Prediction Thread: UT vs BU
- Thread starter CoachEmUp64
- Start date
The only time this team has looked good offensively was K state. I don't know what track there is to get back onto especially as more injuries mount.
24-20 Texas. This one is going to be stressful as a loss here not only adds another to the L column but it makes it difficult for us to likely become bowl eligible. It also would be doubly embarrassing giving baylor their first win and the baylor fanbase satisfaction.
24-20 Texas. This one is going to be stressful as a loss here not only adds another to the L column but it makes it difficult for us to likely become bowl eligible. It also would be doubly embarrassing giving baylor their first win and the baylor fanbase satisfaction.
This game reminds me of my wife's birthday. No upside, just a tremendous opportunity to eff up.
Is anyone old enough to remember the worm game of 1978? 34-14! Unfortunately, Herman will be the coach eating the worm, and UT will roll easily.
http://www.wacotrib.com/sports/bayl...cle_7c4c5017-37d3-5157-8552-249cdb9d44b8.html
http://www.wacotrib.com/sports/bayl...cle_7c4c5017-37d3-5157-8552-249cdb9d44b8.html
I have seen plenty of wrong predictions for Texas on this board this year but if they do not beat Baylor,remove the lockers.
ha.. forgot about this.
i was attending UT that year, we were a top10 team going into that game.. couldn't believe baylor hung 34 on us.
that requires turning around and giving the ball to a RB and im not sure this coaching staff knows how to do that.
After snatching defeat from the jaws of victory 2 weeks in a row against good teams, UT rolls this one.
We're going to do to them what their players did to lady bears. It could get a bit rapey.
We're going to do to them what their players did to lady bears. It could get a bit rapey.
Baylor has been in every game except OSU. We better be ready for their big pass plays that our dbs have surrendered this year numerous times. Also Charlie Brewer from Austin yes former Texas Qb Robert's son is the real deal . We better score at least 31 to win cause I think they get 24 to 28 on us . Don't overlook this team . I think they will blitz a lot to try to get to Shane. Hopefully we can get a running game goin and control time of possession. Not many breaks from refs in Waco usually a tough venue and close game . Zack big arm Smith will start but if they need a spark look for Brewer to try and provide that like his 3 td performance in 4th quarter against West Virginia he is a true dual threat like Marylands QB was. Hookem Horns !
Sort of.
They were getting their teeth kicked in against WV until the 4th. Not sure if WV took their foot off the gas or not but it wasn't close until the 4th.
KSU was winning 27-13 in the 4th again not sure why these teams don't just put them away.
The only game they played from 1st-4th was against OU. The key for UT is to finish them off and play the whole damn game. Duke had the score 21-7 in the third but they let them linger around. We can't take the foot off the gas or off their throats if we get a huge lead.
Unfortunately I had WVU -8.
KSU game we actually had the ball with a chance to tie under 5 to go. If not for the horrific start, I would be somewhat impressed with the way they have hung in with the better teams in the conference. But --- we have no offensive line, one of our 2 deep threats (Chris Platt) is out for the year, and our Defense is, well, BU standard quality. The crowds are starting to dwindle, so home field advantage will be minimal, if any - UT usually brings a strong crowd. I am doubling down on UT at -7.5 to make up for last week.
I think Texas has pretty much shown the country that OSU and OU aren't all that Dilly Dilly.
I think Tech gives OU all they can handle. It should be a high scoring game and if it's close in the end and Tech has the ball it could be another upset.
I think TCU and ISU already did that. We just kept their seasons alive by giving them Ws
This has been one of those weeks when the phone does not stop ringing, and the e-mails keep coming.
With the loss last weekend, people associated with the program are angry, looking for answers, and wanting to vent. As I enter my fourth year of covering the program (yes, I know, everything was better before I arrived), I have spoken to more people associate with Texas since the loss against Oklahoma State than at any other time. Obviously, I cannot get into specifics, but there are plenty of people who are concerned about the program right now. Right, wrong, or indifferent, everybody expected this team to look better seven games into this season, including people inside the program, and nobody is happy with the results.
Before we go any further, just know Texas football coach Tom Herman still has control of this team. Do not think for one second he has lost anyone in the building. Sure, there are people who are frustrated right now, but from what I can tell, the players are still working hard in practice, while this staff is working overtime to come up with answers. If you are looking for an area of improvement, it appears Herman has successfully been able to keep the Longhorns together after a 3-4 start.
Prior to this season, that could have been a hard task. Players liked specific members of the previous staff, but were not always confident they would be put in a situation to succeed. There were doubters, and those were the guys who gave up during games. In addition, there used to be finger pointing, whether it was behind closed doors, or on social media. This team used to have cliques, which made it hard to succeed on game day. There is a reason why Texas used to get blown out of games, and many players acted like the loss did not bother them after the game. There is definitely a sting this season. Herman has said the loses bother his guys, and he views that attitude change as a sign of progress.
Of course, the ultimate sign of progress is winning.
From what I can tell, everyone associated with the program is optimistic this team will win enough games to become bowl eligible. However, they are focused on beating Baylor this weekend. More than one person has mentioned last year’s Kansas game to me this week, and they just do not want a repeat of that disappointing outcome. The people who are currently on the fence with Herman will jump to the negative side if Texas loses this weekend. Sure, every game is a must-win contest, but Herman needs this game to make sure some of the outside forces do not tear his team apart.
I spoke to people about several topics, and I will touch on each one for you.
Armanti Foreman – Talk about an absolute lighting rod. Nobody doubts his talent. Everybody agrees his is good enough to play. Nevertheless, everyone associated with the program is clearly on different sides when it comes to Herman’s decision to bench Foreman.
Foreman will likely play against Baylor this week. From what I heard, he was informed by receivers coach Drew Mehringer earlier this week about the decision to have him more involved. I heard Foreman’s reaction to the news was positive, but I do not have specifics about the conversation.
The reasons why Foreman was benched is not news to any Longhorn observer. There have been questions about Foreman’s attitude and work ethic since Charlie Strong was at Texas. He also tweeted at the media to stay away from spring practice two years ago, a message Foreman apologize for during an interview last year.
Armanti Foreman #IDM@_hetoohollywood
Media stay yall ass at home we just wanna practice .. Is that too much to ask for ??
Those tweets by Foreman’s did not help the receiver get back on the field faster. In fact, if Reggie Hemphill-Mapps is healthy enough to play considerably on Saturday, Foreman may still be on the bench. From what I can tell, Foreman needs to continue practicing hard and make the most of his return. At this rate, Foreman is not going to be an NFL draft pick, and he will probably have to enter the league as an undrafted free agent. If Foreman wants a team to take a risk on him, he cannot be viewed as a possible locker room distraction. Foreman needs to spend the next five weeks clearing up his name to pursue a NFL career.
Shane Buechele – He has taken the first-team reps in practice this week, and barring a return by Sam Ehlinger, Buechele will make his third start of the season.
That has more than a few people worried.
Everyone I spoke to this week praised Buechele’s accuracy, but they are worried about how he may look playing on one good leg. Nobody expects Buechele to be at 100 percent, which limits his scrambling ability. Buechele is viewed as an accurate passer, especially on long plays, but his pocket presence is a concern. His biggest transition this season has been reading an entire field in Tom Herman’s offense as opposed to throwing from sideline-to-sideline.
This is a game where everyone associated in the program believes Todd Orlando’s defense needs to carry the team. Again, the Kansas game was mentioned, especially since Buechele was not at 100 percent during that loss and threw three interceptions.
Parents – I did hear from quite a few this week (starters and non-starters). Not enough to know how everybody feels, but I can pass along a few observations.
More than one parent mentioned the abrasive meeting Herman had with them earlier this year. Some have not turned the page, and losing adds to their questions about Herman.
One parent of a notable player told me he fully supports Herman and is preaching patience to his son.
The frustrated ones know not to call Herman.
They do not have kind things to say about Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck.
Transfers – I will not spend a lot of time on this subject because when a team is 3-4 coming off a disappointing loss, an opinion expressed Saturday night could change by the end of this year.
I keep hearing there are a handful of players who will transfer to another school after this season. Honestly, the number does not seem higher than previous years. In addition, none of the names I heard will be a big loss.
Just remember, this staff is not going to fight to keep every player who does not want to be here, or is afraid of competition. Outside of Jean Delance, the staff let most players walk away this year. (Richardson)
******
I spoke to a trusted NFL insider this week to get his take on the pro potential of current Longhorn players. Obviously, there are five games left in the football season, and none of the juniors on this team have made a definitive decision about leaving Texas, but here is what scouts are saying about a few guys right now. Remember, what they say in October may not mean much when NFL coaches and general managers begin their evaluations and discussing prospects after the regular season.
The insider told me several scouts have linebacker Malik Jefferson currently rated as a second-round pick, while some project him as a third-rounder. I was told, “His skill set is very good, but needs development in pass coverage for the NFL. Also, some of the former coaches have told scouts that Jefferson doesn't love football.”
That is actually the first time I heard Jefferson did not like football. If it becomes a big enough issue, Jefferson may have to tell scouts he was forced to play out of position one of the worst defenses in school history. However, scouts are paid to find positive and negatives about every athlete, and this is knock on Jefferson right now.
Here is what the insider told me about Connor Williams: “Some have graded him on day two (second rounder). Hear he wants to come back this year because he knows he didn't have good tape this year before getting hurt. If he comes back and plays well he will enter the draft. If he doesn't play well or can't make it back he will return to Texas.”
Herman recently said he expects Williams to play again this season, which could determine his decision later this year.
Meanwhile, Texas junior safety DeShon Elliott’s stock is starting to climb. I was told Elliott is projected to be a second and third round pick right now, but scouts see some “athletic limitations.” However, I was told Elliott has the attention of several NFL teams.
The insider I spoke to did not have an assessment of Holton Hill, Charles Omenihu, any other any Texas players, but promised to touch base with me in a few weeks to pass along his information. (Richardson)
******
As a follow up to Anwar's report, I've pretty much had the same experience as he has in terms of people coming out of the woodwork in an effort to talk about the 3-4 start and the back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
In talking to several high-level Texas officials this week, patience remains the theme of the day.
"This is not what any of us expected," one high-ranking official said. "Everyone is just so damn thirsty for us to be good again and we all just assumed that if he could do what he did at Houston, then this job should be no problem. Everyone knows that the injuries have crippled us, but you just can't lose games at this rate and expect that our fan base will accept it.
"What are we going to go? Panic? All you can do is support and hope for the best at this point. If he's the guy that we thought he was 11 months ago, Tom Herman will get us out of this."
And if he's not?
"If he's not, what happened to Charlie will happen to him. There are expectations and Tom knows that better than anyone. I would suggest to your readers that what happens in year one is a mulligan, whether or not anyone wants to call it that. Even if we lost every game the rest of the way, (Herman) is our guy. That support can't crumble in year one or we're going to do more damage to the program than all of the losing creates."
I asked another Texas official if there was any sense of panic and his answer was telling.
"There's no panic because this is all too familiar," he said. "We lose a lot and we're trying to stop that.I would just describe the mood of the room as very frustrated. No one wants to win more than the coaches on this staff and a lot of those guys look like a complete wreck when you see them in the morning. I heard one of the assistants say after the Oklahoma game that he wasn't getting more than 2-3 hours of sleep each night. I doubt that has changed much this week."
Interestingly enough, when I brought up Tim Beck's name, one very vocal Herman supporter didn't blame Beck at all for the offense.
"We hired Tom Herman to fix the offense, not Tim Beck," the high-ranking official said. "(Herman) didn't tell anyone when he was being hired that fixing the offense would be anyone else's task but his own. There are reasons for the offenses struggles, but I find the blame on Tim Beck to be misguided. Every single thing that happens on the offense goes through Herman. This is not the same deal as Shawn Watson or even Greg Davis. Mack Brown was hired to fix recruiting. Charlie Strong was hired to fix the defense and make us tougher. Tom Herman was hired to fix the offense. No one else. Underline that when you write about it. If it ever gets to the point where Tom has to replace offensive coordinators, then we've got problems."
(Ketch)
With the loss last weekend, people associated with the program are angry, looking for answers, and wanting to vent. As I enter my fourth year of covering the program (yes, I know, everything was better before I arrived), I have spoken to more people associate with Texas since the loss against Oklahoma State than at any other time. Obviously, I cannot get into specifics, but there are plenty of people who are concerned about the program right now. Right, wrong, or indifferent, everybody expected this team to look better seven games into this season, including people inside the program, and nobody is happy with the results.
Before we go any further, just know Texas football coach Tom Herman still has control of this team. Do not think for one second he has lost anyone in the building. Sure, there are people who are frustrated right now, but from what I can tell, the players are still working hard in practice, while this staff is working overtime to come up with answers. If you are looking for an area of improvement, it appears Herman has successfully been able to keep the Longhorns together after a 3-4 start.
Prior to this season, that could have been a hard task. Players liked specific members of the previous staff, but were not always confident they would be put in a situation to succeed. There were doubters, and those were the guys who gave up during games. In addition, there used to be finger pointing, whether it was behind closed doors, or on social media. This team used to have cliques, which made it hard to succeed on game day. There is a reason why Texas used to get blown out of games, and many players acted like the loss did not bother them after the game. There is definitely a sting this season. Herman has said the loses bother his guys, and he views that attitude change as a sign of progress.
Of course, the ultimate sign of progress is winning.
From what I can tell, everyone associated with the program is optimistic this team will win enough games to become bowl eligible. However, they are focused on beating Baylor this weekend. More than one person has mentioned last year’s Kansas game to me this week, and they just do not want a repeat of that disappointing outcome. The people who are currently on the fence with Herman will jump to the negative side if Texas loses this weekend. Sure, every game is a must-win contest, but Herman needs this game to make sure some of the outside forces do not tear his team apart.
I spoke to people about several topics, and I will touch on each one for you.
Armanti Foreman – Talk about an absolute lighting rod. Nobody doubts his talent. Everybody agrees his is good enough to play. Nevertheless, everyone associated with the program is clearly on different sides when it comes to Herman’s decision to bench Foreman.
Foreman will likely play against Baylor this week. From what I heard, he was informed by receivers coach Drew Mehringer earlier this week about the decision to have him more involved. I heard Foreman’s reaction to the news was positive, but I do not have specifics about the conversation.
The reasons why Foreman was benched is not news to any Longhorn observer. There have been questions about Foreman’s attitude and work ethic since Charlie Strong was at Texas. He also tweeted at the media to stay away from spring practice two years ago, a message Foreman apologize for during an interview last year.
Armanti Foreman #IDM@_hetoohollywoodMedia stay yall ass at home we just wanna practice .. Is that too much to ask for ??
Those tweets by Foreman’s did not help the receiver get back on the field faster. In fact, if Reggie Hemphill-Mapps is healthy enough to play considerably on Saturday, Foreman may still be on the bench. From what I can tell, Foreman needs to continue practicing hard and make the most of his return. At this rate, Foreman is not going to be an NFL draft pick, and he will probably have to enter the league as an undrafted free agent. If Foreman wants a team to take a risk on him, he cannot be viewed as a possible locker room distraction. Foreman needs to spend the next five weeks clearing up his name to pursue a NFL career.
Shane Buechele – He has taken the first-team reps in practice this week, and barring a return by Sam Ehlinger, Buechele will make his third start of the season.
That has more than a few people worried.
Everyone I spoke to this week praised Buechele’s accuracy, but they are worried about how he may look playing on one good leg. Nobody expects Buechele to be at 100 percent, which limits his scrambling ability. Buechele is viewed as an accurate passer, especially on long plays, but his pocket presence is a concern. His biggest transition this season has been reading an entire field in Tom Herman’s offense as opposed to throwing from sideline-to-sideline.
This is a game where everyone associated in the program believes Todd Orlando’s defense needs to carry the team. Again, the Kansas game was mentioned, especially since Buechele was not at 100 percent during that loss and threw three interceptions.
Parents – I did hear from quite a few this week (starters and non-starters). Not enough to know how everybody feels, but I can pass along a few observations.
More than one parent mentioned the abrasive meeting Herman had with them earlier this year. Some have not turned the page, and losing adds to their questions about Herman.
One parent of a notable player told me he fully supports Herman and is preaching patience to his son.
The frustrated ones know not to call Herman.
They do not have kind things to say about Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck.
Transfers – I will not spend a lot of time on this subject because when a team is 3-4 coming off a disappointing loss, an opinion expressed Saturday night could change by the end of this year.
I keep hearing there are a handful of players who will transfer to another school after this season. Honestly, the number does not seem higher than previous years. In addition, none of the names I heard will be a big loss.
Just remember, this staff is not going to fight to keep every player who does not want to be here, or is afraid of competition. Outside of Jean Delance, the staff let most players walk away this year. (Richardson)
******
I spoke to a trusted NFL insider this week to get his take on the pro potential of current Longhorn players. Obviously, there are five games left in the football season, and none of the juniors on this team have made a definitive decision about leaving Texas, but here is what scouts are saying about a few guys right now. Remember, what they say in October may not mean much when NFL coaches and general managers begin their evaluations and discussing prospects after the regular season.
The insider told me several scouts have linebacker Malik Jefferson currently rated as a second-round pick, while some project him as a third-rounder. I was told, “His skill set is very good, but needs development in pass coverage for the NFL. Also, some of the former coaches have told scouts that Jefferson doesn't love football.”
That is actually the first time I heard Jefferson did not like football. If it becomes a big enough issue, Jefferson may have to tell scouts he was forced to play out of position one of the worst defenses in school history. However, scouts are paid to find positive and negatives about every athlete, and this is knock on Jefferson right now.
Here is what the insider told me about Connor Williams: “Some have graded him on day two (second rounder). Hear he wants to come back this year because he knows he didn't have good tape this year before getting hurt. If he comes back and plays well he will enter the draft. If he doesn't play well or can't make it back he will return to Texas.”
Herman recently said he expects Williams to play again this season, which could determine his decision later this year.
Meanwhile, Texas junior safety DeShon Elliott’s stock is starting to climb. I was told Elliott is projected to be a second and third round pick right now, but scouts see some “athletic limitations.” However, I was told Elliott has the attention of several NFL teams.
The insider I spoke to did not have an assessment of Holton Hill, Charles Omenihu, any other any Texas players, but promised to touch base with me in a few weeks to pass along his information. (Richardson)
******
As a follow up to Anwar's report, I've pretty much had the same experience as he has in terms of people coming out of the woodwork in an effort to talk about the 3-4 start and the back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.
In talking to several high-level Texas officials this week, patience remains the theme of the day.
"This is not what any of us expected," one high-ranking official said. "Everyone is just so damn thirsty for us to be good again and we all just assumed that if he could do what he did at Houston, then this job should be no problem. Everyone knows that the injuries have crippled us, but you just can't lose games at this rate and expect that our fan base will accept it.
"What are we going to go? Panic? All you can do is support and hope for the best at this point. If he's the guy that we thought he was 11 months ago, Tom Herman will get us out of this."
And if he's not?
"If he's not, what happened to Charlie will happen to him. There are expectations and Tom knows that better than anyone. I would suggest to your readers that what happens in year one is a mulligan, whether or not anyone wants to call it that. Even if we lost every game the rest of the way, (Herman) is our guy. That support can't crumble in year one or we're going to do more damage to the program than all of the losing creates."
I asked another Texas official if there was any sense of panic and his answer was telling.
"There's no panic because this is all too familiar," he said. "We lose a lot and we're trying to stop that.I would just describe the mood of the room as very frustrated. No one wants to win more than the coaches on this staff and a lot of those guys look like a complete wreck when you see them in the morning. I heard one of the assistants say after the Oklahoma game that he wasn't getting more than 2-3 hours of sleep each night. I doubt that has changed much this week."
Interestingly enough, when I brought up Tim Beck's name, one very vocal Herman supporter didn't blame Beck at all for the offense.
"We hired Tom Herman to fix the offense, not Tim Beck," the high-ranking official said. "(Herman) didn't tell anyone when he was being hired that fixing the offense would be anyone else's task but his own. There are reasons for the offenses struggles, but I find the blame on Tim Beck to be misguided. Every single thing that happens on the offense goes through Herman. This is not the same deal as Shawn Watson or even Greg Davis. Mack Brown was hired to fix recruiting. Charlie Strong was hired to fix the defense and make us tougher. Tom Herman was hired to fix the offense. No one else. Underline that when you write about it. If it ever gets to the point where Tom has to replace offensive coordinators, then we've got problems."
(Ketch)
Agreed. This is a joke. People jumping off buildings and thinking the sky is falling. We are a decent OL away from being 5-2 right now
That is exactly right, Spur. The good thing is that it will only get better not worse. I truly believe that by season's end, our young and hobbled OL will be playing much better. I believe we win 4 out of our next 5 games.
First off I will say that I don't think Baylor is as bad at their record indicates but under no circumstances can Herman allow the Horns to lose to them this weekend or the wheels may in deed come off.
It's a friggin' trap game at that. TCU on the horizon and all, oh wait...Texas is 3-4, it's one game at a time. They damn sure better have their big girl panties on Saturday!
Baylor is not good, OSU spanked that ass. OU is simply overrated and BU hung with them in Waco, that's what is scary, except this is an 11 am game which typically favors road teams.
WV is not that good, OSU is not that good, KState is not very good and OU is not that good.
TCU looks pretty damn good.
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/fpi?id=251&year=2017
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