thatdude2

Kyle, getting me closer to my dreams

Wow, what a great win Saturday night. It was magical and, for the most part, indescribable. No short fields. No major gaffes by Ohio State’s defense that led to a big explosive play. After Texas failed to take advantage of opportunities earlier in the game to put themselves in the driver’s seat, they had to “get it out the mud” by grinding, executing, and physically dominating Ohio State to win an improbable game in dramatic fashion. I am so thankful to be a part of this amazing community here at On Texas Football, and I absolutely love the opportunity to be able to post our own topics. Also, please tell me to stop if I’m not good at it. 😂 I also love the analysis and thoughts that everyone who works at OTF contributes. Rod Baber got me thinking about the question: “What could possibly be Texas’ fatal flaw this season?” He’s mentioned in past seasons that it’s been the red zone—so much so that every time Texas scores a touchdown in the Red Zone/Red Area, Lord willing, I’m going to tag him with the message: “Red Zone TD.” 😂 But I think this season, Texas’ fatal flaw could potentially be possessing the ball. Texas put the ball on the ground four times against Ohio State, and so far this season, through two games, they have three turnovers. The interception against Ohio State was fluky, but it was still costly in terms of early momentum. However, what I did like about the Texas playmakers as the game progressed was their adjustment and emphasis on taking care of the football. The question for me becomes: Will they do this consistently every game, or will they try to make the home-run play every time they touch the ball? If this offense becomes the juggernaut that I think it could be, opposing defenses may eventually feel like their best chance to slow Texas down is by maximizing their efforts to create turnovers. I’m very interested to see UTSA’s defensive plan of attack this week, as well as Texas’ approach from both a game-planning standpoint and a player-mindset standpoint. I know guys like Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo have to be itching to make the big-play touchdown after Jeremiah Smith was the star of the passing game on Saturday. But honestly, I just want to see Texas play a clean game from a turnover standpoint, continue developing defensive depth, and hopefully find a reliable third running back. Have a great night, and as always… HOOK ’EM! 🤘

The extended replay was enjoyable to watch. Hopefully they are physical this weak and also fundamentally sound.

I wouldn’t be mad at tOSU still being ranked #1. They had control of the game for 3 quarters, and they actually been the 1.5 point spread on the road.

@Bobby Burton tried to tell you.

LG?

Devin Sanchez, Riley Pettijon, etc.

If we would have had a better start it would’ve been 45 - 23

My bad, I’m late @Rod Babers Red Zone TD

@Rod Babers Red Zone TD

@Rod Babers Red Zone TD

We just got settled in. Came out too hyped. We’ll be good.

The funny part is OU ran him out of there after his father in law (Art Briles) came onto the field postgame like the coaches family do, but Lebby and OU agreed that Briles wouldn’t be on the field after games. Selmon (former OU legend and current MSU AD) did them a solid by taking Lebby away.

Yep injury from the offseason. He supposedly played last game using one arm.

Stage set for Sooner Magic

Is Mateer’s thumb good?

Yes, I predicted the score: Texas 45, Ohio State 24. But why did I predict this score? Maybe it’s because I’ll admit it—I drink the finest of the burnt-orange Kool-Aid. Yes, I want Texas to not only win, but to dominate and look like the best team in the country while doing it. However, I also have this inkling that this game means more to Texas than it does to Ohio State. I think the atmosphere, the heat, and the level of play the Longhorns bring from the opening kickoff—from not only the players but the coaches as well—will be too much for Ohio State and Ryan Day to overcome. What gets lost in the Buckeyes’ win last year, in my opinion, is that Ryan Day and his staff had a rather lackluster offensive game plan. There were plays to be made against Ohio State’s pass defense, but Arch had quite a few misfires. This year, I expect that to be different. I expect the Muschamp defense to make plays early, create pressure, and force a few turnovers. On the other side of the ball, I expect Sark to have a really good game plan designed to attack Ohio State’s defense and put Arch in position to make plays. I look for Texas to take an early lead and keep rolling. And I wouldn’t count on Arch misfiring nearly as much this year. So, yes, maybe I’m drinking the burnt-orange Kool-Aid. But I believe this Texas team is built to handle the moment, and I think they’re going to show everyone why. Texas 45. Ohio State 24. Hook ’Em 🤘🏾

The Reckoning: Texas 45 Ohio State 24....I do have Jeremiah Smith for over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns, but Muschamp makes Julian Sayin's life a living hell at the beginning. I think Ohio State will try to Stop Texas with a light box, and the run game gets going early with some easy passes sprinkled in. Then Arch and this crew and receiving targets do what they do.

YouTube

Letting my 🥜 hang and saying it with my chest. Texas 45 Ohio State 24….Jeremiah Smith finally goes for over 100 yards and 2 TDs.

The great ones suffer scary looking injuries but bounce back sooner, I guess. I remember against Kansas State, VY's redshirt freshman year, it looked like he hurt his new really bad. He came back a few plays later, and the rest as they say is history. Bijan Robinson landing on his head and his legs touching his back against Texas Tech as a freshman. Arch suffering that concussion at Mississippi State last year, and then he came back and balled out the next week.

Maybe it’s part of Lane and Sankey’s grand scheme of giving Sankey as much power as possible. Just putting my conspiracy theory hat on.

Josh Johnson currently, close 2nd OU fans 🫢

I thought your Texas Juggernaut article was strong, especially because you weren't simply saying, “Texas is really good.” You were identifying why Texas could become a problem that opponents can't solve. The strongest part was your observation about Texas State's defensive approach. You expected Texas to run for 250+ and Arch Manning to throw for 160+ with three total touchdowns, but Texas State essentially said, we're going to live with the passing game and load the box. That creates the central idea of your article: Texas doesn't necessarily have to beat you with the thing you are trying to stop. If a defense loads up to stop the run, Arch has opportunities to attack single-high coverage. If it backs off to protect against the receivers, Texas can lean on its rushing attack. And once Texas gets comfortable doing both, the defense is forced into increasingly bad choices. That's what makes your use of the word "juggernaut" interesting. You're not really describing an offense that simply piles up yards. You're describing an offense that can force the defense into a no-win decision. And I think there's another layer to your argument that makes it even more compelling: The receivers make the equation worse With the weapons you've been talking about—Cam Coleman, Ryan Wingo, Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers—a defense can't just sell out against the run and assume Texas won't punish it. If Texas gets to the point where opponents are saying: "We can't let Texas run." and simultaneously: "We can't leave those receivers one-on-one." then that's the beginning of a juggernaut. The thing I'd emphasize if you continue developing the article is that the Michigan/Oklahoma games will help determine whether your Texas thesis is real. Those teams provide very different tests, and what they show defensively could give you a preview of what Texas will face later in the season. Your article also has something I like about your football analysis generally: you're looking at the game from the perspective of what the opponent is forced to do. That's much more interesting than simply looking at box-score numbers.