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This Texas Longhorn football team could have quit. Players could have thrown in the towel. Longhorn fans saw it happen more than once during the past two seasons. It could have easily happened again.
Two years ago, Notre Dame, TCU, Iowa State and West Virginia punched Texas in the chest, and the Longhorns never responded. Those players were content to take a loss and keep it moving. If an opposing team had a lead against Texas, you might as well catch up on your Netflix shows. Last year, Kansas happened. Once again, this group was unwilling to stand up and fight. Instead, players accepted the loss. Why? Because that is what many young players were used to from the time they stepped on campus.
Texas endured a disappointing season-opening loss against Maryland. Then there was that close loss against USC. Moral victories, but no wins, against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. A loss against TCU. Players started to become disgruntled. Texas coach Tom Herman recently met with a few players individually to make sure his team did not unravel. He encouraged them to hold on and trust the process. There are players on this year's team who lost faith in the past. However, they stayed together and believed in each other this year, even though there were times they questioned the process.
As a result of their mental toughness, Texas defeated West Virginia, 28-14, on Saturday to become bowl eligible by improving to 6-5.
That is right, Donny.
Texas is going bowling.
“It’s not something we did the last few weeks,” Herman said. “It’s something we did in January, and February, and March. We are very, very demanding on our players. We expect excellence from them in everything that they do, but we love them. We dive into their lives and we pay attention to them. We make sure that they understand that between the lines, we’re going to hold them to a standard that is as high as there is in the country, but when they walk off the field, we’re going to be there for them to make sure we’re building them into better husbands and fathers and employees, so that when the waters do get a little bit rough, as they were there in the middle part of the season, especially with the 'almosts,' if we hadn’t done what we did in January, February and March, you probably would of had a lot of guys saying, ‘Is this worth it? Is what we’re expected to do worth it?’ I think by staying the course, obviously, today is one game, but we’ve got to finish the regular season the right way on Friday [against Texas Tech]. I think there's a lot of guys that are believing in the way that we do things.”
Photo via KHOU.com
Now, Texas fans get to enjoy guessing which bowl their team will attend. Texas could play in Orlando, Houston, Memphis or Phoenix. Somebody will snatch up the potential revenue of having the Longhorns in their bowl. If you feel like day dreaming, here is a link to have fun.
http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=211664582
In reality, the only thing that matters is this team is going bowling.
Texas has not participated in a bowl game since the 2014 season. Think about the development of young players that could have occurred with those extra practices. Imagine what this offensive line may have looked like this year with more coaching.
If you did not believe in the previous staff, then simply think about what next year’s team might look like next year with Derek Kerstetter, Daniel Young, Toneil Carter and Sam Ehlinger having two more weeks of practice, plus another game. Imagine the depth this staff can create by being busy in December.
In addition, imagine the morale boost this team will have by finally appearing in a bowl game.
Sure, this is Texas. The Longhorns are supposed to be competing for championships. Texas should be focused on bigger goals. Nevertheless, the older players need something on which to hang their hats after sitting on the couch in December the past two years. The younger players need to experience winning at Texas. More importantly, every high school player Texas is recruiting needs to believe this is a program on the rise, and the only missing component is their presence in Austin.
“It was fantastic,” Herman said. “The smiles on their faces - we know we’ve got one left, but this was a big one. It was a big hurdle to get another road conference win, to beat a top-25 team and make sure that our seniors are bowl eligible. There's three guys in that room in (linebacker) Naashon Hughes, (nickel back) Antwuan Davis and (kicker) Mitchell Becker that have never finished with a winning record at the University of Texas. We’ve got an opportunity to win seven in the regular season. They’re kids, and they’re kids that have been beat up quite a bit in the last couple of years. To be able to say that we’ve reached one of our goals this season from an external perspective - I think we’ve reached a lot of goals, internally, in terms of the way we handle our business and the way that we play and the way that we compete each and every week - but these guys are ecstatic. But they also know that we’ve got one left.”
Actually, Herman’s team has two games remaining, and one heck of a chance to change the narrative of this season.
A win against Texas Tech gives Texas seven regular season victories. If Texas can pull off an eighth win in a bowl game, Herman has a chance to reestablish the momentum he had prior to this season. Texas could be a hot name once again, leading to a lot of offseason optimism.
In addition, Austin American-Statesman reporter Brian Davis did a great job of pointing out the unselfishness of Herman’s team, which is a huge accomplishment for any coach:
“Sometimes, life under Herman’s direction isn’t easy. You have to wait your turn. Graduate senior Kendall Moore, who transferred from Syracuse, waited 11 games for his first catch. He sure made it count, reeling in a 4-yard grab for a touchdown to give Texas a 7-0 lead.
“Sometimes, it means swallowing your pride. Take Chris Warren III, for example. The junior running back with 1,150 career yards has been forced to accept a position change. The Horns are thin at tight end, and the freshmen runners are more dynamic. So what’s Warren to do? Sit and pout or play and thrive?
“Warren was rewarded against the Mountaineers, who looked baled at times trying to stop Ehlinger. They dropped 10 into coverage on third-and- 9. Ehlinger spun away from the lone pass rusher and gained 17 yards. On the next play, Heard threw it back to Ehlinger, who scampered around the end for 23 yards.”
By the way, props to Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck. He unloaded the playbook. He ran toward the left side of the line and found success. He kept it simple, and the players excelled. Beck receives a lot of criticism, but deserves praises when things go well.
The Longhorns used to quit. The locker room division was noticeable and affected this team on game day. Texas doesn't beat West Virginia on Saturday with the loser mentality that last year’s team owned. What we saw the past two years could have easily occurred again in 2017.
This is a new team.
Texas is going bowling.
Enjoy the moment.
Photo via NewsOK
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
Good for the dog
If you ever had the misfortune of flying on Spirit Airlines, this will resonate
Lonzo Ball should sign up for this camp
Sports On A Dime
1. Herman usually has a 24-hour rule when it comes to getting over the last game, but I get the feeling he might give his guys 48 hours to enjoy Saturday’s win against West Virginia.
2. Let us keep it real for a moment – college football officiating is so bad. Seriously, why the hell are officials going to the replay booth to call penalties they may have missed? It happens in college football, and is such a bad practice. I have heard of using replay to judge touchdowns, catches, or spot a football, but to call penalties? This is a joke.
3. There is not a quarterback debate. Right now, Sam Ehlinger gives Texas its best chance to win games. Ehlinger looked good in wins against Kansas State and West Virginia. I am sure Herman wants to prevent Buechele from transferring, but he cannot worry about that right now. Ehlinger has more upside, and Herman has to worry about winning now.
4. One of the biggest plays from Saturday’s game was by Lorenzo Joe. After West Virginia scored in the fourth quarter to narrow its deficit to 21-14, the Mountaineers attempted an onside kick. Joe recovered the kick and killed West Virginia’s momentum. Joe is beginning to look like a player who has a shot to get picked up as an undrafted NFL free agent and make a practice squad next year.
5. Brandon Jones arguably had the best defensive play this season on Saturday. Props to Jones for not giving up on this play and causing a touchback.
6. Since I was at West Virginia, I did not get a chance to watch the men’s basketball team play on Saturday. However, I trust Dustin McComas and his assessment:
7. I hate to be obvious guy, but Connor Williams made one hell of a difference on Saturday. Williams mauled West Virginia defenders, while Texas did not allow one sack in the win. It is pretty clear Williams made a lot of money on Saturday. Texas may not lose another game this season with Williams in the lineup.
8. Yeah, I never want to see Will Grier’s finger again:
9. Baker Mayfield gonna Baker Mayfield:
10. I am not sure who will ultimately win the battle between Roger Goodell and Jerry Jones, but it is definitely fun to watch these guys battle back and forth. Jones clearly leaked Goodell’s contract demands. I am also convinced Goodell had something to do with the release of a four-year old racially insensitive remark made Jones. Let them battle it out until the last man is standing.
https://helmboots.com/
This Texas Longhorn football team could have quit. Players could have thrown in the towel. Longhorn fans saw it happen more than once during the past two seasons. It could have easily happened again.
Two years ago, Notre Dame, TCU, Iowa State and West Virginia punched Texas in the chest, and the Longhorns never responded. Those players were content to take a loss and keep it moving. If an opposing team had a lead against Texas, you might as well catch up on your Netflix shows. Last year, Kansas happened. Once again, this group was unwilling to stand up and fight. Instead, players accepted the loss. Why? Because that is what many young players were used to from the time they stepped on campus.
Texas endured a disappointing season-opening loss against Maryland. Then there was that close loss against USC. Moral victories, but no wins, against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State. A loss against TCU. Players started to become disgruntled. Texas coach Tom Herman recently met with a few players individually to make sure his team did not unravel. He encouraged them to hold on and trust the process. There are players on this year's team who lost faith in the past. However, they stayed together and believed in each other this year, even though there were times they questioned the process.
As a result of their mental toughness, Texas defeated West Virginia, 28-14, on Saturday to become bowl eligible by improving to 6-5.
That is right, Donny.
Texas is going bowling.
“It’s not something we did the last few weeks,” Herman said. “It’s something we did in January, and February, and March. We are very, very demanding on our players. We expect excellence from them in everything that they do, but we love them. We dive into their lives and we pay attention to them. We make sure that they understand that between the lines, we’re going to hold them to a standard that is as high as there is in the country, but when they walk off the field, we’re going to be there for them to make sure we’re building them into better husbands and fathers and employees, so that when the waters do get a little bit rough, as they were there in the middle part of the season, especially with the 'almosts,' if we hadn’t done what we did in January, February and March, you probably would of had a lot of guys saying, ‘Is this worth it? Is what we’re expected to do worth it?’ I think by staying the course, obviously, today is one game, but we’ve got to finish the regular season the right way on Friday [against Texas Tech]. I think there's a lot of guys that are believing in the way that we do things.”
Photo via KHOU.com
Now, Texas fans get to enjoy guessing which bowl their team will attend. Texas could play in Orlando, Houston, Memphis or Phoenix. Somebody will snatch up the potential revenue of having the Longhorns in their bowl. If you feel like day dreaming, here is a link to have fun.
http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=211664582
In reality, the only thing that matters is this team is going bowling.
Texas has not participated in a bowl game since the 2014 season. Think about the development of young players that could have occurred with those extra practices. Imagine what this offensive line may have looked like this year with more coaching.
If you did not believe in the previous staff, then simply think about what next year’s team might look like next year with Derek Kerstetter, Daniel Young, Toneil Carter and Sam Ehlinger having two more weeks of practice, plus another game. Imagine the depth this staff can create by being busy in December.
In addition, imagine the morale boost this team will have by finally appearing in a bowl game.
Sure, this is Texas. The Longhorns are supposed to be competing for championships. Texas should be focused on bigger goals. Nevertheless, the older players need something on which to hang their hats after sitting on the couch in December the past two years. The younger players need to experience winning at Texas. More importantly, every high school player Texas is recruiting needs to believe this is a program on the rise, and the only missing component is their presence in Austin.
“It was fantastic,” Herman said. “The smiles on their faces - we know we’ve got one left, but this was a big one. It was a big hurdle to get another road conference win, to beat a top-25 team and make sure that our seniors are bowl eligible. There's three guys in that room in (linebacker) Naashon Hughes, (nickel back) Antwuan Davis and (kicker) Mitchell Becker that have never finished with a winning record at the University of Texas. We’ve got an opportunity to win seven in the regular season. They’re kids, and they’re kids that have been beat up quite a bit in the last couple of years. To be able to say that we’ve reached one of our goals this season from an external perspective - I think we’ve reached a lot of goals, internally, in terms of the way we handle our business and the way that we play and the way that we compete each and every week - but these guys are ecstatic. But they also know that we’ve got one left.”
Actually, Herman’s team has two games remaining, and one heck of a chance to change the narrative of this season.
A win against Texas Tech gives Texas seven regular season victories. If Texas can pull off an eighth win in a bowl game, Herman has a chance to reestablish the momentum he had prior to this season. Texas could be a hot name once again, leading to a lot of offseason optimism.
In addition, Austin American-Statesman reporter Brian Davis did a great job of pointing out the unselfishness of Herman’s team, which is a huge accomplishment for any coach:
“Sometimes, life under Herman’s direction isn’t easy. You have to wait your turn. Graduate senior Kendall Moore, who transferred from Syracuse, waited 11 games for his first catch. He sure made it count, reeling in a 4-yard grab for a touchdown to give Texas a 7-0 lead.
“Sometimes, it means swallowing your pride. Take Chris Warren III, for example. The junior running back with 1,150 career yards has been forced to accept a position change. The Horns are thin at tight end, and the freshmen runners are more dynamic. So what’s Warren to do? Sit and pout or play and thrive?
“Warren was rewarded against the Mountaineers, who looked baled at times trying to stop Ehlinger. They dropped 10 into coverage on third-and- 9. Ehlinger spun away from the lone pass rusher and gained 17 yards. On the next play, Heard threw it back to Ehlinger, who scampered around the end for 23 yards.”
By the way, props to Texas offensive coordinator Tim Beck. He unloaded the playbook. He ran toward the left side of the line and found success. He kept it simple, and the players excelled. Beck receives a lot of criticism, but deserves praises when things go well.
The Longhorns used to quit. The locker room division was noticeable and affected this team on game day. Texas doesn't beat West Virginia on Saturday with the loser mentality that last year’s team owned. What we saw the past two years could have easily occurred again in 2017.
This is a new team.
Texas is going bowling.
Enjoy the moment.
Photo via NewsOK
Funniest Things You Will See This Week
Good for the dog
If you ever had the misfortune of flying on Spirit Airlines, this will resonate
Lonzo Ball should sign up for this camp
Sports On A Dime
1. Herman usually has a 24-hour rule when it comes to getting over the last game, but I get the feeling he might give his guys 48 hours to enjoy Saturday’s win against West Virginia.
2. Let us keep it real for a moment – college football officiating is so bad. Seriously, why the hell are officials going to the replay booth to call penalties they may have missed? It happens in college football, and is such a bad practice. I have heard of using replay to judge touchdowns, catches, or spot a football, but to call penalties? This is a joke.
3. There is not a quarterback debate. Right now, Sam Ehlinger gives Texas its best chance to win games. Ehlinger looked good in wins against Kansas State and West Virginia. I am sure Herman wants to prevent Buechele from transferring, but he cannot worry about that right now. Ehlinger has more upside, and Herman has to worry about winning now.
4. One of the biggest plays from Saturday’s game was by Lorenzo Joe. After West Virginia scored in the fourth quarter to narrow its deficit to 21-14, the Mountaineers attempted an onside kick. Joe recovered the kick and killed West Virginia’s momentum. Joe is beginning to look like a player who has a shot to get picked up as an undrafted NFL free agent and make a practice squad next year.
5. Brandon Jones arguably had the best defensive play this season on Saturday. Props to Jones for not giving up on this play and causing a touchback.
6. Since I was at West Virginia, I did not get a chance to watch the men’s basketball team play on Saturday. However, I trust Dustin McComas and his assessment:
7. I hate to be obvious guy, but Connor Williams made one hell of a difference on Saturday. Williams mauled West Virginia defenders, while Texas did not allow one sack in the win. It is pretty clear Williams made a lot of money on Saturday. Texas may not lose another game this season with Williams in the lineup.
8. Yeah, I never want to see Will Grier’s finger again:
9. Baker Mayfield gonna Baker Mayfield:
10. I am not sure who will ultimately win the battle between Roger Goodell and Jerry Jones, but it is definitely fun to watch these guys battle back and forth. Jones clearly leaked Goodell’s contract demands. I am also convinced Goodell had something to do with the release of a four-year old racially insensitive remark made Jones. Let them battle it out until the last man is standing.
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