The money quote on the running game.

by ctex80 on Oct 19, 2009 12:37 PM CDT

Haven't seen this specific quote covered, but I think it gives us some insight into a. the difficulties in the running game thus far, and b. hope for the rest of the season on the offensive side of the ball. Here's the quote, from Stewart Mandel's article on SI.com

"We've been so inconsistent with our running game because we've played so many different running backs," said Brown. "We added some plays [for this game]. We really thought we could win the first five games without much of a running game. The fact we ran the ball really well today is encouraging to me."

That's the closest I can recall to a tacit admission of the Texas coaching staff holding back for OU. And not just holding back plays, but holding back A RUNNING GAME. As much as it frustrates the fanbase, Mack and GD are willing to "just win baby" up until the OU game. They don't give a damn what it looks like, or what we think about it. Any analysis of the Texas running game pre-OU is futile, as pre-OU Texas is playing with one arm behind their back. Acknowledging this makes it easier to understand the apparent discrepancy in these numbers (I've removed Sack yardage and attempts, as has been discussed here many times before, those should really be a part of the passing numbers):

vs Colorado: 23 Carries, 58 Yards, 2.52 YPC

vs Oklahoma: 36 Carries, 175 Yards, 4.86 YPC

4.86 against the best front seven that we'll see all year, at least until the MNC. That, coupled with the improvement in the passing game that should result from more Goodwin and WIlliams and less Kirk and Chiles, should be cause for hope for Texas fans, even if the offense is run by GD.

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The 2nd half combo of Fozzy and Cody was nice to see...

I hope there’s much more to come of this.

by silky51 on Oct 19, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed, that is cause for some relief in the short term

And the difficulties in adjusting blocking timing for about a half dozen different running backs has probably made the offensive line look worse than it is.

On the flip side, I think it shows just how worried the staff is about the offense against OU year in and year out. OU’s obsessive drilling of tendencies has caused the staff to withhold anything that might give the OU defense a look, at the expense of running a nigh crippled offense for half the season.

As long as UT beats OU, I don’t care too much I suppose, but I’m not sure this is a good thing in the long run. Some defensive coordinators drill tendencies even better than OU when the bowl season rolls around.

proud to swim home

by learned hand on Oct 19, 2009 12:49 PM CDT reply actions

I have a hard time getting worked up about bowl games...

In that Mack has shown that he clearly knows how to get a team ready for one. I don’t think GD is any more of a liability in a bowl than he is the rest of the time.

I think this strategy, holding back a significant amount of scheme for OU, reflects the lesson learned by Mack from losing 5 years in a row. I’d much rather us not cover the spread for 5 games and have something new for OU than what we dealt with from 2000-2004.

by ctex80 on Oct 19, 2009 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

this still doesn't explain why

we abandoned the run for long periods saturday, and on key downs. I think it might be more dumb luck that we gained so much yardage on the ground than a masterplan. I will give credit to the misdirection runs that were called, but why did we forget about them for so long?

by Texastough on Oct 19, 2009 1:09 PM CDT reply actions

Because GD sucks as a play-caller.

I’ve apologized for him more than once on this site, as I think he doesn’t get enough credit for what he is able to accomplish in practice and in the off-season. Game management is always going to be a weakness, though. I’m just optimistic about what those stretch and misdirection plays can give our offense for the rest of the year.

by ctex80 on Oct 19, 2009 1:20 PM CDT up reply actions

And as a run play designer

It’s painful to watch his run plays ’’develop’’. Why does UT recruit speedy, quick footed backs and then give them minimal opportunities to use their talents? Whitacker and co. receive every handoff about 1 yard behind the line of scrimmage with their shoulders and (and more importantly their eyes) toward a sideline and not the line of scrimmage. They are automatically at a disadvantage and are unable to make the appropriate reads. Counters and misdirections can work when the back is clearly seeing all run lanes open.

by jarrodmhoss on Oct 19, 2009 2:27 PM CDT reply actions

Did Mack decide to "hold back" on the passing Game during the OU Game to save it for Florida in the National Championship game??

NO MORE EXCUSES for anything..colt sick, too many running backs, OU is the best defense in the nation…BS…Greg Davis sux.

by Dawnpatrol on Oct 19, 2009 5:45 PM CDT reply actions

I dont understand

why you are still complaining… We are 6-0…Colt was obviously sick… anyone who watched him after the game could see that… He was sick… HE PLAYED… WE WON… I do not see excuses…. I see a team who has won 6 GAMES… These are kids.. they are gonna make mistakes… WE WON… OU is one of the best defenses in the nation… Have you not watched any of their games? Hello?

-----@ Live the Dream---- 2009 @------

by LadyLonghorninOK on Oct 20, 2009 8:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Just thinking aloud

But shouldn’t the “money” quote about the running game be something like “they penetrated through open holes” or “they took advantage of a parting middle”?

by jc25 on Oct 19, 2009 7:02 PM CDT reply actions