*****Texas vs. Notre Dame Game Thread*****

[TeamMayhall]

If Brian Kelly utters that this was border line erotic, i might slap the closest In-law that i like the least. (male in-law of course)

 

[Randolph Duke]

Bobby Burton said this week that he didn't think Swoopes had it in him as a QB and that we should have switched to the spread instead of faster version of last year's offense. He also said Watson doesn't have it in him to run the spread.

If there is no improvement in the offense in the next couple of games then we need to switch the offense to fit Herard's ability. If that means that Norvell or Traylor takes over the offense that's fine with me. My understanding is that it's easier on the OL when you run the spread.

The last three games is beginning to show that we may have nothing to lose to switch from Swoopes and Watson, we can't do much worse.

It is way too late to be swiching offensive schemes. That is what offseason is about. That Watson still insists on running a scheme ill-suited to the available talent shows his ineptitude as a strategist. That being said, there is no way we can continue to run the same scheme we have been.

The most important thing over the next few weeks is Charlie Strong's willingness to do what needs to be done to win. Does he have the willingness to make hard decisions or will he continue to avoid them and continue to allow Shawn Watson to run the offense.

I honestly don't think Charlie will make the tough decision. Texas is a soft program from the AD on down in that there is a prevailing attitude that those in leadership positions need to be allowed to fail for a number of years before they are expected to succeed. The athletes pick up on the fact that they are expected to be accountable for their performance but those cashing fat checks and in positions of making decisions and most of the 400 staff members are allowed to fail for years and no one cares. What we saw against Notre Dame was a soft program. Either Charlie Strong changes as much of that as he can, or he continues to get blown out by three touchdowns (if not more) half the games he coaches.

 

[North Texas Golfer]

Vance Bedford says "Malik was not any better or any worse than anybody else" 

This may be as stupid a statement as Watson saying we're making progress. I'm not sure that Watson has what it takes and I'm beginning to doubt Bedford. 

 

[Etex Horn]

I knew Swoopes wasn't the answer when his 2A Whiteright team went 1-9 his senior year. A similar talent QB'd Tenaha (Chavis McCollister) to a 

state championship back in 1998. McCollister was a strong armed and fast super athlete playing for an otherwise mediocre talented team in Tenaha.

He would drop back to pass and if nobody was open, just take off and run. You can do that in 2A ball and get away with it and win. A super athlete

can dominate at that level, Swoopes didn't. 

 

[tejasrulz]

Calling it a night. Good night yall and HOOK'EM!

 

[Bear19]

I have too many beers. or not enough.

 

[Randolph Duke]

I haven't been a fan of Watson from the get-go but yes, I'd be fine if he wasn't calling plays next week. I agree with a lot of what you say about Watson. I don't want to get into the roster number discussion again. You and I simply don't agree on that issue and that's okay.

As far as Catalon, Lampkin and Cherru are concerned, I have no concern for their reaction to this game. Catalon and Cherry quit when it got rough. Lampkin couldn't honor a pledge. They're gone now. Best to them, but they're gone now.

There is quitting because you don't want to put in the work and there is quitting because you realize the "leadership" isn't capable of winning and you want to be with an organization that has a committment to winning.

I don't know Cherry, Lampkin or Catalon, but until I see some changes from Charlie Strong, I question his committment to building a winner. Delivering what was delivered after spending an entire offseason to restructure the offense if unforgivable. The defense was hardly any better.

Charlie Strong needs to make some serious changes and he needs to start getting things right.

 

[BevoBlake]

I really do hate dogging on Swoopes though. Is it his fault that he's sucking at this level of football? Or is it the fault of the coaches who recruited him to this level when just about everyone else knew he couldn't hang? Swoopes was put in a position to fail when he was convinced he was a D1 QB. If I had to choose between Texas and some small schools, I'd pick Texas too. Regardless of my ability. Like I said before, I hope the kid finds an abundance of happiness and success in life. But it's time to do what should have been done years ago and that's tell Swoopes he can't play QB for Texas. It'll be painful for those coaches but it's time for the program to evolve and move on.

 

[BevoBlake]

There is quitting because you don't want to put in the work and there is quitting because you realize the "leadership" isn't capable of winning and you want to be with an organization that has a committment to winning.

I don't know Cherry, Lampkin or Catalon, but until I see some changes from Charlie Strong, I question his committment to building a winner. Delivering what was delivered after spending an entire offseason to restructure the offense if unforgivable. The defense was hardly any better.

Charlie Strong needs to make some serious changes and he needs to start getting things right.

Catalon and Cherry didn't quit because of a commitment to winning though. They couldn't handle the rules and the competition. Simple as that.

 

[DMAC]

Just got this off BON from some poster.  This is where expectations go WAY down:

People are overreacting
It’s Strong’s second season and this was a huge game against a very good team with a bunch of freshman playing, chill. Let’s see how we do against teams we are actually supposed to play well against (Rice)

RICE is our competition level?  Makes me want to cry. 

 

[primal defense]

I really do hate dogging on Swoopes though. Is it his fault that he's sucking at this level of football? Or is it the fault of the coaches who recruited him to this level when just about everyone else knew he couldn't hang? Swoopes was put in a position to fail when he was convinced he was a D1 QB. If I had to choose between Texas and some small schools, I'd pick Texas too. Regardless of my ability. Like I said before, I hope the kid finds an abundance of happiness and success in life. But it's time to do what should have been done years ago and that's tell Swoopes he can't play QB for Texas. It'll be painful for those coaches but it's time for the program to evolve and move on.

He was worth a scholarship for his physical ability. Urban Meyer made him an offer.

 

[bill_ut75]

I like Strong, I really do but as I listen to him talk is he really sticking up for Swoopes or am I drunk after only 3 beers?

I will say this, he does seem pissed!

Actually, I would not call it "pissed," but more like embarrassed. And… he should be.

An entire off season, revamping the offense, adding Norvell and Traylor… and still… not one touchdown scored.

I am honestly beginning to think that Watson just cannot get it done.

Compare Texas from last year to this year… to TCU from 2013 to 2014.

Patterson went out and got not one, but two experts in zone read, up tempo.

Strong on the other hand lets his OC try on the job training. Watson stated at times that he was "leaning" a lot.

Why can't we just go get someone who already knows what they are doing?

I do not think Strong has time to let his OC do on the job training.

Just my $.02.

 

[DMAC]

I am honestly beginning to think that Watson just cannot get it done.

this

 

[Randolph Duke]

Catalon and Cherry didn't quit because of a commitment to winning though. They couldn't handle the rules and the competition. Simple as that.

As things stand, I question Charlie Strong's commitment to building a winner. He talks a lot about players having to buy in to his system, but with that carries the responsibility of Strong delivering for the players.

If Coach Strong make no changes and the team continues to get humiliated half the time it takes the field, I wouldn't blame any player who left the program to find a coach committed to winning. Financially, Coach Strong is set for life. Right now, I question whether he is a great coach or a great salesman.

 

[BevoBlake]

He was worth a scholarship for his physical ability. Urban Meyer made him an offer.

Urban wanted him as a tight end if I'm remembering correctly. Far cry from QB, game manager and leader of the offense.

 

[BevoBlake]

As things stand, I question Charlie Strong's commitment to building a winner. He talks a lot about players having to buy in to his system, but with that carries the responsibility of Strong delivering for the players.

If Coach Strong make no changes and the team continues to get humiliated half the time it takes the field, I wouldn't blame any player who left the program to find a coach committed to winning. Financially, Coach Strong is set for life. Right now, I question whether he is a great coach or a great salesman.

Personally, I think it's too early to make that call. He's only had one class to establish himself. If things are looking just as dire in 2016, my mindset could shift. At this point, I don't think enough time has passed to yell "fire".

 

[Randolph Duke]

Actually, I would not call it "pissed," but more like embarrassed. And… he should be.

An entire off season, revamping the offense, adding Norvell and Traylor… and still… not one touchdown scored.

I am honestly beginning to think that Watson just cannot get it done.

Compare Texas from last year to this year… to TCU from 2013 to 2014.

Patterson went out and got not one, but two experts in zone read, up tempo.

Strong on the other hand lets his OC try on the job training. Watson stated at times that he was "leaning" a lot.

Why can't we just go get someone who already knows what they are doing?

I do not think Strong has time to let his OC do on the job training.

Just my $.02.

The rookie sums it up.

 

[TeamMayhall]

Best Player on the field tonight was a teenager fresh out of high school

 

[BevoBlake]

There are really only two reasons why I suspect Watson is still on the staff.

1. Loyalty

2. Teddy Bridgewater

Teddy made that offense look really good. I don't know that Watson knows how to run an offense without a star Quarterback.

 

[Etex Horn]

This is what 5 million/year gets you?