The Good, The bad and The Ugly: TCU

[primal defense]

National press for Caden from the Washington Post.

AP All-America Watch: Stanford game-breaker; Texas fab frosh

WHO’S HOT

Caden Sterns, S, Texas

The freshman was a five-star recruit, one of the gems of coach Tom Herman’s first full signing class in Austin. He is already drawing comparisons to former Longhorns star Earl Thomas for his range and playmaking.

Sterns had two interceptions last week against TCU and the week before he blocked a field goal against Southern California that was returned for a touchdown. On the season he has three picks and 15 tackles. Texas has won three straight games for the first time since 2014 and Sterns looks to be a key part of the revival

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/colleges/ap-all-america-watch-stanford-game-breaker-texas-fab-frosh/2018/09/25/a2a09ca0-c0e3-11e8-9f4f-a1b7af255aa5_story.html?utm_term=.489cfdfac168

 

[Epictetus]

A glass half-full thought just occurred to me.

I was trying to imagine a package of plays designed for first several series, since the defense is an unknown for their exact scheming that game day. (same as they face with our defense). What do you run when you don't know how the opponent will play that day? But... in a way, the early part of the game is just that: finding out.

Because it then occurred to me, that the plus side of a slow start is that the said "slow start" is a comparison to the later-on play, in particular the entire second half. It looks slow because it does not continue. On both sides of ball. Quite the oppostie.

What's actually happening -- a way of seeing it from another angle -- is that the Texas coaches are getting good, better & best at half-time adjustments and are out-coaching their opponents -- at least in the past two ranked-opponent games.

The Horns on both sides of the ball improve as the game presents itself in the early series on both sides of the ball. I thought "why not adjust by the second quarter?"

I could be crazy but I wonder if the goal is to "hold fort" and slug it out to a draw til halftime and not show any adjustments until later. Herman IS a MENSA after all. Could the guy be that crafty?

Added note. Watching the players later in news clips, we have an intelligent focused capable group. The recruiting is building a class-act of players that can flat out play, be coached and will develop and ARE developing. They are finding capable athletes that fit on board The Enterprise with the stellar crew, reading to explore and conquer!

 

[Texas2725]

Take a look on what the top RB's are doing and post back if you still think 4.1 is good. 

I will give you credit for your math skills, but that doesn't change the fact that 4.1 is nothing to brag about. Watson is 92nd.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/statistics/player/_/stat/rushing/sort/rushingYards/qualified/false

I wasn't bragging about it.  I was saying it's getting the job done.  I also said Ingram is better.  

 

[primal defense]

I wasn't bragging about it.  I was saying it's getting the job done.  I also said Ingram is better.  

I was responding that you also said that:

"I would say though that if have concerns with any rb averaging 4.1 ypc, we have one helluva good problem."

I disagree any RB averaging 4.1 ypc then we have one helluva bad problem. Either Watson needs to improve or Ingram needs to stay healthy and get more carries. I'm disappointed in Young so far, he was a Herman recruit and I thought he contribute more than 8 carries for 10 yards.Watson had a serious injury before his senior season, so hopefully he's working back in shape.

If I had my way this is the RB we would have along with Ingram. He's a senior who averaged 5.7 ypc as a freshman, 5.0 as a Soph, and 4.9 as a Jr.





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[Texas2725]

1 hour ago, primal defense said:

I was responding that you also said that:

"I would say though that if have concerns with any rb averaging 4.1 ypc, we have one helluva good problem."

I disagree any RB averaging 4.1 ypc then we have one helluva bad problem. Either Watson needs to improve or Ingram needs to stay healthy and get more carries. I'm disappointed in Young so far, he was a Herman recruit and I thought he contribute more than 8 carries for 10 yards.Watson had a serious injury before his senior season, so hopefully he's working back in shape.

If I had my way this is the RB we would have along with Ingram. He's a senior who averaged 5.7 ypc as a freshman, 5.0 as a Soph, and 4.9 as a Jr.

We will agree to disagree.  No biggie.

 

[primal defense]

We will agree to disagree.  No biggie.

What are agreeing to disagree about? That you think a 4.1 ypc is satisfactory. More production in the running game in the fourth quarter against Maryland may have helped us win that game and it may cost us in the future.

 

[Texas2725]

What are agreeing to disagree about? That you think a 4.1 ypc is satisfactory. More production in the running game in the fourth quarter against Maryland may have helped us win that game and it may cost us in the future.

Maybe I've been watching Texas Football for too long, but except for D'Onta Foreman in 2015, we would have killed for 4.1 ypc average in the last 8 years.  Is it great? Nope. Does it keep the chains moving? Yep.  Ingram is better no doubt and frankly Carter and Young may be as well, but we had to pass late against MD to try and comeback.  3 turnovers in the last 3 possessions, including a very questionable fumble by Watson killed us no doubt.

All I'm saying is 4.1 ypc can keep drives moving and win games.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Ingram will average even more when health and I still like Young as another change of pace, hammer back.  Ditch the speed sweep play for him though.

 

[primal defense]

Maybe I've been watching Texas Football for too long, but except for D'Onta Foreman in 2015, we would have killed for 4.1 ypc average in the last 8 years.  Is it great? Nope. Does it keep the chains moving? Yep.  Ingram is better no doubt and frankly Carter and Young may be as well, but we had to pass late against MD to try and comeback.  3 turnovers in the last 3 possessions, including a very questionable fumble by Watson killed us no doubt.

All I'm saying is 4.1 ypc can keep drives moving and win games.  Nothing more and nothing less.  Ingram will average even more when health and I still like Young as another change of pace, hammer back.  Ditch the speed sweep play for him though.

I thought if I showed what other college RB's are averaging such as Nick Brossette, who almost went to UT, at 4.9 ypc then you see 4.1 is poor.

Your correct that we have had some bad  running teams lately. Last year was bad since we had a QB lead the team in rushing. Even though it was bad Watson's 4.1 would have been fourth on last year's team.

Daniel Young at 4.6, Chris Warren 4.4, and Toneil Carter 4.8. Only Kyle Porter was worst at 3.1. By your standards last year RB's were good sine they keep the drives moving.

 

[primal defense]

Texas freshman RB Keaontay Ingram, who suffered a hip pointer during the team's Sept. 22 win over TCU, will be available to play in Saturday's game at Kansas State.
Ingram's been banged up for much of this season, beginning with a knee injury suffered in the Longhorns' Sept. 8 win over Tulsa. The freshman did not play the following week against USC, and the plan for the TCU game was to use him sparingly. Then Ingram suffered the hip pointer, which ended his day. Despite being fourth on the team in carries with 24 the 6-foot, 205-pounder is second on the team in both rushing yards (139 yards) and rushing touchdowns (two).
Source: Brian Davis on Twitter

 

[Texas2725]

I thought if I showed what other college RB's are averaging such as Nick Brossette, who almost went to UT, at 4.9 ypc then you see 4.1 is poor.

Your correct that we have had some bad  running teams lately. Last year was bad since we had a QB lead the team in rushing. Even though it was bad Watson's 4.1 would have been fourth on last year's team.

Daniel Young at 4.6, Chris Warren 4.4, and Toneil Carter 4.8. Only Kyle Porter was worst at 3.1. By your standards last year RB's were good sine they keep the drives moving.

I just have to laugh at anyone who complains about any rb averaging at or more than 4 ypc.  We have to have better things to worry about.

I frequent 2 boards heavily including this one and you're the only poster I've seen have issues with one of our rb's averaging enough yards to literally get a 1st down every 3 carries.  Last year's running backs, except for Porter, did just fine behind a crap OL.  You're acting like I think Watson should be a Heisman finalist or even all conference.  All I'm saying is 4 ypc or more gets first downs and wins games.  Ingram is better.  Young can be very good at times.  It's ok that I don't agree with you.  Really it is.

 

[primal defense]

I just have to laugh at anyone who complains about any rb averaging at or more than 4 ypc.  We have to have better things to worry about.

I frequent 2 boards heavily including this one and you're the only poster I've seen have issues with one of our rb's averaging enough yards to literally get a 1st down every 3 carries.  Last year's running backs, except for Porter, did just fine behind a crap OL.  You're acting like I think Watson should be a Heisman finalist or even all conference.  All I'm saying is 4 ypc or more gets first downs and wins games.  Ingram is better.  Young can be very good at times.  It's ok that I don't agree with you.  Really it is.

Last year's running backs did not do fine. Warren who averaged 4.4 was moved to TE. Your were correct we will have to agree to disagree.

 

[Texas2725]

Last year's running backs did not do fine. Warren who averaged 4.4 was moved to TE. Your were correct we will have to agree to disagree.

Feel better?  Any back averaging 4 or more yards per carry behind last year's line is bordering on miraculous.  Warren had made the Raiders roster as a RB.  Love Herman, but his scheme isn't for everyone. Hookem

 

[primal defense]

Feel better?  Any back averaging 4 or more yards per carry behind last year's line is bordering on miraculous.  Warren had made the Raiders roster as a RB.  Love Herman, but his scheme isn't for everyone. Hookem

Yes I feel better. Warren's 4-4 wasn't good enough, but Watson's 4.2 is fine. What makes sense is that we have a better passing game, so the running game is good enough. Works for me and you.

 

[Texas2725]

Yes I feel better. Warren's 4-4 wasn't good enough, but Watson's 4.2 is fine. What makes sense is that we have a better passing game, so the running game is good enough. Works for me and you.

Here's something I agree 1 gazillion % with you on, Ingram is BY FAR our best RB.  Getting him healthy for the rest of the season is critical.  I had no problem seeing more of him and little to no Watson in the second half.

 

[primal defense]

Here's something I agree 1 gazillion % with you on, Ingram is BY FAR our best RB.  Getting him healthy for the rest of the season is critical.  I had no problem seeing more of him and little to no Watson in the second half.

Agree...the running backs besides Ingram have been a big disappointment so far.

 

[dillohorn]

Is Ingram going to ever be 100% ?