Sanka Decaf

Thanks for posting. It makes you wonder, in hindsight, was this just nerves or is it why Sark wasn't comfortable putting Arch in last year despite Ewer's mobility? Is it why they took a veteran QB in the portal that seemed like a head-scratcher to some when it initially happened? Is it partially why the gameplan going into the OSU game was less complex than we expected? I'm not saying the answer to all of these questions is "yes", but it's just interesting how additional facts make things start to look different.

Clemson is going to have a challenging season if they can't run the ball, even as good as they are. LSU went in and totally handled the hostile environment. They played their game (Texas didn't get a chance to play its game). We'll see how good LSU is - again, veteran leadership at QB showing. But, I feel better about what Texas needs to fix v. what Clemson needs to fix (running game) this season.

Miami receivers bailed Beck out a few times last night. Miami is good, and Beck showed the value of veteran experience v. inexperienced QB, but he's going to throw the ball up and make mistakes this season.

Who else noticed how effortless Meester looked punting yesterday?

I mean, I HOPE they look like the best team in the country over the next three weeks. No doubt the defense will be great, but Arch has some things to work through and until he does, not sure how great they will look. Nothing I saw yesterday worries me about winning the next three home games, but I'm not sure how convincing we will look on offense until Arch works things through. My expectations around Arch - which means around the offense - have been reset. He's been the one saying it: he hasn't done anything yet. Until he does, he needs to prove he can (not get the benefit of the doubt). Not giving up on him in the slightest - this was a painful growing lesson. Let's see him grow from it (I think he will, but I'm not going to assume he'll be ready for Florida until he shows he is),

Of the 3 big games yesterday, the defenses generally looked better than the offenses (Alabama looks like the exception). They made QBs look mortal (or worse). Not a surprise. Clemson was missing a key weapon on offense for most of the game. That, plus no running game, hurt them badly against what looks like a good LSU team. But, in all the other two games, the losing team had worse stats across the board. Texas didn't. They just had worst QB play generally and more mistakes.

My guess - he puts them both on but puts Texas on first, takes it off, and puts the other one on as his pick.

Not sure how many products are actually sold based on the commercial reads by Gerry, Bobby, etc., but their reads are so great. Maybe it's because they genuinely like the products, or because they want to do right by their advertisers. But they're awesome (whether or not I like the product).

Billionaires have the luxury of not needing to act with logic (I'm not one BTW).

Great post/thread! It's fun to digest thoughts. Before making a true comparison, it seems fair to say that - last year - the team was a good kicker OR a healthy Baxter away from likely being in the championship game (either because we have another play option on the goal line against Ohio State, or we're not facing them until the finals because we win the SEC Championship game). I'm not trying to re-litigate last year, but that very well would have been the scenario for the 2024 team with all the other compliments (including Quinn at QB). Even with all the talent, it's going to be tough for a team with a lot of turnover to win game 1 at Ohio State. I believe, if we stay healthy, by the Florida game this 2025 team WILL show it is a talented group. While excited about the new pieces (TE, WR, etc.), last year's team was talented enough to win the national title and overall with deeper experience at a number of positions relative to 2025. Schedule in 2025 remains favorable and I believe they have will show they have the talent to get to the championship, but I don't think we know until after the Florida game what this team will be capable of in 2025. The pieces are there.

Godfather

California -> Michigan -> Illinois -> California -> Maryland -> now, part-time in Austin (son went to McCombs and graduated in 2021)

I don't see how ND matches up as well against Ohio State as Texas does. I'm with Nancy - think Ohio State rolls but can't root for them. My Dad's a big ND fan, so that's where I'll go, but thinking it ends up 38-14.

Prayers continue for you and the family. 🙏

Prayers sent. 🙏