Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which will be in the Blue Lot next to a smokestack of ribs, beef and sausages early in the morning tomorrow … and then later in a shirt and tie and in the press box at around 4 p.m. Night games are about as close to “real life” as I get to be for a home game. And that’s juxtaposed with the jerk back into reality that, no, this Nestea is fine because I have to go to work later.
But I’m fine with that, believe me. I know no one will play sad violin music as I talk about the pities of my job, but I just want you to know that one some days, and specifically some nights, I’m jealous that I can’t get that experience. Tomorrow night is going to be fun and even without bias I’d like to be a party to the party because I feel like that’s going to be a good game and a great environment. I can root for and be a fan of those things.
What strikes me is when I look at things on paper, yeah, Texas has the better roster. More depth, more talent. I don’t think I’m wrong here: Texas has the best roster WVU has faced or will face this season. But there’s a lot of paper to look at and the more I get into it, the more I think these teams aren’t much different from one another.
New defenses, though Texas tried to do it midstream while WVU reorganized before the season, and then midstream a little, too. Both have defensive fronts that establish the tenor of games and defensive ends who make plays when they’re playing well. Both will feature a nickel back and both will move a safety around to blitz or to play the run, which means both will play a lot of man-to-man in the secondary.
Texas wanted to have its offense spread teams and play fast this season. Major Applewhite, the Texas offensive coordinator, spent the offseason putting that together. The Longhorns now play slower and run the ball. WVU is running more and better than it passes the ball, but WVU, of course, wanted to play faster and throw more. Each team has made changes the the offensive line, but none in the past five games. Both are reaping the rewards of that continuity.
Why have the offenses sputtered and called audibles this season? Quarterbacks!
Both teams have made changes, and dealt with injuries, and neither team has a quarterback is wholly trusts. Still, both teams will take shots down the field and both teams have receivers who can actually stretch the field — and that’s really underrated about the Longhorns. They have a fleet of playmakers there, and this is where you circle back to the part about man-to-man in the secondary.
Then you’ve got coaches who can’t please fan bases and athletic directors making headlines and, well, who knew Texas, held in the highest possible regard in the Big 12, had so much in common with the newly arrived Mountaineers?
Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, stay in line.
Spatial Angel said:
Rutgers 2.0 on Saturday. Then, if they can just manage a split of Kansas/Iowa St.
Rutgers 2.0 is the best thing this week. Worst? Prospect of Rutgers 1.0 in the Pinstripe Bowl.
Continue reading…