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Ketch's 10 Thoughts From the Weekend (How might Coronavirus impact UT football?...)

Tebow is basically a marketing thing looks like. I hope he makes it though and has a very nice, albeit very short career. He's a great role model.
 
Uhhhhh, bro......Superbad

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Love that movie. Just not Top 10 for me.
 
Okay, I'm going to bang the drum again so to speak. You get this kind of crowd for a team with an up and down year when fans want the coach fired, how many will show up when we have a program that consistently wins and becomes "a thing to do'?

And people still champion a new arena that only seats 10,000? Gregory Gym held 7,200 with bleachers set up on the stage. And that place was packed at times especially for big games in the late 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. There was one year during Pender's salad days when we averaged 15,000+ per game. Fast forward today and some argue for a small stadium. In a growing city? I hope the planners are thinking bigger than that.

Coming of age movies list has to include "Summer of '42" and "Breaking Away."
Never seen Summer of 42.
 
Almost Famous “The Musical” opens on Broadway this Fall after getting 5* reviews in it’s San Diego tryout last fall
 
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Tebow is basically a marketing thing looks like. I hope he makes it though and has a very nice, albeit very short career. He's a great role model.
I'd be surprised if he makes it through the year.
 
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Sixteen months ago, Tom Herman was ahead of schedule.

At least, that's what he was saying.

In scrolling through Orangebloods content from the beginning of the Herman Era, I stumbled across a discussion coming out of the 2018 Big 12 Championship that had Herman claiming the Longhorns were ahead of schedule because they had made the Championship game without an army of all-Big 12 talent for the coaches to work with.

Sixteen months later, the Longhorns still don't have an army of all-Big 12 talent coming off of a disappointing year three and 70 percent of the coaching staff has been replaced.

Can it still be argued that the Longhorns are either ahead of schedule or on schedule going into year four?

Consider what was written 16 months ago.

"When asked by our very own Anwar Richardson about the ahead of schedule claim, Herman pointed to the lack of sure-fire all-BIg 12 players that his staff was working with, despite the fact that the team was playing for a Big 12 title.

If playing in Arlington in December without a team full of all-America candidates is the bar, perhaps Herman is correct. However, I would contend defining the forward progress of the program in a different set of terms is probably a more accurate view of where we stand today, in part because I want to make sure the goal posts don't move.

On the day that Herman was hired, I remember asking a high-level Texas administrator for a guideline of sorts for how we should judge Herman as a head coach following Charlie Strong's journey with the program through the Temple of Doom.

'I just want to see us make strides of improvement in year one. We should be better than we've been,' the administrator said. 'I would like to think at the end of year two that we would be in competition for a Big 12 title. By year three, I think we'll be disappointed if we haven't won a Big 12 title. I would hope that by the time we're going into year four, each season is defined by whether we've won the Big 12 championship and earned a spot in the playoff. That's where we want to be. That's who we want to be.'


When you look at the amount of pressure that is on Herman going into this season, we often view it through the prism of winning in a season with a four-year starter at quarterback entering his senior season, but if we're being 100-percent honest, we'll look back to what the UT administrator said on the day Herman was hired.

"By year three, I think we'll be disappointed if we haven't won a Big 12 title."

By that measure, the Longhorns are behind schedule. Period.

Going into this season, the only way to change that truth is to win a Big 12 Championship and end the run of dominance within the Big 12 by Herman's No. 1 on-field rival.

The hows and the whys matter less than whether it happens. We've simply reached the point of Herman's tenure when winning at a very high level will be expected to occur. Failing to do so will mean that those people establishing the bar for success when Herman was hired would need to go back in time and tell themselves to come up with a different set of expectations if they want to still feel vindicated with the hire at the end of season number four.

Texas knew when it hired Herman that it was hiring someone that still had some growing on the job to do, which is evidenced by the staff changes that were made when the development by the coaches that Herman was bragging on 16 months ago stalled in ways Herman couldn't completely explain.

Moving forward, Texas fans won't want to hear about the labor pains, they'll just want to see the baby.

It's time to get back on schedule.

No. 2 - Some eye-opening depth chart notes ...

I thought @Anwar Richardson had some incredibly provocative depth chart notes in today's Sunday Pulpit, so much so that it warrants its own section in today's 10 Thoughts.

Let's discuss them.

"(Moro Ojomo is expected to compete against Bimage at defensive end this spring. In fact, Ojomo and Bimage will split first-team reps when practice begins."

Instant reaction: It makes sense if you believe Ojomo, Ta'Quan Graham, Keondre Coburn and Joseph Ossai are the four best defensive linemen on the roster and the ultimate goal is to get the four best linemen on the field together as much as possible. This would seem to lock in Graham at the three-technique and makes the Ojomo/Bimage battle perhaps the most interesting position battle on either side of the ball going into the spring.

"Rafiti Ghirmai will compete against Tope Imade at the left guard. Tyler Johnson is currently Imade’s backup."

Instant reaction: The winner of this battle might rank No. 22 of all 22 position starters going into the season. I don't have a lot of confidence at left guard at the moment.

"Chris Adimora is currently ahead of Anthony Cook for the nickelback spot."

Instant reaction: This feels both like a vote of confidence in Adimora's play in the bowl game and an indictment on Cook for the uneven level of play he displayed last season. Chris Ash has seen a lot of the Texas defense since his early October audit of the unit for Tom Herman and Adimora being ahead of Cook is very telling in my estimation. Here's hoping Cook feels the sense of urgency.

"Josh Thompson and D’Shawn Jaminson are currently the number-one cornerbacks."

Instant reaction: Ash told us that he had a crush on Thompson when he met with the media last month and this indicates he wasn't BSing us. Like Cook, you get the sense that Jalen Green needs to feel the urgency of the moment.

No. 3 - Coronavirus thoughts related to Texas football ...


a. With Texas starting spring practices on March 24, you have to wonder how spring football might potentially be altered if university closures continue to pick up steam. While we're not currently in a position of needing to ask the question, we could realistically be a week or two away from such a discussion and it's hard to say how all of this will play out.

If the school moved to online coursing for much of the month of April, would that mean the Longhorns couldn't practice during that time? Could those practices be rescheduled after the semester ends in May? Is the Spring Game in danger? Will the players simply play without a crowd like we're seeing soccer teams do in Italy (see below)? Are these decisions above Tom Herman's pay grade? Will anyone besides coaches care if some schools have more spring practice than conference peers? Given that the disease is supposed to do poorly in hot and humid conditions, which means that we could have a bit of a reprieve until later in the year, is Houston suddenly the most desirable place to be in the state of Texas?

I'm just rambling now.

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b. When you consider that air travel will be greatly disrupted in the coming weeks and months, you have to wonder how much of the 2021 recruiting periods will be impacted in the coming weeks.

Are parents going to let their kids get on airplanes?

With the summer heat expected to aid all of us in combatting Coronavirus, it's possible that we'll see a lot of those spring visits rescheduled for the summer, but it's also possible that we'll see an influx of kids staying closer to home in this specific recruiting year because of complications related to travel and the disease itself.

It will make doing extremely well in-state in 2021 even more imperative than it already was.

No. 4 - Of course ...

Could anything possible sum up the five seasons under Shaka Smart more than for 12,733 fans to show up for Saturday's game against Oklahoma State with the Longhorns on a five-game winning streak and a chance to cement a spot in the NCAA Tournament, only to watch the team lose?

By 22.

I'm going to say no.

So, here we are, back to the land of uncertainty, a place where Thursday's game against Texas Tech could see UT's season hang in the balance of 40 minutes. Good times.

We know Chris Del Conte would prefer to keep Shaka Smart if at all possible and there's a part of me that wonders if he viewed Saturday's game as proof that for all of the angst that's been on display this season about the basketball program, two weeks of good basketball will turn out the crowds. Considering the amount of apathy that's been expressed all season, the fans showed up on Saturday ready to do the damn thing in relatively strong numbers.

And Texas lost by 22.

In my mind, this thing simply comes down to what Del Conte thinks of a coaching search. Does he have anyone already lined up ready to go? What's the vibe on Jim Beilein? If there's much uncertainty, I'd think he'd instinctively lean towards keeping Smart. If he's got his plan ready to rock and roll, change would make sense.

Regardless, I'd have to think nothing that happened on Saturday could possibly change a five-year view of the program and where it might be headed next season with Smart in charge.

Del Conte shouldn't be living day to day on this. Truth be told, he probably isn't.

No. 5 - A sweep on a weekend of celebrating Augie ...


After dropping two games against SEC competition, primarily because the bullpen struggled when called upon, the arms throughout the entire Texas staff did a number over the course of three games against the Titans.

The box score for the Texas bullpen over three games looked like this: 15 innings pitched, zero runs allowed, five hits allowed, two walks and 12 strikeouts.

Augue Garrido used to love the game of baseball because of its ability to create life lessons inside of the game, so he would have loved the response by those bullpen players this weekend.

As we approach the two-year anniversary of Garrido's death, it was nice to see baseball this weekend from the boys in burnt orange that would have done him proud.

No. 6- Keeping company with Cat


It was just a ho-hum weekend for the Texas softball team as it went 4-0 on the weekend, outscoring its opponents 25-5 in the process.

Oh, and Miranda Elish became just the fourth Texas pitcher in history to throw a solo perfect game. It was the first solo perfect game at home since Cat Osterman dialed one up in NCAA Regional play back in 2005.

No. 7 – BUY or SELL …
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(Sell) Texas has won three Big 12 titles since the Cowboys last played in a Super Bowl. There's no question it'll get to No. 4 before the Cowboys win a conference title.


(Buy) I'm only buying if the conversation specifically centers around Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, otherwise I think Mack deserves a little more damn respect.


(Sell) We'll see ...


(Buy) This is where my head is.


(Buy) I'd love to return the section, but those stories didn't always generate much attention or discussion. Hell, you're the first person to ask me about them in 12 months.


(Sell) You're asking me if I'd take this group over the one that included Sergio Kindle, Lamarr Houston and Sam Acho?
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(Buy) Bingo. I think there's a chance that the 2021 recruiting year is somewhat remembered by the circumstances surrounding it.


(Buy) Mack should have had more, we all know that.

No. 8 - Eternal Randomness of the Spotty Sports Mind ...

... Mack Brown flipped a four-star quarterback from Alabama. Some things change and other things will apparently always be the same.

... In the end, Kansas won its 15th Big 12 title in 16 years by two games over Baylor. Some things change and other things will apparently always be the same.

... Wait, Iowa Freaking State knocked off the Baylor women on Sunday? Excuse me?

... So, who coaches the Nets next season? Gregg Popovich?

... My mind is still a little blown that the Lakes haven't been to the post-season in seven years.

... Damn, LeBron. Two games vs. the Bucks and the Clippers, and two games of reminding the entire world that the title still has to go through him. What must Clippers players have thought about playing a road game at home?

... Remember when Lavar Ball being in the spotlight was a thing?

... Why is 32-year old Tim Tebow still playing baseball?

... It sounds like the women saved UFC248, if it could be saved.

... I watched Juventus/Inter on Sunday afternoon and it's going to be weird watching sports without crowds because of Coronavirus concerns if that game was any indication. It was like watching an early morning NCAA Tournament game involving teams that the home city doesn't care about, but only about 10 times worse.

... Six more points, Liverpool. Six more points.

... I think we've made it way too easy to underrate the greatness of Mohamed Salah.


No. 9 - The List: Top 10 Coming of Age Movies ...


The definition of a coming-to-age story according to one online dictionary was, "Of or pertaining to a person's journey from childhood or adolescence to adulthood."

The reason I looked it up is because I feel like it could be strongly argued that "The Godfather I" is a coming of age story of Michael Corleone, which would mean that it would be impossible for "Stand By Me" to be the No. 1 coming of age movie of all-time. However, since the definition of coming-to-age seems to mostly include a journey that includes childhood to adulthood and not just young adulthood to adulthood, I'll stick to a top 10 list that doesn't include a 25-year old Corleone coming back from World War II.

Missed The Cut: Boyhood, The Outsiders, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, A Bronx Tale, Fast Times at Ridgemont High and The Karate Kid

10. Dirty Dancing
9. Lady Bird
8. Boyz N The Hood
7. Dazed and Confused
6. Good Will Hunting
5. The Breakfast Club
4. Dead Poet's Society
3. Stand By Me
2. Almost Famous
1. Rebel Without a Cause

No.10 - And finally...

Very simply...


Boyhood is tragically underrated. Calls into question all 10 of ur thoughts.
 
Boyhood is tragically underrated. Calls into question all 10 of ur thoughts.
It was definitely considered. I'm not sure how many all-time top 10s it makes.

Signed,
Someone that loves the movie.
 
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I'd be surprised if he makes it through the year.
It wouldn't shock me either. He's newly married and has a good job on tv analyzing football. He'll probably give it up soon unless he makes the club in really short order.
 

Just heard the Gov of CA say we are tracking approx 10,000 who may have had community contact with the virus. Seems like this number will exceed 100,000 by end of Spring.

Go watch 60 Mins tonight to see if the medical teams at hospitals are ready. Head of Johns Hopkins claims we are in a pandemic now.
 
It wouldn't shock me either. He's newly married and has a good job on tv analyzing football. He'll probably give it up soon unless he makes the club in really short order.
He already got sent down to the minor league camp this weekend.
 
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Just heard the Gov of CA say we are tracking approx 10,000 who may have had community contact with the virus. Seems like this number will exceed 100,000 by end of Spring.

Go watch 60 Mins tonight to see if the medical teams at hospitals are ready. Head of Johns Hopkins claims we are in a pandemic now.
I don't need convincing. We didn't treat this with a sense of urgency from day one.
 
I had just gotten to the University of Texas on Aug. 23, 1971. I didn't know anyone and didn't speak to anyone. The same thing Tuesday the 24th except for directions and questions about registering.

I woke up on Wednesday the 25th and promised myself that I would meet someone. I awkwardly just sat down at a table where a girl was eating lunch by herself in the Jester Center cafeteria. I told her about my dilemma. We hit it off. That day we went to the LBJ library and the Co-op so she could buy books. We talked for at least an hour on the grass in the South mall.

The Summer of 42 was playing on the Drag. After going back to our rooms to change we went to that movie. Afterwards, we went to my room and went at it all night and once in the morning before she left.

I am a huge "Summer of 42" fan.
Sounds like we are the same age. I
I hope your encounter looked like Jennifer O’Neal.
 
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That's very tough Top 10 list to compile because there's so many good ones, Hollywood is pretty good at this genre.

Also in contention.....

Napoleon Dynamite
Big
Say Anything
Better Off Dead
Risky Business
The Goonies
Rushmore
The Graduate
Mean Girls
Clueless
Mystic Pizza
Empire Records
Sixteen Candles
Pretty in Pink
Can't Hardly Wait
Heathers
Footloose
Juno
American Graffiti
Breaking Away
Superbad
 
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I get that. I've never totally loved that movie.
Your take is valid, but I kind feel the same about The Breakfast Club. No such Saturday extra school thing existed when and where I was in high school 1967 - 1971.
 
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Everting I’ve read it’s people who returned to the US via SFO and LAX (probably from the known hot spots):

Currently, nearly 10,000 people are being monitored for the virus who returned to the U.S. through San Francisco International Airport or LAX.


Keep up your reading from Dr Anthony Fauci. He is probably the most qualified to comment on infectious disease. He was on 60 minutes tonight. New term being used, "social distancing."
 
I don't need convincing. We didn't treat this with a sense of urgency from day one.
Just out of curiosity since I am not as up to speed on our history of these type things but what other sorts of things in the past have what you would consider an appropriate response or the sense of urgency was appropriate?
 
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