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View from the Cheap Seats- BOWL WIN BOWL WIN

echeese

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View from the Cheaps Seats-BOWL WIN . . .BOWL WIN






 



1st year Head Coach Tom Herman accomplished something that was 1824 days in the making.  He won a bowl game at the University of Texas.   Our last bowl win was 29 Dec 2012 against Oregon State in the Alamo Bowl.  2 days short of 5 full seasons.   Waaaaaay too long between bowl wins.   Of course in that time, TEXAS only played in 2 other bowl games.  He also did something that kept TEXAS from what might be the most dubious record in the books, with the win, TEXAS recorded a winning season breaking a streak that finished at 3 straight losing years.    You have to go back to 1935-1938 to find a worse streak.   Frankly it's pretty rare for TEXAS to have back to back losing seasons much less 4 years.  
 








Signature win








Going to do a poll on this one, Cheap Seats can see a case for ranked WVU or a sweet bowl win vs Mizzu.    Sadly, there were 4 other blown opportunities for a real signature win.The team finished on a very high note and the game accentuated by pre-game trash talking from Mizzu which lead to CTH taking a shot to run the score up late.   Some debate about the "sportsmanship" of the ending but time for TEXAS to put some swagger back into their game.  Oh and to all the naysayers, Mizzu started the shit, CTH and company ended it.   Of course always good to beat an SEC foe, especially one which was on such a strong, end of the year, 6 game win streak.  Unlike TEXAS which finished the regular season with an ugly loss to an average at best Texas Tech team.  This capped a 6 game stretch were TEXAS was 3-3 with 2 WTF losses to TT and OSU along with the worst loss of the year to a very good TCU team.    As CTH said, TEXAS has to learn to finish games.   Let's start with the highlights then go to the lower lights before we sum up the season and do some 2018 projecting.
 





Todd Orlando and the D were outstanding








 




Stop me if you have heard this before (like every week but Maryland), we won 7 this year because our defense was outstanding.   Now if you want to see great coaching, adjustments and firing guys up, the Cheap Seats thought this season was tanking after Maryland which was the 1 game of 13 the D wasn't good, frankly they were bad.     One of my good friends swore up and down we'd get run out of the stadium by high flying Mizzu who's offense had averaged over 51 points their last 6 games.    As Lee Corso is fond of saying, not so fast my friend.   And as I told my buddy, while the 4 starters (Nelson if not a starter is a key player) will be missed, those next up are playing for their 2018 jobs.    This is the one side of the ball that really makes good adjustments and the players play up to their ability.   Shot at the offense?   You bet.Defense played with it's hair on fire.Want some of you to think about this, TEXAS would face the #3 #4 #15 #23 #24 #26 #31 and #38 scoring offenses in the Nation.   Every one of them was held well below (at least a TD usually much more) their season average.   75% of our schedule saw Todd O & Company facing an offense in the top 1/3rd of the nation.   Additionally, our D/STs would add 13 TDs, leading the nation (tied with 2 others).   2017 also saw the development of individual players, Malik Jefferson significantly improved his game, DeShoun Elliott grew from a good player (though not an All Conference selection) to a Thorpe Finalist and consensus All American, Holton Hill went from a spot starter to one of the best shut down CBs in the conference/nation before he fell victim to what many speculate is the wacky weed and was suspended for the end of the year.Now Mizzu would put up 390 yards of offense but could only manage 16 points, don't care about yards, care about points.   Our D did a great job of bending but not breaking and coming up with 4 turnovers to break the Tigers backs while holding Mizzu to only 3 third down conversions in 18 chances.
 





Defensive Player of the Game





Anthony Wheeler with his fumble return for a TD after Mizzu had cut the lead to 7 points.  Nifty footwork and he was not going to be denied the end zone.Honorable Mention:  Kris Boyd, believe he was only targeted once and he broke that pass up.  Reason he wasn't targeted?   He had his man covered.    A player who has grown significantly the 2nd half of the year.Gary Johnson:  Lead the team in tackles and previewed what he can be for us next year.
 




Ray Guy winner Michael Dickson goes out with a bang.




Stop me if you have heard this before, our transplanted Aussie Michael Dickson, TEXAS 1st ever Ray Guy winner was an absolute force, constantly pinning Mizzu very deep in their own territory.   11 punts (well isn't that a statement about the offense) 10 of them inside the 20, at least 7 of them inside the 10.    He will be missed.   
 







Offense was up and down



 







Stop me if you have heard this before, our offense was up and down.   In the 1st half, TEXAS started the game with a nice TD drive (aided by penalties but all legit), then punted twice, then had another nice TD drive but then there were 5 straight drives resulting in punts with the longest being 5 plays and 20 yards.  At the end of the 3rd, TEXAS would have a 12 play drive that again ended in a punt then an 8 play drive culminating in a 41 yard FG.    The biggest plus was seeing Daniel Young have a good night even if he was limited to 12 carries but he made the most noise with 2 excellent pass receptions for 62 yards.  He is certainly one of the players to watch for 2018.  Which of course makes us wonder why he logged so little PT early in the year.   Kyle Porter had 11 carries but could not match is 3.1 ypc season average and finished with 2.7.    Dissapointing that Lil Jordan Humprey and Toniel Carter broke rules and were suspended from the Bowl Game.   Both were missed and likely would have helped the offense do better.   Rumors abound that Carter is unhappy, hope we keep him but if he needs to move on, do so.  Cheap Seats picked LJH as our break out player of the year and he backed that up by finishing #2 in receptions on the team.QB play, Shane left with injury and this was clearly one of Sam's best days.   Assuming he can improve his passing during the off season, he should leave spring drills as the #1 QB.   Of course what skews all of this that our offensive line play continues to be sub par.   Elijah Rodriguez got the start at left tackle and honestly saying he "struggled" would be kind.   Of course he hasn't logged a snap of PT this year so expectations were low.    Mizzu has some excellent DL so the potential was there for real disaster but the offense did just enough, with Michael Dicksen's help to keep Mizzu at bay.   And again, in a comment that some will not like, do not be shocked if the Horns are forced to start another True Freshman QB in 2018.   Not sure Casey Thompson isn't every bit the running threat of Sam and a better passer while Rising is clearly the best passer of the 4 today.    Spring drills will be interesting.Play calling looked good early on but quickly regressed to the point too much pressure was put on the QBs to win the game.  Now granted, without good OL play, it's hard for an offense to look good but really hoping the rumors of our 10th coach being someone who can actually play call and can fit an offense to our talent will be the Cheap Seat's fantasy for now.
 





Offensive player of the game





Sam the Man.   Will always cheer for the QB wearing burnt orange under center but Sam was 11 of 16 with a TD pass and most importantly, no turnovers.   
 






Overall synopsis of 2017









Coulda/Shoulda/Woulda






We lost 4 games by 5 points or less.   We had an opportunity to win everyone one of them.   We saw our offense play no better vs Maryland (a shit show) than it did vs Texas Tech.   We did not see real improvement in the offense over the course of the year.   An offense hindered by poor offensive line play but also by piss poor personnel decisions and a scheme that never adopted any personality.
 

CFB is a game always in transition as generally 20% of your players or more leave every season.  Now some graduate while others move on to "greener" pastures.  Leading up to the bowl game, rumors ran wild that CTH had "lost" the locker room.  One of the players who received transfer speculation was Charles Ominehu (sp).  ..have to say, the way he was hugging CTH in the 4th quarter, think we can put that rumor to bed.    Now with other players, it remains to be seen.  Toniel Carter one of those and his suspension isn't going to help.    Frankly, cannot blame him for frustration.   Our 2017 offensive personnel decisions where highly questionable at best.   Biggest case in point, OT of the OSU game.   We need a TD to win, we line up in a 3 WR set with 6'6" Collin Johnson (our #1 WR) on the bench sitting next to Lil Jordan Humprey at 6'4" tall along with Armanti Foreman.  Easily 3 of our top 4 WRs.  Sitting on the bench at a critical juncture in the game. Kyle Porter would log more carries than both Daniel Young and Toniel Carter.   
We post our column from the Cheap Seats, we don't see what the coaches see but we certainly do not see a back like Porter getting more reps than RBs with more talent. 
 
So the Cheap Seats will be candid, it set the absolute floor at 7-5 as our expectation of the season.  We finished 6-6 but we lost too many games we should have won (coulda/shoulda/woulda).  Record wise, a mild disappointment.  Add in the way we beat Mizzu and a very strong recruiting Dec, the needle move slightly to the success side of the meter.   Call it a 6.5 to 7 on a scale of 10.
                                     So what about 2018The bowl win caps of an outstanding Dec for the Horns which saw CTH corral 19 LOIs from our 21 commits during the new early signing period including 5 Star CB Anthony Cook who is arriving early .Do not be shocked if he leaves spring/fall drills as Holton Hill's replacement.   BJ Foster may very well take DeShon Elliott's sport early as well.    Dec also saw CTH add 2 big ugglies along the OL including 4 Star Junior Angilua out of Utah and Mike Grandy, a JUCO OT out of California that likely steps immediately into the LT slot.    If he can do that, the impact for TEXAS would be huge and would upgrade the weakest link on the team.  Hopefully Junior will be able to red shirt.   Look for TEXAS to continue to recruit another JUCO OL and 2 more DLs.   Next year sees the OL add Patrick Hudson, Sam Cosmi and Rodriguez into the mix with Vahe, Shackelford and now true Soph Derrick Kersletter.    
 






Projected Depth Chart






The way too early depth chart projection for 2018
 

QB: Sam Ehlinger / Shane Buechele/Casey Thompson
 

Unless we change our scheme, I give Casey the early nod at QB because of his running skills but if we can improve OL play and ask the QB to do less running, change that to Rising with Thompson shirting.  Again, Cheap Seats predicts a true freshman QB starts at least one game.


RB: Daniel Young /Toniel Carter/Kyle Porter/ Keaontay Ingram
 

Porter to the HBack role?   Ingram could push into the rotation if we can sign him come Feb


WR: Colin Johnson, John Burt and LilJordan/ Duvernay, Heard, Eagles (are the Duvernay's gone?)
 

Once again, strongest position group on the team.   Can QB and OL play develop enough really take advantage of some excellent weapons.   


TE: Cade Brewer / Reese Leitao
 

Love the talent including true freshman Epps, all they lack is experience and development


OLine: Kerstetter, Vahe, Shack, Hudson, Grady or another JUCO and keep an eye on Sam Cosmi
 

#1 off season concern.   Can Grandy step into the LT job?   Can we get internal development?  and can we land another JUCO to play immediately?
 


DL: Nelson, Roach, Omenihu, Hager 
 

Poona will be missed, need more depth along the DL but a salty group. Signing Coburn is a key for national signing day
 


LB: Gary Johnson, Wheeler, Shark, Bimage
 
 

Even without MJ, this is likely the strongest unit on the D. not sure if a true freshman can break into the 2 deep
 


DB: Boyd, Foster, Locke, Jones, Cook   Josh Thompson got a ton of ST play, does he find himself in the 2 deep?    I look for Locke and Kris Boyd to continue to grow and lead the secondary.

 
 

Most talented unit on the D, maybe the team, all they lack is experience.
 


STs  P-our new Aussie  K- Rowland/Dicker
 


Big question mark for 2018, can Rowland build off a 41 yarder in the bowl game and become more consistent or will be be replaced by a true freshman.   At punter, hoping to have lightening hit twice as we go back to Australia and nab Dickson's cousin.   As our punt returning, can RHM end the mistakes?   Otherwise he was a very good return man.


 
 







Summation,








Coaching matters and Todd Orlando has shown he can both scheme games and has a staff who can help players develop.   Defense takes a small step back in 2018 as young guns enter the line up.    PAY THIS MAN WHEN THE OFFERS COME.   Cheap Seats hopes he realizes he doesn't have to take a Tier 2 HC spot when the time comes, he can hold out for a decent power 5 team.On the other side of the ball, we'll have to wait and see approach.  Again, who will be the 10th coach?  Someone who can help with scheme and/or play calling?   An even bigger question, with a year's worth of tape can CTH adjust his offense to better fit his talent or is he going to "Rich Rod" this again?   When Rich Rod went to Michigan, he tried to take players built for a pro style offense and fit them into his WVU spread. . . .abysmal failure.   Also, can the current staff develop both Sam and Shane's passing skills and build a better passing scheme to highlight/take advantage of our strongest and deepest position group?    And speaking of development, can we develop and improve OL play which was below average at best in 2017?    These will be key questions next spring and fall.Given the talent and the way 2017 played out, 8-4 is the minimum expectation the Cheap Seats sees for 2018.    Also, we have 19 recruits signed, we have 2 key (very key) commitments we have to keep and we need to land another JUCO/grad transfer OL, a slot WR, 1-2 DLs and a LB would be nice.  We think CTH can do it, he certainly has might Mo on his side.
 





Final BigXII Ranking





3 clear cut teams at the top, big drop off to teams 4-8 then 2 dogs at the bottom#1  OU. .  .that so sucks to type#2   TCU. .  .very impressive bowl win over a good Stanford team#3  OSU. . . .An impressive win over Va TechAll 3 finish in the top 15#4   TEXAS. . . .we beat 3 of the 4 others in the middle tier plus a nice bowl win#5   KSU. . .best record of the mid tier teams#6  WVU#7   ISU. . . Cinderella season, Matt Cambell can flat out coach#8   TT. . .worst loss of the year to me then they choked to USF#9   Baylor. . . .F Baylor. . . #10 Kansas . .. .basketball season is on though would have loved to have stolen their OCThe Cheap Seats wishes all our friends in the World of Horn all the best for the New Year. 
 

 
Thanks cheese, solid assessment of the game and the season as a whole.  Good to finish the season on a high note, been a long time coming!

 
Great write up, echeese.

I hear we should expect 1 and possibly 2 grad transfer OLs during the off season. One of those is a OT.

Agree with you, . . Poona reminds us how badly we need Coburn to stick.

 
Great write up, echeese.

I hear we should expect 1 and possibly 2 grad transfer OLs during the off season. One of those is a OT.

Agree with you, . . Poona reminds us how badly we need Coburn to stick.


If you are correct and we can add 2 starters from the JUCO's grad transfers, shoring up LT and RG, then the only thing holding us back from winning the conference is improved QB play or said another way, increased QB development.

 
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Good write-up, but I've read Grandy projects more as a G for the Longhorns. A "big-bodied mauler" is the descriptor used. Based on the film I've seen, he doesn't have the feet for LT in the Big 12, but neither did Nickelson.

http://www.hudl.com/profile/2628746/mikey-grandy


I've heard the same and share your fears.

He's played OT up till now but why I am still hoping for either  a grad transfer or JUCO who can step on campus and man the LT spot with Grandy plugging into McMillon's spot.

 
Davante Davis impressed me I think he’ll play a lot next year even with dB haul we got.

 
I could never figure out Reggie H-M's situation...thought before the year started he was going to be a very important safety blanket for whichever QB was playing. He started out hot, then tweaked his knee and never seemed to find a spot on the O again, even though he was returning punts, or more accurately, fair catching punts...if he was injured, why would he even be out there on punt returns? I sure seemed like he was instructed to fair catch everything, while a healthy Armanti Foreman rode the bench for whatever reason. Now I'm hearing rumblings that he may be one of the transfer candidates

 
I could never figure out Reggie H-M's situation...thought before the year started he was going to be a very important safety blanket for whichever QB was playing. He started out hot, then tweaked his knee and never seemed to find a spot on the O again, even though he was returning punts, or more accurately, fair catching punts...if he was injured, why would he even be out there on punt returns? I sure seemed like he was instructed to fair catch everything, while a healthy Armanti Foreman rode the bench for whatever reason. Now I'm hearing rumblings that he may be one of the transfer candidates
RHM lost a parent or close member of his family late last year. Just hasn't gotten past it yet. I don't think he's going anywhere and I hope he's able to find comfort and peace in this at some point soon.

 
RHM lost a parent or close member of his family late last year. Just hasn't gotten past it yet. I don't think he's going anywhere and I hope he's able to find comfort and peace in this at some point soon.




 


RHM lost a parent or close member of his family late last year. Just hasn't gotten past it yet. I don't think he's going anywhere and I hope he's able to find comfort and peace in this at some point soon.
thank you, I did not know that. A tough thing to deal with, for sure

 
RB: Daniel Young /Toniel Carter/Kyle Porter/ Keaontay Ingram
 

Porter to the HBack role?   Ingram could push into the rotation if we can sign him come Feb


I've been thinking about Porter in that role lately myself. Whether fans like him or not, Herman does so he must be doing something right, like blocking, knowing the game, not turning the ball over, etc.

LB: Gary Johnson, Wheeler, Shark, Bimage
 
 

Even without MJ, this is likely the strongest unit on the D. not sure if a true freshman can break into the 2 deep


I don't remember seeing the Shark play LB during the bowl game but he did play on special teams. Was he banged up?

 
I could never figure out Reggie H-M's situation...thought before the year started he was going to be a very important safety blanket for whichever QB was playing. He started out hot, then tweaked his knee and never seemed to find a spot on the O again, even though he was returning punts, or more accurately, fair catching punts...if he was injured, why would he even be out there on punt returns? I sure seemed like he was instructed to fair catch everything, while a healthy Armanti Foreman rode the bench for whatever reason. Now I'm hearing rumblings that he may be one of the transfer candidates
RHM fielded 8 punts, with a fair catch on 4, and returned 2 for 29 yards. He was also utilized on quite a few plays on offense, including a jet sweep and several pass plays

None of this gels with the narrative that he was either hurt or that the coaches kept him on a short leash for returns.

 
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RHM fielded 8 punts, with a fair catch on 4, and returned 2 for 29 yards. He was also utilized on quite a few plays on offense, including a jet sweep and several pass plays

None of this gels with the narrative that he was either hurt or that the coaches kept him on a short leash for returns.
I was talking about during the season, yeah I was glad to see him actually return a couple in the bowl game

 
I've been thinking about Porter in that role lately myself. Whether fans like him or not, Herman does so he must be doing something right, like blocking, knowing the game, not turning the ball over, etc.

I don't remember seeing the Shark play LB during the bowl game but he did play on special teams. Was he banged up?


Don't know on Shark, he participated but recorded no tackles.

 
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