View from the Cheap Seats-KSU

[echeese]

View from the Cheap Seats-KSU

Winning damn sure better than losing


Winning damn sure better than losing. Roshon Johnson showed us BEAST MODE as he basically put this TEXAS team on his back and rushed his way to a career day. He even completed his 1st pass of the season, a 2 yard gain. This was the type of "leave everything on the field" attitude we have seen entirely too seldom this year outside of BiJan and Mr Freshman Xaiver Worthy. We also saw Sark do something long overdue. After KSU's QB (Will Howard) gashed TEXAS for a 71 yard TD run, Sark benched some players who showed a "lack of effort". Not surprisingly, one of those a player infamous for walking out on the team of halftime during a game last year. Oddly, without one of the highest rated kids on the D side, the defensive play stepped up rather dramatically. We didn't count the number of times Roshon ran out of the wildcat, but it was a bunch. We did count his results. 31 carries for 179 yards and a TD, 5.8 per. Worth mentioning that Xaiver Worthy came in just short of 1000 yards on the year with the TEXAS freshman TD record in his pocket and needing 1 more to tie Jordan Shipley from 2009. Sadly he went up high for a long reception, came down awkwardly and played sparingly after that. Young man has an exciting future at TEXAS.

Not to be outdone by Roshon's amazing efforts, the D pitched a shut out in the 2nd half for only the 2nd time this year, the other our game with Rice. This lead to TEXAS outscoring a team in the 2nd half, again for the 1st time since Rice, helping Sark end his 0-23 record when trailing at half. 1-24 now, long way to go but the journey of 1000 miles begins with the 1st step. Of course the MVP of the TEXAS D goes to KSU QB Skyler Thompson who missed the game with injury. Skyler is a really good QB. With him in the game, we're not sure the outcome is the same but in fairness, TEXAS countered without their top 2 tacklers on D so end of the day, you dance with those that brung ya. The defensive effort was highlighted by two critical 4th and very short stops to go with a 4 and out and two 3 and outs, all forcing punts on KSU's 5 2nd half drives.

Grateful for the win or TEXAS would be tied for the longest current losing streak in Power 5 football. Also, grateful the Seniors can go out with a win. Sark mentioned some of them on their 3rd Head Coach. No excuses, this season is a failure. Before we get into the 2022 portion of our program, let's recognize those Seniors, especially those earning All BigXII Academic Honors. Tope Imade Ryan Bujcevski Derrek Kersetter, Denzel Okafor Skyler Bonneau Cade Brewer (4 catches on the day) Dicker the Kicker Justin Mader and GAbriel Watson.

We'd also like to mention a play we have not seen run all year but it could have been really useful in the 2nd half of several games this year. 2nd and 14 following a negative play, obvious passing down. Wiley (TE, yeah, we forget what those are too) lined up on the left, chips the DE rushing hard then releases. Casey hits him quickly for 19 yards. GREAT play call, type that takes advantage of a hard rush to a player with some ability. Why it took 12 games to see it, beyond us. If you are going to run 12 (1 RB 2 TEs) and not use our TEs in the passing game, replace a TE with an OL, we are a run first team afterall.

Make no mistake, this season was worse than CFS abysmal 5-7 year. Noway to spin 2021 as anything but failure. We held leads in the 4th quarter of 5 games, choked every time. This 6 game losing streak the worst since 1956 and this year the worst year of any 1st year TEXAS coach. Sark has left himself with no mulligans going forward. Though as long as he makes a bowl game in 2022, he's here for 2 more seasons. We just wonder if we are looking for yet another HC at Thanksgiving of 2023? We hope not. We hope Sark does some hard internal reviews and make some tough calls. Coach PK came to town with a great rep but this was one of the worst D's in TEXAS football history. Wrong guys? Wrong scheme? Some combination. Even an average defense has us debating what bowl we attend this year. The other key to 2022, can Sark close out with a good recruiting class and can he find 2-3 starting OLs in the portal. Oh don't look now but there is no assurance the 2022 QB is on the roster today. Had only Herman been able to keep Cameron Rising who is playing very well at Utah right now and has a decent shot at leading them to the Pac 12 title.

So the season is over. . . ..OR IS IT? There is a chance that there are not enough 6-6 teams to fill all the bowl slots so TEXAS might get an invite. Our dream scenario is the Armed Forces Bowl in Ft Worth vs Air Force or Army. They choose 7th on the BigXII bowl list. Yes, we have heard people say "let it be done". This is a young team and the young pups need reps. Granted, this is a long shot but if we can get extra practice, we need it.

Offensive player of the Game
 

Roshon Johnson doing his beast mode imitation

Offensive Player of the season
 

BiJan Robinson

Honorable Mention
 

Xaiver Worthy. Best Freshman WR in TEXAS history

Defensive Player of the Game
 

Moro Ojomo/Keondre Coburn Each with 4th down stops in the 4th quarter to preserve victory

Defensive Player of the Season
 

DeMarvion Overshown

Stats that Matter
 

• 8/16 TEXAS on 3rd down. Loved the way we moved the chains
  
• 1/9 KSU on 3rd down. Impressive effort by the D
  
• 18-24-1 Casey with a respectable day but the INT badly underthrown
  
• 2-15 Penalties on TEXAS. Cleanest game of the season
  
• +7 7 minute time of possession advantage much in the 2nd half
  
• 5-7 Sadly, no way to spin worst performance by a 1st year HC in TEXAS football history
  

Onto 2022 and how do we fix it.

#1 thing we need to see, close out this recruiting class well. Rumors abound about 1-2 silent OL commits, we need them. Have a couple others we need to reel in. Word from the current recruits is that they are buying into the idea of being part of turning TEXAS around. Sark needs this in the worst way. So bad news, down 2 to 1 on flips this week. Lost the RB Miller to Bama and WR Winfield to possibly Sparty. On the plus side, TCU's Guilbeau (DB) flipped back to us. All 4 star talents. Miller is a big loss but not worried about Drayton recruiting RBs, inside scoop on Winfield (level 2) problem child, he plays 2 blocks north of us, well until he was effectively tossed off the team. Gladly trade the DB for the WR.

#2 Sark needs to hit the portal HARD. In a perfect world, we need 2 starting OLs. Sad truth, we need a QB who can step onto campus and play. The hype around Card and the comparisons to Aaron Rodgers did him no favors. We're big Casey fans, we know he played through injury but he's up and down. Another WR would be nice

Best sale he has, playing time. Use that pitch

#3 Sark needs to do a deep and honest evaluation of the staff. TEXAS and her players have endured 3 HCs, 5 OCs, 4 DCs (5?) over the past 8 seasons. WAY too much turnover, way too little consistency. Sark has to know if what he is doing works and if not, change it NOW.
This includes the S&C program. Too hard to see from the Cheap Seats if that is a plus or a minus. The way we play in the 4th quarter (save this game) seems to say minus but we'll defer to the experts.

#4 Sark needs to go through the locker room and "allow the players who aren't buying in" move on. If we only wind up with 80 players on ship, so be it but get the CANCERS OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM. He talked about a turnover of 33 players. Don't stop there if you need to.

#5 We are concerned about reports that Sark does not do a good job of connecting with players. We are strong believers that coaches need to be authentic. If you are a yeller, don't try to be a "nice guy" or vice versa, players see through it. You go with your style but it doesn't mean you can't make your style better.

Projecting the 2022 starting line up on offense (and this dependent on several players who walked for Senior day coming back which was rumored)
 

QB Casey or Portal

RB BiJan, this needs to be a BiJan4Heisman season

WR Worthy/Washington/Whittington We'll add Troy O when he can get on the field

TE Wiley + Davis when we go 12 and hopefully Sanders wakes up and plays DE next year

LT Jones or Karic

LG Portal or Haden Conner

C Majors

RG Portal (does Imade have a covid year?)

RT Karic or Portal

Not even going to try the defense at this point


Ranking the BigXII

Will update this after Sat's games

Our Playoff projections

Again, after Sat's games but before the Final rankings

 

[J.B. TexasEx]

Do you expect RG, Junior Angilau, to bail on us? I don't think he's NFL ready.

Neither Jones nor Karic are LTs, in my opinion. Neither has the feet for it. I hope we find a portal guy there.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

Do you expect RG, Junior Angilau, to bail on us? I don't think he's NFL ready.

Neither Jones nor Karic are LTs, in my opinion. Neither has the feet for it. I hope we find a portal guy there.

There is no player on this team who has any type of draft stock. If Angilau goes, he'll be an undrafted free agent.

Agree on Jones, Karic. This position needs a portal solution.

 

[NEOkHorn]

On the S&C point, wasn't there talk of a separate strength coach and conditioning coach?

 

[Baron]

There is no player on this team who has any type of draft stock. If Angilau goes, he'll be an undrafted free agent.

Agree on Jones, Karic. This position needs a portal solution.

Regarding OL...Kerstetter, maybe late round, 5th or 6th.

The only players I see leaving the offense are the super seniors.

 

[Ntx dog]

After watching bama/ auburn, mich/ tOSU and even ole miss/ miss st , good lord that's some football, we're a rec football team comparatively.

So many things to fix,don't even know where to start. Just hope we dont move to the sec sec until 2025. Maybe by then (sark?) Will have this football team fixed.

 

[echeese]

Do you expect RG, Junior Angilau, to bail on us? I don't think he's NFL ready.

Neither Jones nor Karic are LTs, in my opinion. Neither has the feet for it. I hope we find a portal guy there.

Hope not

And it looks like Cook (best DB) and DO (only playmaker) are back along with Jaminson who's a great return guy.

Expanded my "solutions" section:

Step #1

Close out this recruiting class well. Class sits at #8 right now with 5 ships to go (assuming we take 25 in 2022) Mack/UNC likely pass us as does Oregon based on numbers they can add. But we can pass both Pedophile State (already at 25) and ND. Finishing with a Top 10 class is a win.

Rumors abound about 1-2 silent OL commits, we need them. Have a couple others we need to reel in. Word from the current recruits is that they are buying into the idea of being part of turning TEXAS around. Sark needs this in the worst way. So bad news, down 2 to 1 on flips this week. Lost the RB Miller to Bama and WR Winfield to possibly Sparty. On the plus side, TCU's Guilbeau (DB) flipped back to us. All 4 star talents. Miller is a big loss but not worried about Drayton recruiting RBs, (sorry, edit the comment on Winfield, meant Stewart, my bad), The flips hurt but the DB is a big need.

Needs some recruiting wins. Not worried about only taking 1 QB, Malik is going to be really good for us and the kid just lead his team to the state title after starting teh season poorly.



Step #2

Sark needs to hit the portal HARD. In a perfect world, we need 2 starting OLs. Sad truth, we need a QB who can step onto campus and play. The hype around Card and the comparisons to Aaron Rodgers did him no favors. We're big Casey fans, we know he played through injury but he's up and down. Another WR would be nicel

Best sale he has, playing time. Use that pitch

Step #3

Sark needs to do a deep and honest evaluation of the staff. TEXAS and her players have endured 3 HCs, 5 OCs, 4 DCs (5?) over the past 8 seasons. WAY too much turnover, way too little consistency. Sark has to know if what he is doing works and if not, change it NOW.
This includes the S&C program. Too hard to see from the Cheap Seats if that is a plus or a minus. The way we play in the 4th quarter (save this game) seems to say minus but we'll defer to the experts.

Rumors fly of Gary Patterson (defensive and development genius) involved in some role. And the call I'm making if I'm Sark, Jimmy Lake is on the market. He and Coach PK made a great team, get the band back together. Rumors are we lose Terry Joseph to LSU, sucks from a recruiting stand point but the plus, opens a coaching hole on the staff.

A word about scheme. We lost games we should not have lost because we "turtled up" our play calling in the 2nd half of games and failed to sustain drives. This team cannot lean on the D to win games, we need the offense to win time of possession battles. We also rely too heavily on a 2 TE look (because we like to run the ball, nothing wrong with that) but we used TEs who were not great blockers nor did we use the TEs in teh passing game. Use a 6th OL as one TE and run some plays to feature the TE. Wiley is a size speed mismatch problem but he was largely un-utilized, 9 catches all year, 6 vs Kansas where he was very effective. Just a couple ideas but we self limited our offense.

Step #4

Sark needs to go through the locker room and "allow the players who aren't buying in" move on. If we only wind up with 80 players on ship, so be it but get the CANCERS OUT OF THE LOCKER ROOM. He talked about a turnover of 33 players. Don't stop there if you need to. If we are being honest, there were a lot of players who did not 'buy in'. That's fine, let them find greener pastures in the portal.

Step #5

We are concerned about reports that Sark does not do a good job of connecting with players. We are strong believers that coaches need to be authentic. If you are a yeller, don't try to be a "nice guy" or vice versa, players see through it. You go with your style but it doesn't mean you can't make your style better.

 

[Eastexhorn]

Great as usual. On the 25 commits Sark says 33 I count 32 but he should know better than me.

z20 now commited so leaves 13 more. OL And DB needed most

TE is a big weapon for some teams who know how to utelize them