Will Chris Hall and the Texas offensive line be celebrating against Alabama? (Image: Statesman)
A resolution in this article will be “a formal expression or opinion made” to win a football game. The Texas Longhorns will be playing for a national championship against Alabama on January 7th at the Rose Bowl. I have four resolutions that the Longhorns should follow in order to win this game. We are not going to make the obvious statements that the winner will be the one that can hold on to the ball, establish the running game, control the line of scrimmage, TOP, or have the ball last. Here they are:
1. To Be First
The Longhorn’s offense all season is based on tempo. The Longhorns need to rack up first downs in this game. If you remember the Fiesta Bowl last year the offense needed a full half to get going. You will notice that [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] and [tag]Greg Davis[/tag] like to run the hurry up offense after a made first down. The Bama defense will need to pick it up and mismatches play a huge role in Texas moving the ball. The Longhorns for this entire season had 114 more first downs over their opponents.
2. To Add Wrinkles
No… we are not hoping the Longhorns age us during this game. Greg Davis needs to add some different play combinations to keep the Alabama defense guessing. We know that conventional running will not work. Greg introduced the double cross receiver run during the OU game and the shovel pass against UCF. Auburn pulled out a few rabbits to start the game against Bama. I am not suggesting trick plays but a change of pace to keep them guessing. Please Greg install the wheel route to [tag]Tre Newton[/tag] at the right time which would be fun to see. [tag]Chris Hall[/tag] and teammates please give Colt just a little time to execute a few of these plays.
3. To Have a Big Middle
The middle that I am referring to is [tag]Roddrick Muckelroy[/tag] and [tag]Lamarr Houston[/tag]. These two men need to step up big time to make Alabama one dimensional. The two closes games (biggest I would argue) of the season where we saw the Sooners rush for -16 yards and the Huskers run for 67 yards. Alabama will want to impose their will with Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson running the ball. The “Goonies” (nicknamed by Lamarr) need to have the defensive effort that we all talk about when we speak of the 2006 National Championship game.
4. To Not Be Offensive
We need to get back to the non-offensive touchdown results that we had for most of the season. The timeliness of the 2 non-offensive TD’s that we had versus Oklahoma State would suffice (I can wish?!). We need the special teams to come up with a game changing punt return, punt block or kick return to electrify the crowd. The defense stepping up with an interception or fumble return for a touchdown can make the other team question their offensive decisions which affect play calling and team confidence. We do not have to win the turnover battle – just do something with it!
reply to #1
Dad
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I completely agree! That is what we have talking about all year. Now, just do it!!!
reply to #2
John Hampton
January 4th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Texas will win if they can block. The defense will give up some big plays ,its going to happen . Offensively Texas can keep this game respectable and winnable only by controlling the line of scrimmage.The lack of this will lead to a deluge of sacks and turnovers which will put the defense in a position to have to overplay and force the issue to much .If Texas blocks they will be able to play a low turnover low sack game which must happen for the horns to have a chance. Given that the season has shown us 13 opportunities for that blocking to take place and it has yet to surface for a full 4 qtrs I am doubtful that this doesn’t turn in to a superbowl like showing.A really good team is going to be made to look like it is not as good as it really is . Mack will not be able to play the way he is most successful and he will have to try to trick it up and that will lead to points piling up on the wrong side.Regardless this team has played great football and is playing for a national championship .Try to remember that at the final gun .