We knew he was going to see the field this year so I guess this is as close to 'ideal' circumstances as it's going to get. If we can't run all over SJSU with the occasional high % pass (Hi Maryland) then lord help us anyways.
I'd really like to see the kid do well. For one thing, we went too many years a while back without an understudy getting playing time. It was nothing or starting.
Herman said if Shane could go, he'd start. Not so sure this is the start of the Ehlinger era just yet. He will undoubtedly get some playing time, even if Shane starts.
Beck said Heard is getting almost no reps in practice. Sounds to me like they are counting on Shane starting.
I wish there was some way to redshirt Sam Ehlinger. He is not ready and I do not want to see him end up like David Ash.
At the spring game I thought Sam did well when he had time to throw. A lot of the time he was playing two offense vs one defense.
Man this board....err human nature I guess.....never changes. I remember all the hand wringing like this when Mack was winning 10-11 games a year. We would lose a game and everyone would question the QB, RB, Coaches, etc.....we're going to lose the rest of our games....etc, etc, etc. I say we give TH the benefit of the doubt and let him coach the next three or four games before we collectively hike to the top of the tower and jump. With that said, after the coin dropped on the USC game already, if you're flying back to Austin at 6:15am Monday the 18th on Southwest please evaluate your flight choices because I may crash the plane if we lose by 30+ points.
From Hook'em https://www.hookem.com/football-new...chele-rests-sam-ehlinger-preps-san-jose-state - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Few players can miss major game-plan installation during the week and still start on Saturdays. Texas will lighten up on Thursday and Friday to get ready for this week’s game. “Hard to look into the future,” Beck said. So it would appear that Ehlinger could start. After all, wouldn’t Texas be better served by resting Buechele against a 28-point underdog and saving him for next week’s game at USC and the Big 12 schedule anyway? “Sam’s a competitor, let’s start there,” Beck said after Wednesday’s practice. “He’s going to do everything in his power that if we need him to play on Saturday, he’ll be ready. The way I look at him and what he has done, he has done nothing but improve since the first day he walked in these doors.” Defensive coordinator Todd Orlando said Tuesday’s practice was “was as good as we’ve had around here.” “Sam is a scrappy dude,” Orlando said. “I love everything about him. Straight A student. If I could play him at linebacker, I would play him at linebacker. Now, I’m sure he would want to play linebacker, that’s what kind of dude he is.”
If Sam has to play; then he has to play. If Herman thinks Sam offers the best chance to win a game then Herman has no idea what he is up against. USC might eat Shane alive; but USC will eat Sam alive. If Shane doesn't play and Sam is hurt Heard goes in, but who is #2 QB at that point. Any JUCO QB who Herman could have brought in would be better than that guy.
True freshmen that were not ready to play, needed time to learn and got banged up. Ash was not ready to play and I think had he not played until his junior year, he would have been pretty good instead of him getting banged up while he was not ready. Also, players gain size and strength their first year of being on a college diet plan/weight program (compare freshman colt to senior colt), so yes, QBs are less likely to get as badly banged up if they redshirt a year. The redshirt year seemed to produce better results for Vince Young, Colt McCoy and Johnny Manziel than true freshman David Ash and now a banged up Buechele. I do not think true freshman QBs should play unless they are the rare exception that is ready to play. Buechele was ready to play, but he is already getting banged up. Ehlinger did not look ready in the spring game. We'll find out Saturday.
Not that Herman would ever call one, but can Sam throw a fade? Never called one on Saturday and we have a 6'6' and a 6'5" WR.
I have complete confidence in Sam. Yes he can make all those throws. Didn't he go thru the whole season without throwing one interception in high school. That accomplishment had to be done with touch and accuracy. It doesn't scare me that he is a true freshman. Let's remember he got a lot of experience in spring ball. I am more scared of Herman's coaching decisions and offensive line play than Sam's upcoming performance. I think we are going to enjoy seeing Sam play. I feel like we are going to move the ball with those 18-wheeler runs with occasional passes to keep the defense guessing. But i don't think the game is going to be a blowout. Our defense just stinks.
I like Sam and certainly wish him the best but I'd like to see Heard get lots of snaps in a Wild Horn offense. We've forgotten just how well he can run.