Here for the Wins

College stats are pretty crazy these days. An example. Cody Howard. 11.2 innings. He’s only given up 11 hits, 3 walks. Yet 14 runs scored. Not sure I’ve ever noticed a guy give up the same number of hits/walks combined as run over that many innings. i don’t think he’ll pitch, but he could be useful. His first two runs were given up on a Crossland homer. It only got to that point because of a high hopper over his head that went 70 feet. He did give up 2 at Tennessee, but we didn’t have anyone exactly doing well. Then Mizzou he started wth 3 scoreless before giving up 4. Then Arkansas was terrible, but that’s a tough ask against a talented roster that was playing well. With the homers these days stat lines can be chaotic for really all but the best pitchers. Harrison had the A&M game that blew up his ERA.

The committee knows best.

The UCSB number is unusual. Flora accounts for almost 20% of the innings. They only have 5 guys below that team ERA, and one of them only has 2.2 innings pitched. The numbers 2 and 3 in terms of starts are not amongst those 5.

Sure. The goal is to advance to the Super though. If they lose game 1, they should be able to beat Holy Cross in game 2 with their 3rd guy. And still have Flora. We are their biggest threat. Flora is their best threat to beat us. If they win versus Tarleton with their #2, they are far better off in game 2. From a depth perspective, you are better off losing game 1 than game 2 assuming you choose a lower end guy against the 4 seed. It’s similar for us in game 1 if we are not confident in Ruger. Throw a lower end guy so you have better quality against better teams. Thats how I’d play it.

This is the underapprecistion of west coast baseball. One or two top flight starters can be very impactful in this regional format. They are less of a threat in a Super Regional format because it’s only 1 game. I saw this directly in a high school run to a state championship. One dominant starter can’t get it done in a best 2 of 3.

Arkansas is playing well and certainly has the ability. West Virginia might be the most underrated program in the country. They’ve been solid for several years.

Probably but KSU couldn’t pitch. Flora is the X factor. They shouldn’t throw him until they play us. Maybe the best pitcher in America. That could throw us in the losers side.

If you go by RPI, it’s a good draw. UCSB is 38th. Tarleton is 56th. Holy Cross is 201. The biggest question is what type of #2 and #3 starters UCSB has. Overall, it’s favorable.

Morons should have him rushing the passer more.

That one person? One of the Ting brothers. Dropped that easy pick that ends it.

No Kobe Bryant eh?

It’s like Hurts wasn’t benched at Bama and put up stellar numbers at OU. Nothing to do with the system. Interestingly enough, the bakers completion percentage was 2% higher than Tebows in college. Comparable yards per completion. Tebows interception % was lower (SEC vs Big 12, right?). I’m not a Tebow fan. There have been several references to discounting him being a QB due to passing. Yet ironically Vy and Cam weren’t the most prolific passers either.

Sounds pretty good. They have anything for old, uninspired dudes?

All of Bakers efforts should be discounted as this was peak OU holding their asses off. Shameful Big 12 and officiating crews. OU did not discriminate. They held everybody.

I’m not above wishing ill will towards an athlete. I’m bitter and aging, if not old. College athletics is a privilege not a right so that’s my justification. Have a nice, successful life after football. I’m always a little partial to former Horns but OU? That’s a tough one. I’d be ok with him being their leading receiver. With 12 catches.

@Hank South would you like to see Livingstone succeed?

Think it was 1980. Texas vs Houston in Austin. Born a Texas fan.

What year did you graduate?

I’ve probably earned it. I don’t pay too much close attention to recruiting anymore after about 30 years of doing so. I get some nuggets of info on the Horns guys but not a ton else. But I also watch a bit more high school than I have in years so I have a few favorites. It is a juggling act these days, and Sark is pretty adept at navigating it.

We’re talking opinions here so I was genuinely asking your opinion. They weren’t 5 stars but clearly the final results were that of a 5 star. I didn’t even specify whether we’re talking as a recruit or finished product in my question. I personally don’t care that Murphy or Poona Ford are on the shorter side therefore their grade is reduced. I believe in a roster that mixes star power and guys that fill a role. Certainly DT is what I would consider a premium position with limited resources. My preference is to hit high school hard with a mix of stars and guys the staff think are bigger upsides than their current profile projects. I don’t know where Alex January fits, he chose the Horns, plays hard and well so I’m good with that. Hope Terry does too.

Would Bryon Murphy and T Sweat have been elite in your book?

The question regarding QB is how do you get the homegrown guy to gain experience or are you willing to risk growing pains that could result in a 3 loss season?

Georgia was a different animal. The 4th and 1 from their 35 was huge. Then the 4th and 5 from around the 50. Then TD and subsequent onsides. Brilliant coaching on Kirby’s part. None of those were no brainer decisions. Yes, we likely needed some recovery physically but emotionally our spirit was taken too when they got that recovery. We still had a fighting chance had we recovered it. We were never composed after that. You’re right. Very demoralizing.

I get the praise for Becton so it was the discredit to PK to which I didn’t agree. There have been discussions about our defense being on the field too much and being tired. I’d wager we rotate more players than most. This discussion is good because it’s about the number of plays rather than TOP. A note on snaps. For example Ole Miss had one Dlineman average 51 snaps a game. Another was 46. Kanu averaged 36, January 34. Now the Kentucky and MSU games were the highest. The weather at UK was good so that was not an energy draining type game. Go back a decade ago when many teams ran 80+ plays a game and ask how they feel about only playing 60 or fewer snaps per game. Ultimately the snaps discrepancy was two games. One we created separation. Then there was Kentucky. Even at the last possession of regulation, the offense had a great chance to end it. Kentucky was definitely a challenge but one game does not make a trend.

I didn’t check the non- conference games besides OSU. We ran 67 to 59 plays versus OSU. Kentucky ran 32 more plays than us including overtime. The defense could have done better, but the offense was the bigger issue. Texas had 3 3 and outs in the 4th quarter. Four of 6 2nd half possessions were 3 and outs. Perhaps you remember the failure to stay in bounds preceding the FG in regulation that kept UK alive. Arkansas ran 20 more plays, but we only had 3 guys with 50+ snaps. We also won going away. Every other conference game, and we were within 5 snaps. Only the MSU game had more than 70. So I’ll need some elaboration as to how Becton was the guy over PK in “so many” of these games.