Glaring observations from Section 106, Row 10

[TEXAS1983]

I guess I’m the sunshine pumper, but I don’t see it the same way. We did not lose because our players were reading their press clippings. That’s a stupid thing to say, and said in emotional frustration. Two slightly off-target passes hit the receiver’s hands and ricochet around and OU makes athletic interceptions. Ewers scrambles and gets nailed right on the ball and it comes out. Those aren’t lack of effort, but there is 3 turnovers. Our 5-star TE, leading receiver was playing 50% or less. Our center went out. Our cornerback was out. OU was better than anyone thought. Still we came from 10 points behind, scoring 13 straight to take the lead with a minute left. A scrambling QB runs, a questionable interference call, and we lose with 15 seconds left.
I would favor us in a rematch.

I don't think its about reading press clippings. The relative lack of gnawing hunger in the program filters all the way down from administration, through the fanbase, to the team.

There's a reason why Texas has the reputation it does: all of us Texas supporters just know we're better. Our uniforms are classier, our mascot is better, our cheerleaders are prettier and fitter, our pom squad is better, our band and its bigass drum are louder and more on key, and the city of Austin is just better. We know that being better is our right every evening when the sun goes down in a glorious burnt orange panorama. Why wouldn't winning be our natural due?

All that natural entitlement has to filter down to the average kid on the football team. Alabama as a deliverance style version of it going on, but Saban is enough of a sith to keep his team focused for fear of being choked by an invisible hand.

Sark seems to have the team pretty well focused, but last week wasn't there.

 

[Walking Boss]

I think it came down to them being better prepared and seemingly knowing exactly what we were going to do and them knowing exactly what they wanted to do. On our side we looked confused and unsure of what they were doing and what we wanted to do (especially on defense, the offense mostly in the red zone). The product of this is that they look more aggressive and play faster, not thinking just knowing and playing. The defense looked slow trying to figure out while ou ran their play. It looked as though PK just assumed the d-line would win the individual battles and he had no plan b when that wasn't the case. It was apparent early that ou tackles could handle the de 1-1 (a lot of grabbing and holding, but that is nothing new) and whatever help was needed in the middle was available. I have harped on the poor clock management which I believe is the result of Sark calling the plays and not being able to fully focus on it at the end. There really was no prior evidence that the defense would be able to hold a three-point lead with anything but a few seconds remaining. Hell, after the four downs at the 1, ou drove down to miss a fg. First and 10 from the 35, run the ball with Brooks and don't take a sack. I think Brooks was getting stronger at that point in the game. Had chances to steal one and didn't.

 

[ViperHorn]

All of the above are solid observations, but the game came down to two DB's who should have known better for getting to switch receivers. **** happens.

 

[dukesteer]

Oklahoma is not a better or more talented team. What they were is hungrier, wanted it more, and better coached with better adjustments.

…There is no reason for what happened yesterday except for coaching and a bunch of kids sitting around Jester reading their own press clippings.

Completely agree, and well said. Another thing that irks me is the lack of passion — the lack of being pissed off —by the players in the media availability after the game. Tell the effing truth! “We got our a**es kicked by a team that we should’ve beaten.”

How tough would it have been to say that? Instead, I saw a bunch of politicians at the podium.

 

[Horns11]

All of the above are solid observations, but the game came down to two DB's who should have known better for getting to switch receivers. **** happens.

No it was really just one DB (Derek Williams) taking matters into his own hands. He left Thompson and Gbenda on an island covering 3 guys, thinking that he'd be some kind of Michael Huff style hero if the play came directly at him. As a freshman, he will learn. Huff did stupid **** in 2002 as a freshman (like stomp on the OK State WR's back after a play), but this one gets magnified because of the time and place.

 

[Hoop]

Pretty much everyone predicted this team to be two losses this year, right? For me - we are playing way above expectations. NOBODY expected to win in Tuscaloosa - c'mon...admit it.

I mean, I hate watching Texas lose to Oklahoma, but that's a good team and we had three turnovers, 9 penalties, lost our Center to injury, couldn't score from the 1 yard line, and changed our defense when we were winning with a minute to go. That's not a good recipe. Even with all that ****, this team almost won.

This is a good team. We're half way though the season and this team will get better. Winning out would be great, but we'll see. So far this year, this team has NOT quit and they won't the rest of the way. Even Sark has made public statements about what he might have done differently. When was the last time that happened?

There is still a lot to play for and this team will be just fine. I think some folks need to update their focusness.

 

[Orangeyman]

Sabre: There is no reason for what happened yesterday except for coaching and a bunch of kids sitting around Jester reading there own press clippings.

We can get a rematch if we win out? Whoopy ****. We blew the one that counts. Sure I'd like a rematch for the conference championship, but it will be small consolation for what our money bought yesterday. I'll continue to show up, but the "Kool aide" has lost its flavor.

My sentiments exactly. All of the talk of playing them again and making the playoffs is sheer conjecture and a hope and prayer that should not even be in discussion right now. Saturday the Sooners took advantage of an opportunity to win over the college football fans at the expense of a Texas team with more talent. And with a 75 yard touchdown drive with one minute left, this is a game that will live in the minds of fans for years to come. As I have always said, champions with winning traditions win all of the games they should win and some of the games they should not win. The other guys lose some of each and both sides of this equation were witnessed on Saturday. Playoff opportunities "ain't gonna" happen. There are a number of teams that can get in with one loss, but I do not think Texas is in that group. They screwed the pooch. No need to unload the guns in the house. It is just a game. But in the little circle of Texas football, more of the same. I do think they can win out. But I also thought they could beat OU![/QUOTE]
Respectfully- I don’t understand “the one that counts” assessment. If given the option- I think I would prefer to win the Big 12 Championship over a regular season game. Of course, this presumes we get another shot at these clowns from the wrong side of the river.
IMO- the real mark of a great program is the number of championships they have won. Our Big 12 total is embarrassingly few.

 

[ViperHorn]

Yes. aggy was so sure they had won the last game with Texas that they let Case McCoy run. After that, they were sure Tucker would miss. Two bad decisions at the end of the game cost the ags (who better to disappoint). The moral is, don't assume and play to win until the scoreboard shows 00:00.

 

[dukesteer]

Playoff opportunities "ain't gonna" happen

While I agree with the tone of your message, I do not agree with this perspective.

Yes, our performance Saturday was disappointing and inexplicable. However, the season is a marathon, not a sprint. Additionally, we are the highest ranked one loss team in the country, currently even ahead of an undefeated USC. That tells me what many of the AP voters (granted, not the CFP folks) think about Texas and our chances going forward.

If you look at the other teams that could displace us in the CFP, there’s enough scenarios that seem to favor Texas – that is, “if we can win out.” And, of course, that’s the big question. If we can, then most of our questions and our frustrations will have been answered.

 

[mchammer]

While I agree with the tone of your message, I do not agree with this perspective.

Yes, our performance Saturday was disappointing and inexplicable. However, the season is a marathon, not a sprint. Additionally, we are the highest ranked one loss team in the country, currently even ahead of an undefeated USC. That tells me what many of the AP voters (granted, not the CFP folks) think about Texas and our chances going forward.

If you look at the other teams that could displace us in the CFP, there’s enough scenarios that seem to favor Texas – that is, “if we can win out.” And, of course, that’s the big question. If we can, then most of our questions and our frustrations will have been answered.

Like another poster said, I just want to win out so we can play for a conference championship.

 

[WorsterMan]

No it was really just one DB (Derek Williams) taking matters into his own hands. He left Thompson and Gbenda on an island covering 3 guys

Nailed it. Stay at home and perform your assignment. Had he done so, ou probably would have had only 1 more play and would not have scored... but we will never know.

 

[OrangeClad]

Agree. I recorded the game and don't need to see what I already saw that put me in a terrible and angry funk for 24 hours....

There is no feeling good after that game, but I will say I felt better after watching the TV broadcast. There were a few redeeming elements I missed live (probably so distracted by 1/2 hour line bathroom line, terrible congestion in the stadium, and poor concessions).

On the negative, I think Ford must have had his bell rung early in the game. Nothing about his play, or even demeanor between plays looked anything like him. Yes, he made 8 tackles, but he looked terrible and disinterested for all the others. On the final OU TD, he blitzed from the edge, pushed the TE back all the way to the QB, (close enough he could have reached out a grabbed the ball) but simply stopped pushing when he got there and didn't even try to grab the QB. It was a weird as standing with his feet planted and not moving each time the QB scrambled right at him. Deer in the head lights and not like him at all.

Speaking of inexplicable, I wish someone could explain how on the Hail Mary, 4 UT receivers and 4 OU defenders were all at the goal line and all 4 OU defenders jumped up in the air to knock the ball down, but none of the UT receivers jumped. Now, clarifying, Sanders was still a yard out but never looked up for the ball. Worthy was at the end zone but also never looked back for the ball. JWhit and Mitchell were in the end zone under the ball coming down and watching it fly, but just stood there as the OU defenders all around them all jumped up to knock it down. I'm not saying it would have ended different, but there was zero chance of catching it from the ground 3 feet below the defenders who are high-pointing it and trying.

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

I had 2 major issues with the game, the biggest was Sarkisian's attitude pregame. On the ABC feed he's going around player to player talking to the kids like a 3rd grade teacher would to his students. Then he talks to McConaughey and says " hey I'm justly trying to be the best me I can. I work on that everyday '

Save that **** for Mondays or AA meetings OK? In 30 minutes you're kicking off against ou. This is war without bullets. DKR would have **** his pants if he heard an asst coach talk like that in the cotton bowl.

 

[dukesteer]

DKR would have **** his pants if he heard an asst coach talk like that in the cotton bowl.

As I recall, DKR would have been so hyped up that he could hardly talk. Talk about passion.

 

[Horn6721]

Duke You would know
I thought I read DKR said he never wanted his team to be too high or too low for a game
But it might have been some other coach.

 

[Sangre Naranjada]

I had 2 major issues with the game, the biggest was Sarkisian's attitude pregame. On the ABC feed he's going around player to player talking to the kids like a 3rd grade teacher would to his students. Then he talks to McConaughey and says " hey I'm justly trying to be the best me I can. I work on that everyday '

Save that **** for Mondays or AA meetings OK? In 30 minutes you're kicking off against ou. This is war without bullets. DKR would have **** his pants if he heard an asst coach talk like that in the cotton bowl.

Yeah, and you aren't the least bit predisposed to take the most negative view of Sark possible.

 

[X Misn Tx]

I had 2 major issues with the game, the biggest was Sarkisian's attitude pregame. On the ABC feed he's going around player to player talking to the kids like a 3rd grade teacher would to his students. Then he talks to McConaughey and says " hey I'm justly trying to be the best me I can. I work on that everyday '

Save that **** for Mondays or AA meetings OK? In 30 minutes you're kicking off against ou. This is war without bullets. DKR would have **** his pants if he heard an asst coach talk like that in the cotton bowl.

i get motivational speak and focused determination type talk. but he's a guy in recovery. there's a reason he talks like that. it is what it is. i don't think that makes him a 3rd grade teacher or some Dead Head. And it's why his game verbiage is about focus, preparation, execution. We saw him jump that staff guy trying to hold him back last season. the dude is obviously amped.

the only change i want him to do at the start of a game is run the dang ball more. lol

 

[longhornlegend]

I had 2 major issues with the game, the biggest was Sarkisian's attitude pregame. On the ABC feed he's going around player to player talking to the kids like a 3rd grade teacher would to his students. Then he talks to McConaughey and says " hey I'm justly trying to be the best me I can. I work on that everyday '

Save that **** for Mondays or AA meetings OK? In 30 minutes you're kicking off against ou. This is war without bullets. DKR would have **** his pants if he heard an asst coach talk like that in the cotton bowl.

Those things dont really matter but how hungry the team is at kickoff does matter. Sark is an excellent recruiter and given the trajectory of the team since binder boy left he is also a good coach. Time will tell if he is a great coach but we do not have the step on the opponents throat on the way to the goal line, yet. As Sean Connery put it: Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and **** the prom queen.

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

Yeah, and you aren't the least bit predisposed to take the most negative view of Sark possible.

I also don't give 2 shits what you think about the subject. Thus I never reply to your posts

 

[Creek]

Too much Testosterone around here…-Tyler Endicott.( name the movie)
I’m good with Sark until he loses again.

Rece Davis said that he is sure that OU knew the play before the 1st interception in advance. Either they picked up the sign or picked up on something else.

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

Too much Testosterone around here…-Tyler Endicott.( name the movie)
I’m good with Sark until he loses again.

Rece Davis said that he is sure that OU knew the play before the 1st interception in advance. Either they picked up the sign or picked up on something else.

Ewers does stare down his targets too often.

 

[huisache]

Yes. aggy was so sure they had won the last game with Texas that they let Case McCoy run. After that, they were sure Tucker would miss. Two bad decisions at the end of the game cost the ags (who better to disappoint). The moral is, don't assume and play to win until the scoreboard shows 00:00.

The Aggies did not let Case do anything. They just didn’t expect it. As for Tucker, they did expect him to make it. He was the best kicker in the college game. Watch the Aggie coach: he couldn’t even watch it. He stared at the ground.

 

[huisache]

All this whining is sad. Think about that glorious 4th down by Vince against USC. Made him an immortal

Now think of his 3rd down play. He threw into double coverage and either Trojan had as good a shot at it as we did. Miraculously, none of them caught it. Zhit happens when two good teams play each other. The best team does not always win.

 

[Horn2RunAgain]

All this whining is sad. Think about that glorious 4th down by Vince against USC. Made him an immortal

Now think of his 3rd down play. He threw into double coverage and either Trojan had as good a shot at it as we did. Miraculously, none of them caught it. Zhit happens when two good teams play each other. The best team does not always win.

Ou outcoached us, outplayed us. There's no whining to that. They were the better team. As DKR said , "what could have happened, happened ".

"Trying to be the best me I can be". Prom queens don't dig that kind of talk

 

[Hoop]

So I just grabbed the sunshine pump from the garage real quick after reflecting on today's games...

I'm looking at teams ranked ahead of us: Georgia - I don't really think they play anyone until the SEC championship game and could/should win out. Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State all have to play each other (I assume Penn State will struggle to win those games, but who knows?), Florida State doesn't really have anyone else to play, and Oregon lost tonight, so a very good Washington team is in the hunt.

For the teams currently ranked below Texas: USC lost tonight, Louisville lost, and NC is winning and should win their game. Anyway, if Texas can win out, a very good bowl game is in their future. IMO, there is no reason to think they can't be in the mix for the playoffs if Texas wins the Big XII Championship, which should be the main goal anyway (before and now).

 

[mchammer]

So I just grabbed the sunshine pump from the garage real quick after reflecting on today's games...

I'm looking at teams ranked ahead of us: Georgia - I don't really think they play anyone until the SEC championship game and could/should win out. Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State all have to play each other (I assume Penn State will struggle to win those games, but who knows?), Florida State doesn't really have anyone else to play, and Oregon lost tonight, so a very good Washington team is in the hunt.

For the teams currently ranked below Texas: USC lost tonight, Louisville lost, and NC is winning and should win their game. Anyway, if Texas can win out, a very good bowl game is in their future. IMO, there is no reason to think they can't be in the mix for the playoffs if Texas wins the Big XII Championship, which should be the main goal anyway (before and now).

If Texas wins out, at worst they finish 5th. Note half the teams who play in the championship game lose.