*****GAME THREAD: Texas Longhorns @ #6 Oklahoma State Cowboys*****

[okiehorn]

17 minutes ago, Aaron Carrara said:

Big win for this team, I just truly never thought I’d see the day Texas is celebrating like it was a Natty by beating okielite

 

[primal defense]

28 minutes ago, Aaron Carrara said:

That doesn't look like social celebrating.

 

[Baron]

1. The D-line is what kept the game close. Ossai is a beast. The front 6 of the Horns might be the best in college football.

2. The O-line still sucks. Hand isn't the coach we thought he was.

3. Sam had another day where he was average but came through when he needed to, along with another wasted 3rd quarter.

4. If Bijan didn't cement himself as the #1 RB today, well that's on the coaches.

5. The DB's are the weak link on defense. Especially the CB's

6. I'm enjoying this win but I realize it was essentially done by smoke & mirrors (1 ST TD and 4 TO's)

 

[tejasrulz]

1. The D-line is what kept the game close. Ossai is a beast. The front 6 of the Horns might be the best in college football.

2. The O-line still sucks. Hand isn't the coach we thought he was.

3. Sam had another day where he was average but came through when he needed to, along with another wasted 3rd quarter.

4. If Bijan didn't cement himself as the #1 RB today, well that's on the coaches.

5. The DB's are the weak link on defense. Especially the CB's

6. I'm enjoying this win but I realize it was essentially done by smoke & mirrors (1 ST TD and 4 TO's)

1. Ossai is the MVP of this team, no question. BTW, does he get credit for a tackle when he tackled himself on that fumble return?  ? Mitchell might still be looking for his jock after the okie lite qb faked him out of it on that one play. 

3. I'm wondering if Sam is hurt? He has taken a beating this year and yesterday he missed some passes to wide open people.

4. Agreed with Roschon #2. Bijan does need to work on his pass blocking though, he's still a little weak on that.

5. If the DBs would just turn around once in awhile they would have some easy INTs!

6. A win is a win. As Bear Bryant stated "Stats are for losers".

 

[tejasrulz]

Big win for this team, I just truly never thought I’d see the day Texas is celebrating like it was a Natty by beating okielite

Last night it was reported that this is the first time since 2010 that Texas has beat a Top 10 opponent on the road. With all the bad press the coach and team have received lately, maybe they were showing that Herman hasn't lost the team?

 

[Eastexhorn]

Lucked out again. Still it a win. However the loss by Ok. St. gave OU the championship.

 

[primal defense]

 

[NEOkHorn]

1. Ossai is the MVP of this team, no question. BTW, does he get credit for a tackle when he tackled himself on that fumble return?  ? Mitchell might still be looking for his jock after the okie lite qb faked him out of it on that one play. 

3. I'm wondering if Sam is hurt? He has taken a beating this year and yesterday he missed some passes to wide open people.

4. Agreed with Roschon #2. Bijan does need to work on his pass blocking though, he's still a little weak on that.

5. If the DBs would just turn around once in awhile they would have some easy INTs!

6. A win is a win. As Bear Bryant stated "Stats are for losers".

Great points all around. Especially #6. Seems like this team has been on the wrong side of the ugly games for a long long time.

I could be wrong but I'm almost certain that Chris Brown actually tripped up Ossai on the fumble return. He might possibly have been flexing prematurely.lol

 

[TexCoyote]

You know there were some crazy calls in that game last night. I thought they called some bad ones both ways but definitely some bad ones. The Brewer pass interference comes to mind and on that 4th down I thought we caught a break on the pass interference call in the end zone on Joshua Moore. Look to me like their feet just got a little tangled up. Big call because it gave us a new set of downs. The catch or no catch for Oklahoma St at the end of the game could have gone either way. I thought it would go against us but they reversed it in our favor. 

Glad to get the win but man it was ugly. I’ll take it and hope we look better next week 

 

[tejasrulz]

Great points all around. Especially #6. Seems like this team has been on the wrong side of the ugly games for a long long time.

I could be wrong but I'm almost certain that Chris Brown actually tripped up Ossai on the fumble return. He might possibly have been flexing prematurely.lol

Ossai tripped himself up from what I saw but I'll go back and watch it once it's on LHN. However since you mentioned it, I hate that flexing crap. Act like you've won before.

 

[texbound]

Great points all around. Especially #6. Seems like this team has been on the wrong side of the ugly games for a long long time.

I could be wrong but I'm almost certain that Chris Brown actually tripped up Ossai on the fumble return. He might possibly have been flexing prematurely.lol

To me, it looked like Ossai clipped his own leg and then fell.  I originally thought the same thing as you regarding Brown and I was yelling at him.

Changing the subject, I watched the game again last night (not all, just mostly the O) and something just doesn't seem right with Sam.  I know he has never been the most accurate QB, but he started the season better than he was last year.  I just don't think he is able to see the field as clearly and I'm convinced that is a direct result of the Oline.  I watched some film of last year and noticed that Shacks snaps were a split second faster getting into Sams hands which gave him that extra beat to get his eyes up.  Kerstetter's snaps seem to float back to Sam keeping his eyes focused on that too long.  Plus you have added pressure this year from a weaker right side.  Also, Cosmi is not playing like a 1st Rd pick this year.  In fact, I would say his stock likely dropped this year.  With all that, I think Sam is also banged up.  If I was the coach, I would play Sam against WVU, but then I would consider starting Thompson against Kansas.  The staff can evaluate Thompson in real game speed on the road and it would give Sam an extra week to heal up since they have a bye after that. Just a thought.

 

[NEOkHorn]

To me, it looked like Ossai clipped his own leg and then fell.  I originally thought the same thing as you regarding Brown and I was yelling at him.

Changing the subject, I watched the game again last night (not all, just mostly the O) and something just doesn't seem right with Sam.  I know he has never been the most accurate QB, but he started the season better than he was last year.  I just don't think he is able to see the field as clearly and I'm convinced that is a direct result of the Oline.  I watched some film of last year and noticed that Shacks snaps were a split second faster getting into Sams hands which gave him that extra beat to get his eyes up.  Kerstetter's snaps seem to float back to Sam keeping his eyes focused on that too long.  Plus you have added pressure this year from a weaker right side.  Also, Cosmi is not playing like a 1st Rd pick this year.  In fact, I would say his stock likely dropped this year.  With all that, I think Sam is also banged up.  If I was the coach, I would play Sam against WVU, but then I would consider starting Thompson against Kansas.  The staff can evaluate Thompson in real game speed on the road and it would give Sam an extra week to heal up since they have a bye after that. Just a thought.

You guys are probably correct on the Ossai trip. My old eyes aren't what they used to be.

To add to your thoughts on Sam, I have wondered if part of the issue in addition to what you mentioned is a desire to make him more of a pocket style passer. It seems like he runs less by design this year and has less designed roll out plays or quick passes. The deep throws are great when they work but I've never thought Sam was the drop back type of qb. Quick passing plays and roll outs would also help the run game and the OL in pass protection. Just my arm chair opnion.

 

[texbound]

You guys are probably correct on the Ossai trip. My old eyes aren't what they used to be.

To add to your thoughts on Sam, I have wondered if part of the issue in addition to what you mentioned is a desire to make him more of a pocket style passer. It seems like he runs less by design this year and has less designed roll out plays or quick passes. The deep throws are great when they work but I've never thought Sam was the drop back type of qb. Quick passing plays and roll outs would also help the run game and the OL in pass protection. Just my arm chair opnion.

I think that is an astute observation on your part.  I do think Sam throws better on the run and he should rollout more.  Plus, it gives him the option of tucking it and running (like the TD last week against Baylor).  Sam has a tendency to not climb in the pocket to buy more time, but that is probably a direct result of inside pressure.  Kerstetter and Okafor are the weakest part of the online in terms of missed assignments.  Originally i thought it was Okafor and Jones, but Jones has been getting better every game. Maybe they should consider putting Major in at C and sliding Kerstetter to G or starting Hookfin at G.  Either way, something needs adjusting in that area.

 

[Hiwood]

To me, it looked like Ossai clipped his own leg and then fell.  I originally thought the same thing as you regarding Brown and I was yelling at him.

Changing the subject, I watched the game again last night (not all, just mostly the O) and something just doesn't seem right with Sam.  I know he has never been the most accurate QB, but he started the season better than he was last year.  I just don't think he is able to see the field as clearly and I'm convinced that is a direct result of the Oline.  I watched some film of last year and noticed that Shacks snaps were a split second faster getting into Sams hands which gave him that extra beat to get his eyes up.  Kerstetter's snaps seem to float back to Sam keeping his eyes focused on that too long.  Plus you have added pressure this year from a weaker right side.  Also, Cosmi is not playing like a 1st Rd pick this year.  In fact, I would say his stock likely dropped this year.  With all that, I think Sam is also banged up.  If I was the coach, I would play Sam against WVU, but then I would consider starting Thompson against Kansas.  The staff can evaluate Thompson in real game speed on the road and it would give Sam an extra week to heal up since they have a bye after that. Just a thought.

I think you might be on to something with Sam, he has not played well the last two games, not sure what it is or if he might have gotten his bell rung ,but he doesnt look crisp, the read option-dive-play action- is taking way too long, Sam is getting very predictable and if I can guess where he is going with the ball so can any DC worth their contract, the holes in Sam's game are becoming more apparent, and the wins are a result of him just being a great athlete

 

[The Tinman]

Its just my own opinion but I think the reason Sam has been off his game is due to the situational play calling. The defense has been using a spy to slow sam down when he decides to tuck it and run. Ou did it and okst did too. The oc has been trying hard to make sam more of a pocket passer perhaps to save sam from himself. I mean when you run as much as sam has injuries are a major concern. I get that logic but sams pass protection is subpar and he takes hits anyway. Some of you have said roll him out more and I totally agree with that sam does better when the ball is in his hands with a RPO..kinda like when he found jake smith for that td. Theres only a few more games left the horns have to win for more reasons than one. I say turn sam loose thats when the offense is at its best..thats how Texas rallied back against tt,ou, 

 

[NEOkHorn]

I mentioned pace during the game but I do not think it is not a coincidence that our offense plays better in a two-minute, up tempo fashion. Less time to think and read by Sam and more just react to the game. Unfortunately despite preaching quicker pace, none of the OCs of the past decade have actually implemented it with the possible exception of Gilbert. We seem too deliberate in our play design and execution. If that makes sense.

 

[Captain Hookem]

Its just my own opinion but I think the reason Sam has been off his game is due to the situational play calling. The defense has been using a spy to slow sam down when he decides to tuck it and run. Ou did it and okst did too. The oc has been trying hard to make sam more of a pocket passer perhaps to save sam from himself. I mean when you run as much as sam has injuries are a major concern. I get that logic but sams pass protection is subpar and he takes hits anyway. Some of you have said roll him out more and I totally agree with that sam does better when the ball is in his hands with a RPO..kinda like when he found jake smith for that td. Theres only a few more games left the horns have to win for more reasons than one. I say turn sam loose thats when the offense is at its best..thats how Texas rallied back against tt,ou, 

I agree with completely. Plus I think there's proof of this.

Sam tends to play better at the end of games this season. That's usually when the team is in desperation mode, and they start calling more RPOs or designed runs. His passing gets better as well, and his late game heroics have included some great throws as well as gritty runs. It's pretty obvious that he gets in a groove when running the ball more, or the defense is forced to adjust... most likely both. 

I understand wanting to protect him, but turning him into a pocket passer isn't the answer. If anything start the game like they usually end games, get the defense to adjust, and then settle back into him passing more. 

 

[Hiwood]

I mentioned pace during the game but I do not think it is not a coincidence that our offense plays better in a two-minute, up tempo fashion. Less time to think and read by Sam and more just react to the game. Unfortunately despite preaching quicker pace, none of the OCs of the past decade have actually implemented it with the possible exception of Gilbert. We seem too deliberate in our play design and execution. If that makes sense.

exactly the delayed draw was snuffed out every time, if we are going to run from the Pistol then run, dont try and play hide the hot dog, we have speed in Robinson, play a quick toss sweep and let him turn the corner, in the open field he is a home run threat every time he touches the ball, Heck put Sam under center and let Robinson run out of an I formation, he is a legit 1K/year runner, had we had any kind of a running game they could have run out the game clock and not given OkST the chance to tie and get the game to OT....they always talk about establishing the run game and we have yet to do that, Championship teams run the football, look at Alabama and Clemson

 

[texbound]

I wanted change after OU and thought that was the time to do it.  However, I really hope this game can be a springboard for this team.  Every winning program has that moment when things change. I'm rooting for these boys and in essence im rooting for Herman.  I'm hoping he had a cathartic 2 weeks of self reflection and was able to look inward to find humility.  That's my hope at least.  In the coaching world, Herman is still young and has a lot to learn. Make no mistake, I want Urban Meyer, but that doesn't mean I don't hope Herman turns this program around into a contender this year.

 

[TexCoyote]

I’d like to see the run game get some quicker hitting play going north and south. That slow down the line strung out stuff just takes too long. Our Olinemen can’t stop penetration for that long and it gets blown up and then we’re behind the chains and changes what you can call next. It’s been this way for a long time.....even before Herman. I’d look at the best running games Pro and College and see how we can get these guys up the field quicker.

Another observation.....our kids played much more physical last night. There were so good licks delivered. I haven’t thought we were the most physical every (any) games this year. Last night I thought we were. Got to shore up the confusion in the secondary, but I like the physicality.