Marcus? 2007 season remembers…. Jordy Nelson and Yamon Figures remembers
Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (Permission to dream big...j/k... kind of)
- Thread starter Ketchum
- Start date
Good stuff Ketch. Watching the game yesterday, I also noticed how fast we are. Very pleasant surprise.
I remember 4th and 1 in the national championship game.
That was so bad there’s nothing to do but walk away from it.You're only watching because being an Everton fan has you exploring anything at this point.
Don’t sleep on the American men. Foe is entertaining, but I don’t think he makes it. Fritz is flying through the draw. His quarter against Zverev on Tuesday will be a great matchup.
Texas wasn't beating Alabama by 10 last year until they did.
And remember who predicted that.
Ketch, did you see Card had a good game for Purdue? Loved seeing that.
24 of 25. Didn't want to jinx him by commenting on it.
Appreciate the portal out guys info.
Good to see when those guys do well.
Good to see when those guys do well.
Great piece this week Ketch. Best (IMO) in quite some time. I remember that game against Arkansas, wondering who the hell that tall white boy from Arkansas was running all over us.
Twenty-one years ago to the day, I remember walking out of DKR following Texas blitzing New Mexico State and I made a phone call to Bobby Burton while walking down San Jacinto back towards my car.
The Longhorns had just been other-worldly explosive that day. Selvin Young went 97 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring. Derrick Johnson had a pick-six. Michael Huff had a pick-six. Roy Williams had back-to-back touchdown receptions. Then Vince Young came in and ran for 60, passed for 60 (on one pass) and scored two touchdowns. To top it off, Selvin Young finished the day with a punt return for a touchdown.
I remember both of us telling each other that we had never quite seen a Texas team dripping with such playmaking talent.
Texas went on to lose the next week at home to Arkansas in embarrassing fashion, so part of the moral of this column will be to remind everyone that life can come at you fast in college football and just when you think Mount Everest has been climbed, along comes Matt Jones to remind you that an awesome performance can become completely forgotten in less than a week.
Why am I even bringing up this story?
Because outside of the entire 2005 season when the Longhorns went 13-0 and posted an average margin of victory of nearly 34 points per game, it has been a long time since I can remember thinking we have very clearly seen a next step in evolution in talent the way I felt on Saturday.
Not even the 2008 and 2009 Longhorns made me quite think some of the things that crossed my mind on Saturday during and following the destruction of a perfectly fine but overwhelmed Colorado State team. That's not to say that this 2024 edition of the Longhorns is better than those teams. Hell, the 2003 team that I just referenced ended up losing by 52 points to the Sooners.
So, please understand all of the context in some of the comments I'm about to make, but ...
1. This might be the fastest Texas offense that I've ever seen and that includes the 2005 Longhorns.
If these Texas receivers get into the open field like Billy Pittman did in Columbus, I don't think anyone is running them down from behind. These receivers might not be able to jump like Limas Sweed, but as far as quickness and explosiveness is concerned, they can go. Same with the running backs.
2. This might be the fastest Texas team we've seen since 2005.
I wonder which Ohio State team is the fastest to have travelled to Ann Arbor. They've had a bunch of fast teams over the years. Yet, outside of the Buckeyes, I'm not sure the Wolverines have seen a ton of teams that will bring as much speed to the field as the 2024 Longhorns will next weekend. There can't be many.
Maybe Florida State in 1991?
Oregon in 2007?
The Wolverines have plenty of speed to challenge the Longhorns this weekend, but I'm telling you, this Texas team from top to bottom features so much speed that the team slogan this season should be "Meep meep."
3. Texas should beat the defending national champions by double digits.
Based on first-game impressions, the Longhorns have a significant quarterback advantage coming into this game. S-I-G-N-I-F-I-C-A-N-T.
That would be the case if Arch Manning was starting, let alone third-year starter Quinn Ewers. That would probably be the case if either of the top two Texas quarterbacks were forced to play left-handed, or with a hand tied behind his back.
No offense, Davis Warren.
Michigan's defense is still fantastic and if the Wolverines are going to beat Texas on Saturday, that unit will have to lead the way (along with special teams) because the offense they will field (269 total offensive yards vs. Fresno State) is a cap gun when compared to the arsenal that the Longhorns will bring to town.
So, let me just get my early-week hot take out of the way ... Texas will not only beat Michigan in Ann Arbor in less than six days ...
It'll do so by three scores.
No. 2 - Big Offensive takeaway ...
There's very much a clear No. 1 and No. 2 in the passing game for the Longhorns, no matter how many dudes are rotating in and out.
Transfer Isaiah Bond is WR1, as evidenced by the fact that he was on pace for nearly 15 game-targets at halftime.
Transfer Matthew Golden is WR2, as evidenced by the fact that he was the only other player targeted more than twice at halftime (4) and was found twice in the red zone for scores when the game was still worthy of his time.
Oh, there will be other receivers that will have massive days before this season is over, including Ryan Wingo and Silas Bolden.
Yet, going into Ann. Arbor, Bond and Golden are the receivers that stir Quinn Ewers' drink ... rotation be damned.
No. 3 - Big Defensive Takeaway ...
Jaylon Guilbeau can ball. Jahdae Barron can ball. Malik Muhammad can ball. These Texas safeties can ball.
Colorado State's Tony Horton can also ball, but not like the guys in burnt orange, which meant he learned the hard way that these guys are not the 2023 Texas DBs. Horton tried them all and served up a meaningless 5 catches for 31 yards, which included an even more meaningless 9 yards after the catch.
You'll have to forgive him if he's looking at the Texas secondary the same way the Wisconsin volleyball team is looking at the No. 1 Longhorns (see section 7 below). I'm just not sure he can bothered with another 60 minutes of that.
This group will have tougher challenges ahead. They'll play better quarterbacks.
But, this group has been forged in the fires of playing this Texas offense every day in practice and the group will be a team strength. That No.100-whatever-they-were-ranked-crap from a year ago is done.
No. 4 - Call me George Washington because I cannot tell a lie ...
As freaking good as Quinn Ewers was on Saturday (and it was one of probably his three best passing performances since he's been in Austin), it's just a different kind of fun when Arch Manning is on the field.
I'd feel bad for disrespecting Ewers so much if we all weren't just having so much fun when Manning plays.
That was his first career touchdown pass. Ewers really needs to finish up teams early this season, so that everyone can watch Sark play with his new toy.
No offense, Quinn. You were great on Saturday. The dopamine just hits a little different with No. 16.
No. 5 – Transfer Watch ...
Here's a look at how each of the outgoing players from the Texas program in the 2023-24 Portal cycle fared over the weekend ...
QB - Maalik Murphy (Duke) - Made the start at quarterback for the Blue Devils and completed 26 of 40 passes for 291 yards and an interception (147.6 rating) in a 26-3 win over Elon.
RB - Savion Red (Nevada) - Rushed for 135 yards on 11 carries in Nevada's 28-26 win over Troy.
WR - Isaiah Neyor (Nebraska) - Led Nebraska with 6 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown for the Huskers in a 40-7 win over UTEP.
WR - Casey Cain (UNLV) - Started for the Rebels, but did not catch a pass in UNLV's 27-7 win over Houston.
OL - Payton Kirkland (Colorado) - Did not play a snap as the primary back-up at right tackle in a CU win over North Dakota State.
DT - Sawyer Goram-Welch - Started and recorded a single tackle in Coastal Carolina's 55-27 win over Jacksonville State.
DL - Zac Swanson (Arizona State) - Made a single assisted tackle as a reserve in ASU's 49-7 win over Wyoming.
DT - Trill Carter (Auburn) - Recorded a single tackle as a reserve in Auburn's 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.
DE - J'Mond Tapp (Arizona State) - Did not play in ASU's 49-7 win over Wyoming.
DE - Billy Walton (SMU) - Picked up four tackles as a reserve at edge in SMU's 59-7 win over Houston Christian.
LB - Kendrick Blackshire (UTSA) - Recorded 2 tackles as a reserve linebacker in UTSA's 28-16 win over Kennesaw State.
LB - S'Maje Burrell (SHSU) - Did not play in Sam Houston's 34-14 win over Rice.
DB - Austin Jordan (TCU) - Played as a reserve DB in TCU's 34-27 win over Stanford, but didn't record any stats.
DB - Jerrin Thompson (Auburn) - Recorded two tackles as a starter at safety for Auburn in its 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.
DB - Kitan Crawford (Nevada) - Recorded 7 tackles in Nevada's 27-26 win over Troy.
DB - BJ Allen (North Texas) - Did not play in UNT's 52-48 win over South Alabama.
DB - Xavion Brice (North Texas) - Did not play in UNT's 52-48 win over South Alabama.
DB - Jalen Catalon (UNLV) - Recorded two interceptions, including a 36-yard return for a touchdown, in UNLV's 27-7 win over Houston.
DB - Larry Turner-Gooden (San Jose State) - Did not record a stat as a reserve in San Jose State's 42-24 win over Sacramento State.
No. 6 - If I had a vote that mattered ...
1. Georgia
2. Texas
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Miami
6. Ole Miss
7. Notre Dame
8. Oregon
9. Penn State
10. Missouri
(Note: I reserve the right to tweak this following the LSU/USC game on Sunday night.)
No. 7 - The champs are still the champs ...
No. 1 Texas Volleyball sent a message to No. 3 Wisconsin on Sunday in its season opener in Milwaukee ... come for the queens at your own risk.
The Longhorns put the Badgers down in four sets in a national semi-final nine months ago and with an entire summer to anticipate the rematch, the Badgers were set on the curb in four sets once again.
30-28, 23-25, 25-15, 25-11
By the end of the match, it felt like the Badgers were ready to wave the white flag. Texas imposed its will in the third and fourth sets in a way befitting of a champion defending its crown with intent. You'll have to forgive the Badgers if they just pray that someone else can deal with these Longhorns late in the year because they have clearly had enough.
No. 18 Minnesota is due up on Monday and they can get some, too.
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Buy) Yes.
(Buy) Yes. It'll be close, but, yes.
(Sell) Not really.
(Sell) Never crossed my mind.
(Sell) Put some respect on Quintrevion's name!
(Sell) It's way too early to make that kind of call.
(Sell) 7-5.
(Sell) I'll go with the Texas wide receivers against the Michigan DBs.
(Sell) He's not THAT big of a loss.
(Buy) Charles feels like a flip waiting to happen and if they want Simpson, I think they'll get him.
(Sell) That's Georgia.
(Buy) Easily.
(Sell) Yesterday will have virtually no impact on his decision or the timing of it.
(Sell) Not the total and outright domination?
(Sell) Both will be drafted. Neither has proven they deserved to be 5-stars, although Klubnick delivers the ball like one. He chose the wrong school.
(Buy) Of course.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... Mike Elko looked so much like Charlie Strong on Saturday that I might be one more loss like that away from calling him Jersey Charlie.
... It is possible that Connor Weigman will never recover from the trick played on him by the magician (skip ahead to the 1:36 mark)...
... There's no reason to throw a parade yet, but former Longhorn Maalik Murphy was solid in his opener as the starting quarterback for Duke, completing 26 of 40 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against Elon.
... Cam Ward makes Miami a serious football team.
... Barion Brown should have transferred to Texas.
... It's crazy to think at this time last year, Alabama didn't know who its quarterback was.
... Ho hum, Scottie Scheffler won again.
... No Novak Djokovic. No Carlos Alcaraz. No reason to watch the men's side of the US Open?
... Premier League Spitballin': Club tribalism is all fun and games when it comes to officiating until Chris Kavanagh is working your game in any capacity. Everton stole defeat from the jaws of victory in a way this weekend that was even new for them. Holy cow ... that happened. Erling Haaland might score 35 league goals. Last 10 games against each other: Liverpool 29 Manchester United 6. Have a double helping of that, Red Devils. August 31st
No. 10 – The List: Richard Gere
Mr. "I've Got Nowhere Else To Go!" turned 75 this weekend, which made him feel like an obvious profile subject this weekend.
Full transparency: One of his movies is one of my favorite movies of all-time and an easy choice for No. 1. Can you guess it? I mean it's an EASY call for the No. 1 spot.
Also, save the gerbil jokes. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!!!!!
Let's get on with the list ...
Last 5 Out: Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Looking For Mr. Goodbar, Shall We Dance, Arbitrage and First Knight
10. Runaway Bride
What can I say? He's got great chemistry with Julia Roberts and I love an average rom-com.
9. The Cotton Club
Great Cast (hello, Gregory Hines!). A young Diane Lane and Jennifer Grey. I dig period pieces.
8. Chicago
It's not my cup of tea, but I cannot deny its place in his canon.
7. Primal Fear
Is this ranked too low?
6. Unfaithful
Let's all just admit that Paul was just a little too aloof about sleeping with Diane Lane in another man's house.
5. Days of Heaven
Regarded as one of the best movies of the 1970s. I need to give this a re-watch. It's been at least 25 years.
4. American Gigolo
A Paul Schrader neo-noir crime drama about Richard Gere playing a prostitute. It might be the most Richard Gere movie of all-time.
3. Internal Affairs
Underrated. Bill Simmons turned me on to it.
2. Pretty Woman
It's the movie that saved his career and made Julia's.
1. An Officer and a Gentleman
It's a strong candidate for being in my favorite 10 movies of all-time.
I am not sold on our run D though. I hope I am wrong. I think it’s going to be a tight game. I think their defense keeps them in the game, and we win ona late score:
Texas 24
Michigan 20
I am an old and this is the best Texas team I have ever seen. This team is a machine based on fundamentals and culture. This team is different from other UT teams.
Primal Fear and Arbitrage WAY too low.
I still think we win next week but Ive seen this CFb recipe for 50 years. Week 1 - one team looks incredible. One looks like dogshit. The line explodes upwards….then it’s WTF.
I still think we win next week but Ive seen this CFb recipe for 50 years. Week 1 - one team looks incredible. One looks like dogshit. The line explodes upwards….then it’s WTF.
I’ll bite
What school should Klubnik have played for?
What school should Klubnik have played for?
Madisen Skinner had an average game today. Her teammates really made up for it. This team is so talented
Volleyball team looks as good or better than the football team. Both are loaded. Promising fall ahead. Hook’em.
I do think we win and I hope you are right. I’ll be there to see it.Texas wasn't beating Alabama by 10 last year until they did.
And remember who predicted that.
That said, Sweat and Murphy aren’t anchoring the interior this year. That’s the difference IMO and why I think UM keeps it under two tuddys.
I feel like we haven’t heard a ton on Deandre Moore but I believe he started- what are thoughts on where he stands on the team? With the surplus of talent here and wealth of it coming in it seems next year- seems like portal is very possible.
It was CSU but I came away from the game with 3 thoughts.
1) might be the 2nd best team I've seen in my 28 seasons with season tickets in section 29.
2) telling folks who pretend 2008 or 2009 was "glory" that our backup qb is better than that starting qb ever dreamed of being wasn't popular in the stands.
3) this Horns team has heart and finish and they've bought in. I haven't seen an entire team buy in, outside of last year in probably 15 years.
Great time to be a Longhorn!
1) might be the 2nd best team I've seen in my 28 seasons with season tickets in section 29.
2) telling folks who pretend 2008 or 2009 was "glory" that our backup qb is better than that starting qb ever dreamed of being wasn't popular in the stands.
3) this Horns team has heart and finish and they've bought in. I haven't seen an entire team buy in, outside of last year in probably 15 years.
Great time to be a Longhorn!
I was texting with Eddie a little bit ago and told him that although I may regret saying it, I could see this game being 38-17
I am interested to see if Texas can stop the run. CSU was a terrible running team that gashed Texas for 7 to 8 yard type gains rather easily on several occasions. It seemed like DL and LB’s not synced up.
I am also interested to see if we can run inside against a tougher defense. I was impressed with Gibson’s efforts, however.
I am also interested to see if we can run inside against a tougher defense. I was impressed with Gibson’s efforts, however.
Thank you for section 5. I can stop trying to find all the stats on my own!!!
You watch the US Open to enjoy Sinner on the men’s side. He is an incredible player. Hope Americans Fritz or Tiafoe get to the finals.
American Emma Navarro on the women’s side is playing well.
American Emma Navarro on the women’s side is playing well.
I know it's late but:
B/S: If Aggies continue to lose, we have a chance to flip DJ Sanders to the good guys.
B/S: If Aggies continue to lose, we have a chance to flip DJ Sanders to the good guys.
Need to figure out where we are pregaming. Where you and @MB-HORNS gonna be?
I’ll be there with @Brinestsheep75 and a couple other guys.
We are doing the Surly Horns tailgate. Rick always puts on a good event.
@Ketchum Johntay seems to click really well with Arch from yesterday’s game and also TT last year. He averages the highest yards per catch in the limited action he gets. Hopefully Sark keeps preaching to him with patience.
Thanks @Ketchum for the summary of the players that portaled out. Very interesting and made it easy for us. I think our team is dangerous but we seem to be a Walter Nolen (it’s not Nolan) type DT from winning it all. The defense better fix the leaky run defense or Michigan will take the air out of the ball.
Twenty-one years ago to the day, I remember walking out of DKR following Texas blitzing New Mexico State and I made a phone call to Bobby Burton while walking down San Jacinto back towards my car.
The Longhorns had just been other-worldly explosive that day. Selvin Young went 97 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring. Derrick Johnson had a pick-six. Michael Huff had a pick-six. Roy Williams had back-to-back touchdown receptions. Then Vince Young came in and ran for 60, passed for 60 (on one pass) and scored two touchdowns. To top it off, Selvin Young finished the day with a punt return for a touchdown.
I remember both of us telling each other that we had never quite seen a Texas team dripping with such playmaking talent.
Texas went on to lose the next week at home to Arkansas in embarrassing fashion, so part of the moral of this column will be to remind everyone that life can come at you fast in college football and just when you think Mount Everest has been climbed, along comes Matt Jones to remind you that an awesome performance can become completely forgotten in less than a week.
Why am I even bringing up this story?
Because outside of the entire 2005 season when the Longhorns went 13-0 and posted an average margin of victory of nearly 34 points per game, it has been a long time since I can remember thinking we have very clearly seen a next step in evolution in talent the way I felt on Saturday.
Not even the 2008 and 2009 Longhorns made me quite think some of the things that crossed my mind on Saturday during and following the destruction of a perfectly fine but overwhelmed Colorado State team. That's not to say that this 2024 edition of the Longhorns is better than those teams. Hell, the 2003 team that I just referenced ended up losing by 52 points to the Sooners.
So, please understand all of the context in some of the comments I'm about to make, but ...
1. This might be the fastest Texas offense that I've ever seen and that includes the 2005 Longhorns.
If these Texas receivers get into the open field like Billy Pittman did in Columbus, I don't think anyone is running them down from behind. These receivers might not be able to jump like Limas Sweed, but as far as quickness and explosiveness is concerned, they can go. Same with the running backs.
2. This might be the fastest Texas team we've seen since 2005.
I wonder which Ohio State team is the fastest to have travelled to Ann Arbor. They've had a bunch of fast teams over the years. Yet, outside of the Buckeyes, I'm not sure the Wolverines have seen a ton of teams that will bring as much speed to the field as the 2024 Longhorns will next weekend. There can't be many.
Maybe Florida State in 1991?
Oregon in 2007?
The Wolverines have plenty of speed to challenge the Longhorns this weekend, but I'm telling you, this Texas team from top to bottom features so much speed that the team slogan this season should be "Meep meep."
3. Texas should beat the defending national champions by double digits.
Based on first-game impressions, the Longhorns have a significant quarterback advantage coming into this game. S-I-G-N-I-F-I-C-A-N-T.
That would be the case if Arch Manning was starting, let alone third-year starter Quinn Ewers. That would probably be the case if either of the top two Texas quarterbacks were forced to play left-handed, or with a hand tied behind his back.
No offense, Davis Warren.
Michigan's defense is still fantastic and if the Wolverines are going to beat Texas on Saturday, that unit will have to lead the way (along with special teams) because the offense they will field (269 total offensive yards vs. Fresno State) is a cap gun when compared to the arsenal that the Longhorns will bring to town.
So, let me just get my early-week hot take out of the way ... Texas will not only beat Michigan in Ann Arbor in less than six days ...
It'll do so by three scores.
No. 2 - Big Offensive takeaway ...
There's very much a clear No. 1 and No. 2 in the passing game for the Longhorns, no matter how many dudes are rotating in and out.
Transfer Isaiah Bond is WR1, as evidenced by the fact that he was on pace for nearly 15 game-targets at halftime.
Transfer Matthew Golden is WR2, as evidenced by the fact that he was the only other player targeted more than twice at halftime (4) and was found twice in the red zone for scores when the game was still worthy of his time.
Oh, there will be other receivers that will have massive days before this season is over, including Ryan Wingo and Silas Bolden.
Yet, going into Ann. Arbor, Bond and Golden are the receivers that stir Quinn Ewers' drink ... rotation be damned.
No. 3 - Big Defensive Takeaway ...
Jaylon Guilbeau can ball. Jahdae Barron can ball. Malik Muhammad can ball. These Texas safeties can ball.
Colorado State's Tony Horton can also ball, but not like the guys in burnt orange, which meant he learned the hard way that these guys are not the 2023 Texas DBs. Horton tried them all and served up a meaningless 5 catches for 31 yards, which included an even more meaningless 9 yards after the catch.
You'll have to forgive him if he's looking at the Texas secondary the same way the Wisconsin volleyball team is looking at the No. 1 Longhorns (see section 7 below). I'm just not sure he can bothered with another 60 minutes of that.
This group will have tougher challenges ahead. They'll play better quarterbacks.
But, this group has been forged in the fires of playing this Texas offense every day in practice and the group will be a team strength. That No.100-whatever-they-were-ranked-crap from a year ago is done.
No. 4 - Call me George Washington because I cannot tell a lie ...
As freaking good as Quinn Ewers was on Saturday (and it was one of probably his three best passing performances since he's been in Austin), it's just a different kind of fun when Arch Manning is on the field.
I'd feel bad for disrespecting Ewers so much if we all weren't just having so much fun when Manning plays.
That was his first career touchdown pass. Ewers really needs to finish up teams early this season, so that everyone can watch Sark play with his new toy.
No offense, Quinn. You were great on Saturday. The dopamine just hits a little different with No. 16.
No. 5 – Transfer Watch ...
Here's a look at how each of the outgoing players from the Texas program in the 2023-24 Portal cycle fared over the weekend ...
QB - Maalik Murphy (Duke) - Made the start at quarterback for the Blue Devils and completed 26 of 40 passes for 291 yards and an interception (147.6 rating) in a 26-3 win over Elon.
RB - Savion Red (Nevada) - Rushed for 135 yards on 11 carries in Nevada's 28-26 win over Troy.
WR - Isaiah Neyor (Nebraska) - Led Nebraska with 6 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown for the Huskers in a 40-7 win over UTEP.
WR - Casey Cain (UNLV) - Started for the Rebels, but did not catch a pass in UNLV's 27-7 win over Houston.
OL - Payton Kirkland (Colorado) - Did not play a snap as the primary back-up at right tackle in a CU win over North Dakota State.
DT - Sawyer Goram-Welch - Started and recorded a single tackle in Coastal Carolina's 55-27 win over Jacksonville State.
DL - Zac Swanson (Arizona State) - Made a single assisted tackle as a reserve in ASU's 49-7 win over Wyoming.
DT - Trill Carter (Auburn) - Recorded a single tackle as a reserve in Auburn's 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.
DE - J'Mond Tapp (Arizona State) - Did not play in ASU's 49-7 win over Wyoming.
DE - Billy Walton (SMU) - Picked up four tackles as a reserve at edge in SMU's 59-7 win over Houston Christian.
LB - Kendrick Blackshire (UTSA) - Recorded 2 tackles as a reserve linebacker in UTSA's 28-16 win over Kennesaw State.
LB - S'Maje Burrell (SHSU) - Did not play in Sam Houston's 34-14 win over Rice.
DB - Austin Jordan (TCU) - Played as a reserve DB in TCU's 34-27 win over Stanford, but didn't record any stats.
DB - Jerrin Thompson (Auburn) - Recorded two tackles as a starter at safety for Auburn in its 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.
DB - Kitan Crawford (Nevada) - Recorded 7 tackles in Nevada's 27-26 win over Troy.
DB - BJ Allen (North Texas) - Did not play in UNT's 52-48 win over South Alabama.
DB - Xavion Brice (North Texas) - Did not play in UNT's 52-48 win over South Alabama.
DB - Jalen Catalon (UNLV) - Recorded two interceptions, including a 36-yard return for a touchdown, in UNLV's 27-7 win over Houston.
DB - Larry Turner-Gooden (San Jose State) - Did not record a stat as a reserve in San Jose State's 42-24 win over Sacramento State.
No. 6 - If I had a vote that mattered ...
1. Georgia
2. Texas
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Miami
6. Ole Miss
7. Notre Dame
8. Oregon
9. Penn State
10. Missouri
(Note: I reserve the right to tweak this following the LSU/USC game on Sunday night.)
No. 7 - The champs are still the champs ...
No. 1 Texas Volleyball sent a message to No. 3 Wisconsin on Sunday in its season opener in Milwaukee ... come for the queens at your own risk.
The Longhorns put the Badgers down in four sets in a national semi-final nine months ago and with an entire summer to anticipate the rematch, the Badgers were set on the curb in four sets once again.
30-28, 23-25, 25-15, 25-11
By the end of the match, it felt like the Badgers were ready to wave the white flag. Texas imposed its will in the third and fourth sets in a way befitting of a champion defending its crown with intent. You'll have to forgive the Badgers if they just pray that someone else can deal with these Longhorns late in the year because they have clearly had enough.
No. 18 Minnesota is due up on Monday and they can get some, too.
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Buy) Yes.
(Buy) Yes. It'll be close, but, yes.
(Sell) Not really.
(Sell) Never crossed my mind.
(Sell) Put some respect on Quintrevion's name!
(Sell) It's way too early to make that kind of call.
(Sell) 7-5.
(Sell) I'll go with the Texas wide receivers against the Michigan DBs.
(Sell) He's not THAT big of a loss.
(Buy) Charles feels like a flip waiting to happen and if they want Simpson, I think they'll get him.
(Sell) That's Georgia.
(Buy) Easily.
(Sell) Yesterday will have virtually no impact on his decision or the timing of it.
(Sell) Not the total and outright domination?
(Sell) Both will be drafted. Neither has proven they deserved to be 5-stars, although Klubnick delivers the ball like one. He chose the wrong school.
(Buy) Of course.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... Mike Elko looked so much like Charlie Strong on Saturday that I might be one more loss like that away from calling him Jersey Charlie.
... It is possible that Connor Weigman will never recover from the trick played on him by the magician (skip ahead to the 1:36 mark)...
... There's no reason to throw a parade yet, but former Longhorn Maalik Murphy was solid in his opener as the starting quarterback for Duke, completing 26 of 40 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against Elon.
... Cam Ward makes Miami a serious football team.
... Barion Brown should have transferred to Texas.
... It's crazy to think at this time last year, Alabama didn't know who its quarterback was.
... Ho hum, Scottie Scheffler won again.
... No Novak Djokovic. No Carlos Alcaraz. No reason to watch the men's side of the US Open?
... Premier League Spitballin': Club tribalism is all fun and games when it comes to officiating until Chris Kavanagh is working your game in any capacity. Everton stole defeat from the jaws of victory in a way this weekend that was even new for them. Holy cow ... that happened. Erling Haaland might score 35 league goals. Last 10 games against each other: Liverpool 29 Manchester United 6. Have a double helping of that, Red Devils. August 31st
No. 10 – The List: Richard Gere
Mr. "I've Got Nowhere Else To Go!" turned 75 this weekend, which made him feel like an obvious profile subject this weekend.
Full transparency: One of his movies is one of my favorite movies of all-time and an easy choice for No. 1. Can you guess it? I mean it's an EASY call for the No. 1 spot.
Also, save the gerbil jokes. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!!!!!
Let's get on with the list ...
Last 5 Out: Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Looking For Mr. Goodbar, Shall We Dance, Arbitrage and First Knight
10. Runaway Bride
What can I say? He's got great chemistry with Julia Roberts and I love an average rom-com.
9. The Cotton Club
Great Cast (hello, Gregory Hines!). A young Diane Lane and Jennifer Grey. I dig period pieces.
8. Chicago
It's not my cup of tea, but I cannot deny its place in his canon.
7. Primal Fear
Is this ranked too low?
6. Unfaithful
Let's all just admit that Paul was just a little too aloof about sleeping with Diane Lane in another man's house.
5. Days of Heaven
Regarded as one of the best movies of the 1970s. I need to give this a re-watch. It's been at least 25 years.
4. American Gigolo
A Paul Schrader neo-noir crime drama about Richard Gere playing a prostitute. It might be the most Richard Gere movie of all-time.
3. Internal Affairs
Underrated. Bill Simmons turned me on to it.
2. Pretty Woman
It's the movie that saved his career and made Julia's.
1. An Officer and a Gentleman
It's a strong candidate for being in my favorite 10 movies of all-time.
Weigman looked foolish in the video, but also that trick was insane. Wonder how he pulled that off.
Also Weigman looked way more foolish on the field than in that video.
Also Weigman looked way more foolish on the field than in that video.
I would definitely put Breathless in the top 10. Helluva acting job.
Twenty-one years ago to the day, I remember walking out of DKR following Texas blitzing New Mexico State and I made a phone call to Bobby Burton while walking down San Jacinto back towards my car.
The Longhorns had just been other-worldly explosive that day. Selvin Young went 97 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring. Derrick Johnson had a pick-six. Michael Huff had a pick-six. Roy Williams had back-to-back touchdown receptions. Then Vince Young came in and ran for 60, passed for 60 (on one pass) and scored two touchdowns. To top it off, Selvin Young finished the day with a punt return for a touchdown.
I remember both of us telling each other that we had never quite seen a Texas team dripping with such playmaking talent.
Texas went on to lose the next week at home to Arkansas in embarrassing fashion, so part of the moral of this column will be to remind everyone that life can come at you fast in college football and just when you think Mount Everest has been climbed, along comes Matt Jones to remind you that an awesome performance can become completely forgotten in less than a week.
Why am I even bringing up this story?
Because outside of the entire 2005 season when the Longhorns went 13-0 and posted an average margin of victory of nearly 34 points per game, it has been a long time since I can remember thinking we have very clearly seen a next step in evolution in talent the way I felt on Saturday.
Not even the 2008 and 2009 Longhorns made me quite think some of the things that crossed my mind on Saturday during and following the destruction of a perfectly fine but overwhelmed Colorado State team. That's not to say that this 2024 edition of the Longhorns is better than those teams. Hell, the 2003 team that I just referenced ended up losing by 52 points to the Sooners.
So, please understand all of the context in some of the comments I'm about to make, but ...
1. This might be the fastest Texas offense that I've ever seen and that includes the 2005 Longhorns.
If these Texas receivers get into the open field like Billy Pittman did in Columbus, I don't think anyone is running them down from behind. These receivers might not be able to jump like Limas Sweed, but as far as quickness and explosiveness is concerned, they can go. Same with the running backs.
2. This might be the fastest Texas team we've seen since 2005.
I wonder which Ohio State team is the fastest to have travelled to Ann Arbor. They've had a bunch of fast teams over the years. Yet, outside of the Buckeyes, I'm not sure the Wolverines have seen a ton of teams that will bring as much speed to the field as the 2024 Longhorns will next weekend. There can't be many.
Maybe Florida State in 1991?
Oregon in 2007?
The Wolverines have plenty of speed to challenge the Longhorns this weekend, but I'm telling you, this Texas team from top to bottom features so much speed that the team slogan this season should be "Meep meep."
3. Texas should beat the defending national champions by double digits.
Based on first-game impressions, the Longhorns have a significant quarterback advantage coming into this game. S-I-G-N-I-F-I-C-A-N-T.
That would be the case if Arch Manning was starting, let alone third-year starter Quinn Ewers. That would probably be the case if either of the top two Texas quarterbacks were forced to play left-handed, or with a hand tied behind his back.
No offense, Davis Warren.
Michigan's defense is still fantastic and if the Wolverines are going to beat Texas on Saturday, that unit will have to lead the way (along with special teams) because the offense they will field (269 total offensive yards vs. Fresno State) is a cap gun when compared to the arsenal that the Longhorns will bring to town.
So, let me just get my early-week hot take out of the way ... Texas will not only beat Michigan in Ann Arbor in less than six days ...
It'll do so by three scores.
No. 2 - Big Offensive takeaway ...
There's very much a clear No. 1 and No. 2 in the passing game for the Longhorns, no matter how many dudes are rotating in and out.
Transfer Isaiah Bond is WR1, as evidenced by the fact that he was on pace for nearly 15 game-targets at halftime.
Transfer Matthew Golden is WR2, as evidenced by the fact that he was the only other player targeted more than twice at halftime (4) and was found twice in the red zone for scores when the game was still worthy of his time.
Oh, there will be other receivers that will have massive days before this season is over, including Ryan Wingo and Silas Bolden.
Yet, going into Ann. Arbor, Bond and Golden are the receivers that stir Quinn Ewers' drink ... rotation be damned.
No. 3 - Big Defensive Takeaway ...
Jaylon Guilbeau can ball. Jahdae Barron can ball. Malik Muhammad can ball. These Texas safeties can ball.
Colorado State's Tony Horton can also ball, but not like the guys in burnt orange, which meant he learned the hard way that these guys are not the 2023 Texas DBs. Horton tried them all and served up a meaningless 5 catches for 31 yards, which included an even more meaningless 9 yards after the catch.
You'll have to forgive him if he's looking at the Texas secondary the same way the Wisconsin volleyball team is looking at the No. 1 Longhorns (see section 7 below). I'm just not sure he can bothered with another 60 minutes of that.
This group will have tougher challenges ahead. They'll play better quarterbacks.
But, this group has been forged in the fires of playing this Texas offense every day in practice and the group will be a team strength. That No.100-whatever-they-were-ranked-crap from a year ago is done.
No. 4 - Call me George Washington because I cannot tell a lie ...
As freaking good as Quinn Ewers was on Saturday (and it was one of probably his three best passing performances since he's been in Austin), it's just a different kind of fun when Arch Manning is on the field.
I'd feel bad for disrespecting Ewers so much if we all weren't just having so much fun when Manning plays.
That was his first career touchdown pass. Ewers really needs to finish up teams early this season, so that everyone can watch Sark play with his new toy.
No offense, Quinn. You were great on Saturday. The dopamine just hits a little different with No. 16.
No. 5 – Transfer Watch ...
Here's a look at how each of the outgoing players from the Texas program in the 2023-24 Portal cycle fared over the weekend ...
QB - Maalik Murphy (Duke) - Made the start at quarterback for the Blue Devils and completed 26 of 40 passes for 291 yards and an interception (147.6 rating) in a 26-3 win over Elon.
RB - Savion Red (Nevada) - Rushed for 135 yards on 11 carries in Nevada's 28-26 win over Troy.
WR - Isaiah Neyor (Nebraska) - Led Nebraska with 6 catches for 121 yards and a touchdown for the Huskers in a 40-7 win over UTEP.
WR - Casey Cain (UNLV) - Started for the Rebels, but did not catch a pass in UNLV's 27-7 win over Houston.
OL - Payton Kirkland (Colorado) - Did not play a snap as the primary back-up at right tackle in a CU win over North Dakota State.
DT - Sawyer Goram-Welch - Started and recorded a single tackle in Coastal Carolina's 55-27 win over Jacksonville State.
DL - Zac Swanson (Arizona State) - Made a single assisted tackle as a reserve in ASU's 49-7 win over Wyoming.
DT - Trill Carter (Auburn) - Recorded a single tackle as a reserve in Auburn's 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.
DE - J'Mond Tapp (Arizona State) - Did not play in ASU's 49-7 win over Wyoming.
DE - Billy Walton (SMU) - Picked up four tackles as a reserve at edge in SMU's 59-7 win over Houston Christian.
LB - Kendrick Blackshire (UTSA) - Recorded 2 tackles as a reserve linebacker in UTSA's 28-16 win over Kennesaw State.
LB - S'Maje Burrell (SHSU) - Did not play in Sam Houston's 34-14 win over Rice.
DB - Austin Jordan (TCU) - Played as a reserve DB in TCU's 34-27 win over Stanford, but didn't record any stats.
DB - Jerrin Thompson (Auburn) - Recorded two tackles as a starter at safety for Auburn in its 73-3 win over Alabama A&M.
DB - Kitan Crawford (Nevada) - Recorded 7 tackles in Nevada's 27-26 win over Troy.
DB - BJ Allen (North Texas) - Did not play in UNT's 52-48 win over South Alabama.
DB - Xavion Brice (North Texas) - Did not play in UNT's 52-48 win over South Alabama.
DB - Jalen Catalon (UNLV) - Recorded two interceptions, including a 36-yard return for a touchdown, in UNLV's 27-7 win over Houston.
DB - Larry Turner-Gooden (San Jose State) - Did not record a stat as a reserve in San Jose State's 42-24 win over Sacramento State.
No. 6 - If I had a vote that mattered ...
1. Georgia
2. Texas
3. Ohio State
4. Alabama
5. Miami
6. Ole Miss
7. Notre Dame
8. Oregon
9. Penn State
10. Missouri
(Note: I reserve the right to tweak this following the LSU/USC game on Sunday night.)
No. 7 - The champs are still the champs ...
No. 1 Texas Volleyball sent a message to No. 3 Wisconsin on Sunday in its season opener in Milwaukee ... come for the queens at your own risk.
The Longhorns put the Badgers down in four sets in a national semi-final nine months ago and with an entire summer to anticipate the rematch, the Badgers were set on the curb in four sets once again.
30-28, 23-25, 25-15, 25-11
By the end of the match, it felt like the Badgers were ready to wave the white flag. Texas imposed its will in the third and fourth sets in a way befitting of a champion defending its crown with intent. You'll have to forgive the Badgers if they just pray that someone else can deal with these Longhorns late in the year because they have clearly had enough.
No. 18 Minnesota is due up on Monday and they can get some, too.
No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
(Buy) Yes.
(Buy) Yes. It'll be close, but, yes.
(Sell) Not really.
(Sell) Never crossed my mind.
(Sell) Put some respect on Quintrevion's name!
(Sell) It's way too early to make that kind of call.
(Sell) 7-5.
(Sell) I'll go with the Texas wide receivers against the Michigan DBs.
(Sell) He's not THAT big of a loss.
(Buy) Charles feels like a flip waiting to happen and if they want Simpson, I think they'll get him.
(Sell) That's Georgia.
(Buy) Easily.
(Sell) Yesterday will have virtually no impact on his decision or the timing of it.
(Sell) Not the total and outright domination?
(Sell) Both will be drafted. Neither has proven they deserved to be 5-stars, although Klubnick delivers the ball like one. He chose the wrong school.
(Buy) Of course.
No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …
... Mike Elko looked so much like Charlie Strong on Saturday that I might be one more loss like that away from calling him Jersey Charlie.
... It is possible that Connor Weigman will never recover from the trick played on him by the magician (skip ahead to the 1:36 mark)...
... There's no reason to throw a parade yet, but former Longhorn Maalik Murphy was solid in his opener as the starting quarterback for Duke, completing 26 of 40 passes for 291 yards, two touchdowns and an interception against Elon.
... Cam Ward makes Miami a serious football team.
... Barion Brown should have transferred to Texas.
... It's crazy to think at this time last year, Alabama didn't know who its quarterback was.
... Ho hum, Scottie Scheffler won again.
... No Novak Djokovic. No Carlos Alcaraz. No reason to watch the men's side of the US Open?
... Premier League Spitballin': Club tribalism is all fun and games when it comes to officiating until Chris Kavanagh is working your game in any capacity. Everton stole defeat from the jaws of victory in a way this weekend that was even new for them. Holy cow ... that happened. Erling Haaland might score 35 league goals. Last 10 games against each other: Liverpool 29 Manchester United 6. Have a double helping of that, Red Devils. August 31st
No. 10 – The List: Richard Gere
Mr. "I've Got Nowhere Else To Go!" turned 75 this weekend, which made him feel like an obvious profile subject this weekend.
Full transparency: One of his movies is one of my favorite movies of all-time and an easy choice for No. 1. Can you guess it? I mean it's an EASY call for the No. 1 spot.
Also, save the gerbil jokes. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN!!!!!
Let's get on with the list ...
Last 5 Out: Hachi: A Dog's Tale, Looking For Mr. Goodbar, Shall We Dance, Arbitrage and First Knight
10. Runaway Bride
What can I say? He's got great chemistry with Julia Roberts and I love an average rom-com.
9. The Cotton Club
Great Cast (hello, Gregory Hines!). A young Diane Lane and Jennifer Grey. I dig period pieces.
8. Chicago
It's not my cup of tea, but I cannot deny its place in his canon.
7. Primal Fear
Is this ranked too low?
6. Unfaithful
Let's all just admit that Paul was just a little too aloof about sleeping with Diane Lane in another man's house.
5. Days of Heaven
Regarded as one of the best movies of the 1970s. I need to give this a re-watch. It's been at least 25 years.
4. American Gigolo
A Paul Schrader neo-noir crime drama about Richard Gere playing a prostitute. It might be the most Richard Gere movie of all-time.
3. Internal Affairs
Underrated. Bill Simmons turned me on to it.
2. Pretty Woman
It's the movie that saved his career and made Julia's.
1. An Officer and a Gentleman
It's a strong candidate for being in my favorite 10 movies of all-time.
