Well, until another loss they have as good a shot as anyone to win the Big 12 championship. But, I know as well as you do that the Longhorns are more than likely going to surrender that opportunity in the form of a few conference losses.
So, what are the Texas Longhorns waiting for when it comes to the quarterback situation?
According to reports, freshman QB Tyrone Swoopes will be entering the game if the Longhorns hold a large enough lead. Why? Why on earth would you waste his red shirt on useless experience snaps when you’re 2-2 and more than likely not playing for much more than the Holiday Bowl?
If you’re going to start Case McCoy then you start McCoy and you ride that out unless Ash is fully recovered and ready to return. Swoopes is second on the depth chart right now; I realize that. But, again, what are the Longhorns playing for? I’m not saying they need to tank games or go out unmotivated and lacking enthusiasm. I’m saying that with the season far below everyone’s expectations the Longhorns shouldn’t throw Swoopes into this mess whether it be due to injury or to get experience.
You want to give Swooped experience? Okay then; start him. Start him the rest of the way and don’t look back. Don’t second guess it, don’t bring McCoy in when he is struggling don’t do anything other than let him live, learn and develop.
Is it worth all of that just to save a redshirt? Hell yes it is. David Ash had two concussions in three weeks. This day and age along with the severity of head injuries there comes a point when just the play-to-play contact and motion of the game can affect the head after two concussions.
Ash is likely done for the year, gang.
If Ash returns for next season, he deserves to be the starter. But it will be his last season. That is when you use Swoopes as your late-game-guy to get his experience snaps in. You don’t put him on the field this year in what is becoming more and more of a circus that even Barnum and Bailey would be impressed with. You put Swoopes on the field now late in games you’re wasting a year because he likely won’t be the starter until his junior year as opposed to his redshirt sophomore year after Ash leaves.
So, the alternative is you give Jalen Overstreet reps late in the game. I’ve heard the criticism; “He wouldn’t have been moved to RB if he was QB material.†Maybe not entirely true but it does make a little bit of sense. But, then again, what are the Texas Longhorns realistically playing for?
Opportunity cost is an everyday decision making element human beings use. You can go to work or you can call in to day drink with your buddies on a Friday and extend your weekend fun. You lose the money but you make some memories and have fun. Sure, you can give Swoopes experience with late snaps so that he can get a taste of real time game experience. But what are you gaining from that when you’re already 2-2 and half way down the toilet with the season?
The opportunity cost suggests you’re losing both now and in the future if you burn Swoopes redshirt on meaningless late-game snaps. Invest in the future, Texas. Regardless of who is coaching in the future, invest in the talent you have for the long run instead of hastily throwing him into the game late in the fourth quarter.
If you insist on burning his redshirt, invest in him as your starter from here on out; otherwise, you’re just wasting a valuable talent on game-time that holds no value.
