Inside Texas Q&A: Bye Week Bliss!

Fans typically hate bye weeks. Rather than bliss, they feel the blues. They want to see their team play, especially when the latest version of their team had its best offensive performance of the season. But fans, just like the team, probably need a chance to catch their breath after a chaotic start to conference play.

First you had a disappointing road loss to Florida and a coach that would soon be out of a job. Then there was the euphoria of beating top-10 OU after dominating the second half. That was followed by two overtime wins on the road to Kentucky and Mississippi State respectively. Finally, after 40+ days on the road, Texas jumped to a big lead over No. 9 ranked Vanderbilt only to see the Commodores score 21 unanswered points in the 4th quarter. The game effectively ended as an onside kick got pushed out of bounds.

I got winded just typing that. As the team rests and heals, and with no game to stress over, it was a good time to hold a “relaxed” Q&A.

Here’s a sampling. For the FULL Q&A, CLICK HERE.

Is Sark going to force 12 personnel the rest of the season or do you think increased 11 personnel/spreading the defense out is here to stay? – GWilly

He’ll still mix it in but the evidence is mounting in such a way it can’t be ignored.

(For those who don’t know, 12 personnel is a two tight end set, 11 personnel is one tight end and three receivers. Sark’s preference is 12 personnel but he doesn’t have the players to make it work like it needs to. He certainly has the players for 11)

You mentioned earlier that this team couldn’t win it all because of the o line limitations. Do you still believe that after Saturday with the new o line and new scheme? – txomicronfan

I need to see them against a team with equal personnel, like we’ll see against UGA. I feel much better about that game than a couple weeks ago, though. 

It’s still not a good OL but Sark is calling plays like he understands that and Arch is executing at a high level.

How many wins do we finish with? 9 wins feels more realistic to me and the perpetual optimist in me keeps saying 10. – TexasEngineer2012

Nine is what I’ve been saying. 10 became more realistic with the latest revelations. 

One week at a time. They’re going to continue playing better football, I feel strongly about that, but the schedule is about to get more difficult. 

I want to see what the secondary looks like with Taaffe and McDonald. They weren’t great against Kentucky. We have some coordination issues taking place.

Who do we have a better chance in beating Georgia or Aggie and why? – hookemaltn

I don’t know that one is better than the other, but…

Georgia: Coming off a bye while the Bulldogs have to take Miss State seriously. Last year it didn’t seem like they game planned the Bulldogs at all and that game turned out 41-31 at home. Now they go on the road. Texas has an advantage there. When Georgia plays explosive teams, they can score (Tenn/Ole Miss) but they don’t seem to be all that explosive week to week. The stylistic fight with Texas should have that game played in the 20’s and I might like the new Texas offense in that scenario. Their run game is good but so is Texas’ run defense. They don’t get much pass rush, though their LB’s are excellent. My concern will be Smart scheming Texas up. But if Arch has time? A major concern is it will be on the road.

A&M: Texas gets them at home and no matter what it’s a must win for Texas. For Texas A&M, it probably won’t be, not that they won’t want to win it. Still, there will be a difference in motivation. To me, A&M has the more dangerous offense and the better defensive line (compared to Georgia). They’re also a really confident bunch, though they’ve played an easy schedule. 

On paper it seems like Georgia is more winnable but going on the road…

Tough call. They’re both winnable, they’re both losable. Texas might be a slight dog in each, or slightly favored against Aggie.

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