WTH?! (What the Heck?) moments are attempts to find the memorable and the off-beat perspective on Longhorns sports. Here are some interesting moments from the Texas game against [tag]Alabama[/tag] in the Citi BCS National Championship.
I know that this post is over a week late. I needed at least that much time to get some perspective from attending this National Championship game.
Pre Game (Coin Toss) WTH Saban?! Nick Saban, your team wins the coin toss and you decide to take the ball first. The big bad SEC which claims that no one else plays defense but you guys are the ones that decide to go on offense first. Nick, either you’re tremendously cocky or you saw something that the Horns could take advantage of which you felt you needed to put points on the board first.
1st Quarter (13:01) WTH Saban #2?! OK, Nick. I am starting to think you were scared of the Horns offense. You go for a fake punt on your own 20 yard line. [tag]Blake Gideon[/tag] baited the punter PJ Fitzgerald to make the pass, but Nick you gave the green light for your players to execute this play. Hey Saban, looks to me your were a little concerned.
1st Quarter (10:54) WTH Moment of the Season?! The Tide’s Marcell Dareus hit was nowhere close to the shots that [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] has taken while on the 40 acres. One of the most irritating stats of the game was this was Dareus’ only recorded tackle of the entire game. The tackle caused a pinched nerve that affected his throwing arm which ended Colt’s storied career. I hear some people complaining that Colt should have never been carrying the ball because he is too important to the team. These same people said leading up to this week that Colt was going to have to run to keep the Tide’s defense off balance. Isn’t hindsight a beautiful thing?
2nd Quarter (:03) WTH Hix?! To top his only tackle of the game Marcell Dareus recorded an interception just before the end of the half (he won the defensive MVP based on this play alone). The frustrating part of the [tag]Garrett Gilbert[/tag] shovel pass was not the drop by [tag]DJ Monroe[/tag]. It was the lack of a tackle by offensive lineman [tag]Kyle Hix[/tag] who could have held him up for at least a second or two instead of trying to barrel roll him down.
3rd Quarter (12:05) WTH Gold Streaker?! The gold masked man with a website on the back of his shirt wanted to interrupt the football game to protest… the BCS. I believe all universities need to be on look out for more masked streakers who want a playoff system.
3rd Quarter (:45) WTH Pass Catchers?! I have made this statement for a second consecutive game. This young group of receivers needed to come up big in this game even more so since Garrett Gilbert went in to replace Colt. Malcolm Williams’ finger tip touch of the football in the end zone would have brought UT within a single score before the start of the fourth quarter. Dan Buckner had a crucial drop early in the game until he made a solid catch in the endzone for a two point conversion. We need all the receivers including the newest recruits, Darius White and Demarco Cobbs, to help out a developing quarterback like Garrett next year. (Who knew these words would mean so much more with the dismissal of wide receivers Brandon Collins and Dan Buckner)
4th Quarter (3:14) WTH Mack Magic?! I thought of these words when Garrett took over the ball at the seven yard line. After the Longhorn faithful thought the game was over when Colt went down, the UT side of the Rose Bowl was stoked about a possible tie or go ahead score. Just a few seconds later, Alabama’s Eryck Anders recorded their only sack of the game which caused Garrett to fumble and end any momentum. I do need to point out that the OL protection got better towards the end of the game even after losing All-Big 12 center [tag]Chris Hall[/tag].
4th Quarter (1:48) WTH Saban #3?! With the score 31-21 in favor of Alabama, Nick Saban cemented himself as a red a** going in for a meaningless score. His own player, Javier Arenas, who intercepted the ball and fell to the ground instead of trying to score, showed more respect that Saban. Operating from the victory formation with only one timeout left on the Texas sideline would have ended the game. To use basketball terminology, instead of dribbling out the clock, Saban decided to dunk the ball over his opponent. I subscribe to the fact that the defense is the one responsible for stopping the other team from scoring. But when you can take a knee that will end the game with your team hoisting the ball in victory, that is the ultimate ending for a championship team.
Thanks for following my WTH articles throughout the football season. I appreciate the opportunity to rant about the greatest University sports program in the country. You can continue to follow comments on all of UT sports on Twitter at 40AcresSports or follow me at Horns1991. HOOK ‘EM!!
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!
Fire the cannon. Make some noise with Big Bertha. They should have let [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] light the tower orange as well. Watch the postgame celebration and relish the special group of seniors that played their last game at DKR Saturday night:
Follow along live with 40 Acres Sports on Twitter and below for our thoughts and analysis during tonight’s Texas game versus [tag]Kansas[/tag] on ABC. We’ll be live right around kickoff so join us to discuss the game bright and early at 7:00pm Saturday.
Feel free to leave comments and questions using the live tool, but not all comments will be published. Read below for more notes on comments and how the live blog will work. Hook ’em!
Notes:Comments on the article itself will be turned off till after the game. The Writer can view all comments sent to them but only they can publish your comments for everyone to see. The “autoscroll” feature ensures you’re always shown the newest content without having to refresh or scroll your screen. Subtle sound effects alert you to new content as the writer publishes it. You can turn these features on or off by using the controls at the bottom of the Live Blog.
It’s the last home game for a group of Texas seniors that could go down as the best to play for the Longhorns. The redshirt seniors have national title rings from the 2005 season but are looking to keep winning so they can earn one of their own. Quarterback [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] will become the winningest college QB ever and sixth year senior [tag]Jordan Shipley[/tag] actually has been on campus for an incredible 66 wins.
Will the seniors get their 43rd win today? Our predictions are below:
Brian – The Texas Longhorns are playing their best football of the year and the Kansas Jayhawks are playing their worst. When turmoil hits a team they either rally together or fall apart, with the allegations this week against Mark Mangino I’m guessing it’s the latter. Horns will win big with another strong defensive showing and one last special performance between senior buds McCoy and [tag]Jordan Shipley[/tag] who will connect for two scores or more. Horns clinch Big 12 South title and the seniors go out in style. Texas 45, Kansas 13
Ross – I think I have one fat finger on the pulse of this game against Kansas. I think the Longhorns will send the Jayhawks back to their alcoholic… OK, that is a little too much. The turmoil surrounding the Jayhawks may galvanize the team to rally around their embattled coach. But that would be a concern if this game was in Kansas. The Longhorns are on a mission and the defense will ruin Todd Reesing’s homecoming. Texas 38, Kansas 10
More Predictions
WTH?! (What the Heck?) moments are attempts to find the memorable and the off-beat perspective on Longhorns sports. Here are some interesting moments from the Texas’ game against the Missouri Tigers.
Pregame WTH McCoy?! Great game by [tag]Colt McCoy[/tag] who finished with 26 of 31 for 269 yards 3 TD’s and 1 interception. He nailed it during the pregame stretching when he was yelling at the team “this is our house, from the very beginning… lets go.” Colt knew exactly what he was talking about by leading the team to three straight scoring drives to put the Tigers away.
1st Quarter (8:08) WTH Mack?! Gutsy call by Mack Brown to order up a fake punt on 4th down on their own 47 yard line. Texas was only up one score and the message that was sent to the Tigers was it was going to be the Horns day.
Start of the 2nd Quarter WTH Mizzou fans?! It was Mizzou’s homecoming that they claim to have started back in 1911. Never new a simple call from the office of the president at Missouri to come back and watch a football game was such a momentous occasion. Wow, way to fire up the football fans with bringing out former MU basketball player Steve Stipanovich (1,836 points & 984 rebounds from 80-83). Let’s bring out our stud UT LaSalle Thompson (1,463 points & 1,027 rebounds from 79-82) next time the Tigers come to Austin.
2nd Quarter (:51) WTH Herbstreit?! You may not be good at predicting winners on the Gameday set early that morning in Provo (3-6), but you sure good at predicting UT scores. Kirk Herbstreit was wondering what the score was last year between the two teams at half. As soon as Kirk remembered the score (35-3), UT [tag]Curtis Brown[/tag] broke through to block the Mizzou punt in the end zone which was recovered by [tag]Malcolm Williams[/tag] to make the score 35-7 (eerily similar).
Start of the 3rd Qt. WTH ABC?! Great call by the television truck to cue up the Dave Matthews song “Too Much” with highlights from the first half which was all Longhorns.
3rd Quarter (5:45) WTH Smith?! Mizzou’s outstanding defensive player Aldon Smith had a tremendous night (11 tackles and 2 sacks). Too bad he added a bone headed play by hitting Colt out bounds (personal foul – 15 yard penalty) which caused Mack Brown to hyperventilate with the franchise lying on the sidelines.
Whole Game WTH Offensive Line?! [tag]Kyle Hix[/tag], [tag]Michael Huey[/tag], [tag]Chris Hall[/tag], [tag]Charlie Tanner[/tag] and [tag]Adam Ulatoski[/tag] who started the game and the rest of the big uglies should be lauded for a physical and dominant performance with the Horns gaining 400 total yards and scoring 41 points.
Next up for the Longhorn’s is a visit to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State at 7pm on Halloween night.
Follow along live with 40 Acres Sports on Twitter and below for our thoughts and analysis during today’s game versus [tag]UTEP[/tag] on FSN. We’ll be live right around kickoff so join us to discuss the game right around 2:30pm this afternoon.
Feel free to leave comments and questions using the live tool, but not all comments will be published. Read below for more notes on comments and how the live blog will work. Hook ’em!
ESPN’s Big 12 blog is ranking the top 40 players in the conference and so far they’ve named three Longhorns between 27 and 40. The latest is tackle [tag]Adam Ulatoski[/tag] at number 27, here’s the write-up:
Why he was picked: Over his career, Ulatoski has become one of the most productive linemen in the Big 12. He’s started 30 games at Texas, with the first 16 in his career at right tackle before moving to left tackle before the Longhorns’ Holiday Bowl victory over Arizona State in 2007. He’s been the most productive lineman on Texas’ team the last two years.
We’ll keep track of the list and let you know where other Longhorns fall.
Other Longhorns
#32 – Earl Thomas
#37 – Chris Hall
Our live stream of consciousness posted from @40acressports on Twitter from during the Fiesta Bowl is posted below:
- It was cool when they let blind guys sing the national anthem, but wasn’t letting a blind man design the Fiesta Bowl trophy enough? #UT 25 minutes ago
- @springnet 77 is Luke Poehlmann, a very promising true freshman lineman. He deserves to start in 09 just due to his sweet mullet. 31 minutes ago
- @HookEmSarah as Mack said this week, gatorade baths are for 7-5 coaches. 😉 plus I’m sure there nothing but whining on #UT msg boards. 37 minutes ago
- What a game. Congrats Horns on the big tough win. Congrats to the seniors. #UT 40 minutes ago
- I heart Quan and Brian Orakpo. Huge sack (and good job tackling QB too.) #UT 42 minutes ago
- ANnouncers are acting like this thing is over. #UT 44 minutes ago
- Unsportsmanlike could be huge. OSU kicker has big leg. Come on kickoff team. #UT 45 minutes ago
- Tressel’s challenge gives #UT much needed timeout. Horns should actually gain yards with review. 49 minutes ago
- That was a terrible initial spot. Clearly got first down. Replay will give it to #UT if spot doesn’t. 51 minutes ago
- #UT needs to be in bigger hurry. 56 minutes ago
- Not sure who #77 for #UT is but that mullet deserves playing time. 57 minutes ago
- There’s no such thing as double pass interference, whoevere initiated contact deserves the flag. #UT 58 minutes ago
- @joneke defense has been fantastic all game long. about an hour ago
- Absolutely terrible pass interference call. Beasley has right to ball and ball was way short. F***! #UT about an hour ago
- Well defended? Malcolm Williams was wide open and Colt just put it too wide. #UT about an hour ago
- 4th quarter! Wrap this thing up boys. #UT about an hour ago
- Attaboy Colt! You too Coach Davis. All three drives this half have been good ones (sans 20 yd sack.) #UT about an hour ago
- Matt Hasselback is the NFL qb you reference? Weird. Is Tim announcing the game? #UT about an hour ago
- When do you think we’ll see screen and go to Shipley? Looks set up well. #UT about an hour ago
- 4th and 36 and we can’t even punt for first down yardage. Momentum squandered. #UT about an hour ago
- Terrible play by Colt. Has to expect pressure on RB screen call. Drive killer. #UT about an hour ago
- Dear Greg Davis, finally a designed run for Colt and you get a beauty of a TD run for #UT. Let’s go defense!! about 2 hours ago
- #90 for Ohio St is dirty POS. 2nd time he clearly and intentionly went high with his hands on Colt. Hit was fine, hands to helmet isn’t. #UT about 2 hours ago
- Very good effort by R Bobino to get first down when there wasn’t much room on fake punt. #UT about 2 hours ago
- Fiesta Bowl trophy is one of the ugliest things on the planet. #UT about 2 hours ago
- Crap. Holding call turns 2nd and inches into 2nd and long. #UT about 2 hours ago
- Set your feet Colt. #UT about 2 hours ago
- @kbohls you have to be able to trust you junior QB not to take bad risk. That one is on Colt. #UT about 2 hours ago
- Bad underthrow by Colt costs #UT chance at at least tying FG. Huge mistake and momentum killer into halftime. about 2 hours ago
- False starts on wide receivers drive me bats***. #UT about 3 hours ago
- @kbohls blame out of position linebackers (due to play and blitzes) more than D-line for long runs. Agree about QB contain. #UT about 3 hours ago
- Getting the awful feeling opposing fans felt when VY was at quarterback. Glad Pryor has no clue about watching for 1st down markers. #UT about 3 hours ago
- 2nd and goal from 17 and we run a draw to Chris O? WTF? #UT about 3 hours ago
- Speaking of running, where’s Fozzy? #UT about 3 hours ago
- No attempts to get Colt McCoy running yet. Turn him loose Greg! #UT about 3 hours ago
- Better drive by #UT offense but inability to get positive yards on 2nd & short is killing us. about 3 hours ago
- Apparently that was a token holding call earlier, some pretty blatant ones on this series but we get pressure and S Kindle gets sack. #UT about 3 hours ago
- 1st freshman mistake for Pryor. Good run but stepped out before first down with no one about to hit him. Melton rushing out of control. #UT about 4 hours ago
- Woot!!!! Apparently holding still exists outside the Big 12! Good sign for Rak! #UT about 4 hours ago
- Chris Hall is playing. Retweeting @suzhalliburton: @40acressports They used the depth chart from A&M about 4 hours ago
- Chris Hall wasn’t on official depth chart for the game but #71 is in uniform at least for the Horns. Hope he’s 100% and starting. #UT about 4 hours ago
- RT @CedGolden: Is it me or is Barry Switzer wearing a burnt orange tie with a matching hanky? #UT about 4 hours ago
- Score predictions for #UT vs Ohio State: http://is.gd/eEb5 All three of us have the Horns winning a pretty close game. about 4 hours ago
- RT @bevobeat: Blaine Irby up and about. Horns’ injured tight end was out tossing the ball around in pregame. http://twitpic.com/100fd about 4 hours ago
- Ah oh: No Chris Hall on the 3 deep at center for Fiesta Bowl depth chart: http://is.gd/eDRj True frosh D Snow gets start. about 5 hours ago
Follow @40acressports on Twitter
(Side note: This is the site’s 2,500th post. Kind of cool.)
Bad news on the injury front this week for the [tag]Kansas[/tag] game. We knew starting center [tag]Chris Hall[/tag] would be out with a knee injury but cornerback [tag]Aaron Williams[/tag] and tight end [tag]Ian Harris[/tag] are also out. The true freshman Williams has been big for the secondary filling in and playing well while starting corner [tag]Chykie Brown[/tag] was out, fortunately Brown is not on this week’s injury report.
Listed as questionable are two key members of the defensive line in end [tag]Brian Orakpo[/tag] and tackle [tag]Lamarr Houston[/tag]. Both players could play and rumors are both should be on the field today in Lawrence. Safety [tag]Ben Wells[/tag] is also questionable.
With the offensive line injury, off field, and performance issues the last few weeks it is very good news that left tackle [tag]Adam Ulatoski[/tag] is probable.
Just a few minutes before opening kickoff of Texas vs Kansas.