View from the Cheap Seats-Cal

[echeese]

View from the Cheap Seats-California​

Not ready for prime time or how Shock the World Part Deux (II) tour only lasted 2 games before reality set in for our Horns.


Team went on the road and legged an egg. Can someone explain to us how Charlie Flacking Strong came to Austin with a reputation as a defensive guru and against the 2 offenses with a pulse he’s faced this year TEXAS has given up 47 and 50 points? Or most importantly, when we needed it most vs Cal, we couldn’t make a play, last 3 drives for Cal, 9 plays TD, 7 plays TD and 5 plays, take a knee at the 1. BTW, classy move by Spike Dykes to take a knee to run out the clock when he likely scores easily. With an opportunity to establish TEXAS as the clear league front runner for the conference crown, we showed those who stayed up to see, the BigXII is a freaking MESS this year. TCU, Baylor, OU OSU and TT will all will challenge our secondary. We have 2 weeks to find a pass rush, learn how to communicate in the secondary and start playing better football on defense than last year. #11 rating was WAY too high.


Shane went from the #8 passer in the nation to #28, not a horrid drop but a drop none the less. In the “oh what could have beenâ€. . . .watching tOSU light up OU (only highlight of the day) and hearing once again how JT Barrett wanted to be a Horn set us down the “what could have been†road. El Machio and Gerry Hamilton were among the very first to make that call.


Cheaps Seats 2 biggest questions from the pre-season were can the defense step up from last year and can Charlie consistantly coach at a Top 15 level. Both concerns seem to be well founded. Despite some excellent talent, the defense cannot create a serious pass rush which does not bode well for conference play. Face it, we seriously out talented Cal . . ..while they matched us on defense and out did us on offense.


As for coaching, while there were some really questionable calls, the biggest concern was schematically this team was not ready for Cal’s passing attack. Outside of 3 excellent defensive series in the 3rd quarter. . ..this defense was not ready for Cal’s passing attack. Davis Webb, the Texas Tech transfer, torched TEXAS for 4 yards less than 400 with 4 TDs, half of that to a walk on WRs who lit TEXAS up for200 with 2 TDs and a new technique for down horns. Here are the top Cal WRs average per catch numbers 17, 26, 16, 12, 13 15. So against offenses with a pulse, the TEXAS D is giving up 48 points a game on average. And the worst thing, passing attacks are torching our secondary.


Cheap Seats was shocked that Charlie didn’t challenge a key 4th quarter reception which replay clearly showed wasn’t a catch. Big change in field position as that gave Cal a 1st down at the 12 and clearly was not a catch. We were also shocked that on 4th and 7 with about 2 minutes left in the game, Charlie elects to punt. Were we not watching the same game? Instead of our rushing attack pounding them and wearing out their D, we were gassed. Don’t think anyone thought we were getting the ball back. Granted small specifics which does not account for the lack of solid scheme on the defensive side.


Charlie has never won a game at TEXAS trailing at halftime. That streak is still alive.


We also saw our biggest fear realized. This offense only goes as far as Shane stays upright. Shane was hurt and it clearly effected his passes. His INT was underthrown and he has other passes off target that we’ve seen him nail in the past. Generally a 570 yard performance isn’t too bad but we cannot afford to trade FGs (especially when you miss 2 long ones) for TDs. Offense also shot itself in the foot a few times, penalties as some bad times stalling drives and putting the O behind the chains.


Warren and Foreman turned in excellent days but we seemed to go away from the run too often and clearly were too predictable. Cal’s defense seemed more ready to face us than vice versa. Really curious why Porter got no carries, his redshirt year is already gone. Certainly understand not wanting to wear out RBs who’ve been dinged.


OK, two weeks to go with the bye week. What can we do to prep for conference play? OSU on the road and OU in Dallas isn’t going to be easy. Another ‘coaching moment’ for CFS. Can he get the team ready for conference play after laying an egg? Does one loss become 2 or more or can we get back on track. And the #1 concern to the cheap seats is can we get a pass rush?


Lost in this was another GREAT punting performance by our Aussie Michael Dickson. He consistantly pinned Cal deep with some great hang times. Let’s not forget Brandon Jones blocking yet another punt, this one resulted in a safety.


Sorry defense, no turnovers, no stops after the 3rd quarter, 50 points given up, 4 red zone defense opportunties, 4 TDs given up. No “player of the game†this week.


 


RANKING THE BIGXII (rankings based on games through today not projections)​

What a freaking mess. Consider the conference in 2 halves. The top half is teams as average CFB teams that might finish ranked below #15-#20 at the end of the year or worse then the really bad teams.


#1 West Virgina. . . .yes, sounds crazy but they are unbeaten and have a win over a better than expected Mizzu team.


#2 Baylor. . . . . .Have not looked good beating 3 mutts, cannot believe that EsPN projects them to the Sugar Bowl. But they are unbeaten. Cheap Seats can see Baylor with 2-4 losses this year.


#3 OSU. . . .should be undefeated but for a horrid blown call.


#4 TCU


#5 TEXAS . . . beating ND still counts for something though TEXAS flunked it’s 1st road test


#6 OU. . . .2 losses but losses to current Top 5 teams. We can’t get pressure on Baker, we’ll be in for a long day in


Cheap Seats could see an argument for any order of the above 6 teams.


#7 Texas Tech. . . .could see an argument for them being above the line


#8 KSU We won’t know much about KSU till their 1 Oct match up with WVU, kept Stanford close


#9 ISU. . .mutt


#10 Kansas. . .mutt with even more fleas

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

This was, without a doubt, one of the worst planned games Ive seen. We completely disregarded the concept of "taking what the D is giving you." We could have thrown the ball 5 times vs Cal and beaten them. They had no stop for our run game. The run game would have also allowed us to keep our D off the field. Instead we chose to throw and the absolute wrong times and have two INT's to show for it. This is def one of the most disappointing losses Ive ever seen. I think our O has made GREAT strides and our D completely failed the team... Vance failed the team and Charlie failed the team. Our secondary is, by far, one of the worst in the country. We have all the athletes we need for the positions but something is lacking whether it be coaching or scheme or whatever. Saturday was completely embarrassing...  

 

[Embrey]

Where to begin? The points allowed could be a precursor for the conference season. I do think your prescription for defensive improvement is on point. The way to stop an effective air raid/Briles veer raid are twofold: First, your team has to be able to tackle in space. Second, you must pressure the quarterback ALL GAME LONG (and get some legal licks on him as well).

To be able to tackle in space you have to recruit players not simply who won the genetic lottery but instinctive, aggressive players who are tackling machines. The problem that arises seems to be that the defense has to pursue to such a degree that the depth required of quality tackling machines is part of the must have to effectively defend a team that is set on attacking the entire field. This is so much easier said than done. For whatever reason, BIG XII coaches are putting most of their eggs in the recruiting basket on the offensive side of the ball and ignoring, for the most part, the reality of the problem. They have entered the arms race but all they have achieved is mutually assured destruction. Until a team deploys a strategy that answers the true problem, look for this to continue. Until a team can convince defensive recruits that it is in their best interest not to want maximum playing time but to share snaps with other equally talented recruits, I fear consistency on defense is going to be a week to week thing. By platooning the defensive line and secondary (which are the two major functions in slowing down a passing attack) this can be achieved.

Hitting the quarterback is a must in our conference. Look at what happened to Baylor last year. They were as offensively talented as anyone but once QB1 was knocked out they were a different team. If everyone cannot see that this strategy is already being deployed against the Longhorns then they are willfully blind. I think Beuchele throws a great deep ball. However, he does not have the body to withstand a season, not yet at least. It is apparent that once a defense commits to take the over the top ball away from Boo, all he can throw with any reliability is the hitch. He cannot yet read a defense at speed with any reliability. At that point, the risk of interception or stalled drive becomes much greater. This is not an attempt to kick him in the nuts. I am simply stating the obvious. If a defense has neutralized Boo then it begins to tighten on the running game. And I cannot help but think that opposing defensive coordinators best case scenario is to knock Shane out or render him ineffective to the point that we reach for Swoopes. Without the threat of the deep ball, Texas becomes one-dimensional.

I do believe the kids played hard and I appreciate that. Your point of Charlie coming in as the defensive guru is a troubling one because it makes one ask if he would relinquish control of naming the defensive coordinator to keep his job. I may be wrong but I do not think that Longhorn Nation has the patience to grant him another two years to fix the defense. In fact, I think the next 9 games will answer if Charlie is allowed to stay or if Texas opts to go in another direction. I think Charlie will retain his job if he wins 8 games minimum this season. Any less than that and it is a crap shoot at best. I think a collapse would certainly spell his exit from Austin.

 

[echeese]

Some really good follow up thoughts, thanks

 

[83Dee]

So many of us love Coach Strong.  Love his Core principles, love how he recruits, how he relates to his players; love the historic significance of the hiring of an African American head coach at the University of Texas.... but I have to think that patients is running short with the power brokers? 

Back to back losing seasons; blowout losses; historically bad offenses and defenses; questionable assistant coaching hires; bringing back and then demoting OC after one game..... this thing had better get turned around really fast or I'm afraid this wonderful story is going to end in short order. 

 

[texasdalton]

He has to win 9 games for me to be happy and and im still not sure how happy i will be. 10 wins and ill do everyone a favor and shut the hell up.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

So many of us love Coach Strong.  Love his Core principles, love how he recruits, how he relates to his players; love the historic significance of the hiring of an African American head coach at the University of Texas.... but I have to think that patients is running short with the power brokers? 

Back to back losing seasons; blowout losses; historically bad offenses and defenses; questionable assistant coaching hires; bringing back and then demoting OC after one game..... this thing had better get turned around really fast or I'm afraid this wonderful story is going to end in short order. 

I'm afraid we are underestimating the patience that the "powers that be" have. 

The only way Charlie gets fired is with a losing season. He could go 6-6 this year and still be back next because Texas gets in a bowl game which is the minimum standard to retain his job.

 

[tejasrulz]

Cheap Seats was shocked that Charlie didn’t challenge a key 4th quarter reception which replay clearly showed wasn’t a catch.

He has to trust his coaches who are watching for that. I admit I didn't see it the first time they showed the replay. I did notice later when they showed it later in the game but by then, it was way too late. The bigger question in my mind is why didn't the replay official take a longer look at that play? They did on several others.

 

[echeese]

He has to trust his coaches who are watching for that. I admit I didn't see it the first time they showed the replay. I did notice later when they showed it later in the game but by then, it was way too late. The bigger question in my mind is why didn't the replay official take a longer look at that play? They did on several others.

Charlie even mentioned in the press conference he didn't think it was a catch . . .SO CHALLENGE IT.  . . .

 

[dillohorn]

View from the Cheap Seats-California​

Not ready for prime time or how Shock the World Part Deux (II) tour only lasted 2 games before reality set in for our Horns.

Team went on the road and legged an egg. Can someone explain to us how Charlie Flacking Strong came to Austin with a reputation as a defensive guru and against the 2 offenses with a pulse he’s faced this year TEXAS has given up 47 and 50 points? Or most importantly, when we needed it most vs Cal, we couldn’t make a play, last 3 drives for Cal, 9 plays TD, 7 plays TD and 5 plays, take a knee at the 1. BTW, classy move by Spike Dykes to take a knee to run out the clock when he likely scores easily. With an opportunity to establish TEXAS as the clear league front runner for the conference crown, we showed those who stayed up to see, the BigXII is a freaking MESS this year. TCU, Baylor, OU OSU and TT will all will challenge our secondary. We have 2 weeks to find a pass rush, learn how to communicate in the secondary and start playing better football on defense than last year. #11 rating was WAY too high.

Shane went from the #8 passer in the nation to #28, not a horrid drop but a drop none the less. In the “oh what could have beenâ€. . . .watching tOSU light up OU (only highlight of the day) and hearing once again how JT Barrett wanted to be a Horn set us down the “what could have been†road. El Machio and Gerry Hamilton were among the very first to make that call.

Cheaps Seats 2 biggest questions from the pre-season were can the defense step up from last year and can Charlie consistantly coach at a Top 15 level. Both concerns seem to be well founded. Despite some excellent talent, the defense cannot create a serious pass rush which does not bode well for conference play. Face it, we seriously out talented Cal . . ..while they matched us on defense and out did us on offense.

As for coaching, while there were some really questionable calls, the biggest concern was schematically this team was not ready for Cal’s passing attack. Outside of 3 excellent defensive series in the 3rd quarter. . ..this defense was not ready for Cal’s passing attack. Davis Webb, the Texas Tech transfer, torched TEXAS for 4 yards less than 400 with 4 TDs, half of that to a walk on WRs who lit TEXAS up for200 with 2 TDs and a new technique for down horns. Here are the top Cal WRs average per catch numbers 17, 26, 16, 12, 13 15. So against offenses with a pulse, the TEXAS D is giving up 48 points a game on average. And the worst thing, passing attacks are torching our secondary.

Cheap Seats was shocked that Charlie didn’t challenge a key 4th quarter reception which replay clearly showed wasn’t a catch. Big change in field position as that gave Cal a 1st down at the 12 and clearly was not a catch. We were also shocked that on 4th and 7 with about 2 minutes left in the game, Charlie elects to punt. Were we not watching the same game? Instead of our rushing attack pounding them and wearing out their D, we were gassed. Don’t think anyone thought we were getting the ball back. Granted small specifics which does not account for the lack of solid scheme on the defensive side.

Charlie has never won a game at TEXAS trailing at halftime. That streak is still alive.

We also saw our biggest fear realized. This offense only goes as far as Shane stays upright. Shane was hurt and it clearly effected his passes. His INT was underthrown and he has other passes off target that we’ve seen him nail in the past. Generally a 570 yard performance isn’t too bad but we cannot afford to trade FGs (especially when you miss 2 long ones) for TDs. Offense also shot itself in the foot a few times, penalties as some bad times stalling drives and putting the O behind the chains.

Warren and Foreman turned in excellent days but we seemed to go away from the run too often and clearly were too predictable. Cal’s defense seemed more ready to face us than vice versa. Really curious why Porter got no carries, his redshirt year is already gone. Certainly understand not wanting to wear out RBs who’ve been dinged.

OK, two weeks to go with the bye week. What can we do to prep for conference play? OSU on the road and OU in Dallas isn’t going to be easy. Another ‘coaching moment’ for CFS. Can he get the team ready for conference play after laying an egg? Does one loss become 2 or more or can we get back on track. And the #1 concern to the cheap seats is can we get a pass rush?

Lost in this was another GREAT punting performance by our Aussie Michael Dickson. He consistantly pinned Cal deep with some great hang times. Let’s not forget Brandon Jones blocking yet another punt, this one resulted in a safety.

Sorry defense, no turnovers, no stops after the 3rd quarter, 50 points given up, 4 red zone defense opportunties, 4 TDs given up. No “player of the game†this week.


RANKING THE BIGXII (rankings based on games through today not projections)​

What a freaking mess. Consider the conference in 2 halves. The top half is teams as average CFB teams that might finish ranked below #15-#20 at the end of the year or worse then the really bad teams.

#1 West Virgina. . . .yes, sounds crazy but they are unbeaten and have a win over a better than expected Mizzu team.

#2 Baylor. . . . . .Have not looked good beating 3 mutts, cannot believe that EsPN projects them to the Sugar Bowl. But they are unbeaten. Cheap Seats can see Baylor with 2-4 losses this year.

#3 OSU. . . .should be undefeated but for a horrid blown call.

#4 TCU

#5 TEXAS . . . beating ND still counts for something though TEXAS flunked it’s 1st road test

#6 OU. . . .2 losses but losses to current Top 5 teams. We can’t get pressure on Baker, we’ll be in for a long day in

Cheap Seats could see an argument for any order of the above 6 teams.

#7 Texas Tech. . . .could see an argument for them being above the line

#8 KSU We won’t know much about KSU till their 1 Oct match up with WVU, kept Stanford close

#9 ISU. . .mutt

#10 Kansas. . .mutt with even more fleas

Looks like anyone who can halfway pass will torch these Horns.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Kansas game is a layup.

Iowa State should be a layup but then last year happened.

Kansas State should be a win but we are playing there so it's not a given.

The other 6 games are all literally a toss-up. I can't see us losing all of them but we could easily lose 3-4 of them. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me a bit to win all 6. 

 

[Embrey]

Kansas game is a layup.

Iowa State should be a layup but then last year happened.

Kansas State should be a win but we are playing there so it's not a given.

The other 6 games are all literally a toss-up. I can't see us losing all of them but we could easily lose 3-4 of them. Then again, it wouldn't surprise me a bit to win all 6.

Kansas is as close to a sure thing as possible.

Iowa State looks like they might have figured something out this weekend - dangerous.

K State and TCU are toss ups.

OU, West Virginia and Tech should be slight favorites over Texas.

Baylor and OSU should beat Texas.

The outcome of the K State, TCU, OU, W Va and Tech games will determine if Charlie stay or if Charlie go.