 "Photo: Caleb Miller/The Daily Texan")
What a difference a year makes.
Last year, the mighty fell because the defenses came up short.
Top-ranked Oklahoma fell to Texas because it couldn’t stop Colt McCoy. Florida’s chance
at an unblemished season was ruined when Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead put on a show at the Swamp. Jacquizz Rodgers ran right by USC. And as we all saw in commercials throughout last week, Texas was done in when two defenders couldn’t stop Michael Crabtree.
But this year, when teams have lost it has been due to poor offense. Oklahoma, albeit without Bradford, could only muster 13 points against a BYU team that gave up 54 points to Florida State. USC’s hopes at a national title went out the window with a 13-point output against Washington. In USC’s loss to Washington, the Trojans were zero for 10 on third down.
That’s why Texas coach Mack Brown is concerned with Texas’ offense starting slow. The Longhorns opened the Texas Tech game offensively with a three-and-out. They finished the first half without an offensive touchdown.
“We talked all week about [starting fast] and put up pictures of fast cars, but I guess it didn’t work,” Brown said. “We’ve played as well offensively this year as last year in the second half of the game.”
So why has Texas gotten off to such a slow start offensively? For starters, the Longhorns are not in a rhythm yet.
They lost leading receiver Quan Cosby to graduation and the fourth-leading receiver Brandon Collins due to eligibility issues. Converted quarterback John Chiles, the starter at the Sub-B receiver spot, is still learning the position. It took McCoy a while to build up a comfort level with his receivers last year so it will be the same this year.
With Chiles, Jordan Shipley, James Kirkendoll, Malcolm Williams and speedster Marquise Goodwin at receiver along with Dan Buckner at the flex tight end, the Longhorns have plenty of throwing options . Tre’ Newton is the most complete player at running back that the team has had since Jamaal Charles. D.J. Monroe gives the team a fast weapon at running back and receiver and is the perfect complement to Chiles in the new Wild Horn package.
“We have to figure out a way to make it all work together,” Brown said. “Our timing hasn’t been good.”'
It doesn’t help that McCoy hasn’t been the same quarterback he was last season. In three games, he has thrown four interceptions. And as McCoy goes, so do the Longhorns. And that is why the offense has been derailed some in the first half.
“He’s pressing a bit and throwing high,” Brown said. “People have some unrealistic expectations that he, Bradford and Tebow will never throw an interception. That’s not fair to them.”
McCoy will settle in more once the comfort level with the players around him increases and the team finds an identity. Brown said the team didn’t find its identity last year until the Colorado game, so the Horns aren’t too far behind.
Even though the Longhorns don’t have a tough schedule to worry about, anything can happen, so the offensive woes in the first half need to be fixed. USC probably didn’t think it would have a problem with Washington until its offense sputtered.
Oklahoma’s defense is much-improved this year, and once that game comes around, the Longhorns have to be in 2008 form. From what we’ve seen in the first few games, the only thing standing between Texas and a national championship is, surprisingly, the offense.
Be the first to comment on this article!