OTF Premium 3 Stars of the Game vs. Tennessee | Monday 9:25 a.m.

[Here for the Wins]

3 minutes ago, watty7796 said:

Anyone doubting the difference between a PK defense and a Muschamp defense.  This is the difference between a good coach and a championship caliber coach.  Puts his guys in a position to win....consistently. 

Do you remember two years ago at A&M?  You know a team, a program full of piss and vinegar.   Do you remember how many offensive points they mustered?

You were probably salivating over yourself that Muschamp that was going to relentlessly bring the house.  We didn’t.  We played a lot of coverage.

This is a more talented, more experienced defense too as compared to last year.  No significant injuries yet.

3rd and 12.  The corners 7 yards off.  Last year, PK, you’re a moron playing 15 yards off.  This year Muschamp you’re a genius.  And just for photo evidence of us playing off see below.  This was Ohio State, and pretty certain we did it the other day too.
 

I am pushing back because of the needless comparison.  But some of the fallacy too.

 

[Clifton]

Just now, Drew Saenz said:

Who have I personally insulted?

Did I say you insulted someone?

[Drew Saenz]

5 minutes ago, Q said:

Yeah I wasn’t talking to you directly. But I’ve never heard of money making a person less dumb or helping them learn from mistakes. 

Based on your logic people shouldn’t make mistakes at work either since they are getting paid. Why have an HR department then??? Because humans make mistakes lol. 

My logic is the consequence should be according to the level of transgression. 
The money is about the level of accountability you should be held to when entrusted with your role. Colin is at the very top. Doesn’t get a pass bc of a couple extra negative plays.

Just my opinion. 

[Alex Butler]

16 minutes ago, MBHORNSFAN said:

 

I am sure Boom  and Sark handled behind the scenes... Fans do not need to know... 

Agree! These guys also get to see a leader make a mistake, take ownership, and hold themselves and others to a higher standard. When that happens it’ll be a big positive step for this whole team. Mistakes happen it’s how we respond that show our true character. 

[f1revo]

8 minutes ago, Here for the Wins said:

Do you remember two years ago at A&M?  You know a team, a program full of piss and vinegar.   Do you remember how many offensive points they mustered?

You were probably salivating over yourself that Muschamp that was going to relentlessly bring the house.  We didn’t.  We played a lot of coverage.

This is a more talented, more experienced defense too as compared to last year.  No significant injuries yet.

3rd and 12.  The corners 7 yards off.  Last year, PK, you’re a moron playing 15 yards off.  This year Muschamp you’re a genius.  And just for photo evidence of us playing off see below.  This was Ohio State, and pretty certain we did it the other day too.
 

I am pushing back because of the needless comparison.  But some of the fallacy too.

 

This is 3rd and 18 in high red area and likely taking a shot at the end zone. We were playing 10 yards off on 3rd and 6 last year in between the 20s just giving up easy underneath completions. We played super soft coverage nearly all the time.

[Drew Saenz]

2 hours ago, MBHORNSFAN said:

Obviously someone incapable of making valid arguments. Won’t get personal attacks from me. I’ll see ya at the tailgate! Haha

[Q]

Just now, Drew Saenz said:

My logic is the consequence should be according to the level of transgression. 
The money is about the level of accountability you should be held to when entrusted with your role. Colin is at the very top. Doesn’t get a pass bc of a couple extra negative plays.

Just my opinion. 

The pass comes from your everyday regular actions and how you show up everyday to the coaches. F the negative plays. All we have seen is charity work and funny quotes from him before Saturday. I think a 1 off can be handled behind closed doors. 

But we are all free to our own opinions. This will be my last comment on it. 
 

To the less disgruntled UT fans. Feels good to be undefeated 🤘🏿🤘🏿🤘🏿. I thought we would have 1 L already. Happy to be wrong. 

[f1revo]

7 minutes ago, Alex Butler said:

Agree! These guys also get to see a leader make a mistake, take ownership, and hold themselves and others to a higher standard. When that happens it’ll be a big positive step for this whole team. Mistakes happen it’s how we respond that show our true character. 

The taking ownership piece simply isn't occuring though. Really trying to drive that stake through because the apology was a non-apology and little more than a punt of being "emotional", echoed by the head coach of the football program. Now he's chiding former players on social media who are rightfully put off by the trashy antics. It starts at the top.

[Here for the Wins]

7 minutes ago, f1revo said:

This is 3rd and 18 in high red area and likely taking a shot at the end zone. We were playing 10 yards off on 3rd and 6 last year in between the 20s just giving up easy underneath completions. We played super soft coverage nearly all the time.

No.  I’d guess we almost never played 10 yards off on 3rd and 6.

Only two teams in top 10 3rd down defense two of the past three years - Texas, Utah.  Only 1 in top 25 all 3 years - Texas.

The numbers say otherwise.

 

[Drew Saenz]

6 minutes ago, f1revo said:

The taking ownership piece simply isn't occuring though. Really trying to drive that stake through because the apology was a non-apology and little more than a punt of being "emotional", echoed by the head coach of the football program. Now he's chiding former players on social media who are rightfully put off by the trashy antics. It starts at the top.

Exactly. Seems like we’re in the minority. I’ll go back to my original response to CJ – he should not be heralded right now.

[MBHORNSFAN]

ou sucks...

 

focus gentlemen

[watty7796]

46 minutes ago, Here for the Wins said:

Do you remember two years ago at A&M?  You know a team, a program full of piss and vinegar.   Do you remember how many offensive points they mustered?

You were probably salivating over yourself that Muschamp that was going to relentlessly bring the house.  We didn’t.  We played a lot of coverage.

This is a more talented, more experienced defense too as compared to last year.  No significant injuries yet.

3rd and 12.  The corners 7 yards off.  Last year, PK, you’re a moron playing 15 yards off.  This year Muschamp you’re a genius.  And just for photo evidence of us playing off see below.  This was Ohio State, and pretty certain we did it the other day too.
 

I am pushing back because of the needless comparison.  But some of the fallacy too.

 

A more talented team?? Makuba Barron Murphy Sweat Coburn Ojomo Hill Moore..any of those guys ring a bell??? Your photo evidence is on a prevent defense...nice try though.  PK rarely if ever played man press.  Agreed that Muschamp does not always do it, but he does in spots that gives Texas an advantage.  PK defenses were littered with some pretty darn good players.  Guys like Simmons and Hill were constantly being dropped into coverage.  Blitz rate PK was below 40% every year except 2025 where he was at exactly 40.  Muschamp  over 40% every game with the exception of Tennessee where a manufacted blitz was not needed.  Average plays per game PK just shy of 70 Muschamp 64.  That means your offense is getting the ball quicker and defense is not getting burnt up.  Havoc rate has increased 3 and outs have increased.  Early in the season but the stats dont lie.

Edited 5 hours ago by watty7796
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[MBHORNSFAN]

 

 

 

Edited 5 hours ago by MBHORNSFAN

[JMarquette]

21 minutes ago, MBHORNSFAN said:

ou sucks...

 

focus gentlemen

The Unity Candidate this board needs

[Here for the Wins]

5 minutes ago, watty7796 said:

A more talented team?? Makuba Barron Murphy Sweat Coburn Ojomo Hill Moore..any of those guys ring a bell??? Your photo evidence is on a prevent defense...nice try though.  PK rarely if ever played man press.  Agreed that Muschamp does not always do it, but he does in spots that gives Texas an advantage.  PK defenses were littered with some pretty darn good players.  Guys like Simmons and Hill were constantly being dropped into coverage.  Blitz rate PK was below 40% every year except 2025 where he was at exactly 40.  Muschamp  over 40% every game with the exception of Tennessee where a manufacted blitz was not needed.  Average plays per game PK just shy of 70 Muschamp 64.  That means your offense is getting the ball quicker and defense is not getting burnt up.  Havoc rate has increased 3 and outs have increased.  Early in the season but the stats dont lie.

2nd and 7 screenshot below.  “Nice try though.”

Hill is a coverage guy.  His NFL team has him in coverage 90% of the time.  He rushed the passer up to 10% higher last ear at Texas than the previous year.  He’s a 2nd level rusher not a best you 1 on 1.  Biles rushed the passer 10% of pass plays, Cryer was 5%.  Versus Tennessee.  Hill was at 25% for the season.  But sure stick to the guns that he was deployed improperly or that Will does things drastically different.

All the material interior defensive guys are back.  Simmons back.  Jackson, Zina.  Littleton more experienced.  Jelani more experienced.  Williams healthier.  Kade more experienced.  LBs may be down but not much.  You lose Hill, Taaffe, Burke, Guilbeau, Moore.  You add Geffrard, Biles, Mascoe, Cryer.  Nevermind Hill, Taafe missed 2 games each.  Yes, this defense was likely better with no change.

Where are you getting the blitz rate?  I’m curious about that but struggle to find good info.  

You guys soil yourself about such things that aren’t really material then call guys off 15 yards a “prevent” defense to justify how it’s different.  You may not have complained about that specific thing, but I’ve read quite a few complaints about such a thing in previous years.
 

 

[WRNC]

5 hours ago, Quinncent McManning, Jr. said:

If OL can be star 1 for tOSU, I’m giving star 1 to the DL. Simmons was crazy good  but that was the entire line wrecking shop all game. 

 

[NothinButDaHorns34]

Oklahoma’s offensive line room should be VERY concerned. They can’t run the ball coupled with what we just did to UT lite. 

[Rocky P]

I had Maraad Watson ahead of Kanu. just because he was as disruptive with less snaps.

[watty7796]

2 hours ago, Here for the Wins said:

2nd and 7 screenshot below.  “Nice try though.”

Hill is a coverage guy.  His NFL team has him in coverage 90% of the time.  He rushed the passer up to 10% higher last ear at Texas than the previous year.  He’s a 2nd level rusher not a best you 1 on 1.  Biles rushed the passer 10% of pass plays, Cryer was 5%.  Versus Tennessee.  Hill was at 25% for the season.  But sure stick to the guns that he was deployed improperly or that Will does things drastically different.

All the material interior defensive guys are back.  Simmons back.  Jackson, Zina.  Littleton more experienced.  Jelani more experienced.  Williams healthier.  Kade more experienced.  LBs may be down but not much.  You lose Hill, Taaffe, Burke, Guilbeau, Moore.  You add Geffrard, Biles, Mascoe, Cryer.  Nevermind Hill, Taafe missed 2 games each.  Yes, this defense was likely better with no change.

Where are you getting the blitz rate?  I’m curious about that but struggle to find good info.  

You guys soil yourself about such things that aren’t really material then call guys off 15 yards a “prevent” defense to justify how it’s different.  You may not have complained about that specific thing, but I’ve read quite a few complaints about such a thing in previous years.
 

 

To keep my bias out of it....here ya go.

In the Texas Longhorns' 24-23 comeback win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 12, 2026, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's secondary extensively utilized dynamic "cushion" and "off-coverage" alignments—frequently backing up 10 to 12+ yards off the line of scrimmage—specifically during the second and third quarters. [1]

1. The Strategy: Neutralizing Jeremiah Smith

The defensive game plan shifted to this deep alignment to counter Ohio State’s explosive star wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith, who was completely dictating the deep passing game early on. [1, 2]

• Smith exploded for 8 catches and 164 receiving yards, including a devastating 43-yard touchdown catch against Julian Sayin's passes.
• To prevent getting burned deep over the top, the Texas cornerbacks and safeties routinely conceded massive underneath cushions, choosing to back peddle deep and tackle after the catch rather than press at the line of scrimmage. [1, 2, 3]

2. The Play Differential and The Adjustment

While this deep, 12-yard-off alignment successfully limited Ohio State's vertical chunk plays later in the game, it allowed the Buckeyes to consistently sustain drives via short passes, building a massive 23-3 lead deep into the third quarter. [1]

However, the strategy ultimately paid off as the game wore on:

• The Fourth-Quarter Blanket: By keeping everything in front of them, the Texas defense forced Ohio State into longer, more tedious drives.
• The Turnaround: In the fourth quarter, the front seven finally collapsed the pocket, allowing the secondary to tighten its constraints. Texas held the Buckeyes entirely scoreless in the final 15 minutes. [1]
• The Final Play: The ultimate vindication of the deep alignment came on the game's final play, when defensive back Graceson Littleton dropped back into deep coverage and intercepted Julian Sayin to seal the 24-23 victory....yahoo sports
• Tennessee 
• The Late Breakdown
  The defensive statistics look incredibly dominant, but the tight coverage finally slipped on Tennessee's penultimate drive. With 1:22 remaining in the 4th quarter, Faizon Brandon finally escaped the pressure and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Mike Matthews, which brought the score to 20-17. 
  That single 30-yard play was what prompted the coaching staff to pull the secondary back into that ultra-deep, 12+ yard "prevent" alignment on the final drive, ensuring they didn't get beat over the top a second time. 
  I can add the prevent d mentioned later on.  Generated by google AI. 

   

  Guess thats making it up too??

   

  Ref Hill...23 and 24 he had a high blitz rate.  25 when he had Simmons really starting to develop he dropped into coverage a lot.  

   

[Here for the Wins]

20 minutes ago, watty7796 said:

To keep my bias out of it....here ya go.

In the Texas Longhorns' 24-23 comeback win over the Ohio State Buckeyes on September 12, 2026, defensive coordinator Will Muschamp's secondary extensively utilized dynamic "cushion" and "off-coverage" alignments—frequently backing up 10 to 12+ yards off the line of scrimmage—specifically during the second and third quarters. [1]

 

1. The Strategy: Neutralizing Jeremiah Smith

The defensive game plan shifted to this deep alignment to counter Ohio State’s explosive star wide receiver, Jeremiah Smith, who was completely dictating the deep passing game early on. [1, 2]

• Smith exploded for 8 catches and 164 receiving yards, including a devastating 43-yard touchdown catch against Julian Sayin's passes.
• To prevent getting burned deep over the top, the Texas cornerbacks and safeties routinely conceded massive underneath cushions, choosing to back peddle deep and tackle after the catch rather than press at the line of scrimmage. [1, 2, 3]

 

2. The Play Differential and The Adjustment

While this deep, 12-yard-off alignment successfully limited Ohio State's vertical chunk plays later in the game, it allowed the Buckeyes to consistently sustain drives via short passes, building a massive 23-3 lead deep into the third quarter. [1]

However, the strategy ultimately paid off as the game wore on:

• The Fourth-Quarter Blanket: By keeping everything in front of them, the Texas defense forced Ohio State into longer, more tedious drives.
• The Turnaround: In the fourth quarter, the front seven finally collapsed the pocket, allowing the secondary to tighten its constraints. Texas held the Buckeyes entirely scoreless in the final 15 minutes. [1]
• The Final Play: The ultimate vindication of the deep alignment came on the game's final play, when defensive back Graceson Littleton dropped back into deep coverage and intercepted Julian Sayin to seal the 24-23 victory....yahoo sports
• Tennessee 
• The Late Breakdown
  The defensive statistics look incredibly dominant, but the tight coverage finally slipped on Tennessee's penultimate drive. With 1:22 remaining in the 4th quarter, Faizon Brandon finally escaped the pressure and threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Mike Matthews, which brought the score to 20-17. 
  That single 30-yard play was what prompted the coaching staff to pull the secondary back into that ultra-deep, 12+ yard "prevent" alignment on the final drive, ensuring they didn't get beat over the top a second time. 
   
  I can add the prevent d mentioned later on.  Generated by google AI. 

   

  Guess thats making it up too??

   

  Ref Hill...23 and 24 he had a high blitz rate.  25 when he had Simmons really starting to develop he dropped into coverage a lot.  

   

Hill.  I ask again where does that originate?  The blitz rates that is.

PFF.  In 2025, Hill’s coverage rate was 74.4% of pass plays.    In 2024, Hill’s coverage rate was 84.5%.  In 2023, Hill’s coverage rate was 73%.  So 2023 and 2025 were similar but 2024 was dissimilar.  Now I believe Hill played more Dline in 2025 too so perhaps the blitz rate was different.  Blitz rate could be lower but that doesn’t mean he wasn’t rushing the passer.  2025 also had Spence, Moore and others to mix in some rush.  Also, this far the NFL is treating Hills higher value as a coverage guy.

I am open to more information, better information.

That does not accurately depict the Ohio State game.

What will constitute this defense as a championship level defense is winning a championship, which is TBD.  Many defenses are multiple.  That’s what Will is.  He proved that Saturday.  PK was that too.  Certainly the approaches are different but they aren’t entirely different in every scenario.

Theres lots to be excited about this year, no doubt.