Questions about the team going forward

[Bwilk55]

As we move on to Big 12 play, I think we are anxious to see what type of team we truly have. Is it the Charlie Strong-esque program we saw play against Maryland or should we expect the smash mouth defensive stalwart that held USC in check and dominated SJSU? Some of the big questions I have moving forward...

1. QB Battle - With Shane hurt, Sam stepped in and in his two starts looked shaky at times but came through at the end. Was Shane truly available against USC? TH has already said Shane will get most of the work with the 1's. Who do you think should be our starter going forward? I think Shane gives us a much more dynamic passing attack which should soften the defense against the run.

2. O-line injuries - Losing Rodriguez and now Connor has really impacted an already thin O-line. TH stated that there are only 5 guys they feel good about. Those 5 being the line that finished the game against USC. They certainly need to tighten things up but I think we will be okay with those 5. TH also mentioned the need to get a few reserves up to speed. This is a most as any other injuries would sink us pretty fast.

3. RB pecking order - Many have lamented the lack of carries for CW3. I'm right there with you. On each of his carries against USC, he had a successful run. None were spectacular but even when there isn't a hole, Warren falls forwarded for 3 yards. Porter seems to go down immediately on first contact, every time. Folks have backed him by saying he is the better blocker (which may be true, Warren whiffed on our 4th down conversion try in 1st qtr). I would like to see CW3 getting close to 20 carries a game going forward, what do you think?

4. Defensive performance - Against Maryland, it was more of the same. Bad tackling, missed assignments by DBs, lack of QB pressure. Against SJSU and USC, most of those issues seemed to be resolved. Most reassuringly, even when USC got a drive going, the defense held tough and made some huge stops with their backs against the wall. The big question is, can we expect to continue to see this improvement going forward? If so, we will be able to contain the high scoring Big 12 offenses and keep us in every game we play going forward.

 

[gordo107]

Just my thoughts, the need for a back like Warren is amplified when Shane is in vs Sam. Sam is more of a running QB which is well known. A running QB will always cause more headaches for the D, but with Shane in, I think it puts more pressure on UT to have a more balanced attack, and that being said Porter is not the answer for the running part of that equation. He may be a better blocker and picking up what the D is doing better than Warren, but a running back needs to be able to run, period. If it were me, I'd have Shane in. Nothing against Sam, during the second and third quarter he seemed totally lost. But who would not be playing a team like USC, he came back and did awesome. But I think Shane gives us more stability and is a better passer of the two which should allow us to utilize the play makers we have at WR.

The Defense is growing by the week. You can see more confidence and they tackle. I really like the aggressive nature they are showing now. We can bitch and moan all we want, but they are growing, they are improving. Not sure what else we can ask of them or the coaches. I'm really proud of this team.

This rambling is just for the sake of discussion. I'm not a coach nor a player. And I sure don't get paid 5mil a year to do anything.... just MHO.

 

[Cotton #12]

My concern is the o-line with the injuries. Can they come out and take control of the game?When we beat Ou one year it was the o-line that came out and Texas ran the football.I would like to see that again.

 

[clob94]

My concern is the o-line with the injuries. Can they come out and take control of the game?When we beat Ou one year it was the o-line that came out and Texas ran the football.I would like to see that again.

If our oline is unable to open holes, we may be in trouble.

 

[Mister Moses]

I was fairly drunk when that game was over Saturday. I posted on another thread a coach knows more than all us. I know coaches make the wrong decision that are costly I just watched the sports on tv. USC had the 110th ranked rushing defense for 2 games. I did think Beck was Watson 2.0 calling plays. This old carpenter on the couch would have ran the ball more with the running backs. I don't know about going forward for Texas. Thin OL and two young QB's it's hard for me to guess. You do need an offense especially in the big 12.

 

[Bwilk55]

If our oline is unable to open holes, we may be in trouble.

I wonder if our offense will rely on a scheme that de-emphasizes blocking up front. i.e quick passing game, WR screen game. Almost any play that required prolonged pass blocking or opening holes for RBs failed on Saturday, especially after we lost Connor.

 

[swVAHorn]

I wonder if our offense will rely on a scheme that de-emphasizes blocking up front. i.e quick passing game, WR screen game. Almost any play that required prolonged pass blocking or opening holes for RBs failed on Saturday, especially after we lost Connor.

I disagree with you.....during the USC game Ehlinger had time on multiple occasions and did not pull the trigger....he was watching the rush instead of looking downfield. Watch it again....If you can get 3 seconds then you should get rid of it...he also missed throws that he did try.........he started playing well from the long drive on. I would not blame the line for the 3 sacks in a row. Can't hold the ball like that.

 

[RoboCocks21]

He has been bleeding burnt orange for a long time and the kid is a gamer but made many freshman mistakes

 

[Bwilk55]

I disagree with you.....during the USC game Ehlinger had time on multiple occasions and did not pull the trigger....he was watching the rush instead of looking downfield. Watch it again....If you can get 3 seconds then you should get rid of it...he also missed throws that he did try.........he started playing well from the long drive on. I would not blame the line for the 3 sacks in a row. Can't hold the ball like that.

I did go back and rewatch the offensive snaps. I do agree that Sam held the ball too long at times, especially on those 3 sacks. The line does hold up better than I remembered and a lot of the pressure Sam faced was after his initial read.

If Shane is back there, he will need to make a quick read and a decision on where to throw. On deep throws, I do think keeping a RB in to block is ideal.

 

[swVAHorn]

I did go back and rewatch the offensive snaps. I do agree that Sam held the ball too long at times, especially on those 3 sacks. The line does hold up better than I remembered and a lot of the pressure Sam faced was after his initial read.

If Shane is back there, he will need to make a quick read and a decision on where to throw. On deep throws, I do think keeping a RB in to block is ideal.

I agree with you on a RB helping block. Ehlinger settled in at the end of the game and played very well I think. Confidence is a HUGE asset for a player and especially a QB. I can't wait till Texas has a veteran QB and we don't have to count on true freshmen QB's to help out.....unless they are just THAT good.

 

[outhereincali]

The one thing that concerns me more than anything is all the coaching changes the last few years. Most of our juniors and seniors have had at least 3 position coaches since they've been here. It wouldn't surprise me if some of our seniors have had 4 position coaches. Now combine this with a coach who was not up to the task of being the hc at the University of Texas, along with a new hc then it's easy for me to understand why a our players were a little bit confused in the MD game. The defense is showing some positive signs. The offense is not quite there. But I'm 100% convinced that Tom Herman will get everyone up to speed soon.

Texas fans need to understand this when we look back on the first three games.

 

[clob94]

Max protect.

1.....2... sling it.

 

[swVAHorn]

Max protect.

1.....2... sling it.

Exactly right clob.

 

[OldHornInPA]

Kept telling my wife the same thing... one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three -- uh oh.

 

[oldhorn2]

On deep throws, I do think keeping a RB in to block is ideal.

Agreed....but based on what I saw against USC it had best not be Warren. If it is they need to at least give him a megaphone so he can yell to the QB.."DUCK!"

 

[q1w2e3]

OL depth is SCARY. Scholly OL either hurt or left team since last season:

Connor- starting LT
Rodriguez- starting RT
Hodges- starting RT last season
Hudson- first guy off the bench
Delance- back-up tackle
Cuney- back up center
Buck Major- back up

So off the top of my head after the current starting five (Nickelson, Vahe, Shack, McMillon, Okafor) the only scholarship OL left are:

Anderson- Jr.
JPU- RS freshman
Imade- moved to DL, moved back to OL this week
Kerstetter- true freshman
Cosmi- true freshman
Garrett Thomas- is he still on the team? is he hurt? Walk-ons were getting snaps before him in spring game.

 

[TexExSpur]

They moved Tope back to OG, depth is scary thin.