Texas-Kansas Football Preview: Scouting The Kansas Defense/Special Teams

Hey, they’re dead last in adjusted yards per play allowed, too. Truly a legendary unit.

That SOTU was eerily accurate.

What we lack in defensive ability, we more than make up for in giving 12 yard cushions and over pursuing to take ourselves out of every play.

People are going to confuse the game on LHN for the one played in 2005.

Question-

Would you start Jaxon Shipley in fantasy football over Ryan Swope or Mohamed Sanu because of how good the matchup is?

I cannot see the game so this might be the only thing I care about Saturday.

Triston, yeah it was pretty accurate. Any additional thoughts as to why the D is so bad?
 
Newy -
 
You have to start Sanu.
 
So your choice is Shipley vs. Swope. Swope is the objective pick, but Texas only has two receiving options.

Won’t it be fun on here when McCoy gets a lot of snaps and looks great against this pathetic defense?

There’s little doubt that Bill Snyder has powers of the mind that can alter and influence perception.

But if he finds a newspaper filled with cash in the snow, what are the odds he returns it to the Bailey Savings and Loan?

man, if we don’t put 60 pts on these bums i will be disappointed

Stiendam -
 
Already dreading it.

Scipio: Fun and informative
General: I reread SOTU, and laughed out loud all over again . . . Sand Aggy, Bible Aggy, Bright Orange Neon Aggy, etc.

This game gives me the creeps. It’s a can’t win deal. If the offense lays an egg, we get out 27-18 and it feels like a loss. If we put up 41 in the first half, Mack will run 46 dive plays after intermission. If we win 51-14, what will we have proved?

edsp -
 
A win means nothing. You should be looking for material improvements in the passing game and the running game getting more consistent. That’s it.

I say, let the bench warmers play in this one. I wanna see Hills, Shead, and the rest of them. Heck, it’s now or never for some of these fellas.

So if a defense fails in the woods and nobody is there to see it, does it make a sound?

Fanatico -
 
Not surprisingly, you’ve honed in keenly on our biggest area of need for development: 4th string RB.

Quite possibly the best fail video ever! I think I almost pissed myself I was laughing so hard likening the fail video to the Kansas defense! Bravo Scipio

I’m not sure at this point that our passing attack could equal what Kansas has given up even if the Kansas defense stayed off the field entirely during the game!
Here’s to hoping the off week did some good…glug…glug…glug.
Whew! Thanks. I needed that.

On the other hand, I’m kind of excited about what our running game will make of this crew.

So we don’t have to run up a big bar bill? Knox Street Pub got LHN finally. Black Finn’s in Addison had it for the first game. Both are carrying the game in the Dallas area Saturday.

Whoa…whoa… Scipio Tex… was that some sarcasm you threw my way? You’re lucky you’re one of my favorite writers here(ha-ha). No, but seriously, I’m not saying that we should be concerned about developing our 4th string RB position or any other position. Just saying it would be nice to see some of these guys actually see a “little” bit of playing time, that’s all. I guess where I’m getting at is that some of these bench guys and practice squad guys have worked hard consistently, yet never whined and complained about not getting to play. Oh, but you then have some particular QB, that I won’t mention by name, pout and after one time-out lasting just one game, now he gets to compete for the starting position so soon. So, I see something unfair there. But, hey, that’s just silly ol me. Note to self: Want to play, try pouting. Hills, Shead, etc…, the squeaky wheel does get the grease, so get to pouting. Hey, what do you guys have to lose, right?

What’s the over/under on KU scoring?

Case! He has “IT”!!!!1one

I’m hoping that there has been enough metality change that we don’t run 41 dive plays if/when we get a lead.

I laughed, not at the video, but at just how miserable the KU defense is. I’m in awe of how bad they are. I was actually surprised to learn they had won 2 games.

Do the offensive starters get more of a challenge or experience going up against the 2s in practice?

Fong -
 
KU will score. Their offense is average.

Sorry to read about the diagnosis and I hope he is fairing well. Almost feel guilty to say that when I saw Carl Torbush’s name my first thought was if I could think of any coach who has fallen so far in the past 10-12 years .

Oh, and before someone says Mike Price remember that he can go into an topless bar he wants and yell what he wants and no one gives a damn so he has that going for him.

Our offense needs too much work to let the scrubs get snaps. If it means we hang 70 on KU, so be it (but we won’t even if we’re playing well).

Who the hell is The General and why haven’t I been reading all of his stuff?

Oh, yeah.

+100 for WW II-era comparisons I really should have thought of myself during the Texas/Nebraska Big 12 championship game in 2009.

I will be happy if we just don’t give up a sack. Is that too much to ask?

I would give Ash/McCoy 40 plus pass attempts split right down the middle.

The runningbacks should still get 300 yards.

Dont look at the scoreboard Mack

Now wait a minute, if our offense is in such place where it needs to “develop” against this type of defense that probably couldn’t stop Texas State, then boy we are really in worst shape than I thought. Hills, Shead, and you other “scrubs” forget about playing. You might as well transfer. Sorry fellas, I tried lobbying for ya. Bad news, not a chance in Hades, because after all since Iron Sharpens Iron, so too our current offense needs to sharpen against Kansas’s defense. Anyhu… Hey, I have one for ya: Did you fellas know that before BEVO prior to 1916, our mascot was a little Bulldog named Piggy? Imagine that?

Here’s the story about our original mascot Piggy or Pig: http://www.utexas.edu/news/2001/04/24/nr_pig/

I think Kansas agreed to have this game on the LHN to ensure as few people as possible would be able to watch it.

Mr. Trout, that was funny, ha-ha-ha “…on the LHN to ensure as few people as possible would be able to watch it.” But, hey at least somebody getting rich out of it, right?

Fanatico, it’s a win win for KU. They gets paid and their struggles are minimized. It’s like hiding in plain sight.

Prediction Davis and Shipley will both have 10 plus catches thrown by their respective Qb’s. provided Ash/ McCoy get equivalent pass plays. That will be the real game within the game.

Meanwhile right now Fox Sports Southwest is running the 2004 Texas-Kansas contest

AKA Vince Young Saves Mack Browns Job.

Who the hell is The General and why haven’t I been reading all of his stuff?

He writes one special post for each season. Fall is here and we’re still waiting.

I think the second team from ’04 would start this year. All of them.

“Through 7 games, the 2-5 Jayhawks are allowing 50.4 points per game and 550.9 yards per game.”

So you’re saying there’s a chance Texas will score more than 4 TD’s against a Big 12 opponent this year?

55f100tx, did you get game 6 of the World Series on the planet Tuscolatron tonight? It was rained out down here.

“There’s little doubt that Bill Snyder has powers of the mind that can alter and influence perception.”

I have long suspected this, particularly when he views Mack Brown on the other sideline using the witches’ Evil Eye. It vexes me condsiderably.

Fanatico is clearly the second coming of Paul Brown as a football tactician.

This has all the setup of a “don’t call it a come-back” comeback of the far right McCoy camp. Go help us when they come out of the woodwork.

No Jake, but then i wasn’t setting around guzzling salty dogs.

“Won’t it be fun on here when McCoy gets a lot of snaps and looks great against this pathetic defense?”

I’m interested to see what the Cigar says about this.

Case sits out against OSU, then gets another shot against Kansas? If Ash is the future, why not name him the starter outright?

TXPride, from the way Mack’s been talking they both will get plenty of snaps in the game. may not be the case, but thats the way i read it.

I guess Harsin has not made up his mind on who his Qb is.

Jake, You dont have to worry yourself over Snyder for a few games yet. go easy on those saltydogs.

Hey, thanks for the compliment. But, who’s Paul Brown and when did he come?

“From the Texas perspective, this is a great opportunity to get in the batting cage against a machine throwing 72 mph to build some much needed confidence in our passing game. Though I’m confident we’ll be able to run on Kansas, it’s important to let David Ash throw the ball at least 25 times to let him get the timing and development that he’ll need down the road. Even if we can run the ball 60 times and put up 45 points, I’d prefer we not. It’s not about ease of winning – it’s about trying to build skill and experience in the passing game at QB, WR, and in the OL.”

Good idea but I think Mack is going to be in non experimental mode because he is so desperate to win this game. My guess is that the horns run at least 2/3 of the downs until they have salted this one away. My guess is that Mack plays it safe until the 4th quarter. The most likely way for the horns to lose this game is lots of turnovers by the QBs so Mack probably mostly takes it out of the QB’s hands.

What happens if KU consistently packs the box, can Texas efficiently pass in that situation?

I predict that both Case and Ash get plenty of snaps.

“A loss here is pretty much unthinkable”

As unthinkable as Tech beating OU? If this game is close at half, the game thread is going to be priceless.

It’s not about ease of winning – it’s about trying to build skill and experience in the passing game at QB, WR, and in the OL.

This. Absolutely this.

Fanatico is probably, first and foremost, a Boise State fan. Is that right, Fanatico? BTW, most of us have admired BSU ever since you all beat OU with the statue of liberty and hook and ladder plays.

Off topic: will we hear about the status of LHN from JS anytime soon?? If only to say it’s a CLUSTERFUCK.

“It’s not about ease of winning – it’s about trying to build skill and experience in the passing game at QB, WR, and in the OL.”

Great idea but it’s not about ease of winning, it’s about certainty of winning. Until Mack has this one in hand, he is going to run, run, run (and then run some more). Or until KU totally, completely sells out to stop the run, then Texas passes.

55f, which toothless relative of Case be you?

Allowing Case significant snaps in this game will be the dumbest thing Mack’s done all season.

Zzzizzzy, Sheep like you follow.

I prefer to let this play Qb contest play out , rather than blindly anoint.

Ash will get his chance to throw several 15 to 35 yard balls. The coaches will be looking at his accuracy, that is a concern with him , along with the time clock in his head. Case will get the same kind of pass plays. You will not see many short balls in this game. Thats what the run game is for.

This game is an audition on running the Harsin offense the way its suppose to be run, a strong run game and mid range passes.The run game is a given in this game, We will see if we have a Qb that can hold up the other end of the deal.

If we dont have a Qb that can do that in this game then we dont have A Harsin Qb on this team.

55f100tx: I don’t think the coaches are terribly concerned with Ash’s accuracy, he’s looked very good in that department. It’s more about reads and understanding where the ball should go.
I don’t expect a ton of snaps for Case in this game, Ash has demonstrated the ability to do everything case can do (buy time, find guys out of the pocket, be accurate on short passes) in addition to being far more athletic with a far better arm.

I believe my comment on The General’s SOTU was something along the lines of resenting his accuracy. And that’s all I’ve got for you today too. It really is amazing how little you have to watch to figure out exactly what this team can and can’t do.

The offense is marginally effective, when they’re allowed to be. Sims, Miller and Bourbon are legitimate players. Our line is adequate and Webb is a capable QB. We’re pretty mediocre at receiver – Beshears is the only guy that can separate from anyone – but at least we’re not incompetent (very few drops).

Special teams had yet to fully contribute to a loss. Until KSU returned to opening kick of the second half for a TD last week. But take those stats with a grain of salt. Our KR has potential. Our kick coverage has holes all over – you’ll be starting from the 30 every time. Our punting and punt return has been a non-factor.

There is absolutely nothing good to say about the defense. Steven Johnson has become a legitimate linebacker. His strength is against the run, but as long as he’s not asked to line up against a burner, he’s fine in coverage too. Opurum has the potential to be a poor man’s Von Miller. But he has almost no instinct for the defensive side of the ball…funny how that works when you’ve been a running back your whole life and you’re getting poor coaching at your new position. The other LBs are awful in every way imaginable. We do not have a d-lineman that is capable of playing his position. And I’d probably say the same about our secondary, but for a different reason. Oddly enough, our secondary has plenty of capable athletes, but their ball and field recognition is beyond terrible.

This is a scrimmage game. If anyone other than Ash sees QB snaps, it damned well better be Thompson or Onyegbule. If Mack intrudes on the offensive game plan, it will refute the Mack 2.0 apologists.

If this is indeed the game that the coaches are using to audition our QBs…again. Then I will have to go back to thinking Mack needs to be gone sooner rather than later. I’ll probably toss the whole Harsinwhite experiment onto the hot seat as well. If both QBs do get equal snaps, then I’ll hope it at least signals an on-going competition, unless one of the two completely shits the bed against this D.

Hopefully the Asset will give us some insight on how the past two weeks have gone which might give some rationale for going back to revolving QBs.

Kafka, I am first and foremost a fan of college football and of teams, coaches, and players, who follow the rules and exhibit good sportsmanship. I especially have great respect for those players, who play up to their skill level and then some. I love to see the “underdog” achieve the unexpected through preparation, passion, and perseverance (i.e. Appalachian St upsetting Michigan, James Madison over Virginia Tech, Boise St beating OU, Texas Tech defeating OU, or Texas beating USC in 2005 in the biggest stage of all). Make no mistake, I have been a Longhorn fan a long time. I like the whole Texas tradition and experience. I relish the thought of former Texas high school football players, who once competed under the Friday night lights against each other, now playing side by side with a common goal and purpose, while wearing the burnt orange. Having said all that, what gets me is when a team like Texas or any other so-called “powerhouse” fails to live up to and realize its fullest potential and is unable to maximize and capitalize on its wealth of talent and of resources. As we move forward, I truly hope that Texas is on an upward trend and will in a couple of years be back on par with the elites of college football.

‘co-defensive coordinator Buddy Wyatt.’

Kansas fans only thought it could get worse than Torbush. Put giant mushroom cloud here.

Anyone know where I can find a feed to watch the game online? Missed out on tickets and don’t have LHN.

Even if McCoy sees 40% of the snaps, we know uncle mack is still up to his old ways…I fully expect us to get up something like 31-3 and mack to put it in on cruise control with 20 straight running plays. Screw improving the team and getting additional, much needed reps, not embarrassing the opposing coach is much more important because he could get pissed!

Triston, yeah it was pretty accurate. Any additional thoughts as to why the D is so bad?

Too many reasons to count but an extreme lack of depth up front sticks out the most. The team can compete for the first half but the wheels really fall off in the second. Any kind of up-tempo offense is devastating to this team.

What few players the defense does have are also pretty young. But that’s not a viable excuse because at times it looks like they’ve never played a season of football.

interested in any Divx and Xvid streaming sources for the game if anyone knows where I can find them.

“No Jake, but then i wasn’t setting around guzzling salty dogs.”

Neither was I. I may however have been “sitting” around doing something.

“Jake, You dont have to worry yourself over Snyder for a few games yet. go easy on those saltydogs.”

Comedy gold without being duplicitous. Just amazing.

Ballrific and Fong hit the bull’s eye. Apparently, being a selfish titty baby gets you a slap on the wrist and an opportunity to come in against a completely hapless defense to showCase your skills as a co-starter. Being the guy who has played team ball all along, stayed out there like a man and taken your lumps against OU and then having had difficulty in a first start against the #4 team in the country gets rewarded by having the starting job taken from him? Yeah, that makes sense. In an interview I read today, Mack mentioned the much sought after but undefined “it” factor this week being needed by our QB’s to get us into the end zone. Apparently, he thinks one of our very inexperienced quarterbacks playing behind a line that can’t pass block with TE’s that couldn’t start at Austin High should have demonstrated “it” by now and once “it” falls magically down from “it” heaven, all our problems will fade away. Really, Mack? I’m hoping for the best, but I too look forward to this week’s chats with The Asset and El Cohiba Grande if the latter is able to break cover.

While I enjoy my intertube validation served cold, it is really hard to beat my chest with this Kansas team. I completely lack any will to hate them and I rather like the OBK posters.

Vash, I think there is sufficient interest in the full and unedited version of my SOTU. You left 1000 words and 74 wildly inappropriate jokes on the editing room floor. I picture you bathing in the blood of my post with rain and wind whipping against your chest and lightning flashing when Mrs. Vash opens the door, throws on the lights, and pulls the pigtail with multiple special effects weather machines plugged into it and deadpans, “Wash off the corn syrup, dinner is ready.”

The General’s original SOTU read much like a more sadistic Bret Easton Ellis.

Being strapped down to watch Gill era KU football is the sort of sadism that would make Ellis blush.

Jake,

My guess is that Ash starts and plays a bunch while the game is in doubt. The horns are going to run more than usual and Ash will be a significant part of the running attack. Case won’t be a significant part of the running attack unless it is on roll outs.

OSU sacked Ash 5 times for 41 yards in losses (IIRC) but Ash also rushed 10 time for 60 yards, 6 yards per carry (pretty good). Mack probably figures that Ash can run at least that well vs KU and that KU is not going to account for Ash’s running. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ash back to running some option and running every time the opportunity presents itself.

Mack isn’t going to take this game lightly. If the “unthinkable” happens and Texas loses to KU, the wheels will officially be off this season. The shit will not just hit the fan, it will crush the fan.

Nickel Rover, appreciate your insight.

55f, you didn’t answer my question: “55f, which toothless relative of Case be you?”

Although, I asked the question in jest, you response makes me wonder: “Case will get the same kind of pass plays. You will not see many short balls in this game. That’s what the run game is for.”

Your statement is contradictory since Case demonstrably has no long ball.

I personally believe that had Case been inserted late into the OSU game, we would have scored late in the red zone and possibly won the game. Does that justify an open audition for Case? Absolutely not. Since our problems are mainly O-line and secondarily Ash’s youth in the program, an open audition between Mighty Joe Young and Lancelot Link is not the answer. How ‘bout we fix our O-line problems so we don’t need a gimmick at QB?

It amazes me how you sell that snake oil here with presumably a straight face.

Really, how do you and Case share nucleotides?

zzzizzzy,
Our offense line is improving in pass protection, we do need some real tackles.
You cant blame all of Davids sacks on poor pass protection, in several cases he is standing in there looking and looking. Part of that may be the receivers not getting open, part of it may be him, not seeing them when they break open. I know one thing, 3 yards per pass attempt isn’t going to cut it. I’m sure LH Scott will break it down for us.

You mistakenly think i’m anti Ash / Pro McCoy, if i read you jest correctly.That’s not it at all, i’m not sold on Case, he has not proven anything other than i think he is ahead of Ash in seeing and reacting to a open receiver, he may get to his second read a little faster. He looked bad fumbling the ball twice in the Oklahoma game, Ash had his problems in that game too. My point is they have not separated, We don’t want to end up a year from now in the same position we are now because of a Qb failure. Mack Brown / Harsin are doing what they can to see that doesn’t happen again. This whole year may be an audition.

No snake oil here, Neither one of these Qb’s is a Colt McCoy in his first year starting, not even close .If there isn’t serious improvement from one of them, the new kid coming in may take their candy, and i’m not sold on him either.

If there is any snake oil, its the Ash hype going on here with no regard to Ash actual production on the field, Hopefully at some point that hype will be justified.

Mack said he wants to get out of the red zone and get in the end zone, i imagine Mack has the same thoughts as you after watching the tape from the last game.

55, I’m no Ash apologist. If he can’t break out of his hangover from OU and OSU, then we have a problem. That said, he’s a frosh who just played two of the most complicated and talented looks in the NCAA. On the other hand you have a hot-headed gimmick who, while he may have great heart, does not have the resources to return us to a national championship.

Ash has a huge tool bag. Case’s tool bag is a coin purse with an eyeglass screwdriver. If Ash can’t break out of his 2-game doldrums, then all we have is Case’s heart. I’m for plugging-in Case when we need a change of pace if it means the difference between a win and a loss; however, a kid with so limited resources is not our long-term answer. I take issue with your perpetual drip campaign that he is the final answer to all that ails us.

If Case’s tool bag is small by comparison to Ash’s, it’s non-existent to Colt’s when comparing the brothers at the same stage in development. Additionally, Colt didn’t have Case’s apparent entitlement complex. Yet, you speak of the two as if they are interchangable parts.

Case lost a lot with me when he pitched his televised fit, then proceeded to refuse to play-out the OU game. He reportedly apologized, but people don’t change and this kind of poison attitude is divisive and kills team.

I understand your desire to not “out” your blood line here, but you must admit that we must give the most talented kid a chance to break-in. I’m not talking a crazy Chris Simms experiment, but a few more games to hit his stride. If he does not, then you and I agree that the torch must pass. But it must pass to someone who can throw a downfield pass.

I’m sure KU’s defense would be a little better if they had a pass rush. We’re playing 3-4 because we have so few defensive lineman on the roster. The season ended before it began in that regard. We give the receivers 8-10 yards of cushion. The defense lacks fundamental coaching, which results in 2-3 players missing an assignment every play. They bite on every fake. Furthermore, the defense seems afraid to hit. The 4th string walk-on QB lights up the first string defense in practice.

Zzzizzzy,
 Your point of view on Ash is not that far from mine.I agree Ash should be given time to learn the job, (I wasn’t yelling for Case in the OK St game) he does have the tools.
If you re- read what i said about Colt you will find i don’t think Case/Colt are interchangeable. At one point i thought he might be, but that has not been my line of thinking for a while. It is interesting to note Colt is the guy Ash says he looks up to.

The difference we have is i think Case is better than you give him credit for, he does have Heart, or a competitive spirit. I also think he can be a high percentage passer and with a good running game would do quite well. No he does not have Ash arm strength,but his reads are good and his arm is far from dead, He wont have a problem with throwing mid range ball. He has thrown a noteworthy duck or two, but throwing a duck has nothing to do with the arm, more the grip or lack of grip on the ball. As far as Case being poison, give me a break. The kid got screwed out of a redshirt year last season, Ive seen nothing but a competitive nature out of him , the entitled kid left the team after the Baylor game. You do realize whoever is leaking this stuff out may or may not be telling the truth, and he would be the real poison on the Longhorn squad, truth or not.

I think both Qb’s will get playing time the rest of the year, That’s fine by me. I think by the start of next season we will have a starter and hopefully the backup will not leave. It would be the first time in a while we have 2 deep experience.
 
Heres to a Longhorn Win this weekend

Correction, should have said BYU not baylor

The truth is out there, but it doesn’t change the fact that Case didn’t play against OSU. His first game without action this season and it stood out like a sore thumb, unless you read this site. He wasn’t officially suspended for breaking team rules and he wasn’t injured, so he did something that basically got him benched and it would stretch the imagination to think he was benched due to lies, especially ones supposedly spread through this site.

Ricky, i dont disagree with that, im just wondering who the leak is, that kind of stuff can also undermine a team. If it was a serious a some make it out, he would be riding the pine from here on out. Ive seen kids disappear in Macks dog house. What kind of dog house do you think he would use on the leak?

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