Plus, can the turnovers and penalties be fixed before the postseason?
The Texas Longhorns escaped Nashville with a narrow 27-24 win over Vanderbilt but common issues still plague this football team. Quinn Ewers threw two more interceptions after his passes were deflected at the line of scrimmage, and the game came down to an onside kick. What are you more concerned with? The turnovers or the penalties?
Daniel Seahorn (@DanielSeahorn) – The penalties for sure. Texas could have easily worked around the two deflections if they had not had back-breaking penalties that kept points off the board on both sides of the ball. Vanderbilt isn’t a bad team by any stretch. But better teams won’t come up short if that trend line stays the same for Texas.
Gerald Goodridge (@ghgoodridge) – The penalties are definitely more concerning. Both of the interceptions took some pretty bad luck and incredible individual efforts from Vandy’s defenders to make them happen. If the wind is a little stronger or either of those players is a step slower, we’re talking about a completely different situation. The penalties have really bitten Texas for the last two games, wiping multiple chunk plays off of the board. You also wouldn’t have seen Vandy have a near-complete comeback without a pair of 15-yard penalties on the defense.
Cameron Parker (@camerondparker) – Texas is 110th in turnovers per game and 98th in penalties so can I say both? I’ll say turnovers because the two interceptions led to 14 points for Vanderbilt and the nine thousand turnovers led to 17 points for Georgia. Are the turnovers more fixable than the penalties? Yes, but I also think the turnovers have led to Quinn playing timidly and Texas can not overcome that in the College Football Playoff.
Jacob Neidig (@jneidig_2) – Tipped INTs are a stroke of luck. Penalties, meanwhile, are well within the control of the team. I’m concerned that the penalties highlight a lack of in-play discipline that is required for national championship Esq teams.
The Horns have only had a 100-yard rusher in two games this season. Is the lack of an explosive running game being overlooked because of Quinn Ewers’ perceived struggles?
Daniel – I don’t think it’s being overlooked at all. Texas has been spoiled at running back in recent years and it’s clear they took a step back in that department this year. Having Cedric Baxter on the shelf definitely hurts as well. If Texas had a more consistent run game it would help out a lot when it comes to keeping defenses off-balance.
Gerald – I think that depends on who you’re listening to. It’s definitely something that should be monitored and is being monitored by a lot of folks. It seemed like Quintrevion Wisner was the answer to the problem, but while things have improved it really has been a struggle. That being said, Texas has been spoiled by Tashard Choice and the running back room for the entirety of the Steve Sarkisian era, so we have to remember that not every team has two NFL running backs for two years, then replaces them with another NFL RB1. Am I satisfied with the running game, not at all, and missing CJ Baxter has definitely hurt, but I think the fall-off has felt even more significant because of recent history.
Cameron – The quarterback’s job is easier when the defense is trying to stop the run. Are any opponents afraid of the Texas rushing attack right now? Look at how defenses are playing the Horns – they drop back seven or eight defenders and play high safeties. Sark is missing a true explosive back at the moment.
Jacob – YES. The lack of an explosive running game isn’t going unidentified but it is getting less attention than it deserves. Meanwhile, the play of Ewers has been front and center for weeks. The biggest thing being overlooked is how these struggles are connected. The lack of an explosive rushing attack and Ewers’s struggles don’t stem from the exact same issue but they do play off each other. Texas has been very average running the ball even when teams play 2 and 3 high safety looks. The ground game hasn’t been able to capitalize forcing Sarkisian to use the short passing game as an extension of the running game. This changes the way Ewers and the company can attack the defense through the air. More attention should be put on the offensive line’s role in both these issues. will that change the dynamic of the offense?
Texas enters the bye week after facing three consecutive ranked opponents. What was your biggest takeaway from the mid-season stretch?
Daniel – Getting out of that stretch 2-1 should be considered a win, but instead a lot of people think the sky is falling. Now you get the opportunity to reset a bit before attacking the remaining portion of your schedule with the ultimate goal still attainable.
Gerald – It’s such a weird nuanced conversation because before Texas was inflated by the early-season performances, I feel like everyone would have picked 2-1 as the likeliest outcome of that run. It’s a frustrating run because it’s pretty easy to clearly see how Texas could have gone 3-0 in that stretch, but all of the reasons the vast majority of people picked UGA as a loss for Texas showed up in the game.
Cameron – The defense is good enough to win a National Championship. In that three-game stretch, their opponents only scored three times when starting on their side of the 50-yard line. One of those scores came late in the win over Vanderbilt. Overall this season, opponents are averaging 1.01 points per drive against Texas. That’s good enough for 2nd in the country and good enough to win it all.
Jacob – The physical talent this team possesses is in fact elite but alone will not be enough to win the “important” games. I think all three games showed that this team can line up in front of anybody in the country and compete. Texas has the size, speed, and strength of a contender which hasn’t occurred very much on the 40 Acres other than last year. The difference will be execution and decision-making. If Texas can hone in on these two areas, this team is dangerous.
You’re postseason prediction for Texas is…
Daniel – At large playoff bid is my guess right now. Some things could break their way down the home stretch, but I see them making the field.
Gerald – If they make it to the A&M game with just one loss, then I think however that game goes they’re in the playoff. With the 12-team playoff, I would be shocked if both members of the SEC title game, plus at least one more SEC team make it in.
Cameron – College Football Playoff berth. All depends on the seeding.
Jacob – I’m optimistic about Texas coming out of this bye and performing well for the rest of the season. The added rest for players and practice time to cut out the mental mistakes will be huge. The staff will get additional time to scout the next four opponents as well. I think Texas not only makes but wins a playoff game this year.
Four games remain on the Longhorns’ schedule: Florida, at Arkansas, Kentucky, and at Texas A&M. Which game scares you the most? What will be Texas’ record over that four-game span?
Daniel – A&M and Arkansas for sure. Both road games in hostile environments that present some interesting matchups. I’m going slightly conservative and saying Texas goes 3-1 in that stretch.
Gerald – I still have a bit of PTSD from when Texas went to Arkansas the last time. That crowd was loud and angry, as it should be. Obviously going to College Station will be one of the toughest crowds of the year, especially with the high likelihood that it will be for a spot in the SEC Championship game. My head says 3-1, my heart says 4-0.
Cameron – I’m curious to see how Florida looks against Georgia and how Arkansas looks against Ole Miss this week. The scariest game will be Texas A&M by far. The Aggies could be 0-7 and I still wouldn’t feel good about it. Mike Elko has done a tremendous job in his first season and winning in Kyle Field is no easy feat. 3-1.
Jacob – This is a 4 game stretch that at first glance appears to point toward just one quality opponent. Key words: first glance. The other three teams have each shown that they can compete with playoff-caliber teams. Regardless, the way this Texas defense has been playing gives the Longhorns a favorable matchup in any game. Not to mention, Texas faces this gauntlet after a bye week, a huge swing in the direction of the Longhorns. I think Texas figured out a way to get it done all four times.