5 Thoughts Following The Loss to OU

[texbound]

I don’t know if this has been discussed and I missed it, did Porter get hurt. I don’t remember seeing him play in the 4th qtr. 

I don't know what exactly happened to him, but they ssid during the game that Porter sustained an injury and would not return to the game.  I think that was in the 3rd qtr.

 

[Grandpa Zorro]

There is no question there are a lot of issues this team needs to fix.  But in my opinion (admittedly unprofessional) there is one thing we need to fix and it probably cost us the game against USC and OU.

It is on film now and every team we play will try to take advantage.  My description is this...two wideouts lining up against 3 DBs...receivers run some kind of downfield route where they cross...inside receiver runs to the sideline, outside receiver runs to the middle of the field and all 3 DBS go with the same receiver.  The result is a receiver running wide open with no one near him.

I'm fairly sure both long TD passes Mayfield threw were this kind of play and it happened in the USC game as well.  I'm not smart enough to break down the plays and sort out all the reasons why...but I know this, no matter what, we cannot have opposition receivers running around with no one near them. 

 If we are DBU, this shouldn't happen. 

I don't believe in moral victories...but we are seeing some good things.  I really want to see this team get on a roll and win games from here on out.  Hook 'Em!

 

[RickyFlair]

I don't know what exactly happened to him, but they ssid during the game that Porter sustained an injury and would not return to the game.  I think that was in the 3rd qtr.

I saw him on the sideline with his arm in a sling.

 

[DBut82]

Could maybe compare Malik to DJ athletically, but he’s not the natural DJ was at the position. The biggest thing MJ gets dinged for is his lack of instincts and being a guesser. 

Agree to an extent.  DJ was "more natural" because he was blessed to play his natural position for 4 years.  Malik has been played out of position his 1st 2 years in the yard. He looks pretty natural to me this year.  And I think his improvement in play proves that.  The guy has been all over the field the last 5 weeks.  And I'm sure it will continue...

 

[Jameson McCausland]

this game was lost in first quarter and half of 2nd quarter. you just can not get abused 20-0 before team decides to play. I know Texas fought back played with great heart but that was a bad 20 minutes or so.

Beck has to give RBs a chance call run plays that fit personnel i.e. quit running delay draws with Warren or running Porter straight into middle of the line and even if run plays do not gain huge yardage they allow O-line to take fight to defense keep running throw in a jet sweep or 5 ,run the stretch play Carter did well in kstate game.

Orlando made huge mistake not playing with spy on Mayfield early in game just can not let QB like him have running lane.

Good observations. I am not entirely sure why they did not run the outside runs with Carter that were successful against Kansas State. Early in the game, Orlando dropped guys into coverage and Mayfield absolutely picked the defense apart. This forced him to bring more pressure, and the best spy at the LB position (Malik) also happens to be the best blitzing linebacker on the team. It was a trade off they had to make, but Mayfield hurt them with his legs mainly due to the inability of the defensive line to keep contain.

 

[Daniel Seahorn]

Agree to an extent.  DJ was "more natural" because he was blessed to play his natural position for 4 years.  Malik has been played out of position his 1st 2 years in the yard. He looks pretty natural to me this year.  And I think his improvement in play proves that.  The guy has been all over the field the last 5 weeks.  And I'm sure it will continue...

Yes he’s improved, but he is still far from a natural. His athleticism will cover up a lot of things, but it won’t cover up everything. 

Look I like Malik and I’m rooting for him, but I’m not ready to compare him to DJ. 

 

[tejasrulz]

Until an announcer jinxed things late 4th qtr, I believe Texas had only one offensive penalty up to then, but soon as the announcer said it (at which time I cursed the jinx!)... after one more play, I believe two offensive penalties called.

When he said that I told my wife he just jinxed us and bam, we get 2 holding calls.

I saw Porter on the sideline late in the game with pads off and his arm in a sling.

 

[oldhorn2]

Idk if you compare him to Nobis or Singletary; just not a fair comparison. But I definitely think you can compare him to Derrick Johnson. And he wasn't too shabby during his time on the forty. Malik needs to return for his senior year and finish what he started imo...

For those that were not fortunate enough to see either of those two play.....I am not sure you could call their play elite. They were so much above what were considered elite that they were simply in another class. I am not sure even Dick Butkis was in their class. Malik , if he improves a great deal from what he is right now could possibly approach that level, but he is no where near it right now.

 

[83Dee]

I don't believe in moral victories...but we are seeing some good things.  I really want to see this team get on a roll and win games from here on out.  Hook 'Em!

Man, I am tracking with you here! 

We could very well be 3-4 after this Saturday - nobody likes that.  But, if you can't see that this thing is headed in the right direction, "Look Harder!" (Lion King reference)

The way the defense is playing alone gives me euphoric hope that the future is really bright and I mean the near future.  I would submit to you that if you  give a mulligan for Maryland, we have out-physicaled ever team we have played.  We are just not quite ready to compete at the highest level across the board (inexperience and lack of depth at OL and QB come to mind right off the bat).  But help / depth is in on the way or watching from the sidelines on crutches.

Sure I could nit-pick about the running back rotation, play calling here and there, secondary break downs a couple of times per game, etc.... but there is too much positive indication for that countenance. 

Call me Mr. Sunshine!!  See below if you'd like to join me:

Defense
WR corps
Looks like we have a QB (or two)
Looks like we have a TE
Recruiting like nobody's business

 

[DBut82]

Yes he’s improved, but he is still far from a natural. His athleticism will cover up a lot of things, but it won’t cover up everything. 

Look I like Malik and I’m rooting for him, but I’m not ready to compare him to DJ. 

Fair enough

 

[DMAC]

The way the defense is playing alone gives me euphoric hope that the future is really bright and I mean the near future.  

Are you referring to the last second TD right before the half vs USC?

Maybe its the FG after USC drove 40 yards with less than a minute to play to tie the game?

Maybe its the 20 points we gave up to the sooners in the beginning 1.5 quarters?

Maybe its the 54 yard TD pass to the sooner TE to lose the lead in the closing minutes?

I know im being sarcastic but come on guys.  Will Herman fix this team yea I feel like he will but we have lost both big games we had the lead in the closing seconds and all I read on here is aggy moral victories.

The sooner gained 518 yards on this defense and 4.5 ypc, is that good?  I half way expect to hear well its below 700 yards so yea thats good.  Good grief!  Hell Iowa State held them to 449.

I'll admit its killing me reading all these ecstatic posts about the future CONSIDERING we just lost to HoeU.  I guess its somewhat understandable because we havent even been to a bowl game the last 2 years.  Since when do we lose HoeU only to cherry pick plays and cover eyes on the bad.  I guess when I see Malik miss a sack you see "well he made Baker pause for 2 secs before running for the 1st down".

So this is normal, lose to HoeU and the following Monday posts with the keywords:

"We could very well be 3-4 after this Saturday - nobody likes that" but hey there is

• positive indication
  
• headed in the right direction
  
• euphoric hope
  
• Mr. Sunshine
  

SMDH

 

[Embrey]

Agree to an extent.  DJ was "more natural" because he was blessed to play his natural position for 4 years.  Malik has been played out of position his 1st 2 years in the yard. He looks pretty natural to me this year.  And I think his improvement in play proves that.  The guy has been all over the field the last 5 weeks.  And I'm sure it will continue...

I completely agree.

 

[Adferrum]

Are you referring to the last second TD right before the half vs USC?

Maybe its the FG after USC drove 40 yards with less than a minute to play to tie the game?

Maybe its the 20 points we gave up to the sooners in the beginning 1.5 quarters?

Maybe its the 59 yard TD pass to the sooner TE to lose the lead in the closing minutes?

I know im being sarcastic but come on guys.  Will Herman fix this team yea I feel like he will but we have lost both big games we had the lead in the closing seconds and all I read on here is aggy moral victories.

Have to agree with you here. The D must find ways to close out our games. They have been good in keeping us in the game, but then struggle in the deciding moments. I don't know why, but we have to fix that no matter what. While I have to agree with the others -I do see the improvement - all improvement is worth nothing if we aren't able to win games. I'm tired of losing, and I'm tired of losing close games in particular!

For me there are 2 fundamental things that needs to change in order for TH during the second half of the season:

- Start faster on offense: I already posted somewhere that we only managed to score 21 points in the 1st quarter. We have to stop putting us in awkward positions where we have to battle from behind for the whole game

- Close out on defense: The defense has to step up more when it really counts. You can't give up a 59 yard TD only 3 plays after you took the lead and rallied from 0-20 to 24-23. You can't give up a big TD right before the half after tying the game. While the D does a fine job of keeping us in the games while we are behind, the D also manages to kill our momentum when we get in front. 

Another thing in order to win more games, we have to fix our kicking game. Per se, I like TH aggressiveness in the red zone and going for it on 4th and short. Considering our OL woes and non-existing rushing game I think it would be smarter to sometimes take the points. Especially if it's not 4th and inches. I see that kicking FGs might be a gamble with Rowland's kicking woes and being down most of the time probably calls for more aggressive play call, but not taking the points has also hurt us repeatedly so far in the season

 

[83Dee]

Are you referring to the last second TD right before the half vs USC?

Maybe its the FG after USC drove 40 yards with less than a minute to play to tie the game?

Maybe its the 20 points we gave up to the sooners in the beginning 1.5 quarters?

Maybe its the 54 yard TD pass to the sooner TE to lose the lead in the closing minutes?

I know im being sarcastic but come on guys.  Will Herman fix this team yea I feel like he will but we have lost both big games we had the lead in the closing seconds and all I read on here is aggy moral victories.

The sooner gained 518 yards on this defense and 4.5 ypc, is that good?  I half way expect to hear well its below 700 yards so yea thats good.  Good grief!  Hell Iowa State held them to 449.

I'll admit its killing me reading all these ecstatic posts about the future CONSIDERING we just lost to HoeU.  I guess its somewhat understandable because we havent even been to a bowl game the last 2 years.  Since when do we lose HoeU only to cherry pick plays and cover eyes on the bad.  I guess when I see Malik miss a sack you see "well he made Baker pause for 2 secs before running for the 1st down".

So this is normal, lose to HoeU and the following Monday posts with the keywords:

"We could very well be 3-4 after this Saturday - nobody likes that" but hey there is

• positive indication
  
• headed in the right direction
  
• euphoric hope
  
• Mr. Sunshine
  

SMDH

DMAC, your bringing Mr. Sunshine down!

Look man, you can quote me statistics until you're blue in the face.  I'm going by a different theory, "Watch the game!"  If you don't notice that there is promise to what you are seeing on that side of the ball, I can't help you.  They hit hard, fly to the ball, and pressure the passer with creative blitzes like I have never seen at Texas. 

You want me to cry about last minute losses to two top five teams.... okay, OU was a week away from being #3... two top 10 teams.  Do you remember what we have looked at since 2009? 

I guess we both agree that Herman will get it done.... you desire more agony from a 3-3 start?  Enjoy the rebuilding process my friend; the agony is bearable if you notice the light at the end of the tunnel. 

 

[DMAC]

Have to agree with you here. The D must find ways to close out our games. They have been good in keeping us in the game, but then struggle in the deciding moments. I don't know why, but we have to fix that no matter what. While I have to agree with the others -I do see the improvement - all improvement is worth nothing if we aren't able to win games. I'm tired of losing, and I'm tired of losing close games in particular!

For me there are 2 fundamental things that needs to change in order for TH during the second half of the season:

- Start faster on offense: I already posted somewhere that we only managed to score 21 points in the 1st quarter. We have to stop putting us in awkward positions where we have to battle from behind for the whole game

- Close out on defense: The defense has to step up more when it really counts. You can't give up a 59 yard TD only 3 plays after you took the lead and rallied from 0-20 to 24-23. You can't give up a big TD right before the half after tying the game. While the D does a fine job of keeping us in the games while we are behind, the D also manages to kill our momentum when we get in front. 

Another thing in order to win more games, we have to fix our kicking game. Per se, I like TH aggressiveness in the red zone and going for it on 4th and short. Considering our OL woes and non-existing rushing game I think it would be smarter to sometimes take the points. Especially if it's not 4th and inches. I see that kicking FGs might be a gamble with Rowland's kicking woes and being down most of the time probably calls for more aggressive play call, but not taking the points has also hurt us repeatedly so far in the season

Good post.  Your points are valid.

We are better on defense as a whole.  Especially the Iowa State game and the first half of the KState game.   Our defense has to stop giving up The Play.  It happened in both USC and ou.  When it happens its shrugged off as a breakdown but we cant cherry pick and instead should view the performance as a whole.  Those breakdowns cost us both games.  Thats my point.   

We are 6 games into the season and these type of mistakes shouldnt be happening.

 

[83Dee]

Are you referring to the last second TD right before the half vs USC?

One more thing... are you really going to pick out a play in the USC game to prove that the defense is not worthy of optimism?  Think this one through....

 

[DMAC]

DMAC, your bringing Mr. Sunshine down!

Look man, you can quote me statistics until you're blue in the face.  I'm going by a different theory, "Watch the game!"  If you don't notice that there is promise to what you are seeing on that side of the ball, I can't help you.  They hit hard, fly to the ball, and pressure the passer with creative blitzes like I have never seen at Texas. 

You want me to cry about last minute losses to two top five teams.... okay, OU was a week away from being #3... two top 10 teams.  Do you remember what we have looked at since 2009? 

I guess we both agree that Herman will get it done.... you desire more agony from a 3-3 start?  Enjoy the rebuilding process my friend; the agony is bearable if you notice the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I did watch the game.  I watched sooners go up 20-0 through the first 1/3 of game play.  No I dont want you to cry about losing to 2 top 10 teams.  I am just not sure which is more painful watching us lose to ou or listening to horn fans justify our loss to the spooners with aggy-like euphoria. 

You realize the ags were cheering after their loss to Bama with well we scored more points on Bama than all the other SEC teams combined.  You would have thought they won or something.

Jesus even Herman gets it.  Post game presser. 

"While I am proud of how we responded when were down 17-0 there are no moral victories ESPECIALLY against these guys".  - TH

 

[DMAC]

One more thing... are you really going to pick out a play in the USC game to prove that the defense is not worthy of optimism?  Think this one through....

Are you serious?  So you are saying giving up a TD after kicking off with 50 seconds until halftime to go can be dismissed?   That isnt being optimistic that is denial.  Who is cherry picking now?

 

[Adferrum]

When it happens its shrugged off as a breakdown but we cant cherry pick and instead should view the performance as a whole.  Those breakdowns cost us both games.  Thats my point.   

We are 6 games into the season and these type of mistakes shouldnt be happening.

Exactly, pretty much what I'm trying to say for the defense. Doesn't matter if you play 59 minutes of solid football when the other minute costs you the game. That's the different between us being where we are now and winning those close games. And right now, we are a 3-3 team

 

[DMAC]

Exactly, pretty much what I'm trying to say for the defense. Doesn't matter if you play 59 minutes of solid football when the other minute costs you the game. That's the different between us being where we are now and winning those close games. And right now, we are a 3-3 team

The difference between 3-3 and 5-1.

The feast or famine style of this defense is inconsistent.  The feasting is really good defense.  The famine part is costing us BIG games.