Before the season started, if the football gods or devil (take your pick) had offered you wins over USC and TCU in exchange for a loss to Maryland, would you have taken it? A loss to Maryland would have been—was—a tough pill to swallow but in the afterglow of 3-1, with back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, do we all agree it would have been—is—worth it?
After the loss to Maryland, it took major-league chutzpah for Tom Herman to say he saw improvement in his team, and when asked how big a setback the loss to Maryland was to answer, “Not very.” Maybe he really deserves that Mensa membership. If I was a member, I’d nominate him myself. For the first time in nearly a decade, Herman has developed the Longhorns into a football team that its fans can be excited about. I for one felt that small catch in my throat and a brief shortness of breath after Sam Ehlinger ran up, then stepped back in the pocket and delivered the clinching touchdown strike to Lil Jordan Humphrey. Hook ‘Em by god Horns!
TCU Takeaways, there’s a lot to like
In addition to his fabulous 31-yard touchdown catch, and 124 yards receiving, what I was most impressed by was Collin Johnson’s tackle-breaking, balancing, and stretching seven-yard run and catch for a drive-extending first down in the fourth quarter. It was an absolutely crucial and clutch play which led to the game-clinching touchdown. Johnson has a chance to become the Longhorns first truly dominating offensive threat in a long time.
Once again Caden Sterns is setting the standard for how a five-star recruit should perform. His play has been scintillating.
Sam Ehlinger had his second straight game without a turnover and third straight without an interception. His touchdown pass to Collin Johnson was a really good throw. His touchdown pass to Humphrey was great improvisation. His running for the second week in a row was crucial if not prolific in terms of yards. Tom Herman’s decision to start Ehlinger over Buechele is looking pretty good right now.
I loved Todd Orlando’s decision to rush four or five and not to go into a “Prevent” defense on TCU’s last two possessions of the game.
Now the Horns have to do it on the road.
HooK ‘Em,
W.E.
Over/Under Results
Reed Ramlow got on the board for the first time in 2018 winning this week’s contest with seven correct answers. Steve Holstead, Greg Swan, Mike Frank, and Clayton Frink tied for second with six correct.
The new game day experience at DKR is raising many boats as there were several first time Over/Under contestants this week. Very exciting.
The average score was 4.9.
