Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (Losing the battle, but winning the war?)

[God of Tits and Wine]

You're putting words into my mouth that have never been said. How about you put some respect on my name by correctly representing my thoughts.

I’m not putting words in anyone’s mouth. From my recollection, the meds and most of this site were ready to move on from Sam and wanted him to go pro so we could start the Casey Thompson era. This place woukd have went nuts if he came back. We went 5-7. We probably would have been 7-5/8-4 with Sam, and everyone would have blamed him. You said he had a stinker against Tech in 2020, and his numbers look out darn good in that game.

All I’m doing is putting the numbers out there. Sam’s total QBR is super to Quinn, and Quinn was only up to Sam’s level in 2023. Sam did this in a much worse situation. All I’m saying is Sam deserves much better consideration for what he accomplished here. I never agreed with all the criticism Sam took, but I do agree with the criticism Quinn takes because the numbers support it.

 

[Charlie Work]

My comparison was that while most loved Romo and had great stats, he could never win the big games or playoffs and seems to me this will be legacy for QE nice player and good decent stats but never won the big games.

if QE had Romo's pocket awareness he would be collecting a Heisman Saturday...Romo made very average teams a contender despite not getting them over the hump.

.

 

[DKR-3rings]

I would bet any amount of money that QE won’t sniff the first or second round NFL draft, he’s a third or fourth round choice if he’s lucky, he could easily go completely undrafted because of his injury history.

Honestly, while I don't necessarily agree with you, he may end up doing what Gabriel did and have to leave to play elsewhere so Arch can take over. I just hope we do better with that than OU did with their 5* backup. I don't have any idea what the NFL draft will look like with regard to QE. But Quinn isn't appreciated around here any better than Gabriel was at OU either. It is what it is though, the life of being a QB.

 

[MauiHorn]

I don’t think it’s Ketch’s Job to boost team morale, to be fair to the owner of a fan message board.

We’re in the playoffs and while I get it, negative viewpoints get clicks. The real value of OB for me personally is to better understand football strategies and what we need to do to win games besides replace QE with Arch or late season continually recite QB ratings that spike up and down. Doesn’t add any entertainment or education value for me. I also assume players and their families read OB so it does impact morale. We need everyone rowing our ship as one team one dream right now.

We know what we have at all positions now so why bother beating the same drum every week?

Go with the half full approach to adding value to the OPs.

 

[BevosRevenge]

Well let’s think about that statement for a second. You might remember that when he signed with Texas 3 years ago he was touted as the number one QB in the country the best at his position.

Looking back in the mirror does anyone now think he looks like the best at his position in the country or the number one QB? We can say he has for sure progressed and gotten better from his first and even second year here, but to say we knew from the beginning we were getting a mediocre QB that chokes in the big games isn’t true and being honest.
I hate saying that because I want him to be that #1 QB we thought we were getting, but it’s not who he is or was, he turned out to be another over hyped kid out of a system HS that looks great on paper, but disappoints at the higher level.

This is why I think he will struggle if he plays in the NFL, some team that takes QE better have a team psychologist on staff that can get into his head to see why he struggles so much mentally and physically.
That team imo is going to have to break him down and we build him again.

For those reasons this is why I believe we got sold a bill of goods with QE, he sometimes looks good, not great but it’s obvious that the simple blue print on Quinn is to blitz him and make him feel flustered and then he will throw INT’s or take the sacks.

Please don't read into my prior post statements that do not exist. It happens a lot on the OB and even Ketch is guilty of it. This thread has many direct examples of this phenomena.

 

[DKR-3rings]

While I agree that having a healthy Bond is a plus for the offense, I will go ahead and add gas to the fire and suggest that the bigger factor in Bond's productivity is who is running the offense.

Bond's 3 most productive receiving games this season, not surprisingly, were when Manning was at QB.

UTSA - 5-103 2 TD's (1 from Quinn)
ULM - 2-75
MSU - 5-74

Games with Quinn pre-injury
CSU - 5-61 1 TD
Mich - 3-51

He has 13 total catches since Quinn returned from injury.

This isn't rocket science.

There's one thing you're missing on this, Bond is still very hurt. He got hurt the following game after Quinn did. If you watch him, he is still struggling to run hard. He's not healthy either.

 

[trBen]

Texas might have lost the battle on Saturday, but won the war on Sunday.

Same for Penn State.

In the aftermath of the release of the playoff bracket on Sunday morning, it became very clear very fast what has been suspected for months ... being No. 5 and No. 6 might be more advantageous than actually being No. 1 or No. 2.

While the Longhorns and Nittany Lions have to play an extra game and assume all of the extra risks of added attrition that come with it (see Georgia), there's no question that getting Arizona State and Boise State in the quarterfinals, respectively, instead of having to potentially play Ohio State or Notre Dame is a bonus.

Every Texas fan is thinking the same thing. You HAVE to make the semifinals. Period. Hell, Texas fans have said for the last 11 months that Texas had to make the semifinals this season for the season to be a success, but now they really have to make the semifinals.

Then you have to potentially beat Oregon and Georgia. It doesn't feel like anyone is shooting from the lay-up line from a pathway standpoint, but in being forced to play an extra game, Texas caught a break in round two that winning the SEC wouldn't have provided. From my vantage point coming in, the thing you wanted if you were Texas was being on the other side of the bracket from Georgia and not having to face either of the top two seeds before the semis.

Major mission accomplished.

The major question I have for the Longhorns might center around the collateral damage that occurs with regard to the team's health leading up to a semifinal. Survival is the name of the game. When Isaiah Bond got his ankle rolled up on in the fourth quarter on Saturday, it felt like a nail in the coffin for ever expecting that he's going to be truly right for the rest of the season. It's possible that this single injury issue might ultimately derail the Texas season short of the largest goal, but there are other personnel land mines that could yet pop up to add to the injury anxieties.

Of course, at some point the Longhorns will have to play sustained championship-level football.

Otherwise, we'll remember this season for the Longhorns having lost both the battle and the war.

No. 2 - Initial Playoff Projections ...

Let's start with Texas vs. Clemson.

For all of the Ewers/Klubnik discussion that will take place for the next few weeks, just know that Texas is definitively better than the Tigers. I might take Cade Klubnik over Quinn Ewers if forced to pick ... might ... but the rest of the position battles in this game favor the Longhorns in a big, big way.

I've got chalk in the first round ... Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State all advance.

Texas and Penn State will roll in the second round, while Georgia and Oregon will have to survive serious scares, but I expect both to do so.

That would leave Texas vs. Oregon and Penn State vs Georgia.

I don't think Texas is better than Oregon and I haven't really seen the Longhorns play at a level over the last two months that gives me confidence that the team will step up in that match-up. Give me the Ducks and Dawgs in the semis and the Ducks in the final.

Assuming the Ducks can get through Ohio State, which is less than certain.

No. 3 - About Quinn ...

Never has a conference championship loss ever felt like losing in the conference tournament final like it did on Sunday as soon as the bracket was announced.

Saturday no longer matters as it relates to what happens moving forward. It's fish wrap.

Therefore, I really don't have it in me to continue a debate on what subjective word we should use to describe the play of Quinn Ewers against Georgia. Call it what you want. I really don't care.

Here's what I would say coming out of the game and into a potential four-game slate to win a national championship ...

Texas cannot win a national title if ...

* The offense struggles in the red zone and can't score more than one offensive touchdown in any future match-up.

* Ewers keeps having these multi-quarter segments where he plays at an abysmal level. In the second and third quarters on Saturday, the Texas offense scored threee points and didn't come close to sniffing the end zone while Ewers delivered a 103 game rating during that stretch. Stretches exactly like this have existed in every game but one since Ewers returned from injury against Oklahoma.

* Ewers goes 2-of-7 for 5 yards and an awful sack in his last eight drop-backs with the game ultimately on the line.

Ewers has to play better. Many of you get so frustrated with me over my use of the efficiency rating as a metric to define quarterback play, but I like it because there's no confirmation bias in it. It doesn't get in its feels if the data reflects something it doesn't like. Is it perfect? Of course, not. Is it non-subjective? Entirely.

The data says that Ewers has played like a replacement-level player in the final month of the season.

Texas hasn't scored more than two offensive touchdowns in three of the last four games. In all three of those games, Ewers' efficiency levels were below those that he posted as a first-year starter (132.6) in 2022. It's not my opinion that he's playing at levels worse than roughly 90 quarterbacks across the country. It's math. It's not my opinion that he's delivered multi-quarter stretches in seven of the last eight games that rank below Wyoming quarterback Evan Svoboda's worst ranking in the country in pass efficiency. That's math.

Consider the opposition's quarterback numbers in each of UT's two losses to Georgia this season.

On paper, the Longhorns should have not only won both games, but run away with them. They didn't win either game because Ewers (and the entire offense) couldn't play at anything remotely close to successful levels. The offensive inefficiency isn't all on Ewers. That would be completely unfair. Yet, he's the freaking quarterback. If he plays poorly, Texas is playing with two hands tied behind its back.

If it happens again this season, Texas will go out of the playoffs with a loss. It feels as simple as that.

No. 4 - Scattershooting on the Horns...

* Texas is 5-4 in games that Quinn Ewers throws for 300+ yards in his career. The losses? Oklahoma State in 2022. Oklahoma in 2023. Washington in 2023. Georgia in 2024.

* Against the three most difficult teams on the Texas schedule, the Longhorns have scored 15, 17 and 19 points. That feels important to note going into the playoffs.

* The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that Andrew Mukuba played one of the best championship games I've ever seen a player have in a Texas uniform. He was the single best player on the field on Saturday for my money.

* The latest mock draft by The Ringer's Danny Kelly has Cam Williams going 11th overall in the first round.

* If Jahdae Barron loses the Thorpe Award to Travis Hunter, we riot. (Note: I'm an idiot. Hunter isn't a finalist.)

* Tre Wisner is 137 yards away from 1,000 yards.

* Matthew Golden has 47 receptions for 738 yards and 8 touchdowns. He's averaging more than 6 catches and 103 yards per game in his last three games. If the Longhorns make it to the semis, there's a good chance that he could finish the season with around at least 60+ receptions, 1,000+ yards and 10+ touchdowns.

* Colin Simmons is two sacks away from 10 in his freshman season. What a stud.

* Alfred Collins has two fewer pass break-ups (7) than Barron (9). Way to get your hands up, big fella.

* Updated Texas Scholarship Board

No. 5 - Portal Needs ...

The Portal opens on Monday! The Portal opens on Monday! The Portal opens on Monday!

I've been told that Texas will be very, very active in the Portal.

Let's go position-by-position and analyze where Texas might be shopping with some of its unspent Michael Fasusi NIL funds:

Quarterback: The Longhorns aren't going to be looking at a quarterback unless Trey Owens does something unforeseen.

Running Back: After yesterday, I'm back to thinking the Longhorns need a starting upgrade from the Portal if they can find one. Tre Wisner is the best back on campus and he's averaging 4.9 yards for the season and has six games this season with less than 3.8 yards per carry. Texas doesn't have anything remotely close to an elite player at running back on campus. If it can find one, Texas should.

Wide Receiver: You know Sark is going to find him a hoss. Or two. How many wide receivers Texas takes might depend on whether Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden come back for another season.

Tight End: Yes, Texas needs help. No matter how much we all might like Jordan Washington, the Longhorns are going to come into next season with five career receptions at the tight end position and zero proven blockers. They cannot take chances. A starting-level addition is needed.

Offensive Line: Texas needs one or two starting-level interior linemen because there are real questions about what's left once the seniors depart. Do I think Kyle Flood and Sarkisian will do it? No, I'm not convinced at all.

Defensive Tackles: The Longhorns will sign at least two. Maybe three. I was told three last week when there was thought that the Longhorns would sign Justus Terry.

Defensive End: Unlikely. Texas is fairly loaded coming into next season, especially if Trey Moore returns.

Linebacker: Maybe. It's not a critical need, but if the right player became available, you'd have to at least kick the tires. Yet, Anthony Hill, Liona Lefau, Tyanthony Smith and Bo Barnes make a pretty salty one through four at the position next season. A depth piece wouldn't be a bad insurance policy.

Cornerback: With the Longhorns returning Malik Muhammad and Kobe Black, while adding Kade Phillips (among others), I'm not sure the Longhorns will look to spend much focus here unless someone big falls in their lap. For instance, what sense would Georgia transfer Julian Humphrey make for either party?

Safety: The Longhorns are loaded with elite-level talent. Maybe you'd look for an Andrew Mukuba type if he became available, but does Texas really want to add players that are going to keep someone like Jonah Williams off the field?

Punter/Place-kicker/Kickoffs: A little birdie told me this weekend that the Longhorns will have an interest in Michigan punter Tommy Doman, who entered the Portal last week. Look for Steve Sarkisian to look to add two kicking pieces from the Portal.

That would leave a potential Portal class looking like this:

QB: 0
RB: 1
WR: 1 or 2
TE: 1
OL: 1-2
DT: 2 or 3
LB: 0
CB: 0
S: 0
P/K: 2

Total: 8-11 players

For every additional scholarship that becomes available, you can think about adding a possible depth piece.

No. 6 - If I had a vote that mattered ...

1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
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 ...

... Texas Volleyball handled its business this weekend in taking out Texas A&M CC and USC in six sets in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Next up is a match-up against No. 2 seed Creighton and if the Longhorns can pull that off, No. 1 seed Penn State in Happy Valley looms. It's not an easy path, but it's doable with a team of this pedigree. Madisen Skinner will have to be every bit the superstar every night moving forward that she was this weekend. FYI, Creighton swept Ole Miss in three to get to the Sweet 16.

... It does not bode well for the men's basketball team that they were never really in Sunday's game against U.Conn. Are the Huskies a possible Elite 8 or better team? Yes. Was Texas completely outclassed at home by such a said team? Yes, they were. Not even really good games from Tre Johnson and Arthur Kaluma changed that.

... 22 combined points from everyone other than Johnson and Kaluma tells a certain kind of story...

... Although Texas beat James Madison on Sunday, it was a disappointing week for the Texas women's basketball team when you consider that it had Notre Dame on the ropes in South Bend in the SEC/ACC Challenge, only to get outscored 12-2 in overtime in a loss. That happened on a night when Texas actually knocked down eight threes. I'm still not sure what to fully make of what Vic is working with. They are going to be a handful all season, but is this a Final Four team? Not unless Rori Harmon keeps making progress and returns to the levels she was playing at before the knee injury.

... Here are Harmon's numbers from this season compared to last season ...

... The Texas women's basketball team will now play five straight mostly worthless games before it opens up SEC play at Oklahoma on January 2. Plenty of time for this team to continue to work out some kinks.

No. 8 – BUY or SELL …

(Buy) Texas 31 Clemson 17



(Buy) Ewers has posted less than a 138 efficiency rating in six of his last eight games. These are the numbers: 131, 110, 154, 235, 129, 137, 130 and 122.



(Buy) Oh, he has all kinds of designs. Will he use them? That's where I have doubt.



(Buy/Sell) I'm buying the top paragraph and selling everything below it.



(Sell) It's not just Saturday's game that has showed us that. This team is overcoming the worst stretch of statistical play that Ewers has had in his entire career.



(Buy) He'll play, but maybe not effectively.



(Sell) Make it 15-20.



(Sell) Bama will do what it takes to keep him. Or that place will burn.



(Sell) Nope.



(Sell) Quinn is Geno Smith. Once you see it, you'll never unsee it.



(Sell) That's not realistic. He just needs to be better.



(Sell) Why on earth would you think, barring injury, that Arch would play more than Quinn?



(Buy) Texas is the crown jewel of the conference.



(Buy) That's an elephant in the room. It probably never happens again.



(Sell) It's a great question, but I'm not sure that either sets up Texas nicely. I'm in the middle on it. Texas hasn't scored more than two touchdowns in three of its last four games. Not sure playing Oregon is a more favorable match-up.



(Buy) I'm a homer for Michael Terry and I'm not quite as high on Pickett as Rivals is.



(Buy) If I was on a desert island, I'd go with the tenders.



(Buy) Probably. Wingo simply isn't going to have a breakout this season.



(Sell) I'll believe it when I see it.



(Sell) This offense is what it is after 13 games. If it could be done, it would already be done.

No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …

* Say what you want to about Oregon, but that team creates an interesting style match-up for every team it plays. If it goes through Ohio State, Texas and Georgia to win a national title, it will have proven to be an all-time great kind of team. That would mean wins over the No. 2, No. 5, No. 6 and No. 8 (twice).

* I would have put Alabama in over SMU. The Mustangs getting in means that Texas needs to start canceling some of these high-risk non-conference games it has scheduled.

* I don't think Georgia can win a national title with Carson Beck, but it might be able to with Gunner Stockton now that the young player will have three weeks to settle in as the starter.

* Damnit, it sucked beyond belief to see Jonathan Brooks go down on Sunday with a non-contact right knee injury just weeks after returning from his right knee ACL injury from last season. Damnit.

* Saquan Barkley for MVP? Yeah, I think so.

* As bad as the Sixers (7-15) have been this season, Joel Embiid and Co. are only 2.5 games of the 8-seed, 4 games back of the 7-seed, 4.5 games back of the 6-seed and 5 games back of the 5 seed. Let's go, fellas. Go on a run.

* I'm not sure that Austin FC will ever know what it means to celebrate an MLS Cup title like the LA Galaxy did this weekend. You have to have really good players to do that.

* Premier League Thoughts: Arsenal and Man City drop points ... again? Yes, please. If I'm being honest, the MVP of the weekend was Storm Darragh because it gave Liverpool a nice little rest on paper. Chelsea don't really look like a title contender this season to my eyes, but they remind me of Arsenal from two years ago. That team is going to be a handful. Geez, Spurs, y'all are going to get Ange fired, huh?

No. 10 – The List: Timothee Chalamet

As the greatest living actor under the age of 40 and since three recent movies he's served as the lead have made a combined $2+ billion at the box office, I thought we might do one for the kids this week.

I give you the king of College Game Day ... fan of SMU football... and correct user of the Hook'em ... the and only ... @echeese and @duqu's favorite ... Timothee Chalamet.

There's a part of me that plans on going to see the new Bob Dylan movie this week out of Orangebloods spite. That being said, Chalamet has quite the Top 10 list going for him when you consider that he's only 28 years old. He has 10 legit credits to his name that are 100% worthy of your time.

Let's get to it.

Honorable Mention: Beautiful Boy, Miss Stevens and Don't Look Up

10. The French Dispatch

It's a young Chalamet getting it on with Frances McDormand in a smaller part of a Wes Anderson movie.

9. Bones and All

A romantic cannibal film ... who hasn't been asking for this for most of their lives? If you can get beyond the ... uh ... cannibalism ... it's actually a really interesting film.

8. Interstellar

He plays Matthew McConaughey's son in this Christopher Nolan classic that is still worthy of discussion after a decade has gone by. If he'd had a bigger role, this one would be ranked higher.

7. The King

Have you seen this on Netflix? I revisited it this weekend and it's really good. If you like period dramas, I think you should give it a watch. Chalamet is great in it.

6. Call My by Your Name

Some will ave this at No. 1, but I just can't forget that Armie Hammer is in it. Too soon. Plus, I love the top 5. L-O-V-E.

5. Little Women

He's pretty damn perfect as Laurie. I need to watch this again because I'm not sure I have seen it since it came out and I loved it when I watched it in the theater.

4. Lady Bird

I might rank this higher if he was in a lead role. This is Greta Gerwig's signature film and one of the best of the last decade.

3. Dune

Not only does he take over as the lead role in a Denis Villeneuve sci-fi masterpiece, but he does so with a level of perfection that answered almost every question that a loyal fan base wanted answered from the actor in the role.

2. Wonka

I was so skeptical coming into this movie. In fact, I was a bit of a hater. You know what? My kids loved it. You know what? So did I.

1. Dune II

The fight scene at the end of the film with Austin Butler is one of the best movie scenes of the decade.

I think the 4 best teams are Texas, Oregon, Georgia, & tOSU. With that in mind, Georgia has the easiest road with only needing to beat one of those teams in the finals to win it all. Oregon & tOSU have the toughest by needing to go through the other three to win it all. Texas is in the middle with needing to go through only two of those. Man, Georgia may be set up to win another one from a statistical standpoint.

 

[UT Horn]

@Ketchum We all know Quinn isn't playing as well as he can and his injuries are absolutely a part of the problem. We also talk a lot about how tough it is to be in the SEC and certainly the defenses we are facing are making his job more difficult than QBs that are playing against less talented defenses in less talented conferences, right? Our offensive line struggles lead to running back struggles which always go back to more pressure on the QB. Certainly the SEC caliber personnel has a significant impact on Quinn's ratings.

 

[Let em Hang]

Texas might have lost the battle on Saturday, but won the war on Sunday.

Same for Penn State.

In the aftermath of the release of the playoff bracket on Sunday morning, it became very clear very fast what has been suspected for months ... being No. 5 and No. 6 might be more advantageous than actually being No. 1 or No. 2.

While the Longhorns and Nittany Lions have to play an extra game and assume all of the extra risks of added attrition that come with it (see Georgia), there's no question that getting Arizona State and Boise State in the quarterfinals, respectively, instead of having to potentially play Ohio State or Notre Dame is a bonus.

Every Texas fan is thinking the same thing. You HAVE to make the semifinals. Period. Hell, Texas fans have said for the last 11 months that Texas had to make the semifinals this season for the season to be a success, but now they really have to make the semifinals.

Then you have to potentially beat Oregon and Georgia. It doesn't feel like anyone is shooting from the lay-up line from a pathway standpoint, but in being forced to play an extra game, Texas caught a break in round two that winning the SEC wouldn't have provided. From my vantage point coming in, the thing you wanted if you were Texas was being on the other side of the bracket from Georgia and not having to face either of the top two seeds before the semis.

Major mission accomplished.

The major question I have for the Longhorns might center around the collateral damage that occurs with regard to the team's health leading up to a semifinal. Survival is the name of the game. When Isaiah Bond got his ankle rolled up on in the fourth quarter on Saturday, it felt like a nail in the coffin for ever expecting that he's going to be truly right for the rest of the season. It's possible that this single injury issue might ultimately derail the Texas season short of the largest goal, but there are other personnel land mines that could yet pop up to add to the injury anxieties.

Of course, at some point the Longhorns will have to play sustained championship-level football.

Otherwise, we'll remember this season for the Longhorns having lost both the battle and the war.

No. 2 - Initial Playoff Projections ...

Let's start with Texas vs. Clemson.

For all of the Ewers/Klubnik discussion that will take place for the next few weeks, just know that Texas is definitively better than the Tigers. I might take Cade Klubnik over Quinn Ewers if forced to pick ... might ... but the rest of the position battles in this game favor the Longhorns in a big, big way.

I've got chalk in the first round ... Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame and Ohio State all advance.

Texas and Penn State will roll in the second round, while Georgia and Oregon will have to survive serious scares, but I expect both to do so.

That would leave Texas vs. Oregon and Penn State vs Georgia.

I don't think Texas is better than Oregon and I haven't really seen the Longhorns play at a level over the last two months that gives me confidence that the team will step up in that match-up. Give me the Ducks and Dawgs in the semis and the Ducks in the final.

Assuming the Ducks can get through Ohio State, which is less than certain.

No. 3 - About Quinn ...

Never has a conference championship loss ever felt like losing in the conference tournament final like it did on Sunday as soon as the bracket was announced.

Saturday no longer matters as it relates to what happens moving forward. It's fish wrap.

Therefore, I really don't have it in me to continue a debate on what subjective word we should use to describe the play of Quinn Ewers against Georgia. Call it what you want. I really don't care.

Here's what I would say coming out of the game and into a potential four-game slate to win a national championship ...

Texas cannot win a national title if ...

* The offense struggles in the red zone and can't score more than one offensive touchdown in any future match-up.

* Ewers keeps having these multi-quarter segments where he plays at an abysmal level. In the second and third quarters on Saturday, the Texas offense scored threee points and didn't come close to sniffing the end zone while Ewers delivered a 103 game rating during that stretch. Stretches exactly like this have existed in every game but one since Ewers returned from injury against Oklahoma.

* Ewers goes 2-of-7 for 5 yards and an awful sack in his last eight drop-backs with the game ultimately on the line.

Ewers has to play better. Many of you get so frustrated with me over my use of the efficiency rating as a metric to define quarterback play, but I like it because there's no confirmation bias in it. It doesn't get in its feels if the data reflects something it doesn't like. Is it perfect? Of course, not. Is it non-subjective? Entirely.

The data says that Ewers has played like a replacement-level player in the final month of the season.

Texas hasn't scored more than two offensive touchdowns in three of the last four games. In all three of those games, Ewers' efficiency levels were below those that he posted as a first-year starter (132.6) in 2022. It's not my opinion that he's playing at levels worse than roughly 90 quarterbacks across the country. It's math. It's not my opinion that he's delivered multi-quarter stretches in seven of the last eight games that rank below Wyoming quarterback Evan Svoboda's worst ranking in the country in pass efficiency. That's math.

Consider the opposition's quarterback numbers in each of UT's two losses to Georgia this season.

On paper, the Longhorns should have not only won both games, but run away with them. They didn't win either game because Ewers (and the entire offense) couldn't play at anything remotely close to successful levels. The offensive inefficiency isn't all on Ewers. That would be completely unfair. Yet, he's the freaking quarterback. If he plays poorly, Texas is playing with two hands tied behind its back.

If it happens again this season, Texas will go out of the playoffs with a loss. It feels as simple as that.

No. 4 - Scattershooting on the Horns...

* Texas is 5-4 in games that Quinn Ewers throws for 300+ yards in his career. The losses? Oklahoma State in 2022. Oklahoma in 2023. Washington in 2023. Georgia in 2024.

* Against the three most difficult teams on the Texas schedule, the Longhorns have scored 15, 17 and 19 points. That feels important to note going into the playoffs.

* The more I think about it, the more I’m convinced that Andrew Mukuba played one of the best championship games I've ever seen a player have in a Texas uniform. He was the single best player on the field on Saturday for my money.

* The latest mock draft by The Ringer's Danny Kelly has Cam Williams going 11th overall in the first round.

* If Jahdae Barron loses the Thorpe Award to Travis Hunter, we riot. (Note: I'm an idiot. Hunter isn't a finalist.)

* Tre Wisner is 137 yards away from 1,000 yards.

* Matthew Golden has 47 receptions for 738 yards and 8 touchdowns. He's averaging more than 6 catches and 103 yards per game in his last three games. If the Longhorns make it to the semis, there's a good chance that he could finish the season with around at least 60+ receptions, 1,000+ yards and 10+ touchdowns.

* Colin Simmons is two sacks away from 10 in his freshman season. What a stud.

* Alfred Collins has two fewer pass break-ups (7) than Barron (9). Way to get your hands up, big fella.

* Updated Texas Scholarship Board

No. 5 - Portal Needs ...

The Portal opens on Monday! The Portal opens on Monday! The Portal opens on Monday!

I've been told that Texas will be very, very active in the Portal.

Let's go position-by-position and analyze where Texas might be shopping with some of its unspent Michael Fasusi NIL funds:

Quarterback: The Longhorns aren't going to be looking at a quarterback unless Trey Owens does something unforeseen.

Running Back: After yesterday, I'm back to thinking the Longhorns need a starting upgrade from the Portal if they can find one. Tre Wisner is the best back on campus and he's averaging 4.9 yards for the season and has six games this season with less than 3.8 yards per carry. Texas doesn't have anything remotely close to an elite player at running back on campus. If it can find one, Texas should.

Wide Receiver: You know Sark is going to find him a hoss. Or two. How many wide receivers Texas takes might depend on whether Isaiah Bond and Matthew Golden come back for another season.

Tight End: Yes, Texas needs help. No matter how much we all might like Jordan Washington, the Longhorns are going to come into next season with five career receptions at the tight end position and zero proven blockers. They cannot take chances. A starting-level addition is needed.

Offensive Line: Texas needs one or two starting-level interior linemen because there are real questions about what's left once the seniors depart. Do I think Kyle Flood and Sarkisian will do it? No, I'm not convinced at all.

Defensive Tackles: The Longhorns will sign at least two. Maybe three. I was told three last week when there was thought that the Longhorns would sign Justus Terry.

Defensive End: Unlikely. Texas is fairly loaded coming into next season, especially if Trey Moore returns.

Linebacker: Maybe. It's not a critical need, but if the right player became available, you'd have to at least kick the tires. Yet, Anthony Hill, Liona Lefau, Tyanthony Smith and Bo Barnes make a pretty salty one through four at the position next season. A depth piece wouldn't be a bad insurance policy.

Cornerback: With the Longhorns returning Malik Muhammad and Kobe Black, while adding Kade Phillips (among others), I'm not sure the Longhorns will look to spend much focus here unless someone big falls in their lap. For instance, what sense would Georgia transfer Julian Humphrey make for either party?

Safety: The Longhorns are loaded with elite-level talent. Maybe you'd look for an Andrew Mukuba type if he became available, but does Texas really want to add players that are going to keep someone like Jonah Williams off the field?

Punter/Place-kicker/Kickoffs: A little birdie told me this weekend that the Longhorns will have an interest in Michigan punter Tommy Doman, who entered the Portal last week. Look for Steve Sarkisian to look to add two kicking pieces from the Portal.

That would leave a potential Portal class looking like this:

QB: 0
RB: 1
WR: 1 or 2
TE: 1
OL: 1-2
DT: 2 or 3
LB: 0
CB: 0
S: 0
P/K: 2

Total: 8-11 players

For every additional scholarship that becomes available, you can think about adding a possible depth piece.

No. 6 - If I had a vote that mattered ...

1. Oregon
2. Georgia
3. Texas
4. Notre Dame
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 ...

... Texas Volleyball handled its business this weekend in taking out Texas A&M CC and USC in six sets in the first two rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Next up is a match-up against No. 2 seed Creighton and if the Longhorns can pull that off, No. 1 seed Penn State in Happy Valley looms. It's not an easy path, but it's doable with a team of this pedigree. Madisen Skinner will have to be every bit the superstar every night moving forward that she was this weekend. FYI, Creighton swept Ole Miss in three to get to the Sweet 16.

... It does not bode well for the men's basketball team that they were never really in Sunday's game against U.Conn. Are the Huskies a possible Elite 8 or better team? Yes. Was Texas completely outclassed at home by such a said team? Yes, they were. Not even really good games from Tre Johnson and Arthur Kaluma changed that.

... 22 combined points from everyone other than Johnson and Kaluma tells a certain kind of story...

... Although Texas beat James Madison on Sunday, it was a disappointing week for the Texas women's basketball team when you consider that it had Notre Dame on the ropes in South Bend in the SEC/ACC Challenge, only to get outscored 12-2 in overtime in a loss. That happened on a night when Texas actually knocked down eight threes. I'm still not sure what to fully make of what Vic is working with. They are going to be a handful all season, but is this a Final Four team? Not unless Rori Harmon keeps making progress and returns to the levels she was playing at before the knee injury.

... Here are Harmon's numbers from this season compared to last season ...

... The Texas women's basketball team will now play five straight mostly worthless games before it opens up SEC play at Oklahoma on January 2. Plenty of time for this team to continue to work out some kinks.

No. 8 – BUY or SELL …

(Buy) Texas 31 Clemson 17



(Buy) Ewers has posted less than a 138 efficiency rating in six of his last eight games. These are the numbers: 131, 110, 154, 235, 129, 137, 130 and 122.



(Buy) Oh, he has all kinds of designs. Will he use them? That's where I have doubt.



(Buy/Sell) I'm buying the top paragraph and selling everything below it.



(Sell) It's not just Saturday's game that has showed us that. This team is overcoming the worst stretch of statistical play that Ewers has had in his entire career.



(Buy) He'll play, but maybe not effectively.



(Sell) Make it 15-20.



(Sell) Bama will do what it takes to keep him. Or that place will burn.



(Sell) Nope.



(Sell) Quinn is Geno Smith. Once you see it, you'll never unsee it.



(Sell) That's not realistic. He just needs to be better.



(Sell) Why on earth would you think, barring injury, that Arch would play more than Quinn?



(Buy) Texas is the crown jewel of the conference.



(Buy) That's an elephant in the room. It probably never happens again.



(Sell) It's a great question, but I'm not sure that either sets up Texas nicely. I'm in the middle on it. Texas hasn't scored more than two touchdowns in three of its last four games. Not sure playing Oregon is a more favorable match-up.



(Buy) I'm a homer for Michael Terry and I'm not quite as high on Pickett as Rivals is.



(Buy) If I was on a desert island, I'd go with the tenders.



(Buy) Probably. Wingo simply isn't going to have a breakout this season.



(Sell) I'll believe it when I see it.



(Sell) This offense is what it is after 13 games. If it could be done, it would already be done.

No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …

* Say what you want to about Oregon, but that team creates an interesting style match-up for every team it plays. If it goes through Ohio State, Texas and Georgia to win a national title, it will have proven to be an all-time great kind of team. That would mean wins over the No. 2, No. 5, No. 6 and No. 8 (twice).

* I would have put Alabama in over SMU. The Mustangs getting in means that Texas needs to start canceling some of these high-risk non-conference games it has scheduled.

* I don't think Georgia can win a national title with Carson Beck, but it might be able to with Gunner Stockton now that the young player will have three weeks to settle in as the starter.

* Damnit, it sucked beyond belief to see Jonathan Brooks go down on Sunday with a non-contact right knee injury just weeks after returning from his right knee ACL injury from last season. Damnit.

* Saquan Barkley for MVP? Yeah, I think so.

* As bad as the Sixers (7-15) have been this season, Joel Embiid and Co. are only 2.5 games of the 8-seed, 4 games back of the 7-seed, 4.5 games back of the 6-seed and 5 games back of the 5 seed. Let's go, fellas. Go on a run.

* I'm not sure that Austin FC will ever know what it means to celebrate an MLS Cup title like the LA Galaxy did this weekend. You have to have really good players to do that.

* Premier League Thoughts: Arsenal and Man City drop points ... again? Yes, please. If I'm being honest, the MVP of the weekend was Storm Darragh because it gave Liverpool a nice little rest on paper. Chelsea don't really look like a title contender this season to my eyes, but they remind me of Arsenal from two years ago. That team is going to be a handful. Geez, Spurs, y'all are going to get Ange fired, huh?

No. 10 – The List: Timothee Chalamet

As the greatest living actor under the age of 40 and since three recent movies he's served as the lead have made a combined $2+ billion at the box office, I thought we might do one for the kids this week.

I give you the king of College Game Day ... fan of SMU football... and correct user of the Hook'em ... the and only ... @echeese and @duqu's favorite ... Timothee Chalamet.

There's a part of me that plans on going to see the new Bob Dylan movie this week out of Orangebloods spite. That being said, Chalamet has quite the Top 10 list going for him when you consider that he's only 28 years old. He has 10 legit credits to his name that are 100% worthy of your time.

Let's get to it.

Honorable Mention: Beautiful Boy, Miss Stevens and Don't Look Up

10. The French Dispatch

It's a young Chalamet getting it on with Frances McDormand in a smaller part of a Wes Anderson movie.

9. Bones and All

A romantic cannibal film ... who hasn't been asking for this for most of their lives? If you can get beyond the ... uh ... cannibalism ... it's actually a really interesting film.

8. Interstellar

He plays Matthew McConaughey's son in this Christopher Nolan classic that is still worthy of discussion after a decade has gone by. If he'd had a bigger role, this one would be ranked higher.

7. The King

Have you seen this on Netflix? I revisited it this weekend and it's really good. If you like period dramas, I think you should give it a watch. Chalamet is great in it.

6. Call My by Your Name

Some will ave this at No. 1, but I just can't forget that Armie Hammer is in it. Too soon. Plus, I love the top 5. L-O-V-E.

5. Little Women

He's pretty damn perfect as Laurie. I need to watch this again because I'm not sure I have seen it since it came out and I loved it when I watched it in the theater.

4. Lady Bird

I might rank this higher if he was in a lead role. This is Greta Gerwig's signature film and one of the best of the last decade.

3. Dune

Not only does he take over as the lead role in a Denis Villeneuve sci-fi masterpiece, but he does so with a level of perfection that answered almost every question that a loyal fan base wanted answered from the actor in the role.

2. Wonka

I was so skeptical coming into this movie. In fact, I was a bit of a hater. You know what? My kids loved it. You know what? So did I.

1. Dune II

The fight scene at the end of the film with Austin Butler is one of the best movie scenes of the decade.

REALLY good write up this week my friend. Solid A

 

[Hornfan1954]

The Indiana quarterback was the highest rated quarterback in the country and led the freaking Hooisers to the playoffs.

But to not have Gabriel in your top 5 is terrible. He will be in NY as one of the finalists unlike your 3,4 and 5 picks. Just saying.. other than that you do a great job!!

 

[Baconbeard]

There's one thing you're missing on this, Bond is still very hurt. He got hurt the following game after Quinn did. If you watch him, he is still struggling to run hard. He's not healthy either.

I understand that he is not healthy, but many have pointed to his health being among the main reasons the offense has declined. I am suggesting that he was more productive with Manning at QB than Quinn before he got hurt, so maybe Bond's health is not as important as who is distributing the ball.

I like Quinn and will root like hell for him, but I am among those who thinks the offense has limitations with Quinn running it. He is not 100% to blame for anything, but I think we have another QB on campus who could better cover up the shortcomings we have on offense beyond QB.

Obviously it only matters what Sark thinks, but I think Sark has made a big mistake this season out of loyalty to Quinn and is too backed into a corner at this point to change.

 

[UT Horn]

There's one thing you're missing on this, Bond is still very hurt. He got hurt the following game after Quinn did. If you watch him, he is still struggling to run hard. He's not healthy either.

And those games were the easiest of our schedule. The defenses Arch would face now are so much more talented and well coached. I'm not saying Arch can't do it, but it won't be like playing UTSA.

 

[UT Horn]

I think the 4 best teams are Texas, Oregon, Georgia, & tOSU. With that in mind, Georgia has the easiest road with only needing to beat one of those teams in the finals to win it all. Oregon & tOSU have the toughest by needing to go through the other three to win it all. Texas is in the middle with needing to go through only two of those. Man, Georgia may be set up to win another one from a statistical standpoint.

Is Georgia really one of the top 4 teams now with a backup QB? I don't think so. Not saying the kid isn't good, but once all the pressure is on him and teams are ready for him it's going to be very different.

 

[Tex51]

Honestly, while I don't necessarily agree with you, he may end up doing what Gabriel did and have to leave to play elsewhere so Arch can take over. I just hope we do better with that than OU did with their 5* backup. I don't have any idea what the NFL draft will look like with regard to QE. But Quinn isn't appreciated around here any better than Gabriel was at OU either. It is what it is though, the life of being a QB.

I’m just trying to be an honest observer/ fan and be truthful for what Quinn is at the moment. It would make me a proud fan to boast about Quinn and btw this is not me saying I dislike Quinn as a person, it’s just me being honest in my observation of what I’m seeing.
I keep coming back to the question of why is Sark so stubborn that he can’t and won’t at least try more Arch to see if he can spark this team that has settled into a 15-20oint team.
If not for our defense playing lights out we would have lost several more games.
The offense is really under performing and a lot is on Sark and equally on QE nit being able to make those easy throws and turning the ball over.
Hey that’s what bulletin boards are some people belive he’s great and others belive he is mediocre.

 

[UT Horn]

I understand that he is not healthy, but many have pointed to his health being among the main reasons the offense has declined. I am suggesting that he was more productive with Manning at QB than Quinn before he got hurt, so maybe Bond's health is not as important as who is distributing the ball.

I like Quinn and will root like hell for him, but I am among those who thinks the offense has limitations with Quinn running it. He is not 100% to blame for anything, but I think we have another QB on campus who could better cover up the shortcomings we have on offense beyond QB.

Obviously it only matters what Sark thinks, but I think Sark has made a big mistake this season out of loyalty to Quinn and is too backed into a corner at this point to change.

I don't think Sark continues to start Quinn out of loyalty or hard headedness but rather he truly believes Quinn is the better player despite his injuries. For the record, I think a series or two of Arch might have been a much needed spark for our offense but that's easy to say from my couch.

 

[DKR-3rings]

I understand that he is not healthy, but many have pointed to his health being among the main reasons the offense has declined. I am suggesting that he was more productive with Manning at QB than Quinn before he got hurt, so maybe Bond's health is not as important as who is distributing the ball.

I like Quinn and will root like hell for him, but I am among those who thinks the offense has limitations with Quinn running it. He is not 100% to blame for anything, but I think we have another QB on campus who could better cover up the shortcomings we have on offense beyond QB.

Obviously it only matters what Sark thinks, but I think Sark has made a big mistake this season out of loyalty to Quinn and is too backed into a corner at this point to change.

You may be right with regard to Arch, but Sark isn't playing QE out of loyalty, he thinks he stands a better chance of winning with him. Right or wrong, Sark is the one calling that shot. You can make a very strong case QE hurt his draft stock by playing hurt. So, hopefully Arch is the guy we all think he is and we win big when he takes over.

 

[chastok]

“The major question I have for the Longhorns might center around the collateral damage that occurs with regard to the team's health leading up to a semifinal. Survival is the name of the game. When Isaiah Bond got his ankle rolled up on in the fourth quarter on Saturday, it felt like a nail in the coffin for ever expecting that he's going to be truly right for the rest of the season. It's possible that this single injury issue might ultimately derail the Texas season short of the largest goal, but there are other personnel land mines that could yet pop up to add to the injury anxieties.”


@Ketchum

Is losing the Bond from Saturday really a negative? At no point in that game was he even a net neutral. He cost us major on multiple plays. Crappy effort on the pick that hit him in the hands. Holding on at least one explosive play that got called back. No separation during the game.

Not the same guy at all even pre Re-injury.

 

[Baconbeard]

You may be right with regard to Arch, but Sark isn't playing QE out of loyalty, he thinks he stands a better chance of winning with him. Right or wrong, Sark is the one calling that shot. You can make a very strong case QE hurt his draft stock by playing hurt. So, hopefully Arch is the guy we all think he is and we win big when he takes over.

I hope in the end that Sark is proven to be right.

 

[Baguette]

Another name for shit talking at times for some people is telling the truth. This team cannot win a national title without him playing better football. It's been a 2 month problem.

It would help if you balanced out your Quinn narrative if you talked about all the mitigating factors that have contributed to Quinn's poor play at times, like Oline play, running game MIA at times, bad play selections, tipped balls, etc. Otherwise it just looks like QDS (Quinn Derangement Syndrome) to many of us on here.
Btw, how do you reconcile your weekly Quinn bashings with Sarks accolades (post Georgia game for example) and other pundits & sports analysts who generally have much more favorable views of Quinn than you?

 

[roedds]

Re: Mukuba
I keep seeing this missed tackle on the huge run by Georgia late. I know, he played great, can't focus on one play, but dangit!

 

[Ketchum]

While I agree that having a healthy Bond is a plus for the offense, I will go ahead and add gas to the fire and suggest that the bigger factor in Bond's productivity is who is running the offense.

Bond's 3 most productive receiving games this season, not surprisingly, were when Manning was at QB.

UTSA - 5-103 2 TD's (1 from Quinn)
ULM - 2-75
MSU - 5-74

Games with Quinn pre-injury
CSU - 5-61 1 TD
Mich - 3-51

He has 13 total catches since Quinn returned from injury.

This isn't rocket science.

But, the injury is significant. Think about how they used him against Florida vs. the games that have followed.

 

[Ketchum]

That's the thing Ketch, you of all people should realize that your words matter. And you know good and well, that statement is just false. Yes, fans always blame the QB for losses and give them too much credit for wins. But you know better than to say what you're saying on this. The play calling in the second half set up Quinn to fail many times with the slow developing plays. Quinn played well enough for us to win this game. The 2nd half play calling was a huge reason for our coming up short.

Every QB performs poorly under pressure. You can make a strong case Sark should of played Arch, since our QB needed to run away from pressure. Quinn can't do that hobled, and isn't a running QB to begin with. Quinn has played hurt most of this season, he's playing to try and help the team win, Sark needs Quinn to play or he thinks he does. It's just crazy to throw those kind of statements out there..

I'm not sure that answered the questions I asked.

 

[Ketchum]

I’m not putting words in anyone’s mouth. From my recollection, the meds and most of this site were ready to move on from Sam and wanted him to go pro so we could start the Casey Thompson era. This place woukd have went nuts if he came back. We went 5-7. We probably would have been 7-5/8-4 with Sam, and everyone would have blamed him. You said he had a stinker against Tech in 2020, and his numbers look out darn good in that game.

All I’m doing is putting the numbers out there. Sam’s total QBR is super to Quinn, and Quinn was only up to Sam’s level in 2023. Sam did this in a much worse situation. All I’m saying is Sam deserves much better consideration for what he accomplished here. I never agreed with all the criticism Sam took, but I do agree with the criticism Quinn takes because the numbers support it.

Sam was a very good player, but he had a ceiling and his head was up against it. He was clearly better than what was on the depth chart when he left based on what we know of all parties all these years later.

 

[Ketchum]

We’re in the playoffs and while I get it, negative viewpoints get clicks.

Why does that matter? I don't make money off of clicks.

 

[Ketchum]

I think the 4 best teams are Texas, Oregon, Georgia, & tOSU. With that in mind, Georgia has the easiest road with only needing to beat one of those teams in the finals to win it all. Oregon & tOSU have the toughest by needing to go through the other three to win it all. Texas is in the middle with needing to go through only two of those. Man, Georgia may be set up to win another one from a statistical standpoint.

But, they have to do it with the back-up against some really good defenses.

 

[Ketchum]

@Ketchum We all know Quinn isn't playing as well as he can and his injuries are absolutely a part of the problem. We also talk a lot about how tough it is to be in the SEC and certainly the defenses we are facing are making his job more difficult than QBs that are playing against less talented defenses in less talented conferences, right? Our offensive line struggles lead to running back struggles which always go back to more pressure on the QB. Certainly the SEC caliber personnel has a significant impact on Quinn's ratings.

Has the OL really struggled outside of games against UGA?

 

[Ketchum]

But to not have Gabriel in your top 5 is terrible. He will be in NY as one of the finalists unlike your 3,4 and 5 picks. Just saying.. other than that you do a great job!!

I don't think he belongs. 🤷‍♂️

 

[Ketchum]

“The major question I have for the Longhorns might center around the collateral damage that occurs with regard to the team's health leading up to a semifinal. Survival is the name of the game. When Isaiah Bond got his ankle rolled up on in the fourth quarter on Saturday, it felt like a nail in the coffin for ever expecting that he's going to be truly right for the rest of the season. It's possible that this single injury issue might ultimately derail the Texas season short of the largest goal, but there are other personnel land mines that could yet pop up to add to the injury anxieties.”


@Ketchum

Is losing the Bond from Saturday really a negative? At no point in that game was he even a net neutral. He cost us major on multiple plays. Crappy effort on the pick that hit him in the hands. Holding on at least one explosive play that got called back. No separation during the game.

Not the same guy at all even pre Re-injury.

I don't think Texas can win a title if he's not on the field and healthy.

 

[Ketchum]

Btw, how do you reconcile your weekly Quinn bashings with Sarks accolades (post Georgia game for example) and other pundits & sports analysts who generally have much more favorable views of Quinn than you?

Bashing = telling the truth with data and facts.

That's the world we live in.

 

[Ketchum]

Re: Mukuba
I keep seeing this missed tackle on the huge run by Georgia late. I know, he played great, can't focus on one play, but dangit!

View embedded media

But, you are focusing on one play..

 

[Zorlac]

It would help if you balanced out your Quinn narrative if you talked about all the mitigating factors that have contributed to Quinn's poor play at times, like Oline play, running game MIA at times, bad play selections, tipped balls, etc. Otherwise it just looks like QDS (Quinn Derangement Syndrome) to many of us on here.
Btw, how do you reconcile your weekly Quinn bashings with Sarks accolades (post Georgia game for example) and other pundits & sports analysts who generally have much more favorable views of Quinn than you?

He's the ultimate message board poster with an aspiring desire to hit it big on youtube, think about that for a minute.

 

[God of Tits and Wine]

I literally just had a UCLA buddy text me that he’s worried about Quinn in the playoffs because Quinn makes a lot of mistakes and doesn’t have a strong arm. People across the country are tuning in and not following Sark’s thoughts. I only bring this up because some keep bashing Ketch. You can’t expect him to spew sunshine lies like Billy when the truth is staring everyone in the face.

 

[trBen]

Is Georgia really one of the top 4 teams now with a backup QB? I don't think so. Not saying the kid isn't good, but once all the pressure is on him and teams are ready for him it's going to be very different.

That back-up is a 4-star, rivals 250 player from 2022, and in his third year in the program. He did a number on us with his arm and legs (scrambles out of pressure really well), and may have been one of the main deciding factor in beating us. Georgia knows how to reload at QB so there's a good chance this kid is really good and likely not a huge drop off from Beck. From how he played against us, I'd say he still makes UGA one of the top dogs in these playoffs.

 

[Ketchum]

That back-up is a 4-star, rivals 250 player from 2022, and in his third year in the program. He did a number on us throwing and running, and may have been one of the main deciding factor in beating us. Georgia knows how to reload at QB so there's a good chance this kid is really good and likely not a huge drop off from Beck. From how he played against us, I'd say he still makes UGA one of the top dogs in these playoffs.

Did he really do a number on Texas?

 

[SonofMan]

I literally just had a UCLA buddy text me that he’s worried about Quinn in the playoffs because Quinn makes a lot of mistakes and doesn’t have a strong arm. People across the country are tuning in and not following Sark’s thoughts. I only bring this up because some keep bashing Ketch. You can’t expect him to spew sunshine lies like Billy when the truth is staring everyone in the face.

The lack of arm strength is very alarming to me. It has to be the abdominal injury, because he has zero zip on his throws.