We're not improving

[zuckercanyon]

I'm going to kick the ant pile and say everyone should remember that Mack Brown was gifted with a redshirt freshman qb named Major Applewhite and a running back in search of a Heisman trophy coming off a 4-7 season. I'll bet we're having a different conversation today if another rb had stayed for his senior season (completely happy for Foreman's success) the offensive line problems would've been diminished some (like last year, I think Foreman made them look better than they actually were). The rb's left habitually ran up the backs of the o-line and didn't create. By the time we got underclassmen involved, it was too little too late. I feel like this whole season was like that, trying to find an identity, trying to find out who wanted it more on both sides of the ball (it appeared that changed weekly), who was going to step up in the game and consistently deliver. I don't really care who stays or transfers/leaves for the NFL. Next season will be better served by finding early on who's better/best, sticking with it, and only substitute for injury/extreme lack of performance. And I mean at all positions. Receiving corps comes to mind....

 

[Joe Fan]

For comparison's sake --

Charlie Strong's 6-6 in 2014
vs.
Tom Herman's 6-6 in 2017

2014 Total Point Differential - Opponents 282, Texas 271
2017 Total Point Differential - Texas 350, Opponents 260

2014 in Losses: Opponents 191, Texas 67
2017 in Losses: Opponents 171, Texas 129

 

[Joe Fan]

Also, I've read but dont feel like verifying that we were first Big 12 team in 11 years to hold every conference opponent under 30 points (not including OT)

Yet finished 5-4 in conference

 

[Statalyzer]

So basically our improvement from last year to this year was "well, at least we beat Kansas this time".

Sadly, poor QB play lost the game.

And two fumbles in the second hand, and a secondary that has looked much poorer in coverage since Hill left - was very hit or miss with them, either they made a great play, or got burned badly. Unforced drops of at least 3 passes that should have been interceptions sure didn't help either! Honestly we got lucky that Kingsbury overreacted to being shut down by a very good TCU defense and benched Shimonek for most of the game, or this one might have been a blowout.

 

[moondog_LFZ]

So, we are still losers.
Just better losers than before?

 

[SabreHorn]

Charlie Strong went 9-2 (almost 10-1) at South Florida

Yes, he is, again at a ******** school, playing a schedule that Sam Houston State could be 9-2 against, and playing it with someone else's recruits in front of enormous crowds that would embarrass Thorndale.

The guy was a horrible choice brought about by the incompetence and self-serving pettiness of Billie Powers' desire to screw everyone with his legacy.

Considering Powers reputation in the law school, perhaps "screw" is a poor choice of words.

 

[Htown77]

So basically our improvement from last year to this year was "well, at least we beat Kansas this time".

Haha yes. This is an accurate description.

 

[beijinghorn1]

I don't know. Perhaps it is style, but I quit watching many games last year because I could not stand the opposing teams scoring at will. This year the product was watchable all year IMHO. Quite possible Strong would have had the same or better record this year as Herman as basically nobody was lost from last year except Foreman (a big except). I am optimistic going forward. Team desperately needs a playmaker on offense. Next year the team will win at least 9 games as it will be the first time in years that there will be many seniors who can actually play the game. Take a breath, get you popcorn, and be ready for next year!

 

[Detective Shilala]

Team desperately needs a playmaker on offense

If we get another playmaker, they will just be erased by the lack of an OL or Coordinator too. We really don’t need more playmakers. We need a smart coach, better OLs, and (and for Sam to pull his head out of his ***)