Mid season check: Whats the record here on in?

I think we ought to have a pretty good gage on the team now. We are 3-3, and that seems like a decent reflection of what the team is. No better, no worse.

Here's my thoughts for the remaining games.
tcu-loss
osu-loss
wv-win
ku-win
bu-win
ttu-win

4-2 rest of the way to wind up 7-5. I predicted 8-3 before the season started. O-line seems like the team's biggest weakness now; with place kicker a close second.
Thoughts?

 

You're a bit more optimistic than I. Add WV and TT to the loss category. I don't see a winning season until next year. Hope you are right, though.

 

Considering all factors, I think the 4 wins is a comforting season, a bowl win would be some icing. Win one more and I will be very surprised AND very happy. Not convinced about the 4 wins though TT seems to score quickly and often and I am not confident we have the D to come through in the end like required to beat them nor the offense to score when we do (hold the that is). It's going to be another interesting and challenging season. Our happy times are going to be keeping away from blowouts I am afraid.

 

Unless something unexpected happens -- and it could -- the best case I see is a loss to OSU, TCU and either WVA or TT. So far we have beaten only three of the four teams we were expected to beat. Based on what I saw today, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, I am skeptical of our ability to hang with teams other than Baylor (and that's a "perhaps") and Kansas.

I have a high regard for Herman but the reality is that aside from the "moral victories" at USC and in Dallas today, we have underachieved from an expectations standpoint. I hope that changes but my euphoria and enthusiasm has been replaced by a painful dose of reality.

 

This kind of looks like a 6 or 7 win team.

Some mid-term observations:
-I haven't ever seen a defense show up and disappear like this one has.
-The offensive line needs a hug. These guys have been much maligned over the season, but they haven't been horrible. I don't even know who most of these guys are anymore because of the injuries. They've only allowed 5 sacks over 3 games. That's not bad.
-This brings me to my next point - what the hell is going on with our receivers? Sam had oodles of time back there today (same as last week). I'm done blaming the line - they aren't great but given the circumstances, they are good enough. Someone should be open especially when teams are stacking the box and daring us to throw.
-We only ran the ball (with a RB) 14 times. Sam ran it 22 times today. He was 20+ last week, too. If Sam can do it, so can the RBs. The fact that he's a threat to run should open up opportunities for both the RBs and the WRs. I'm not sure what is going on there.
-On the plus side, this team seems to get better as the game goes on (especially Sam). It's like watching Carl Lewis run a race (slower start but fast finish). They don't quit.

 

DB might have been as bad as OL today. OU receivers were often completely uncovered, or open by miles. Aside from the first TD, Mayfield rarely had to make a tough throw; he was normally hitting guys with huge windows.

 

7 wins and Ill be happy.

 

I still have this feeling I have no idea which team will show up. The one down 20-0 yesterday or the one that outscored OU 24-3 or the one that gave up a touchdown in a minute to close the game.

I could see us winning four or even five of the last six, but I could also see us winning two. This team is way too inconsistent to make a bet in Vegas.

 

Hard to win 4 straight coming out of losing 3 in a row, and hard to win in Morgantown period (ask a Sand Aggy friend today).
DB's have been an issue for three years now and that falls on Strong's ability to develop the athletic DB's he recruited. Every CB bites on run fakes which is an issue because the safety on that side either also bites or has other responsibilities. To Orlando's credit he has taught the LB's to more or less play their position correctly. Now if he can only teach them how to wrap-up.

 

While I don't consider Tech and WVa as certain wins, I don't see any certain losses either. I think we get four more wins and a great bowl matchup. We're not going to play anbody better than OU or USC and we came within one great play of winning those two matchups.

 

OSU and TCU might be.

 

5 - 1

 

i said 8 was the o/u, but i'd guess 7 is the number. 6 is possible,

 

Better chance of 1-5 ... Baylor played ousux as well as we did. I do like that this team doesn't quit like they seemed to do often under Charlie but as many have addressed before it's not the best prepared team week to week or play to play even.

I think Herman could be the right guy especially if he can bring in some top 10 classes but Im haven't seen anything "special" from this staff yet. I do think we take Baylor, and Kansas is almost too bad to beat anyone. Getting that 6th win for bowl eligibility will take a win over Tech, WVU, OSU or TCU. We're not beating OSU or TCU and don't like our changes in Morgantown ... 50/50 on Tech in Austin.

I really didn't want this to be another CS type season of just playing/hoping for bowl eligibility but here we are.

 

Remaining wins at Baylor, at Kansas, and Tech in Austin, so 6-6, with a bowl win to make it 7-6. Worrying about Tech is an annual tradition around here, but they’ve only beaten us once in Austin over the past 20 years (thank you, Charlie). They always seem to have a potent offense, but we’ve had good success running the ball down their throat every single time we play them.

 

My doubts are because I think OKC and TCU are better than OU sux in ways that play to our proven weaknesses, imo - often wrong I admit. Sure would like to go back to season opener when all was optimistic with opportunity. It's so great when everyone is undefeated.

 

Big 12 is tough, no wonder the Aggies ran to the SEC....
Blown coverages is what is killing us. I think we can beat some of these teams but it is looking like 4-2. I think we beat TCU, Tech, Baylor and Kansas. Lose to WVA and OSU. Or we lose to TCU and beat WVA.

 

I'm a pessimist. There's no way we win more than six of our remaining scheduled games. Sorry.

 

Haha, so do we win the Bowl game though?

 

Please, don't make me comment on that. I've quashed enough hope already.

 

I am baffled by the defense. To my knowledge we have had virtually no attrition and are playing with the same 11 + situationally 2-3 since the season began. Plenty of juniors and a few seniors. Ford, Jefferson, Elliott and perhaps Hill will likely be playing on Sundays, if only in backup roles. I just don't understand why this unit is not showing consistent growth. Since ISU they seem to have regressed.

If Orlando can get his unit back on track, the season could turn out much better than many are expecting. But that's a big "if."

On to the offense, if Ehlinger stays healthy, we will be fine. That kid is magic and even with the beleaguered O-Line, he will continue to be effective.

 

Well we will be player much better competition over next few weeks than ISU, although ISU should not be considered a slouch.

 

Man my typing!!! I meant playing not player, sorry.

 

My thoughts exactly. It would be a big upset to beat Okie State or TCU, and it's very tough to win in Morgantown. Tech is the best shot at a sixth win.

My current thoughts on the Longhorns:
(1) They play with good intensity.
(2) There is some athletic talent on the team.
(3) There isn't enough talent to build good depth.
(4) The talent isn't very experienced yet.

Tom has the program headed in the right direction. Let's see what happens with a couple of top-tier recruiting classes - build some depth and get some experience.

 

We gonna kill Baylor.

 

You are what your record says you are. A .500 team. That probably stays the same. On the positive side each game is independent of any other game, so with a few more plays and/or breaks they could go 5-1. Which if they make a couple plays against USC and ou, they could be right now.

 

We win the remainder of our games to finish 9-3
[remove burnt orange shaded glasses] I also predicted an 8-4 season but that was before Maryland loss. I agree with your remaining predictions except I think one of TCU/OSU to be a win (most likely OSU) and one of WVU/TTU to be a loss (most likely WVU)[/remove burnt orange shaded glasses]

 

After the game, apparently Ricky said that Texas would run the table after OU. Let's hope that he's a burnt orange version of Nostradamus.

 

Yes Sam will be effective but he also has to be superman for us to win games. I don't like that scenario. Now we all like a hero but that's putting too much pressure on a kid. That may stroke his ego but that is not good for a team that wants to win consistently. But it's been well pointed out that our o-line is porous. So it looks rough for the rest of the season in terms of wins and for the QB. 7-6 with a bowl win..man don't we need some mean tough lineman.

 

I would love to see bowl eligibility but am not hopeful. Looks like another 5-7 season to me. Maybe I'm wrong though and we can beat the Raiders at Thanksgiving. Don't see any other unexpected wins.