I was actually at that game and if you ever spent any significant time in Texas you would know that the third week in September is when the cold fronts start rolling through. I can tell you during this game there will be a 50/50 shot that this game will be 95+ degrees at kickoff which means 110 on the field. No on one on here is saying Texas will win because ND will wear down because of the heat but the heat will impact the game because backups are going to have to play more snaps than usual.
I'm getting sick of this heat debate already
No one knows how hot it will (or won't) be at kick, especially not on the field (affected by not only temp but sun-shine, etc.) and we don't want to look at statistical norms for it.....but instead base things on anecdotal stories..........unless of course the specific story doesn't being told doesn't fit our narrative............then we're back to demanding a statistically signifcant amount of data points
And somehow the irony of this circular argument is going unnoticed....
Let's try to discuss something that's prehaps a little more predictable than the weather, and if nothing else, more interesting:
BACK TO FOOTBALL
Let's say that players do start going do on both teams due to heat exhaustion, cramping, or both........how does the "next man in" at each position look for Texas, and how big of a loss would be for you if he had to start playing significant minutes
For ND
#2 QB -
Zaire (rJR) / Kizer (rSO) - Great (who doesn't actually start this game is still a high level CFB starter)
#3 RB -
Williams (SO) -
Good (not a ton of experience, but great potential and was a start of the spring)
#4 WR -
Boykin (rFR) - Solid (no CFB game experience, but spent a year practicing, and looks to have major potential)
#2 Slot -
Sanders (SO) / Holmes (rSO) -
Good (inexperienced, but whoever doesn't start should still be a legit weapon)
#2 TE -
Smythe (rJR) / Weishar (rSO) -
Great (Basically a rotation of 3-4 Sophs/Juniors with great potential)
#3 OT -
Bivin (rJR) - Solid (highly recruited, but limited by injuries, wouldn't be bad but nowhere near our NFL OTs)
#3 OG -
McGovern (rJR) / Hoge (rFR) - Solid (talented enough, but not a lot of playing experience)
#2 OC -
Hoge (rFR) / Harrell (rSR) - Good (both played a lot of center, pushed for the starting spot, and are legit)
#3 DE -
J. Hayes (rSO) / D. Hayes (FR) - Concerning (extremely talented but situational, and neither has experience at DE)
#3 DT -
Cage (rSO) - Good (started in place of injured 2016 during 2015, talented enough to be the starter)
#2 MLB -
Barajas (rFR) - Concerning (Talented enough to start, but inexperienced at a complicated position)
#3 OLB -
Martini (JR) - Solid (Defines "solid, but not great" player. Not bad but isn't a game changer. Could start though)
#3 CB -
Crawford (rFR) - Good (Starting NB, would have started at NB in 2015 if not for injury. Could start at CB)
#3 S -
Studstill (FR) - Concerning (Talent EE who looked good in the spring...but still a Frosh that would start by default)
What would the similar breakdown for each of those positoins/roles (#2 RB, #3 DT, etc.) be for Texas, in your guys opinion?
How do you think having to reach into those ranks for new "starters" due to the exhaustion/cramps would compare for Texas/ND?
