Game Week Thread Week 3, 2024: UTSA @ Texas

[Brandywine 1316]

For those in the know: With the directv ESPN situation, what are my options to see the game? I have the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle but not sure if that will allow me to watch it. Thanks in advance!

[QuesoEspecial 255]

Download YouTube tv for the free trial and enjoy on ESPN

[mwaadeeb 1209]

22 minutes ago, Brandywine said:

For those in the know: With the directv ESPN situation, what are my options to see the game? I have the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle but not sure if that will allow me to watch it. Thanks in advance!

HULU live is where it's at. A little pricey though.

[texifornia 56866]

12 minutes ago, QuesoEspecial said:

Download YouTube tv for the free trial and enjoy on ESPN

This. I don't know why anyone uses anything else for traditional TV.

[BurntOrange&White 39930]

Just now, texifornia said:

This. I don't know why anyone uses anything else for traditional TV.

Honestly why are people still with DirectTV or DishNetwork in 2024? The only exceptions would be if you live in rural areas that don't have really good broadband service providers.

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

Again, there is a difference between DStream and Directv

[South Austin 52454]

The reprieve from the Blastfurnace last weekend was nice, but we’re back up to the upper 90s on Saturday. Gonna be a scorcher at kickoff. Be sure to drink plenty of Coors Light.

[Doc Daneeka 6769]

7 minutes ago, BurntOrange&White said:

Honestly why are people still with DirectTV or DishNetwork in 2024? The only exceptions would be if you live in rural areas that don't have really good broadband service providers.

In my experience, because they’re old, watch almost exclusively linear tv, and like to be able to tune to channels with numbers they know rather than scroll a guide. 

[GreenspointTexas 9598]

Yeah def gonna be hotter this weekend than 2 weeks ago. 95 at kickoff vs 91 in early sept

[ztejas 43411]

8 hours ago, Tex48 said:

I typically call my Ubers to the game to the Snarfs north of the stadium. I typically don’t get hit with the gameday surcharge and it’s typically the closest point I can get dropped off at anyway

Yeah that would be my default rec.

Or walking across IH35 to get picked up east of campus. 

[Horn75 193]

9 hours ago, Tex48 said:

I typically call my Ubers to the game to the Snarfs north of the stadium. I typically don’t get hit with the gameday surcharge and it’s typically the closest point I can get dropped off at anyway

Thank you. Snarfs?

[Biff Tannen 45665]

5 minutes ago, Horn75 said:

Thank you. Snarfs?

[MIkeHoncho 1908]

1 hour ago, mwaadeeb said:

HULU live is where it's at. A little pricey though.

Has HULU gotten split screen yet?  I had to move to YouTubeTV for the multi-view during football season. 

[txduck87 985]

In my experience, because they’re old, watch almost exclusively linear tv, and like to be able to tune to channels with numbers they know rather than scroll a guide. 

Hey, get off my back. It’s comforting knowing espn is on 633 and the weather channel is 627 man.

[Doc Daneeka 6769]

Just now, txduck87 said:

Hey, get off my back. It’s comforting knowing espn is on 633 and the weather channel is 627 man.

I’d much, much rather be able to tune to a number than scroll. It’s not even close. Even if I had to use an app as a remote. Not enough to go back to DirecTV, but, man, if I could use a remote app for YTTV to customize and use channel numbers, I’d be all over it. 

[VinyVango 684]

Are there any players for the Roadrunners who could compete for a starting job or get 25+ snaps a game with the Horns?

[Frank Drebin 5660]

19 minutes ago, VinyVango said:

Are there any players for the Roadrunners who could compete for a starting job or get 25+ snaps a game with the Horns?

There was last year.

[Jiggy-Z 3432]

2 hours ago, South Austin said:

The reprieve from the Blastfurnace last weekend was nice, but we’re back up to the upper 90s on Saturday. Gonna be a scorcher at kickoff. Be sure to drink plenty of Coors Light.

Gonna need something stronger than Coors Light, but with thirst quenching and hydrating properties, so I suggest water.

[TotallyLegit 3053]

19 minutes ago, Jiggy-Z said:

Gonna need something stronger than Coors Light, but with thirst quenching and hydrating properties, so I suggest water.

Just make sure you cover your whole hand and maybe some of your forearm with salt before each tequila shot.

[Tex48 840]

2 hours ago, Horn75 said:

Thank you. Snarfs?

It’s a Sandwich place on Dean Keaton. Closest point to north side of stadium and surly tailgate.

[Longhornlove 4809]

3 hours ago, Brandywine said:

For those in the know: With the directv ESPN situation, what are my options to see the game? I have the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle but not sure if that will allow me to watch it. Thanks in advance!

Someone will be streaming it on YouTube if you don't want to switch providers and prefer to let crooked corporations duke it out. I was at a sports bar last Sat and people wanted to watch Alabama. They couldn't get it because they have direct TV. I asked for the TV remote and opened the YouTube App(not Youtube TV) and searched college football, popped up and played it. Watched the whole game with no issues.

[Hookem2147 21199]

1 hour ago, VinyVango said:

Are there any players for the Roadrunners who could compete for a starting job or get 25+ snaps a game with the Horns?

He wouldn't this year for Texas, but their #1 WR Devin McCuin is good. Was a stud in HS coming out of east Texas and caught 42 passes for over 500 yards as a freshman last year. Really, really fast. Maybe he'll portal up after this season.

 

[mwaadeeb 1209]

2 hours ago, MIkeHoncho said:

Has HULU gotten split screen yet?  I had to move to YouTubeTV for the multi-view during football season. 

No, which is a strike against it. But we dig having HULU and ESPN+ and Disney too. 

[Bert Orange 1120]

Texas dismantled a “vaunted” Michigan defense. Meanwhile Texas freaking St punched UTSA in the dick, who has NO running game, and held their starting QB to 100 yards passing. 
 

And we are favored by 35 points (implying a 45-10 score). What the fuck am I missing?

Edited September 12 by Bert Orange

[Doc Daneeka 6769]

6 minutes ago, Bert Orange said:

Texas dismantled a “vaunted” Michigan defense. Meanwhile Texas freaking St punched UTSA in the dick, who has NO running game, and held their starting QB to 100 yards passing. 
 

And we are favored by 35 points (implying a 45-10 score). What the fuck am I missing?

Letdown game, more backup playing time, and Sarkisian’s lack of desire to run up the score, imo. 

[Bert Orange 1120]

2 minutes ago, Doc Daneeka said:

Letdown game, more backup playing time, and Sarkisian’s lack of desire to run up the score, imo. 

I can see arch and our second string playing a full half. And yet still put up 35 points. 

[Magus Ossis 2797]

I don't have the data, but there is probably some metric that shows blowouts past a certain margin are extremely rare, and I suspect that affects lines for teams that have not yet made a habit of proving themselves to be an obvious exception.

[Doc Daneeka 6769]

2 minutes ago, Bert Orange said:

I can see arch and our second string playing a full half. And yet still put up 35 points. 

Well, here’s your chance to make a lot of money, then. 

[Rimbo 25911]

5 hours ago, texifornia said:

This. I don't know why anyone uses anything else for traditional TV.

I use YouTube TV, but since it's almost entirely for sports, Fubo is something I'll always consider.

YouTube's 4k option is expensive and shit, but the unlimited DVR and ability to watch 4 channels at a time on Mobile (and even more on my PC... as many windows as I can fit on both screens) are fantastic.

Seriously: YTTV's DVR is as big of a quality of life improvement over regular DVR as regular DVR is over DVR-less. You just click "record all football games" and bam.

Edited September 12 by Rimbo

[Hookem2147 21199]

25 minutes ago, Bert Orange said:

Texas dismantled a “vaunted” Michigan defense. Meanwhile Texas freaking St punched UTSA in the dick, who has NO running game, and held their starting QB to 100 yards passing. 
 

And we are favored by 35 points (implying a 45-10 score). What the fuck am I missing?

Vegas doesn't do the transitive property. We lost to OSU in 2022, and the next week, OSU lost to Kansas State 48-0; then we were somehow favored against K-State the following week, so surely that line was off, right?? 

We covered. Vegas usually knows what they are doing.

-35 is pretty much right where the Colorado State line closed, and I would guess that UTSA is rated higher than CSU in most places, so the fact the lines are identical shows Vegas, at the very least, has upgraded Texas several notches the first two weeks of the season.

Edited September 12 by Hookem2147

[jdhorn92 1545]

6 hours ago, Brandywine said:

For those in the know: With the directv ESPN situation, what are my options to see the game? I have the Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle but not sure if that will allow me to watch it. Thanks in advance!

Cant speak for DTV but on Uverse on my screen where espn is supposed to be, there is a barcode to scan.  From there you have 2 options, FUBO or Sling.  They are giving $30 -$40 "credit" on the bill to offset the charge for either one of those subs until the rich men from Richmond bet richer.

[JBJ 3654]

The ABC/ESPN family hasn't been shutting YouTube streams down this year.  Fox family has; CBS did last year.  Haven't ever tried a NBC/Peacock game.

[Hookem2147 21199]

Michigan OL Deep Dig from Dunlap on OB

Spoiler

Skill Player Snap Counts and Game-by-Game Percentages of Offensive Snaps (Through Week 2)


***please note that exact snap-count numbers may differ from other sources at times, as the Deep Dig does not count plays as offensive player snaps that are blown dead due to penalty, punts, extra points, field goals, spiked balls, victory formations, kneel-downs, etc.***

Personnel-Grouping Frequency Overall and by Game (Through Week 2)


Tight End Total Snap Counts and Alignment Data (Through Week 2)


Team Target Share By Week (Through Week 2)


Deep Dig OL Grading Scale (each snap by each player is graded as its own independent event)


OL Grades (Michigan)

LT Kelvin Banks - 64 snaps
No disruption allowed
1 knockdown
DEEP DIG GRADE: 82.41

LG/C Hayden Conner - 64 snaps
1 TFL allowed
1 knockdown
DEEP DIG GRADE: 78.13

C Jake Majors - 64 snaps
2 run-stuffs, 1 pressure allowed
1 knockdown
DEEP DIG GRADE: 78.28

RG DJ Campbell - 41 snaps
No disruption allowed
1 knockdown, 1 pin
DEEP DIG GRADE: 82.34

RG Cole Hutson - 23 snaps
1 QB hit, 1 pressure allowed
DEEP DIG GRADE: 76.3

RT Cam Williams - 64 snaps
3 false-start penalties, 1 holding penalty
1 knockdown, 1 pin
DEEP DIG GRADE: 79.53


OL Grades by Week (Through Week 2)


OL Snaps-per-Disruption Allowed (Through Week 2)


OL Snaps-per-Disruption Allowed BY WEEK - Through Season (Through Week 2)


2024 OL Snaps-per-Disruption Allowed Versus Historical Precedent (Through Week 2)



QUICK FINAL THOUGHTS

- DJ Campbell put the much ballyhooed Kenneth Grant on his back twice, but he's still the only Texas OL who has someone rotating in with him. Cole Hutson once again played a decent number of snaps in this game which gives the idea that Campbell (or Hutson) might be doing something in practice or in the meeting rooms that leads the staff to believe this is their best bet: to platoon the right guard spot. However, the on-field results in this game heavily favored Campbell as you can see.

- One dweller of our dark basement asked this week if we could calculate what Cam Williams' grade would be if he did not commit the penalties, as he said he thought they came from the jitters and not indicative of future performance. To answer that question, Williams' grade if we wiped those four plays from the universe would have been 82.17. It would have been the first game in Deep Dig history with three players in the same game scoring in the 80s, but that is indeed another universe as the grade will stand with the penalties included.

- We did not count the cockamamie offsetting penalties for the players protection Quinn Ewers when the refs didn't want to do their own jobs. Pure, shameful poppycock.

- Jake Majors won SEC co-offensive lineman of the week and it's easy to see the logic in that, but he did not play at his tip-top level versus Michigan. He did play very well, though, and as mentioned, we understand the sentiment. He's the QB of the Texas offensive line and right in the thick middle of two truly tough players to face in Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant and neither player was allowed to have a sizable impact on the football game, much less take it over.

- Every member of the starting offensive line had at least one knockdown and/or pin block in this game. We can't remember the last time that happened, but it surely isn't a common occurrence. To have this happen versus such a vaunted defensive front has to be a little telling. Texas came to play on the offensive line and were not intimidated. That was made even more obvious on the play where they rushed to defend Ewers on the egregious no-call when he gave himself up in the backfield on a miscommunication down in the red zone. As a side note: Twice down at the goal line, runners ran to the wrong side of where Ewers was presenting the football. Sark constantly talked about eliminating self-inflicted injuries in the red zone, and Texas was lucky in this game that a few of those hiccups didn't come back to bite them.

- Additional runs in the man/power/gap/counter scheme were helpful when the running game sputtered. This was also true of runs that flowed like outside zones but included and pin-and-pull wrinkle. This often gave the uncovered blockers easier down-block angles on the talented interior DLs of Michigan and, as you'll as evidenced in the clip below (Thanks again to @Nash Talks Texas for the great Youtube cut-ups), the line as a whole was awfully good with their open-field targeting and leverage in space and at the second level when on the move as pullers.



- Is Gunnar Helm a more impactful tight end than Ja'Tavion Sanders? Because man, does that guy look awesome and we can't say we really saw it coming. We really hadn't had any glimpses of the absolute dog this guy has been in the past due to his usage primarily as a No.2 TE who only really played inline as a blocker. He still spends most of his time as an attached TE, but based on the first two games, he is absolutely a complete TE prospect and one who may be rounding his way into Day 2 NFL draft potential due to his dynamism in the receiving game. (Again, words we -- shamefully -- never thought we would write).

If we're just talking about a 12-game regular season, Helm is on pace to catch 54 passes for 840 yards and 6 receiving TDs.

In just the regular season!

That would blow Sanders' 2023 out of the water. Heck, in 14 games last year (not 12), Adonai Mitchell went for 55 receptions, 845 yards and 11 TDs. Helm is on pace (and again it's only been two games, but it has to mean something) to have a better season at Texas than Jermichael Finley ever did (by far), better than David Thomas ever had (best season was 2005 where he went 50/613/5), Well over double Bo Scaife's best season yardage-wise, better than Keith Cash in 1990 (33/605/6), and going back much further than that, we really don't see anything that pops up. Coming to this realization is like a bolt of lightning to the old ticker. Helm will go historically big if he comes closes to keeping this up.

- Speaking of TEs, Amari Niblack is sort of on the milk carton. He has to still be adjusting to the system after coming in with such hype, but we did make note of his first rep of the game (at the H back to the top of the screen). We saw some similar struggles to this out of JT Sanders last season as far as being an inconsistent blocker, and another reason that Helm (and to some degree Davis) have been nice surprises is because this sort of effort from the TE position really jumped off the screen when it happened as opposed to being a more common occurrence.

 

Edited September 12 by Hookem2147

[Park Gothic 5016]

19 minutes ago, Hookem2147 said:

- We did not count the cockamamie offsetting penalties for the players protection Quinn Ewers when the refs didn't want to do their own jobs. Pure, shameful poppycock.
 

Edited September 12 by Park Gothic

[Hank_Hill 18793]

12 hours ago, Coelenterate Fuccboi said:

 

Squinter*

[Slacks 6819]

"In Austin, they are eating the Roadrunners. I've seen it on TV."

[Hookem2147 21199]

Team notes from IT

Spoiler

There’s plenty to get to this morning so let’s cut to the chase.

This team seems very business-like. Where does that come from:

Everyone is so hungry and wanted to make a statement. Everybody on the team. Coaches are hungry, Quinn Ewers is super hungry, you can see it in his emotions. He only got like that versus Bama. They want to prove themselves right, prove others wrong, and make up for coming up short last year.

A lot of guys are on the cusp of getting drafted. It’s a money year for them: Barryn Sorrell, Vernon Broughton, David Gbenda. They saw last year if your team wins people get drafted.

The amount of white hats around the ball really makes a difference. Everybody was getting after it. Both sides of the ball were challenged by how tough Michigan was and wanted to show they’re just as tough.

What was it like in the program after the win?

Excitement, dancing, having fun, but it was a lot different than Bama. Last year they acted like they won the national championship after the game, this time they knew they were going to win, they expected it. 

Yesterday I wrote the DB’s are balling and might be the best position group. What are contributing factors to improvement? 

Leadership between Jahdae Barron and Michael Taaffe. Taaffe drives the boat and gets everyone in line but they gravitate to Jahdae. Taaffe is like the coach, Jahdae is the one creating handshakes. He’ll celebrate with you. There wasn’t really a clear leader last year despite having some respected guys.

The personnel are simply improved and experienced. It’s Year 4 in the program for the coaches and a couple players. The playbook has slowed down, it’s not their first year. Malik Muhammad was always a smart guy but now it’s Year 2 in the system. Derek Williams, Year 2. Jahdae, Year 4. Taaffe, Year 4. 

Johnny Nansen has helped a lot on run fits, marrying run fits and pass fits. They’re not running two separate defenses. 

Which players are grading the best through two weeks?

Quinn Ewers, Gunnar Helm, Matthew Golden, Vernon Broughton, Jahdae Barron, Jaylon Guilbeau. 

What has been Ewers’ biggest improvement?

It’s what many have noticed, his pocket presence and confidence. He threw a no-look pass in Week 1! Everyone has known he can put the ball anywhere on the field since he was a freshman in high school but now he’s doing it in college because of how he operates in the pocket.

How was practice this week? 

They had some slow starts but people are still locked in. The defense was probably better. Sark got upset a few times. Offense could have been better but I still expect a big game from them against UTSA.  

Any potential breakout players in the next three games?

Trey Moore is going against guys he knows well this week. You never know, there are so many options. DeAndre Moore is playing Jordan Whittington‘s position and that doesn’t get the ball as much as the other receives but he’s due. 

In a video earlier in the week it was noticed there was a picture of Freddie Steinmark on the door as the players entered the tunnel.

Freddie Steinmark is on the wall in the tunnel at home. They put their horns up on the poster in DKR just to remember what he did, what he stood for, and how he passed away. Keeping his memory alive and they never want to switch up any routines they don’t have to. 

 

[brojangles2 786]

I can't get excited for the next two weeks, no matter how hard I try. I am very ho-hum and even considering staying the fuck home, which is wild for me. I am 4 hours away and have missed less than 5 home games since around 2012. Maybe things change once the work week is wrapped up and beers flow. 

[South Austin 52454]

3 minutes ago, brojangles2 said:

I can't get excited for the next two weeks, no matter how hard I try. I am very ho-hum and even considering staying the fuck home, which is wild for me. I am 4 hours away and have missed less than 5 home games since around 2012. Maybe things change once the work week is wrapped up and beers flow. 

[texifornia 56866]

5 minutes ago, brojangles2 said:

I can't get excited for the next two weeks, no matter how hard I try. I am very ho-hum and even considering staying the fuck home, which is wild for me. I am 4 hours away and have missed less than 5 home games since around 2012. Maybe things change once the work week is wrapped up and beers flow. 

You've missed 4 home games since 2012 and THIS is the season you're like "eh, can't be bothered"?

[brojangles2 786]

1 minute ago, South Austin said:

80% of us will be going through the motions the next two weeks. You are not going to convince me otherwise. 

[The Ace of Aces 5175]

4 minutes ago, brojangles2 said:

I can't get excited for the next two weeks, no matter how hard I try. I am very ho-hum and even considering staying the fuck home, which is wild for me. I am 4 hours away and have missed less than 5 home games since around 2012. Maybe things change once the work week is wrapped up and beers flow. 

This is the best Texas team since 2009. They have a very real chance at winning a national title. They’re fast, hit hard, disciplined and play for each other. 

If that doesn’t excite you, check your heart to see if it’s still beating. 

[South Austin 52454]

1 minute ago, brojangles2 said:

80% of us will be going through the motions the next two weeks. You are not going to convince me otherwise. 

[Biff Tannen 45665]

6 minutes ago, brojangles2 said:

I can't get excited for the next two weeks, no matter how hard I try. I am very ho-hum and even considering staying the fuck home, which is wild for me. I am 4 hours away and have missed less than 5 home games since around 2012. Maybe things change once the work week is wrapped up and beers flow. 

Dude.  I went to every home game in 2005.  We won the title and it felt amazing to have been with the team at every one of them.  It's a body of work at the end of the season that you contributed to as a fan.  You will regret it if you don't go.

[Doc Daneeka 6769]

7 minutes ago, brojangles2 said:

I can't get excited for the next two weeks, no matter how hard I try. I am very ho-hum and even considering staying the fuck home, which is wild for me. I am 4 hours away and have missed less than 5 home games since around 2012. Maybe things change once the work week is wrapped up and beers flow. 

Sure, why keep going when things are finally rounding into shape, right?

[brojangles2 786]

Just now, texifornia said:

You've missed 4 home games since 2012 and THIS is the season you're like "eh, can't be bothered"?

I can't do much about the time frame, amigo. I walked the stage in 2009 and this is simply what I've been dealt. I understand the sentiment though and understand the joke. If I wanted to watch ULM and UTSA I could just go to a Lamar game 10 mins from my driveway. Its a chore, as many many others have been. 

[brojangles2 786]

7 minutes ago, The Ace of Aces said:

This is the best Texas team since 2009. They have a very real chance at winning a national title. They’re fast, hit hard, disciplined and play for each other. 

If that doesn’t excite you, check your heart to see if it’s still beating. 

They still do every one of those things on a TV broadcast while I sit on my ass waiting for conf play. 

[South Austin 52454]

4 minutes ago, brojangles2 said:

If I wanted to watch ULM and UTSA I could just go to a Lamar game 10 mins from my driveway. 

You're not helping your position. 

Look, four hours away is a factor.  I get it if you don't want to make the trip to see the Horns live.  But to say you "can't get excited for the next two weeks" and "you're very ho-hum"?  What the fuck, dude?  

In the 2005 season I was pumped for every game, including UL-Laf and Rice.  

In 2009, same, and wasn't in any way "ho-hum" for games like ULM and UTEP.

Last year after we beat Alabama and looked to have a special team that might make a run, I was all in for Wyoming.

We're not expecting you to be glued to your TV every minute for the next two games, right up until the clock expires in the fourth quarter.  But can you at least bring some medium-sized dick energy to the table?  It's the mother-fucking Longhorns coming off a mother-fucking playoff appearance looking to make the mother-fucking playoffs again with a legit mother-fucking Heisman candidate!

[texifornia 56866]

 

[brojangles2 786]

4 minutes ago, South Austin said:

You're not helping your position. 

Look, four hours away is a factor.  I get it if you don't want to make the trip to see the Horns live.  But to say you "can't get excited for the next two weeks" and "you're very ho-hum"?  What the fuck, dude?  

In the 2005 season I was pumped for every game, including UL-Laf and Rice.  

In 2009, same, and wasn't in any way "ho-hum" for games like ULM and UTEP.

Last year after we beat Alabama and looked to have a special team that might make a run, I was all in for Wyoming.

We're not expecting you to be glued to your TV every minute for the next two games, right up until the clock expires in the fourth quarter.  But can you at least bring some medium-sized dick energy to the table?  It's the mother-fucking Longhorns coming off a mother-fucking playoff appearance looking to make the mother-fucking playoffs again with a legit mother-fucking Heisman candidate!

Cool. I attended Wyoming and Washington. Been there plenty. I just don't give a fuck about these streaks or blue ribbons of fandom anymore. Its a chore and there's plenty to be excited about come 9/28. Ultimately, there is no consequence either way, internet stranger.