GoldAppleCorps

I understand the player was scheduled for an MRI yesterday. I'm guessing, by the statement, that it didn't show a complete tear or anything that definitive. As such, he's not immediately ruled out on Monday. It's like having a "high ankle sprain", being in a boot, and not bearing weight. Since you didn't break your tibia, you could technically be able to participate at the end of the week. I'm guessing he'll be listed as "questionable" in the first injury report, and "doubtful" in the second. Not really "gamesmanship" since the coach would be criticized if he ruled the Lagway out, then he made a recovery and could play - which is still a possibility. I have no actual knowledge of his status.

During the 3Q/4Q changeover, when we do the drone show, there was a baton twirler in the North end zone with fire batons. That's usually where there's a smoke pot. Could either be a flammability issue with the pyro, or a wish not to obstruct the lady throwing fire in the air. Just my guess.

Every game is a battle in the trenches. As much as I love Sark's magic, Kyle Flood is the guy that changed everything at Texas. I try not to think of all the talented players we wasted over the years when the OL couldn't give them a chance. We cost a lot of kids serious NFL money with our ineptitude. On the flip side, even though the sample size is small, I haven't seen a Texas player quicker than Colin Simmons since Brian Orakpo. Any of our other Edge transfers would be All-Star, except Simmons is making them look pedestrian. The defense can play pass defense in crazy ways when they know the QB will be on the ground within a (vanishingly small) amount of time.

You can attack physical, pressing DBs by moving off the LOS. Using "bunch" formations where only 1 receiver is actually on the LOS and the rest have to get sorted out at the snap is one way of staying out of physical battles. Pre-snap motion also makes those defenders declare who they're playing. Of course, there's always the risk that you lose your "jam" at the LOS. Best thing to do when that happens is to fade forward and pretend like your coverage assignment was the flat. Turning and chasing just means you're going to be out of breath when you hear the band play "Texas Fight".

The ball is not round. It bounces funny. All else being equal, God fights on the side with the best OL.

So what I'm seeing in those stats is that they've got a salty defense - unless you decide to throw the football. I'm not going back and re-watching a ton of Sooner tape, but against the competition they've faced (not saying ours is a ton better), that defense is usually the result of just sending a gazillion guys through the gaps and trying to get the QB on the ground as quickly as possible. Think "7 Breckyn Hagers in the box" style. It'll cause panic and turnovers against lesser mortals. Playing a Sark designed offense, it means the phrase "coverage bust" will be worn out by halftime.

I like this first game with Pochi as the new coach. Panama is exactly the sort of head pounding challenge that's always frustrated me. You know going into the match that they're going to play 9 behind the ball and foul hard every chance they get. You know CONCACAF is going to allow it. Now how do you tactically solve it? This is where the USMNT leaks points. Panama will play for the draw from the outset. Skill-wise, they should be overwhelmed. Beating the big dog(s) is great and all, but when we draw against Panama, Honduras, or Guatemala, the loss of points is crippling.

I think a lot of our "doubtful/questionable" injuries are "hey, its MSST this week and a bye next week. If you're sore, sit out and rest. The season begins in October!".

ULM's basic strategy is to run the ball, waste as much time as possible between plays, and hope for a turnover or two (they've gotten more than their fair share this season thus far). If you figure 70% of Texas possessions end up as TDs, and Texas gets 10 in a game, that's 70 points. They're hoping to chop that down to 6 total possessions, have a couple of those end in turnovers, and win the game 24-20. That's the plan, anyhow. I'll just be the arrogant Texas fan. One school has a carefully curated coaching staff picked from the national elite. They've recruited, retained and transferred in top talent players. They maintain single digit rankings with eyes on winning it all. The other school is ULM who was paid to fill a hole in the schedule.

I'm particularly glad that these lovely children were here today to hear that speech. Not only was it authentic message board gibberish, it expressed a courage little seen in this day and age.

If your kids didn't get enough lunch, you can always stop at the Island's fudge shoppes.

From the articles, it seems Poch has some unresolved contractual matters with Chelsea pending. I'm guessing it's unlikely he'd officially put pen to paper for another contract before those matters are settled.

This gruntles me greatly. I've believed that the US has the problem of (a) working to get their players into European leagues to develop their skills at the highest level then (b) returning them to tournament competition in CONCACAF where games are played and officiated more like rec-league city park matches. A successful US manager will have to have a foot in both worlds. This is almost certainly the best name we could hope for.

There's getting comfortable, and there's also strategery. If I'm playing an up-tempo, pass first team, I want one of my DBs to have the comm. The call gets to him first, and he sends it to the back end as quickly as possible. If I'm playing a power team, a LB should have it. Obviously getting the correct call to the DL and LB groups is paramount then. Likely, they'll change it up within the game depending on the situation.