Grading the Baylor game (by: Lukus Alderman)

[HornSports Staff]

THE REPORT CARD

The Longhorns entered Saturday's matchup against Baylor with high hopes of pulling off an upset. Texas needed to play well in all phases in order to win, but that didn't happen. While most fans felt that the defense would be in for a long day, the game proved that the offense was the area that Texas had the most issues with. 

Quarterback: From week to week, Swoopes seemed to be steadily making improvements as he limited turnovers and was relatively accurate in short and intermediate routes. Against Baylor, however, the Texas QB took a step or two back from his previous play. Swoopes was slow to identify open receivers, had difficulty making progressions quickly, and turned the ball over three times, including one on a crucial goalline play to tie the game. He did make some decent throws, but far too often his passes were too low or behind receivers where it took away opportunities to extend the play after the catch.

Grade: D-
Swoopes has the talent but the game seemed a little too big for him. He needs to use that performance as a learning experience going forward - Texas still has several big games on the schedule.


Running backs: The five star duo took on the number 6 ranked rushing defense in the country on Saturday against Baylor. Considering the fact that this position has largely disappointed in terms of production so far this season, the combined 160 yard 1 TD performance on 6.2 yards per carry was better than expected. Brown and Gray seemed to be playing fast and running hard throughout the game. The RBs continue to need work on their pass protection, but the group did combine for 6 catches for 41 yards, including a big 23 yard gain out of the end zone by FB Alex De La Torre on the 98 yard drive prior to the half.

Grade: B 
Best game so far by the RBs. There are still many things to improve on, but this group should be happy about their performance on Saturday.


Wide Receivers/TE's: While the RB's had what may have been their best game of the season, the receiving department had one of their worst. Five WR's/TE's combined for only 12 receptions for 113 yards and zero scores in the 7 point performance against the Bears. There were times that receivers were open and not looked at or thrown to, but there was still little separation by the WR's to create easy throws.

Grade: D 
To beat a team like Baylor, the receivers have to perform better than what they did on Saturday.


Offensive Line: With the Longhorns' gameplan being based on keeping the ball and allowing the clock to run, it was imperative that Texas limited negative plays and to be effective running the football. Texas passed the ball 33 times, and while Swoopes was pressured, he was only sacked 1 time for 7 yards. As mentioned before, the Texas ground game was strong against the 6 ranked rush defense in the country, running for 213 yards on 40 carries. The line did what it needed to do in order to give Texas a chance to win.

Grade: B+ 
While the offense only scored 7 points, it's hard to blame a line that produced and didn't allow many negative plays.


Defensive Line: When viewing stats in the defensive performance against Baylor, it is imperative to remember that the Bear offense is averaging 590 yards per game (247 ypg on the ground and 343 ypg through the air). In limiting the #1 offense in the nation (51 ppg) to 21 points, the Longhorns allowed 300 yards rushing. That said, the line contributed to sacking Baylor's QB 3 times, the first three sacks given up on the season for Baylor, and held Heisman candidate Bryce Petty to a paltry 7/22 for 111 yards and 2 TDs. While the defense did give up 300 yards on the ground, the Bears only averaged 4.6 yards per carry and that includes the 19 yard rush by the Baylor punter.

Grade: A- 
The line was very effective in pressuring Petty and contributing to the Baylor offense's below average (from their standard) performance.


Linebackers: The Texas defense needed the linebackers be at their best to have a chance against the Bears. Playing in a mostly 4-2 defensive front, the Longhorn defense was led by Steve Edmond and Jordan Hicks, who contributed 33 tackles and 2 sacks against the nations top offense. As mentioned previously, the defense did surrender 300 yards rushing, but the LBs were able to put pressure on Petty and influence Baylor's passing attack which allowed the Bears to only produce 14 points through 3.5 quarters.

Grade: A 
It's hard to ask for more from this group than how they performed on Saturday. From start to finish, the LBs played what may have been the best game of their careers.


Defensive Backs: If there's any group that deserves an A+ on the field, it's the Texas secondary. The Longhorns' defensive backs held the Baylor offense 200+ yards under their season average and allowed only 7 completions against a passing attack that is loaded with skill players who are highly effective in creating separation and finding ways to get open. 

Grade: A+ 
The defensive backs played the best anyone can play against Baylor's offense.


Special Teams: The weakest link for Texas right now is the Special Teams play as a whole. The Longhorns gave up a blocked FG for a TD and a fake punt resulted in an 18 yard gain and a first down on a drive which would eventually put the game out of reach. This area has to change for the Longhorns to move forward and improve.

Grade: F 
It wouldn't be wrong to say that the game was lost on Saturday due to Special Teams play. This has to get better.

 

[Matt Cotcher]

I guess a dramatic post about Strong's recruiting is more interesting than grades? 

Personally, I would grade the RB's higher than the OL. I also think your D- for Swoopes isn't consistent with how you've graded other units in previous weeks.

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Kicking game was really bad again but punting unit is actually looking decent.  Will Russ is holding up his end of the deal on Saturdays.

Swoopes was not very accurate on a good number of throws and he needs be faster in his decision-making as to run or pass.  He's too big to wait - that extra second or two of hesitation can be brutal.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I also think your D- for Swoopes isn't consistent with how you've graded other units in previous weeks.

I understand that, but my response is that my expectations change from week to week. For instance, a few weeks ago against UCLA, the OLine played somewhat poorly and gave them a C+ because I had low expectations due to their gross inexperience. While Swoopes is still considered somewhat inexperienced, he has four games under his belt and expectations rise as the season progresses. I was hard on him because I feel that the QB play held back what was a good offensive game plan that, if executed, would have put us in a good position to win.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

I agree with just about all of your scoring... Special teams and QB play are destroying us. We have one of the worst return games I have ever seen. I don't think I've seen us gain more than 10 yards on a return just about all year.

Your QB assessment makes sense to me... He should be progressing and he just isn't. I think his decision making is still very poor and when he does pull it and run he get just about nothing and most of the time loses yards. I think you said it this weekend... We will go as far as Swoopes takes us and all signs point to that not being very far. Great arm strength but TERRIBLE accuracy with any type of consistency. IMO.

 

[HornEsch]

Have to agree with the grades overall.

I think we saw Swoopes, who had been showing promise in previous games, take a step back. It did look like the stage was a bit big for him at this point.

The OL had a good game and showed a lot more. I think this led to the running backs being able to do a little more as well.

The Special "Ed" Teams was bad. Whomever is coaching that unit, should not be anymore.

I feel bad for the defense, who really payed one hell of  game. Once they got tired, thanks to our offensive offense, it was over.

 

[Aaron Carrara]

Have to agree with the grades overall.

I think we saw Swoopes, who had been showing promise in previous games, take a step back. It did look like the stage was a bit big for him at this point.

The OL had a good game and showed a lot more. I think this led to the running backs being able to do a little more as well.

The Special "Ed" Teams was bad. Whomever is coaching that unit, should not be anymore.

I feel bad for the defense, who really payed one hell of  game. Once they got tired, thanks to our offensive offense, it was over.

Chris Vaughn is coaching the special teams unit along with the DB's.  At this point it might be prudent to let Nick Jordan have a shot.  Special teams isn't Vaughn's bread and butter obviously...  

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Chris Vaughn is coaching the special teams unit along with the DB's. At this point it might be prudent to let Nick Jordan have a shot. Special teams isn't Vaughn's bread and butter obviously...

Def worth the attempt since it's been horrible thus far...

 

[Coleman Feeley]

I agree with most of the grades but not the O-Line or QB and here's why...

Swoopes' INT in the final minutes of the game is inconsequential. He's down by three scores with less than 5 minutes left.... throw the damn ball right? His fumble on the goal-line is going to be chalked up as C-Q exchange fumble, so I won't put that all on him. C-Q exchanges MUST be practiced frequently, seems dumb to have to say, but they go 'under the radar' when you're constantly in the gun.

However, I think your analysis of his passing right on the money.... unlike Swoopes. His best pass is the fastball on the slant and he consistently puts it in the receivers gut to protect him, but you're right once again, it takes away all the chance of Y.A.C.His long ball is often times over/under thrown and there isn't enough 'touch' on it. Most of his passes come out with a flat trajectory, taking away the receivers advantage on a jump ball. Also... he's a Sophmore... he WILL do dumb things with the ball.

However, I think his running abilities are under appreciated. Swoopes was able to stretch the Baylor D horizontally with the Zone Read which helped Gray and Brown find better running lanes and a 6'4'' 240lbs QB seems like a RedZone dream... (maybe we should watch some 08-10' University of Florida tape)

O-LINE: I'll bet practice was miserable this Tuesday for the boys upfront. Texas committed 5 penalties as a team and three came from Lineman (4 if you count TE's). 1 Flase Start, 2 Holdings (one of which negated a TD), a Fumbled Snap on the 1/2 yard line, AND a blocked kick that ended up giving Baylor the ONLY score of the half... 

"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link." - Joe Wickline: Pass Protection.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I agree with most of the grades but not the O-Line or QB and here's why...

Swoopes' INT in the final minutes of the game is inconsequential. He's down by three scores with less than 5 minutes left.... throw the damn ball right? His fumble on the goal-line is going to be chalked up as C-Q exchange fumble, so I won't put that all on him. C-Q exchanges MUST be practiced frequently, seems dumb to have to say, but they go 'under the radar' when you're constantly in the gun.

However, I think your analysis of his passing right on the money.... unlike Swoopes. His best pass is the fastball on the slant and he consistently puts it in the receivers gut to protect him, but you're right once again, it takes away all the chance of Y.A.C.His long ball is often times over/under thrown and there isn't enough 'touch' on it. Most of his passes come out with a flat trajectory, taking away the receivers advantage on a jump ball. Also... he's a Sophmore... he WILL do dumb things with the ball.

However, I think his running abilities are under appreciated. Swoopes was able to stretch the Baylor D horizontally with the Zone Read which helped Gray and Brown find better running lanes and a 6'4'' 240lbs QB seems like a RedZone dream... (maybe we should watch some 08-10' University of Florida tape)

O-LINE: I'll bet practice was miserable this Tuesday for the boys upfront. Texas committed 5 penalties as a team and three came from Lineman (4 if you count TE's). 1 Flase Start, 2 Holdings (one of which negated a TD), a Fumbled Snap on the 1/2 yard line, AND a blocked kick that ended up giving Baylor the ONLY score of the half...

"A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link." - Joe Wickline: Pass Protection.

Good info, Coleman. I'll trust you on your assessment of the OLine, but I won't put that blocked kick on them. That kick was so low that I could have blocked that without jumping. Other than that, the holding call that negated the TD was a big mistake (seems like #66 makes one once a week) and the fumbled snap may very well have been on the Center. I will still say that they performed better than I've seen over the past few weeks and I feel the stats back that up.