ADVERTISEMENT

Ketch's 10 Thoughts From The Weekend (Quinn's Signature Game at DKR has Arrived)

Not quite. But I broke my fever while writing this!
Good deal. Did you use frozen.....nevermind 😉👊🏽 I kid. Glad you're on the mend. I remember the radio news about EC elbows going into the weekend for games. He had fluid on his elbows, mostly because that turf was hard on the body. Let's go QE, win this thing🤘🏻💯
 
I don’t think you read the game thread each week. Silly? Okay.

There are PLENTY OF POSTERS on this site that can’t stand Ewers.
 
yamo be there the 40 year old virgin GIF
 
Thank you for the updated Scholarship Board. Removing the seniors helps a lot. It also shows our coaches' high wire act. Hitting the 85 number and getting impactful players is no easy feat.

QB = Expected Attrition -0 + Expected Portal Additions +0 = 0 Net Impact (We are set here)
RB = -0 + 1 = +1 Net Impact (The famous Mystery Portal Player)
WR = -1 to the NFL (Possibly -2 to the NFL) + 1 Portal (Maybe 2 if we lose both soon-to-be seniors) = 0 Net Impact (Coaches will match incoming/outgoing I suspect.)
TE = We absolutely need at least -1 Attrition + 1 Portal = 0 Net Impact (Similar Profile to Helm)
OT = -2 (NFL) - 1 (Attrition) + 1 (Portal... could be used for a second Guard or Center = -2 Net Impact
OG
= -1 (Attrition) + 1 (Portal) = 0 Net Impact
C
= -0 (Attrition) + 0 or 1 (Portal will include 2 OL in some fashion) = 0 to +1 Net Impact
DE
= -0 + 0 = 0
DT
(assume they want at least 6 rotating) = -0 (Attrition... after SM) + 3 More (Portal) = +3 Net
LB
= -0 (Attrition) + 0 More (I don't see us taking a second in the Portal) = 0 Net
CB
= -1 (Attrition) + 0 (Portal) = -1 Net
S
= -0 (Attrition) + 1 (Portal... Give me a repeat of the Clemson kid please) = +1 Net
DS
= -0 + 0 = 0 Net
K/PK
= -0 + 1 = +1 Net
P
= -0 + 0 = 0 Net

*Starting at 84, so that gives us 1 additional spot.


This rather sparse use of the Portal, combined with a roster that does not have a lot of fat to trim anymore, leaves us with 87 players on scholarship (2 over the limit). Maybe we don't take a Safety... maybe we replace two NFL WRs with one new Portal. Maybe they only take 1 OL? I'm sure they will make it work, but I thought it was interesting just how tight the numbers are. The good news is this will be a really stacked team next year.

Based on what I am seeing, top remaining needs:
1. DT (Need +3 more... might need to live with only +2 based on numbers. You got to stretch here and bring in three.)
2. Place Kicker +1
3. Offensive Line +2
4. TE +1
5. RB +1
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ketchum
Good stuff, Ketch. I think the QE part was spot on and that regardless of anyone's feelings toward him to date (which I definitely believe all Texas fans have wanted for him is to lead us to the natty champ land) is that we're all united in wanting him to make the most of this post season. If he wins the Natty, he'll make a strong case to move ahead of Colt. He'd have a storybook finale to his year. He's an absolute stand-up guy too. I hope not only he plays to the best of his ability, but that he also inspires his supporting cast to elevate their game too.
 
I don’t think I will ever understand a word Michael McDonald is singing in the On My Own duet, and I’m way past caring to know. It sounds like Grandpa Simpson jibbering. Good song, though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Dal_Horn
I am sure I have seen that Earl stiff arm 100+ times. Feel sorry for the DB trying to tackle him. Imagine being a 180 pound safety seeing Earl coming your way. Earl was the most violent runner I have seen.

Can't believe you have time to watch movies and listen to music.

Hope you get well soon. Me too.
 
You are oddly fixated on punting. With the best punter in the country, Texas would be…

11-2.

Same as we are now.

It. Doesn’t. F*cking. Matter.
It doesn’t until you get into field position/defensive battle type of game. Texas doesn’t win that bowl game against Mizzou several years ago if Dickson isn’t bombing punts all over the field. He flipped a lot of fields during his time at Texas.

As for this season, I’d agree we’d still be 11-2 but there are still games to play. Hopefully, we aren’t taking about the punt game again because it’s arguably the weakest link on the team.
 
ee0e3a40b744e2eebc3b4d949eaa9055x.jpg

Forget everything that has happened to this point.

Forget both Georgia games. Forget about the A&M coronation. Hell, forget about the Sooners, too, since it appears that almost their entire roster has.

On Saturday, the Texas Longhorns will host their first-ever NCAA Tournament game at DKR. I don't know about the rest of you, but I find this to be a pretty damn cool situation.

The ultimate stakes ... win and move on ... lose and spend Christmas wondering about what went wrong.

Although many of you like to think of me as the Grinch who stole Quinn Ewers' Christmas, you couldn't have me more wrong if you tried. The truth is that Saturday's showdown with long-time quarterback rival Cade Klubnik affords Ewers a chance to pull off the kind of signature victory at DKR that has alluded him in the last three years.

That's not to say that he doesn't have his fair share of signature wins as the starting quarterback at Texas, it's just that most of them have occurred on the road or in the Cotton Bowl.

Saturday represents a chance at eternal glory and I'm here for it. At the end of the day, my favorite thing about Ewers is that he's good people. For whatever criticisms might exist of Ewers' play on the field, his merits as a human being are never questioned. He's easy to like. He's easy to root for.

Hell, I'll be rooting for him on Saturday to have the game of his career, which would set the state of the chance to have the next biggest game of his career.

The beauty of this new moment in college football is that everything that has happened up until now is mostly insignificant. Just win, baby! Four times. Just win four more games as the starter for this program and passer ratings will never be mentioned again.

Legendary status is there to be grabbed by someone. It would be a hell of a thing if it turned out to be Quinn.

No. 2 - About the other quarterback in this game ...

You guys know I dig me some Cade Klubnik, but as someone who has watched a lot of the Clemson quarterback this season and believes he will eventually become a first-round quarterback in the NFL draft ... let me say this.

a. He's not ready for this Texas defense.
b. He's not ready for the moment

Of the two quarterbacks in this game, the guy that I believe this specific moment was made for will be wearing burnt orange.

I'm going to be shocked if the Texas defense doesn't do a number on Klubnik.

No. 3 - Early Portal Grabs ...

The 2025 Texas football team took some steps towards improvement over the weekend with the addition of three portal grabs. Let's inspect them all.

P Jack Bouwmeester - Where was this guy this year? Never mind. All that matters is that the Longhorns have turned their weakest area of the team in 2024 into an absolute strength by adding a two-time all-conference player in two different leagues. He kicks the ball far, he downs a bunch of them inside the 20-yard line and his success isn't predicated on kicking in thin air. An inspection of his home/road splits in the last few years doesn't show a guy with limitations. It shows him to be a weapon.

LB - Brad Spence - The Longhorns were looking for a depth piece that could fill the void of the departing David Gbenda and they probably upgraded in landing a player in Spence that they had an interest in as a high school player just a few seasons ago. This is a dude who's been very productive and brings pass rush skills to the table (4.5 this season) that Gbenda hasn't really brought to the table. He improves the linebacker room.

DT - Cole Brevard - The first of what is expected to be several defensive tackle additions from the Portal. There's not a lot about this addition that is sexy, but he'll play a lot of snaps, bring a proven pedigree to the table and give this team a bedrock to lean on in the interior of the defensive line.

No. 4 - Updated Scholarship Board...

Here's an updated look at the scholarship board as things stand on Monday. This updated version doesn't include the seniors who will be departing once the season is over.

462568099_597082362690199_9003905267254367806_n.jpg


No. 5 - Question I've had rolling around in my head ...

Given what we know about the state of the defensive tackle position going into the 2025 season, is it possible that whatever five-star Justus Terry was given in the way of NIL was a steal?

What would be too much? Is there a number?

No. 6 - An oldie but a goodie ...

It occurred to me that a decent number of you might not have ever seen this play. Even if you have ... enjoy.



No. 7 - No storybook ending ...


Sometimes fate can be a funny thing. You see ... the things that are supposed to happen and the things that actually happen.

That's how fate works.

For a Texas Volleyball program that was chasing immortality in becoming only the second team to ever three-peat as national champions, there was something that felt a little unfair about the way the team was dispatched by Creighton in the regional semifinals

Surely, this group had another outcome waiting for it than to simply be dusted off the court by a better team that doesn't remotely own the type of history that the Longhorns bring to the table. Yet, that's what happened. The end for an all-time great player like Maddi Skinner warranted a little more pizzaz, but that's simply not what fate had in store.

Now the program has to pick up the pieces and go back to the drawing board. This team lacked something all season long and no one could be surprised that the season ended short of anything memorable.

No. 8 – BUY or SELL …
shutterstock_197241950.jpg




(Sell) I think we know what this staff is made up. The post-season will write new narratives, for sure, but I think we know that Texas has one of the best staffs in college football.



(Buy) Soon ...



(Buy) I had doubted this staff. They've shoved that doubt down my throat.



(Sell) It's Quinn's game as far as I can tell.



(Sell) Huh? Did you think this up in your head or are people wondering about this?



(Buy) Probably.



(Buy) Yet...

giphy.gif




(Buy) I'm not sure it's even close.



(Sell) Make it 33 and I'm down.



(Sell) I've got all chalk this weekend.



(Buy) Even when I have the flu, you can't get me off the site.



(Buy) If he's interested, certainly, but I have to think he will have an eye on the NFL after the season he's had. But, yeah, back up the Brinks.



(Sell) Quinn is never being benched again.



(Buy) Owens can win you games if needed.



(Sell) I still believe in DeBoer.



(Buy) Please, please, please give us that player for the next month.



(Sell) I find this to be silly. Nothing that Ewers has gone through is remotely in the same galaxy as the stuff that Simms went through. It's ridiculous. Despised? Despised by who? People want him to play to a high standard and a lot of people have Arch-mania, but to suggest Ewers is under-appreciated? He's the No .3 quarterback in the modern era of the program. That's just being appreciated.



(Sell) I think this team is in the playoffs next season.

No. 9 – Scattershooting all over the place …

... Good for Travis Hunter. That young man is a worthy Heisman winner.

... Are there Dallas fans that actually enjoyed that win over the Panthers? Why won't that team just tank? Why is Cooper Rush playing over a player that we've invested a premium pick in?

... Xavier Worthy needs three more touchdowns this season to hit double digits

... What is the ceiling for this Texans team? Conference semis?

... I didn't think anyone could walk into Detroit and punk the Lions the way the Bills did. That team has my attention.

... Get better, Pop.

... Movie Review #1 (Conclave) - One of the best movies I've seen all year. Plenty of great acting. Plenty of intrigue. An ending I wasn't ready for.

... Movie Review #2 (The Substance) - Not all of the Demi Moore nudity in the world (and there is a LOT of it) could get me to me to watch this again. You've been warned.

... Movie Review #3 (A Different Man) - Maybe Sebastian Stan's best work. I was absolutely entranced by the story and I honestly can't believe his character was forced to go through all of that. It just proves how far we will go in the name of chasing a woman.

No. 10 – The List: Michael McDonald

Yes, I watched the Yacht Rock documentary this weekend and yes that means that I have been jamming to Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins and..... wait for it... Michael Freaking McDonald.

A top 10 list is long overdue. So, let's get right to it.

Honorable Mention: Here to Love You, I Can Let Go Now, Take It to Heart, You Show Me, Bad Sneakers, I Gotta Try, Npthin but a Heartache and It Keeps You Runnin'

10. The Tracks of My Tears

This is a sneaky selection for the Top 10, but McDonald did a pair of Motown albums and while all of the tracks are sensatonal, this is my favorite.

9. I Can Let Go ow

McDonald at his power ballad best.

8. You Belong to Me

One of several Dooboie Brothers tracks that make the list.

7. Yah Mo B There

I freaking love James Ingram, so this was definitely going to be on the list.

6. Sweet Freedom

This song is considered to be the final song of the Yacht Rock Era.

5. On My Own

A great duet with the all-time great Patti LaBelle

4. Minute by Minute

This song was going to be in the top 5, it was just a matter of where.

3. I Keep Forgetting

It's a jam all by itself, but that it later became one of the most sampled songs in the history of samples... REGULATORS!!!

2. Takin' It To The Streets

Yes, I was introduced to The Doobie Brothers by this episode of What's Happening.



1. What a Fool Believes

It jams. McDonald sings from the heavens. It's perfection.

Linda Rondstadt version of Tracks of my Tears is the one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ketchum and wfoot1
I’ve asked this before….when do you have time to watch movies and sleep?
 
Great job, Ketch..and with the flu yet. Get better soon. As an old, I’m a big McDonald fan. Even like his version of ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ketchum
Great read.
Hope you are feeling better.
Earl was the best RB i ever saw.
Amazon Football GIF by NFL On Prime Video
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ketchum
I think we’ll land a better DT portal haul this year. Texas seems motivated. We just trimmed all the fat.
 
Can't argue with any of the top 10 as they are all very good, but I always thought "Real Love" rivaled "What a Fool Believes" as MM's greatest song.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ketchum
Do you think Taafe and Auburn are both gone? Or did you exclude them just because they’re seniors (even though they have eligibility remainingi)?

Also, I’m not seeing Max Merrill on the scholarship board. Do you know something I don’t or did you just forget about an OL that hasn’t taken a snap this season?
 
  • Like
Reactions: MrArms
That Yacht Rock radio documentary was fabulous. I am not sure I truly understood the greatness and influence of Michael McDonald. Such a unique voice. An American treasure
 
Do you think Taafe and Auburn are both gone? Or did you exclude them just because they’re seniors (even though they have eligibility remainingi)?

Also, I’m not seeing Max Merrill on the scholarship board. Do you know something I don’t or did you just forget about an OL that hasn’t taken a snap this season?

I know that Taaffe walked on senior day and was named AP second team All-American. I can't recall if I have seen a definitive statement, but I'm sure he is gone.

Merrill wasn't on scholarship this year, so he doesn't count against the 85.
 
I'd love nothing more than to see Quinn go on a 4 game nut-cutting rampage taking out every conference champion to win it all.

Need him to find "the force" again and just do - not think. It's time for him to bury the demons and play like he was made to win.

That being said, should that not happen, it's time for Sark to channel his "Inner Saban" and change QB's like Nick went with Tua when Jalen struggled.

If it's not there for Quinn then it's not there and you have to do what you have to do to give the TEAM the opportunity to see if Arch can change the direction - even if it's mid-game like when Bama won another Natty.




And in the end both Jalen and Tua play in the league - better yet they both have NCAA Championship Rings and are forever heroes in Tuscaloosa.


What I'm saying is that if you have to make the switch it's not the end of the world for either QB.
Dream on. Dream until your dreams come true.
 
  • Like
Reactions: OttoA
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT