Golfing, Boating, Burgers with fried eggs: BYU @ Texas

[ERCougar]

While I'm still nervous about our D-line, this actually makes me feel uncharacteristically optimistic. I had forgotten that JW had been approaching 200 rushing yards by himself. Here's hoping he has a chip on his shoulder after sitting out against UConn.

Seriously... preach it, surfah!

[MarkGrace]

Yeah Taysom faced that criticism at the beginning of last year. The difference is that Taysom had had a couple decent to good games before that (and he was a good passer in high school). Swoopes has never been accurate (although to be fair I haven't seen his middle school or Pop Warner stats). If Texas can run the ball, force turnovers, and make it a defensive slugfest then yes it won't matter that Swoopes can't complete passes.

I've never understood why people disparage Taysom's passing to the degree they have. In '12 he completed 59% of his passes. In '13 he completed 54%, but that % was significantly dragged down by the first three games of the season, where he went 32.5%, 34.6% and 37.5%. Outside of those games, he was probably somewhere close to 60% completions for the rest of the year. Between the two seasons he had about 12 starts worth of looking like a competent passer, and three where he didn't. But because those three ugly games came at the start of last season, it seems everyone was left with the impression that he couldn't pass at all. Then people act shocked when he completes such a high % against UCONN and it's like OMG he learned to pass!, but he had three games last year with completion %'s in 70s. I'm not saying he's been amazing with his passing, but outside of 3 games I think his sample has been more that of credible passer than what he's been given credit for.

[oxcoug]

I've never understood why people disparage Taysom's passing to the degree they have. In '12 he completed 59% of his passes. In '13 he completed 54%, but that % was significantly dragged down by the first three games of the season, where he went 32.5%, 34.6% and 37.5%. Outside of those games, he was probably somewhere close to 60% completions for the rest of the year. Between the two seasons he had about 12 starts worth of looking like a competent passer, and three where he didn't. But because those three ugly games came at the start of last season, it seems everyone was left with the impression that he couldn't pass at all. Then people act shocked when he completes such a high % against UCONN and it's like OMG he learned to pass!, but he had three games last year with completion %'s in 70s. I'm not saying he's been amazing with his passing, but outside of 3 games I think his sample has been more that of credible passer than what he's been given credit for.

Taysom basically had two separate seasons in 2013.

His total completion percentage: 53.8%
His week 1-3 completion percentage: 35.0%
His week 4-13 completion percentage: 60.4%

Of course just removing three games from the total data would be arbitrary - were it not for the fact that those three games represent a distinct set. The fact is that even if you combine the three most difficult games left in the season into a comparable set (Wisky, ND and UW), he completed over half of his passes in those games against far tougher defenses than the three he faced in the first three weeks.

No doubt, Taysom threw some terrible passes in weeks 1-3. He also was the victim of between 13 and 20 drops (13 indisputable drops, seven more were catchable), a patchwork OL that was completely lost in the new offense, the new offense itself, the fact that his primary go-to WR barely played in the first game, the fact that his go-to receiver against Utah was named Eric Thornton, and a ridiculous weather event in his first game.

[oxcoug]

Jake Raulerson is 6'5, 281. Difficult proportions for a center. Basically the same weight as Tejan but 5-6 inches taller. Not ideal for leverage. Maybe he has pygmy legs and a long torso.

[Commando]

The reasons for my alleged overconfidence are simply the facts at hand:

1. We are starting to click on offense, and can execute, despite some bumps in the third quarter due to UConn's defensive adjustments. * By quite an able defensive mind, I might add.

2. Texas is brand new. Brand new coaches, brand new QB, brand new everything essentially. It takes time for a team to learn their assignments, learn the schemes, incorporate them to muscle memory and be able to execute precisely for four quarters. Year one is always rough in a new system (except Gary Crowton, whose first year was great for a lot of factors not present with this Texas team i.e. Brandon Doman and Luke Staley).

3. Texas does have talent and their coach isn't messing around with the discipline, but that doesn't make their team any more able to execute at a high level. Who cares if their defense is embarrassed and playing pissed? When did that ever translate into a W? *See our last four meetings with Utah. Lots of players were plenty pissed for the latter three of those meetings and it didn't make a bit of difference because Utah came out and, maddeningly, simply executed the shit out their playbook.

4. We have the horses up front to smooth out the rough spots on offense and deep enough talent at the skill positions to execute for four full quarters. If we can move the ball the first half and keep their defense on the field, we control the game.

5. I expect Swoopes to run for his life all game. You have a backup center who may be prone to inexperience-based errors, and an O line configuration that is likely not their ideal setup, so they will be less in sync and more susceptible to blitzes, schemes and Bronco Mendenhall defensive mind f*ckery.

6. I do not discount Texas' lack of talent or coaching pedigree. They are a good team until proven otherwise-- unfair, sure, but the correct assessment based on their history and resources. However, there was a lot of talent on a certain Jaime Hill defense that went to waste. I'm just saying that this Texas squad doesn't quite have the reps under its belt to really go hard and put a hurt on BYU. There will be turnovers, penalties, and miscues just like any other team playing on saturday. I just think we're the better squad.

[Flystripper]

Texas will be better on D than most people here are expecting but their offense could be a disaster.

[smokymountainrain]

A few random thoughts: I'd like to see Blackmon opposite Hine on kick returns rather than Lasike, I think it's a mistake to start Rob Daniel at corner over Preator and I'd like to see Warner get some snaps on defense.

[cougjunkie]

A few random thoughts: I'd like to see Blackmon opposite Hine on kick returns rather than Lasike, I think it's a mistake to start Rob Daniel at corner over Preator and I'd like to see Warner get some snaps on defense.

A few random thoughts:

Rob Daniel is our best corner and its not close.

Blackmon opposite of Hine is great in theory but Lasike never actually returns the kid so it is nice to have the extra blocker.

Warner will get snaps because we are going to blow them the eff out.

[ERCougar]

I wonder what the BYU upset this year will change at UT....


http://espn.go.com/blog/big12/post/_...nger-for-texas


Maybe they will fire an "special assistant" or something.

Ugh. That board, or at least that thread, is like the worst of utefans. Painfully unfunny.

[smokymountainrain]

A few random thoughts:

Rob Daniel is our best corner and its not close.

Blackmon opposite of Hine is great in theory but Lasike never actually returns the kid so it is nice to have the extra blocker.

Warner will get snaps because we are going to blow them the eff out.

I didn't expect you to agree about Daniel.

Lasike did return a kick against UConn and had 10 returns last season.

Blowout or non-blowout, I hope you're right about FW.

[Portland Ute]

30 hours to an undefeated season, Cougar fans!

All that stands in the way now is a cobbled-together Texas offensive line of misfit toys.

It's time to break 'em out.

quest.jpg

[Portland Ute]

Texas will be better on D than most people here are expecting but their offense could be a disaster.

Their entire O-line and QB are making their first start. It's safe to say it will be a dumpster fire.

[MarkGrace]

For those that have been to Texas recently, are burgers with eggs considered a delicacy?

[Portland Ute]

It's already happening!

https://twitter.com/zbloxham/status/507235788099055616

[Moliere]

It's already happening!

https://twitter.com/zbloxham/status/507235788099055616

Two thumbs up for that guy