Photo via Getty Images
The bye week has given Texas football observers an opportunity to put these first three games in perspective. When you take a step back, sometimes things are not as bad as it appears. Other times, the situation is far worse. When it comes to Texas, I believe this team is only a few adjustments away from the turnaround every Longhorn observer believed would occur when Tom Herman was hired. Heck, some fans believed Herman could turn around the program while watching at Houston.
If we are honest, most of us believed Texas would be 2-1 heading into Iowa State. The dreamers believed Texas would upset USC. Everyone else chalked up that game as a loss, meaning Texas is only one game off your preseason win total. The Longhorns could beat a team you thought they would lose to later this year, or finish a tad below your expectations. Either way, I have not seen anything so far that makes me believe eight or nine wins are impossible this season. Sure, I know some fans want 10-or-more wins, but when your program has not been bowl eligible the past two years, adding three or four more wins in Herman’s first season is a sign of improvement.
That being said, the conversation will be a lot different if Texas falls to 1-3 after its Iowa State road game on Thursday. A loss against Iowa State with Kansas State, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State on deck could create a deep hole for Texas. Kansas State played poorly during a 14-7 loss against Vanderbilt last week, but Oklahoma and Oklahoma State will likely be ranked when Texas faces both teams. OSU will likely defeat Texas Tech and Baylor before facing Texas.
The turnaround project is not complete, but Texas is closer to a breakthrough than a breakdown. Here are the areas Herman must focus on to compete for a Big 12 title.
Commit to the run game – Chris Warren III has 26 carries for 212 yards and two touchdowns this season. Warren is also averaging 8.2 yards per carry. Prior to Saturday’s game, the only Big 12 running back averaging more yards per carry than Warren was Oklahoma’s Abdul Adams (10.3 yards per carry). Meanwhile, Kyle Porter has 29 carries for 102 yards and touchdown (3.5 yards per carry). Porter is a better blocker, but Warren is clearly the team’s best runner. He is also very effective on first-downs.
In 2015, Warren finished with 71 carries for 470 yards and four touchdowns, but gained 297 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries (7.6 yards per attempt) on first-down. Last season, Warren had 62 carries for 366 yards and three touchdowns, but gained 253 yards and two touchdowns on 35 attempts (7.2 yards per carry) on first-down runs. Warren has gained 132 yards on 16 attempts (8.3 yards) with one touchdown on first-down runs this season.
If the staff does not believe Warren can wear down a defense, Daniel Young and Toneil Carter are options. However, Texas cannot afford to be one-dimensional in the Big 12, or it will have a hard time winning games.
Better quarterback play – It does not matter if your favorite quarterback is Shane Buechele or Sam Ehlinger, both guys need to improve. It is hard to debate that. Now, it is easy to debate who has less to work on, but there is no arguing whoever plays in the upcoming weeks needs to improve.
Buechele did not lead Texas to a score until midway through the third quarter against Maryland. Ehlinger struggled with turnovers against USC. Ehlinger has completed 36-of-67 passes for 520 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions in two games. Buechele has completed 34-of-52 passes for 375 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in one game. Texas does not need a great quarterback, but the Longhorns can use somebody who is pretty darn good. I will let you guys debate who that person should be.
Time for Kris Boyd to step up – I like Boyd a lot. He is pretty funny person. The man has a lot of confidence and swagger. He is not afraid to say what he thinks, even if his views come via Twitter during halftime of a football game. I am all about trash talk and bravado. However, everybody knows if you talk a good game, you have to back it up.
Kris, my man, teams are coming after you. Until Boyd gives opposing offenses a reason to go in another direction, quarterbacks will continue attacking him. Boyd could be a really good cornerback at Texas, but needs to get things right mentally right now. Holton Hill is having a great season. P.J. Locke is successfully anchoring this secondary. Texas is getting a lot from DeShon Elliott. Boyd is the missing component for a great defense.
Photo via HookEm.com
Collin Johnson day and night – I do not think Buechele or Ehlinger can throw it to Johnson enough. There does not seem to be a defensive back who can stop Johnson one-on-one. Sure, there are plenty of talented receivers on Texas’ roster, but Johnson can be a player with 10 receptions for at least 175 yards and one touchdown every week. If there is ever a jump ball situation in the future, he is definitely a taller option than Devin Duvernay.
That being said, I have been impressed Armanti Foreman. He has worked his way up from third-string to become an impact player this season. Reggie Hemphill-Mapps has played well, while Lorenzo Joe seems to be on the verge of making some big catches this season.
More Malik Jefferson and Anthony Wheeler – Jefferson’s performance against USC was the best of his career at Texas. It was the first time Jefferson’s presence was consistently felt throughout a game, especially in the second half. Jefferson’s play allowed Wheeler to excel. Heck, if USC’s Sam Darnold does not complete a jump pass to avoid a sack by Jefferson late in the second half, Texas may have pulled off the upset.
If Jefferson and Wheeler play consistently each week, Texas will be competitive in every game this season.
Continue to apply pressure up front – Malcolm Roach, Charles Omenihu and Poona Ford lived up to their expectations against USC. We were told Ford was a dominant force throughout the offseason, but his breakout game occurred against the Trojans. Meanwhile, Omenihu has become a great pass rusher and is developing into an NFL prospect under Orlando. He just needs to improve in the run game.
With a primetime game this week, plus Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph and TCU’s Kenny Hill/Trill looming, Orlando’s linemen must consistently apply pressure up front. It did not occur during the Maryland game, and that resulted in a loss. If his guys can repeat that USC performance in each remaining game, good things are going to happen.
Photo via HookEm.com
Consider attempting short field goals – I know Herman’s binder says it is better to go for it in the red zone than kick a field goal, and major turnovers occur on special teams. However, he should consider putting three points on the board when his team is in the red zone. Even if it is every other game, or every third game, it is worth taking three points.
If Texas kicks – and makes – a short field goal against USC, the Trojans are forced to score a touchdown to win instead of kicking a field goal to send the game into overtime.
Heck, maybe Herman goes for it on fourth-down in the red zone and converts 85 percent of those drives into touchdowns. Nevertheless, taking the points, especially on the road, is not a bad option.
Tighten up special teams – Obviously, fielding a punt on the 1-yard line cannot happen again. Michael Dickson had a 27-yard punt against USC. The Trojans returned a kickoff to their own 35-yard line on their final drive in regulation. There were muffed catches on returns in week one. This unit can definitely play better.
Sean Adams
The majority of times I have attended a homegoing service, I left with a heavy heart. No matter what your religious beliefs are, there is always a huge sense of loss when a person you love dies. The services I have attended are usually emotionally draining.
However, the Sean Adams memorial service at Westover Hills Church was inspirational.
Between the tears, there were a lot of laughs, great stories by his friends, beautiful songs, a moving eulogy by Minister Luke Norswothy, and barely a dry eye in the house when Sean’s wife and mother addressed everyone before near the end of Saturday's service.
For those who asked about donating directly to the family, here is how:
After hearing all the wonderful words about Sean, I continue to ask myself what will people say about me when I die. I am not quite sure, which has inspired me to make sure I live a life that touches more people.
Speaking of inspiration, I want to thank @a_hornsfan for motivating me to get a CT scan of my heart at Austin Radiological Association. It was a relief to find I had a calcium score of 0.0. However, I joined a gym this past week and will never take my health for granted again.
Sean, you are missed. Love you, bro.
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
This is for the animal lovers
Learning at a young age it is pretty hard to win an argument with a woman
Introducing your future ex-wife (the guy’s reaction at the end is priceless)
I do not want to know the name of this play (not a video for those easily offended)
Sports On A Dime
1. From what I was told last week, Texas football coach Tom Herman will speak after practice on Monday instead of his weekly press conference at noon because of a shortened week. Tuesday will probably be the other day of media access before the team flies to Iowa.
2. Texas has only allowed seven points in the third quarter this season and 17 in the fourth quarter. It appears Orlando and his crew have excelled at second half adjustments. However, Texas has given up 44 points in the first half. The past two games prove Orlando's unit has improved since week one.
3. Looks like TCU is back again. After taking last year off, Gary Patterson’s squad knocked off Oklahoma State on Saturday. I predicted Oklahoma State would win the Big 12 title, and it looks like I might be wrong. Outside of Baylor and Kansas, it appears Texas will have a battle every week in conference play.
4. NFL fans better get used to seeing Roger Goodell for a long time. No matter how some NFL fans feel about him, Goodell has put a lot of money in the pockets of owners, and they want to make sure their guy helps them negotiate the new CBA.
5. For the football junkies:
6. Meanwhile, the NFLPA director DeMaurice Smith will continue in his same role, meaning there will probably be an NFL work stoppage when the CBA expires in 2021. Smith will do his best to fight for the players, but owners know when those guys are not getting paid, they will cave. Most players do not save their money and will approve of an unfavorable offer to get a paycheck again.
7. Jay-Z reportedly turned down an invite to perform at halftime of the upcoming Super Bowl. Honestly, it is hard to think of artists I really want to see perform. Bruno Mars could perform every year in my book. Other than that, I am pretty indifferent towards halftime performances.
8. If Aaron Hernandez’s family is successful in its lawsuit against the NFL and New England Patriots because he had CTE, every penny earned should be given to Odin Llyod’s family. Hernandez murdered Lloyd, and his family should benefit from any lawsuit by the killer’s family.
9. It seems like the majority of boxers who retire eventually end up fighting again. Sometimes the retirement lasts a couple of years. Others times a boxer comes back several years later, like George Foreman. Andre Ward says he is done. We shall see. I was not a big believer in Ward until he won the super middleweight tournament in 2011. If this is really the end, Ward finished with a better career than I ever expected.
10. I missed GGG vs. Canelo while covering Texas at USC, but caught the replay on Saturday night. Yeah, any judge who could score that bout 118-110 for Canelo Alvarez has been paid off. If you are going to cheat on a test, do not make it obvious and get an A. You get a B or B-. As I watched several boxing analysts make points since that fight, one person said something that stuck with me. Judges should have a monitor with live stats next to them to see who is landing more punches. Could you imagine watching football, basketball or baseball and score it in your head? Boxing needs to quit with its outdated methods and make it harder for judges to get it wrong.
Last edited:
