Not all heroes wear capes.
I’m thinking we should all buy this guy a beer…
Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (Its time to just say what we're all thinking...)
- Thread starter Ketchum
- Start date
Would Jaydon Blue even be RB #2 if he came back? He's an explosive receiving threat but not really exceptional at his primary job. If Texas goes after a quality RB in the portal, as they should, Blue might be behind 3 or 4 guys next year.
If headed to the portal my gut tells me he’d be quite coveted. FWIW, honestly at this point unless some major high talent RB hit the portal I don’t see a big reason to grab unless Blue decides to enter or just jump to the draft and take his chances there.
I really don't think so. Sark is gonna a portal RB in hopes of he and Wisner being interchangeable as starters. I don't think Blue will be with us after the spring. Wisner has carried 56 times because Blue and Gibson can't be trusted at all.
I vehemently disagree. Blue still offers more upside and breakaway plays than Wisner. However, his ball security is clearly is weakness….which that coupled with his nagging injuries (and Baxter and Clark out) are the reason that Wisner has had the opportunity.
Now, Wisner has absolutely made amazing strides recently, with by far his best performance of his career just 48 hours ago.
With this emergence and with Baxter returning, clearly Blue’s opportunities are going to lessen next year….but he still has the potential to make the most of his and re-emerge, though I recognize that’s looking less likely.
@Ketchum - separately, following up on your Bond possible return next year…if you were to quantify it in percentages, what chance would you give it?
Yep. Unless someone just has some horrific injury then what’s the point of returning. Bond shoukd still test well. Has plenty of film. No remotely strong case for returning
If anything, the injuries this season are screaming to get the hell out.
Much like Brooks. I mean he was steaming towards the draft immediately after the dub in T-Town. The knee injury only accelerated it if that was even possible
We keep talking about Quinn's lackluster performance in late game situations with the lead, but his opening drive was (yet again) miserable. 0-2 and neither pass was anywhere close to a receiver. This has been a pretty consistent pattern for his entire career here.
It's year 3, he needs to get his head together out of the gate. The NFL will not reward a guy who simply doesn't seem to be there when the bell rings.
It's year 3, he needs to get his head together out of the gate. The NFL will not reward a guy who simply doesn't seem to be there when the bell rings.
He's been good for one good quarter and three very bad or meh at best in every game but one for the last 2 months.
He comes from a part of Hawaii that takes football very seriously--they've had a few NFL players over the years.
Elite? They just gave up 35 to USC and it probably would’ve been worse except for some bad PI no calls by the officials. You said they look like a top 5 team yet if they played in the SEC we can agree they are somewhere between 9-3 and 8-4…they lost to northern Illinois. 9-3 or worse 8-4 does not equate to top 5 in the current rankings, it’s actually out of the top 10 for 9-3 and out of top 25 for 8-4. I’m not impressed with ND
Heard a commentator say before the game that the two schools combined have 7 Nattys. I know the Horns have won 4 and thought aggie won one in 1939 so was not sure where the other two came from. Looked online to see how aggie a few years back decided to retroactively award themselves 2 Natty's from computer results for two seasons near the turn of the 20th century. Do other schools use this same aggie (il)logic? Certainly no one of knowledge recognizes these false claims. Would NEVER go there but would assume Horns would be in double digit Nattys territory with this illegitimate (read aggie) accounting.
2008***@Ketchum this is false - Colt didn’t not play Arky in 2009.
2009 Football Schedule - University of Texas Athletics
The official 2009 Football schedule for the University of Texas Longhornstexaslonghorns.com
Has the board just collectively decided we all know this but are agreeing not to talk about it? After the defense it's the top story of the game, but...very quiet around here. Very glad we won, but it's not a great sign when the most important position on the field is somewhere between question mark and liability.
Ok, elite is a bit much.
I agree ND’s best wins are A&M and Louisville. They lost to a 7-4 NIU team. Their brand is getting them into the playoffs.
Just to help close the loop and chime in on a few things mentioned in this thread:
1.) Texas also beat ousux, Arky and aggy in 1983, but with two different QBs - converted running back, option style QB Rob Moerschell guided us to the first two, and gun slinger Rick McIvor, who came in the game in the second quarter to lead the Horns to a complete demolition of aggy at Pyle field (still maybe my favorite game of all). Interesting Trivia - McIvor was the only Texas QB in the NFL between Bobby Layne and Chris Simms.
2.) Seriously doubt that Sark will ever go to the NFL to coach. Frankly, he is not that dumb. It doesn’t usually work out too well. Ask Saban and Urban. Sark finishes here as our number one coach of all time.
3.) Travis Hunter wins the Heisman in a landslide. To think otherwise is silly.
4.) Unfortunately, it is doubtful that Blue comes back next year.
My two cents.
1.) Texas also beat ousux, Arky and aggy in 1983, but with two different QBs - converted running back, option style QB Rob Moerschell guided us to the first two, and gun slinger Rick McIvor, who came in the game in the second quarter to lead the Horns to a complete demolition of aggy at Pyle field (still maybe my favorite game of all). Interesting Trivia - McIvor was the only Texas QB in the NFL between Bobby Layne and Chris Simms.
2.) Seriously doubt that Sark will ever go to the NFL to coach. Frankly, he is not that dumb. It doesn’t usually work out too well. Ask Saban and Urban. Sark finishes here as our number one coach of all time.
3.) Travis Hunter wins the Heisman in a landslide. To think otherwise is silly.
4.) Unfortunately, it is doubtful that Blue comes back next year.
My two cents.
You're crazy IMO if you think he won't be temped by the NFL IF it comes calling.
Coaches at this level view it as the biggest challenge. Full stop.
I'd rank it tied with the forced fumble and fumble recovery late against Arkansas. Both plays on the road against rivals, both plays helped secure the win for Texas.
(Buy) It's not rocket science.
The Texas defense had a moment on Saturday night.
Inside of what amounted to mostly 60 minutes of domination at Kyle Field against an outmanned group of Aggies, there was a glimpse of an opening for college football's Peter Brady in the fourth quarter following a couple of red zone turnovers and a blocked punt that left the Longhorns only 19 yards away from being in a one-score game in the final moments of action.
It was like watching a boxer dominate the first nine rounds of a championship fight, only to catch a shot on the chin in the 10th round that briefly leaves the knees wobbly and the crowd thinking that everything that happened in the first nine rounds might not matter.
Pete Kwiatkowski's boys simply wouldn't have it.
Huff and puff at the edge of the end zone all the Aggies might have wanted to, the iron will from the likes of Vernon Broughton, Michael Taaffe, Anthony Hill, Jahdae Barron and eventually Ethan Burke simply wouldn't break. When Burke shot through the A&M line and crushed Amari Daniels for a three-yard loss on the single biggest play of the season, the thing that we've all whispered quietly all season was loudly reinforced.
This is truly a great defense. Not very good. Not damn good. Legitimately great.
Great enough to warrant a discussion about its place in all-time hierarchy of a program that has known a thing or two about great defenses over the decades.
If we're thinking about the ones that truly stand out from the pack, the 2009 defense that led Texas to the brink of a national title is the first one from the last 30 years that comes to mind. Go back 40 years and you'll find the 1983 defense. Go back just a little further and there's the 1979 defense. Keep going back and you'll see units that spearheaded national championship runs in the 1960s.
It's simply not hyperbole to say that the 2024 defense belongs in that conversation and that what happens in the next six weeks could determine just how high this unit's reputation climbs.
It's interesting to note that the 2009 team featured two All-Americans (Earl Thomas and Sergio Kindle) and two more 2nd-team All-Big 12 players (Lamarr Houston and Roddrick Muckelroy). I think we're going to see at least that many Longhorns with All-America and All-SEC honors in the coming weeks, as Jahdae Barron and Anthony Hill will make a fair share of All-America teams. Michael Taaffe might as well. The likes of Alfred Collins, Vernon Broughton, Malik Muhammad and Andrew Mukuba could rightfully see their names on various All-SEC polls.
Consider this head-to-head battle with the 2009 Texas defense in a couple of key stats.
Scoring defense: 2009 (16.7) 2024 (11.67)
Yards per carry allowed: 2009 (2.2) 2024 (3.1)
Yards per pass attempt: 2009 (5.5) 2024 (5.5)
Pass Efficiency: 2009 (100.5) 2024 (94.93)
Red-Zone Touchdowns: 2009 (53%) 2024 (45.8%)
Sacks per game: 2009 (3.3) 2024 (3.0)
Interceptions per game: 2009 (1.8) 2024 (1.5)
Turnovers per game: 2009 (2.6) 2024 (2.2)
Third-downs: 2009 (26%) 2024 (30%)
It's pretty damn close. That's the kind of performance levels we're seeing.
Now it's just a matter of what this unit will do in the postseason, but it is truly the unit that makes this team a favorite for the national title.
No. 2 - The Texas Defense: Take of the Tape ...
Here's where the Texas defense ranks in the major statistical categories ...
Scoring Defense: (11.67) 2nd nationally
Total Defense: (247.2): 3rd nationally
Passing yards allowed: (143.7) 1st nationally
Rushing yards Allowed: (103.5) 12th nationally
3rd down defense: (30.3%) 6th nationally
Red-Zone Percentage: (66.7) 3rd nationally
Red-Zone Scores Allowed: (8) 2nd nationally
Red-Zone Passing TDs Allowed: (3) 1st nationally
Red-Zone Rushing TDs Allowed: (8) 7th nationally
First Downs: (177) 3rd nationally
Team Passing Efficiency: (94.93) 2nd nationally
Team Sacks: (2.92 per game) 15th nationally
Team Tackles For Loss: (7.1 per game) 19th nationally
Turnovers Gained: (26) 5th nationally
No. 3 - Quinn's Legacy
Quinn Ewers became only the fourth player in the last 50 years at Texas to beat Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas A&M in the same season as a starter. Only Colt McCoy (2008), Peter Gardere (1990) and Randy McEachern (1977) had previously done it.
It doesn't feel like an insignificant accomplishment, especially when you consider that he's about to play for his second conference championship, qualify for his second straight playoff spot and has produced an 11-game road winnings streak to conclude his career.
He's never going to be remembered for having the best stats in school history, but when it comes to winning as a starter, he doesn't have to take a backseat to many people.
No. 4 - Talking Georgia ...
As I mentioned in Wednesday's War Room, the Texas players have been eagerly anticipating a rematch with Georgia.
Inside the Texas locker room, there has been a much stronger thirst to get a piece of the Dawgs a second time this season than there was to get a piece of the Aggies last week. From what I was told last week in a conversation with a person with daily conversations with a number of players, it wasn't so much the loss to Georgia that has bothered the players as much as it was the poor performance.
It's probably too much to say that they've been haunted by the loss, but it sure as hell has bothered the players in that locker room to the point that it is still being talked about nearly two months later.
I can't tell you that I know what is going to happen on Saturday in Atlanta, but I feel safe in reporting that you can probably take it with a real sense of certainty that this team will not have a hangover from this weekend.
No. 5 - Scattershooting (Burnt-Orange Style...) ... ...
* Tre Wisner is sitting at 812 yards and will pass the 1,000-yard mark if he can average 94 yards over the course of the next two games. If you assume that the Longhorns will play more than one playoff game, he'll need to average 63 yards over three games or 47 yards over four games. It feels like he's going to pull it off.
* Greg Robinson remains my favorite Texas DC since I've covered the team, but Kwiatkowski is in the discussion.
* The highest-rated Longhorns player from the A&M game per PFF? That would be Liona Lefau, who was given a grade of 91.2 for his performance.
* Gunnar Helm has been such a boss this season. I'm fascinated to see how NFL teams end up viewing him in the Draft process.
* Michael Taaffe has been a legit All-America level player this season. Believe it.
* I am not going to be shocked if Matthew Golden goes pro after this season.
* Come on, Bert. Gonna need you to be better down the stretch. It really matters now.
No. 6 - If I had a vote that mattered ...
1. Oregon
2. Texas
3. Notre Dame
4. Georgia
5. Penn State
6. Tennessee
7. Ohio State
8. SMU
9. Indiana
10. South Carolina
Heisman Trophy
1. WR/CB Travis Hunter (Colorado)
2. RB Ashton Jeanty (Boise State)
3. DE Abdul Carter (Penn State)
4. CB Jahdae Barron (Texas)
5. QB Kurtis Rourke (Indiana)
No. 7 - This and that ...
... My daughter attended her first Texas volleyball game on Saturday and was able to enjoy a UT win in 5 games. The Longhorns finished second in the SEC in the regular season, one game behind Kentucky.
... It's been a relatively uneventful last few weeks for the men's basketball team as it has raised its record to 6-1, but they'll take on the No. 69 team (NC State on Wednesday) in the current kenpom.com rankings, along with the No. 24 team (UConn on Sunday).
... Points through seven career games: Tre Johnson (148) Kevin Durant (163)
... Going into Sunday's game against No. 10 West Virginia, the women's basketball team hasn't had any of its first six opponents keep the score within 30.
... In her last full season of action, Texas point guard Rori Harmon averaged 11.2. points 5.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists per game. Through six games, Harmon is averaging 9.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game, while her shooting numbers from the field and three-point range are down from last season as well.
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Buy) I think the Longhorns are better and will play a much better game than the first time around.
(Buy) Can we count Michael Terry, who is rated by at least one service as a 5 star?
(Buy) It makes a lot of sense to have someone in the red-zone at the quarterback position that gives you a run threat.
(Sell) The Ewers from last night wasn't good enough to win a national championship.
(Buy) Oh yeah.
(Sell) He's not doing a 16-year stint. I'm not sure we'll see that much moving forward. But, hey, only 12 more years to go.
(Buy) It's not rocket science.
(Sell) It's close, but I'll go with Ewers being able to be as mobile as he was for four quarters.
(Sell) I'm not ready to say yes without some real thinking on it, but my gut says no.
(Buy) He needs another year.
(Sell) That just seems unlikely based on the current trends.
(Buy) That's probably spot on.
(Buy) The no-fun police will put an end to this. Soon.
(Buy) Of course.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... Of course, Georgia is going to play 10X better this weekend than it did against Georgia Tech or in any other game it has played this season outside of three or four performances. Texas will get its best shot.
... Michigan owns Ohio State. That feels like it came out of nowhere and yet there's not a single kid in that OSU program that has signed since 2021 that knows what it feels like to beat Michigan.
... Give Travis Hunter the Heisman. He's earned it.
... Notre Dame might be really good, folks.
... Miami's season was just one big waste. That Cam Ward season is worthless.
... No team had a better weekend in losing than Clemson did. Coughed up a late lead to South Carolina, but found a backdoor pass to the ACC title game? Talk about mixed emotions.
... Pooooooooooor Sooooooooooooners.
... I found myself really not paying attention to the NFL much on Sunday even though I had the red-zone channel up for six hours. What happened?
... Premier League Ramblings: There's a lot of football to be played, but my Liverpool team is the best team in the world right now. Holy hell, that was some kind of performance against Man City. Now we got to shake it off and get ready for Newcastle on Wednesday. This freaking league never slows down. Hey Arsenal, we see you. LFG!!!! I'm not convinced that Man City will make the top 4. That looks like a broken team. I hate that I kind of like Man United's new manager. That's not supposed to happen! Tottenham is such a weird club.
No. 10 – The List: Stevie Wonder
Honorable Mention: As, Fingertips (Part II), Boogie On Reggae Woman, Do Yourself a Favor, For Once in My Life and My Cherie Amour
10. Lately
One of his most underrated songs. It has to make my Top 10.
9. Isn't She Lovely
The harmonica play on this track is to die for.
8. Part-Time Lover
Probably my favorite 80s track from Stevie. I love this song.
7. Sir Duke
Written after the 1974 death of Duke Ellington. I didn't know that until today.
6. You Are The Sunshine of My Life
Arguably the best vocal performance of his career.
5. Higher Ground
Funky as funky gets. That's bass line.
4. Uptight
Per Rolling Stone: "Wonder nearly lost his contract in 1965. His voice was changing; he wasn’t having hits. At Motown, the latter was a no-no, and the former didn’t help. Then staff writer Sylvia Moy lobbied to work with him, bringing in Hank Cosby and asking after Stevie’s own songs. “He would come up with pieces of tunes from the keyboard,” Moy said. “He played through everything, and I didn’t like anything.” Stevie had one more idea, which went: “Baby, everything is all right, uptight.” Riding a powerful rhythm track that echoed the Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction,” his youthful high end distilled into a hard brass tenor, the first reinvention of Stevie Wonder was complete — and a hit, Number One on the Billboard R&B chart and Number Three on the Hot 100."
3. Living for the City
Another one of Stevie's masterpieces from the 1970s.
2. Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)
This was Stevie's goodbye to Motown from the 60s and hello to what he would pull off in the 70s.
1. Superstition
Rollins Stone magazine says, "There is no greater or more complete self-reinvention in modern pop than the metamorphosis of Little Stevie Wonder, Motown hitmaking cog, to Stevie Wonder, fully adult self-defining genius, and there is no more definitive marker of that shift than this record. Originally meant as a demo for Jeff Beck, Wonder threw it together quickly, but it was soon apparent that he was going to have to keep it for himself — the track was just too good."
I think you mean rocket surgery!
I don't remember the 2009 defense being quite that dominant but it doesn't surprise me thinking about it given that we went undefeated with an offense that was kind of hit and miss.
I remember 2001 being a particularly strong defense, although they sputtered late in the year. Also 2004 was very good holding OU to 12 points, and of course 2005 good enough to win a championship.
I might be putting too much emphasis on the OU game alone when it comes to ranking our defenses all time. 2001, 2004 and 2005were dominant performances against OU.
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