I hate to say this, but I think Arch just was in his own head. He just didn’t look right for about 75% of the game. I am not sure you can take much from this game other than that. He let the pressure get to him
Such an ugly game on offense. Manning looking nervous for 3Q. Texas skill players looking exceptionally jaggy. I can’t imagine many people were in the mood to even mess with CTJ
This.. I think Arch was just in his own head and we won’t see him look like that again.
Concerns:
1. I think Arch will be fine, but when you look like that for 3Q, you have to have a concern
2. WRs got handled. Not much separation
3. RBs get what the OL blocks and that is pretty much it. Lacking any play making there
Positive:
1. OL looked pretty solid on initial watch
2. Defense was good
3. Littleton is going to be a star
21 was really good for Texas under Sark. Babers is always talking about how effective it has been. He has probably under-used it historically based on the numbers. Last year it was D.O.A due to depth, but it is an interesting point that it could come back. Nibblet on the RB depth chart might be a hint you have a pt. There is not a LB in the country that can run with that guy. Clark has supposedly look great in the pass game. I not sure where Baxter is health-wise (70%, 80%, 90%0, but I am sure he can block and get some tough yards up the middle. That makes 21 dangerous pairing him with some guys that can do damage in space.
Martindale struggled early in the season. Michigan fans said “3rd and Wink”. He did adjust and lot of that was pairing down the playbook, especially the complex blitzes
Goosby did struggle in run blocking, but he had the off-season to improve on it. He also started vs A&M and Georgia, so his intro was vs NFL draft picks. That also makes his 0 sacks and 1 QB hit that much more impressive.
Agree on importance.
There is a bit of a difference there. You put your best pass protector at LT and hope he is a competent run blocker. Pass pro is the biggest responsibility of the position. Usually your best run blockers at Guard and hope they are competent pass protectors. Though Sark and Flood do not agree. They seem to be pass protectors first across the OL
This what I have been hoping to hear from OSU side. This is usually the mistake NFL coaches make coming to college. They over-complicate defenses and end up having a defense prone ot coverage busts.
its more the back end and philosophy. It was a modification to his fly over defense from OSU. We shall see what they run. Knowles feuded with the staff last year and eventually won out. I am not sure that happens this year, as Patricia is not going to have the same level of belief in the system as Knowles. We will find out on Saturday
Just going to put this here because it surprised me. PFF run grades for the Edges last year:
Sorrell: 72.4
Burke: 57.6
Moore: 57.9
Simmons: 73.4
I would have never guess Simmons would have a better run grade than Sorrell. Even if you dont have 100% faith in PFF, it makes you think twice about how good Simmons was last year.
Well this time last year if you told hte board Collins and Broughton were the starters, nobody would have expected a good run defense (especially in Broughton's case). Brevard and Shaw can anchor better than either, I doubt they are as disruptive but good luck moving them. You expect Hill and Lefau to improve in the run game. Hill improved dramatically in this regard from Freshman to Soph year. Liked Makuba and he was not afraid to come down and make a tackle, but Williams and McDonald will match that and then some (much bigger players). McDonald was one of the surest tacklers on the team last year. That is the bullish case for the run defense.
Just going to state the obvious on Stroh. He could not see his toes when he came to the 40. Believe he has lost 25- 30 pounds since he arrived and is still a very large human being. This is just a guy that transformed his body and is probably moving better as a result. He is probably looking better than his HS film, but hard to know where that puts him today.
Some of my keys for Texas
1. Have to stop the run with honest boxes. It is a death sentence to have to bring down a safety vs OSU.
2. Need to have an efficient run game. Texas doesnt have to run for 200 yards but they need to average around 4 yards a carry. Do enough to keep OSU defense honest. Not expecting Texas dominate the LOS on offense.
3. Sark needs to adjust. Sark hates playing "junk" defenses. He likes to know the rules of defense and take advantage of them (his words). Not sure what Patricia will run and he has had all offseason to work on this game plan. Possible he does not run what Sark expects. Can Sark adjust?
100% on this. Clark could be the X factor in this season, if the practice reports are accurate. On the macro level, just having 3 RBs the staff trust will improve the room from 2024.
I actually think OSU has a better TE room. Probably a slight edge at the starting position. OSU has a better mix. They have some solid back-ups that can block well. Texas depth is a complete mystery. I like the room and the talent level, but its pretty young. Blocking is going to be a major question mark