Way too early predictions - Longhorns

[doc longhorn]

History has shown you must have a generational type QB if the OLine is just above average or a game manager type behind a top 5 OLine with playmakers around the QB.  UT has neither scenario working in its favor.  Consistency on offense will continue to be a struggle and despite the best efforts of the defense, UT will more than likely drop a few games this season, but remain in the Big XII race b/c of the average nature of the conference.

IMO, our OL will be above average - at least compared to the Big 12 defenses.  Our QB will be average but steady and the game changer (Ingram) has not arrived on campus yet.  Beyond this and as many a top coach has said, you win with defense.  And we will have the best in the conference and one of the best in the nation. 

I know the past few years have jaded the optimism of most Longhorn fans, but get ready for a jolt of good news.  Our football team is going to be good.  Herman and Orlando are going to see to it.

 

[doc longhorn]

Injuries will be key, of course.  I think this year will prove how adept we are at managing games.  Herman will be going up against a few brilliant coaches that manage games extraordinarily well.  Does the Purple wizard come to mind?

Football is like a sword fight - thrust and parry, thrust and parry.   It is not unusual for the better player to win with less talent.

We shall see how "Mensa" Herman really is.

 

[Baron]

Injuries will be key, of course.  I think this year will prove how adept we are at managing games.  Herman will be going up against a few brilliant coaches that manage games extraordinarily well.  Does the Purple wizard come to mind?

Football is like a sword fight - thrust and parry, thrust and parry.   It is not unusual for the better player to win with less talent.

We shall see how "Mensa" Herman really is.

The Mensa part was hiring McKnight and Orlando.

 

[Texas2725]

Tech returns like 10 of their 11 starters on defense that held us to 23 pts in Nov.  Not saying they'll be world beaters, but I wouldn't count on a bad Tech defense either.

 

[Scottmg]

The Mensa part was hiring McKnight and Orlando.

and Carrington

 

[Scottmg]

Tech returns like 10 of their 11 starters on defense that held us to 23 pts in Nov.  Not saying they'll be world beaters, but I wouldn't count on a bad Tech defense either.

and if our "play caller" would have had half a brain and remembered we were trying to kill clock on 3rd and 2...

 

[okiehorn]

Tech returns like 10 of their 11 starters on defense that held us to 23 pts in Nov.  Not saying they'll be world beaters, but I wouldn't count on a bad Tech defense either.

Held us to 23 points with a VERY depleted O-Line and possibly the worst offense in the league..... the line if able to stay healthy will ease a lot of folks minds this year 

 

[DBut82]

Held us to 23 points with a VERY depleted O-Line and possibly the worst offense in the league..... the line if able to stay healthy will ease a lot of folks minds this year 

Agreed!

 

[North Texas Golfer]

History has shown you must have a generational type QB if the OLine is just above average or a game manager type behind a top 5 OLine with playmakers around the QB.  UT has neither scenario working in its favor.  Consistency on offense will continue to be a struggle and despite the best efforts of the defense, UT will more than likely drop a few games this season, but remain in the Big XII race b/c of the average nature of the conference.

Pretty reasonable take by Coal right here.

No part of the offense was worth a crap last year. Not the line, not the QB, not the RB, nor the WR. And, just for good measure, I'll throw in the offensive coaching staff. The defense will show up no question but what happens on offense will obviously play a huge part next year. 

If the offense just improves to average, there is no game on the schedule that is not winnable and I could see double digit wins. If the offense improves significantly, running the table is not out of the question. 

 

[doc longhorn]

Tech returns like 10 of their 11 starters on defense that held us to 23 pts in Nov.  Not saying they'll be world beaters, but I wouldn't count on a bad Tech defense either.

With all due respect, their 10 returning starters were manhandled by just about every team they played.  We're not skeered. 

 

[doc longhorn]

 I’ll shit a gold brick. 

From the physiological side of things, that would be a very disconcerting thing to observe.

Prepare your anus.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

From the physiological side of things, that would be a very disconcerting thing to observe.

Prepare your anus.

Yeah, gold bricks are very heavy. He would have been better off just shitting a brick.

 

[oldhorn2]

not to mention those sharp corners.....

 

[doc longhorn]

Everyone likes to comment on the concerns we have about our football team.  The truth is all teams have concerns they grapple with every spring.  It would be a fun and interesting post if someone could compile a list of concerns every team we play are dealing with this spring.  I'm talking about a list of concerns the team is publishing - not the national media.

 

[oldhorn2]

ok Doc....I will get right on that list as soon as I have finished working out that pesky World Peace problem .....

 

[oldhorn2]

OK Doc....after being a smartass I thought I might give you question a real shot.....I just read where after some transfers, WV is down to FOUR defensive linemen on scholorship right now. I suspect that is a concern...

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Everyone likes to comment on the concerns we have about our football team.  The truth is all teams have concerns they grapple with every spring.  It would be a fun and interesting post if someone could compile a list of concerns every team we play are dealing with this spring.  I'm talking about a list of concerns the team is publishing - not the national media.

The conference as a whole will be down next year. Too many losses on certain teams not to be that way.

OU lost a heisman QB and their top O and D stars.

TCU will start a new QB and also lost some of their top playmakers.

On paper – WV is the most talented team in the conference – speaking specifically on the first team starters.

ISU lost a ton.

Baylor . . . who cares?

Tech . . . I know we lost last time out, but don't see that happening again. They'll be better defensively, but what does that really mean?

KSU . . . lost several but this is the one place where that stuff doesn't seem to matter. 

OSU . . . Tons of talent, but its all young.

 

[oldhorn2]

SHA....you better check on WV again. They lost their freshman AA to transfer on the DL and another starter to transfer. With only 4 scholarship Defensive linemen on the roster I dont see how they can be the best on paper. They are getting a grad transfer DL but he has not played a down in 2 years.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

SHA....you better check on WV again. They lost their freshman AA to transfer on the DL and another starter to transfer. With only 4 scholarship Defensive linemen on the roster I dont see how they can be the best on paper. They are getting a grad transfer DL but he has not played a down in 2 years.

They have the best and most experienced QB in the conference. And he has his favorite weapon, WR David Sills, back as well as their leading receiver Jennings and the stud Marcus Sims who averaged almost 20 yards per catch last year.

There are 4 starters returning on their OL which was arguably the best in the conference last year. (19 sacks on 500 pass attempts)

WV has never been that great of a. defensive team though they were ok last year. I don't see one position where they can plug and play causing the needle to move much.

 

[Slimer]

Maryland - lost its entire front 7 to graduation ( DE Jesse Aniebonem returns after being granted a medical year ) and lost 2 guys in the secondary.  If we can't move the ball on them we are in trouble.  They do return all 5 OL and both RB's.  They'll also be running Matt Canada's offense ( see LSU last year ).

Tulsa - tune up for USC

USC - should be an electric atmosphere.  Don't think it'll be high scoring, USC will be breaking in a new QB who will be up against an attacking defense in revenge mode.  

TCU - lost a ton but Fatterson is a top notch coach.  Lets see how they come out after playing Ohio State the week before.

K-State - playing in the Purple Wizard's backyard is always worrisome.  And they'll return most everyone on offense.  Defense will be a huge ? though that won't feature a ton of speed either.

OU - we are taking this game this year.

Baylor - shouldn't be a problem.

OK-State - will be interesting to see how the offense looks for them.

TTech - as crazy as it sounds, the defense could be better than the offense.  Not 1 single skill guy returns.

ISU - scrappy bunch, don't take them lightly but our D' should be able to do what they did last year to them.

WVU - dangerous offensive team, I think our D' will play them like they did OK-State this past year at home.  Not a very physical team and a mess on D', especially at DL.

KU - could be cold in late November in Lawrence but that should be the only thing to worry about.