Posted September 6th, 2007 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Quick Hits
Sean Adams gives a different perspective on Arkansas State. Thoughts on the game from ex-college football players.
Not exactly the biggest game of the season this week for the Longhorns, but it’s the first week of the year of college football so there’s plenty to keep Longhorn fans glued to the TV all day. The Longhorns take on [tag]Arkansas State[/tag] tonight at 6pm on FSN pay-per-view, here’s the rest of the games you should be watching:
Colorado State vs. Colorado – Noon on FSN. Always a good rivalry game to watch. Can Dan Hawkins team realize this is intramural football and rebound from an abysmal 2006 season.
Georgia Tech at Notre Dame – 2:30 pm on NBC. A rough season could be getting underway today for the Irish. No idea how good GT is but Notre Dame lost a lot on offense and will be breaking in a new QB against a tough early season schedule.
Baylor at (22) TCU – 5 pm on CSTV. I don’t know how many people get CSTV but if you do this game is of special interest to Texas fans. Can Baylor continue to improve? Just how good is TCU? Interesting match-up.
Oklahoma State at (13) Georgia – 5:45 pm on ESPN2. A big chance for Bobby Reid and OSU to prove what they’re made of right off the bat. If the Cowboys can play like the team I think they are, they’ve got a good chance to show the nation something. Big game for Big 12 respectability.
North Texas at (8) Oklahoma – 6 pm on FSN. The Todd Dodge era begins with a trip to Norman where even just a good showing against Oklahoma would mean UNT is headed in the right direction. I definitely want to see how Dodge’s offense works against OU’s defense. Also our first chance to see OU quarterback Sam Bradford lead the Sooners.
(15) Tennessee at (12) California – 7 pm on ABC. Best game of the day. If Cal rolls over again to Tennessee like they did last season it’ll be a while before the Pac 10 can convince people it’s not just USC and a bunch of scrubs.
Vegas oddsmakers have Texas as 39 point favorites over [tag]Arkansas State[/tag] tomorrow night so winning shouldn’t be a problem. But the Horns will need more than just a victory to be satisfied. Here are the three keys for the game:
1. Don’t get anybody hurt
The game against Arkansas State is essentially a glorified scrimmage so the number one goal for the game has to be come out as healthy as possible. The Horns have already been bitten by the injury bug this fall and have a tough game next week against TCU, if another wide receiver goes down I might have to suit up.
2. Let [tag]John Chiles[/tag] play with the first offense
Since a redshirt is no longer an option, Chiles has to log a few minutes with the first team offense before the game is a laugher. Mack Brown said there would be no QB rotation but that doesn’t mean we can’t throw him out there for a few special plays to showcase his talents. Colt McCoy is no veteran either and needs enough work to make sure he’s ready for week two, but Chiles needs more than just garbage time snaps.
3. Seriously, don’t get anybody hurt
Did I mention this already? Get the first teamers rolling, give them a chance to come out for a series or two after halftime, and then get them the heck out of there.
Posted August 30th, 2007 by Brian
Filed under: Depth Chart, Football
With the first official depth chart released for the [tag]Arkansas State[/tag] we can officially do our first second guessing of the 2007 season. Let’s complain examine the defensive side of the ball first:
| Position | Player | Player | Player | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE (Quick) | Brian Orakpo |
|
|
Eddie Jones | ||
| I think everyone is expecting a big sack total from [tag]Brian Orakpo[/tag] this season, I’m thinking he could be our breakout defender. I’m excited to see [tag]Eddie Jones[/tag] play, kid is a future star. | |||||
| Nose Tackle | Derek Lokey |
or
|
Roy Miller |
|
|
Ben Alexander |
| If [tag]Derek Lokey[/tag] doesn’t get hurt, Texas wins the Big 12 and ends up in the Fiesta Bowl last year. A healthy Lokey helps the entire defense. | |||||
| Tackle | Frank Okam |
or
|
Roy Miller |
|
|
Thomas Marshall |
| There were all-world expectations for [tag]Frank Okam[/tag] when he arrived in Austin and he’s yet to perform at that level. He’s still got a chance to be a high draft pick if he can be healthy and active this year. | |||||
| DE (Power) | Aaron Lewis |
|
|
Lamarr Houston | ||
| Maybe the weakest spot on the defensive line but a couple of guys that impressed in limited time last season. [tag]Aaron Lewis[/tag] and [tag]Lamarr Houston[/tag] are both about a biscuit short of becoming defensive tackles. | |||||
| Strongside LB | Robert Killebrew |
|
|
Dustin Earnest | ||
| Any chance [tag]Sergio Kindle[/tag] comes in and takes this position over after his suspension? [tag]Robert Killebrew[/tag] needs to make more plays. | |||||
| Middle LB | Rashad Bobino |
|
|
Jared Norton | ||
| [tag]Rashad Bobino[/tag] is consistent but has trouble getting off blocks, [tag]Jared Norton[/tag] will knock your teeth out but is inexperienced. We’ve got to find the right mix of heady guys and playmakers at linebacker. | |||||
| Weakside LB | Scott Derry |
or
|
Roddrick Muckelroy |
|
|
Keenan Robinson |
| [tag]Roddrick Muckelroy[/tag] was our best linebacker before he tore up his finger against Rice and this season he’s listed as a co-starter. I think Muck ends up being on the field as much as any of the other guys. | |||||
| Right CB | Ryan Palmer |
|
|
Deon Beasley |
or
|
Chykie Brown |
| Uh oh. Now we’re into the area where fans are making a little noise. [tag]Ryan Palmer[/tag] has the makings of a solid player but he hasn’t performed well when he had opportunities. [tag]Deon Beasley[/tag] has a chance to take the starter’s job if he wants it. | |||||
| Free Safety | Marcus Griffin |
or
|
Drew Kelson |
|
|
Tyrell Gatewood |
| Everyone knew [tag]Marcus Griffin[/tag] was the starter but I was surprised to see [tag]Drew Kelson[/tag] the number two guy here and not at strong safety. Maybe Kelson plays in likely running situations. | |||||
| Strong Safety | Erick Jackson |
or
|
Ishie Oduegwu | ||
| Glad to see [tag]Erick Jackson[/tag] earn himself a chance. Kid has some bad luck but he was has all the measureables and was highly rated coming out of high school. And [tag]Ishie Oduegwu[/tag] is named Ishie, you’ve got to root for him just for that. | |||||
| Left CB | Brandon Foster |
|
|
Curtis Brown |
or
|
Earl Thomas |
| Even more worrisome than the other corner spot. [tag]Brandon Foster[/tag] is about the same as Palmer but an inch and a half shorter. He’s got two true freshmen behind him so it looks like a experience versus potential battle. | |||||
It’s just Arky State so I’m not going to get to worked up over anything on this depth chart. It’s the first game of the year so I think guys who have been here longer are going to have the edge over the young guys who have only been on campus a month. It’ll be interesting to see if the freshmen and sophomores battling for spots can show enough against ASU to see increased time against TCU.
Posted June 18th, 2007 by Brian
Filed under: Football, Quick Hits
Arkansas State may be in for a name change by August. If they can’t be the Indians, may I suggest The Arky St. Cupcakes?
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