Texas @ BYU

Since we are nearing the dog days of summer, and there are no sports being played right now that I'm even remotely interested in, curious if you guys would like to discuss the game coming up?

Are you going to the game? I'm flying to the UVA game. My friend has talked about driving to the Texas and/or BSU game. Looks like you are favored so far. Our OL and offense is the big key to us being competitive.

Is David Ash the unquestioned starter?

How are the RBs?

How hot is Mack Brown's seat?

What was the feeling around Texas after the game 2 years ago?



What's the feeling about this game this year?



I think in Camp Cougar folks were feeling cautiously optimistic that we could steal a win 2 years ago. But the way the second half unfolded, rather than be proud that the team took it so close, there was disappointment that they had a solid lead and let it evaporate. That frustration born across multiple games cost the quarterback and eventually the OC their jobs. Initially there was a definite feeling that we let one get away, rather than recognizing the game was as close as it was because the horns were inept in the first half and finally found a bit of identity in the second half.



I think this year in spite of BYU's tough schedule, the Texas game is viewed as being among the most difficult with @Notre Dame and @ Wisconsin, both in November. Fans (at least in my home) are much more cautious about BYU's chances this time around, probably more due to being so close and so frequently disappointed the last two years. There are a lot of question marks going into this season for BYU, mostly on offense: OC and staff, new philosophy (a good one, not unlike Major's, but still new), lingering unease at tight end and youth (but promise) in the backfield. The middle of the defensive front seven and 1 cornerback are all new and I worry that early in the season a well-coached team take advantage of those liabilities. So a lot of uncertainty.



But this I do know: The stadium will be full and rocking LOUD. LaVell Edwards Stadium has a terrific setting and is bigger than any conference away game Texas plays in except Oklahoma. BYU will be coming off a win against Virginia and will be flying high. It will be an exciting game, for sure.



My prediction: either BYU wins by 7 or less or Texas wins by 7 or more.

Welcome back, Hookem. You were a class act on this board last year and it was great to hear your comments and insight. And a little friendly banter is to be expected. Looking forward to more of the same this time around.

scott715 wrote:
Are you going to the game? I'm flying to the UVA game. My friend has talked about driving to the Texas and/or BSU game. Looks like you are favored so far. Our OL and offense is the big key to us being competitive.

I'm trying to work things out to make it in. It's either Provo, or a home game in Austin. My wife wants Austin, so that may win out.



OL is key for any team to be competitive, and yet seemingly always the most overlooked when predicting and upcoming season's success.



Our OL is much deeper than it was when we played last, but still inconsistent. I laughed when Phil Steele ranked our OL tops in the country. Although that was based on # of total starts, our OL is still a big "?". For years we recruited a bunch of guards to play tackle and it showed. I'm hoping OL coach Stacy Searels has for the right personnel in place this year.



Our DL will the deepest it's been in years.



At DE, and even though we lost Okafor, we still have Jeffcoat and who is in a contract year, so he's plenty motivated to perform. Cedric Reed will likely take Okafor's spot and has been progressing very nicely. The youngsters behind them are really talented as well and expect good things from them. Look for Shiro Davis and Bryce Cotrell as two up and comers.



The interior line is also deep with the likely star being Macolm Brown, a true soph. Many think he's a potential first rounder. Then we have Ashton Dorsey, who's come on late, Desmond Jackson and Chris Whaley, a former rb that outgrew that position.



Our biggest '?" on D, at least for me, is the defensive play calling. Can Diaz call a decent game this year?

SpiffCoug wrote:
Is David Ash the unquestioned starter?

How are the RBs?

How hot is Mack Brown's seat?

Is David Ash the unquestioned starter?

Ash is the unquestioned starter. To support that premise. Case McCoy is currently on a 10 week mission somewhere in South America. He won't be returning until just prior to fall practice. You don't take a 10-week sabbitical if you're truly in the mix for the starting position, imo. There are also rumors that he's going to transfer and red shirt this next season on his new team. Although I would love to have a seasoned back-up in in McCoy should Ash go down, I'm not a fan of McCoy and would love to see him go.



That being said. Keep a look out for Tyrone Swoopes. There may be a package of plays for him each game. He was the absolute surprise in the spring. This fact could be another factor in McCoy's decision not to participate in summer workouts and 7on7's.

How are the RBs?

The RB's are the deepest we've had in the Mack Brown era. Jonathan Gray, Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron. Also be on the look out for Daje Johnson. He might be the most explosive of all the backs and will likely lineup at WR as well.



The Baylor game highlights show Johnson, Gray and Bergeron. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgU9GsmdaMc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;



Each one has certain strengths and weaknesses. I can expound more if you'd like.



Question is, can the OL open up running lanes for them?

How hot is Mack Brown's seat?

Depends on who you ask. Friends close to the situation down there say that he's lost support from the big donor's. Another blowout loss to OU and he's toast. Some say that even with a win at OU, he still has to win the conference or he's gone.



I used to be a big Mack Brown supporter and have had personal interaction with him, but I'm ready for a change. For a guy who gets paid $5 million a year, he's done less with more the entire time he's been there with the exception of 2005, 2008 and 2009.



He's also been very inconsistent lately with player suspensions as opposed to years past. He's given really weak punishments to potential key players for things that would have had them kicked off a couple of years ago. That to me is a sign of desperation. He know's he has to win or else.



With the talent that this team has, he no longer has any excuses. This may be the deepest Texas team he's had.

CrimsonCoug wrote:
What was the feeling around Texas after the game 2 years ago?



What's the feeling about this game this year?



I think in Camp Cougar folks were feeling cautiously optimistic that we could steal a win 2 years ago. But the way the second half unfolded, rather than be proud that the team took it so close, there was disappointment that they had a solid lead and let it evaporate. That frustration born across multiple games cost the quarterback and eventually the OC their jobs. Initially there was a definite feeling that we let one get away, rather than recognizing the game was as close as it was because the horns were inept in the first half and finally found a bit of identity in the second half.



I think this year in spite of BYU's tough schedule, the Texas game is viewed as being among the most difficult with @Notre Dame and @ Wisconsin, both in November. Fans (at least in my home) are much more cautious about BYU's chances this time around, probably more due to being so close and so frequently disappointed the last two years. There are a lot of question marks going into this season for BYU, mostly on offense: OC and staff, new philosophy (a good one, not unlike Major's, but still new), lingering unease at tight end and youth (but promise) in the backfield. The middle of the defensive front seven and 1 cornerback are all new and I worry that early in the season a well-coached team take advantage of those liabilities. So a lot of uncertainty.



But this I do know: The stadium will be full and rocking LOUD. LaVell Edwards Stadium has a terrific setting and is bigger than any conference away game Texas plays in except Oklahoma. BYU will be coming off a win against Virginia and will be flying high. It will be an exciting game, for sure.



My prediction: either BYU wins by 7 or less or Texas wins by 7 or more.

What was the feeling around Texas after the game 2 years ago?

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The feeling two years ago was one of euphoria and relief. After watching the team implode the year before when punched in the mouth, it was a great thing to see a very young and inexperienced team fight and claw it's way back. Ash's performance in that game won me over.

What's the feeling about this game this year?

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We have great optimism for the talent that we have on the team and the depth, but not much confidence in the coaching. That being said, every tough game this year is being considered by most as a toss-up. And this game is definately considered a toss-up. On paper I think we match up quite well against you (as opposed to the last time we played), but poor coaching and preparation can throw all of the talent you might have out the window. Last year reminded us of that.



Plus, like you said, BYU is going to be jacked up to play this game.

My prediction: either BYU wins by 7 or less or Texas wins by 7 or more.

I agree. This is going to be another hard fought game. Likely won in the trenches.

1967cougar wrote:
Welcome back, Hookem. You were a class act on this board last year and it was great to hear your comments and insight. And a little friendly banter is to be expected. Looking forward to more of the same this time around.

Thanks, buddy. It's nice to be back talking to you guys. The class is definately reciprocated around here and I think most, if not all, of my friends feel the same when dealing with BYU fans.

How's your DL looking? Your Secondary?



Do you think Anae is the man to come in (or comeback) and fix your offense?



I remember the last time we met, some on here seemed pleased that he was gone. How do you feel now that he has returned?

Hookem wrote:
How's your DL looking? Your Secondary?



Do you think Anae is the man to come in (or comeback) and fix your offense?



I remember the last time we met, some on here seemed pleased that he was gone. How do you feel now that he has returned?

Good to have you back. You are always a class act here and I love cheering for Texas, except for one game in 2013. :crazy:



My thoughts on this:

DL: We are going to struggle with Ziggy gone but our LB's are good enough that it shouldn't be major drop from last year, but it will be a drop. We have experience and talent, but I think people will be surprised at how much we miss Ziggy. I would say we should be about 75% of last year.



Secondary: Um, well, we lost a JC transfer the first day of spring ball that will hurt a lot. Our safeties will be fine but our corners will struggle. Basically the BYU norm.



Anae: Not being a fan of Doman (he was a great QB at BYU but was never a good OC) we will be better with Anae if for no other reason than our OL can't be as bad as it has been. Just as you mentioned it all comes down to our OL for me. If he can fix that we will be good to possibly great in 2013. If we struggle we could have a losing season this year. We have talent and much better coaching on our OL this year, just a lot of inexperience.

northerncougar wrote:

Good to have you back. You are always a class act here and I love cheering for Texas, except for one game in 2013. :crazy:



My thoughts on this:

DL: We are going to struggle with Ziggy gone but our LB's are good enough that it shouldn't be major drop from last year, but it will be a drop. We have experience and talent, but I think people will be surprised at how much we miss Ziggy. I would say we should be about 75% of last year.



Secondary: Um, well, we lost a JC transfer the first day of spring ball that will hurt a lot. Our safeties will be fine but our corners will struggle. Basically the BYU norm.



Anae: Not being a fan of Doman (he was a great QB at BYU but was never a good OC) we will be better with Anae if for no other reason than our OL can't be as bad as it has been. Just as you mentioned it all comes down to our OL for me. If he can fix that we will be good to possibly great in 2013. If we struggle we could have a losing season this year. We have talent and much better coaching on our OL this year, just a lot of inexperience.

Van Noy is scary. A lot of fun to watch. We have a young true soph who kind of reminds me of Van Noy in Peter Jinkens. Same build and energy.



Our LB play will be the big "?" of the defense. If Hicks can stay healthy we have a shot at being much improved, because Diaz has shown that he can call a good game if the LB play is good, but if the LB play suffers, then we're in for another record breaking season like last season. Record breaking as in the worst defense ever fielded by a Texas squad.



Gotcha on the OL. Our OL play the last 5 years or so has been very inconsistent. Our 2010 OL was absolutely horrid. A lot of the drop off we had in 2010 was from poor talent evaluations in virtually all of our positions with the exception of the secondary. Hence the reason why we've played more freshman than any other team the last two years.



Mack virtually sold the farm when it came to QB's for Garrett Gilbert, passing up on guys like RGIII, Andrew Luck, etc.



I personally feel that if we had a real ball coach (as in X's and O's/ motivator) and not just a CEO, this team could be vying for the national title the next two years, but with Mack at the helm an 8-5 or 9-4 season is a real possibility with another a**-kicking to OU. Maybe even worse, which is unacceptable with the talent and depth that this team has at the moment.



If that happens, I think Mack is gone. Hate to be so down on Mack, given that I think he's a good guy, but he's starting to look a lot like Bowden at FSU, but without the multiple titles, both conference and national.

Now I know you've got Coffman at WR, right? Who else do you have at that spot? And what about your RB's?

Hookem wrote:
Now I know you've got Coffman at WR, right? Who else do you have at that spot? And what about your RB's?

It's Hoffman and he is the best WR we have had since Collie and Pitta. He could be special this year but is coming off surgery so who knows for sure. They are saying he will be 100% by fall camp, but every coach says that about every player. :lol:



As far as RB's Williams could be special, he has the size and speed and was incredible as a freshman last year. If we can find a true fullback it could be a breakout year for Williams.

Hoffman, that's right. Sorry about that.

And Williams was only 17 last year. He will be better this year at RB.



How is the Longhorn Network working? Will it succeed?

Hookem wrote:
Hoffman, that's right. Sorry about that.

No stress. Given things we hear from yewt fans, that's nothin'. :evil:

scott715 wrote:
And Williams was only 17 last year. He will be better this year at RB.



How is the Longhorn Network working? Will it succeed?

Psst. If you have access to it, then its great. It will only succeed if Texas can get its athletics back on track. All big three sports (football, baseball and basketball) are suffering. As long as they suffer then espn will have a hard time getting carriers to pick it up because of low demand.



I know espn was asking too much for it at first which some of the carriers scoffed at. That'll change once we become consistent on the playing field again.



Ultimately, I'm hoping Deloss Dodds is gone soon. I wish him gone yesterday (10 years ago, in fact). Once he's gone, and if we get a competent AD in there, then we might see some progress.

northerncougar wrote:

Hoffman, that's right. Sorry about that.

No stress. Given things we hear from yewt fans, that's nothin'. :evil:

Ha! I know how that is when dealing with aggie friends.

There's a site, which I trust, that is reporting that Ash and Swoopes are possibly going to split snaps this season at qb 60/40 or 70/30.



This could be interpreted several ways. Either the coaches aren't all that confident in Ash, or Swoopes brings a different dimension and element to the offense.



Swoopes is a big kid who has taken the team and the coaches by surpirse since he enrolled in January. Was 6'4'5ish at 260, now around 235. He moved well at 260, so it will be interesting to see him at 235.



Also, I'm hearing that a loss in Provo is the nail in the coffin for Mack Brown. The expectations are extremely high this year, which makes the seat extrememly hot for him. Espn is also voicing its concern behind the scenes that Texas needs to improve its product or the LHN is dead. This coincides with the recent articles by espn that Mack had better win this year or he's done. They've never done this before. Writing seems to be on the wall.



You guys could very well cost Mack his job and throw the Texas program in total disarray.