10 things to watch for in the Texas opener against the Rice Owls this Saturday.
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Is Garrett Gilbert truly ready to step up? Or do we have another Chris Simms at Texas?
This question may seem a bit crazy, considering all the pre-season hype and expectations surrounding Gilbert after his showing in the most difficult of games last January versus Alabama. But the fact is Texas fans have not seen a full game under Gilbert’s belt. Sure, he responded well and helped lead Texas impressively for about 9 minutes during the BCS title game. But the reality is he still turned the ball over five times, and had one of the worst first halves in football with his 1-10 performance in the first half.
He seems primed for a big year and a legendary career like his predecessor Colt and Vince. But remember, Chris Simms was the national Gatorade Player of the Year coming out of high school too. He couldn’t handle the leadership requirements that come with being QB at a place like Texas. With key seniors from the 2009 team gone, this is the game where Gilbert must step up, young as he is, and make this HIS team. He can’t rely on the success he had in spring ball, or fall camp, or the Alabama game. Going forward the success will be credited to him, sure, but Texas fans and coaches aren’t going to forgive him for 5 turnovers in a game like they did after Alabama. Time to put up and show you’re the real deal.
Can he make the transition from a spread offense QB to a guy who goes under center? Will he see blitzes and audible? Can he learn the art of checking down instead of trying to force it deep? These are questions any first year starter must answer – and although Texas fans think they’ve got another winner in Gilbert, it’s finally time to see just what #7 can do.
What will the “new” running game look like?
The coaching staff’s decision to move to a more power running attack has been routinely questioned and analyzed all off season. Now the question is: what will this attack look like? With powerful Cody Johnson earning the start this week against Rice, you can expect more running between the tackles than fans have seen in Austin in recent years. Gone are the days of the zone and option read in favor of more downhill running. Using Johnson to bully their way down the field, Texas ought to be able to control the clock and allow their defense and running game to maintain tempo to its liking.
Mack Brown alluded to the fact that the game plan won’t be overtly different from the previous years. He still wants to run some no-huddle, fast paced attacks. Expect to see Tre Newton and Fozzy Whitaker to get their fair share of carries, as the Longhorns try to establish the identity of the running game for the 2010 season against the subpar Rice defense.
Keep an eye on Kyle Hix and Michael Huey, the anchors of the left side of the Texas offensive line. With the most experience of any lineman, and the loss of Tray Allen, Greg Davis and Brown will spend ample time seeing if Hix and Huey can become more downhill blockers and lead the charge. Last year’s line couldn’t change during midseason to be better prepared to come off the ball. Now Texas fans learn if the offseason work paid off.
Who will emerge as a go-to receiver?
Jordan Shipley is gone trying to catch whatever extra passes are around Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens in Cincinnati. After catching 115 balls last year, and breaking most all Texas single season receiving records, Shipley leaves behind a group of unproven receivers, one of whom will need to step up to become the safety net and reliable threat for Gilbert in 2010.
Coming out of camp coaches have raved on James Kirkendoll as the potential # 1 receiver, but Greg Davis has also alluded to the fact that 4 guys could catch upwards of 40 passes each this year. Kirkendoll’s disappearance during last year’s Big 12 title and BCS title games is a bit disconcerting – can he step into the role of Shipley and make the key catches when needed? What about Malcolm Williams? Ever since he caught 2 TDs against Texas Tech in 2008 (including a 91 yard streaking bomb), Texas has been waiting for him to step up into a deep ball threat. With a focus on running the ball and more play action, down the field plays, it would seem Williams would be poised for a breakout year. But remember, this is the same guy who had a perfect lob bounce threw his hands (courtesy of Gilbert, in fact) against Alabama that could have turned the tide in favor of Texas in the 2nd quarter. Instead Texas settled for a field goal, and we all remember what happened after that.
There has been praise for some of the freshman, including Mike Davis, a young man who is evidently a workhorse and has impressed coaches with his ability to grasp the offense. Still, relying on freshman is a dubious decision, especially so early in the season.
Whoever it is, someone will need to emerge quickly. A name to keep an eye on – Marquise Goodwin. The world class track athlete may be able to slip past defenders on deep posts and go routes, where the defensive safeties have bitten up against the run on play action fakes.
Can Will Muschamp contain his enthusiasm?
This is simple. Of course not. The biggest of the day Saturday may come from Muschamp on his own players leaving the field after a big defensive stand.
Who will be this year’s Sergio Kindle / Brian Orakpo?
It’s got to be one of Acho brothers, even if Emmanuel is inside LB to start the year. Sam will move from a down lineman in a 4-3 defensive scheme to a blitzing linebacker in 3-4 pass defenses. Remember, Kindle didn’t have a high amount of sacks last year, but he led the Big 12 in QB pressures. All Texas needs for the defense to succeed is a consistent pass rushing threat that offenses must scheme for and protect. Once that is established, Muschamp’s defenses are far more wide open and able to bring more pressure from other parts. With a secondary that is ranked as one of the best in the country, Texas should have no problem remaining a leading sack team in the country, so long as someone steps up into the QB pressure – master role, like Kindle and Orakpo of the last two years.
Don’t be surprised if we see quite a bit of Jackson Jeffcoat occupying this role on Saturday. He’s listed as a backup defensive end behind Eddie Jones, and comes in to bolster one of the strongest aspects of the Texas D – defensive end. He’ll move around much in the same mold as Sam Acho, and it will be interesting to see him compete in game situations as a true freshman.
Will ANYONE throw the ball at Aaron Williams?
My guess is no. And thus, Williams won’t be discussed much for the 2010 Thorpe award, given to the nation’s best defensive back. Unless he makes plays out of position, Williams will be expected to shut down UT opponents’ top receiving threat on a regular basis. He’ll oftentimes be left alone, on the proverbial island against some of the best receivers in the land. Will it happen this Saturday? Probably not, but it’ll be interesting to watch and see how an offense with no identity will avoid the top DB at Texas, and a future NFL first rounder.
Can Kyle Hix make the switch to left tackle and protect Gilbert? Can Texas run behind Hix and Huey?
Kyle Hix seems like he’s been at Texas for years, because he’s made 30 starts on the offensive line. This year, he’s switching over to the left tackle spot to protect Garrett Gilbert’s blind side. Coaches say the switch has gone well thus far, but all it takes is one missed blocking assignment and Gilbert could be lost for the season. Quite a bit of pressure for a guy learning the nuances of a new spot on the field.
In addition, the only other starter on the line with significant playing time is Michael Huey, who will be lining up next to Hix. Even when not worrying about protecting Gilbert, expect the Horns to try and run the ball behind their two most experienced linemen. It will be interesting to gauge how successful the running game can be, especially if, as expected, the run slants heavily to the left side of the line.
Can John Gold replace Hunter Lawrence as a productive placekicker?
Texas fans won’t soon forget the name Hunter Lawrence, he of the last minute kick to win the Big 12 Championship in 2009. John Gold, the Longhorns punter last year, will take the place of a guy who hit over 80% of his FG attempts in his career at Texas. During preseason, Gold missed one opportunity during live ball scrimmages, so the coaching staff is confident in his ability to get the job done. Can he do it with :01 on the clock, with the Big 12 on the line? No one knows until they are in that situation, but Texas will find out Saturday how the new placekicker will perform in front of 70,000 plus fans with expectations sky high.
Who returns kickoffs – can Texas be explosive on kick returns?
DJ Munroe? Marquise Goodwin? These would seem the logical answers, although Munroe’s status is still unclear for Saturday’s game. Last year, Texas was proficient in kick and punt returning, though they will have to replace Jordan Shipley in the punting game. If Goodwin or Munroe can emerge as elite returners, Texas can rely on decent field position to implement their revised offensive scheme. Goodwin also appears to be in the lead for the punt returning job, though a final decision may not be known until Saturday. It was also be interesting to see how the new NCAA rule that eliminates wedge blocking affects the return game of Texas. Coach Brown doesn’t think it will matter much, but Texas has been an excellent special teams group over the last two years. To remain a top 5 team, they will need that spark again this season.
What’s the final score going to be? Can Texas sell the game out in Houston?
The game probably won’t see out, because it is still just Rice. Texas will pour it on well into the 3rd quarter, to ensure the starters are ready to go for Texas Tech in just 2 weeks time. The average score over the past few years has been around 52-10. Our final prediction will come out later this week.
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