echeese
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[SIZE=14pt]View from the Cheap Seat-Okie Lite[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Déjà vu all over again[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Shades of 2021 and a familiar title. [/SIZE]It fits. TEXAS enjoyed a double-digit lead late in the 2nd quarter and our offense goes turtle . . . . .again. Clearly their DC said “we are not going to let BiJan beat us on the counter” at half time and our “offensive genius” HC could not adjust. We ran ZERO jet sweeps, we ran a GREAT WR screen to Brennan Thompson, worked so well, we never called that play again. Think we ran 1 outside zone play, we ran virtually no passes to our outstanding pass catching RBs out of the backfield. We seemed to forget until late in the 4th quarter our TEs are both excellent and eligible. But we ran plenty of “bombs away” to Xavier even though Ewers does not throw that pass very well on his best day. WHY? Ewers loves crossing routes, slants, bubble screen and the like. And let’s be candid, this was his worst day. Against OU, we ran some great crossing routes and schemed our pass catchers pretty well.
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[SIZE=14pt]Mike Gundy has owned TEXAS of late. [/SIZE]5-3 vs TEXAS in the CFS/Mensa/Sark era. Best Okie Lite streak in the history of the series. He is the best coach in the BigXII and he rolled out the best QB in the BigXII (there is a reason he was the All BigXII QB last year). And for all of that, Sark & Company once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with poor play but worse, poor play calling.
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[SIZE=14pt]Some of the fan boys will blame the D and they did give up 40 points but overall the D played fairly well considering we have walk ons and 3rd teamers playing large roles in the secondary. [/SIZE]We needed an offense that could run the clock and shorten the game. We didn’t get it. We also enjoyed 14 penalties. . .14, we are Alabama bad at that after seemingly getting that issue fixed. Though in fairness, the last penalty saved a pick 6. Oddly, almost impossibly, Okie Lite recorded ZERO. Yes, you read that right, ZERO. Despite their OL practically tackling our pass rushers and their DBs Face it, by giving the BigXII the finger, we’re going to have to beat the refs as well as our opponents. And why were beyond pissed, this was another coulda/shoulda/woulda game we allowed to get away.
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[SIZE=14pt]2nd half 1st down plays[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Want to point to the single biggest problem with the offense? [/SIZE]We frequently got behind the chains in the 2nd half. Below are the 1st down plays from each drive
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[SIZE=14pt]BiJan [/SIZE]5 yards, 2 incompletions Punt
[SIZE=14pt]BiJan [/SIZE]Zero Punt
[SIZE=14pt]Xavier 27 [/SIZE]KR -1 Punt
[SIZE=14pt]BiJan [/SIZE]4
[SIZE=14pt]Sanders’ 1st catch-7 [/SIZE]Punt
[SIZE=14pt]Billingsley [/SIZE]20 FGA
[SIZE=14pt]Billingsley [/SIZE]13 INT
[SIZE=14pt]Ewers [/SIZE]INC/Pass to Milton no gain/penalty 1st 15 INT
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[SIZE=14pt]Forget sustaining drives, we could not get out of 1st down without being behind the chains. [/SIZE]Where was the jet sweep, crossing pass off play action to the TE, where was the outside zone or another WR screen? This offense (most offenses) work best when you are not behind the chains.
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[SIZE=14pt]So to be clear, some fans will claim we’re calling for Sark’s head. [/SIZE]To be clear we are not. We want Sark to stop being so rigid in his play calling and to take a page out of Greg Davis’ book, tailor the offense to your talent. The best coach’s self-coach/evaluate during the season. Heck the really good ones adjust at halftime but let’s crawl before we run.
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[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]Keep the D off balance with misdirection, don’t be so predictable. And we don’t care if bombs away worked at Bama, you don’t have that QB or those WRs. 3-4 times a game, fine, we did not chart it but had to have been at least a dozen. So these are our observations of TEXAS’ deficits and they are pretty obvious. You can support a coach/not call for his head but still point out what doesn’t work right. The worst thing TEXAS could do is start over again after 2023, after 2024 or after 2025.
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[SIZE=14pt]Silver lining section: [/SIZE] Ewers is going to get better. Our offensive line is going to get better. Keep in mind we start 2 true freshmen and 2 sophomores; future is bright there. Our TEs and WRs are going to be better and we have Worthy for another year, JWhitt? Maybe not. And as much as this hurts to say today, this team can still finish 9-3/8-4, can still play in a bowl game and is one of the most attractive portal spots for the spring. Our 1st look is for a pass rusher or 2, DBs (both) 2-3 of those and a #1 pass catcher. And yes, it will trigger some but there is ZERO reason this team is not favored to win the BigXII next year despite losing BiJan, the best RB in America and Roschon, an absolute stud. Oh yeah, we lose 2 big men in the middle of the DL who will be hard to replace as well.
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[SIZE=14pt]Offensive player of the Game[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]BiJan Robinson, he was his usual amazing self.24 carries, 140 yards TD and 1 reception 41 yards and a TD. [/SIZE]He had some great runs in the 2nd half despite Okie Lite loading up to stop him. He’d have done better with better play calling.
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[SIZE=14pt]Honorable mention: [/SIZE]Roschon Johnson, 5 carries 73 yards and a TD
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[SIZE=14pt]Defensive player of the Game[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Co’s this week[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Jaylan Ford-Really coming into his own this year[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Ryan Watts-His endzone INT kept TEXAS in a position to win, snuffing out an early Okie Lite drive. [/SIZE]His departure from the game highlighted how important he is to the TEXAS defense. Yes, we’ll say it, he doesn’t go down, the secondary has more stop and we likely win..
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[SIZE=14pt]Special Teams[/SIZE][SIZE=14pt]-[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Want to spend a minute to highlight how well our special teams played overall. [/SIZE]They opened with a blocked punt. Both K Robinson and Xaiver Worthy had very nice returns to set TEXAS with good field position. With the exception of one KO return, Okie Lite basically lost the field position battle and had no returns of note. On that one big return, the D bowed up with a 3 and out. Auburn made two FGs, missed one. Not perfect but more than enough to win the game.
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[SIZE=14pt]Stats that matter:[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]15-0 [/SIZE]Not sure we’ve ever seen it, TEXAS penalties vs Okie Lite. Some were DUMB, some were bull. Never seen a team go ZERO for penalties in such a contested game and at least 2 Okie Lite drives kept alive with penalties.
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[SIZE=14pt]1-6 [/SIZE]Sark’s road record at TEXAS. No bueno
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[SIZE=14pt]10-10 [/SIZE]Sark’s overall record
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[SIZE=14pt]52 [/SIZE] Before this game BiJan’s “forced missed tackles”, he lead the nation in the category coming in to the Okie Lite game.
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[SIZE=14pt]8 [/SIZE]Okie Lite drives of 5 plays or less ending with punts. D wasn’t great but also a) not the strength of the team b) playing with 3rd stringers and walk ons and c) played well enough to win
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[SIZE=14pt]4-2 [/SIZE]TEXAS turnovers (3 INTs. downs) vs Cowboy turnovers (INT blocked punt)
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[SIZE=14pt]3-17/0-2 [/SIZE]3rd down conversion rate for TEXAS then 4th down. Pathetic
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[SIZE=14pt]32/49 [/SIZE]Runs vs passes called. Seems odd since Ewers was struggling from the 1st series and we have 2 All American level backs
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[SIZE=14pt]Conclusions[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]As mentioned above, TEXAS/Sark figured out another way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory and recorded another “failure on the road”. [/SIZE]Make no mistake, this is a good team that likely finishes ranked in the top 10 if they can win out. Though they only have 1 patsy in their next 5. Will be interesting to see but sadly, TEXAS blew a chance to continue control over it’s destiny. Having most of the players walk out and not sing the Eyes reeks of a lack of culture.
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[SIZE=14pt]On Deck[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]If Sark is going to enjoy success at TEXAS, he will have to learn how to win on the road and hold leads in the 2nd half. [/SIZE] And clearly he needs to stop getting outcoached in the 2nd half. The good news, he has a bye week to fix some problems then TEXAS will be tested again in 2 weeks by a very good KSU team.. . . on the road. No rest for the wicked from there, TEXAS will follow that hosting TCU, traveling to Kansas then closing out with the surging Baylor Bears to finish the season. Go 1-3 down the stretch, TEXAS goes bowling, go 2-2, that was the pre-season floor so either of those outcomes and the season is meh. Improvement from last year but nothing special. Go 3-1 and it’s a good not great season. Bit far fetched today but win out, TEXAS will need some help to make the Conference Title game. Every team we’ll face features a dual threat QB and a couple of them will compete for All BigXII QB. Going to enjoy some good sipping whiskey to numb the pain and resign ourselves to just enjoying the next 4 game by game plus bowl selection Sunday. #1 goal from here is to keep the recruiting class together and land some quality portal kids to fill holes.
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[SIZE=14pt]Fighting Mack Brown’s[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]On the bye this week, 6-1 so they go bowling. [/SIZE]Biggest remaining game is Pitt. Each controls their destiny to win the division. Bad news, the Fighting Mack Brown’s seem to make every game interesting in the 4th, even the weak teams.
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[SIZE=14pt]Ranking the BigXII[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]#1 [/SIZE]TCU 7-0/4-0 Beat 4 straight ranked opponents, control their destiny to the BigXII CCG, got to face KSU’s back up QB
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[SIZE=14pt]#2 Okie Lite [/SIZE]6-1/3-1 Will be tested vs KSU next weekend, winner controls their destiny to the BigXII title game. Going bowling
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[SIZE=14pt]#3 [/SIZE]KSU 5-2/3-1 Faces Okie Lite then TEXAS next and they control their path to the BigXII title game
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[SIZE=14pt]#4 [/SIZE]TEXAS (5-3/3-2) Easy path to going bowling but is the season slipping away?
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[SIZE=14pt]#5a [/SIZE]Baylor (4-3/2-2) Nice win over Kansas though they should have put them away earlier. Baylor is getting better as the season goes on. 2 wins to go bowling
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[SIZE=14pt]#5b [/SIZE]Texas Tech (4-3/2-2) Beat cellar dweller WVU, still needs 2 to go bowling
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[SIZE=14pt]#7 [/SIZE]Dirt Buglers (4-3/1-3) Needs 2 to go bowling, they have Gabriel back and it matters
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[SIZE=14pt]#8 [/SIZE]Kansas (5-3/2-3) Needs one win to go bowling, if you are Kansas, that’s a Dorothy level season.
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[SIZE=14pt]#9a [/SIZE]ISU (3-4/0-4) Like WVU, needs to win 3 and they play each other to go bowling
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[SIZE=14pt]#9b [/SIZE]WVU (3-4/1-3) 2 weeks and they play ISU to determine the cellar dweller. Looks like BigXII only gets 8 bowl eligible teams at best. Good news, if we get to 7, one will play in the Armed Forces Bowl which will be a good draw.
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[SIZE=14pt]If we had a vote that counted[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]#1 [/SIZE]tOSU Big win vs Iowa, style points
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[SIZE=14pt]#2 [/SIZE]Georgia Bye week
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[SIZE=14pt]#3 [/SIZE]Tenn beat up a tomato can, Cocktail party for the SEC East rep? Even if they lose, they also beat Bama who likely has 2 losses by year end.
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[SIZE=14pt]#4 [/SIZE]Clemson Dodged a major bullet vs a better than we thought Syracuse. Norte Dame on deck then largely cupcakes.
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[SIZE=14pt]Just a bit outside[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Michigan, can make their case when they play tOSU, win that game, they are in the Final 4[/SIZE]
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[SIZE=14pt]Oregon [/SIZE]Win out and their sole loss will be to #1 Georgia. Biggest games left, Utah and then the winner of UCLA/USC in the Pac 12 title.
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[SIZE=14pt]USC/UCLA winner. [/SIZE]Both with 1 loss, each needs to win out to have any chance
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[SIZE=14pt]TCU [/SIZE]Why not, they are unbeaten. Bet you wouldn’t have thought that in the offseason.
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[SIZE=14pt]Bama [/SIZE]needs to win out/win the SEC to score an invite
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[SIZE=14pt] [/SIZE]Game Highlights
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