Morning Coffee Checks In On The Gazelles

by Peter Bean on Oct 15, 2008 11:21 AM CDT Comment 29 comments

11-1=10 Greg Davis is properly receiving high praise for his game plan against Oklahoma, in which he took the unusual step of ditching what had worked to that point in the season to attack more lethally his next opponent. On Saturday, that meant replacing the 11 personnel package with a 10: 1 running back, 0 tight ends, 4 wideouts. As Big Roy noted yesterday, Kansas coach Mark Mangino was shocked by what he saw the Longhorns do:

"I thought Texas put a lot of new things on the field they had not showed. A lot," said Kansas' Mark Mangino, whose Jayhawks play Oklahoma this Saturday. "It's a little unusual, when you watch Texas over the years, and then you see their game plan (for OU)."

The hallmark of a great coach is his willingness and ability to adapt to new circumstances; Mack Brown and Greg Davis receive high A's for their performance to date in 2008.

Moving on. For obvious reasons, so much of this week has been spent talking about last week, but Texas will have its hands full once again when Missouri comes to town. Tigers fans are sorting through the ashes of their home loss to Oklahoma State, but while Atomic Teeth suggests Missouri's inability to run the ball cost them the game, Rock M Nation gets into the nitty gritty of the play-by-play data and shows it was Missouri's poor performance on passing downs that was decisive.

In all probability, the two are related: Missouri's over-extension of the passing game handicapped what is normally the offense's strength. Bad news for MU: Rushing the football against Texas is a low yield proposition.

"This isn't the NFL--yet." Pat Forde has a few choice words on the way Clemson has handled itself with regards to Tommy Bowden:

Clemson's move Monday to whack Tommy Bowden (5) 10 years to the month after his brother stepped down on The Plains is a monument to bad management. In firing Bowden less than a year after handing him a raise and a four-year contract extension to keep him from going to Arkansas, Clemson now is on the hook for a $3.5 million buyout to a coach it has never really loved. Good thing the IPTAY members have more money than sense.

The Dash won't cry many tears for Bowden, who did a spectacularly poor job preparing his team for this year and then threw senior quarterback Cullen Harper (6) under the bus after losing to Wake Forest, benching him in favor of freshman Willy Korn (7). But what does a midseason firing accomplish, beyond making a mockery of all the ideals college sports are supposed to enhance? What about the bromides about handling adversity with class and fostering team unity and building character? Do they apply only during winning seasons?

The hire-and-fire cycle in college football already has shortened to a dangerous degree. If midseason pink slips are going to become standard operating procedure, as well, the sport's tenuous moorings in higher education might as well slip free altogether. This isn't the NFL -- yet.

No, not quite the NFL, but close--certainly as big a business. One reason--among many--why you won't see much attention paid to Miles Brand's well-intentioned but ill-conceived graduation rate crusade.

Gazelles host Missouri Friday night. Despite disappointing setbacks to Stanford and Nebraska, the 12-2 Gregory Gazelles find themselves ranked #3 nationally and, after a weeknight match up with A&M in College Station this evening, will host Missouri on Friday night at 6:30. If you're looking for a great way to kick off your MU weekend bonanza, head down to Gregory to support the Gazelles.

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slip up..

.i think when you said

Despite disappointing setbacks to Stanford and Missouri,

you meant Stanford and NEBRASKA.

Do ya’ll think, off of his comments, he will hold the firing of his friend, Bowden, against them if they try to hire him?

by vy til i die on Oct 15, 2008 11:40 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

Thanks – good catch.

--PB--

by Peter Bean on Oct 15, 2008 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the running game

Several interesting points about the running game. Lots of teams allowing less than 3 ypc, but only Texas has allowed NO rushing touchdowns. Recall the 11-play goal line stand against Rice? In fact, Texas has allowed 0 and Alabama only 1. One more reason why these are the two top teams with the best wins in their resume.

The reason? Texas’ slanting puts a disruptive Dlineman in the backfield on every play because the linemen are too quick and fast for most OL. Oklahoma several times ran a play called a lead draw, which is designed to suck in the DL and have the back hit the cutback lanes. And thus the real difference-maker is the play of the LB’s who are filling gaps and cutback lanes with authority. Muckelroy in particular made at least 3 beautiful tackles in the gaps left by slanting D linemen and Norton had a couple as well. Last year, the LB’s often did not have the correct angles on those plays, which led to much heartache (OU’s Murray’s long run that broke the 21-21 tie last year). By contrast, last year Texas, who was seventh-ranked in the country in rushing defense, gave up 12 rushing touchdowns all year, which would translate to roughly six by mid way in the season.

Of course the other half of the story is sacking the QB, since sacks count against rushing not passing yardage, and Texas had another 3 sacks last Saturday.

So despite all the blah-blah in the pre-season about not worrying about stopping the run as much in order to improve the pass defense, Texas rushing defense has gotten better, not worse.

by burnt in ny on Oct 15, 2008 12:14 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Passing defense

Still worries me. Currently ranked 110th pass defense and we are 40th overall in total defense, with 3 of the 4 best offenses we will face this year up next.

Of course Muschamp, would point to being 18th in the country in scoring defense, before telling me stats are for losers and that he only cares about the number 0 – as in our losses.

Still, Maclin, Crabtree and Bryant scare the hell out of me.

by Horncasting on Oct 15, 2008 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yards arent the whole story

Texas ranks 9th in the nation of pass attempts against them, and are 5th in the nation on a per game basis.

We rank 26th in the nation in opponents completion percentage.

We are 57th in touchdowns made per opponents pass attempt.

We are 65th in yards per attempt.

We are 61st in the nation in opponents passing efficiency.

So in summary, people throw the ball against us more than just about anyone else in the nation. Part of this is likely due to our stout D-Line making people abandon the run, the other part is going to be due to us winning most of our games, and people throwing the ball to try and play catch up.

When they do throw the ball, we are fairly good in coverage. We have faced decent QBs this year, and Bradford’s great numbers can make up for Dick sucking. The rest of the important passing stats we find ourselves in the middle of the country. I think this is more due to the bend don’t break mentality, and the reluctance to let any team establish a ground game. It truly takes a special defense to shut down both air and ground, which we definitely are not, but I dont think the defense is nearly as bleak as the passing yards rank would have you believe.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Oct 15, 2008 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ha ha

Dick sucking

by billb on Oct 15, 2008 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gotta get as many of those in I can, hes a senior with no future! nt&whills

by BoddickerIsClutch on Oct 15, 2008 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Possible good news bad news situation

Our pass defense falls to dead last in the country, scaring away Muschamp’s potential HC suitors, but we still win every game this year.

by Horncasting on Oct 15, 2008 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

FYI

http://blogs.chron.com/longhorns/2008/10/join_the_longhorns_chat_at_noo.html

Joseph Duarte is answering questions today from Noon to 1pm I assume. I’ve already asked him a few questions. Pretty good response time so far.

by goingforthecorner on Oct 15, 2008 12:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wasnt there the whole time.

But the most interesting thing I saw was his response to my comment.

The question originally asked was, will we get good pressure on Chase?

12:37
[Comment From BiC]
Depends on the holding allowed on Rak.
12:38
Joseph Duarte: There was word that an official told Orakpo to “get used to it” that Loadholt was going to be doing that the whole game. I hope that’s not true.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Oct 15, 2008 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

liar!...that was from GEOFF!..lol.jk

by vy til i die on Oct 15, 2008 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eeek!

My RL name is revealed!!!

by BoddickerIsClutch on Oct 15, 2008 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

mine was too, but i won't give clues like you..lol

by vy til i die on Oct 15, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

As is your parents' poor spelling! nt

by Meekrob on Oct 15, 2008 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The 1st sentence of that Pat Forde quote is a monument to crappy writing.

by honkskillet on Oct 15, 2008 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Heres a thought to ponder

Is Jordan Shipley coming back to Texas next year? He was granted a medical waiver thing…

Year 1: RedShirted
Year 2: redshirt freshman injured
Year 3: Sophomore-played
Year 4:Junior-Played
Year 5: Senior-Played
Year 6: Senior again – ?? Medical ????

by MJY6087 on Oct 15, 2008 1:45 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Not sure what you are saying

He has not been granted a medical waiver yet, but there is talk that he will apply for one and probably get it. I think he is coming back, but it depends on the WRs in the draft this year and if pros think he is big enough to play in the NFL.

by Wells on Oct 15, 2008 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Could have sworn

I saw somewhere where Mack either said definitively that Shipley had received the medical waiver or that the NCAA had strongly indicated they would give him one when the proper time comes.

He’s having a great year, but I’m not sure that one great year is enough to put him very high in the draft.

by Horncasting on Oct 15, 2008 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Word is that if he applies

he will get it, but he wont apply until after the season.

by Wells on Oct 15, 2008 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the whole Shipley

sixth year thing has been blown out of proportion.

As I understand how it works (please shoot me down if I’m in error): You can’t apply until after the season. Mack Brown has said Shipley will apply. But Vince Young said he wasn’t going to leave school early; NFL dollars have a tendency to change one’s plans. Beyond that, the NCAA likes to play up the hardship aspect of the sixth-year waiver. It’s hard to see how missing his RS freshman year has hurt Shipley a lot, given what he did in 2006, the second half of 2007 (after getting in playing shape following summer injury) and 2008.

This is just me, but I’m not expecting him back. So many unknowns. And the NCAA has been down to foot-drag on these things, too, which puts the kid in a bind insofar as deciding whether to stay and hope he gets a favorable ruling, or leave so as to get into pre-draft prep.

by edsp on Oct 15, 2008 6:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Disagree

Losing 2 entire seasons due to injury is exactly why this loophole was created. I honestly cannot remember a time when the NCAA denied this waiver in a similar situation. Heck, if Muck were to want to stay, I’d bet we could get him another year as well.

You are right, in many instances the NCAA has been known to drag their feet, but since Mack brought it up so early, I’m pretty confident that the team is way ahead of the curve on this one. The fact that he has been a model student athlete for 5 years probably also helps this get fast-tracked.

As far as the comparison to Young, he was looking at being a top 5 draft pick – there was almost no chance his draft stock would have been improved by staying another year. I doubt Shipley would go on the first day this year. It’s got to be a tough decision given his injury history, but if he gets the waiver and comes back, he could help his draft stock next year. He’ll be another year away from the horrible injuries that robbed him of alot of his quickness the last 2 years and be able to prove they are behind him.

Plus another year of pulling in UT tail with his roommate. Not a bad gig I’m sure.

by Horncasting on Oct 15, 2008 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chip Brown article today on OB's regarding this

I don’t want to post $$ stuff over here, but it sounds very, very positive.

by Horncasting on Oct 15, 2008 8:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re

Plus another year of pulling in UT tail with his roommate. Not a bad gig I’m sure.

Who needs UT tail when you can have bromance? Guy love, baby.

by jc25 on Oct 16, 2008 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just took his GRE

So Shipley has applied for law school so that he can continue to play another year

by Egonz on Oct 16, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Check that meant Grad school, sorry

by Egonz on Oct 16, 2008 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the Gazelle Love PB

Talk about under the radar… So much excitement about the over-achieving Gridiron Gods, and the excitement about yet another stellar basketball season about to start, our poor Gazelles have gotten short shrift in the publicity department.

The team is in very much the same position it was in this time last year. Second place in the Big XII after a loss at Nebraska, but still in the Top 5 despite an early loss to then-#2 Stanford. The rest of the Big XII are already also-rans, as Texas has already beaten K-State, the only other team within spitting distance of the top of the standings. Texas could easily win the rest of its games this season (as it did last year) and end up sharing the conference crown with the Huskers by taking them down in Austin (as it did last year). The question is – can the Horns make it to the Final Four, or will they crash out in the Elite Eight (as they did the past two years).

Texas still has the best foursome of hitters in the nation – Destinee Hooker, Ashley Engle, Juliann Faucette and Lauren Paolini. Destinee, Ashley and Pao are all better than they were last year (Destinee in particular) but Juliann has taken a step back in her performance so far – largely because Jerritt is asking her to be a more complete player this season, playing defense in the back row and serving as well as attacking.

The biggest difference this year is the New Michelle. Replacing All-American Michelle Moriarty at Setter this year is top recruit Michelle Kocher. After some early season struggles Michelle K is really starting to get in sync with her hitters – particularly Pao and Destinee. She’s now been awarded the Big XII Rookie of the Week 3 straight weeks. That’s comparable to a Point Guard starting (and winning awards) as a true freshman, something only TJ and DJ have done since I’ve been paying attention to bball. She’s got a ways to go, but she’s going to be GOOD.

And there’s the reason I think Texas is still a year away from national championship contention. Michelle K is good now, but she’s not Final Four good yet. Tempest would probably know, but I don’t think any team has won a championship with a freshman setter, at least not in the rally scoring era.

Missouri should be a good match for the Horns on Friday night, so it would be well worth your time to drop by to watch. Texas is in the top 10 again in average attendance, but a few BON’er butts in seats would always be appreciated.

Life is an Occasion. Rise to it.

by patienthornsfan on Oct 15, 2008 2:54 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Thanks for the update, PHF.

The other day, my son and I (UT soph) were lamenting the lack of Gazelles news. We’re coming in Sat am, but I wish we could arrive on Fri to check out our team.

I'll never forget ol' what's-his-name.

by Horntod on Oct 15, 2008 3:31 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not so fast my friend....

Stanford won the NCAA Volleyball Championship in 2004 with a freshman setter (Brynn Kehoe).

The Gazelles took care of business tonight against A&M in the armpit of Texas aka College Station. The Holla House has historically been a very tough place for the Gazelles to play. However, we are now riding an 8 game win streak against the poor aggies. I’m a bit upset the team continues to have a set full of brain farts that keep us from sweeping the lesser competition. However, I am very impressed with how we recover from those giveaway sets and put the hammer down. Tonight, Heather Kisner had this amazing series of one handed digs. Let me just say we have lost a bit at setter but I believe we have upgraded at libero.

The girls could use a good crowd this Friday. Two home matches ago they had to compete with the CU football game. Last home match against Baylor they competed against the torchlight parade. Hoping we get a packed house of students and fans for Friday night. In addition, I know the women’s basketball team is hosting some Top 25 recruits this weekend that I’m sure will be at the match Friday night and the football game Saturday. I’m thinking they will easily realize what a great time it is to be a Longhorn!

by TempestHorn on Oct 16, 2008 12:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs