Grading Kansas

[HornSports Staff]

by Lukus Alderman
 

Photo: USA Today Sports Images


Coming into this week's matchup against Kansas, there were varying opinions as to how this game would play out. There were some who felt that Texas would blow out the Jayhawks, while several prognosticators were predicting a possible letdown, much like we've seen in the past in games at Lawrence, Kansas. What we got was somewhere right in the middle.

Quarterback:

It was the hope of many that the playbook would expand this week for Tyrone Swoopes. While at first glance it may not have seemed as though the playbook opened up, I think that the case of the matter is that the youth of the offense is still just not ready to move forward too fast. Swoopes played well, but his inaccuracy on downfield passes, specifically overthrowing a wide-open Marcus Johnson, still shows that there is work to be done. The overwhelming positive about the QB position is that turnovers are not an issue. Swoopes accounted for all three TDs, but there is still room for improvement on passes beyond ten yards.

Grade: B-

Running Backs:

While the play of the runningbacks rely heavily on the offensive line, the fact remains that Texas' two 5-star RBs are unable to consistently churn out even four yards per carry against sub-par opponents. The Longhorns offense relies on clock management and moving the ball consistently in order to win. Unfortunately for Texas, we haven't seen that happen in the first four games of the season. The Longhorn RBs must do better than 3 ypc against Kansas.

Grade: D

Wide Receivers/TEs:

As I mentioned in my Kansas Breakdown/Matchups, the Jayhawks have a very experienced secondary that has given up just above 200 passing ypg. For Texas to be successful, they needed to attack the underneath routes and the middle of the field. Texas did exactly that as both Harris and Shipley both grabbed 6 catches and over 80 yards a piece, with Harris hauling in one TD. Marcus Johnson also played well, as did A. Foreman in his limited role. Texas' WRs did what was asked of them.

Grade: B+

Offensive Line:

The Kansas is not the same awful putrid defense that many are accustomed to. The Jayhawks are full of experience on defense and tout an all-conference LB, Heeney, that has given teams in the past fits. Texas didn't overpower Kansas on offense, and didn't have great success running the football.  They did, however, do a good job of keeping Swoopes from getting sacked (only giving up 2 for 9 yards), but the pocket closed quickly when quick routes weren't called. The Texas OLine issues are well documented. From the gross inexperience to the suspensions and injuries of expected starters, the problems pile up. But with conference play beginning, it's time to get rid of excuses.

Grade: C-

Defensive Line:

While Kansas did rush for 173 yards, that only added up to 3.4 ypc. At times it seemed like Kansas was moving the ball at will on the ground, but the DLine stood their ground and the zero on the scoreboard showed. Malcom Brown wasn't as active on the stat sheet as usual, but his presence allowed for the LBs and DEs to combine for 4 sacks against a quick-strike offense. The second half (namely 3rd quarter) defense needs to improve, but overall, this DLine didn't disappoint.

Grade: A

Linebackers:

Steve Edmond and Hicks played a strong game. Edmond was never beaten twice on a play and they contributed to keeping Kansas' top threats on the ground (Cozart, Pierson) from creating plays. Two sacks, one interception, 3.4 ypc and zero points is pretty darn good from a position group.

Grade: A

Defensive Backs:

The best group on the field was the Texas secondary. Kansas' passing game is not a strength of their offense, but Diggs, Duke Thomas and company held Cozart and the rest of the Jayhawk air attack in check all day. Three interceptions from the secondary is more than you can ask for.

Grade: A+

Special Teams:

The special teams weren't as bad as many think it was. Field goal kicking started off as bad as you can get, but Rose nailed a 42 yarder later that put more pressure on Kansas. The punting game is good, averaging 42.5 yards per punt against the Jayhawks, and the punt return was even better, as Shipley returned one 41 yards and had another long punt return called back by penalty. The field goal team needs to improve before it costs a game.

Grade: C+

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[MikeV73]

Have to specifically mention the missed PAT. Awful. Is this guy really the best we can trot out for place kicking duties? I would have benched him for the haircut alone. The backup at least has some game experience, but I recall him not being efficient either. Rose has been a good kickoff man aside from the out of bounds effort vs. UCLA I believe. If we don't find some new blood for next season, or a scholly kicker with a good HS background, we are destined to a few more years of kicking issues. High five to Russ for coming on as a senior and doing well. Does he placekick? Thought he did coming out of HS.

 

[joeywa]

Good writeup, but I'm going to take exception at the OL at a C- while the RBs are a D.  Granted, that's splitting hairs, but I don't think you can grade the RBs lower than the OL, when the OL's priority is to open holes up for the RBs.  While some of the failure of the RBs can be attributed to KU defensive scheme, it can also be said that we were not consistently blowing them off the ball at the snap. That has to be corrected. 

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Good writeup, but I'm going to take exception at the OL at a C- while the RBs are a D. Granted, that's splitting hairs, but I don't think you can grade the RBs lower than the OL, when the OL's priority is to open holes up for the RBs. While some of the failure of the RBs can be attributed to KU defensive scheme, it can also be said that we were not consistently blowing them off the ball at the snap. That has to be corrected.

I understand your exception, but the reason why I gave the OLine a slightly higher grade is two-fold:

A, There are no 5-stars on the OLine and the expectation isn't as high as the RBs.

B. The OLine pass blocked well enough that there were only two sacks and no interceptions/turnovers forced by the QB being pressured.

If I was grading them solely on run-blocking, it'd be lower, but I'm factoring in both.

 

[Jedi Day]

Not a bad assessment but I was somewhat disappointed we didn't see more progress from the team offensively considering we had 2 weeks to coach them up.

 

[drgilbert]

I think the B- is a bit high. He had a 59% completion rate and missed 2/3 deep balls that would have been scores. I am a fan of Swoopes but he was not as sharp as he was against UCLA

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I think the B- is a bit high. He had a 59% completion rate and missed 2/3 deep balls that would have been scores. I am a fan of Swoopes but he was not as sharp as he was against UCLA

No, not as sharp as UCLA, but he did account for all three TDs and did not throw an interception. I would also argue that the fumbled snap was on the Center moreso than the QB as Swoopes seemed surprised when the snap occured.

 

[PeteA422]

As many of you know, I have to stream the games to watch them.  In a country where the internet service isn't great, it can be a bit frustrating.  It often will have to stop and buffer in the middle of a play.  All and all I can't complain about it, I still get to watch the game.  I am saying this because there was one run, by I believe M.Brown, in which the stream was buffering right at the point of Brown beginning to turn the ball upfield on a run.  I remember seeing it and saying, we are about to break this for some major yardage.  Brown had turned upfield and had to break one tackle to turn a 3 yard gain into a 20+ yard gain.  I was watching at the point where one of the KU linebackers was diving and had one hand on the inside thigh of Brown, and nothing but daylight after that.  So what ended up happening?  The linebacker made the tackle!  I couldn't believe it.  All this is to say, I agree we need more from our 5* RBs.  They should not be taken down by a diving linebacker arm tackle.  Get some of those YAC!!!

 

[HornEsch]

I understand your exception, but the reason why I gave the OLine a slightly higher grade is two-fold:

A, There are no 5-stars on the OLine and the expectation isn't as high as the RBs.

B. The OLine pass blocked well enough that there were only two sacks and no interceptions/turnovers forced by the QB being pressured.

If I was grading them solely on run-blocking, it'd be lower, but I'm factoring in both.

Honestly I don't think we have true "5 star" talent at the running back position either. Great backs, true 5 star, can generally get more even with a bad OL. Even when they do get a hole, they rarely make anyone miss or break a tackle. I hate to say it, because by all accounts they are hard working good guys, but they are over rated. They are good, but not great backs.

I still think D is the grade for them. The OL actually did OK in pass protection, they just don't get much push on runs. Part of that is not working as a single unit long enough to where they know what each guy is doing so that they can leverage that. Hopefully that will come around.