Tapping the brakes....

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ProdigalHorn

10,000+ Posts
Fantastic job tonight, great win, not sure there's anything more we could realistically have expected. 1-0 feels really good.

Having said that, I feel kind of vindicated in what I thought going in - no way is U-La a top 20 team. I had suspected they made their reputation by beating an Iowa State team that basically always looks horrible in their season opener (Beat Northern Iowa 16-10 today - statement! :D ) but never appeared to outclass anyone in their conference. They're solid, they have a fundamentally sound defense and a workmanlike offense. But the QB Lewis was pretty average. Their receivers were pretty much a non-factor. But still... we've lost to worse.

Texas has a lot of work to do but the tools appear to be there. Card really did a nice job today after he got comfortable, and there were times when the o-line blocked well. They weren't overmatched physically which was good news - it looked like it was more about assignment issues and discipline.

Arkansas should be a tougher test, so let's buckle up and get to work this week!!
 
The team looked a little shaky at first, but the second half looked better to me. There weren't a bunch of missed tackles (until the very end) and the team looked pretty good for the first game.

Unlike years past where games and individual plays seemed more boom or bust, this game had a more measured feel. Like a big snake slowly squeezing the life out of it's prey. Deliberate, slow, and plodding. It looked like things were more business like and both sides of the ball flowed with the game and made adjustments. There were too many penalties, but no turnovers.

I thought it wasn't bad for a first game against a pretty good team. If this team can build on today (and I think they can), they are going to be pretty good. I saw a couple of things on offense today that I haven't seen around the 40 acres in a LONG time, if at all.

Looking forward seeing how they have improved in game two.
 
Well boys, do I disagree! We beat a good team, a ranked team, by 20 points. The contest was really never in doubt after we scored the 2nd TD.

We entered the game with a massive question mark at the most important position. Does anyone have serious concerns now?

We out-coached a team that returned 20 starters, and basically controlled the game.

All facets played well, O, D & ST. No, not perfect, and there’s plenty of room for improvement. But good enough. And this was the first game for a completely new staff.

Guys, this was a very good day. Not a perfect performance, but pretty darn good.

I go into Fayetteville with tons of confidence. We’ll handle the piggies, and leave that God awful place a solid 2-0.

Life is Good.
 
:hookem: Solid, the team looked solid, the coaching was solid, it was a solid not spectacular performance and I am pleased that in a game that the last two coaching staffs would have farted around and either played with losing or even lost, this team and this coaching staff showed up with a solid performance. It’s a good start!:bevo:
 
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hmm.jpg

Did anyone see this today? I think they call it blocking downfield. I'm not sure. Also, a friend of mine told me something about a tight end catching a touchdown, too, but the concept seemed so archaic and foreign to me that I wasn't sure if it was true or not. Like going to a Longhorn Renaissance Festival.
 
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dukesteer said:
Well boys, do I disagree! We beat a good team, a ranked team, by 20 points. The contest was really never in doubt after we scored the 2nd TD.

We entered the game with a massive question mark at the most important position. Does anyone have serious concerns now?

We out-coached a team that returned 20 starters, and basically controlled the game.

All facets played well, O, D & ST. No, not perfect, and there’s plenty of room for improvement. But good enough. And this was the first game for a completely new staff.

Guys, this was a very good day. Not a perfect performance, but pretty darn good.

I go into Fayetteville with tons of confidence. We’ll handle the piggies, and leave that God awful place a solid 2-0.

Life is Good.
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I'd disagree on special teams. They cost us 10 pts and a much earlier blow out. Can't expect Dicker to make them all so he gets a pass but it's still part of the eval. Block in the back on the punt return was just bone headed. Just get in the guys way best you can, but don't block numbers. Also thought we let too many punts roll and gave up significant field position in the process.

Biggest stat was 0 turnovers. That number is going to win you most games.
 
dukesteer said:
Does anyone have serious concerns now?
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Enough that Southwest Airlines couldn't carry them all. Maybe I couldn't see from the West Side lower deck as well as you could on TV. Color me unimpressed and worried.

wadster said:
Can't expect Dicker to make them all so he gets a pass
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I just got home and haven't watched recording yet, but I posted on here several times my concern about the South end debacle and the wind whipping around there like it does at Rice Stadium. at the time, I thought that's what happened to the kick. I reiterate, Sark needs those kickers practicing with that wind every damn day.
 
SabreHorn said:
Enough that Southwest Airlines couldn't carry them all. Maybe I couldn't see from the West Side lower deck as well as you could on TV. Color me unimpressed and worried.



I just got home and haven't watched recording yet, but I posted on here several times my concern about the South end debacle and the wind whipping around there like it does at Rice Stadium. at the time, I thought that's what happened to the kick. I reiterate, Sark needs those kickers practicing with that wind every damn day.
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There was no wind issue on Dicker’s kick. It was straight as an arrow - he just didn’t bring it back in from the right hash.
 
There was No wind anywhere but the South end zone. The American and Texas flags on either side of the new construction were whipping like a 30 mph gale. Did it affect the kick? I couldn’t tell, but I am certain it will future kicks.
 
ProdigalHorn said:
There was no wind issue on Dicker’s kick. It was straight as an arrow - he just didn’t bring it back in from the right hash.
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Dicker is below average from 40-49. And he missed from 45 today, no surprise. He has a big leg no doubt. But he is unreliable in that range unfortunately. Not new this year. He will hit a couple beyond 50 that he shouldn't, he will have a high TB percentage, and he will miss too many 40-49.
 
Best thing I saw... Not one single pass from either QB was ever in danger of being intercepted. Nobody made a dangerous or dumb throw. Refreshing!

Too many blitzers came free to the QB. I mean those guys weren't even chipped. It's like they wore invisibility cloaks or something. That has to improve immediately.

The o-line play overall was average to worrisome. D-line play was worse than I had hoped for but was not terrible
WR, QB, RB all performed well.
LB and secondary also pleased these old eyes most of the time.

I think the team showed promise, but didn't show me they will be elite this season. And that isn't unexpected. Looking forward to Porkinsaw!
 
I have my concerns too and I think LaLa is overrated. Ranked teams don't need OT to be Ga ST and beat Ga Southern by 2. They had one signature win last season and it was game 1 for ISU. We once again saw what ISU is like in game 1 last night. Barely beat team even TH would've beat by 40.

It was game 1 under a new coach so I'm being patient, but that doesn't mean I won't have serious concerns if certain areas don't improve the next 2 games. And make no mistake, we will get piggies best performance of the year. They want to beat Texas more than they want to have sex with their cousins.
 
Sangre Naranjada said:
Best thing I saw... Not one single pass from either QB was ever in danger of being intercepted. Nobody made a dangerous or dumb throw. Refreshing!

Too many blitzers came free to the QB. I mean those guys weren't even chipped. It's like they wore invisibility cloaks or something. That has to improve immediately.

The o-line play overall was average to worrisome. D-line play was worse than I had hoped for but was not terrible
WR, QB, RB all performed well.
LB and secondary also pleased these old eyes most of the time.

I think the team showed promise, but didn't show me they will be elite this season. And that isn't unexpected. Looking forward to Porkinsaw!
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This^^^^^^
You nailed it. Overall about as good as we could have hoped for..Good win and I disagree with anyone who believes Lala wasn't a good team and a good opening test.

BUT lack of open receivers at times, very average to even poor at times oline play and not nearly as impressed with dline penetration as I was hoping leave plenty to work on.
Also, hate to call out one player and one play but that Gbenda play where he blew containment and allowed the RB outside for a TD cannot happen. Hope he learns from that one.
Positives were Card, Bijan, JWhitt, Linebackers, coaching, playcalling, and for the most part secondary...also few injuries with one BIG caveat.
Biggest concerns at the moment:
***Junior Anguila status***
Oline
Dline penetration
 
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It was refreshing just seeing some "coaching" going on and the play calling was light years ahead of binder boy............plenty of room to grow but with this staff methinks it will happen.
 
Run Pincher said:
It was game 1 under a new coach so I'm being patient, but that doesn't mean I won't have serious concerns if certain areas don't improve the next 2 games. And make no mistake, we will get piggies best performance of the year. They want to beat Texas more than they want to have sex with their cousins.
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I resemble that remark. I have a lot of relatives in Louisiana and back in the day some very hot cousins. Ah what memories.:fire:
 
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I liked the fact that holding calls against the o-line didn’t mean an automatic punt. (They over came this multiple times.) Also liked the fact that the receivers were past the first down marker on third downs when they needed a first. Plus It was nice having a coach who didn’t seem like a liability….
 
I was pleased. Very methodical approach. I really liked that we committed to running the football and not just using it as an occassional decoy for the pass. We have lots of work to do but it was very encouraging for Game 1. I could totally see us losing this game in years past by making tons of turnovers and giving up too many big plays. I thought we played to our ability instead of down to the other teams level. This isnt a serious playoff contender in my mind but it is a threat to compete for the big 12 and be in the playoff discussion.
 
Everyone's concerns are mostly legit
But are they fixable, first game learning experiences under new coaching?
I notice no problems with coaching or talent.
 
Every coach in the big XII will have noted that Texas gave the pass to the RB in the flat to ULaLa. The closest Texas defender was always 2 to 3 yards off the receiver. What saved Texas was the tackles were sure (which shows improved fundamentals), but giving 4 to 5 yards to Big XII offenses will lead to long and disappointing afternoons.
 
ViperHorn said:
Every coach in the big XII will have noted that Texas gave the pass to the RB in the flat to ULaLa. The closest Texas defender was always 2 to 3 yards off the receiver. What saved Texas was the tackles were sure (which shows improved fundamentals), but giving 4 to 5 yards to Big XII offenses will lead to long and disappointing afternoons.
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Do you assume we will have the exact same scheme for every opponent?
 
Arkansas might be tougher, but I wouldn't say they "should" be. They've been awful for the past 4 years (11-35 record) and probably would lose to La-Lafayette.
 
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Louisiana has a very good squad for a Sun Belt team. We won with superior talent. Far superior

the staff did not give the baby qb too much to handle. Receivers were not getting open so he got to improvise. I skipped the game but on tv the blocking looked real good by Sun Belt standards but not so much for Big 12

first game
 
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