Texas Georgia game thread #2. This time it's serious.

[HTownBevo]

Different type of running style. As a general observation you cannot dick around in the backfield against a fast physical defense like Georgia or other teams in conference. You have to get downhill and hit seams quickly, get what you can and hope to pop it. Texas running game is outside zone blocking and slow developing. Doesn’t work in against a Georgia that plays man up with the ability to do so and ignores all the influences of fakes.

Agreed. Rod B called it a match up problem. Agree again. The caliber of running attacks that have dogged the GA defense over the last several weeks are inferior to ours. Too bad we could not just line up and move the DL off the line. Apparently, teams not as talented as us have had success recently in doing so. Definitely a match up issue.

 

[SteveInAustin]

I'm not as broken up about this loss as I might've been. Being the 5 seed is a pretty good consolation prize.

I actually think that the #5-seed (which Texas should get) is going to have a MUCH EASIER time getting to the Semifinals than the #1 or #2 seed. I think the #5-seed is the best seed in the current playoff format. It is better than the #1 or the #2 seed, even though you have to play 1 more game. Here is why:

The question is who has an easier path to get to the SemiFinals. In the SemiFinals, you will be playing a very good team regardless, so there is really no value in positioning yourself for SemiFinal placement. If you get there, you will be playing a very good team. But there is a big difference in the path to get to the SemiFinals.

The #5 playoff seeding will play the #12 playoff seed in the first round. This is very likely the winner of the 5th best conference, which is probably going to be ranked much LOWER than #12. This will probably be Clemson who was ranked 17 last week.

Then the #5 seed plays the #4 seed - which is the 4th best conference champion. This team will probably be ranked much LOWER than 4, because teams from the top 3 conferences will usually take up the higher rankings. This will probably be Arizona State, who was ranked 15 last week.

Therefore, to get to the semifinals, the #5 seed just has to beat the #12 Clemso (ranked 17) and #4 Atizona State (ranked 15).

Let's compare that to the #1 and #2 seeds. The #1 seed plays the winner of the #8 and #9 seeds. The teams who take these seeds will probably be ranked much HIGHER than 8 or 9, because the #3 and #4 seeds go to conference champions (who are probably ranked lower). These teams will probably be Ohio State (ranked 6) and Tennessee (ranked 7). Therefore the #1 seed has to play the winner of Ohio State or Tennessee to get to the SemiFinals.

The #2 seed plays the winner of the #7 and #10 seeds. Again, the teams who take these seeds will probably be ranked much HIGHER than 7 and 10. This will probably be Notre Dame (ranked 4 last week) and Indiana (ranked 9 last week). Therefore, the #2 has to play Notre Dame (most probably) to get to the SemiFinals.

I would much rather be playing Arizona State and Clemson, than either Ohio State or Notre Dame to get to the SemiFinals. That is why the #5 seed is the BEST seed in the current playoff format. And Texas should get it.

 

[SabreHorn]

HTown,

We've had trouble all year blocking 3-5 DL with two good OL, but tonight we only had one.

 

[cnb]

Wow!!

Definately a brain fart by Guilbeau

 

[cnb]

I actually think that the #5-seed (which Texas should get) is going to have a MUCH EASIER time getting to the Semifinals than the #1 or #2 seed. I think the #5-seed is the best seed in the current playoff format. It is better than the #1 or the #2 seed, even though you have to play 1 more game. Here is why:

The question is who has an easier path to get to the SemiFinals. In the SemiFinals, you will be playing a very good team regardless, so there is really no value in positioning yourself for SemiFinal placement. If you get there, you will be playing a very good team. But there is a big difference in the path to get to the SemiFinals.

The #5 playoff seeding will play the #12 playoff seed in the first round. This is very likely the winner of the 5th best conference, which is probably going to be ranked much LOWER than #12. This will probably be Clemson who was ranked 17 last week.

Then the #5 seed plays the #4 seed - which is the 4th best conference champion. This team will probably be ranked much LOWER than 4, because teams from the top 3 conferences will usually take up the higher rankings. This will probably be Arizona State, who was ranked 15 last week.

Therefore, to get to the semifinals, the #5 seed just has to beat the #12 Clemso (ranked 17) and #4 Atizona State (ranked 15).

Let's compare that to the #1 and #2 seeds. The #1 seed plays the winner of the #8 and #9 seeds. The teams who take these seeds will probably be ranked much HIGHER than 8 or 9, because the #3 and #4 seeds go to conference champions (who are probably ranked lower). These teams will probably be Ohio State (ranked 6) and Tennessee (ranked 7). Therefore the #1 seed has to play the winner of Ohio State or Tennessee to get to the SemiFinals.

The #2 seed plays the winner of the #7 and #10 seeds. Again, the teams who take these seeds will probably be ranked much HIGHER than 7 and 10. This will probably be Notre Dame (ranked 4 last week) and Indiana (ranked 9 last week). Therefore, the #2 has to play Notre Dame (most probably) to get to the SemiFinals.

I would much rather be playing Arizona State and Clemson, than either Ohio State or Notre Dame to get to the SemiFinals. That is why the #5 seed is the BEST seed in the current playoff format. And Texas should get it.

I think Texas is looking at the 5 and hosting Alabama or SMU, but my opinion is SMU is more deserving.

Texas would have to go through Oregon in the semifinal on that side of the bracket.

On paper, SMU and then Arizona State is a great draw.

 

[mmsnake]

Carry, I disagree. If you need evidence, just look at how we dominated Georgia in the first half. They couldn’t run… at all. How were they able to run the ball in the second half? Their dual threat quarterback, who is half the talent of an Arch Manning, made the difference.

With Manning at quarterback, the defense cannot pin their ears back, and they cannot sell out to stop the back. If they do, Arch will kill them.

I guess Kirby smart like sark doesn’t know what he is doing and is playing the wrong qb also
Geez. You know sometimes a backup can come in and be somewhat successful because the defense didn’t plan or prep for him all week. And it could be smart went in at halftime and made some positive adjustments.
Stockton had 71 yards passing and 8 yards rushing. Wow. The difference was etienne in the second half and they controlled the clock. The fake punt was a key play in the game. That drive was over 9 minutes. The penalties hurt us dearly in first half. We completely dominated them but penalties killed drives and scoring opportunities. Some of the calls were bs and certainly not called equally.

 

[HTownBevo]

You're cool.

You know, I think we were horrible in the run game because our OL is vastly overrated. Just like I think our "elite" defense is overrated. We earned our reputation by playing teams like UTSA, Kentucky, Fla (with no QB) and OU (also with no QB), not to mention a very average Michigan team. I'm just not as impressed with our teams' stats as guys like Herbstriet are. I've watched UGA's front 7 DOMINATE us. That tells me all I need to know about how great our OL is.

And oh by the way, we had zero sacks tonight.

Yep. That guy Herbstreet is pretty sketchy.

 

[cnb]

But that kid is a freshman; who knows if he'll be any good?

Not sure why Will Stone only kicks off. He was the #6 rated placekicker in the nation by Rivals and the #2 in both placekicking and punting by NKR as a senior in HS.

 

[SabreHorn]

Not sure why Will Stone only kicks off. He was the #6 rated placekicker in the nation by Rivals and the #2 in both placekicking and punting by NKR as a senior in HS.

Maybe he should spend the next two weeks sharpening his skills.

Kickers are mostly weird, but like I told my grandson, there are three people in sports that can have NO memory, not even ten seconds worth:

1) Pitchers
2) QBs
3) Kickers

 

[HTownBevo]

HTown,

We've had trouble all year blocking 3-5 DL with two good OL, but tonight we only had one.

Yes we have. Zone run blocking has been good...and bad. The pass blocking has been issue all year - not to get circular, but that entails mobility from the QB. The bottom line we got out healthy, we have a kicker in the middle of a mental meltdown, the OL issues are what they are......Our SEC debut was a success. It's playoff time and we get to participate. And the recruiting class......Damn, I wish my life were in such order as the Horns football program, looks like they are cranking up a run of era's past. So...there's only one thing left to do, GATA.

 

[Pomspoms]

This is exactly right. The ewers haters are always out. Win or lose. Texas has zero running game and Quinn had 360 passing yards but it’s all his fault. Every fing week the same haters come 2out and attack this young man. They also don’t like sark and use to not like pk. They probably don’t like pk anymore now. Get a dog

Ewers did great this game! As if someone else is perfect and would make every throw

 

[Horns11]

Maybe he should spend the next two weeks sharpening his skills.

Kickers are mostly weird, but like I told my grandson, there are three people in sports that can have NO memory, not even ten seconds worth:

1) Pitchers
2) QBs
3) Kickers

Or like every golf shot for me.

Ewers did great this game! As if someone else is perfect and would make every throw

I wouldn't say "great." He played well enough for the team to come away with a W. The second interception was because Cam Williams was literally pushed into his throwing lane with minimal effort. But QE needs to own the slow-developing misfires on that last drive, particularly the double screen where he should have dumped it off.

There are FAR too many moments where the receivers and QE aren't on the same route. Even if those are 50/50 as to whether it's Ewers' fault, it's happening way more than it should.

Like I said earlier, the OL fell flat whenever it was a decent gain (penalty) or on very important downs when we literally couldn't take a sack (missed FG).

 

[Longbomb]

Do you think the committee will consider conference affiliation and/or who has already played in the regular season when determining the seeds and matchups?

One ESPN talking head put us at the 7 seed playing Georgia again in the quarterfinal. That would be nuts IMO!

These are the seedings/matchups I'm hoping for:

1st Half Bracket
1 Oregon v 8/9 winner
8.Notre Dame
9. Tennessee

4. Arizona State v 5/12 winner
5. Texas
12. Indiana

2nd Half Bracket
2. Georgia v 7/12 winner
7. Ohio State
10. SMU

3. Boise State v 6/11 winner
6. Penn State
11. Clemson

Notes on how I got there:
I don't think they will put Texas or Tennessee on the same side of the bracket as Georgia since they already played both.
Likewise I don't think they will put Penn State or Ohio State on the same side of the bracket as Oregon since they already played both.
SMU, Indiana, Clemson are pretty interchangeable at 10,11,12 although they probably won't put Indiana against Ohio State since they already played.
Indiana hasn't played Penn State or Oregon, so they would be fine at 11 against Penn State, or 12 if they didn't want an all Big Ten matchup in the first round.

Like someone said above, the 5 seed isn't a bad draw.

 

[mb227]

We weren’t one dimensional against a&m. They are a good team . Not a great one. But a good one.Michigan had a decent defense. We weren’t one dimensional..
Georgia has a great front 7. They dominated our O line. As good as Arch may be, he would not change our O line’s ability to block their front 7.

He might not change the blocking, but mobility is a great equalizer. Arch has wheels. And when a QB is a REAL threat to run, it impacts what the DL does...something Texas failed to remember against Beck's replacement...

 

[mb227]

I guess Kirby smart like sark doesn’t know what he is doing and is playing the wrong qb also
Geez. You know sometimes a backup can come in and be somewhat successful because the defense didn’t plan or prep for him all week. And it could be smart went in at halftime and made some positive adjustments.
Stockton had 71 yards passing and 8 yards rushing. Wow. The difference was etienne in the second half and they controlled the clock. The fake punt was a key play in the game. That drive was over 9 minutes. The penalties hurt us dearly in first half. We completely dominated them but penalties killed drives and scoring opportunities. Some of the calls were bs and certainly not called equally.

Wow...a backup coming in...you mean, like Arch?

Although Kirby would have been prepared even though he knows how stupidly stubborn Sark can be...

 

[L4UT]

for whatever reason we just don't match up well with their defensive line - I think Ewers not running really helps their game planning - they know he is not going to run - he hasn't run even when healthy - obviously we don't want him running every play, but just enough to keep the defense honest would really help the offense against an aggressive defense like Georgia
those "holding" calls in the first half really hurt yesterday, but I would still like to see Ewers step up in the pocket or move around in the pocket to make a play -opportunities were missed yesterday in that area

 

[Murphy'sBoy]

After sleeping on it and re-watching the game, I come to the same conclusion that Sark was out-coached.

The penalties called on us were all penalties (in my opinion) and indicative of poor coaching.

Why didn't we use the tight end? 1 catch.

Sark's 2 fade end zone routes on first and second down deep in their red zone were low percentage plays when we were moving the ball. Sark also loves slow developing pass plays which increase greatly the chance of Ewers being sacked. In my opinion, Sark's play calling and penalties) put us behind the sticks on multiple occasions.

Our offensive line just ain't that good. I'm not sure if that is talent or coaching.

I am worried about whomever we play in our home game. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[Detective Shilala]

I liked what we did last week either our QBs against aggy. I cannot figure out why we didn’t try that earlier in the game.

We know we struggle in the red zone so let’s bring in manning to add another dimension to our run game when we are down there knocking.

 

[Detective Shilala]

I agree with you Murphy boy.
Even in the first half where we were dominating ToP and putting up lots of yards it felt to me like Kirby Smart”s game plan was working and he was in control of the ball game

 

[bystander]

Clemson kicker just nailed a 55 yard FG to win the game in the final 3 seconds.

We’ve got to acquire kickers and punters.

I just read Clemson's kicker has struggled this year.

 

[bystander]

Sark's 2 fade end zone routes on first and second down deep in their red zone were low percentage plays when we were moving the ball. Sark also loves slow developing pass plays which increase greatly the chance of Ewers being sacked. In my opinion, Sark's play calling and penalties) put us behind the sticks on multiple occasions.

This. Difficult passes with zero deception or crossing routes. Slow developing plays.

I harken back to the Super Bowl champion 46-Defense Chicago Bears. Their only loss that year was to Don Shulas Dolphins. Marino was a statue. But Shula devised a moving pocket and it worked. Sark should review that game.

 

[Chop]

Georgia is our nemesis this year.

Can't gripe about our Defense -- we just held a top 5 team to 16 points in regulation. Not shabby at all.

Our blocking was indeed a bit shaky.

We had some very good WR play.

The fake punt against our Special Teams was the key to the game.

We lost our first SEC Championship game in OT. Georgia gets the credit, as they won it in the end.

I'd rather have won and got the bye, but as others point out, we're still in a pretty good position.

 

[Vol Horn 4 Life]

I just read Clemson's kicker has struggled this year.

Hes hitting 74% on the year hitting 2 of 2 beyond 50, but struggles like ours between 40-49 yds hitting only 1 of 4.

He would be a trade off over our kicker who is at 67% accuracy, 0 of 2 from beyond 50 and only 6 of 11 in the 40's. He's automatic shorter than 40 but beyond that a toss up.

Our kicker is 6 of 13 beyond 40 while theirs is 3 of 6 so basically the same kicker. Clemson has attempted more close attempts to drive overall percentage up.

 

[Chop]

Georgia scores 33+ points per game.

We only gave up 16 points to them in regulation play.

The L came from our lousy red zone offensive production, spotty blocking, missed FGs, and our ST not stopping a fake punt.

 

[Chop]

They got the W.
They deserve it.
We can still take it all.

 

[Texadelphia]

Georgia scores 33+ points per game.

We only gave up 16 points to them in regulation play.

The L came from our lousy red zone offensive production, spotty blocking, missed FGs, and our ST not stopping a fake punt.

Another bugaboo that we’ve seen all season. Penalties. 11 penalties for 94 yards killed drives, negated 2 picks, and turned momentum back to Georgia.

 

[Run Pincher]

They got the W.
They deserve it.
We can still take it all.

And an assist from the ref's. Contrary to some other posts, I don't think they were all legit. GA had 2 late hits on Quinn that were far worse than Hills penalty. And the holding on Golden was BS.

And the 1st interception was certainly on Bond.

And I woulda also add, in the 4th Qtr, when you're behind you have to take greater risks. Every QB that's ever played a full season has a QBR around half of their season QBR when coming from behind in the 4th Qtr.

 

[crizistre]

11 penalties for 94 yards.

3 turnovers

2 missed field goals

Lose by 3

Can’t do this against a top 10 team and expect to win. Ever.

Control the controllables.

I feel like this is what separates Sark from Saban and his seven MNC’s. I can’t count how many “what if” games there have been that could have been won or were almost lost because of 4th quarter meltdowns, bad officiating that couldn’t be overcome and wide open receivers either dropping easy passes or being overthrown to. Its mind-boggling frustrating and seems to be a curse or bad trend that can’t be overcome.

 

[havoc7701]

Sponsorship hath its privileges. And you get a cool mouse pad too.

Love my mousepad, as dirty and covered in marker doodles from my kids’ during COVID as it is. Ante up Hoff!

 

[txhorn_et]

I feel like this is what separates Sark from Saban and his seven MNC’s. I can’t count how many “what if” games there have been that could have been won or were almost lost because of 4th quarter meltdowns, bad officiating that couldn’t be overcome and wide open receivers either dropping easy passes or being overthrown to. It’s mind-boggling frustrating and seems to be a curse or bad trend that can’t be overcome.

Could always be worse. At least we’re not aggy!