Texas opens as double-digit underdog in RRS

[q1w2e3]

I don't put too much weight into the returning production numbers. I think that's a stat that doesn't really tell the whole story of this team.

RB - We lose Watson but Ingram (if healthy) easily replaces him. Plus Kirk Johnson (if healthy) has looked better than ever and Whittington will be an immediate shot in the arm

WR - We lose LJH but have CJ and Dev back plus a bevy of talented players ready to step up.

TE - We lose Beck but have more talented and athletic players ready to step in. We may have a hard time replacing his blocking but will have better receiving options. Plus, I won't miss his constant false starts.

OL - Lose Anderson, Vahe and Rodriguez but are replacing them with experienced players that aren't freshmen. And we have better depth and talent than we have had in a long time.

DL - Replacing Omenihu will be the biggest challenge but I expect a great year from Roach. Hager is replaceable and we have guys who can do what Nelson did.

LB - Wheeler is replaceable. Gary Johnson's speed is not but we have guys that can move, and can probably fight off blocks better than Johnson.

DB - Boyd and Davis, both guys that will get a chance on Sunday's but we know their production was up and down all year. Even a less skilled but more consistent CB would be an improvement. Fortunately we have guys with lots of skill to step in. There will be some growing pains with youth there but we have the talent.

You may not like returning production advanced statistics, but they are objectively significant and reliable...especially for the defensive side, and for those teams at the bottom of the rankings like Texas.

And the "whole story" sounds more like us fans taking the most optimistic side of every coin. Every player lost is always going to be replaced, or even exceeded, by a "more talented" player regardless if that player has never even played a snap of college football and is smaller, weaker, and slower (at this point) than his predecessor.

RB: I'm not sure how Kirk Johnson has "looked better than ever"? He hasn't played a single significant snap of football in his four years on campus.

TE: The most important role of a TE in Herman's offense IS blocking

OL: the only replacement for the 3 outgoing starters that has any experience whatsoever is Kirstetter. We really need to sign Braun.

LB: Wheeler may be replaceable, but by who? He beat out Shark, who has shown nothing, every single game for the last two seasons. Besides Shark, not a single LB replacement option has played a snap of college football in their life much less has even a year in a college weight room yet.

Be prepared for the possibility of a giant step back at LB this season. For the first time in years there is no one of the caliber of a Malik Jefferson or Gary Johnson available.

DB: If LB is not the scariest situation than CB is. No matter the star ranking of a high school player it's going to be difficult to be thrown straight out to the wolves of the Big 12. These dynamic passing offenses, coaches, and WR take time to develop to.

Knock Kris Boyd all you want but he was the most productive player on the defense last year (lead in tackles for a loss, forced fumbles, passes defended). He's also bigger, stronger, and faster than his replacements will be this season.

Fortunately though, the most important position of all of them is returning. If Sam stays healthy, and we get lucky with the injury bug not striking the thinnest of our units, the potential is there for a solid season.

 

[Bwilk55]

You may not like returning production advanced statistics, but they are objectively significant and reliable...especially for the defensive side, and for those teams at the bottom of the rankings like Texas.

And the "whole story" sounds more like us fans taking the most optimistic side of every coin. Every player lost is always going to be replaced, or even exceeded, by a "more talented" player regardless if that player has never even played a snap of college football and is smaller, weaker, and slower (at this point) than his predecessor.

RB: I'm not sure how Kirk Johnson has "looked better than ever"? He hasn't played a single significant snap of football in his four years on campus.

TE: The most important role of a TE in Herman's offense IS blocking

OL: the only replacement for the 3 outgoing starters that has any experience whatsoever is Kirstetter. We really need to sign Braun.

LB: Wheeler may be replaceable, but by who? He beat out Shark, who has shown nothing, every single game for the last two seasons. Besides Shark, not a single LB replacement option has played a snap of college football in their life much less has even a year in a college weight room yet.

Be prepared for the possibility of a giant step back at LB this season. For the first time in years there is no one of the caliber of a Malik Jefferson or Gary Johnson available.

DB: If LB is not the scariest situation than CB is. No matter the star ranking of a high school player it's going to be difficult to be thrown straight out to the wolves of the Big 12. These dynamic passing offenses, coaches, and WR take time to develop to.

Knock Kris Boyd all you want but he was the most productive player on the defense last year (lead in tackles for a loss, forced fumbles, passes defended). He's also bigger, stronger, and faster than his replacements will be this season.

Fortunately though, the most important position of all of them is returning. If Sam stays healthy, and we get lucky with the injury bug not striking the thinnest of our units, the potential is there for a solid season.

I do admit to being an optimist, I think I alluded to that several times in this thread.

Time will tell regarding all of these things but I do have a feeling we will be an improved team overall next year. On both offense and defense we went through some bad stretches in almost every game. If we can be more consistent, even if not better, we will have some better outcomes than last year. I think we will step back in a few places but be better in others.

Also, we did sign Braun - another reason I think the O-line play will be just as good or better.

 

[q1w2e3]

I do admit to being an optimist, I think I alluded to that several times in this thread.

Time will tell regarding all of these things but I do have a feeling we will be an improved team overall next year. On both offense and defense we went through some bad stretches in almost every game. If we can be more consistent, even if not better, we will have some better outcomes than last year. I think we will step back in a few places but be better in others.

Also, we did sign Braun - another reason I think the O-line play will be just as good or better.

Braun is commited not signed

 

[clob94]

Anybody thinks it odd that Murray didn't run the 40 at the combine or at his pro day?

He hiding something?

 

[oldhorn2]

agent Double 0 Clob is on the case and has immediately spotted an anomaly....

Murray!!!......you got some 'splainin to do.....

 

[LonghornMM]

Anybody thinks it odd that Murray didn't run the 40 at the combine or at his pro day?

He hiding something?

I understand that he was advised not to run because he's most likely going to be the #1 overall pick. You obviously can't go any higher than that. That being said, why run and do something to bring doubt about your speed? Murray has everything to lose and nothing to gain by running if the Cardinals indeed have their mind made up to take him with the first overall pick.

 

[Deweygolfer]

Anybody thinks it odd that Murray didn't run the 40 at the combine or at his pro day?

He hiding something?

Why run the 40? It's not needed, everyone can see on film how fast he is. No need to risk an injury either. Plus when was how fast a QB runs a 40 the determining factor?

 

[Belldozer1]

I understand that he was advised not to run because he's most likely going to be the #1 overall pick. You obviously can't go any higher than that. That being said, why run and do something to bring doubt about your speed? Murray has everything to lose and nothing to gain by running if the Cardinals indeed have their mind made up to take him with the first overall pick.

Agree

 

[Heisennberg]

Heupel said he'd borrow everything he can against his mortgage and 401K and bet on Texas if that 17 points is real.

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Yeah 17 is a lot for a big game like this.