View from the Cheap Seats-TCU

[echeese]

[SIZE=14pt]View from the Cheap Seats-TCU[/SIZE]​

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[SIZE=14pt]Opportunity squandered[/SIZE]​

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[SIZE=14pt]TEXAS came into the game a 7-point favorite in full control of their path to a BigXII Title game berth.    [/SIZE]With a raucous crowd of over 100,000 on a chilly night for the ABC PRIME TIME match and with Game Day making their 2nd visit to Austin in one year, something that only happens rarely.     #4 TCU coming to town against the #18 ranked Horns.    The stage does not get any bigger for a regular season bout.  Two high scoring teams not really known for their defense featuring two excellent running backs and the best QB in the BigXII.    No, the other guy, Max Duggan.   The nation treated to a defensive slug fest and the lowest 1st quarter yardage output to date among FBS teams.

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[SIZE=14pt]No way to sugar coat this, the TEXAS Longhorns are not remotely ready for prime time.   [/SIZE]And the really sad part, half the team showed up ready to play.   Our defense was clearly channeling their inner Joseph Ossai and completely wrecked shop on TCU.   TCU came in averaging 43 points per game and was held to 17 while being limited to just over half their usual yardage.    A signature win was served up for Sark and company on a silver platter only to see TEXAS with its worst offensive performance in years.    We said pre-season that Sark/TEXAS’ goal this year should have been to put BiJan in a position to win the Heiman.  This is a run first team (or at least should be) with a very young offensive line and a very inexperienced quarterback, do what you do best.    The game ended with TEXAS still looking for a signature win under Sark.    So far the closest we come is a 1 point loss to Bama.     In the last 4 games, TEXAS has recorded only 1 2nd half touchdown.    Even the staunchest Sark fan has to be questioning what is going on with the Horns.   This is now a scary trend.   Not 100% on Sark as the execution in this game was abysmal.  5 dropped passes, multiple misfires by Ewers, at least against Okie Lite, he had a legitimate injury excuse.    He is young, he is very inexperienced, and he appears to be pressing badly.  

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[SIZE=14pt]Sark called bombs away early and often, one of them leading to Ewers forcing a ball into double coverage and an INT.    [/SIZE]He continued the pattern of taking a deep shot on 1st down putting TEXAS behind the chains.    Ewers simply does not throw a good deep ball and not one deep shot pass was remotely close to catchable.  To us there are 2 stats that stand out.   A great rushing team only rushing 22 times out of 61 plays and being 1st and goal at the TCU 5 or closer twice and only coming up with 3 points.   BiJan, arguably the best RB in the nation, only carried 12 times.   His counter part for TCU carried 22 times while TCU rushed 44 times.  They NEVER abandoned the run even though it wasn’t working very well.   Not all on Sark, dumb penalties, and poor execution (5 dropped passes) but the lion’s

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[SIZE=14pt]Silver lining department, defense played with their hair on fire from the opening bell.   [/SIZE]Our only complaint, where has this been all year?    They were relentless, lead by Barryn Sorrell’s break out performance, 3 tackle for losses and a sack and a half.    He seemed to live in the TCU backfield.   Nor was he alone, in all TEXAS would record an amazing 13 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.   Had you told us TCU would be held to 17 points, we’d have bet the house on TEXAS covering the 7. And the defense would score the only touchdown of the game for the Horns on a scoop and score fumble late in the 4th.     Great job by the D, they created something to build upon going forward.

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[SIZE=14pt]Aggie and OU lost.   [/SIZE]Sorry not sorry to enjoy their misery but Aggie just blew a shot at going bowling even if they win out, which we doubt happens.    OU has to win one of the next 2 to go bowling.    We care about that because we have ties to the Armed Forces bowl and we need 1 more BigXII team to qualify to get a BigXII team as half the matchup.   

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[SIZE=14pt]Stats that Matter[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]22-39             [/SIZE]Run vs pass mix.  

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[SIZE=14pt]1-13               [/SIZE]TEXAS on 3rd down with over 10 yard the average line to gain

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[SIZE=14pt]13/5               [/SIZE]Tackles for loss and sacks, it wasn’t all negative

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[SIZE=14pt]1-3                  [/SIZE]Scoring in the red zone, 1 FG no TDs  Putrid

[SIZE=14pt]1                     Number of offensive touchdowns in the 2nd half of the last 4 games[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Offensive Player of the Game[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Jordan Whittington, 6 catches 72 yards as we recall no drops[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Defensive player of the Game[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Barryn Sorrell    [/SIZE]Set the tone early and often.  Finished tied for the team lean in tackles, sack and a half and 3 tackles for loss.

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[SIZE=14pt]Jahdea Barron needs some love as well, tied for the team lead in tackles with 3 and a half tackles for loss.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Defense made us proud today, great efforts across the board.[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Conclusions[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Teams reflect their coaching staff and that is not a good thing this morning.   [/SIZE]We expected the pressure to get to TCU and frankly it did a bit as they seriously under performed.   But we don’t care about the cock roaches, we care about the Horns and sadly the TEXAS O was putrid.    We fear Sark coaches scared or responds too much to pressure.    22 rushes out of 61 plays is a horrid mix and the game was NEVER that far out of hand.  Nor was it the 1st loss on the year where we abandoned the run despite the game never being out of reach.     Granted it’s hard when you call the right plays, but the players drop the ball or fail to execute.    But as he said in his press conference, his job to put players and the team in a position to succeed.   He failed.    Opportunity squandered and really it will be 2023 before he has a chance to record a “signature” win.

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[SIZE=14pt]On Deck[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Kansas on the road.    [/SIZE]While there is a convoluted path to the BigXII title game, we’re going to just enjoy the final two regular season games cuz the odds on us getting to that game are slim at best.    Good news, pressure if off Sark, maybe he’ll loosen up and go back to having some fun with the play calling.   Time to build for 2023.   If we have not burned a shirt on a player, we shouldn’t.   If we have burned a shirt, time to get some guys some snaps when live bullets are flying.   Please for TEXAS fans, we have 2-3 games (we don’t whine at all if Bijan wants to skip the bowl), let Bijan go out in style, 15-20 carries a game.  Let him leave TEXAS as a top 5 rusher in our books.  

[SIZE=14pt]Fighting Mack Browns[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Took a big early lead vs Wake Forest and hung on to win a close one.   [/SIZE]With the win, they punched their ticket to play for the ACC title where they face Clemson who has also qualified for the ACC title game.    

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[SIZE=14pt]Ranking the BigXII[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]#1  [/SIZE]TCU    Their sights still set on the playoffs for now but they are assured a trip to the CCG.

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[SIZE=14pt]#2   [/SIZE]KSU     They are now the front runner for the other CCG berth.  WVU and Kansas on tap, fat lady is warming up

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[SIZE=14pt]#3  [/SIZE] OSU    Needs some help to get to the CCG, anxiously awaiting bowl bids

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[SIZE=14pt]#4a  [/SIZE]Baylor   Going bowling but finishes with TCU then TEXAS.   No rest for the wicked

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[SIZE=14pt]#4b  [/SIZE]TEXAS    Going bowling.    Better year than last year but not by a great deal

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[SIZE=14pt]#6  [/SIZE]Kansas    Bowl ticket punched.

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[SIZE=14pt]#7  [/SIZE]Texas Tech    Needs 1 win to go bowling with ISU on deck then OU.  They could beat both

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[SIZE=14pt]#8  [/SIZE]WVU    Needs 2 wins to go bowling.   Not impossible but not likely KSU then OSU to finish the year

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[SIZE=14pt]#9  [/SIZE]OU   Needs 1 win to go bowling and they finish with OSU and TT.  They might not get there.

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[SIZE=14pt]#10  [/SIZE]ISU    Needs 2 wins to go bowling vs Tech then TCU

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[SIZE=14pt]If we had a playoff ballot[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]Playoffs getting REALLY interesting.    [/SIZE]Does a 1 loss Tenn or Mich/tOSU without winning their conference trump a 1 loss Clemson or USC that has won their conference?   Or the fighting Mack Brown’s if UNC wins out?   Since conference titles are supposed to matter.

[SIZE=14pt]#1 Georgia    [/SIZE]Will face LSU for the SEC title

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[SIZE=14pt]#2  [/SIZE]tOSU     Match up with Michigan for the B1G title looms large

[SIZE=14pt]#3  [/SIZE]TCU          3 games to go.   Gary built a hell of a team.

[SIZE=14pt]#4  [/SIZE]USC         Assumes they win the Pac with 1 loss.

[SIZE=14pt]Just a bit outside[/SIZE]

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[SIZE=14pt]#5   [/SIZE]Tenn

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[SIZE=14pt]#6  [/SIZE]Michigan, this assumes a loss to tOSU but is either’s resume better without a conference title than Tenn?

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[SIZE=14pt]#7   [/SIZE]UNC    Who’s to say that Mack/UNC do not win out, then they are in the mix

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[SIZE=14pt]#8  [/SIZE]LSU    If 2 loss LSU wins the SEC, how do you keep them out?   Which raises the question, how does the committee keep out a 1 loss but not conference champ Georgia?

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[SIZE=14pt]Low lights[/SIZE]

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[NEOkHorn]

Thanks for another great write up. 

 

[Sirhornsalot]

FYI, you have USC ranked #4 and #7 at the end of your write up. I'm not buying the USC kool aid. They'll lose to UCLA or Oregon, or both.

Good stuff, thanks as always. 

 

[Soldierhorn]

I dont have anything positive to add....

including the statement, I dont have anything positive to add

 

[Hiwood]

the OL got their asses whupped at the point of attack, it almost looked like the old two on one drill where the defensive player sheds the blocker and takes on the ball carrier...Ten games into the season and the OL got beat so using the freshman excuse doesnt cut it anymore. I have watched some of the Big Ten teams and their OL push people around create huge holes for above average backs...when was the last time UT had an All America OL, an Outland Trophy candidate...too long...We better get a great OL coach to teach these guys to push people around, We have some great backs coming up behind Ro and Bijan but if we dont get someone to clear holes for them then its all for naught

 

[echeese]

FYI, you have USC ranked #4 and #7 at the end of your write up. I'm not buying the USC kool aid. They'll lose to UCLA or Oregon, or both.

Good stuff, thanks as always. 

I blame it on too much single batch at the Marine Corps Ball Sat night, thanks for the catch, now fixed

the OL got their asses whupped at the point of attack, it almost looked like the old two on one drill where the defensive player sheds the blocker and takes on the ball carrier...Ten games into the season and the OL got beat so using the freshman excuse doesnt cut it anymore. I have watched some of the Big Ten teams and their OL push people around create huge holes for above average backs...when was the last time UT had an All America OL, an Outland Trophy candidate...too long...We better get a great OL coach to teach these guys to push people around, We have some great backs coming up behind Ro and Bijan but if we dont get someone to clear holes for them then its all for naught

It was a bad game for the OL but I think Floyd will prove to be the right guy.

And I think our OL is going to be impressive   starting with Kelvin Banks who I believe is that next AA OL/Outland type you are looking for.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

The run to pass ratio may be a little worse than it looks on paper. 

While Ewers is credited with 5 rushes chances are that they were all on called pass plays. Bijan and Roschon only had 17 carries between the two of them. That means that out of 61 play calls, 44 of them were for passes. Assuming my calculator is right, that's 72% ?

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Here's a little more about the run game. 

On Texas's first possession of the game, on our 3rd play Roschon had a 6 yard run to left. We never ran another play to the left the rest of the game. Am I the only one that think's that's curious?

Early in the 2nd quarter, Bijan ran twice to the right for 8 yards and 9 yards. In the first part of the 3rd quarter, he ran 2 more times to the right for 0 yards both times. Those were the only runs to the right. 

For the game.

Runs to the left - 1

Runs up the middle - 12

Runs to the right - 4

 

[Dillohorn1]

Great read again. I am getting used to losing.

 

[UTfish]

Here's a little more about the run game. 

On Texas's first possession of the game, on our 3rd play Roschon had a 6 yard run to left. We never ran another play to the left the rest of the game. Am I the only one that think's that's curious?

Early in the 2nd quarter, Bijan ran twice to the right for 8 yards and 9 yards. In the first part of the 3rd quarter, he ran 2 more times to the right for 0 yards both times. Those were the only runs to the right. 

For the game.

Runs to the left - 1

Runs up the middle - 12

Runs to the right - 4

That bothered me, too. The middle is the weakest part of our OL and limits Bijan's cutback ability. 

 

[Hiwood]

Here's a little more about the run game. 

On Texas's first possession of the game, on our 3rd play Roschon had a 6 yard run to left. We never ran another play to the left the rest of the game. Am I the only one that think's that's curious?

Early in the 2nd quarter, Bijan ran twice to the right for 8 yards and 9 yards. In the first part of the 3rd quarter, he ran 2 more times to the right for 0 yards both times. Those were the only runs to the right. 

For the game.

Runs to the left - 1

Runs up the middle - 12

Runs to the right - 4

I think I can explain part of the reasoning...We are a right handed team, Bijan usually lines up to the right of the QB in the "pistol" formation because its easier for a rt  handed QB like QE to use play action to his right side than his left side  and then turn his back to the line, if he plays the zone read he can see half the field in front of him when he "rides the back" with the hand off which in actuality is a draw

That is one of the reason I think the pistol is a poor formation to run out of opposed to a straight  I formation where you let the back choose the hole and do his thing. Bijan's goose was already cooked when he got most of the handoffs on Sat because the hole he was supposed to hit never materialized, and he had no choice to run the play as designed

No one in CFB sees the hole and hits it quicker than Bijan, but it was like asking a NASCAR driver to drive thru a wreck and hoping the cars would clear an opening