Where’s the Edge?
Even on paper 45-0 versus New Mexico looks just okay. In reality the Horns were ahead only 10-0 when New Mexico’s starting quarterback, B. R. Holbrook was knocked out of the game. Before that New Mexico was dominating in time of possession and averaging more than 5 yards per carry on the ground. The Texas defense was having a real hard time getting of the field and if not for a fluky 49 yard touchdown run by David Ash and a 35 yard punt return by Quandre Diggs you might have been looking at 3-0 or 7-0 halftime lead against New Mexico who is about # 117 out of 120 division one college football teams.
In the first two games of the season we haven’t seen a dominating defense that is forcing three and outs with fourth and twenty yards to go. The offensive line isn’t creating holes between the tackles and David Ash is just dinking and dunking the ball down the field. This is disappointing and should be borderline disturbing to Longhorn coaches and fans. So far there is just no edge to this team. Not from the ballyhooed Kenny Vaccaro who has missed too many tackles and not from senior offense tackle Mason Walters and his line mates who look pretty much the same as they did last year. There are a few players showing some edge and pizazz such as D.J. Monroe with his determined running, Marquis Goodwin with his downfield blocking and Malcolm Brown with his nonchalant but effective running style.
The Duke of Blandia
During the mid 1970s my fraternity at The University of Texas, the Sig Eps, would hang the moniker “The Duke of Blandia” on a member of the fall pledge class who exhibited, shall we say, the most reserved personality. At various times during Hell Week, the traditional rite of initiation, the reigning Duke of Blandia would be ordered by the Hell Master to stand in front of the actives and recite, “I am The Duke of Blandia. I am so royally bland.” Ripping good stuff. Well David Ash has The Duke of Blandia written all over him. He’s not a gunslinger quickly pulling the trigger and zipping the ball though small openings to pass receivers. He doesn’t escape on rushing defenders in the backfield turning seven yard losses into 15 yard gains (see my opinion of his 49 yard run above). He’s a half count late throwing the deep ball and he displays no natural quarterbacking instinct or pocket awareness. He’s just kind of just there.
Mack Brown and Brian Harsin have come pretty close to saying that all they are going to require of Ash is that he just be there, not make turnovers and to rely on the running game, the defense and special team play to elevate the Longhorns to Big 12 Championship contention or even higher. Brown said before the season began that his team was talented enough to beat every opponent on the schedule. Evidently he saw something in his Longhorns during all those closed pre-season workouts that the fans haven’t seen during the first two games.
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In many seasons past during post game comments and press conferences Mack Brown has said on several occasions something to the effect of, “I wish we hadn’t abandoned the run.” Against New Mexico Malcolm Brown one of the star players in what is supposed to be Texas’ feature attraction, the running game, had only two carries. The tendency by the Texas coaches, whether it’s Greg Davis or Brian Harsin and Major Applewhite calling the plays, to lose track of the game plan during the fog of the game is something to keep our eye on as the competition gets stiffer.
HooK Em,
W.E.
Over/under Results
Veteran and stellar Over/Under performer Wade Wallace turned in yet another scintillating performance in the New Mexico over/under posting 9 correct answers. When I graded his answers I would have bet the house that he would be the winner. Oh contraire mes amis. The perfect older brother David Frink scored a rare perfect 10 to edge Mr. Wallace. Seems like there should be a bonus or gold star or something for a perfect score. With a delightful numeric symmetry seven players tied for third place with 7 correct answers.
Seventeen players participated in the still growing by leaps and bounds Willie Earl Over/Under Contest this past week shattering the previous record of 14 set in the 2008 Oklahoma game. Ripping good stuff.
W.E.
