The End of an Era?
Could this be the end of Texas/Tx A&M as we know it? It just may be...
I'll spare all of us the "look back" perspective on this rivalry and jump right into it. But I will add this one point - I don't think the end of this rivalry means as much to most folks as UT/Aggie fans may think. Yes, it sucks as it's a Texas thing, but the rest of the country doesn't care all that much - change is the only constant in this day and age of big money college football. Good times.....
Here 5 Key Points to this game:
1. Bad against Bad - I'm talking Tx pass offense (ranking somewhere just north of 100 nationally) against the Aggie pass defense (ranking last in Big 12 and who knows where nationally). I'm tired of hearing the "yeah, but if Shipley plays...." - someone still has to get it within 3 feet of him to catch it, right? I wouldn't bank on Shipley doing anything significant, even if he does play. He's been laid up for quite a while. This match up will come down to who can make the most big plays (duh). If the Tx QB duo can get a break and hit a receiver (pausing for laughter....) behind the secondary for a bomb, that may be the difference. Meanwhile, if the Aggie secondary can steal a takeaway or two, that will be the ball game. I can't, being of sound mind, give Texas the edge in the passing game in any scenario so we'll call this a wait-and-see (or a push in gambling terms).
2. Pressuring the Quarterback - Without their two best running backs, I predict Tannehill will put it up between 40 and 45 times this game. Texas will have to work hard to keep him uncomfortable and on the run. Hell, I'd happily take a 15 yard penalty early in the game just to remind him that the Tx defense is there and will be there all night long. The Longhorn defense has only gotten better as the season has progressed, but Tannehill is a solid QB and with Swopes playing so consistently well, that will be a challenge for this young secondary. Texas really needs to get a takeaway or two to give the team a chance to win. And they can't give up those big pass plays that A&M is so proficient at. On the flip side, Texas offensive line can't pass block.....there's really nothing more to say about that. Plus for Ash playing is his running ability. Plus for McCoy playing seems to be some phantom intangible where the team "responds better". Ahhh, so they're still going 3 and out, they're just super pumped up and confident about it? I give the edge to Texas here as that front seven is scary good. That's not a slight on the Aggies, I just don't think they have a very good pass rush, but by gosh Texas will make 'em look good.
3. The Texas Running Game - I give Apple-Harsin credit for putting enough wrinkles in the running game to keep it from being so predictable, and putting players in position to make plays. Given the Aggie defensive woes and (seemingly) Texas getting somewhat back to fully healthy, I can see Texas giving the aggies fits in this area. PLUS, the more Texas can keep that Aggie offense off the field, the better their chances. On the flip side, no Gray and no Michael for the Aggies spells trouble - I don't care how good Aggie fan thinks that third stringer is, he isn't in the top 2 for a reason....because he's not near as good as those other two guys. And I know, I know, Gray is listed as maybe with a separated shoulder.....yeah, you need a healthy shoulder as a running back. Texas gets a clear edge here.
4. Kyle Field - Typically a VERY tough place to play, especially at night and especially if you're wearing the orange and white. BUT, let's not forget the monumental meltdowns that have occurred here over the last few months. It's not insignificant. The Aggies will be up for this game, but knowing what I know about this season, there's always a chance for a come back.
5. Intensity and Motivation - And here comes the 500 pound elephant in the room for the Longhorns. I can't tell you the last time I remember Texas coming out and playing at a level where they matched or exceeded their opponent's intensity. This has been a consistent criticism during the Mack Brown administration on the 40 acres and rightfully so. Here's the deal, if Texas comes into this game the same way they did against OU, the game will be over before it begins (like it was against OU). I can promise you this Longhorn fan: the Aggies will be foaming at the mouth to come in here and beat Texas given all of the brew-ha-ha around changing conferences and why. I'm tired of Texas fans/coaches/players having this mentality of "we're Texas so we're just automatically better, win or lose". Bullshit. I want this team to come in here and play this game like it's the last football game they'll ever play. Can you imagine how sweet it will be for these players to be able to say we went in and beat the Aggies on their field as a parting gift as they ran off to another conference? I just hope Mack and team have something up their sleeve to extract that intensity and emotion. They will need it. Have to give Aggies the edge here as I've seen this from Texas like 3 times over the last few years.
Bottom line: I can't logically pick Texas to win this game. I can't logically say that Texas is going to turn around the weakest part of their game (passing) on a short week. And I can't logically say Texas has any sort of real advantage going on the road with 18 freshman. Plus, if you look at Texas' last 2 games, who in their right mind can say they look good enough to beat the Aggies? I'm not saying the Aggies are some juggernaut because they're not and they were clearly overrated coming into the year (I still can't fathom how they were ranked so high after losing Von Miller!!). I do think Texas defense keeps that Aggie offense well out of the 30s. But to have a chance to win, they'll need to keep them out of the 20s and for that to happen, the Texas offense needs to sustain AND FINISH drives. I predict Texas will have the ball last needing a TD and 2 point conversion to tie, and doesn't sniff the end zone.
Texas A&M - 24
Texas - 16
Arkansas vs LSU you ask......I don't know, give me Arkansas. LSU surely has to lose a game in here somewhere, right?
Have a great, happy, safe Thanksgiving everyone. Be good.
I'll spare all of us the "look back" perspective on this rivalry and jump right into it. But I will add this one point - I don't think the end of this rivalry means as much to most folks as UT/Aggie fans may think. Yes, it sucks as it's a Texas thing, but the rest of the country doesn't care all that much - change is the only constant in this day and age of big money college football. Good times.....
Here 5 Key Points to this game:
1. Bad against Bad - I'm talking Tx pass offense (ranking somewhere just north of 100 nationally) against the Aggie pass defense (ranking last in Big 12 and who knows where nationally). I'm tired of hearing the "yeah, but if Shipley plays...." - someone still has to get it within 3 feet of him to catch it, right? I wouldn't bank on Shipley doing anything significant, even if he does play. He's been laid up for quite a while. This match up will come down to who can make the most big plays (duh). If the Tx QB duo can get a break and hit a receiver (pausing for laughter....) behind the secondary for a bomb, that may be the difference. Meanwhile, if the Aggie secondary can steal a takeaway or two, that will be the ball game. I can't, being of sound mind, give Texas the edge in the passing game in any scenario so we'll call this a wait-and-see (or a push in gambling terms).
2. Pressuring the Quarterback - Without their two best running backs, I predict Tannehill will put it up between 40 and 45 times this game. Texas will have to work hard to keep him uncomfortable and on the run. Hell, I'd happily take a 15 yard penalty early in the game just to remind him that the Tx defense is there and will be there all night long. The Longhorn defense has only gotten better as the season has progressed, but Tannehill is a solid QB and with Swopes playing so consistently well, that will be a challenge for this young secondary. Texas really needs to get a takeaway or two to give the team a chance to win. And they can't give up those big pass plays that A&M is so proficient at. On the flip side, Texas offensive line can't pass block.....there's really nothing more to say about that. Plus for Ash playing is his running ability. Plus for McCoy playing seems to be some phantom intangible where the team "responds better". Ahhh, so they're still going 3 and out, they're just super pumped up and confident about it? I give the edge to Texas here as that front seven is scary good. That's not a slight on the Aggies, I just don't think they have a very good pass rush, but by gosh Texas will make 'em look good.
3. The Texas Running Game - I give Apple-Harsin credit for putting enough wrinkles in the running game to keep it from being so predictable, and putting players in position to make plays. Given the Aggie defensive woes and (seemingly) Texas getting somewhat back to fully healthy, I can see Texas giving the aggies fits in this area. PLUS, the more Texas can keep that Aggie offense off the field, the better their chances. On the flip side, no Gray and no Michael for the Aggies spells trouble - I don't care how good Aggie fan thinks that third stringer is, he isn't in the top 2 for a reason....because he's not near as good as those other two guys. And I know, I know, Gray is listed as maybe with a separated shoulder.....yeah, you need a healthy shoulder as a running back. Texas gets a clear edge here.
4. Kyle Field - Typically a VERY tough place to play, especially at night and especially if you're wearing the orange and white. BUT, let's not forget the monumental meltdowns that have occurred here over the last few months. It's not insignificant. The Aggies will be up for this game, but knowing what I know about this season, there's always a chance for a come back.
5. Intensity and Motivation - And here comes the 500 pound elephant in the room for the Longhorns. I can't tell you the last time I remember Texas coming out and playing at a level where they matched or exceeded their opponent's intensity. This has been a consistent criticism during the Mack Brown administration on the 40 acres and rightfully so. Here's the deal, if Texas comes into this game the same way they did against OU, the game will be over before it begins (like it was against OU). I can promise you this Longhorn fan: the Aggies will be foaming at the mouth to come in here and beat Texas given all of the brew-ha-ha around changing conferences and why. I'm tired of Texas fans/coaches/players having this mentality of "we're Texas so we're just automatically better, win or lose". Bullshit. I want this team to come in here and play this game like it's the last football game they'll ever play. Can you imagine how sweet it will be for these players to be able to say we went in and beat the Aggies on their field as a parting gift as they ran off to another conference? I just hope Mack and team have something up their sleeve to extract that intensity and emotion. They will need it. Have to give Aggies the edge here as I've seen this from Texas like 3 times over the last few years.
Bottom line: I can't logically pick Texas to win this game. I can't logically say that Texas is going to turn around the weakest part of their game (passing) on a short week. And I can't logically say Texas has any sort of real advantage going on the road with 18 freshman. Plus, if you look at Texas' last 2 games, who in their right mind can say they look good enough to beat the Aggies? I'm not saying the Aggies are some juggernaut because they're not and they were clearly overrated coming into the year (I still can't fathom how they were ranked so high after losing Von Miller!!). I do think Texas defense keeps that Aggie offense well out of the 30s. But to have a chance to win, they'll need to keep them out of the 20s and for that to happen, the Texas offense needs to sustain AND FINISH drives. I predict Texas will have the ball last needing a TD and 2 point conversion to tie, and doesn't sniff the end zone.
Texas A&M - 24
Texas - 16
Arkansas vs LSU you ask......I don't know, give me Arkansas. LSU surely has to lose a game in here somewhere, right?
Have a great, happy, safe Thanksgiving everyone. Be good.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 11:05 AM
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