Ketch's 10 Thoughts From the Weekend (Not since Colt McCoy in his prime in 2008...)

[Ketchum]

Well, Ketch considering we have the highest composite recruiting rankings in the Big 12 tells us what? Ketch, I'm sorry but that was a spin job of epic proportions.

What is the spin?

 

[Ketchum]

I’d have kicked:

- the wind in the face wasn’t huge
- Josh has the leg (he’s made a 49 yarder, most kickoffs out of the end zone)
- Josh drilled the 34 yarder right before half time
- Texas has been TERRIBLE on 4th and 2 or more, now 0 for 6 when foregoing a FG or extra point
- the probability of OU getting another FG is big, which would put Texas down 8
- Coach Herman has really hurt his team (and his kicker’s confidence) with his anti-FG attitude

Texas is going to need a few big FG’s, probably a game-winner to even finish 4-2...

a. Herman absolutely disagreed about the wind.
b. Having the leg isn't really the issue.
c. "Drilled" a 34-yarder.
d. Texas has been TERRIBLE on field goals.
e. The probability of OU getting a field goal was actually pretty small. They were trying to kill the clock.
f. Not having a good field goal kicker has hurt this team as much as anything.

You can run from it just because you don't like it.

 

[Good.Shepherd]

The last 3 coaches for the o-line came in with praises of making a bad line good. Has Tx really recruited that bad on the o-line to were the last couple of coaches can't do anything with them?

Some of it is Wickline. It was the big risk with him. He likes unconventional linemen. Guys who were long and tall but maybe undersized or raw in their technique. That was his stock and trade. But now we are lacking guys with developed bodies in the older tier as well as guys who fit the more traditional molds.

Wick also ran off a few players as well. That’s part of the hazard he presented as a staffer.

 

[gshorn]

so the big 12 is one of the top 3 conferences after all?

 

[Cincohorn]

Watch the video in Dustin’s column - the line opened a huge hole inside, Warren fails to see it and runs outside. The running backs own a chunk of this too.

I agree with the statement, but it's not like Warren has had a lot of touches in this formation. A lot of this seems circular. Pretty sure Warren has not been getting touches because our OL was collapsing on run plays? I'm also still kind of surprised that one of our TEs can block. It's a good development for the future.

 

[HorntoWin]

a. Herman absolutely disagreed about the wind.
b. Having the leg isn't really the issue.
c. "Drilled" a 34-yarder.
d. Texas has been TERRIBLE on field goals.
e. The probability of OU getting a field goal was actually pretty small. They were trying to kill the clock.
f. Not having a good field goal kicker has hurt this team as much as anything.

You can run from it just because you don't like it.

Good rebuttal, fair points. The decision certainly wasn't a no brainer, either way. But, in defense of Rowland:

- he's 5 for 10, not good, but not atrocious
- we lose to K-State if he fails to make the 34 yarder at the end of regulation, a really hard, clutch kick considering his botching of the previous 27 yarder
- his 49 yarder against Iowa State was HUGE, changing the whole tenor of the 4th quarter
- his 34 yarder to close the 1st half against OU was also huge and he did DRILL it, his most solid and accurate FG of the season. In other words, like a good golfer, he was swinging well, "in the zone" that day.

Coach Herman recruited this kid and, regardless, is TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for the kicking game. Part of that responsibility is to have his kicker's back and to foster the kicker's confidence. Kickers gain confidence when allowed to take and make short FG's (like the ones we DIDN'T take against Maryland, USC and K-State). Coach Herman needs to chat with Mack Brown (one of the all time great kicker psychologists) about this issue because Tom's approach to FG's generally and young Josh specifically is not helping this football team.

For the record, I'm a huge fan of Tom Herman, but am stunned by his "I hate short FG's" attitude. Mike Leach (who's never won a title anywhere) might agree with that philosophy, but no great football coach would. FG's are VITAL and short FG's, early in the game or late, often win big games and championships...

 

[Ketchum]

Good rebuttal, fair points. The decision certainly wasn't a no brainer, either way. But, in defense of Rowland:

- he's 5 for 10, not good, but not atrocious
- we lose to K-State if he fails to make the 34 yarder at the end of regulation, a really hard, clutch kick considering his botching of the previous 27 yarder
- his 49 yarder against Iowa State was HUGE, changing the whole tenor of the 4th quarter
- his 34 yarder to close the 1st half against OU was also huge and he did DRILL it, his most solid and accurate FG of the season. In other words, like a good golfer, he was swinging well, "in the zone" that day.

Coach Herman recruited this kid and, regardless, is TOTALLY RESPONSIBLE for the kicking game. Part of that responsibility is to have his kicker's back and to foster the kicker's confidence. Kickers gain confidence when allowed to take and make short FG's (like the ones we DIDN'T take against Maryland, USC and K-State). Coach Herman needs to chat with Mack Brown (one of the all time great kicker psychologists) about this issue because Tom's approach to FG's generally and young Josh specifically is not helping this football team.

For the record, I'm a huge fan of Tom Herman, but am stunned by his "I hate short FG's" attitude. Mike Leach (who's never won a title anywhere) might agree with that philosophy, but no great football coach would. FG's are VITAL and short FG's, early in the game or late, often win big games and championships...

I think 50-percent is atrocious in 2017.

I'm with you, though, it's a set of sub 50-50 options at best, regardless.

 

[Ketchum]

so the big 12 is one of the top 3 conferences after all?

I'd say you'd have to say so right now.