Grading the RRS (by: Lukus Alderman)

[HornSports Staff]

Quarterback: After last week's poor performance against Baylor, there was no telling how Swoopes would play in the Cotton Bowl. Many fans were calling for the backup to take over, while others were preaching patience. Tyrone Swoopes came out Saturday and played better than he's played in his short career. While the Longhorn quarterback wasn't perfect, as he did throw an early pick 6, he threw the ball well and, more importantly, finally started to use his legs.

Grade: A-
Swoopes finished with 334 yards passing and 2 TDs and 50 yards rushing with a score. If not for the interception, this would be an A+.


Running back: While the passing game was at its highest level of the season, the running game wasn't as effective. Malcolm Brown ran with power and purpose, finishing with 78 yards on 19 carries. J. Gray, however, had a more difficult time gaining yards, averaging 2.2 ypc.

Grade: C
Whether it was OU keying on the run or difficulty gaining footing on a slick field by the RBs, the Longhorns have to do better finding a way to move the ball on the ground.

 


Wide Receivers/TE's: This group had an up and down game. There were two big TD catches, more explosive plays in receiving yards than we've seen all year, and some great effort for most of the afternoon. But there were also big penalties and huge dropped passes that took points off the board.

Grade: B-
Production wise, this was the best game of the year for the group. But too many mistakes led to missed opportunities that took points off the board in a game decided by 5 points.


Offensive Line: The front five continues to improve each game. Swoopes was given ample time to pass and running lanes were more available than in previous games. That said, as Chris Flanagan mentions in his Morning After the discipline is still lacking. False starts, holding penalties, and another mishap on the goal line are all holding the Horns back from being where they could be.

Grade: B
The insertion of Doyle as center seemed to be a shot in the arm for this group. The line continues to improve, but it just needs to show more discipline.


Defensive Line: Oklahoma entered Saturday's game averaging 208 rushing ypg and their OLine only allowing 0.8 sacks per game. For the Horns to have a chance, the front four had to plug running lanes and pressure Knight. OU finished yesterday's game with only 103 yards rushing and 129 yards passing, as Knight was pressured through most of the game.

Grade: A
While the Longhorns only managed to record one sack for -2 yards, they pressured Knight and held super freshman RB Perine in check.


Linebackers: As previously mentioned, the Texas defense shut down the 35th ranked rushing offense in the country. The LBs had their second straight strong performance as the LBs combined for 19 tackles, including 2 for a loss. They also helped hold Perine to only 64 yards on 18 carries (3.4 ypc).

Grade: A
The defense allowed a rushing TD, but they held OU to a paltry 1/11 on third down and continually plugged the holes and pressured the pocket.


Defensive Backs: The Longhorns did a tremendous job covering Sooner receivers and forcing Knight into a 60% completion rate with only 129 yards passing. Moreover, true freshman safety Jason Hall continues to play like a seasoned veteran in run support and seems to always be where the ball is. This group provided solid support to a defense that held the Sooners to only 247 total yards and 17 offensive points.

Grade: A-
The secondary was great aside from one mistake that led to a long TD by OU's top WR. This is a great group, but can still improve.


Special Teams: Give Will Russ credit for his big 61 yard punt; Shipley for his 31 yard return; and Nick Rose for going 2/2 on FG's. But when you look at the rest of the ST's performance it's easy to see that this is one of the few reasons that Texas lost in spite of great offensive and defensive performances. Dumb penalties, a kick return for a TD, and a dropped snap to a punter that effected the distance of a punt are a few of many issues from yesterday that effected the scoreboard.

Grade: F
An average day for the Longhorns on Special Teams would have resulted in a win for Texas. The staff must address this area.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

 Solid grading... I agree with your analysis. Seems pretty accurate to what was seen... So much positivity this week makes the loss hurt that much more. Knowing that mistakes beat us this week rather than ou beating us. 

 I think I have mentioned this before on one of your prior gradings but I would personally like to see a grade for the coaching section. I think it would be interesting to hear what you and the others have to say about how the game was called by the coaches. I read on this board all the time "the coaches aren't on the field," and while that is obviously true the coaches are who prepare the game plan and attempt to ensure it is executed, why not grade em? Clearly the ST's section is a complete mess, I like what Bedford has the D doing, and I am less happy with Watson. Just a suggestion/opinion...

 

[Lukus Alderman]

Solid grading... I agree with your analysis. Seems pretty accurate to what was seen... So much positivity this week makes the loss hurt that much more. Knowing that mistakes beat us this week rather than ou beating us.

I think I have mentioned this before on one of your prior gradings but I would personally like to see a grade for the coaching section. I think it would be interesting to hear what you and the others have to say about how the game was called by the coaches. I read on this board all the time "the coaches aren't on the field," and while that is obviously true the coaches are who prepare the game plan and attempt to ensure it is executed, why not grade em? Clearly the ST's section is a complete mess, I like what Bedford has the D doing, and I am less happy with Watson. Just a suggestion/opinion...

Thanks for the input!

It's hard to give coaching grades because there is so much more to coaching than just play calling. If I'm just grading on play calling, I'd give positive grades for both the offense and defense. The only thing that is and has been an issue is the play immediately following halftime. But a big part of the loss is, as Flanagan mentioned in his article, a lack of discipline, which I feel falls a lot on coaching.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Thanks for the input!

It's hard to give coaching grades because there is so much more to coaching than just play calling. If I'm just grading on play calling, I'd give positive grades for both the offense and defense. The only thing that is and has been an issue is the play immediately following halftime. But a big part of the loss is, as Flanagan mentioned in his article, a lack of discipline, which I feel falls a lot on coaching.

 Eh I don't know if there would be a great way to grade the actual play calling. What I was more so referring to would be grades on things like halftime adjustments, clock management, personnel management, how they are reacting to the game, the discipline of their units... Things of that nature. The things that generally fall squarely on the shoulders of the coaching staff and whether they are preparing the way they should be. Again it was just a thought... I think there were some glaring coaching miscues that cost us dearly vs UCLA and ou. I know the kids play the games and the mistakes they make on the field are theirs to own. But its the coaches jobs to know their personnel and utilize them in the most effective manner. Thanks.

 

[Lukus Alderman]

The halftime adjustments have been an issue all year for both the offense and defense. The clock management was really good except for the wasted timeouts due to late playcalls, which cost us dearly and that has to get fixed. Offensively, I have to commend the coaches for inserting Doyle in as center. I only recall one time where he was overpowered by the big nose tackle. As mentioned before, discipline is a big problem in regards to penalties. So if we're grading on those things, I'd give them about a C since we lost a lot of opportunities and possibly points, but it's hard to place all blame of lack of discipline on coaching due to the youth and inexperience throughout the offensive lineup.

Defensively, I don't have any complaints. I'd give them a solid A.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Well played, can't disagree. Thanks. 

 

[joeywa]

The halftime adjustments have been an issue all year for both the offense and defense. The clock management was really good except for the wasted timeouts due to late playcalls, which cost us dearly and that has to get fixed. Offensively, I have to commend the coaches for inserting Doyle in as center. I only recall one time where he was overpowered by the big nose tackle. As mentioned before, discipline is a big problem in regards to penalties. So if we're grading on those things, I'd give them about a C since we lost a lot of opportunities and possibly points, but it's hard to place all blame of lack of discipline on coaching due to the youth and inexperience throughout the offensive lineup.

Defensively, I don't have any complaints. I'd give them a solid A.

I'm not so sure that you can accurately assess the halftime adjustments unless you're privy to the adjustments themselves.  While I do not think that adjustments are missing, or necessarily poor, I do feel that the execution of said adjustments are what could be killing us.  I don't think for a moment that the coaches are in the locker room fighting over a tray of nachos and discussing the hot cheerleaders and not making adjustments.  These guys are professionals.  Where I think there may be a breakdown is once the team is on the field after halftime, they are just not executing, for whatever reason.

Nice write up Lukus.  Solid grades, and I cannot argue with any of them. 

I'd like to see plays sent in quicker.  Whether that be by using hand signs, colorful posters, or some cute gal in a bikini signaling in plays, I really don't care; just get the damn plays in quicker. 

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

I'm not so sure that you can accurately assess the halftime adjustments unless you're privy to the adjustments themselves.  While I do not think that adjustments are missing, or necessarily poor, I do feel that the execution of said adjustments are what could be killing us.  I don't think for a moment that the coaches are in the locker room fighting over a tray of nachos and discussing the hot cheerleaders and not making adjustments.  These guys are professionals.  Where I think there may be a breakdown is once the team is on the field after halftime, they are just not executing, for whatever reason.

Nice write up Lukus.  Solid grades, and I cannot argue with any of them. 

I'd like to see plays sent in quicker.  Whether that be by using hand signs, colorful posters, or some cute gal in a bikini signaling in plays, I really don't care; just get the damn plays in quicker. 

Eh I get your point but I respectfully disagree, to an extent. Scenario: You work for me in a job which entails I give you direct specific directives in order to get work accomplished successfully. Everyday I give you instructions and everyday you screw up some aspect of the work. Question: Is the breakdown your fault for not understanding the directions I am giving you well enough to complete what is needed successfully? Or is our lack of success my fault for not making sure that the directions I am giving you are clear concise and attainable? 

 

[HornEsch]

I would put the OL at a C or C+ at best. While, yes they are continuing to improve and actually did do great at blocking, the discipline issues leading to way too many penalties hurt the team badly.

As for the Special Teams, you are only correct because there is no lower grade.

They have to change the coach for that unit.

 

[Juan]

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[Juan]

Quarterback: After last week's poor performance against Baylor, there was no telling how Swoopes would play in the Cotton Bowl. Many fans were calling for the backup to take over, while others were preaching patience...................

I didn't see a lot of calls for Heard before this game except for the suggestion Heard could be out there now running an options series, 10-12 plays per game.  What discussion I do recall was about Heard's not-ready-for-prime-time passing skills.  But I have to admit I am not on all sites, reading all the stuff.

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[Juan]

Special Teams: Give Will Russ credit for his big 61 yard punt; Shipley for his 31 yard return; and Nick Rose for going 2/2 on FG's. But when you look at the rest of the ST's performance it's easy to see that this is one of the few reasons that Texas lost in spite of great offensive and defensive performances. Dumb penalties, a kick return for a TD, and a dropped snap to a punter that effected the distance of a punt are a few of many issues from yesterday that effected the scoreboard.



Grade: F
An average day for the Longhorns on Special Teams would have resulted in a win for Texas. The staff must address this area.

Uh ..... maybe this should be something to focus on?

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

Uh ..... maybe this should be something to focus on?

— Twitter API (@twitterapi) November 7, 2011

I knew our ST's was horrible but those numbers give it validation... Wow... 

 

[Juan]

Check Bluiett's block on Ship's return

Focus on Sooner #25

https://vine.co/v/OAjD2MnHAaY

 

[Lukus Alderman]

I didn't see a lot of calls for Heard before this game except for the suggestion Heard could be out there now running an options series, 10-12 plays per game. What discussion I do recall was about Heard's not-ready-for-prime-time passing skills. But I have to admit I am not on all sites, reading all the stuff.

Then you obviously weren't on OB. I didn't see it much on Hornsports.

 

[Juan]

Then you obviously weren't on OB. I didn't see it much on Hornsports.

What do the rest of y'all think of this?

Were alot of Texas fans calling for Heard to start?  Vinklaric?

I did see quite a bit of Bo Wallace chatter, still am, but he was not really an option to start for us.

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

 I think I read plenty of it here... I was one of the people that stated we may need to explore other options some point soon. I think its a reasonable thing to have sought because of where our team is. Heard is supposed to be more mobile and more accurate on the run which is what is needed when you have an OLine that isnt very good and making plays with your legs is necessary. There have been solid reports on Heards confidence and leadership which is also appealing. Confidence would help eliminate some of the second guessing and hesitation that we have seen with Swoopes. I have been harder on the offensive coaching staff than most I guess but they have to be able to draw up a game plan that whoever our QB is can execute and execute very well and at a high level. IMHO.

 We do need to have a backup, regardless who it may be, ready to step in at any point. Injuries happen all the time and the last time we were caught with an unprepared backup we were in the NC game vs Bama and that didnt turn out so well.

 

[Marian Hinton]

Nice write-up, Lukus. 

 

[Bevostuntdouble]

What do the rest of y'all think of this?

Were alot of Texas fans calling for Heard to start?  Vinklaric?

I did see quite a bit of Bo Wallace chatter, still am, but he was not really an option to start for us.

 I dont think anybody was calling for Swoopes head. To me, it seemed more like logical thinking about where the rest of the O is and whose skill set would possibly bring about more success.