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Post Mortem: Texas Tech Red Raiders @ Texas Longhorns

Posted by Scipio Tex on September 23rd, 2009 under Football

I’d be remiss if I didn’t open my Post-Mortem with a line from dedfischer’s The Tortilla Retort that was as strong as his team’s effort:

Taylor Potts showed up to win two things: A football game and the bid for the dirt work on the South End Zone remodel. He came out on the short end of the stick with regards to game, but we’ll have to hold our breath until Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. on the bid.

It must be nice to have your team QBed by Kenny Fucking Powers. A hat tip to the Red Raiders, who came in undermanned and outgunned and left it all out on the field. Along with Taylor Potts’ contact lens and lower spleen.

The story of this game was defense and special teams. We won special teams handily and our defense played two dominant quarters, one good quarter, and one terrible quarter. I’m not going to talk about offense because I’m in a good mood. Listen to the podcast if you want my take on O. Apparently altitude and our QB having the flu are the reasons we still can’t run the ball against six men in the box with two safeties deep.

Defense

After allowing a 10 play, 56 yard drive for a field goal to open the game against soft coverage, we walked up our corners, brought an extra man, and our defense had the following 7 series:

3 plays –> 2 yds PUNT
6 plays, 6 yards –> PUNT
4 plays, -20 yards –> PUNT
9 plays, 17 yards –> FUMBLE
3 plays, 3 yards –> INTERCEPTION
5 plays, 20 yards –> PUNT
3 plays, 20 yards –> END OF HALF

Mind you, Tech started with the ball at midfield three times, had eight possessions, and our offense offered no support with respect to rest, running clock, or putting points on the board. For the game, Tech was 3 of 13 on 3rd down (though they did convert 3 of 4 on 4th).

Yet, without Shipley’s punt return, we go into halftime deadlocked at 3-3. Manly defensive effort, people.

Our defensive success was heavily predicated on our coverage. Will Muschamp read my pregame analysis and ran a lot of of man under, safeties deep and that’s where we did our best work. Our zone defense is still laughable, but Akina has never been able to teach it effectively in his tenure.

When we went to press man coverage, with pressure (typically 5 rushers), we wrecked them. We didn’t do that in the second half on Tech’s two third quarter scoring drives. Why? Dunno. I suspect fatigue played a role – maybe we were running oxygen debt like a S&L. Mushamp regretted those two possessions in his postgame comments (pinning them on himself) and that suggests he sold our conditioning a little short. Maybe he just observed the great tendency of most of us in life and fucked up a good thing just to see if he could extricate himself. By the way, what he saw from our secondary and DL in press man under just wrote Will’s gameplan for OU, Mizzou, Kansas. Book it.

Why is man under coverage with deep safeties so effective?

1. It forces the Tech QB to hold on to the ball for a full extra count – now your rush can get there
2. Tech’s timing and rhythm are disrupted
3. Safeties deep means they can’t just chunk it up on a deep timing throw
4. We have the personnel to do it now
5. Tight windows, hits on QB, and multiple reads from WR and QB (rather than a simple automatic sight adjustment) mean turnovers

Overall, we forced five fumbles (recovering two), had a pick (probably should have had 2 more), and got good pressure when we tried to do so. Some unit plaudits:

DL

We destroyed any hint of a Tech running game (though I was impressed with freshman Eric Stephens). Right now, Lamarr Houston is just a notch behind Suh and McCoy as the league’s elite DTs. Extremely quick and much tougher at the point of attack than anticipated. Kheeston Randall continues to give us quality snaps with his quick first step and he’s doing a tremendous job of monitoring his pad level. He’ll learn from his silly personal foul. Sergio’s big hit certainly wasn’t his only contribution: he also forced the Thomas pick, drew two penalties from Tech OL, and got multiple hits. He plays with such high effort that it’s just a pleasure to watch. Eddie Jones proved to be a tough guy to handle in situational pass rushing inside and outside. What a gift to have him healthy and productive. Acho certainly gave us his typically solid effort. Can’t wait for his breakout year in 2010.

LB

Apparently a Tech fan did doughnuts in Roddrick Muckelroy’s yard before the game. He was lighting people up and turned in a MVP performance. Emmanuel Acho forced two fumbles, tackled in the open field like a DB, and generally ran around wreaking havoc. Some guys have a knack for forcing turnovers and he’s one of them. Keenan Robinson didn’t have as many visible plays as the aforementioned, but he played a very fine game.

We’ve got really good LBs. At Texas. I just wrote that. Is a meteor streaking towards Earth?

DBs

When Muschamp let them get up on some people’s breath stank, these guys dominated. Aaron Williams looked like a NFL guy and I love his evil intelligence. Although his body language on the Tech pick play TD was priceless. It was sort of a HEY, WAIT THIS IS A…AH, SHIT. Curtis Brown – Our Most Improved Player – is a not a guy you want to play slaps with, and Chykie, though he struggled the most of the three corners (giving up the visible TD to Leong), was pretty damn solid for most of his snaps.

Earl Thomas continues his All-Conference level play. I’m secretly glad he’s undersized if it means he has to stay around longer. Blake Gideon wasn’t exploited, but it’s not always about the plays you don’t give up so much as the plays you don’t make. This is now his 16th game as a starter and he has forced exactly…one turnover. Emmanuel Acho has forced three in three games playing spot minutes.

Special Teams

Shipley’s punt return TD and near-goring rodeo clown experience was fun and a great example of why I love college football. Where in the NFL are WRs potentially attacked by 2,000 pound ungulates? Aside from Green Bay happy hours? I predicted a kick return TD in my preview, by the way. Shipley did a nice job, but our blocking, the beautiful rugby punt by Gold pinning Tech on the goal line, and our defense forcing the 3 and out were the keys to that touchdown.

Kickoff coverage was our only blemish, but we won all phases comfortably.

Conclusion

On to three BYE weeks (two of them disguised as UTEP & CU) and then the season hinges on October: OU, @ OSU, @ Mizzou. We need to get healthy, get Colt feeling right and throwing the ball with confidence, turn off Greg Davis’ headset in the first half, get young Gilbert 45 snaps of good work, and work to eliminate a few a mental errors on defense. We’re shaping up nicely, but it will be defense and special teams – not offense – that will decide if we go to the Promised Land.

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60 Responses

  1. beowulf said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 4:36 am

    Nice, Scip.

    You’re kinder towards Chykie than is my wont. He has been our weak link in the 2ndary thru the year. Thank God Curtis stepped up.

    Our DL, or more specifically the interior DL, is the unit on the team that has exceeded preseason expectations. They are now fully capable of playing NC caliber football.

    Do you think it’s purely coincidental that along with finally having really good LBs we also have really good LB coaching? Funny how that works.

    I like that we have the 3 weeks of 2 patsies and one open to prepare for OU, Mizzou, Okie State. Win those 3 and I’ll give clerance to my wife to book flights and hotel rooms for LA.

  2. Hookah Horns said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 4:36 am

    I hope your last sentence is correct. Actually I just hope the offense puts it all together for October.

  3. parlinhall said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 4:43 am

    Your incessant postings are murder on my workplace productivity.

    Keep it up.

  4. TaylorTRoom said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 5:35 am

    Muckelroy may have been the best player of last year’s RRS (13 tackles, fumble forced, pass broken up), although an OU LB who missed half the game got more press. Is Muck the leader for this team?

  5. BeatenDeadHorse said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 am

    It’s a sad day when the BCs best blogger jumps on the CTJ Hate Gideon band wagon. I prefer to have at least one DB that knows what everyone else is suppose to do and gets them in place. Earl Thomas agrees. I don’t remember Phillip Geiger leading the team in turnovers either.

  6. Sasha is a Longhorn Dog said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 am

    I’m not ready to give up on our offense just yet. I’m going to spend the next three weeks leading up to the ou game praying every day that the offense, and particularly Colt, starts clicking. I still believe it can happen!

    In the mean time, I take solace in our defense and special teams. It is amazing what a good coordinator can do for one side of the ball.

    Also, it is good to read breakdowns of our d-line. I actually met a random Florida fan at our game. He told me he wasn’t “that impressed” with our d-line. It is heartening to see that those with superior knowledge to mine can refute that judgment.

    Thanks for the review, Scipio! Great as always!

  7. Bighornfan32 said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 6:37 am

    In regards to Gideon, at what point is he expected to do more than just line up the D? He has not gotten noticeably better and eventually he needs to make some plays or make way. Of course, he more than likely wouldn’t be starting if not for Scott’s skullduggery.

  8. batate said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 6:49 am

    I think the offense will come around too. The first half, McCoy was inaccurate. I’m not so concerned about the deep passes as the short stuff. It was the easy first and second down incompletions that burned us. When those are there, we have to hit them.

    But yeah, it’s incredible to see the defense coming together like this. Alexander looks like a reliable run stopper. Randall is giving us exactly what he needs to. Jones is playing at a very high level in his limited role.

    We are what we are… a short passing team built on McCoy’s accuracy. The running game with 6 in the box may improve a little with Newton. If we can do what we did against Tech, that’s probably enough. The defense is going to get better. The special teams can improve kickoff coverage, but everything else is excellent.

    Is that good enough? We’ll see.

  9. Groundhogday said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:01 am

    There are many Gideon apologists. I agree that at what point is he expected to make plays? “Lining” up the defense is not enough and is just a talking point because there is not much else to discuss. I thought Nolan Brewster made his presence felt more in his limited snaps. But some people on this site and others have made this a Scott vs. Gideon debate. While I would like to see Scott back and he would be a significant upgrade, we have to go with what we have and I would like to see more of Brewster to see exactly what he brings to the table.

    Does anyone know if Tray Allen signed with the University of Texas?

    Colt misses Collins A LOT!

  10. texasholdem said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:07 am

    With Brewester in at safety at the end of the game is Gideon long as a starter? Brewester seems plenty small, white, and slow enough to be the “line up the defense” guy. Why is it that if you have a white guy in the secondary he is immediately labeled the guys that lines up the defense? Would Thomas start trying to lining up at d-tackle if Gideon weren’t out there?

  11. Art Vandelay said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:11 am

    Scipio,

    What are you seeing in Curtis Brown that I’m missing? He does seem to be playing a little better coverage, but I have yet to see him make any plays. He is also an AWFUL tackler.

    Enlighten me…..

  12. HenryJames said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 am

    He made the play on Tech’s last offensive snap.

  13. nordberg said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 am

    “With Brewester in at safety at the end of the game is Gideon long as a starter?”

    Gideon hurt his shoulder. And thankfully, our remaining defensive players didn’t attempt to run into the stands or something without Gideon’s direction and presence on the field.

  14. Groundhogday said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:22 am

    Right on, Holdem! Also, I would like everyone to rewatch the 4th quarter of the Fiesta Bowl where the OSU receiver literally steals our “QB of the defense” jockstrap in the open field. That’s a sure tackler!

  15. kevwun said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:54 am

    “And thankfully, our remaining defensive players didn’t attempt to run into the stands or something without Gideon’s direction and presence on the field.”

    Nonsense, on Tech’s last drive I saw Aaron Williams play zone on the sideline judge and Chykie Brown attempted to corner blitz a gatorade cooler that was left sitting to close to the field.

  16. horncasting said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 8:08 am

    Scipio – great write up as usual. Couple of comments.

    “we still can’t run the ball against six men in the box with two safeties deep”

    For this game, and especially in the second half, I’d say we wouldn’t instead of we couldn’t run the ball against six. Newton was having a very good game in the 3rd quarter and hitting for at least 5 yards a pop, but Davis inexplicably (or should I say as is typical) went away from it for too long of stretches. I’m not ready to proclaim us as a great running team, but I’ve seen enough to think we can be good.

    Regarding Gideon, you are right to point out the lack of big plays and turnovers, but in addition to helping “line up the defense”, he lays some pretty big hits on receivers and always seems to be in position to clean up the missed tackles by others in the secondary – mainly Curtis and Chykie. Not bad qualities to have as your last line of defense.

  17. Kindled « Last Row said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 am

    [...] Texas Tech Post Mortem [...]

  18. CloseToJumping said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 8:27 am

    Scipio–

    I enjoyed the post. I find our performance on special teams to be one of those continued subtleties within the Brown era that gets little credit for the program’s success. Part of that is due to the fact that a few of the early ST performances were so laughably bad, I guess. Either way, when considering Texas STs with that of other opponents or potential opponents, it is hard not to see a glaring advantage in UT’s favor. I can see Florida taking exception, but not many others.

    I am honestly amazed at Emmanuel Acho at this point. I thought the guy made sense as a recruit and thought he looked decent in spot situations last year, but he looks like a legitimate potential standout. Frankly, all 3 starting LBs are pleasing to watch compared to anything we’ve seen as a group from that spot in almost 20 years.

    I felt like Houston would continue to do well, but when he has his health, he’s a difference maker out there.

    I am less bullish on Curtis Brown than you. He covers well, but he’s not a very smart player. In fact, that’s being kind. Either way, he’s still far outperforming Chykie Brown. Brown appears to fall asleep while standing up at least once a game so far this season.

    BeatenDeadHorse–

    So now it is “CTJ Hate Gideon bandwagon” time? The thing is, when the other side of a position begins to call names and marginalize your takes with hyperbole, the discussion is already finished. I guess I am a bad guy for pointing out what many others were saying/typing less stringently last fall. I don’t hate Gideon and wish him the best in life. I just don’t think he belongs on the field as a starter, and that’s based off of the reality of the data that is currently kicking you in the crotch.

    Blake Gideon may lead the nation every week in “lining up the defense” but he’s dead last as a 2 year starter at Free Safety when it comes to making plays. Scipio is reinforcing a simple, obvious, and inescapable issue in his original post. This team suffers with mediocrity at FS when Gideon is on the field. That isn’t me being mean. That is a critical position on the field being manned by a virtual liability. Gideon’s Tech effort was another weak performance in an emerging weak career. I’d rather see him coming off the bench in the dime and playing an important role in special teams.

  19. CloseToJumping said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 8:30 am

    horncasting–

    A Free Safety that can occasionally hit and make tackles 20-30 yards down the field is hardly the hallmark of valuable play from that position. Honestly, just reread what you wrote as a defense of the guy and see if it doesn’t look like a painfully weak reach. We’re not looking at SMU’s secondary talent out there.

  20. Groundhogday said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 8:38 am

    CTJ,

    We can also discount Beaten’s post as he references Philip Geiggar. That’s almost like referencing Marcus Griffin.

    Did someone not make the post awhile back that stated Bob Stoops thinks Scott is our biggest playmaker in the secondary? And that includes the future top 10 pick Aaron Williams.

    I would like to see Scott make it back because there was plenty of buzz about him in the offseason.

  21. BeatenDeadHorse said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 am

    CTF citing others for hyperbole is pretty humorous. I watch every play over and over after the games and although the TV shot doesn’t always show a good view of the secondary, I have not seen anything that makes me think Muschamp and Akina don’t know what they are doing with regards to Gideon and the safety position.

  22. parlinhall said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:02 am

    “CTF”? Which of these best fits CTJ? (You decide)

    CTF Capture The Flag
    CTF Child Trust Fund (UK)
    CTF Canadian Tax Foundation
    CTF Canadian Television Fund
    CTF Canadian Taxpayers Federation (lobby group)
    CTF Canadian Teachers’ Federation
    CTF Counter-Terrorism Financing
    CTF Combined Task Force
    CTF Commander, Task Force
    CTF Children’s Trust Fund
    CTF Computer to Film (printing process)
    CTF Children’s Tumor Foundation
    CTF Contrast-Transfer-Function
    CTF Coalition Task Force
    CTF Combined Test Force
    CTF Carrier Task Force
    CTF Claim to Fame
    CTF Common Trust Fund
    CTF Community Task Force
    CTF Community Trust Fund
    CTF Colorado Trail Foundation
    CTF Critical to Function (technical drawings)
    CTF Citizens Task Force
    CTF Capture, Transform and Flow (DataMirror)
    CTF Capture the Frag (gaming clan)
    CTF Conservation Trust for Florida
    CTF Common Technical Framework
    CTF Chemical Transfer Facility
    CTF Christian Teen Forums
    CTF Collective Training Facility
    CTF Combating Terrorism Financing
    CTF Correctional Treatment File
    CTF Computed Tomographic Fluoroscopy
    CTF Cerrahpasa Tip Fakültesi (Istanbul, Turkey)
    CTF Consolidated Training Facility
    CTF Classroom Trust Fund
    CTF Critical Transfer Frames
    CTF Change to Tower Frequency
    CTF Code Table File
    CTF Complete Test Frame
    CTF Chin-Mu-Kwan Tae Kwon do Federation (martial arts)
    CTF Currency Transaction File
    CTF Correlated Transient Fault
    CTF Canonical Transport Format
    CTF Control Test Flights
    CTF Celtic Tattoo Flash
    CTF Cow-Tipping Fun
    CTF Contractor’s Test Facility
    CTF Contact Track File
    CTF City Trainer Forum
    CTF Chew-The-Fat.com (website)
    CTF Computerized Transmission Function (automotive)
    CTF Computer-control Transmission Function (automotive)

  23. magnusbleuveigner said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:03 am

    If Gideons stated value is lining up the defense, why all the breakdowns? We’re not even having a conversation about Gideon if Scott was eligible. He’s the best option we have apparently, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Brewster and Vaccarro. I disagree with texasholdem, Brewster is anything but small.

  24. CloseToJumping said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:06 am

    BDH–

    Are you “sessamoid” on other boards? Or are you simply his brother? You can watch as much film as you like, and Gideon still won’t make any new turnovers or any new tackles.

  25. Vasherized said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 am

    BDH,

    Who else are they going to start over Gideon? Wells is a headcase, Scott is ineligible and Brewster is even slower than Gideon.

    Sometimes personnel decisions are based on best available option. Scott pretty much took Gideon’s job over the summer then lost his eligibility.

    While watching every play numerous times did you ever notice Gideon actually make some? This list must include a FF, INT, PBU, or TFL. Cleaning up a tackle 15 yards downfield doesn’t count.

  26. Steven Tepera said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am

    Honestly, the verdict was in pretty quickly on Gideon. That some are still in denial over it amazes me.

  27. nordberg said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:11 am

    One thing i always thought about cow tipping fun was that it needed an acronym.

  28. Trips Right said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:16 am

    This business will get out of control. It will get out of control and we’ll be lucky to live through it.

  29. ransomstoddard said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 am

    Gideon is the least of the problems with the defense. However, given our offense this year, it probably doesn’t matter.

  30. Tim said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 am

    “Overall, we forced five fumbles (recovering two), had a pick (probably should have had 2 more), and got good pressure when we tried to do so.”

  31. ballrific said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:28 am

    yeah, this gideon dribble of “he lines guys up and get them in the right spots” got old quicker than “he’s spilled blood for this university”. He doesn’t make plays and was very slow getting over to help on multiple completions that needed safety help. A solid safety with decent (non white) speed would have broken up at least 2-3 passes that I saw that needed over the top help.

  32. nordberg said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:56 am

    “Gideon is the least of the problems with the defense.”

    So you’re more concerned with Kindle, the Acho’s, Houston, Jones, Muckelroy, Robinson, Thomas, and Aaron Williams? Okay.

  33. travis said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 am

    I know that rankings dont mean much, considering colt was a 3 star recruit, but lets face it…Gideon was a 2 star for a reason, we took him, because lack of options and mack’s mindset of hard working, coaches’ son, loves the university of texas. Everything you claim he does good is after the the plays, I have never once seen him fly to the ball and knock a guy out and keep him from catching it … he only knocks the guy AFTER he catches it, which its nice to get a good hit, but the guy gets right back up and they just gained 25 yards.. With Scott not on the team it doesnt matter because gideon is the best available option, but if scott is cleared to play.. There won’t be a discussion.. One last thing this is the university of Texas why would you be satisfied with a ” line the defense up kinda guy”, i want taylor mays, eric berry, type players wrecking shit back there, where the QB is saying what do I do i can’t throw it there, we all know thats not what there saying about gideon.

  34. whoopspat said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 10:04 am

    We missed Vacarro on kickoff coverage.

    Emmanual Acho had two awesome forced fumbles. He wasn’t punching the ball out, he was karate chopping it out. He does well in coverage.

    Curtis Brown acts but does not play physical.

    I think a lot of people saw Kirkendoll and Collins as similar/interchangeable players before the season. I think it’s evident by now Collins is the better player.

    Earl Thomas and AJ Williams had a couple of opportunities for more pics, but came up just short.

    Taylor Potts was surprisingly composed when he was getting rushed. I don’t expect to see the same from many other QBs.

    I have ATT U-Verse and a nice HDTV. ATT compresses the feed so much I may as well not have an HDTV. It looks like a low quality JPEG. I couldn’t even see the numbers.

    I see that we’ve offered DeAndrew White.

  35. ATXsouthsider said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 10:19 am

    Our D is killer and making us look a whole lot better in games that may have ended up as a repeat of ‘07. With Akina or somebody else running game we may have had more trouble pulling away from WYO and faced a much more sobering match against Tech.

    We need to stick to the man under 2 safetys (minus Gideon except on likely run downs) deep and mix our 3-4 LB in the game against OU/OSU to try and keep their running game out of it and as you said, keep the QB in the pocket longer. See how their inept O-Line does against Muschamp front 7 version 2.0. OSU may still give us trouble despite their incredible, Romoesque fuckup and every year I worry that they’ll finally catch us. We haven’t faced any kind of running team much less a team with balance like them.

    I’d prefer strength in that front group and the LB don’t appear to have horrible coverage. We need to showcase Muck & co. Chykie was solid but needs the motivation of the bench to elevate his play on nickel/dime downs.

    Our offense was held by what looked to be a much improved defense with Grimace at the helm and a lot of returning starters. I’d like to see how OU does with their version of Kenny Powers or the cross-eyed autistic and possibly humanized QB against that D in Lubbock; have hopes that they get blown out just to spite last year.

    Our offense is missing Quan, his sure hands, and his irreplacable timing with Mccoy.

    It makes me wonder how much higher the completion rate goes up with Collins potentially in the mix; if he is indeed re-instated by NCAA. He showed similar chemistry w/Mccoy last year and I would be dissapointed if he has to take a redshirt due to mental retardation.

  36. Sailor Ripley said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 10:42 am

  37. Tim\'s Bleeding Vagina said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 10:43 am

    i see the flow is in full force today.

  38. magnusbleuveigner said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 11:06 am

    If that’s true about the DeAndrew White offer, then that shows the staff isn’t liking their chances on Darius White. Guess we shit the bed on that.

    If we land De. White and have him and Chris Jones on the field at the same time…… pure havoc.

    Still need that big reliable target. Maybe Timmons develops into that.

  39. Groundhogday said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 11:36 am

    De White should have been offered in the spring. Let’s hope we can still get him. By all means, Timmons can be that guy. People were really high on him in the spring/summer.

  40. spider said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    If Tim doesn’t find a way to close his legs by Friday afternoon, he’s gonna have a line of Mexican families stretching around the block wondering where supper is.

  41. Scipio Tex said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm

    beowulf:

    We’re on the same page. I think Chykie played really well in stretches, but he has a half dozen mental lapses per game. He doesn’t have great top end speed either.

    Taylor:

    I think we have a bunch of leaders on D who lead with their play. Sergio and Muck are big time hustle guys and when your senior studs exhibit that kind of behavior, it permeates the team.

    BDH:

    There is no “hate Blake Gideon bandwagon.” I shared a statistic of some interest and consequence. You’re welcome to do with as you please. Except twist it as if I’m presenting some blindside to Blake Gideon.

    As for Geiggar, he created 3 TOs in 2003 and 4 TOs in 2004. So he’d be considerably ahead of Blake in turnover creation to date.

  42. Sailor Ripley said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    HATER!

    GORILLA WAWFEH!

  43. nordberg said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 12:55 pm

    However, Gideon and Geigger are tied at one in the “boneheaded late-game plays that cost Texas a birth in the national championship game” statistic.

  44. Sailor Ripley said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm

    I texted Scipio to see who would point that out first, you or RansomStoddard.

  45. nordberg said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Please, I’m Bill Little compared to RansomStoddard.

  46. Scipio Tex said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 1:05 pm

    Sasha:

    No giving up here. Just saying that you can expect us to be in some games in which we’ll struggle. Our D and ST will need to bail us out.
    You don’t need me to confirm your judgement – you know your stuff.

    Art:

    Yeah, Curtis lacks strength and can give up YAC to a big receiver. However, he’s grown immensely in the job. When we lined up in press coverage, he was really good. He’s also outstanding as our gunner on punt teams.

    horncasting:

    Can’t disagree on the running game. Whether it’s want or will, we need to slice people up when they don’t play us honestly.

    As for Gideon, he’s not a bad player. I’m just always looking to upgrade at key positions. I don’t want a pretty good defense. I want dominance.

    CloseToJumping:

    We ask our CBs to do tough things. We play zone for shit so it’s not easy to get out there and battle 60 times a game and win every one. You only need to lose a couple to look pretty bad.

    Special teams – we have a distinct advantage over every team we play on our schedule, save perhaps OSU. If we can get our goddamn kick coverage right, we bow to no one nationally.

    Whoopspat:

    Good point on Collins. It’s not that he was so fantastic so much as he presented another quality WR who could operate in every phase of our passing game. Short, intermediate, deep. Chiles is strictly a screen game/dump off specialist.

  47. travis said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    thats why malcolm getting off the milk carton is huge for this offense to really step up and add the deep ball ..he can beat anybody deep, his size and speed are amazing, it brings another dimension to go along with ” did you know these guys are roomates, they even fish together”.. Shipley is going to get double and triple teamed every game, everyone else will have single coverage… I cant help but think they are missing out on really adding to this offense by leaving him off the field. I don’t care if he drops everything thrown his way in practice, just having him on the field the defense will have to account for him being there even if they never throw his way it might take pressure off the others, I also think that as the season progesses they need to involve buckner for more of a medium to deep range option instead of just the check down dumps because our entire passing game is based around chunks of 5 to 7 yards at a time, thats not going to beat OU with the way colt is looking human right now. I do think that these are all minor problems that we will get fixed it just is something that bothers me , partly because i ran my mouth to my wife all summer about malcolm and how he was going to have a break out year blah blah , needless to say each game she says “where is your guy, he had a great game haha”.

  48. blackscholes said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 2:27 pm

    CTF Christian Teen Forums

    I think we can rule that one out.

    CTF Celtic Tattoo Flash

    The name of my next band.

  49. huge said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 3:57 pm

    re: gideon, he doesnt hit as hard as it seems he would/does

    he lays decent licks on people and it doesnt seem to have the effect it looks like it would have. some guys can hit you from a foot away and it hurts a lot worse. i think the word for that is ’sudden’. gideon is not sudden.

  50. gohornsgo90 said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 5:20 pm

    Agree on the Malcolm Williams comment. He’s certainly a big key to the passing game, as well as to opening up the running lanes.

  51. ransomstoddard said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 7:33 pm

    Nordberg

    When Tech was slicing thru our defense in the second half like a hot knife thru butter, I certainly wasn’t sitting there thinking “you know, this is all Gideon’s fault”.

  52. dedfischer said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 4:58 am

    Outsider’s thoughts on the Texas team with regards to the upcoming matchup with OU:

    - You could tell McCoy was struggling with the Zac Robinson flu strain. He’s not that bad, but I think Colt’s game tails off tremendously when he’s forced to stay in the pocket.

    - I’m not convinced the UT OL can block the OU front, but it doesn’t mean you won’t win as I don’t think they’ll be able to block the Texas DEs.

    - We had a guy that was clutch like Shipley one time named Wes Welker, and you don’t realize how bad you miss those guys until they’re gone. Should be an interesting battle between he and Franks.

    - I can’t over-emphasize how much having a back with vision and patience in a zone blocking scheme improves your running game.

    - Kindle/Jones/Acho should be able to run around the OU tackles

    - OU is going to run the ball right at the middle of this Texas defense. Not saying they’ll succeed, but it’s what they’re going to do. I fear that your confidence in Lammar Houston may be shattered. Basing his performance on Lonnie Edwards and Mickey Okafor not trying to block can provide a false sense of security.

    - Muckelroy is one of the elite LBs in the country and E. Acho is a level better than Robinson. You always hate to say things to yourself about your team getting better when a guy gets hurt, but not having a Sean Weatherspoon replica statue out there is an upgrade.

    - Aaron Williams made Detron Lewis a non-factor in this game, which didn’t surprise me on a bad hammy, but he’s a dude you can count on. Chykie is fringing in the “too big for a corner” category. He’s a little stiff in the hips and I like Curtis better.

    - You’ll be just fine at safety.

  53. Art Vandelay said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 6:59 am

    Good comments dedfischer.

    You appear to have mellowed since last year. We like you better this way. I think I read that you went to the game and tailgated with some barkers? Care to comment on the tailgate, and the off field talent?

    On a related note, why didn’t the girls wear shorts and boots when I went to school?

  54. gohornsgo90 said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:26 am

    I don’t get the Sean Weatherspoon comment.

  55. dedfischer said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 12:34 pm

    Art,

    - I’ve always been cool, you’re just starting to come around yourself is the deal here.

    - Basically, there was some sweet talent off the field, but none at a TripsRight tailgate.

    - Vasherized sleeps to the crack of noon, so his UT degree is basically worthless.

    gohorns,

    - Norton and Weatherspoon would be the LBs you would want against a Gary Barnett/Chris Brown team. Not who you want against today’s offenses.

  56. hopefulhorn said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 6:05 pm

    ded-

    Feedback from a knowledgeable outsider is useful and interesting–thanks. As others here have pointed out, it is hard to self-scout with much objectivity.

    Your team acquited itself well Saturday night. Good luck Saturday in Houston.

  57. kafka said:

    September 25th, 2009 at 10:47 am

    “Good point on Collins. It’s not that he was so fantastic so much as he presented another quality WR who could operate in every phase of our passing game. Short, intermediate, deep. Chiles is strictly a screen game/dump off specialist.”

    Last year Colt threw primarily to Ship and Quan. Collins was a distant third with about 35 catches on the season. This season Colt throws mostly to Ship and Buckner. Kirk has also been doing great and can play any of the WR positions. Collins was expected to be the number two receiver coming back this season, why compare him to Chiles, not even on the WR map before the season started? A better comparison would be with Kirk who havsbeen great so far this season. Buckner has also been awesome so Chiles is only the number 4 receiver. Chiles is catching nearly 4 passes/game (which way exceeds expectations and is higher than Collins average of about 3 passes/game last season).

    Colt’s problem is not about inadequate WRs, especially on his high throws.

    It is great to have a #4 receiver who can reliably get good yardage with screens and dump passes, it takes a lot of pressure off the QB. Chiles is also a big WR (much larger than Collins, for example) who can motor and sky and doesn’t get double covered. Sounds like he might be a great guy to send deep and fight for a 50-50 ball.

    Any opinions on the wild horn plays that Chiles ran?

  58. NVHorn said:

    September 25th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    “BDH–Are you ’sessamoid’ on other boards?”

    No doubt about it. Same degree of obsessive and idiotic obstinacy in the face of overwhelming counterevidence. No one else quite matches it with regard to Gideon.

  59. BeatenDeadHorse said:

    September 27th, 2009 at 7:13 am

    NVHorn are you saying that Muschamp and Akina don’t know their personnel? Are Muschamp and Akina also guilty of obsessive and idiotic obstinacy for continuing to play him? The bottom line is that Gideon is the player those two coaches feel is the best player available for the position. They probably know better than either you or I.

    I’m not familiar with sessimoid’s work.

  60. Damion Heidi said:

    January 25th, 2010 at 4:11 am

    Hello just thought i would tell you something.. This is twice now i’ve landed on your blog in the last 2 weeks looking for completely unrelated things. Spooky or what?

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