*****GAME THREAD: #7 TEXAS vs. #25 KANSAS STATE*****

[Drb522]

After watching the game this morning, this is a game that Texas loses last year. Luckily ksu decided to go for the win in OT or Texas’ cfp hopes would possibly be dead today. I can’t for the life of me figure why Sark doesn’t want to lean on the downhill run game when it’s working. He also calls shorts screens that are shy of the first down marker or goal line too. I hate that. Texas is lucky to get the win, but it’s still a win. Hook’em!!

Lots to clean up. Murphy needs to work on his footwork. Brooks’ fumble was very uncharacteristic of him but it set ksu up. Terrance Brooks, learn to cover somebody please.

 

[texbound]

After watching the game this morning, this is a game that Texas loses last year. Luckily ksu decided to go for the win in OT or Texas’ cfp hopes would possibly be dead today. I can’t for the life of me figure why Sark doesn’t want to lean on the downhill run game when it’s working. He also calls shorts screens that are shy of the first down marker or goal line too. I hate that. Texas is lucky to get the win, but it’s still a win. Hook’em!!

Lots to clean up. Murphy needs to work on his footwork. Brooks’ fumble was very uncharacteristic of him but it set ksu up. Terrance Brooks, learn to cover somebody please.

Totally agree with you. Texas loses this game last year. I had 0 confidence in Murphy in the 4th and OT. Please don't mistake that for not believing he will be good, but KST confused him and he looked rattled. They found a way to beat a red hot, defending B12 Champion with a backup QB. That says a lot for the character makeup of this team. These last two games will do wonders for Murphy. I don't think he is ready to control a whole game against a top team. If he needs to come in for a qtr or 2 then I think the coaches have a great feel for what they can do with him.

Do they still have warts? Absolutely. Does the coach still try to outsmart others, including himself? Absolutely. Texas could easily be 6-3 right now or they could easily be 9-0. I'm stoked to have them at 8-1 with control of their destiny. I'm enjoying this. All of us predicted a 9-3 floor, I know I did. Well, they're 1 win away from the floor and still climbing.

 

[Soldierhorn]

After watching the game this morning, this is a game that Texas loses last year. Luckily ksu decided to go for the win in OT or Texas’ cfp hopes would possibly be dead today. I can’t for the life of me figure why Sark doesn’t want to lean on the downhill run game when it’s working. He also calls shorts screens that are shy of the first down marker or goal line too. I hate that. Texas is lucky to get the win, but it’s still a win. Hook’em!!

Lots to clean up. Murphy needs to work on his footwork. Brooks’ fumble was very uncharacteristic of him but it set ksu up. Terrance Brooks, learn to cover somebody please.

It's a new day but I'm not sure people are ready to talk football yet

 

[Soldierhorn]

I'm stoked to have them at 8-1 with control of their destiny.

I dont think Texas is in control of its own destiny. they need a lot of help and several other teams need to lose one or two games. I was hoping USC could beat UW just for that reason

 

[NEOkHorn]

I dont think Texas is in control of its own destiny. they need a lot of help and several other teams need to lose one or two games. I was hoping USC could beat UW just for that reason

Not going to speak for anyone else, but control of their own destiny relates to the Big 12 championship. Although I predicted 13-1 and CFP champs in the year prediction thread, it was after a healthy orange koolade binge.lol
Big 12 champs was the floor for me with this team and conference. There were too many questions in August to realistically expect or hope for a CFP championship for me.

 

[Soldierhorn]

Not going to speak for anyone else, but control of their own destiny relates to the Big 12 championship. Although I predicted 13-1 and CFP champs in the year prediction thread, it was after a healthy orange koolade binge.lol
Big 12 champs was the floor for me with this team and conference. There were too many questions in August to realistically expect or hope for a CFP championship for me.

CCG is the floor with me as well. This team SHOULD have beaten 0U. Winning the CCG on the way out would be sweet but not satisfying without a CFP invite - finally. And, I would love to put the "Sark is an average head coach" talk to bed.

 

[TexCoyote]

One of the biggest plays of the game and one we have to figure out how to convert in the future……….3rd down and 3 with Kansas St. using their timeouts…..1:39 left on the clock. We convert that 3rd down and the game is over. Myself I’d had Brooks in the game if I was going to run it. I have nothing at all against Baxter. He’s running downhill a lot better but that’s one of the biggest plays of the game……Brooks usually is going to get it up the field and get yardage. We punt it back and then play soft and let them make two 15 yard throws and get out of bounds. They should have never gotten the ball back to kick a game tying field goal. I’m sure y’all saw what I am talking about. I know Sark was trying as hard as he could to get it but dang, we have to figure a way to convert those.

 

[Soldierhorn]

One of the biggest plays of the game and one we have to figure out how to convert in the future……….3rd down and 3 with Kansas St. using their timeouts…..1:39 left on the clock. We convert that 3rd down and the game is over. Myself I’d had Brooks in the game if I was going to run it. I have nothing at all against Baxter. He’s running downhill a lot better but that’s one of the biggest plays of the game……Brooks usually is going to get it up the field and get yardage. We punt it back and then play soft and let them make two 15 yard throws and get out of bounds. They should have never gotten the ball back to kick a game tying field goal. I’m sure y’all saw what I am talking about. I know Sark was trying as hard as he could to get it but dang, we have to figure a way to convert those.

Baxter looks like a true freshman that lacks confidence. Red runs with more aggression than Baxter.

 

[DMAC]

Baxter looks like a true freshman that lacks confidence. Red runs with more aggression than Baxter.

Which is kind of odd for a RB. Its one of the few positions that transitions rather well from HS to college ball. He does seem to rush rather than waiting the hole to materialize. I dont doubt he will be a good back but my impression of him isnt great right now. Brooks is a better runner and always get those extra yards after contact. Baxter doesnt seem to

 

[DMAC]

Totally agree with you. Texas loses this game last year. I had 0 confidence in Murphy in the 4th and OT. Please don't mistake that for not believing he will be good, but KST confused him and he looked rattled. They found a way to beat a red hot, defending B12 Champion with a backup QB. That says a lot for the character makeup of this team. These last two games will do wonders for Murphy. I don't think he is ready to control a whole game against a top team. If he needs to come in for a qtr or 2 then I think the coaches have a great feel for what they can do with him.

Do they still have warts? Absolutely. Does the coach still try to outsmart others, including himself? Absolutely. Texas could easily be 6-3 right now or they could easily be 9-0. I'm stoked to have them at 8-1 with control of their destiny. I'm enjoying this. All of us predicted a 9-3 floor, I know I did. Well, they're 1 win away from the floor and still climbing.

That first turnover got in MM's head. You could see it in his body language and demeanor going to the sideline. Its typical of young inexperienced QBs though. Thats why i was grateful KSU went for it on 4th down because I would much rather put it on the defense instead of the offense. Our OT drive was pathetic and my trust in MM was pretty much gone at that point.

 

[Steelhammer]

Well I seem to remember beating an SEC team….who was it, oh yes Alabama.
Do you remember that ?

I for for one look at Bama now and then totally different, so glad we don't have to play an all Texas backfield.

 

[TXFF]

Which is kind of odd for a RB. Its one of the few positions that transitions rather well from HS to college ball. He does seem to rush rather than waiting the hole to materialize. I dont doubt he will be a good back but my impression of him isnt great right now. Brooks is a better runner and always get those extra yards after contact. Baxter doesnt seem to

One play from the game comes to mind. Baxter ran hard right into the pile when there was a huge hole about a yard to his right. Brooks has learned to wait and watch for a hole to develop. It's an important skill that takes time to develop. Baxter does a great job when the hole is where he anticipates it should be, like his TD run.

 

[Steelhammer]

We've won three games with a RS frosh QB with no prior meaningful snaps. We've had a lot of injuries to key players, some of whom are still out. Our D is excellent, and the offense is excellent when we have QE, and the STs are really good, too. It appears that we, along with osu, will be alone at the top of the B12 standings if KU, who is leading at halftime, goes on to beat ISU tonight. Win out, and we are guaranteed a slot in the CCG. Win that game and we have a good chance to make the playoffs. Not bad for a team that everyone here would have been thrilled to be 8-1 at this point with that lone loss coming down to the last play. Sark and team are doing really well for only his third year. Give him another year or two to build even more depth and we'll be in the playoffs annually. Hookem!

We are ranked seventh behind Oregon Washington ,Florida State, Ohio State, Michigan ,& Georgia. One of big ten schools will fall,as will Oregon if we win Championship game We still stand at five.

 

[Soldierhorn]

Which is kind of odd for a RB. Its one of the few positions that transitions rather well from HS to college ball. He does seem to rush rather than waiting the hole to materialize. I dont doubt he will be a good back but my impression of him isnt great right now. Brooks is a better runner and always get those extra yards after contact. Baxter doesnt seem to

exactly. I'm sure they have to give Baxter touches to keep promises and that's ok - he needs to grow into the monster he will become. If I had a true depth chart, I would have Baxter maybe forth behind Blue. And, at this point I'm not sure K Robinson shouldnt get touches before Baxter but that's not going to happen.

 

[Sunkist]

exactly. I'm sure they have to give Baxter touches to keep promises and that's ok - he needs to grow into the monster he will become. If I had a true depth chart, I would have Baxter maybe forth behind Blue. And, at this point I'm not sure K Robinson shouldnt get touches before Baxter but that's not going to happen.

Baxter typically gets postivie yardage. Him and brooks rarely lose yardage unless we miss a block or the defense plays it perfectly. To me, he needs more strength. He’s a bit too easy to take down but one more year of S&C and he will be super hard to bring down. Baxter also probably our best blocker at RB.

I would like to see more Blue and kRob too but Sark sticks with his top guys and rarely digs into the depth chart.

 

[Hiwood]

That first turnover got in MM's head. You could see it in his body language and demeanor going to the sideline. Its typical of young inexperienced QBs though. Thats why i was grateful KSU went for it on 4th down because I would much rather put it on the defense instead of the offense. Our OT drive was pathetic and my trust in MM was pretty much gone at that point.

You are right MM looked tentative, and almost gun shy after the first TO...the second one you almost want to say WTH were you looking at....I have been as big a MM fanboy as anyone but, he crapped in his pants yesterday

 

[tejasrulz]

If I remember correctly, Brooks came out of couple of times looking like he was banged up a little. He still finished with 112 yards and Baxter finished with 90. I'll take that. I agree Brooks is the better of the 2 this year. K Rob only had 1 carry, but it did gain 8 yards.

 

[Soldierhorn]

We are ranked seventh behind Oregon Washington ,Florida State, Ohio State, Michigan ,& Georgia. One of big ten schools will fall,as will Oregon if we win Championship game We still stand at five.

yep. I think Orgone beats UW in the CCG rematch. If that happens, then Orgone likely stays ahead of Texas in the CFP rankings and they pass the eye test, IMO. Texas' ugly wins against barely ranked and no-ranked teams will be a problem

If UGA wins out, they are in
If both OSU or Mich win out, one will lose to the other and likely play again in the CCG. Winner of CCG will be in if Mich or OSU
If either UW or UO win out, one is in the CFP. UO's one loss is to undefeated UW & better than Texas' loss to two-loss Okiehoma
IF FSU wins out, they are in and they have the easiest path to the CFP.
If 1-loss Bama wins out, they could jump Texas due to better resume even though Texas won head-to-head.

so, at this point, it is likely B10, sec, ACC and PAC in the CFP. IMO, several things have to happen and swing Texas' way to get in

 

[Hiwood]

Baxter typically gets postivie yardage. Him and brooks rarely lose yardage unless we miss a block or the defense plays it perfectly. To me, he needs more strength. He’s a bit too easy to take down but one more year of S&C and he will be super hard to bring down. Baxter also probably our best blocker at RB.

I would like to see more Blue and kRob too but Sark sticks with his top guys and rarely digs into the depth chart.

I think Brooks is the better blocker especially in pass protection and he is usually the lead back for Red when they go to the Cat....the B&B boys are just two. different backs , the way Baxter has run the last few weeks its like he wants his RB1 position back, and the media has all but missed the fact that Brooks has amassed 1K yards in game eight...He needs to feed the guys more and more and limit MM to 15-20 throws, not the 30 he had in the game

 

[TXFF]

You are right MM looked tentative, and almost gun shy after the first TO...the second one you almost want to say WTH were you looking at....I have been as big a MM fanboy as anyone but, he crapped in his pants yesterday

When a play develops as expected, MM does a good job of pretty consistently delivering a nice pass. But when a play starts to break down, he's clueless and just wings it. The OL gave him a really clean pocket all game so pressure wasn't an issue. He's just not seeing the field. It's a skill that takes time to develop and he doesn't have it yet. He could have easily had at least a couple more INTs if KS had held onto them. Sure hope QE gets back soon because there's no way we win out without him because any of our remaining foes are capable of beating us.