationally
Passing yards allowed: (133.0) 2nd nationally
Rushing yards Allowed: (104.3) 19th nationally
3rd down defense: (28.8%) 10th nationally
Red-Zone Percentage: (.66.7) 7th nationally
Red-Zone Scores Allowed: (8) 2nd nationally
Red-Zone Passing TDs Allowed: (0) 1st nationally
Red-Zone Rushing TDs Allowed: (4) 4th nationally
First Downs: (96) 6th nationally
Team Passing Efficiency: (88.59) 2nd nationally
Team Sacks: (2.86 per game) 18th nationally
Team Tackles For Loss: (7.6 per game) 14th nationally
Turnovers Gained: (14) 14th nationally
No. 4 - Scattershooting coming out of OU week ...
... Colin Simmons didn't make the stat sheet on Saturday night. I didn't think that was possible.
... Texas really, really needs to consider going into the Portal for a starting running back next season. None of the healthy guys truly feel like plus-options at the moment and I don't think you can count on CJ Baxter coming off of a major injury.
... The total loss of any confidence at all in Jaydon Blue as a runner (not as a receiver) is a mistake. Two games ago, he was the only player the staff wanted to give carries to and now he can't get any? That's an overcorrection that is hurting the team.
... Say what you want about whatever Arch Manning didn't do in his two series at quarterback, but his 21-yard scramble was twice as long as the next best rushing attempt by any Texas player all night.
... Sark has to start finding a way to get Ryan Wingo more touches each week.
... Very quietly, Jermayne Lole had a very good game at defensive tackle.
... Georgia dominated Texas in the kick game.
No. 5 - If I had a vote that mattered ...
1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Texas
5. Miami
6. Penn State
7. Tennessee
8. Clemson
9. LSU
10. Indiana
Heisman Trophy
1. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
2. Cam Ward (Miami)
3 Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
4. Travis Hunter (Colorado)
5. Blake Horvath (Navy)
No. 6 - A few thoughts on Bottle-gate ...
a. Someone in the post-game show mentioned that the Texas fans acted like Tech fans in throwing crap on the field and he was spot on. That's exactly what it was ... Texas Tech fan behavior. You have to be better than that.
b. SEC officials aren't really much better than Big 12 officials. Woof.
c. Ultimately, the officials got it right, but I totally understand Kirby Smart being irate. Imagine if that call had gone against Texas.
d. Even after overturning the call, I think the Longhorns should have been hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. I actually thought that's what was going to be announced.
e. Imagine if Wally Pryor had been around for that ...
No. 7 - Smacking the SEC around ...
Although the No. 7 Texas Volleyball team got off to the kind of slow start in the first set against Georgia that the football team could be proud of, business was handled on Sunday.
The Longhorns are alone in first place in the SEC and have lost only two sets in conference play through seven games. Next up is a rematch with the Aggies in Austin. The Aggies are one of only two teams to have taken a set from the Longhorns in the SEC.
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Sell) Texas plays four unranked teams before it plays A&M. Come on ...
(Sell) He has the proper amount of respect. He's generally regarded as the No. 3 player at his position in the last 50 years. How much more respect does he deserve?
(Sell) Someone would take a flyer on him on day two at worst.
(Buy) Easily. It wouldn't take much to be better than mostly awful for three of four quarters with three turnovers and no real threat to throw the ball downfield.
(Buy) My reasons might be slightly different than yours, but the percentages seem about right.
(Buy) Yes, if we're talking about winning a national title.
(Sell) Texas was in this game late in the third quarter. If the defense can get a stop, the offense would have had the ball with a chance to tie the new No. 2 team in the country. Yes, there was some regression ... a lot in the first half. But, it's not the disaster you're making it out to be.
(Buy) Yup.
(Sell) I don't think this is going to happen, but I know why you are asking.
(Sell) Not in the first round.
(Buy) He's healthy in the moment and playing really well. Quinn hasn't played a really good game in more than a month. Klubnik currently has the fourth-best Heisman odds on Fan Duel. That being said, it's important to note that Klubnik hasn't gone on the road and won the games that a fully dialed-in Ewers has won.
(Buy) It's fairly obvious that when he struggles, his mechanics fall apart.
(Buy) It needed to happen in the last off-season.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... lulz...
... SEC Thoughts: Tennessee is an offense away from being a true national title contender. That defense is fantastic. Jalen Milroe was awful on Saturday, but still better than Ewers. Don't look now, but LSU looks very dangerous. The game in College Station should be a good one. Missouri is the worst 6-1 team in the country. Thank goodness South Carolina isn't on the Texas schedule this year. That team is dangerous on its day.
... I love it when the Cowboys have a bye week. What does that mean?
... The Texans beat the Packers on Sunday with a healthy Nico Collins. They missed him significantly ... and lost on a field goal at the buzzer.
... Bijan had his best day of the season on Sunday and the Falcons lost by 20 at home to the 4-3 Seahawks.
... Giancarlo Stanton: 16 HRs in 129 postseason at-bats. Babe Ruth: 15 HRs in 129 postseason at-bats
... Premier League Thoughts: I definitely rooted for Man United against Brentford because I don't want ten Hag fired. You could see that Man City last-minute winner coming from 5,000 miles away. Frankly, it's dispiriting. As far as red cards go, I have to applaud West Ham's Mohammed Kudus. That man earned it. Moisés Caicedo is really impressive. I wish he had signed with Liverpool. List of Premier League players with 60+ G/A vs. the Big 6 in Premier League history: Alan Shearer and Mo Salah ... that's the list.
... Bring on the MLS post-season. The regular season lasts forever.
... My current active TV viewing rankings: 1) The Penguin 2) Shrinking 3) Agatha All Along 4) The Old Man 5) Tulsa King
... We should all have inside of us what these dogs have inside of them ...
No. 10 – The List: Morgan Freeman
Earlier this week, it occurred to me that I hadn't seen the movie Lean On Me in at least a few years, which meant two things ...
a. I needed to see it asap (accomplished)
b. I needed to do a Morgan Freeman list (about to be accomplished)
Let's get on with it.
Honorable Mention: Nurse Betty
Last 5 Out: Amistad, Street Smart, Invictus, Deep Impact and High Crimes
10. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
I personal favorite. Don't hate.
9. Driving Miss Daisy
Feels like it has to be in the Top 10 somewhere. The only film based on an off-Broadway play to win Best Picture.
8. Million Dollar Baby
Can you believe this is his only Oscar win (in a supporting role)?
7. Gone Baby Gone
Yes, it's just a supporting role, but it's a film that has to be on the list.
6. Glory
One of my favorite Civil War movies.
5. The Dark Knight
Is this ranked too low?
4. Se7en
Am I messed up for loving this movie? If it's on, I'm watching.
3. Unforgiven
My favorite Western of all-time.
2. Lean on Me
This is the definitive Freeman performance in a starring/leading role. This might be one of the top most quoted movies in my life. I saw it when I was 13 for the first time and have probably seen it 100 times since.
"They used to call me Crazy Joe. Well now, they can call me Batman!"
"I say if you wanna kill yourself, don't **** around with it! Go on and do it expeditiously!”
"And I gave my word to God, and that's why I threw those bastards out and that's all I'm gonna say!"
"You know what he's saying right now? ‘Black bastard can't throw me out!’ You know where he's saying it? Out in the parking lot."
"Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence"
1. The Shawshank Redemption
It's freaking Shawshank. It simply has to be No. 1.
Red and Red 2 are great funny action movies, with stellar casts. Alas, with Bruce Willis’s health issues there will not be a Red 3.
You are making the assumption that Quinn will be elite again. If he’s still injured or mentally challenged, that’s not a given. Saying that isn’t “bashing” Quinn. It’s just the truth of the situation.
So many good Morgan Freeman movies:
Teachers
Outbreak
Olympus Has Fallen (and sequels)
Bruce Almighty
Teachers
Outbreak
Olympus Has Fallen (and sequels)
Bruce Almighty
Writing is on the wall. Sark will start Ewers against Vandy, but if he struggles again, Arch is coming in early and playing the rest of the game. Then Sark will have a bye week to figure out who's gonna be the starter for the rest of the season.
Fumbles be damned, gotta go back to Blue as RB1.
Fumbles be damned, gotta go back to Blue as RB1.
What? We are talking football. We are using the knowledge of the game we have and our eyes. Doesn’t matter who it is, if they’re not performing, then there needs to be a change. It doesn’t matter what you did in the last, what are you doing now.
Given the amount of Q.E. bashing, some of it disproportionately negative, I thought a little hyperbole in the other direction was called for, but yeah, to your point 'very good' with the potential to be elite is the more accurate assessment.
True, I agree, but some of the posts were disprortionately negative and recycled & redundant ad nauseum. That said, lets hope he turns in an elite performance this Saturday against Vandy. It shouldn't surprise too many on OB if he does, in fact, do just that.
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I think the negativity might be more directed at Sark than Ewers. The facts are that our running game is not currently at its best (against a good defense), because of injuries/fumbling issues. So you decide to play an injured QB who doesn’t run much or well and who doesn’t throw way down the field, either because of injury or it’s not his strength. So you’ve limited the offensive game. Is an injured Ewers with his strengths/weaknesses a better option than a less experienced Manning with his strengths/weaknesses? I think many would say, that at this point, it may be better to try Arch. Since, we know Sark will start Ewers for the Vandy game, all we can do is hope some of the facts above are wrong or resolved.
Agree with the top ten except Id have Driving Miss Daisy a little higher and Deep Impact in for Robin Hood.
Eight games into his fourth college season, the Texas football program has a Quinn Ewers problem.
Actually, the Texas football program has Quinn Ewers problems. Plural.
Coming out of a not-quite-ready-for-primetime-performance against Georgia, the single most concerning aspect of the night as it relates to Steve Sarkisian's starting quarterback is that it's kind of impossible to pin down which of the many problems is the most concerning.
Was it his shockingly poor feel and awareness for the game? Was he seeing ghosts? Why is this still happening at this stage of his career? Is he still hurt to the degree that it's a problem?
It feels a little bit like the scene from the movie Bull Durham when the team has a meeting at the mound and when the pitching coach asks what the hell is happening, Crash Davis replies, "Well, Nuke's scared because his eyelids are jammed and his old man's here. We need a live ... is it a live rooster? We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose's glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present. Is that about right? We're dealing with a lot of shit."
As it relates to Ewers, Texas is dealing with a lot of shit.
Consider that in the last eight days, Ewers has delivered two of his six worst statistical performances in a Texas uniform and that the performance against the Dawgs was statistically his third-worst performance of his entire college career.
When asked about his play after the game on Saturday night, Ewers indicated that his oblique injury is still a problem, which begs a lot of questions ... should he be playing right now? Has he been rushed back? Is whatever percentage of Ewers that exists right now better than a 100 percent Arch Manning?
Oh, and should Ewers start against Vanderbilt in six days?
Coming out of the game and a respectable second half, I felt like the answer was very probably a yes for all of the reasons that Steve Sarkisian has stressed all season. Yet, that changes if the last two games are even slightly a byproduct of Ewers being unable to play at a high level because he's physically struggling.
Maybe Ewers was making an excuse. Or maybe the excuse is the reason why he's struggling. Regardless, Texas can ill afford to go on the road next week with a quarterback that mentally believes he's not able to do what he needs to do physically to thrive at the position.
A week ago, I gave Ewers all the benefit of the doubt. I'm much less willing to do so after Saturday's performance and Ewers' explanation for his play after the game.
Ultimately, Sarkisian has to figure out the riddles and while I typically trust him to have the answers with his quarterbacks, it's hard not to wonder if his own confirmation bias in this situation is blinding him. Like Ewers throwing the ball to a receiver whether he's open or not because he's determined before the snap of the ball that he's throwing it, results be damned, it does feel like Sarkisian is making his decisions based partly on the fact that he's pre-determined that Ewers is going to start, results be damned.
Ewers is a very good college quarterback, but he hasn't been for the last two weeks.
I'm really not sure what to think about what happens next if the shaky play extends into a third week.
No. 2 - Let's be clear ...
In the event that you're wondering how you should feel about the Texas defense on a night when Georgia scored 30 points, consider the following:
* Coming into Saturday night, Carson Beck had never started a game and finished with a quarterback rating worse than the 133.9 he delivered against Vanderbilt last season. He finished the Texas game with a 77.3 rating and three turnovers.
* No Georgia wide receiver finished with more than 35 yards receiving. Arian Smith averaged 5.3 yards per reception. Dominic Lovett averaged 8.8 yards per reception. Dillon Bell averaged 9.0 yards per reception. That might be the best trio of receivers that the Texas secondary will play all season and they pitched a virtual shutout.
* The Dawgs averaged 3.6 yards per carry on the ground, while Trevor Etienne finished the night with a modest 4.8 yards per carry.
* No Georgia scoring drive went for more than 35 yards in the first half when the Dawgs built a 23-0 lead.
This unit deserved a win, but ...
No. 3 - The Texas defense vs. the world heading into the Vandy game ...
Here's where the Texas defense ranks in the major statistical categories ...
Scoring Defense: (9.71) 1st nationally
Total Defense: (237.3): 1st nationally
Passing yards allowed: (133.0) 2nd nationally
Rushing yards Allowed: (104.3) 19th nationally
3rd down defense: (28.8%) 10th nationally
Red-Zone Percentage: (.66.7) 7th nationally
Red-Zone Scores Allowed: (8) 2nd nationally
Red-Zone Passing TDs Allowed: (0) 1st nationally
Red-Zone Rushing TDs Allowed: (4) 4th nationally
First Downs: (96) 6th nationally
Team Passing Efficiency: (88.59) 2nd nationally
Team Sacks: (2.86 per game) 18th nationally
Team Tackles For Loss: (7.6 per game) 14th nationally
Turnovers Gained: (14) 14th nationally
No. 4 - Scattershooting coming out of OU week ...
... Colin Simmons didn't make the stat sheet on Saturday night. I didn't think that was possible.
... Texas really, really needs to consider going into the Portal for a starting running back next season. None of the healthy guys truly feel like plus-options at the moment and I don't think you can count on CJ Baxter coming off of a major injury.
... The total loss of any confidence at all in Jaydon Blue as a runner (not as a receiver) is a mistake. Two games ago, he was the only player the staff wanted to give carries to and now he can't get any? That's an overcorrection that is hurting the team.
... Say what you want about whatever Arch Manning didn't do in his two series at quarterback, but his 21-yard scramble was twice as long as the next best rushing attempt by any Texas player all night.
... Sark has to start finding a way to get Ryan Wingo more touches each week.
... Very quietly, Jermayne Lole had a very good game at defensive tackle.
... Georgia dominated Texas in the kick game.
No. 5 - If I had a vote that mattered ...
1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Texas
5. Miami
6. Penn State
7. Tennessee
8. Clemson
9. LSU
10. Indiana
Heisman Trophy
1. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
2. Cam Ward (Miami)
3 Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
4. Travis Hunter (Colorado)
5. Blake Horvath (Navy)
No. 6 - A few thoughts on Bottle-gate ...
a. Someone in the post-game show mentioned that the Texas fans acted like Tech fans in throwing crap on the field and he was spot on. That's exactly what it was ... Texas Tech fan behavior. You have to be better than that.
b. SEC officials aren't really much better than Big 12 officials. Woof.
c. Ultimately, the officials got it right, but I totally understand Kirby Smart being irate. Imagine if that call had gone against Texas.
d. Even after overturning the call, I think the Longhorns should have been hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. I actually thought that's what was going to be announced.
e. Imagine if Wally Pryor had been around for that ...
No. 7 - Smacking the SEC around ...
Although the No. 7 Texas Volleyball team got off to the kind of slow start in the first set against Georgia that the football team could be proud of, business was handled on Sunday.
The Longhorns are alone in first place in the SEC and have lost only two sets in conference play through seven games. Next up is a rematch with the Aggies in Austin. The Aggies are one of only two teams to have taken a set from the Longhorns in the SEC.
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Sell) Texas plays four unranked teams before it plays A&M. Come on ...
(Sell) He has the proper amount of respect. He's generally regarded as the No. 3 player at his position in the last 50 years. How much more respect does he deserve?
(Sell) Someone would take a flyer on him on day two at worst.
(Buy) Easily. It wouldn't take much to be better than mostly awful for three of four quarters with three turnovers and no real threat to throw the ball downfield.
(Buy) My reasons might be slightly different than yours, but the percentages seem about right.
(Buy) Yes, if we're talking about winning a national title.
(Sell) Texas was in this game late in the third quarter. If the defense can get a stop, the offense would have had the ball with a chance to tie the new No. 2 team in the country. Yes, there was some regression ... a lot in the first half. But, it's not the disaster you're making it out to be.
(Buy) Yup.
(Sell) I don't think this is going to happen, but I know why you are asking.
(Sell) Not in the first round.
(Buy) He's healthy in the moment and playing really well. Quinn hasn't played a really good game in more than a month. Klubnik currently has the fourth-best Heisman odds on Fan Duel. That being said, it's important to note that Klubnik hasn't gone on the road and won the games that a fully dialed-in Ewers has won.
(Buy) It's fairly obvious that when he struggles, his mechanics fall apart.
(Buy) It needed to happen in the last off-season.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... lulz...
... SEC Thoughts: Tennessee is an offense away from being a true national title contender. That defense is fantastic. Jalen Milroe was awful on Saturday, but still better than Ewers. Don't look now, but LSU looks very dangerous. The game in College Station should be a good one. Missouri is the worst 6-1 team in the country. Thank goodness South Carolina isn't on the Texas schedule this year. That team is dangerous on its day.
... I love it when the Cowboys have a bye week. What does that mean?
... The Texans beat the Packers on Sunday with a healthy Nico Collins. They missed him significantly ... and lost on a field goal at the buzzer.
... Bijan had his best day of the season on Sunday and the Falcons lost by 20 at home to the 4-3 Seahawks.
... Giancarlo Stanton: 16 HRs in 129 postseason at-bats. Babe Ruth: 15 HRs in 129 postseason at-bats
... Premier League Thoughts: I definitely rooted for Man United against Brentford because I don't want ten Hag fired. You could see that Man City last-minute winner coming from 5,000 miles away. Frankly, it's dispiriting. As far as red cards go, I have to applaud West Ham's Mohammed Kudus. That man earned it. Moisés Caicedo is really impressive. I wish he had signed with Liverpool. List of Premier League players with 60+ G/A vs. the Big 6 in Premier League history: Alan Shearer and Mo Salah ... that's the list.
... Bring on the MLS post-season. The regular season lasts forever.
... My current active TV viewing rankings: 1) The Penguin 2) Shrinking 3) Agatha All Along 4) The Old Man 5) Tulsa King
... We should all have inside of us what these dogs have inside of them ...
No. 10 – The List: Morgan Freeman
Earlier this week, it occurred to me that I hadn't seen the movie Lean On Me in at least a few years, which meant two things ...
a. I needed to see it asap (accomplished)
b. I needed to do a Morgan Freeman list (about to be accomplished)
Let's get on with it.
Honorable Mention: Nurse Betty
Last 5 Out: Amistad, Street Smart, Invictus, Deep Impact and High Crimes
10. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
I personal favorite. Don't hate.
9. Driving Miss Daisy
Feels like it has to be in the Top 10 somewhere. The only film based on an off-Broadway play to win Best Picture.
8. Million Dollar Baby
Can you believe this is his only Oscar win (in a supporting role)?
7. Gone Baby Gone
Yes, it's just a supporting role, but it's a film that has to be on the list.
6. Glory
One of my favorite Civil War movies.
5. The Dark Knight
Is this ranked too low?
4. Se7en
Am I messed up for loving this movie? If it's on, I'm watching.
3. Unforgiven
My favorite Western of all-time.
2. Lean on Me
This is the definitive Freeman performance in a starring/leading role. This might be one of the top most quoted movies in my life. I saw it when I was 13 for the first time and have probably seen it 100 times since.
"They used to call me Crazy Joe. Well now, they can call me Batman!"
"I say if you wanna kill yourself, don't **** around with it! Go on and do it expeditiously!”
"And I gave my word to God, and that's why I threw those bastards out and that's all I'm gonna say!"
"You know what he's saying right now? ‘Black bastard can't throw me out!’ You know where he's saying it? Out in the parking lot."
"Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence"
1. The Shawshank Redemption
It's freaking Shawshank. It simply has to be No. 1.
Top 5 is slotted perfectly..Nice Job.
He really has been in some excellent movies especially for a guy who was on PBS Electric Company and Sesame Street
@Ketchum what are your thoughts on Sark as a quarterback whisperer? Do we have any indication he is what we expected at Texas in that area? Is your confidence in that label changing or purely on QE?
Eight games into his fourth college season, the Texas football program has a Quinn Ewers problem.
Actually, the Texas football program has Quinn Ewers problems. Plural.
Coming out of a not-quite-ready-for-primetime-performance against Georgia, the single most concerning aspect of the night as it relates to Steve Sarkisian's starting quarterback is that it's kind of impossible to pin down which of the many problems is the most concerning.
Was it his shockingly poor feel and awareness for the game? Was he seeing ghosts? Why is this still happening at this stage of his career? Is he still hurt to the degree that it's a problem?
It feels a little bit like the scene from the movie Bull Durham when the team has a meeting at the mound and when the pitching coach asks what the hell is happening, Crash Davis replies, "Well, Nuke's scared because his eyelids are jammed and his old man's here. We need a live ... is it a live rooster? We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose's glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present. Is that about right? We're dealing with a lot of shit."
As it relates to Ewers, Texas is dealing with a lot of shit.
Consider that in the last eight days, Ewers has delivered two of his six worst statistical performances in a Texas uniform and that the performance against the Dawgs was statistically his third-worst performance of his entire college career.
When asked about his play after the game on Saturday night, Ewers indicated that his oblique injury is still a problem, which begs a lot of questions ... should he be playing right now? Has he been rushed back? Is whatever percentage of Ewers that exists right now better than a 100 percent Arch Manning?
Oh, and should Ewers start against Vanderbilt in six days?
Coming out of the game and a respectable second half, I felt like the answer was very probably a yes for all of the reasons that Steve Sarkisian has stressed all season. Yet, that changes if the last two games are even slightly a byproduct of Ewers being unable to play at a high level because he's physically struggling.
Maybe Ewers was making an excuse. Or maybe the excuse is the reason why he's struggling. Regardless, Texas can ill afford to go on the road next week with a quarterback that mentally believes he's not able to do what he needs to do physically to thrive at the position.
A week ago, I gave Ewers all the benefit of the doubt. I'm much less willing to do so after Saturday's performance and Ewers' explanation for his play after the game.
Ultimately, Sarkisian has to figure out the riddles and while I typically trust him to have the answers with his quarterbacks, it's hard not to wonder if his own confirmation bias in this situation is blinding him. Like Ewers throwing the ball to a receiver whether he's open or not because he's determined before the snap of the ball that he's throwing it, results be damned, it does feel like Sarkisian is making his decisions based partly on the fact that he's pre-determined that Ewers is going to start, results be damned.
Ewers is a very good college quarterback, but he hasn't been for the last two weeks.
I'm really not sure what to think about what happens next if the shaky play extends into a third week.
No. 2 - Let's be clear ...
In the event that you're wondering how you should feel about the Texas defense on a night when Georgia scored 30 points, consider the following:
* Coming into Saturday night, Carson Beck had never started a game and finished with a quarterback rating worse than the 133.9 he delivered against Vanderbilt last season. He finished the Texas game with a 77.3 rating and three turnovers.
* No Georgia wide receiver finished with more than 35 yards receiving. Arian Smith averaged 5.3 yards per reception. Dominic Lovett averaged 8.8 yards per reception. Dillon Bell averaged 9.0 yards per reception. That might be the best trio of receivers that the Texas secondary will play all season and they pitched a virtual shutout.
* The Dawgs averaged 3.6 yards per carry on the ground, while Trevor Etienne finished the night with a modest 4.8 yards per carry.
* No Georgia scoring drive went for more than 35 yards in the first half when the Dawgs built a 23-0 lead.
This unit deserved a win, but ...
No. 3 - The Texas defense vs. the world heading into the Vandy game ...
Here's where the Texas defense ranks in the major statistical categories ...
Scoring Defense: (9.71) 1st nationally
Total Defense: (237.3): 1st nationally
Passing yards allowed: (133.0) 2nd nationally
Rushing yards Allowed: (104.3) 19th nationally
3rd down defense: (28.8%) 10th nationally
Red-Zone Percentage: (.66.7) 7th nationally
Red-Zone Scores Allowed: (8) 2nd nationally
Red-Zone Passing TDs Allowed: (0) 1st nationally
Red-Zone Rushing TDs Allowed: (4) 4th nationally
First Downs: (96) 6th nationally
Team Passing Efficiency: (88.59) 2nd nationally
Team Sacks: (2.86 per game) 18th nationally
Team Tackles For Loss: (7.6 per game) 14th nationally
Turnovers Gained: (14) 14th nationally
No. 4 - Scattershooting coming out of OU week ...
... Colin Simmons didn't make the stat sheet on Saturday night. I didn't think that was possible.
... Texas really, really needs to consider going into the Portal for a starting running back next season. None of the healthy guys truly feel like plus-options at the moment and I don't think you can count on CJ Baxter coming off of a major injury.
... The total loss of any confidence at all in Jaydon Blue as a runner (not as a receiver) is a mistake. Two games ago, he was the only player the staff wanted to give carries to and now he can't get any? That's an overcorrection that is hurting the team.
... Say what you want about whatever Arch Manning didn't do in his two series at quarterback, but his 21-yard scramble was twice as long as the next best rushing attempt by any Texas player all night.
... Sark has to start finding a way to get Ryan Wingo more touches each week.
... Very quietly, Jermayne Lole had a very good game at defensive tackle.
... Georgia dominated Texas in the kick game.
No. 5 - If I had a vote that mattered ...
1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Ohio State
4. Texas
5. Miami
6. Penn State
7. Tennessee
8. Clemson
9. LSU
10. Indiana
Heisman Trophy
1. Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
2. Cam Ward (Miami)
3 Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
4. Travis Hunter (Colorado)
5. Blake Horvath (Navy)
No. 6 - A few thoughts on Bottle-gate ...
a. Someone in the post-game show mentioned that the Texas fans acted like Tech fans in throwing crap on the field and he was spot on. That's exactly what it was ... Texas Tech fan behavior. You have to be better than that.
b. SEC officials aren't really much better than Big 12 officials. Woof.
c. Ultimately, the officials got it right, but I totally understand Kirby Smart being irate. Imagine if that call had gone against Texas.
d. Even after overturning the call, I think the Longhorns should have been hit with a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. I actually thought that's what was going to be announced.
e. Imagine if Wally Pryor had been around for that ...
No. 7 - Smacking the SEC around ...
Although the No. 7 Texas Volleyball team got off to the kind of slow start in the first set against Georgia that the football team could be proud of, business was handled on Sunday.
The Longhorns are alone in first place in the SEC and have lost only two sets in conference play through seven games. Next up is a rematch with the Aggies in Austin. The Aggies are one of only two teams to have taken a set from the Longhorns in the SEC.
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Sell) Texas plays four unranked teams before it plays A&M. Come on ...
(Sell) He has the proper amount of respect. He's generally regarded as the No. 3 player at his position in the last 50 years. How much more respect does he deserve?
(Sell) Someone would take a flyer on him on day two at worst.
(Buy) Easily. It wouldn't take much to be better than mostly awful for three of four quarters with three turnovers and no real threat to throw the ball downfield.
(Buy) My reasons might be slightly different than yours, but the percentages seem about right.
(Buy) Yes, if we're talking about winning a national title.
(Sell) Texas was in this game late in the third quarter. If the defense can get a stop, the offense would have had the ball with a chance to tie the new No. 2 team in the country. Yes, there was some regression ... a lot in the first half. But, it's not the disaster you're making it out to be.
(Buy) Yup.
(Sell) I don't think this is going to happen, but I know why you are asking.
(Sell) Not in the first round.
(Buy) He's healthy in the moment and playing really well. Quinn hasn't played a really good game in more than a month. Klubnik currently has the fourth-best Heisman odds on Fan Duel. That being said, it's important to note that Klubnik hasn't gone on the road and won the games that a fully dialed-in Ewers has won.
(Buy) It's fairly obvious that when he struggles, his mechanics fall apart.
(Buy) It needed to happen in the last off-season.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... lulz...
... SEC Thoughts: Tennessee is an offense away from being a true national title contender. That defense is fantastic. Jalen Milroe was awful on Saturday, but still better than Ewers. Don't look now, but LSU looks very dangerous. The game in College Station should be a good one. Missouri is the worst 6-1 team in the country. Thank goodness South Carolina isn't on the Texas schedule this year. That team is dangerous on its day.
... I love it when the Cowboys have a bye week. What does that mean?
... The Texans beat the Packers on Sunday with a healthy Nico Collins. They missed him significantly ... and lost on a field goal at the buzzer.
... Bijan had his best day of the season on Sunday and the Falcons lost by 20 at home to the 4-3 Seahawks.
... Giancarlo Stanton: 16 HRs in 129 postseason at-bats. Babe Ruth: 15 HRs in 129 postseason at-bats
... Premier League Thoughts: I definitely rooted for Man United against Brentford because I don't want ten Hag fired. You could see that Man City last-minute winner coming from 5,000 miles away. Frankly, it's dispiriting. As far as red cards go, I have to applaud West Ham's Mohammed Kudus. That man earned it. Moisés Caicedo is really impressive. I wish he had signed with Liverpool. List of Premier League players with 60+ G/A vs. the Big 6 in Premier League history: Alan Shearer and Mo Salah ... that's the list.
... Bring on the MLS post-season. The regular season lasts forever.
... My current active TV viewing rankings: 1) The Penguin 2) Shrinking 3) Agatha All Along 4) The Old Man 5) Tulsa King
... We should all have inside of us what these dogs have inside of them ...
No. 10 – The List: Morgan Freeman
Earlier this week, it occurred to me that I hadn't seen the movie Lean On Me in at least a few years, which meant two things ...
a. I needed to see it asap (accomplished)
b. I needed to do a Morgan Freeman list (about to be accomplished)
Let's get on with it.
Honorable Mention: Nurse Betty
Last 5 Out: Amistad, Street Smart, Invictus, Deep Impact and High Crimes
10. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
I personal favorite. Don't hate.
9. Driving Miss Daisy
Feels like it has to be in the Top 10 somewhere. The only film based on an off-Broadway play to win Best Picture.
8. Million Dollar Baby
Can you believe this is his only Oscar win (in a supporting role)?
7. Gone Baby Gone
Yes, it's just a supporting role, but it's a film that has to be on the list.
6. Glory
One of my favorite Civil War movies.
5. The Dark Knight
Is this ranked too low?
4. Se7en
Am I messed up for loving this movie? If it's on, I'm watching.
3. Unforgiven
My favorite Western of all-time.
2. Lean on Me
This is the definitive Freeman performance in a starring/leading role. This might be one of the top most quoted movies in my life. I saw it when I was 13 for the first time and have probably seen it 100 times since.
"They used to call me Crazy Joe. Well now, they can call me Batman!"
"I say if you wanna kill yourself, don't **** around with it! Go on and do it expeditiously!”
"And I gave my word to God, and that's why I threw those bastards out and that's all I'm gonna say!"
"You know what he's saying right now? ‘Black bastard can't throw me out!’ You know where he's saying it? Out in the parking lot."
"Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence"
1. The Shawshank Redemption
It's freaking Shawshank. It simply has to be No. 1.
Good call. We were going to lose to a top 5 team, and that's part of the growing process. Stay the course and try to improve. 🤘🏻
@Ketchum I agree with you here but it got me thinking. Which college QBs right now are truly a day 1 pick? Sanders? Most likely yes. After that I'm not sure of anyone else. Beck and Ewers and maybe even Klubnik fall into the category of if a teams falls in love with them they could be first day but otherwise they drop.
I'm thinking that this ends up looking like a very weak QB draft.
