If there was ever an idea that was ahead of its time, especially as it relates to college football message board communities, it was Ray and Egon’s theory in Ghostbusters II of a pyscho-reactive substance that reacts to human emotional states.
Mood slime.
With message boards, all it takes is one especially negative post that hits all of the right touchy nerves and suddenly all hell can break loose, as one negative comments produces more negative comments and those negative comments generate even more negative comments. The next thing you know, a complete meltdown is in full overdrive.
The best way for a college football fan base to avoid the dangers of constant negative mood slime is for its football team to achieve enough success on the field that the negative mood slime can be replaced with the positive mood slime. Yet, for the last six seasons and counting, Orangebloods everywhere have only known disappointment so rank in odor that you can't help but to be suffocated by it. What happens after more than half a decade of mounting negative mood slime is that if you get a group of people together to discuss Texas football, it takes only a moment or two before there’s enough negative mood slime created to overtake the entire conversation.
It was a little less than a week ago when the Orangebloods staff was recording its podcast that I realized my staff was just as prone to the effects of mood slime as the subscriber base for which it writes. More than 30 minutes into the podcast, it occurred to me that we were in the middle of a very depressing recording, as one snarky comment about the quarterback situation produced more snarky comments and the next thing you know, the negative mood slime was practically pouring out of our microphones.
Don’t get me wrong, keeping it real is critically important, but so is not making you guys wait a half hour before mentioning Collin Johnson. Realizing that I have produced my fair share of negative mood slime in recent weeks with the constant focus on the quarterback, offensive line and defensive line pictures, I’ve decided to go the other way this week.
No negative mood slime from me this week.
Just positives.
Turn your Jackie Wilson music up, while I offer up reasons for some positive mood slime five months out from the season-opener against Notre Dame.
1. The Foreman-Warren 1-2 combo at running back.
You’d have to give the edge to the Baylor duo of Shock Linwood/Johnny Jefferson (2,329 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2015) when discussing the best pair of backs within the Big 12, but Texas isn’t trailing by much with the D’Onta Foreman/Chris Warren combo. Very quietly, Foreman has emerged as the best back the school has known since Jamaal Charles departed following the 2007 season, as evidenced by his ridiculous 7.2 yards per carry average a season ago, a number that the all-time great Ricky Williams never enjoyed in a season. Add in a possible emerging star in the sophomore from Rockwall and the Longhorns have a pair of difference makers to carry the rock. Difference-makers win games.
2. Collin F’ing Johnson
What happens when you combine the powers of LeBron James, Mike Trout, Antonio Brown and Leo Messi? Clearly, you get the Texas freshman receiver who is as good as any other choice for Big 12 Freshman of the Year. In all seriousness, Johnson has emerged this spring as a definite starter and could emerge as the type of all-purpose playmaker at the position who can take over a game. Another potential difference-maker.
3. Field-stretchers
While the quarterback situation left a lot to be desired, you can’t ignore the fact that both John Burt (16.3 yards per reception) and Armanti Foreman (16.5 yards per reception) were dangerous playmakers when they actually had the ball in their hands. For perspective, of the top returning receivers in the Big 12, only Oklahoma State’s James Washington (20.5 ypc) and Baylor’s K.D. Cannon (17.4 ypc) averaged more yards per touch than the Burt/Foreman combo.
4. The best left tackle in the Big 12?
Although he is still scratching the surface of his abilities, a strong case can be made that 2015 Freshman All-America Connor Williams is the best left tackle returning in the entire Big 12. At worst, no school has a better two- or three-year plan at the position that the Longhorns.
5. Year Two for Malik Jefferson.
A case can be made that Jefferson has more upside as a defensive playmaker than anyone else in the Big 12 and it’s up to the coaches to get him in attacking situations that will allow him to make game-changing plays. A season ago, Jefferson’s presence settled down the defense. A year later, his presence on the field might open up the possibilities for this defense.
6. A return to the glory days at cornerback.
Once upon a time, this school was so deep in the sedcondary that Aaron Ross couldn’t get on the field in a full-time basis because Cedric Griffin and Tarell Brown were at cornerback with Michael Huff in the slot. A decade later, Holton Hill and Davante Davis are not quite at that level yet, but there’s not a corner duo in the Big 12 I’d take over those two pups. Add in an emerging P.J. Locke in the slot and you’ve got the makings of one of the nation’s top emerging secondaries.
7. One new option at quarterback.
No, it’s not an ideal situation to have to play a true freshman at quarterback, but it beats not having anyone else new on the roster at this position from a year ago. Perhaps Shane Buechele isn’t ready to lead Rome just yet, but the fact that he’s clearly not completely in over his head is a good sign.
8. Charlie Strong’s best staff
Let’s forget about why it took three years to reach this point and just focus on the fact that we’re here. There seems to be more cohesion, chemistry and confidence in this group than I’ve seen in a while behind the scene in covering this program. In new offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert, the team finally has someone calling the shots that everyone believes in on that side of the ball.
So, there it is. My river of positive mood slime. There will be no meltdowns on my watch today.
No. 2 – If Charlie can win nine games this season, watch the hell out in recruiting ...
Man, you can just sense it.
After back to back top-15 classes were built without any real on-field momentum to serve as a launching pad, the roof might just blow off the top in recruiting in a way that would make Mack Brown smile if the football team can do its part on the field.
All you have to do is see the move the Longhorns made this weekend with five-star linebacker Dylan Moses to know that Charlie Strong and Co. have caught the attention of big-time players all over the country. It seems like every time Strong gets a few hours with a top prospect, good things happen for the Longhorns.
Obviously, there’s a long way to go before the 2017 recruiitng class puts pen to national letters of intent, but the Longhorns are in the game with a bevy of five-star talents, which is incredible when you consider the failures on the field in the last two seasons (and beyond).
In my mind, the only thing left for Strong to do is provide a winning product and a top 3-5 national class is very possible, perhaps even likely.
However, it’s not going to happen without at least a smidge of success on the field. Even if Charlie Strong were to return to Austin after a seven-win season in 2016, there’s no doubt that his seat in this town would be hot enough to cost the program some of the brightest of the blue-chips that are showing significant interest at the moment.
Leading for Moses in April won’t matter in February if there’s a repeat of 2015 on the field, but if Texas can beat Oklahoma and Baylor again this season, while getting to an attractive bowl, the recruits that matter the most will be like …
No. 3 – Quick hypothetical question ...
If Sterlin Gilbert proves to be a rock star as an offensive coordinator and helps guide the program to an offensive resurgence, which includes winning nine or 10 games, job offers will be presented. It would be a hell of a good problem to have because it would mean things in this town will have turned around, but I wonder what the next move would be in such a situation.
Is it as simple as giving the gig to Matt Mattox, assuming that he doesn’t leave with Gilbert? What other young jedis of Art Briles offensive football exist who could take over?
I know … I know … I know … I’m putting the cart in front of the horse, but it’s something that I wondered about this weekend.
No. 4 – Texas baseball this weekend in a gif ...
No. 5 – Scattershooting on the Longhorns ...
… Heading into the spring, it seemed like the Texas coaching staff would have a hell of a time getting all of its quarterbacks reps and with two weeks to go, the team is essentially down to two guys. Boy, things change quickly around here.
… Vey quietly, the emergence of Charles Omenihu might be the best thing that is happening on the team that few people are really talking about. This team needs upgraded play at defensive end and it seems like we know who it won’t come from, so Omenihu’s rise as a sophomore is a blessing for a team that still needs a few more.
… Consider me somewhat concerned that we’re not hearing that a few of these offensive linemen without a starting job aren’t making significant steps forward. Depth has a chance to be a killer for the offense if the wrong guys get banged up, but I suppose that’s true of almost any college team.
… Anthony Wheeler taking first-team reps at linebacker on Saturday is a positive development. Of the players competing to get on the field, he has the most upside. Well, he has the most upside until the freshmen arrive…
No. 6 – Buy or sell …
(As always, these are questions submitted by Orangebloods subscribers)
BUY or SELL: Whether through injury or because of performance, more than one QB will start a game this season?
(Buy) There’s probably a better chance that three quarterbacks start this season than merely one, as injuries, ineffectiveness and investment into the future are seemingly forever in play.
BUY or SELL: You "want" TS to open against Notre Dame and then have SB take over (Not will it... But is that what you want to have happen?)?
(Sell) I got no dog in the fight. I’d just like to cover a good team.
BUY or SELL: Both Foreman and Warren rush for 800 yards?
(Buy) Barring injuries, yeah, I’ll buy that.
BUY or SELL: Sterlin saves Charlie's job this year?
(Sell) I think the young talent that is being assembled might do more saving than any of the coaches on the staff.
BUY or SELL: With all the pressure on CS to win this year, with a defense that's probably a year away from being really good, your best QB option is Swoopes whose seems to fade under the bright lights, your back up who is now hurt and hasn't seized the job, your next option is a talented freshman who is a freshman. Despite the momentum in recruiting there isn't another D1 head football coach at a major university who is in a worse predicament the Charlie Strong?
(Sell) See College Station.
BUY or SELL: After a few practices, you are more optimistic about Texas getting to the 8 or 9 win total, even considering the current concerns over the QB position?
(Sell) My won/loss prediction hasn’t changed at all. I would set the over/under for the team at 7.5 wins.
BUY or SELL: Texas has a better recruiting class than OU come February 2017?
(Buy) Year in and year out, that’s usually a safe bet.
BUY or SELL: Augie wishes he was fishing right now?
(Sell) I think he wishes he was managing a better team right now.
BUY or SELL: Your column comes out before Wednesday?
(Buy) Rough crowd.
No. 7 – Wowowowowowowowow ...
I hate to give into hyperbole, but did we just see the best ending to a national championship game in college basketball in our lifetimes?
Between the double-clutch prayer hit by UNC’s Marcus Paige to tie the game with 4.7 seconds left to the Byrce Drew-like winner from Villanova’s Kris Jenkins to win it all, I dare say, yes, we just watched the greatest final 10 seconds in the history of the NCAA Tournament.
If I’m giving into hyperbole, I don’t even care.
That. Was. Awesome.
No. 8 – Five final college basketball thoughts...
a. I apologize to Buddy Hield and the Sooners if I crossed any proton streams with my rooting for them this weekend in the Final Four. More than one Oklahoma fan has accused me of jinxing the team with my positive comments throughout last week.
b. It’s just a guess, but I have a feeling we’re going to see that Jenkins buzzer-beater a few more times than we’ll see a replay of that Northern Iowa half-courter over the next few years.
c. I don’t want to play cards with Jay Wright. In winning the biggest game of his career in historic fashion, his reaction was that of a stone-cold killer.
d. Man, that Roy Williams interview after the game on TBS was hard to watch.
e. Dear basketball gods, please give the Sixers Brandon Ingram. Thanks.
No. 9 – Eternal Randomness of the Spotty Sports Mind …
… Moving on from college hoops…
2 days until the Masters.
11 days until the start of the NBA Playoffs
23 days until the NFL Draft
… Major League Baseball opening day was today and as a Phillies fan, I’m already ready for the end of the season. Just kidding. I’ve got an entire season of minor league baseball box score watching to do. I’m sure it’ll be awesome.
… No way Boston beat Golden State in the Bay Area on Friday night. No way.
… With an all-time NBA wins record on the line in the coming days, will Pop sit his key players against the Warriors in the two remaining games the two teams play against each other?
… Greg Hardy just can’t get out of his own way. I’m still pissed that Jerry brought him to Dallas.
… If I’m Colin Kaepernick, I don’t give back a single penny of my guaranteed contract, even if it means playing in San Francisco instead of Denver. Hell, he could give up nearly five million dollars and be behind Mark Sanchez in the blink of an eye if things go sideways. Yeah, I think I’d be keeping my money, but that’s me.
… No Scottie Pippen, the Bulls would not sweep the Warriors in a seven-game series.You didn’t sweep the Lakers. You didn’t sweep the Blazers. You didn’t sweep the Suns. You didn’t sweep Sonics. You didn’t sweep the Jazz. If you want to tell me you’d beat the Warriors in six games like you did in five of the six trips the Bulls made to the Finals, I’ll buy that. But a sweep? That sounds like insecurity talking to me.
… Shane McMahon’s leap off the cage at Wrestlemania is proof (if it was ever needed) that the McMahon family loves its family business. Seriously, that guy has an estimated worth of 35 million dollars and he never so much as blinked at that stunt. My cap is tipped in his general direction.
… Geez, Leicester City isn't merely going to win the EPL, it’s going to run away with the damn title. With six games to go, it has a seven-point lead on Tottenham and an 11-point lead on Arsenal. I don’t blame those fans for thinking the team is taking a victory lap.
… My MLS fandom might have taken a step forward this weekend.
No. 10 - And finally… a lesson learned over the weekendt
Thanks to our incredible partners over at the Texas Boot Company, I was able to take the wife to the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort for a couple of days to celebrate her birthday.
In doing so, I learned the No.1 lesson of parenthood vacations the hard way …
Leave the damn kids at home.
While we were walking the grounds on Saturday morning at around 2 a.m., we started talking about how much we were missing our twins and how much fun they would have if they were able to see the horses and activities available. The next thing I know we were at the front desk reserving a room for the twins and the baby sitter for the following night.
So, instead of enjoying two days away together and returning on Sunday afternoon to the real world, we volunteered to bring the real world to our getaway and it turned out to be an outright disaster. Outside of my massage at 6:15 p.m. on Saturday and the little bit of sleep I had that night, the only thing I really recall from the last 20 hours or so of our getaway was non-stop taking care of the twins.
What in the hell was I thinking?
