Worried about Maryland...

[gahornphan]

Am I alone? I remember when we got “surprised” by BYU and their gimpy qb with two knee braces, we all thought the next year we’d be ready and would blow them out. Well guess what? Maryland is actually BETTER than last year, but are we?
Not saying Maryland is that good, but like BYU, some teams seem to have our number.

 

[bystander]

How does their roster look this year? Any turn-over or are their best players coming back?

 

[Detective Shilala]

I hope Maryland has Herman's attention this year. We had better be prepared this time or we will lose again.

I feel good about the defense, under year 2 of Todd Orlando, and holding their offense. They would have to do some serious backsliding to get exposed like that again.
While our offense may be improved this season, its game 1 and I don't expect to be impressed.

All that said, if we lose to Marlyand again, it means we still haven't found our coach, and we're doomed to wonder the wilderness of the college football landscape for at least another 5 years.

The head coach of the University of Texas should know that you have to prepare for every team's A game, and there is no looking ahead to other teams.

 

[4th_floor]

As I have said before, a loss to Maryland would be huge. It would be the beginning of the end for Herman. So I can only hope he is preparing for this game as if it is a bowl game. Double piss tests all around!

 

[p_town_horn]

How does their roster look this year? Any turn-over or are their best players coming back?

Barking Carnival has a good preview

Link

 

[Desperado]

I'm worried about Maryland, Tulsa and the rest of the teams on the schedule. We could win them all (not likely) or we could lose them all (not likely) or fall somewhere in between (likely). Tommy still has some growing up to do. Let's hope he does it quickly.

 

[bystander]

Barking Carnival has a good preview

Link

Thanks... sounds like our D better be ready to play.

 

[Run Pincher]

I was going to post that link ptown, then saw you did. You're definitely not the only one worried, I keep thinking BYU too. Maryland probably had more devastating injuries last year than we did. They are certainly not a 4-8 team talent wise. I know one thing for sure, we better bring our A game, and that includes the coaching. Can Tom prove he's really a top Div. I coach, or is he learning on the job? I certainly don't know the answer to that, but I saw some pretty stupid decisions last year.

At least Maryland doesn't have a bunch 28 year old high IQ bodies to make us look like the bad news bears. We have that going for us. But they will be playing for a fallen comrade, and their boards are full of their fans posting about how our arrogant fans think this will be an easy W for us. They will be motivated for sure.

 

[Pomspoms]

I was going to bring this up later. I am very nervous about this game. I think their whole offensive line is coming back. Their defensive line is better with that DE just transferring in, Cowart I think is his name. One of their fans said the linebacking group is not as strong. Qbs are good. It's at their place. Don't know why we are ten point favorites. Maybe I should bet on this game. I can see this coming down to a last second field goal or overtime.
I am more afraid of this game than the TCU game who we are going to beat.

 

[bystander]

I was going to post that link ptown, then saw you did. You're definitely not the only one worried, I keep thinking BYU too. Maryland probably had more devastating injuries last year than we did. They are certainly not a 4-8 team talent wise. I know one thing for sure, we better bring our A game, and that includes the coaching. Can Tom prove he's really a top Div. I coach, or is he learning on the job? I certainly don't know the answer to that, but I saw some pretty stupid decisions last year.

At least Maryland doesn't have a bunch 28 year old high IQ bodies to make us look like the bad news bears. We have that going for us. But they will be playing for a fallen comrade, and their boards are full of their fans posting about how our arrogant fans think this will be an easy W for us. They will be motivated for sure.

I know a few Longhorn fans beyond this board and not one of them is acting like this is a gimme. That hi-light reel in the link was very sobering.

 

[moondog_LFZ]

We are going to kick their ***!
We beat them by at least 17 points.
Our D is going to grind them into dust.

 

[n64ra]

We should be. It's not like we demolished them last year as expected...

 

[Badass]

Where is "The Scottish Guy" when you need him?

Horns 77
Turtles 0

 

[LonghornCatholic]

F Maryland

 

[LonghornCatholic]

I know.

3 Hail Marys.

 

[horninchicago]

I know.

3 Hail Marys.

That's my line...

 

[Dionysus]

F Maryland

I know.
3 Hail Marys.

Maryland contains the name of the Lord's mother.

300 Hail Marys

 

[caryhorn]

Anyone with a functioning memory would be worried. They ran through us last year like sh-- through a goose. We (in 2017) had a tendency to lose close games & our QB had a tendency to shoot himself in the foot.
So there a lot of questions that must be answered fast. We'll know a lot after the MD game. And we'll know pretty much everything we need to know by the end of the ou game.

I'm pumped for the season. Wish it started today.

 

[SabreHorn]

I posted before last year's game that UMd would be a second tier team in a weak BigTen. The same is true this year. We will have a huge talent advantage, but they will once again be the better coached team.

 

[LonghornCatholic]

They only have 4 returning on defense, but they picked up 2 or 3 JUCOs.

 

[IvanDiabloHorn]

Not worried this year. I was worried last year.

The Hermanized team that played in the bowl game is the team that will play Maryland. Most of the players that played in the bowl game will take the field against Maryland. Biggest losses from the bowl team are Dickson and Poona. I opine a punter will not be a great need in this game and Poona will be adequately replaced.

Take Texas and give the points to start the football year with a nice monetary gain.

 

[WorsterMan]

We are going to kick their ***!
We beat them by at least 17 points.
Our D is going to grind them into dust.

No, I'm not worried.

I'm with Moondawg and Ivan on this one... not thinking blowout but we beat these guys. TH remembers last year - think he will have the team hungry, focused and fired up to get payback.

Agree our D will dominate!

 

[dukesteer]

Yes, I’m concerned. In “revenge games” since 2009 we haven’t done very well. In fact, I cannot remember one that we have won. As many have already pointed out, BYU stand out in my mind.

But this year’s game should be different. We won’t be surprised. We don’t t expect a cakewalk. The defense will be better prepared. Our talent is better.

This is certainly an important test for Herman. Not “make or break” as others have mentioned, but still a gut check.

We should dominate, but I’ll be OK with any type of W. But a laugher would be a welcome change from the past 8 years.

 

[caryhorn]

We will have a huge talent advantage, but they will once again be the better coached team.

I understand you are serious.

I am surprised by your opinion.​

I don't know who the MD head coach is or either of their coordinators. Who is their head coach and who are the coordinators, and why do you think they will be better coached?

Is it Herman that you are unhappy with, or the coordinators or what?

 

[SabreHorn]

Nothing negative about our staff, with the possible exception of play calling and ignoring the obvious. Durkin is one helluva coach and a pretty damn good recruiter. Most importantly he is a good developer of talent.

Maryland is a poor school, with **** facilities. Once upon a time, it was out in the country. Now, it's inside the Beltway in northeast DC - think Houston without the pretty new buildings.

 

[I_Dont_Exist]

I understand you are serious.

I am surprised by your opinion.​

I don't know who the MD head coach is or either of their coordinators. Who is their head coach and who are the coordinators, and why do you think they will be better coached?

Is it Herman that you are unhappy with, or the coordinators or what?

HC DJ Durkin former DC at Michigan

OC Matt Canada who was fired after one season at LSU last year. Highly regarded before that.

DC Andy Buh formerly at Stanford and several other school. Was their DC last year.

 

[caryhorn]

HC DJ Durkin former DC at Michigan
OC Matt Canada who was fired after one season at LSU last year.
DC Andy Buh formerly at Stanford and several other school. Was their DC last year.

I don't see anyone on that list that blows me away.

 

[Austin_Bill]

I think Maryland will have some success on our defense to the tune of about 24 pts, however I think our offense will have about as much success as they did last year to the tune of about 45 pts.

My guess is Texas win going away, 45-24.

The Texas offense should be light years better, as of today, they are healthy, we have experienced QBs and solid play makers. Our defense should be much more prepared for what they are going to do, especially our dline and secondary. However it is our linebackers that will win this game for Texas. They need to be able to stop the run against the interior of the terps offensive line. If they do that Texas is going to win this game no problem.

The key for Texas to win the game is to hold them to less than 8 explosive plays, and for Texas to get more than 10.

And of course win the turnover battle.

 

[wadster]

If we lose the 1st game again, I may just be done with football. You wait all July and August for the 1st game of the season and than we **** the bed and the season feels over. We gotta at least go 2 of 3 in non conf this year or hello fishing Sat afternoons. Just feel cursed right now. Rangers suck, Mavericks suck, Cowboys suck, and Horns have sucked. That's a lot of suckage for North Texas to deal with. I'd add in the Stars, but no one cares.

 

[BevoJoe]

I think Maryland will have some success on our defense to the tune of about 24 pts, however I think our offense will have about as much success as they did last year to the tune of about 45 pts.

My guess is Texas win going away, 45-24.

Last year, against Maryland, our D and Special teams accounted for 14 of our points. The O only managed about 27 IIRC. I expect a close game up there.

This year the O has to step it up. 1. O line has to open holes for our RBs and protect the QB. 2. Ball security is a must on every play. Last year this cost us three games (USC, okie lite, and Tech) 3. The D and the O must eliminate mental errors. A late blown coverage assignment late in the OU game resulted in a late score and an okie win.

The past 8 years have been the worst stretch of UT football I’ve experienced and that goes back to the first game I attended, the 1964 Cotton Bowl.

It’s time the coaches and players get it done!