2011 Texas-UCLA Post Mortem: Offense

Excellent. Thank you for the post.

Good read. Biggest issue going forward will be Qb health. Case is going for the better lucky than good thing. He looks a bit on the fragile side and we’ll have to see how he holds up against tougher D’s. Ash looks a bit stouter, but given the depth I wouldn’t look for him to make as many carries. Shipley looks to have a pretty good arm, if it gets to that.

awesome stuff, brah.

agree wholly w/ your takes re: goodwin block (WHY DIDNT HE JUST WALL HIM OFF!) and the case/ash sitch.

can’t wait to see what else harsin cooks up. what a boss that guy is.

Kilgore -
 
Good call on Ash possibly seeing a reduction in carries.
 
Case is thin. His calves look like a fawn.
  
We’ve got some former high school QBs on the roster who can do some stuff out of the Wildcat like Thompson, but walk-on JP Floyd would have a role in the regular offense.
 
We can do some things to minimize risk, but we’re just going to have to play football and hope for the best.

I swear to god, I can’t see Goodwin’s block without cackling with glee. Great play!

Searels and Wiley have earned their money twice over based on our fourth quarter play.

As to the luck thing, I am not going to say I believe in it, bu t play the guy that seems to have it.

McCoy wont be starting at the end of the season. Any fool who thinks that aint watchin the game tape

Nice writeup, Scipio. Can someone tell Jesus that I’m going through Shuttlesworth withdraw?

Thanks for the effort to get these post-mortems in.

I didn’t think it possible, but I believe that the Horns might just have the physicality to win the Antietam approaching with OU. There’s some serious firepower with Ash and play-action and option that’s still out on the field, and Landry Jones will think he’s reading “Calvin and Hobbes” only to find out it’s “War” by Sebastien Junger. If Ashton Dorsey decides to look at the football instead of listen to the QB and Snow can hold at the point of attack, we have a chance.

A route we need to use more is the cross with Davis or Shipley underneath the tight end seam. McCoy can throw the seam or the cross but not the post or fly, and if we continue to ask him to throw stuff he can’t we’re going to waste a lot of good offense with turnovers.
I think some of McCoy’s luck and "it"is a surprising quickness and an awareness of who is where on the field even when he can’t see them. You can’t teach either quickness or awareness very well, but neither will get a ball 30 yards downfield in less than 1.5 seconds.

Again, great post

Thanks, Scipio. I enjoyed the read but didn’t get the part about J.P. Floyd’s bad crowd bit. J.P. actually looked more accurate than Case during one of Harsin’s drills shown during the LHN practice report today (not that it means much).

burnt in ny -
 
I agree that McCoy is very aware of the field. His eyes are always where they should be. That was pretty much my take after the Spring game. I’m just offering that the book on him is pretty easy if a DC is smart enough to conform his defense appropriately. The DJ Grant emergence is an intriguing possible counter measure though. That wild scramble play to Mike Davis near the UCLA end zone is likely a sack and a strip against a really athletic front.
 
UT07 -
 
I will send out a Jesus Signal. Unfortunately, the info he’s getting right now is of the We’re Running This Play in this situation variety and he can’t post that.

“And in case you were wondering, yes, we’re preparing for ISU and OU right now”

Good. I would hate to see the BC writers get complacent and all the journalistic game planning wasted on ISU, especially with OU so ripe for mocking.

Scip: seems like we ran more Wildcat this week w/ Shipley receiving the snap instead of Fozzy. Any idea what that’s all about? It’s not like Shipley’s a threat to keep it and run it off-tackle like Fozzy occasionally does, so I’m not quite seeing the point of having him receive the snap instead of Fozzy. Don’t get me wrong — I’m sure there’s a method to Harsin’s madness — I’m just not smart enough to see it yet.

Thanks for all of your hard work on these post-mortems — they are literally my favorite sports read of the week.

Scip,
I agree that Case’s Fran Tarkenton act would be a disaster against OU or Missouri. But it seems clear from the frequent shots of Mack’s face on the sideline that Mack is more comfortable when Case is in the game, and Mack is the kind of guy who would believe more in a player’s mojo than in his ability to make throws. If we work with the expectation that we will continue to see a lot of Case because of Mack’s comfort level, I agree that we will eventually be limited when we can’t overpower the DL. One would like to hope that Ash can already do much more than he’s been allowed to do, but that Harsin has kept it simple for him as he gets through the “first game in front of 100,000,” “first road game,” “first OU game,” etc., in order to keep Mack’s confidence in Ash. Regardless, it’s clear that the timetable to the Horns’ potential is set by Ash’s development.

McCoy can throw the seam or the cross but not the post or fly

I wish you were an opposing D coordinator.

Granted McCoy may not have an NFL arm, but seriously, the 15-20 yard out is way overrated.

Gilberto -
Shipley has shown himself to be a threat on sweeps and option passes and allows two speed guys, Fozzy and DJ, to attack each edge on the same play. Remember JS’s Asset reports alluded to a speed version of the Wildcat in addition to a power version (Fozzy with a direct snap). It would appear that Shipley is the trigger man on the speed version.

gilberto -
 
Jaxon is definitely a threat to run even if he hasn’t featured it yet and he can also throw a little – see Ash completion and TD pass on Saturday.
 
Mainly, he allows us to go Wildcat irrespective of personnel on the field because he’s an every down player. Fozzy isn’t. There are times when you want to go Wildcat without signaling it with a personnel substitution. You just split out the QB and you’re good to go.

I’ve got LHN on Grande, so I’ve seen the Marquise block about 20 times. On review number 15, I noticed that he was very open himself on the play and further downfield than the actual receiver. Did I see that right? Is that a poor read? If the ball had gone to Marquise, it looks like he would have had a chance to score.

Great write up, ScipioTex.

roach -
I actually didn’t say anything about the deep out. That’s actually not a route that’s important in Harsin’s scheme. What Harsin’s offense does need is to make safeties pay for attacking the edges or coming up to fill gaps on running plays. There are different ways to do that, and McCoy can do some of these, but he has struggled to throw over the top of safeties (such as post or fly patterns)in the spring game and in his action so far this year. But even weak deep balls can be effective if you’ve worked the short stuff well enough to get DB’s to be aggressive against short routes, thus setting them up for double moves (see Shipley the elder).

Roma-
Marquise was open in the sense of sufficient separation from the DB, but he was farther outside, had the attention of the DB, and thus represented a riskier throw. Davis was a super easy throw and pretty much guaranteed a first own. That’s not to say that a throw to Marquise wouldn’t have been more productive. But if you are a QB, the reward might not have seemed worth the risk.

this team is fun to watch. amazing what a function brain in the press box can do for your enjoyment. the football is good again.

hah – functionING brain that is. :#)

Thanks, burnt.

burnt:

That’s very well said.

i hope the coaches let Ash throw it deep soon…i really want to see his deep ball possibilities

Best timed bye week ever? Close, but not quite in my estimation. I’d rather press the momentum and play ISU this weekend (thus taking away the extra time Paul Rhoads and his ’Clones will have to scheme for us) and get the extra time prior to the two-week OU and OSU death march. I also cringe a bit at the thought of overlooking ISU — something that bit the Horns hard in the ass last season. But it is what it is.

Fully agree that McCoy will find the sledding much tougher against a fast, athletic defense like OU’s. That volleyball set to Mike Davis becomes a pick and that 38-second scramble and heave to Davis in the second quarter becomes (as you noted) a sack and possibly a fumble. OU will pack it down to suffocate the short routes and run game, and dare McCoy to beat them over the top. Look for Ash’s package to . . . uh . . . expand as Harsin adds other routes to go with the veer pass, screens, etc. that we’ve seen thus far.

If the O-line can assert itself against what is a good (but not great) OU D-line, Malcolm Brown can grind out positive yardage, and the QBs play within themselves and curtail mistakes and turnovers, then the Horns will have a shot at an upset. I have faith that Harsin will put his wizard’s cap on and brew up something unusual for Venables & Co. I feel better about this game now than I did prior to UCLA, but I still wish we were playing the damn Sooners in November, when the baby Horns will be even more grown up and scary.

UT can’t be faulted for the failures of BYU and UCLA, but is anyone concerned that the “tough early Horn’s schedule” now looks to include possible only one bowl-quality team (Iowa St)?
BYU may make a bowl based on their awful schedule: San Jose St, Utah St, Idaho, Idaho St, N Mex St.

Due respect, Burnt, but I don’t see the toss to Marquise as any riskier at all. He was farther outside than Davis, yes, but the DB closest to him was running away from him, while Andrew Abbott (who ended up getting blown up on the play) would not have had a prayer of reaching Goodwin if Case had thrown him the ball instead of Davis.

Freeze the frame on the video above at the :40 mark, just as Case releases the ball underneath to Davis. If Case had simply made that toss to Marquise, I don’t see how anyone has a prayer of threatening that completion or of stopping Goodwin from scoring if the pass is caught.

I may be wrong, but I don’t think Case read the situation and opted for the less risky throw. I think he simply didn’t see how open Goodwin was.

I agree McCoy had some luck on his side. The premise that he will be taken advantage of by better defenses does not hold water. That assumes he is not coachable and will not improve. Im sure Harsin will use plenty of those close calls as a teaching tool, and by Harsins own account Case is a sharp guy. His arm strength is not a issue.We have to remember this was his first start.

I’m curious to see the mentality of this team when we are forced to get our 1980 on and grind for a 10-6 victory. Both the coaches and the young players.

Say what you want about the idiot (savant?) In Baton Rouge, but his team’s will stand fast and punch it out when the points don’t come easy.

“Bryan Harsin isn’t as stupid as Bob Davie as to give Brown the ball 35 times a game.”

I was wondering if Bob has been talking to Spurrier given Lattimore’s 37 carries last game…

Really good write-up, Scip. Not much to add but I will say I really loved the “we’re gonna run it up your ass” mentality, and loved even more that we actually had success with it. Then I think back to the Greg Davis I-formations (Vondrell getting saftied against Tech the most egregious example), and shake my head and sigh.

I noticed a lot of run for Cochran too. Interesting.

Any thoughts on the WR corps aside from Lil Ship? Davis’ stat-line was padded a tipped bomb and a broken play. White/Harris were invisible in the passing game, although I think I noticed a couple nice run blocks by John. I know we’re not tossing it 40+ times per game unless by absolute necessity, but are our WRs giving our young QBs a helping hand at this point?

Scipio Tex:

High marks again for your weekly Post Mortem analysis. Us natives here get restless until we get a Post Mortem fix. What, may I ask, will you feature next week with no UT game this weekend?

Why do you suppose that Case has not followed Colt’s lead in Strength and Conditioning? (1) Seemingly fragile or not, he needs more muscle bulk to help him withstand the punishing hits that will come from a fierce pass rush; (2) Greater leg strength would enhance his apparent scrambling abilities; and (3) Greater strength in his hands, arms, abs, and shoulders would help him with the deeper throws to Davis, etc.

I suspect we’ll perform much better vs. ‘air’ during this year’s off week over last year’s.

Love the post mortems, thanks!

Thanks Scipio.

The touchdown to Grant was a nice play by Case. As he was moving right, he had to have seen the underneath crossing route was open and could have delivered the ball there. Wonder if he knew before he moved that Grant was going to be open or if glanced his way as he was doing it?

The scramble play just made me think. “Yeah, he is Colt McCoy’s brother”

Enthused about Goodwin’s block. It looked legal to me. I see too many plays lately where an unbuckled chinstrap sends a helmet flying and the announcers and, often times, officials rush to judgment. The NFL has even fined some players unnecessarily in my mind.

When a player doesn’t buckle his chinstrap or inexplicably lowers his head prior to being hit, it is not the fault of the opposing team. I also don’t consider it a penalty if the guy making contact inadvertently touches the other player’s helmet in the process of extending his arms or retracting them; or if momentum takes what started as a legal hit to the point where a helmet makes contact with the opponent. Oh no! These guys are hitting a moving target at full speed and often are trying to maintain some sense of balance. There was no spearing, and no one aimed for the head. Ergo, State Farm bought him a falcon. I mean, no penalty was committed. You have to allow room for subjectivity in these situations. Every collision is not a cheap shot. Football is a contact sport. If you can’t deal with that, why involve yourself?

Oddly, as much as those comments from Davie and what’s his name? bothered me, I was still glad to not be hearing Ed Cunningham when I re-watched the game on DVR. I got my fill of him on previous broadcasts, I guess.

Good summary, Scipio.

Why does everyone believe that Case’s Houdini scramble play is a disaster if we’re playing OU? UCLA’s issues were with scheme, not athleticism.

Case is going to do just fine against the tougher defenses on slate. Sure, he’ll likely see his efficiency go down in those games, but that’s true for any quarterback. Major Applewhite’s college careeer showed how over-rated athleticism and arm strength are in relation to knowing where to go with the ball and having balls of steel.

MONTY:

You can say his arm strength is not an issue, but until I see him complete a downfield pass that isn’t shaped like a parabola, I will have my doubts. And so will opposing defensive coordinators.

Thanks Scipio. I was going through some pretty major withdrawal pains. While I was in the fetal position in the corner of my bedroom, my wife was hitting refresh every couple of seconds on the BC. Yesterday, when she said the Defense Post-Mortem was up, I crawled to the desk, took a look at the screen and the cramps immediately subsided. As I read about the DL, I could unclench my jaw. I think now after the Offense Post-Mortem, I have fully recovered. Next week might be kind of rough though. Hook’em.

what got me was that they never would show the hit in slow motion. I didn’t think it was illegal the first time I saw it. And it certainly wasn’t anything different from what Hines Ward has done on the field.

Someone was saying JP “the Pope” Floyd has awesome hair, like Tom Brady. Might we have a diamond in the rough? Might Floyd be a modern day Sampson, with his strength being tied to his hair? I say, give the kid a shot.

Has Texas ever had an offensive mind who so perfectly understood the talents and potential of his personnel as Harsin does? Good God! It’s mind-blowing how Midas-like his touch is.

Garret’s loss for the season is very unfortunate. Though he was relegated to the third spot on the roster, he was still our most experienced guy and had an important role to play, if only from the comfort level he gave on the depth chart (and he is not without talent; just keep him in situations where he isn’t confused). From here on out, I expect the coaches will just play the guys as they have done so far—continuing with their natural development plan. What else can they do? We must trust to Dame Fortuna (don’t be a bitch, lady!).

Whatever the ref’s ruling on Goodwin’s block, the team must have relished it.

I concur with the sentiment that we have the physicality to challenge OU. Their skill people might beat us, but by GOD they will know they have been in a fight!!

as a blocker. Jamison Berryhill is the superior weapon there. The problem is that Berryhill can only do that.

Do we really know this? Has JB carried the ball yet? He was quite the runner at Permian, after his Mom rented an apt in their district, so he could go there instead of Odessa High (a bit embarrassing, since she was a School Board Trustee living in the area that included OH, IIRC).

Not being privy to the practice regime, I have no idea if he’s no longer useful as a ball carrier, but it occurs to me that it is possible that this is still more Harsin trickery – using a player in a one-dimensional way so he will be ignored as a threat, and later in the season at some critical point, we’ll hear Bob Davie say that having Berryhill in the game means Texas is leaving an arrow out of their quiver, as he’s not an offensive threat, so the D can focus on Brown… just before they run the Tebow and Berryhill goes for twenty before anyone realizes he has the ball, while Davie says “Ohhh, not good… Berryhill whiffed completely on his block on that OLB, and down goes Ash…”

The block [Goodwin] put on the UCLA DB was textbook and anyone crying about it needs to follow co-ed field hockey. Buckle your chin-strap next time.

The latter being my exact words then and now. The in-game replays made it look to me that Goodwin got the “fit” of his helmet alongside Abbott’s, and the main impact was with his shoulder in the CB’s chest. The back of Goodwin’s helmet grazed the facemask. Whether the chin-strap was buckled/snapped properly or not, the flying helmet was what brought the flag. It’s hard to fault the ref too much, because at full speed, it’s really difficult to tell what hit where. Even after numerous slo-mo views, it’s still difficult to see… had the helmet stayed on, not only would there have been no flag, but also I think no injury – Abbott’s unprotected head hit the turf pretty hard. The really interesting thing, to me, is that Goodwin flew farther than Abbott did, so he obviously took the harder hit – but he took it in the right places. Fuck Bob Davie, but his words and his attitude show exactly why he’s a second string Talking Head rather than someone’s Head Coach. Textbook block, imo.

a downfield pass that isn’t shaped like a parabola…

“True” ballistic curves are elliptical, of course, but only in the context of the (non-existent) two-body case. Since we’re not looking at complete orbital paths, we’re dealing with a portion of the arc, which is often indistinguishable from other transcendental curves including, but not limited to, parabolic ones. That is, ALL passes can be said to be “shaped like a parabola”. That argument aside, I’d certainly like to see a lot flatter arc on Case’s long throws.

ya that penalty chapped my ass. almost as much as the ucla students that sat behind us in the middle of the texas section. showing up late and leaving early of course. When one of them called it a “pussy hit” i had to fight back every urge in my body not to clock that kid and ask him if the hit that broke his jaw and sent him to the ground crying was a “pussy hit”.
instead i just firmly stated diplomatically how the ucla defender was lying on the ground. with his helmet 5 yards away. and that the west coast is a bunch of pussies.

Had a blast though. great game. Loved that our section was louder the rest of the stadium.

Lets keep this machine rollin!

Technically every downfield pass is shaped like a parabola, heh heh

QB situation is quite worrisome. Case does not look badass. By this I mean that, physically, he’s a stringbean. One good hit (and he IS going to get hit, hopefully just a very few times) when we face a good D and he could be gone for the season.

Damn, beat me to it!

Word on Floyd Mayweather.

I guess my attempts to be gentle have been betrayed by my lack of understanding of physics.

I’ll be blunt: Case’s arm strength sucks and he is getting really lucky.

People doubted Colt during his RS Freshman year because he looked like a twerp and he was lightly recruited, when his play actually should have inspired confidence.

That is not the Case now.

McCoy is very aware of the field. His eyes are always where they should be.

Diff between having a Dad who’s a pretty dang good coach, and a Dad who’s an almost-but-not-quite NFL-quality quarterback. Just my $0.02 worth.

Re: Goodwin’s block, at first glance I thought it was legal but if there are new rules in place to cut down on hits to the upper body like that I guess I’m OK with it.

Second thought was the guy was lucky the hit was delivered by a 5’9" 180 lb light-boned track star instead of one of the rock-solid studs. Can you imagine Vaccaro or a tight end lighting a guy up like that?

Re: McCoy’s arm strength, fawn-like calves, twisted lip snarl, luck and other perceived shortcomings against the QB Platonic ideal — so long as he keeps going 15-18 with zero turnovers and we keep winning I don’t give a rat’s ass how he looks. It was his first college start, give the kid a break.

I wonder how this QB rotation will go, long term, with both guys being underclassmen. And with adding Brewer to the mix next year.

“After the game, Case McCoy drove to an Indian Casino, won Blackjack splitting his fours with the dealer showing a eight, ran the Craps table playing only field bets, and tripled it all with an impulse lottery scratch-off purchase. As he bent to pick up a quarter in the parking lot, a concert grand piano flew off of the back of a moving truck, bounced six inches over his head, and took out a Nissan Sentra. Nearby, a black cat burst into flames for no apparent reason.”

Effing brilliant….

Will there be a JP Floyd package?

The hit by Goodwin was absolutely text book, that was the kind of block you dream of as a kid.

This team seems to have “it”(no idea what “it” is) . Each week they progress,buy into the game plan, and exert more effort than the teams the last 3-4 years have.

If we can head to Dallas undefeated I have no doubt we can play or possibly even beat those cocksuckers from the north. It’s amazing what a stellar coaching staff can do for your confidence. Especially an OC that is as innovative as Harsinwhite.

The block he put on the UCLA DB was textbook and anyone crying about it needs to follow co-ed field hockey. The announcer’s ensuing explanation that you don’t have to be overly violent to block someone made me laugh out loud.

You were likely more sober than I at that point. Or drunker. Something. I think my exact words were, “goddamn it, Randy Crystal, you dumb son of a bitch, you are presiding over the death of football!”

Tex Long, Berryhill actually went to a private school in Midland (Midland Christian)until he was a junior… I think your assumptions are incorrect and really have nothing to do with his RB skills…

I guess my attempts to be gentle have been betrayed by my lack of understanding of physics.

More like your desire to use words that sound good, without understanding what they mean. Don’t be offended – lots of us do it… I know I do, way too often.

Colt’s first “full” year, 2006, saw us lose to tOSU, mainly because GDGD was trying to not lose instead of trying to win. We lost to KSU when Colt got hurt, but not because of Jevan Snead’s lack of ability. Charles’ fumbles are what cost us that game – those and the D letting KSU score 45 points… We lost the A&M game primarily because Colt was considerably less than full speed, but MackGreg insisted on playing him the whole game (other than the last play, and then only because he was carted off the field) and we had our usual inability to punch the ticket on a first-and-goal a couple of times (one of them being of the “Dammit, I KNOW Melton is a running back, and he’s going to keep running until he proves I’m right” variety).

Case looks damn good AND damn lucky so far. These are both Good Things. He also has more going for him on the coaching side than Colt did – a hell of a lot more.

 He does look fragile, and I fear that at some point, he is going to be injured enough to keep him off the field. The difference between 2006 and this year is night and day, though, and I feel pretty confident about the backup QB being ready and actually being used. In fact, not only the backup, but also the ‘Cat, go a long way toward minimizing opportunities for Case to get kabongoed. If Case goes down hard, we’ll be seeing either the Pope, or someone we’re not even thinking about, taking snaps… and a lot more of the ’Cat, I think.

So far, so good. Getting really pumped for the ‘Clips, hoping they’re still #1 when the Shootout starts… we stay on course, and a good-looking win vaults us into the top 5 or so. By good-looking win, I mean one that is NOT dependent on questionable calls. Keep in mind that last year, as shitty as we were on offense, we scored four times and the ‘Clips scored four times – the difference was that half of ours were threes and all of theirs were sixes… I think that may be reversed this time… we’ll see.

Thanks for the writeup Scipio. It was so nice, you wrote it twice. (I’ve lost long blog postings so yo have my sympathies).

Love, love, love the Harsin offense. I love Major, but really all this razzle dazzle is a transplant from Boise.

Thinking ahead….possible that someone mid-level college will poach Harsin from us after the season is over? His wife bemoaned the fact that they could only sign a 1-year contract on their rental house. Please tell me that DeLoss and Mac are locking him up long term. Not asking for a coach Boom type contract, but something to hold him in town for 2-3 more years. Can you check with the Asset?

Tex Long, Berryhill actually went to a private school in Midland (Midland Christian)until he was a junior… I think your assumptions are incorrect and really have nothing to do with his RB skills…

There are no assumptions in what I wrote, as far as I can tell.

You are correct that he played at MidChris for two years, which has little or nothing to do with my point. He did transfer to Permian, and the situation with his Mom is also correct. There was a good bit of controversy over it, fueled by the fact that his skills were coveted by everyone in sight. The Berryhills certainly seemed to have seriously bent the rules to get him into Permian, and there were calls for Mom to resign from the School Board, since she claimed to live outside the area she represented, but apparently only for the purpose of getting him into Permian.

I personally don’t care about the rule-bending – I don’t give a rat’s ass about that stuff, really.
The point is that he was an outstanding running back, outstanding enough that rules were bent, if not broken, to get him into Permian.

Your mileage may vary, but my opinion is that the situation has everything to do with his running ability, and – as far as I can tell – nothing to do with his blocking.

Consequently, I’m guessing that, sooner or later, we’re going to see him carrying the ball, and carrying it quite effectively, and that the opponent – along with the Talking Heads – are going to be surprised and unprepared to deal with it. May not happen, but it’s there if we need it.

Back to your regularly scheduled programming.

Colt may have had a stronger arm, but I sure don’t remember him completing more than a handful of long passes in his 4 years of starting, and we were in the national title hunt in at least 2 of those years (I’d argue his freshman year as well). What I’m seeing from Case in basically 1.5 games is alot of the same things that I eventually came to appreciate in Colt. Ability to keep a play alive, improvising, field awareness. Yes, his one long pass probably should have been intercepted, but I remember Colt getting very lucky on tons of passes across his body and/or off of his back foot as well. From my novice view I’m looking at a very similar player, but one that now has the benefit of a good running game, at least serviceable OL and a top notch offensive coordinator.

Personally I like the QB rotation they’ve used the last 1.5 games and have no problem when either QB is in the game.

My biggest issue is with the “short yardage” package. Seems more like a “slow, no yards” package. Cody Johnson is slow to the line as an HB and slow hitting the hole, I would much rather see a quicker back hit a small hole than Cody lumber into a hole that doesn’t exist.

Overall, Texas has played four solid quarters in three games against opponents that have few strengths. Since UT is in transition, that’s not an indictment, that’s something of a relief. If they turn in a solid game against ISU, we’ll have a trendline.

I’m worried about the durability and development of the offense. There’s talent at RB, but an OL that is a house of cards. Two injuries, and there’ll be panic, which is probable why you saw so much Cochran. In the passing game, there’s little experience at either passer or receiver, but lots of upside, and lots of speed. Aside from getting rid of the smell of burning cats, what happens when the luck runs out?

For those saying the ball should have been thrown to Goodwin on the play where he made the block, it seemed to me (I can’t rewatch it right now) that Goodwin was setting up for the block the whole time, not looking for the ball, so the throw that was made might have been the first read and since it was there that’s where the ball went, not a case of choosing the wrong receiver.

“My biggest issue is with the "short yardage" package. Seems more like a "slow, no yards" package. Cody Johnson is slow to the line as an HB and slow hitting the hole, I would much rather see a quicker back hit a small hole than Cody lumber into a hole that doesn’t exist.”

Is it just me or does that short yardage package, especially if we use it a few times and run straight ahead against ISU, look ripe for a play action fake?

This team is fun so far. They are winning. We are half way to a bowl invite and the extra reps a bowl brings are valuable. The best part of the O is the running game with a real live running back that needs development only to reach his potential but not to be effective from the git go. How does one reconcile a Chris W take to a Malcolm B?

“My biggest issue is with the "short yardage" package. "

Hasn’t that package worked all but 1 time so far this year? I think it has a success rate that is higher than 90%.

“Is it just me or does that short yardage package, especially if we use it a few times and run straight ahead against ISU, look ripe for a play action fake?”

You just decribed the exact play that was run with the long pass, tip drill to Mike Davis.

Question about depth:

1. When in the last twenty years has Texas been more than 2 deep at QB? I don’t remember. From ’04 to ’10 we were essentially one deep.

2. When has Texas played more than 7-8 guys on the o-line, consistantly in a game? Did that happen in ‘04-’09 with me in blistful ignorance?

tdwalsh, I said the exact same thing last Saturday on a 3rd and 1 at some point, and we play-action faked for a first down. Want to say we hit Shipley for the first, but sometimes I drink.

I’m like that guy who was in a horrible, miserable marriage for 10 plus years who finallys get a divorce and immediately meets a wonderful, kind, faithful younger woman with a huge rack and insatiable sex drive. I should just be happy that my current situation is so wonderful, but I just can’t let it go and stop thinking about all those wasted years. I need professional counseling.

holdem – there was a brief period of time where we had Colt, Harris, Kinne and Chiles.

Also, regarding the OL, during 04 and 05 we went a true 2-deep along the entire line. In fact there were many times that the entire OL would be substituted from drive to drive.

Apparently they did that at least once, I must’ve forgotten. At least defenses will have to think about that when the package comes in later. I’m sure they’ll have another variation of it ready at some point (it feels so good to say that and know it’s actually probably true-not just a pipe dream).

I’m like that guy …

Hell’s fire, stuck, I am that guy. Meeting that gal was the best thing that ever happened to me, and the only thing I think about the past is that it’s past.

You can let it go. It’s real simple… Wunna the drug-crazed Learyites (I think Richard Alpert, AKA “Baba Ram Dass”) passed the secret along: Be. Here. Now. That’s all, just be aware of your current situation all the time. Your life is great, and everything leading up to this place and time is what got you here, so it’s all good. Close your eyes. Listen. Taste. Smell. Feel. Open your eyes. Look. Smile.

Great write-up as usual, Scip. Always enjoy your feedback.

But wow, guys. I mean, just wow. It is insane to me how few of you are willing to support a quarterback who is actually winning, especially after last year, when that was everyone’s biggest dream. I think Case did a great job, was very innovative, and I damn well know I saw him make long passes (but maybe I’m crazy, because OBVIOUSLY he can’t do that). He played his heart out, pulled off a big win, rallied our team behind him, kept up their enthusiasm and confidence, had wicked sick accuracy, and showed plenty of other great skills during HIS VERY FIRST START. As much as I love Texas fans, sometimes the pessimistic drive for super-perfection gets a little old. Why do all of his (perceived) faults need to be picked at mercilessly, instead of acknowledging a great game, and standing behind him? SUPPORTING him? It would not surprise me if we made it to a bowl and people were still saying that he couldn’t cut it, and they’d better have Ash ready by the game or we’re doomed, and that bowl or not Ash is the “future”, etc. And hey, Ash may be the future, but Case is the present. He’s doing his best for us (which is damn good, btw), and IMHO deserves the support of the people he’s busting his ass and winning games for. I really don’t mean to be combative or anything, but geez. I feel so bad for the kid, cuz it looks more and more like no matter what he does, 60% still won’t be satisfied.
Oh, and did I mention that Malcolm Brown is a BEAST? Who else thought his shoe was the football at first? Gave me a damn heart attack!
HOOK ’EM!

“Bryan Harsin isn’t as stupid as Bob Davie as to give Brown the ball 35 times a game.”

That’s not exactly an elite club you’re putting Harsin into, you know. Most people who have undergone lobotomies aren’t as stupid as Bob Davie.

“It is insane to me how few of you are willing to support a quarterback who is actually winning”

Did I miss something somewhere?

I love the McCoy bashing already amping up. The guy just led us to a good win with good numbers. Sometimes our fanbase is insufferable.

Was it over when the Toltecs bombed Thermopylae?

never really trusted colt and don’t really trust case. but really…as long as they’re winning i don’t give a rip who the qb is. people pretending like case has arm strength (he doesn’t) or that his scrambles were at some super high level (they weren’t) is just as “insufferable” as people questioning it. to me it looks like it’s more lucky than good mixed with great playcalling. of course, saying scoreboard w/ regards to the results is justified because that’s all that really matters in the end. just don’t act like they’re some super human qb because of some unquantifiable “it” factor that you or no one else can identify outside of seeing a name on the back of a jersey.

One issue I have noticed with Ash is that it seems like there have already been a fair number of motion or substituion penalties when he is in there, and that we’ve had to call timeout at least twice this season when he was in the game and the offense didn’t seem to know what was going on. I have no idea who is to blame for this, but it needs to get fixed if he is going to continue to get increased snaps.

Pointing out a weak arm on a couple close calls - and then noting that DCs of some tougher teams might take advantage of that, is not “McCoy bashing.”

“never really trusted colt”

Seriously? I suppose the 06 or 07 version, sure, but if you had not started trusting Colt by about midway through 08 you might need to readjust your expectations of what a QB is supposed to do.

I remember talking with my Dad after the ‘06 Ohio State game, he said, “Texas will never be more than a .500 team with that little, weak armed kid at QB.” I don’t remember if I agreed or disagreed with him, but Colt was two plays from playing in three national championships in four years, so I’m willing to give the McCoy family the benefit of the doubt on Case.

Cy- yes I also thought his shoe was the ball, and shit enough bricks to build a hospital for kids in Africa..

I don’t however think everyone is bashing Case, I think everyone is happy with the rotation thus far. However when you sign with THE University of Texas, you are signing up for the harshest of critics, as well as the Riddell of supporters(not sure this works).. It’s part of the job, kids need to understand that, either shit or get off the pot..

I dont get why DJ was held back in this game.

Goodwin has already taken his role? Did he get dinged up?

stuckinmn: i kept waiting for some sort of implosion or jordan shipley somehow not being available to run a slant every third play. what we did those years…how we weren’t really stopped even though everyone knew what was coming is still a complete mystery to me. even so, i like us winning just as much as the next guy so it’s hard to complain.

“After the game, Case McCoy drove to an Indian Casino, won Blackjack splitting his fours with the dealer showing a eight, ran the Craps table playing only field bets, and tripled it all with an impulse lottery scratch-off purchase. As he bent to pick up a quarter in the parking lot, a concert grand piano flew off of the back of a moving truck, bounced six inches over his head, and took out a Nissan Sentra. Nearby, a black cat burst into flames for no apparent reason.”

So Case was this incredibly lucky? Really? That is not what I saw.. Regarding Case eluding the UCLA DL, it has to be admitted that Case is good in the pocket at eluding the big guys. Yeah, he won’t be able to elude OU DL that easily but that doesn’t mean that his elusiveness vs UCLA was luck. . Better to give the kid credit where credit is due. He has a great sense of space and timing.

Re: the Mike Davis completion, can you at least mention that Davis got nudged out of the play by his defender and should have been in position to at least contend for the pass (or break it up to prevent the pick, if necessary) rather than just watching the play?

Re: Grant getting wide open, it happens in college football. What also happens in college football is that it also sometimes happens that the QB doesn’t see the wide open receiver or somehow doesn’t get the ball to him. Chase saw the open guy and got the ball to him. Harsin’s O scheme is going to get some receivers wide open. It isn’t always luck.

“You see, Case is the heady passer! And Ash is a dumb runner!”

Harsin was hired about a week into January this year. Both Ash and Case have had the same time to learn the Harsin offense. Case is trusted to run the whole offense that has been introduced. Ash is trusted to run a very small subset of the offense. The obvious explanation is that Case understands how to run the offense significantly better than Ash and has picked up the offense quicker than Ash.

Nobody has called Ash dumb (strawman alert) but he has obviously had the running QB package up till now. Probably that changes some with Gilbert’s injury.

I loved Goodwin’s aggressiveness on the block, and I wouldn’t castigate him at all if I were Darrell Wyatt. But I had no problem with a penalty being called on that play because the block technically violated the rules.

Rule 9, Article 4 of the NCAA rules provides that “No player shall target and initiate contact to the head or neck area of a defenseless opponent with the helmet, forearm, elbow or shoulder. When in question, it is a foul.”

In turn, Rule 2, Article 27, Section 14 of the rules defines a “defenseless player” as “one who because his physical position and focus of concentration is especially vulnerable to injury.” Abbott probably qualified as a “defenseless player” because of his position on the field and focus of concentration on Davis. Goodwin did initiate contact to Abbott’s head or neck area with his helmet and/or shoulder. He was similar to a receiver coming across the middle and focusing on catching the ball.

And, most significantly, if there is any doubt, it’s a penalty.

A lot of people on this board and other fora have complained that a penalty should not have been called because Goodwin didn’t make helmet-to-helmet contact. Even assuming that Goodwin didn’t lead with his helmet (which is debatable), it doesn’t matter. The rule applies whether the contact was initiated with a helmet, shoulder, forearm or elbow. The key is whether: (1) Abbott qualified as a “defenseless player”; and (2) if so, whether the contact was to his head or neck. And if there’s any doubt, it’s a penalty, not a “no call.”

With all that said, if I were Coach Wyatt, I would not have busted on Goodwin at all. I love seeing the aggressiveness, and I tip my cap to the heightened blocking aptitude we’ve been seeing from the WRs in general this season. I’d just tell Goodwin to lower his sights a little next time and put his shoulder right into the dude’s solar plexus.

How could anyone NOT love this offense? They run more plays that make you proud to be a UT fan than you can imagine. Case is great and so is Ash (after all, 3 for 3 is pretty good). It must screw with a defender’s head every time we trot out new players with new formations. “What are they going to do now?” must be their #1 thought. And God help them if they think they know what we are going to do because when they get that far Harsin will send in a new wrinkle.

But my question now is who is going to be #3? What series will he run? I imagine it will be Harris or Thompson running out of the wildcat. Harris is already playing so I would guess Mykelle and I think that would be great. He is a good runner and would add a new dimension. I can imagine Ash throwing the deep ball out of the wildcat and Mykelle running out of it, together or apart. Just conjecture on my part but that would REALLY screw with the defenses’ head.

“Marquise is an effective #3 WR in his role in end arounds and on screens. Interested to see if his repertoire expands.”

Goodwin in an effective downfield receiver with good hands and he is faster and more explosive than anybody else on the field. There is no doubt he will be going long soon (i.e. the question is not “if” his repetoire expands, the question is when will it expand). No later than the OU game, imo.

Abbot should have kept his head on a swivel. Football is a dangerous sport and you need to be aware of your surroundings. If Abbot was defenseless it was because he did not defend himself. Less likely to make that mistake in the future.

CalHorn -
 
Reconsider.
 
go to the still photo posted by Longhorn Scott.
 
http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/2011/9/17/2431837/marquise-goodwin-block-ucla-vs-texsa

@ Austin Ex - OU’s D-line (hell, their entire front 7) is quicker than their counterparts at UCLA. I do think that “Houdini scrambles” (great phrase) like the one in the 2nd quarter against the Bruins will be unlikely against OU’s defense. But one never knows - that’s why they play the games.

I loved McCoy’s performance against UCLA. I hope he keeps it going and builds on it for the rest of the season. He also just seems to have a knack for making plays. I love that. And it’s certainly possible he’ll work plenty of that magic against OU. But I do believe that his relative lack of arm strength and foot speed will be illuminated more against a fast defense like OU than it was against less athletic defenses such as BYU and UCLA. Nobody’s hating on the kid, and nobody’s saying that he simply can’t lead Texas to victory against teams with fast defenses. We’re simply expressing the notion that, though he’s been impressive so far, he’s really only played about a game and a half as a starter and we’ve yet to see him play against a really athletic defense, so there are still some hurdles for him to overcome. So far, though, he’s done everything that’s been asked of him as a starter.

stuckinmn said: September 22nd, 2011 at 9:10 am

I’m like that guy who was in a horrible, miserable marriage for 10 plus years who finallys get a divorce and immediately meets a wonderful, kind, faithful younger woman with a huge rack and insatiable sex drive. I should just be happy that my current situation is so wonderful, but I just can’t let it go and stop thinking about all those wasted years. I need professional counseling.

I literally am that guy now. But instead of thinking about all those wasted years, I am thinking about what else might be out there. I also think Case is a nice upgrade over Gilbert, but suspect Ash might be better still. I am also the guy who drafts all upside players in fantasy football. It’s just the way I think.

calhorn: if he hits him lower it’s still a penalty in your estimation because he’s defenseless. his helmet probably still pops off and draws the flag. kid wasn’t aware of where he was on the field, in football you get punished for that. kid also didn’t have his lid on right either. they’re changing the game for safety’s sake and that’s all well and good but it’s a violent sport.

Scipio —

Where’s Goodwin’s helmet and/or shoulder in that photo? Right about at Abbott’s neck level. That’s a penalty under the wording of the rules. And considering that the refs don’t have the benefit of photos or instant replay in those particular situations and are looking at it at game speed, there was definitely enough doubt that (in accordance with the express wording of the rule) a penalty was going to be called.

FWIW, I totally agree that the announcer’s comment about the “violence” of the contact was nonsense. The penalty had nothing to do with the “violence” of the contact. Goodwin could have hit the guy in the solar plexus and cleved his body in half, and it wouldn’t have violated the rules. It was the fact that Goodwin hit him up high while he was in a “defenseless” position (under the wording of the rules) that caused the laundry to be dropped.

Like I said above, I love Goodwin’s aggressiveness. I’d just tell him to lower his sights a tad next time.

@ mattdubya — No. If Goodwin hits him lower, it’s not a penalty (or at least shouldn’t be), regardless of whether the helmet pops off. Article 4 of Rule 9 applies only to contact to the head or neck.

“kid wasn’t aware of where he was on the field, in football you get punished for that.” I certainly agree that players need to keep their heads on swivels. So long as the “punishment” isn’t contact to the head or neck of a “defenseless” player, it’s all fair game. The problem here is that the contact arguably was made to the head or neck area. And as long as it’s arguable, it means that there’s some “doubt.” And if there is any doubt, the rule says it’s a penalty. End of story. (I didn’t write the rule — I’m merely quoting and applying it.)

The whole goodwin penalty was exacerbated because of the way the kids helmet flew off.

If the dude would have had his helmet buckled properly, that probably doesn’t get called.

However, I can’t really blame the ref… .If someone’s head pops off like that (helmet) you have to THINK it was a helmet contact.

I wouldn’t tell Goodwin a thing and I’d give him a high five in the film room. Draw a line through the middle of Goodwin’s contact point. Upper chest.
 
Any hit above the waist delivered with some violence is going to end up with headgears clashing – particularly if the target is 5-7.
 
The key is the contact initiation point.
 
We’re on the same page as far as the refs throwing the flag.

Scip —

I’m sure Goodwin got a ton of high 5’s for that block. And I have no problem with that. It wasn’t a dirty play and it showed outstanding aggressiveness. It also helps that Texas overcame the penalty on the very next play.

Orangechipper — Agree that the helmet flying off probably contributed to the decision to drop the flag.

I heard that Gilbert went on that casino trip with Case. He spent all his time playing penny slots, employing a system where he’d play each unit 3 times and then cash out.

Had the same thought, but augmented.

“Hey… we could use that tactic deliberately in a close game, i.e., Diaz just instructs the defense to unbuckle the straps and let their helmets fly during a hit, possibly guiding the helmet with a subtle neck move. Opponent gets hammered with a huge, momentum-destroying penalty! For even better results, Diaz could have the boys practice this move repeatedly in drills, to perfect their acting chops.”

Case does put air under the ball on a deep throw, But rollout right, throwing left across the body on the run and hitting the wide open Grant was 30-35 yard pass in the air. Before you say it didn’t travel that far, go freeze the frame and put your ruler to it. That isnt easy .More than enough arm strength for me. As far as his size goes, go look at Colt as a redshirt freshman starter. Colt was a runt, these McCoys are late bloomers. Case is essentially a redshirt freshman. The NCAA should have a rule about dumbbutt coaching, he didnt deserve to have his redshirt blown without some quality playing time. Im glad Ash isnt suffering the same fate.

@ CalHorn

When you go off schedule like that and it looks like a Chinese fire drill in the backfield I just don’t know if OU’s player’s extra .0 something in the 40 or three cone drill will equate to them sacking Case there.

Is he less athletically gifted than Applehwite was? I don’t think he is. Also, his decision making is razor sharp and he has no fear, just like Colt.

I see is a good number of commenters over the past few weeks discussing McCoy as if he were a caretaker until Ash is ready, and nothing more. I chuckled last year when his Dad said something about their family fully believing that Case would compete for the starting role. I’m not chuckling now and feel foolish for having doubted the man. I won’t be doing that again.

Scipio, honestly, you see defense’s like Oklahoma game planning and making ajustments for Case, you seem to think that will make a difference in the outcome of an extended play or it factor/luck or whatever. I see Harsin coaching a very football smart Case to take advantage of the defense.

MONTY -
 
I can throw a ball 35 yards. I can throw a ball 50. However, if I attempted it in a college football game, I’d be picked off on every attempt and I’d be booed off of the field like a stooge. How quickly, accurately, and in rhythm it gets there is the issue. The throw to Grant was the college passing equivalent of a layup. And yeah, people do blow layups, so good on Case for getting his bucket. You better hit the layups if you want to win.
 
Austin Ex -
 
UCLA’s front 7 isn’t quick or athletic. It’s not about 40 times or cone drills – extend that same logic with .1 here and .2 there and now a NFL defense couldn’t have made the play. That’s the kind of stuff you can pull against bad defenses who refuse to make containment adjustments after McCoy had already broken the pocket a couple of times before.
 
Case is 6-1, he has very live feet, but isn’t particularly fast (i.e. scrambler, not a true run threat), he’s physically fragile, and his arm hits a perceivable cliff downfield. His assets are mostly in his head. That’s cool, we can work with that, and there are blueprints for success there, but those of you mystified at the suggestion that a DC can notice these things and create a fairly obvious game plan around it are in for a shock. Harsin has to figure out ways to use Ash, Wildcat, and a running game to shield us from that.
 
We’re all Case McCoy fans. He plays for Texas. I’m simply pointing out what issues we can expect down the road. If some people have already sainted the McCoy bloodline to the degree that we can’t discuss him beyond platitudes and cliches, then that’s their issue, not ours.

I don’t know if Case will have “it” in a future game but he had it vs UCLA. I had to laugh when he was dodging the UCLA defenders with such economy of motion, with such aplomb. He was like a matador. The bull is huge, powerful, and much faster than the matador but the matador has an exquisite sense of timing and can change direction quicker than the bull because he is lighter.

We had an assistant coach in high school who was built like Case. This coach challenged the best 3 or 4 defenders on the team to tackle him in a relatively confined space. It was hilarious, he had all of us grabbing air.

Most people (me included) did not realize that Case can be that good. After awhile, I was confident that he was going to get us out of bad plays at the LOS. He also throws an accurate, easy to catch pass to the right receiver. Case has what it takes to run an efficient short passing attack. So even if the foe’s D’s front 7 is better than our OL, their superiority won’t enable them to get to Case when he gets rid of the ball so quickly (on target to the correct target).

Not only can Case can run a short passing attack but the pass he throws is so easy to catch that you can deploy run oriented skill players and they can still catch Case’s passes. This means that you can run both an efficient short passing attack and an efficient running attack with the same players. This a big problem for most defenses.

I do agree that Case does not have a strong arm. He has to step into throws that are not short and is going to have to be smart about not throwing into double coverage.

Kafka -
 
So when a quality defense plays up on our WRs, keeps Case in the pocket to minimize his sight lines and eliminates his ability to extend plays by instructing their DL to contain and constrict, while bringing a LB up the middle to force his flush instinct, what’s the plan?
 
Running the ball and Wildcat. And both involve shielding McCoy.

@ Austin Ex — I certainly hope that Case displays the same elusive abilities against OU that he put on show against UCLA. I just won’t be surprised if he’s not as successful in those types of “breakdown” situations. But the kid has moxie, a good blueprint to follow from his older brother, and a lot of confidence. I therefore won’t be shocked if he has some success improvising against OU and getting positive yardage on some plays when it initially looks bad. But I do expect that he’ll have less success in improvising against OU than he did in the past two games. In that regard, I agree with Scipio’s comments to you.

I also agree that we doubt McCoy at our peril. He’s proven quite a bit over the past 1.5 games. However, he’s yet to face a defense as fast as OU’s (unless we count his own teammates in practices, drills and scrimmages) so there are still things yet to prove. I look forward to seeing if he can do so, and I’ll be pulling for him 100%.

Scipio-
My concern as well. I can’t wait to see what Harsin has up his sleeve. I hope it doesn’t turn out like Bullwinkle!

Scip -

Do you think Thompson or Harris will be getting QB reps at practice ?

In the LA Times article, UCLA players complimented our OL for finishing blocks. Long time since we have heard that !

So if Case came in to your office with a resume, would you hire him ? :) :)

“So when a quality defense plays up on our WRs, keeps Case in the pocket to minimize his sight lines and eliminates his ability to extend plays by instructing their DL to contain and constrict, while bringing a LB up the middle to force his flush instinct, what’s the plan?

Running the ball and Wildcat. And both involve shielding McCoy."

This year we can both run the ball and run the wild horn quite well and it is completely reasonable to shield Case. That is what smart OC’s do.

If a D optimizes to stop the short pass, they are going to be vulnerable to the run and they are going to be vulnerable to letting WRs get open right off the LOS. Also they will have a difficult time supporting the run (which is a lethal weakness versus a running attack that has speed to burn running wide).

Most likely most DCs are going to instead defend the horns by bring up safeties for run support and leave DBs on an island. Those DBs on an island are going to give WRs a good sized buffer since they will have no safety support over the top. DCs are going to try to stop the run first and make the horns 1D.

If they bring up the MLB to the LOS, they are vulnerable to Case throwing a short, quick pass to a TE to the space vacated by the MLB. The MLB isn’t going to get to Case quick enough to stop a quick pass, anyway.

It is not enough for a quality D to play up on our WRs, they are also going to have to play up on our TBs, FBs, TEs, and H backs (how do you play up on a back?). Any DB who plays Goodwin or Ship tight is taking a risk that they break right by him and are open immediately. This means that Case does not have to throw a long pass for a big play.

If Case throws a quick pass, it does not matter if a D tries to keep him in the pocket because he needs so little time to throw a short pass.

The defenders that play to throttle a short passing attack are different than the defenders you play to defend a running attack that features both power and speed.

Everyone is just guessing what will happen in the OU game. I’m sure Harsin has had it in mind for some time. I’m sure Stoops is wondering what Harsin is going to pull. We have who we have and I like our chances. Stoops has the bigger problem. No one expects us to win.

I keep thinking back to when Colt was young and playing OU and their defense was chasing him and it looked like he was caught but no, he escaped rolling left, found an open receiver downfield and hit him for a first down. What a shock it was but pleasant and we won the game and I quit worrying about McCoy.

Good stuff, Scip – thanks for taking the time.

I watched the OU/FSU game Saturday night, and, although I was a bit tipsy after sitting in front of the TV all day, I seem to recall my reaction being something along the lines of “Holy crap these guys are going to beat us senseless.” Suddenly all my warm and fuzzies from the UCLA win were dwindling fast.

So I’m curious: What’s your prediction for the rest of the season? Personally I predicted us at 3-3 coming out of the OSU game, but after the first few weeks I’m having a hard time believing this team loses 3 in a row. Do you believe we have a realistic shot at taking OU down? OSU? Aggie? Not asking you to put money on these picks, I’m just wondering what some other opinions are.

adt2 -
 
I’ll stick to what I said at the beginning of the year: we can beat every team on the schedule. Unfortunately, every team but Kansas has a shot at beating us.
  
This team is in a race with its own development speed as much as future opponents.

Scipio – It seems that Harsin will need to have a plan other than shielding Case, which will obviously be whatever he comes up with for the non-wildhorn offense. I just boils it down to Harsin’s ability to come up with a plan for Case to thrive and being confident in that plan. Any shielding will be plan B IMO.

I understand what you’re saying but think Kafka is right about his ability to get the ball out quickly to the right guy negating much of what you propose OU will do to stop our attack with him in the game.

I know I’ve watched in frustration as our superior D line was negated in the passing game in a similar fashion by short passing offenses where the QB gets the ball out of his hands quickly.

Back in April, I thought just the change in coaching would be good for a 2 to 4 game swing in results, meaning a season ranging from 7-5 to 9-3. A few weeks ago, I still thought that likely. I also said both times, “but check back after 10/8…” and I still go with that.

First three games, lookin’ good. Best part: getting better every game. If we’re still unbeaten after the ‘Clips, I’d think we’ve got a legitimate shot at staying that way… but lots can go wrong in any season, and even without injuries or arrests, we can be had – we’re somewhat fortunate to have gotten by a BYU team that got absolutely obliterated by Utah.

One thing for certain sure: I feel a hell of a lot better about the season than I did about the last one, and so do you.

Scipio-

“So when a quality defense plays up on our WRs, keeps Case in the pocket to minimize his sight lines and eliminates his ability to extend plays by instructing their DL to contain and constrict, while bringing a LB up the middle to force his flush instinct, what’s the plan?”

In one of your pre-season prognostications I recall analysis that indicated a QB under need only capitalize on the 6-8 opportunities to cash in (i.e. DJ Grant layup to start game). While I concur somewhat on HarsinWhite’s plan to shield Case a bit, you’re not seeing that in 3rd and Long situations where his abilities could be exploited.

I do believe Harsin would have a counter to that hypothetical strategy employed by a talented group like OU or a savvy coordinator like DeRuyter. Under Davis, your scenario came to fruition in the “Apple Turnover game” against K State where he turned the ball over 5-6 times against our father, K State. That’s probably the biggest reason why Simms was inserted in the starting line-up at the next chance.

A competent running game and imaginative coordinator makes those K State nightmares go away. Case has improved his pocket skills and shows some zip on throws he can step into. When Major (who had a rag arm) was paired with a Ricky and Ced, good things happened even against good defenses. Because 3rd and longs were rare and teams were a step or two less decisive. It’s when we relied on Hodges Mitchell and Victor Ike that a Major-lead offense was vulnerable.

We’re also seeing more competent cut blocking and some control over pass rushers. I don’t think containment is the answer given Case’s above average field vision, Davis and Shipley’s advanced route running and Case’s added power when stepping into throws. And the Mike blitz can only be employed so long before Harsin punishes it.

good analysis. much appreciated.

really enjoying the discussion in the comments, also, regarding our strengths, weaknesses, traits, and how we can possibly maximize our effectiveness. good stuff.

texel, i’m betting if we played byu this weekend (assuming they were beaten a few weeks ago by a big-name team that had a lot of emotional investment in being able to beat) we would see a very different game.

uh, should say: by that i mean we are much more settled, and i’m betting byu is much less well settled in what they are doing.

“Everyone is just guessing what will happen in the OU game.”

A few Statue of Libertys and WR pitch backs

Texas ran the ball 50 times vs UCLA, Case passed it 15 times, and other horn players passed it 5 times. Case passed on only a little more than a fifth of the horns’ plays from scrimmage that was either a running or passing play. It is extremely unlikely that the highest priority for any opposing DC is going to be to stop Case’s short passing game. They are going to focus on stopping the Texas run game.

"Everyone is just guessing what will happen in the OU game."

I’m focusing more on the Iowa State game since that is the next game and they beat us last year.

Scipio, you are right, the media does see Ash as a runner and Case as the heady passer. Like Applewhite said this week, they are wrong. Case can run and Ash can throw. He said you cant put Case or David in a box and say they just do this. My guess is we will see More Ash passes and even Case running a little in the next 3 games. A wrinkle or two for Oklahoma would be a good thing. I m glad you give us food for thought in your writeups.

Of Texas’s 50 rushes vs UCLA, 35 (70%) were by big guys (Brown, Bergeron, Cody, or Ash).

How would you defend the Texas offense, knowing that it strongly emphasizes the running attack, especially by power runners but also has some ultra speedy outside runners?

Case doesn’t have an it factor. He comes from a family that eats, breathes, and fucks football. He is blessed with having great awareness, and good feet(i wouldn’t say great). It seems like he knows the tendency’s of the defense, and rather that comes from countless hours in the film room or if its just dumb luck, it doesn’t matter. You know DKR once said, "luck is when hard work meets preparation. "

Also, I felt that the MG block play was a designed play, that will later be used to through over the top of a over aggressive defense. To me it looked like MG was sitting on that block. Secondly, there is a need for that type of block, you better believe that defenders will have their head on swivel when choosing their pursuit angles for the rest of the season.

Thanks for your hard work!!

“It seems like he knows the tendency’s of the defense, and rather that comes from countless hours in the film room or if its just dumb luck, it doesn’t matter”

You meant “whether” rather than “rather”, right?
Obviously it matters since there is a huge difference between dumb luck and being properly prepared. Preparing properly is something that is repeatable. Dumb luck is not repeatable. Maybe you could explain why you think that Case’s understanding of the defense might possibly be the result of dumb luck.

“You know DKR once said, "luck is when hard work meets preparation."

I don’t think DKR ever said that since it doesn’t make any sense (hard work and preparation are pretty much the same thing).

What DKR actually said was something like:
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Scipio, I usually agree with you on everything, but I must take issue with the Davie/Harsin statement. It should be, “Davie is as stupid as Harsin is brilliant.”

Hook ’em!

“If some people have already sainted the McCoy bloodline to the degree that we can’t discuss him beyond platitudes and cliches, then that’s their issue, not ours.”

Come on now, Scip – that’s more than a bit unfair, since we ARE discussing it.

Kafka-

I totally agree with you that its not dumb-luck at all. I think he works hard if not harder than anyone on the team. I think that a there is a contingency here that thinks he is just getting lucky, but I don’t think that is the case.

As, for the DKR quote, you got it right. That is what I meant to say. So he works hard at recognition, and when the opportunity arises he finds himself in the correct position for success on the field, but that is just my 2 cents.

Coaching offensive football is not genius.

It all comes down first of all if you are a zone team or believe in man blocking.

If you are into the Zone as was Texas for the entire GD era, your misdirection options are limited to Zone Read and the occasional counter. Harsin on the other hand is a true throwback to the era of Single Wing and Wing T offenses. By that I mean he fakes attacks at multiple points on virtually every play.

Coaching offensive football basically boils down to the same philosophy that Nathan Bedford Forrest is credited with during the Civil War. “get there furstest with the mostest”.

Good call on the Goodwin block. NFL and NCAA football are becoming powderpuff. Apparently you can’t hit a defenseless DB or LB anymore, either. All part of the sissification of the US. I don’t wish head injuries on anyone, but that hit was worth every yard.