about our players on the field. I feel very optimistic about them. However, the "game day" coaching is what bothers me. Feels like a burr under my saddle. I guess it's a lack of confidence right now. Crossing my fingers....
Yeah, sure, Strong has no history of coaching up kids who were less well regarded in high school and making them competitive in high level collegiate games. What a well founded, historically verifiable burr you have there.
This should add to the smile upon your face. http://insidetexas.com/horns-on-the-road-again/ Horns On the Road Again, by Chris Hall Courtesy InsideTexas Aug 28, 2015 ....... "When Texas plays at Notre Dame on September 5th the situation will be the same. In some sense, they’ll just be playing 11 men in golden helmets. It doesn’t matter if it’s played in the parking lot or anywhere else. But at another angle, they’ll be playing the crowd, the momentum, and the past 100 years of Fighting Irish tradition. That’s what makes it fun. That’s what makes it a challenge. That’s college football. "Championship teams own it. Then they enjoy the spoils on the plane ride home." ....... For the record, I am extremely confident about this game. I am confident in the head coach and coaching staff, and in the players. I am extremely confident in Tyronne Swoopes. And all the players. I may be proved wrong after the first few series and go "WHAT?" But my instincts and the scarce reporting (and I like that it has been scarce) that has come through for the August practices, all says college football is in for a big surprise. Erin Hogan's on 104.9 this past week had Geoff Ketchum saying "Charlie Strong likes this team. More than I do, but he really does like this team." That told me the rest of what I wanted to know. Charlie knows what is going that field this Sat night in South Bend. He's playing it real cool so far. And apparently so is the media. Prediction: Texas 38 Notre Dame 10 Longhorns in command all night. Hook'em
Think I'll tap the brakes just a bit on that prediction. I'd be very happy with a 21-17 win - or any win at all.
What well-founded historically verifiable support is there for a dual-offensive-coordinate system is where even when it goes to court nobody can figure out who is actually responsible for doing what job on offense?
I feel good about these players too. Even if they lose in South Bend, I think it will still be apparent that we have the makings of a great team for next season (or even by the end of the year). Unlike you, I also feel good about the coaches (who happen to also be responsible for the young talent we have on this team that you feel so good about, FWIW) The defense last year was ******* great and there is no reason to doubt it will be just as good this year. As sloppy as the offense was last season, it was so green that its hard to know who to blame. And if you feel good about Swoopes this coming year, then you also have to give the current coaches credit for that. Because after 2 + years under the previous staff had not developed at all and was looking like another overrated / underdeveloped waste of a scholarship offer at this time last year. Hope you're right about TS, and if you are, then I hope you give credit where is due.
This hits points I've accumulated to date. There has been, for me, a cumulative quality throughout the program since the end of last season. I am more convinced after the August practices.
I have a good feeling about this season, I think we probably lose in South Bend and Fort Worth and Waco but the other 9 games are all very winnable and if they can win one of those three likely losses this team could jump up and win 10. I expect to win 8, hope to win 9 and would be ecstatic at 10. Regardless I like what Strong has done with the program and have no doubt that it is pointed in the right direction.
The silence about our kicking game has been strange. The first couple of practices our punter was kicking into the street and lots of talk about Rose kicking 80 yards. Do we really have a super punter and somewhat dependable kicker? I have heard nothing for quite a while Is this a big secret that will be let out of the bag next Saturday?
College Football Sunday afternoon... Herbie, and Gang. So... Mr. Heisman picks A&M to wih t The somewhat nonchalant silence surrounding most of training camp is where I'm drawing most of my confidence.
I watched Tommy Nobis play in high school and when he went to Texas I have been looking through the world wit h orange colored glasses ever since. Every year I look at the possibilities of winning every game with bias that overshadows reality. I overestimate the talent we have and think it might be possible to light the tower in January. Well not every year. I think we will have a great defense and maybe a adequate o line. QB maybe and receivers possibly great depending on Daje who must be great. I asked about kicking because I think it could be a huge difference this year. The Australian guy is supposed to be able to hit the sideline from 60 yards. I think him and Rose hold a big key to success this year.
FWHorn, I like your thinking. My concept - (1) win the winnable games without fail, (2) Beat Zero U, and (3) Beat either TCU or Baylor. If those all happen, it's a great season and a great second year for Strong.
An x-factor I keep thinking about is... Coach Strong's coaching never fully seeped in last season. From what I hear about the August practices -- which is a culmination of conditioning for the past 4-5 months, plus growing team building -- the team is more in position to listen and hear, and be locked in on the same page. What I am anticipating is seeing an entirely new look of a team this Sat night, from the first snap. If it plays as I think it will... it will not be that surprising to me at all, but a great relief that it in fact came to fruition. Article in NY Times long ago, buried in a file folder somewhere in a box... common factor between great music and mathematics... they may not be what you anticipated, but once observed they appear exactly as you would have expected. If this comes off...when it happens fans everywhere will say, "Yeah, that's it. There you go!" As if it was expected, and well, can be no other way. But likely due t the past few seasons, it is not fully anticipated. What has to happen is that the mindset of the players has already made it a reality. And, frankly, I believe they have.
I'm just looking for men that will punch you in the mouth on every play. Don't back back down. The rest will take care of it's self. Play ball!
I like that we're close enough to a game that the analytics and analysis-paralysis is giving way to .... all this