David Ash, Case McCoy, Tyrone Swoopes? Time to let it all hang out

David Ash is back practicing with the team on a limited basis and will be evaluated by the team trainers but his status for Saturday’s game against Kansas State remains uncertain.  That means there is a strong possibility backup quarterback Case McCoy (senior) will get the starting nod against the Wildcats.  Due to the disastrous start to the season and injury to Ash in the BYU game most fans thought they would have an opportunity to see what true freshman quarterback Tyrone Swoopes could do under center.  They thought wrong….  Case McCoy played the entire game in the loss to Ole Miss and remains listed as the #1 quarterback on the Kansas State game depth chart, as an “OR” along with David Ash.  Here’s what head coach Mack Brown had to say about Swoopes not playing against Ole Miss:

The Texas offense was unable to do much against the Rebel defense in the second half and, if for no other reason, a change at quarterback would have been a breath of fresh air to a unit that desperately needed it.  I understand the rationale for starting Case McCoy over a redshirt freshman or Jalen Overstreet but I don’t have to agree with it.  A senior quarterback with a fair amount of game experience versus a guy who has never taken a live snap in a real game?  The thought process is “sellable” in most circumstances but not very popular when the season looks to be caving in and there is a plethora of raw talent and athleticism sitting on the bench waiting for an opportunity to shine.  Swoopes showed promise in the Spring game and we know he can run and take a hit – something McCoy doesn’t do very well.   Swoopes’ arm strength is better than Case McCoy’s and with the offensive line getting blown over by defenses, a guy like Swoopes may be just what the doctor ordered in desperate times.

I also believe coaches exercise prudence when deciding to redshirt players but it’s time for Texas to quit worrying about next year and it’s time to focus on this year.   Texas has redshirt after redshirt at the quarterback position and we have tremendous talent coming in at the position with next year’s class in Jerrod Heard (Denton Guyer)…  It’s time to “let it all hang out.”  Forget all the redshirts.

Will Swoopes play on Saturday?  Mack Brown said a few things about it on Wednesday:

I’ve managed to get past my incredulity with respect to the coaching staff’s utilization of Jalen Overstreet as everything but a quarterback but Tyrone Swoopes needs to see snaps at the position soon, injuries aside. There is a strong possibility that WR Mike Davis will miss the Kansas State game due to injury and Daje Johnson is out for a handful of games recovering from his injury.  Case McCoy has trouble stepping up in the pocket and opts to scramble at the first sign of pressure.  Assuming Ash doesn’t play, let’s give some playing time to Tyrone Swoopes and see where he takes us.  McCoy’s eligibility expires at the end of the season and we need real quarterback experience this year for Tyrone Swoopes.

Kansas State is not a very good team thus far in the season but they have beaten the Longhorns 5 straight times.  Let’s stop the streak.

Let’s let it all hang out.