Big 12: Tre Newton
Here's the next in our look at the Big 12 rankings by position: Running backs.
Last year's class was one of the best in recent history, but this year's class? Unassuming to begin the season. There are a few possible stars looming, but very, very little talent returning. Cyrus Gray ranked seventh in rushing yards last year (thanks to an insane finish), but he's the only player returning to the Big 12 from the conferences' top 10 rushers in 2010.
That's nuts.
The Aggies are the only team with a truly elite backfield tandem, though I could see Oklahoma and/or Oklahoma State joining that group by the end of the year.
The rest of the league? Every team has at least a couple of players to get excited about, and teams 5-10 are all pretty close. No one is really understaffed at the position, but obviously, they're fit to be ranked.
Here's where I have them:
1. Texas A&M
I wouldn't have been surprised if Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael were the Big 12's top leading returning rushers this year, but a midseason injury from Michael prevented it from happening. Regardless, his return gives Texas A&M by far the best tandem in the Big 12, and arguably the best in the country. When Mister Jones isn't cranking the Counting Crows on his stereo, he's a pretty good reserve, alongside Ben Malena, who impressed me on my visit to College Station this spring.
2. Oklahoma
Oklahoma will try and replace do-everything forever (or whatever) back DeMarco Murray with a platoon likely led by shifty Florida native Roy Finch. True freshman Brandon Williams made a big impact in spring camp, and Brennan Clay will likely earn a few touches, too. Health concerns raise questions about a pair of other OU backs' knees (Jermie Calhoun, Jonathan Miller), but walk-on Dominique Whaley led the team in rushing in the spring game.
3. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys have a great pair in sophomores Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith, and a nice set of backs to spell them if needed, too. Kye Staley, once a top-flight recruit, returned this spring after quitting the team following a severe knee injury, and might earn a few touches this spring. Also, Abilene, Texas, native and 2011 ESPNU 150 signee Herschel Sims arrives this fall and may jockey for time and the opportunity to shed a redshirt.
4. Missouri
What the Tigers lack in a truly elite back, they have in depth. Missouri has four backs who are all capable of being very good in the Big 12, even though neither of the four topped 600 yards a year ago. A big reason for that was none of the four got more than 100 carries, but with the carries they did get, every back averaged more than five yards per carry. The platoon approach works for Missouri, but senior De'Vion Moore and junior Kendial Lawrence will lead the way with sophomores Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy not far behind.
5. Kansas
Running back will be a strength for Kansas next year, who might have found a second back this spring that perfectly complements power runner James Sims, a rising sophomore who racked up 742 yards last year after not playing in the opener. Believe it or not, he's the Big 12's No. 2 returning rusher, behind A&M's Gray. Darrian Miller burst onto the scene this spring, and figures to be a big part of the team in the fall. I see him being the Jayhawks' biggest home-run threat. DeShaun Sands and Brandon Bourbon offer even more depth at the position.
6. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders lose backfield constant Baron Batch, but have a good group lined up for 2011. Tommy Tuberville's effort to establish a more efficient running game is a realistic possibility with Eric Stephens as the likely feature back, and Aaron Crawford, Ben McRoy and Harrison Jeffers in the mix. True freshman Ronnie Daniels' strong spring likely earned him some time, too, rather than a redshirt.
7. Baylor
Baylor loses a 1,200-yard rusher in Jay Finley, and figures to use a thunder-and-lightning approach with 6-foot, 240-pound bowling ball Terrance Ganaway and shifty, 5-foot-9, 205-pound Jarred Salubi. Glasco Martin, a more balanced back, may earn a few carries, too. Regardless of who has the ball, life is good for Baylor backs, who get a bit more room from defenses that are forced to respect Robert Griffin III's legs.
8. Kansas State
The Wildcats' top two rushers, including two-time league rushing champ Daniel Thomas, are gone. Hopes are high for Wichita native and former blue-chip back Bryce Brown, but he's still entrenched in a position battle with John Hubert and Robert Rose heading into fall camp.
9. Texas
Texas brings back a pair of seniors in Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson, but if the Longhorns are going to climb up this ladder by year's end (and they might) it's likely to be on the back of hyped incoming freshman Malcolm Brown, who is on campus and set to begin fall camp. D.J. Monroe might be the fastest player in the Big 12, but he'll have to master the nuances of pass blocking to get more than a few touches every game. Jeremy Hills can offer some depth at the position, too, after Tre Newton was forced to quit the game because of concussions.
10. Iowa State
Shontrelle Johnson showed some flash last year, but he still brings just 35 career carries into his 2011 effort to replace Alexander Robinson. Jeff Woody and James White offer a bit more depth, too. Florida native DeVondrick Nealy might get into the mix if he can put together a strong fall camp.
Last year's class was one of the best in recent history, but this year's class? Unassuming to begin the season. There are a few possible stars looming, but very, very little talent returning. Cyrus Gray ranked seventh in rushing yards last year (thanks to an insane finish), but he's the only player returning to the Big 12 from the conferences' top 10 rushers in 2010.
That's nuts.
The Aggies are the only team with a truly elite backfield tandem, though I could see Oklahoma and/or Oklahoma State joining that group by the end of the year.
The rest of the league? Every team has at least a couple of players to get excited about, and teams 5-10 are all pretty close. No one is really understaffed at the position, but obviously, they're fit to be ranked.
Here's where I have them:
1. Texas A&M
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AP Photo/Eric GayCyrus Gray had at least 100 yards rushing in each of A&M's final seven games last season.
AP Photo/Eric GayCyrus Gray had at least 100 yards rushing in each of A&M's final seven games last season.2. Oklahoma
Oklahoma will try and replace do-everything forever (or whatever) back DeMarco Murray with a platoon likely led by shifty Florida native Roy Finch. True freshman Brandon Williams made a big impact in spring camp, and Brennan Clay will likely earn a few touches, too. Health concerns raise questions about a pair of other OU backs' knees (Jermie Calhoun, Jonathan Miller), but walk-on Dominique Whaley led the team in rushing in the spring game.
3. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys have a great pair in sophomores Joseph Randle and Jeremy Smith, and a nice set of backs to spell them if needed, too. Kye Staley, once a top-flight recruit, returned this spring after quitting the team following a severe knee injury, and might earn a few touches this spring. Also, Abilene, Texas, native and 2011 ESPNU 150 signee Herschel Sims arrives this fall and may jockey for time and the opportunity to shed a redshirt.
4. Missouri
What the Tigers lack in a truly elite back, they have in depth. Missouri has four backs who are all capable of being very good in the Big 12, even though neither of the four topped 600 yards a year ago. A big reason for that was none of the four got more than 100 carries, but with the carries they did get, every back averaged more than five yards per carry. The platoon approach works for Missouri, but senior De'Vion Moore and junior Kendial Lawrence will lead the way with sophomores Henry Josey and Marcus Murphy not far behind.
5. Kansas
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John Rieger/US PRESSWIREJames Sims is the No. 2 returning rusher in the Big 12 this season.
John Rieger/US PRESSWIREJames Sims is the No. 2 returning rusher in the Big 12 this season.6. Texas Tech
The Red Raiders lose backfield constant Baron Batch, but have a good group lined up for 2011. Tommy Tuberville's effort to establish a more efficient running game is a realistic possibility with Eric Stephens as the likely feature back, and Aaron Crawford, Ben McRoy and Harrison Jeffers in the mix. True freshman Ronnie Daniels' strong spring likely earned him some time, too, rather than a redshirt.
7. Baylor
Baylor loses a 1,200-yard rusher in Jay Finley, and figures to use a thunder-and-lightning approach with 6-foot, 240-pound bowling ball Terrance Ganaway and shifty, 5-foot-9, 205-pound Jarred Salubi. Glasco Martin, a more balanced back, may earn a few carries, too. Regardless of who has the ball, life is good for Baylor backs, who get a bit more room from defenses that are forced to respect Robert Griffin III's legs.
8. Kansas State
The Wildcats' top two rushers, including two-time league rushing champ Daniel Thomas, are gone. Hopes are high for Wichita native and former blue-chip back Bryce Brown, but he's still entrenched in a position battle with John Hubert and Robert Rose heading into fall camp.
9. Texas
Texas brings back a pair of seniors in Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson, but if the Longhorns are going to climb up this ladder by year's end (and they might) it's likely to be on the back of hyped incoming freshman Malcolm Brown, who is on campus and set to begin fall camp. D.J. Monroe might be the fastest player in the Big 12, but he'll have to master the nuances of pass blocking to get more than a few touches every game. Jeremy Hills can offer some depth at the position, too, after Tre Newton was forced to quit the game because of concussions.
10. Iowa State
Shontrelle Johnson showed some flash last year, but he still brings just 35 career carries into his 2011 effort to replace Alexander Robinson. Jeff Woody and James White offer a bit more depth, too. Florida native DeVondrick Nealy might get into the mix if he can put together a strong fall camp.
The eighth in our series looking at the strongest and weakest position for each team in the Big 12: The Texas Longhorns.
Strongest position: Pass-rushers
Key returnees: Keenan Robinson, Jackson Jeffcoat, Alex Okafor, Emmanuel Acho
Key losses: Sam Acho, Eddie Jones
Analysis: Sam Acho was the best of the bunch last year, but Texas is loaded with young talent up front that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Robinson and Emmanuel Acho are budding stars who both were in the backfield plenty last year, and Jeffcoat showed potential to be the best defensive end in the league last year before being slowed by an ankle injury.
He should be much better this year and likely the most disruptive pass-rusher on the team.
Okafor, though, switched to defensive end from defensive tackle and drew rave reviews all spring, capping it with a five-sack performance in a spring game. Yes, it's a spring game, but still. He was impressive and constantly disruptive. Texas has a young secondary and a developing offense, but if the Longhorns bounce back in 2011, the front seven will be a big reason why.
Weakest position: Skill positions
Key returnees: WR Mike Davis, QB Garrett Gilbert, RB Fozzy Whittaker, RB Cody Johnson
Key losses: WR James Kirkendoll, WR John Chiles, RB Tre' Newton
Analysis: Texas has a lot of work to do here, but may rely on new faces heavily next year. Gilbert didn't show much last year, but he didn't have much help, either. He now has to win his job back, and there's no guarantee that will happen.
At running back, Whittaker and Johnson haven't shown much game-breaking ability or consistency, and they'll be seniors this year. Running back D.J. Monroe is the biggest home-run threat of the group, but a lack of playbook knowledge and pass-blocking acumen kept him off the field last year. In its spring game, though, Texas showed a strong intent to get him the ball in space. When that happens, he can make plays. Freshman running back Malcolm Brown also brings loads of expectations with him to fall camp.
Davis could blossom into a star this year at receiver, but he needs help from his quarterback. Darius White looked good at the spring game, but Texas also needs receivers like DeSean Hales and Marquise Goodwin to be more consistent. Malcolm Williams didn't do it, and as a senior this year, Texas' biggest target looks like he'll spend more time at H-back than he will at receiver.
More spring superlatives:
Strongest position: Pass-rushers
Key returnees: Keenan Robinson, Jackson Jeffcoat, Alex Okafor, Emmanuel Acho
Key losses: Sam Acho, Eddie Jones
Analysis: Sam Acho was the best of the bunch last year, but Texas is loaded with young talent up front that can put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Robinson and Emmanuel Acho are budding stars who both were in the backfield plenty last year, and Jeffcoat showed potential to be the best defensive end in the league last year before being slowed by an ankle injury.
He should be much better this year and likely the most disruptive pass-rusher on the team.
Okafor, though, switched to defensive end from defensive tackle and drew rave reviews all spring, capping it with a five-sack performance in a spring game. Yes, it's a spring game, but still. He was impressive and constantly disruptive. Texas has a young secondary and a developing offense, but if the Longhorns bounce back in 2011, the front seven will be a big reason why.
Weakest position: Skill positions
Key returnees: WR Mike Davis, QB Garrett Gilbert, RB Fozzy Whittaker, RB Cody Johnson
Key losses: WR James Kirkendoll, WR John Chiles, RB Tre' Newton
Analysis: Texas has a lot of work to do here, but may rely on new faces heavily next year. Gilbert didn't show much last year, but he didn't have much help, either. He now has to win his job back, and there's no guarantee that will happen.
At running back, Whittaker and Johnson haven't shown much game-breaking ability or consistency, and they'll be seniors this year. Running back D.J. Monroe is the biggest home-run threat of the group, but a lack of playbook knowledge and pass-blocking acumen kept him off the field last year. In its spring game, though, Texas showed a strong intent to get him the ball in space. When that happens, he can make plays. Freshman running back Malcolm Brown also brings loads of expectations with him to fall camp.
Davis could blossom into a star this year at receiver, but he needs help from his quarterback. Darius White looked good at the spring game, but Texas also needs receivers like DeSean Hales and Marquise Goodwin to be more consistent. Malcolm Williams didn't do it, and as a senior this year, Texas' biggest target looks like he'll spend more time at H-back than he will at receiver.
More spring superlatives:
Signing day is exactly a week from Wednesday, and it's time to take a look at who needs what in its 2011 class.
Some schools have addressed these needs with their current class. Some haven't. Others are still trying.
Here's our look at the South, after running down the Big 12 North earlier this morning.
BAYLOR
Defensive tackle: The Bears are loaded on offense and have a ton coming back, but anyone who watched Baylor in 2010 knows the big problems are on defense, starting with the front four. Phil Taylor is headed to the NFL and Nicolas Jean-Baptiste will be a senior next year. Reserve Chris Buford is gone, too. The Bears need to fill out some depth up front to avoid a repeat of their Texas Bowl debacle defending the run against Illinois.
Punter: Derek Epperson was rock solid as a four-year starter for the Bears, averaging near 44 yards a punt for his past three seasons. He's gone now, and the Bears will need a replacement. The good news is Baylor's offense with Robert Griffin III doesn't make the position nearly as important as it used to be.
OKLAHOMA
Receiver: Ryan Broyles, a senior, and Kenny Stills look ready for big years in 2011, but senior Cameron Kenney is gone. Trey Franks, Dejuan Miller and Joe Powell could contribute in 2011, but beyond that, another big-time threat across from Stills would certainly help. One of the Sooners' top 2011 commits, Trey Metoyer, could become that player.
Safety: Both starters, Quinton Carter and Jonathan Nelson, have graduated, and the Sooners will try to replace them with Sam Proctor, who has started plenty of games, and Javon Harris. The Sooners are pretty well-stocked about everywhere, but more depth in the secondary is always welcome.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Defensive line: Three of the Cowboys' four starters are gone, and it's always necessary to fill in some depth behind them. Shane Jarka, Chris Donaldson and Ugo Chinasa all had good years in 2010.
Offensive line: Oklahoma State brings back all five starters for 2011, but four will be seniors. That means replacing them in 2012, which will be a lot easier if those replacements don't end up being true freshmen. Oklahoma State kept offensive line coach Joe Wickline, a candidate for the same job at Texas, and his development of the line last year with four new starters was a big reason for the Cowboys' success. He'll need to do it again in 2012.
TEXAS
Running back: Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson will both be seniors in 2011, and Tre Newton's career is over because of issues with concussions. Texas would be well-served if its top 2011 commit, Malcolm Brown, can come in and be effective immediately as a true freshman.
Cornerback: Aaron Williams left early. Curtis and Chykie Brown graduated. Texas needs help at corner and will have big problems in the near future if they don't get it.
Linebacker: Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson will be seniors in 2011, and Dustin Earnest and Jared Norton already graduated. New talent behind them will help prevent a drop-off in 2012 after Acho and Robinson split.
TEXAS A&M
Kicker: Randy Bullock will be a senior in 2011, but Texas A&M is already hoping his spot is filled by incoming freshman Taylor Bertolet, the nation's No. 2 kicker who won the Under Armour All-American game with a last-second field goal earlier this month.
Linebacker: Michael Hodges and Von Miller have graduated, and Garrick Williams will follow them in 2011. The Wrecking Crew was pretty stout for most of 2010, but filling those holes in a four-linebacker front will be key in ensuring things stay that way.
TEXAS TECH
Secondary: LaRon Moore and Franklin Mitchem are gone, so Texas Tech will be breaking in some new blood in the secondary for new coordinator Chad Glasgow and cornerbacks coach Otis Mounds. Freshmen cornerbacks Jarvis Phillips and Tre Porter made plays in 2010, but they also allowed offenses to make a few of their own. Stopping that will be a big step in Texas Tech getting things rolling under Tommy Tuberville.
Receiver: Texas Tech already needs to replace Detron Lewis and Lyle Leong, and Tramain Swindall and Jacoby Franks will follow suit after 2011. Alex Torres was hampered by a back injury all year, but the Red Raiders will need some depth around him at receiver to keep the offense humming.
Some schools have addressed these needs with their current class. Some haven't. Others are still trying.
Here's our look at the South, after running down the Big 12 North earlier this morning.
BAYLOR
Defensive tackle: The Bears are loaded on offense and have a ton coming back, but anyone who watched Baylor in 2010 knows the big problems are on defense, starting with the front four. Phil Taylor is headed to the NFL and Nicolas Jean-Baptiste will be a senior next year. Reserve Chris Buford is gone, too. The Bears need to fill out some depth up front to avoid a repeat of their Texas Bowl debacle defending the run against Illinois.
Punter: Derek Epperson was rock solid as a four-year starter for the Bears, averaging near 44 yards a punt for his past three seasons. He's gone now, and the Bears will need a replacement. The good news is Baylor's offense with Robert Griffin III doesn't make the position nearly as important as it used to be.
OKLAHOMA
Receiver: Ryan Broyles, a senior, and Kenny Stills look ready for big years in 2011, but senior Cameron Kenney is gone. Trey Franks, Dejuan Miller and Joe Powell could contribute in 2011, but beyond that, another big-time threat across from Stills would certainly help. One of the Sooners' top 2011 commits, Trey Metoyer, could become that player.
Safety: Both starters, Quinton Carter and Jonathan Nelson, have graduated, and the Sooners will try to replace them with Sam Proctor, who has started plenty of games, and Javon Harris. The Sooners are pretty well-stocked about everywhere, but more depth in the secondary is always welcome.
OKLAHOMA STATE
Defensive line: Three of the Cowboys' four starters are gone, and it's always necessary to fill in some depth behind them. Shane Jarka, Chris Donaldson and Ugo Chinasa all had good years in 2010.
Offensive line: Oklahoma State brings back all five starters for 2011, but four will be seniors. That means replacing them in 2012, which will be a lot easier if those replacements don't end up being true freshmen. Oklahoma State kept offensive line coach Joe Wickline, a candidate for the same job at Texas, and his development of the line last year with four new starters was a big reason for the Cowboys' success. He'll need to do it again in 2012.
TEXAS
Running back: Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson will both be seniors in 2011, and Tre Newton's career is over because of issues with concussions. Texas would be well-served if its top 2011 commit, Malcolm Brown, can come in and be effective immediately as a true freshman.
Cornerback: Aaron Williams left early. Curtis and Chykie Brown graduated. Texas needs help at corner and will have big problems in the near future if they don't get it.
Linebacker: Emmanuel Acho and Keenan Robinson will be seniors in 2011, and Dustin Earnest and Jared Norton already graduated. New talent behind them will help prevent a drop-off in 2012 after Acho and Robinson split.
TEXAS A&M
Kicker: Randy Bullock will be a senior in 2011, but Texas A&M is already hoping his spot is filled by incoming freshman Taylor Bertolet, the nation's No. 2 kicker who won the Under Armour All-American game with a last-second field goal earlier this month.
Linebacker: Michael Hodges and Von Miller have graduated, and Garrick Williams will follow them in 2011. The Wrecking Crew was pretty stout for most of 2010, but filling those holes in a four-linebacker front will be key in ensuring things stay that way.
TEXAS TECH
Secondary: LaRon Moore and Franklin Mitchem are gone, so Texas Tech will be breaking in some new blood in the secondary for new coordinator Chad Glasgow and cornerbacks coach Otis Mounds. Freshmen cornerbacks Jarvis Phillips and Tre Porter made plays in 2010, but they also allowed offenses to make a few of their own. Stopping that will be a big step in Texas Tech getting things rolling under Tommy Tuberville.
Receiver: Texas Tech already needs to replace Detron Lewis and Lyle Leong, and Tramain Swindall and Jacoby Franks will follow suit after 2011. Alex Torres was hampered by a back injury all year, but the Red Raiders will need some depth around him at receiver to keep the offense humming.
Careers over for pair of Big 12 backs
November, 15, 2010
11/15/10
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By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Texas' Tre' Newton has chosen to end his career because of concussion-related problems after having a discussion with his family and doctors over the weekend.
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder also announced on Monday that senior running back William Powell suffered a season-ending injury. Powell did not make the trip to Missouri for Saturday's loss.
Powell leads the nation with an average of over 34 yards per kick return, three yards per return more than the next-best. He also returned a kick for a touchdown against Baylor this year. He's carried 23 times for 250 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in yards per carry, at 10.87, for running backs with at least 20 carries this year.
Newton did not play in Saturday's loss to Oklahoma State, but he's run 64 times for 229 yards and three touchdowns, with all three coming in the Longhorns' season opener against Rice.
Newton, his parents and doctors decided it was best for him to not play. The sophomore will stay on medical scholarship and work with the team's running backs in the following seasons.
"He's been fighting a head injury. He's done everything we've asked him to here, an outstanding player for us, he's won some games for us," said coach Mack Brown.
Newton's father, Nate Newton, played professionally for more than 15 years, including six Pro Bowls in 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
Brown also said he expected Newton to work in the academic center.
"He's been an outstanding person for us, as well as player and he'll be missed on the field, but he'll still have an impact off the field."
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder also announced on Monday that senior running back William Powell suffered a season-ending injury. Powell did not make the trip to Missouri for Saturday's loss.
Powell leads the nation with an average of over 34 yards per kick return, three yards per return more than the next-best. He also returned a kick for a touchdown against Baylor this year. He's carried 23 times for 250 yards and four touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in yards per carry, at 10.87, for running backs with at least 20 carries this year.
Newton did not play in Saturday's loss to Oklahoma State, but he's run 64 times for 229 yards and three touchdowns, with all three coming in the Longhorns' season opener against Rice.
Newton, his parents and doctors decided it was best for him to not play. The sophomore will stay on medical scholarship and work with the team's running backs in the following seasons.
"He's been fighting a head injury. He's done everything we've asked him to here, an outstanding player for us, he's won some games for us," said coach Mack Brown.
Newton's father, Nate Newton, played professionally for more than 15 years, including six Pro Bowls in 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys.
Brown also said he expected Newton to work in the academic center.
"He's been an outstanding person for us, as well as player and he'll be missed on the field, but he'll still have an impact off the field."
What we learned in the Big 12: Week 7
October, 17, 2010
10/17/10
10:00
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By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
1. The Big 12 North a two-horse race. The gap between Missouri and Nebraska wasn't astronomical before Saturday, but it was clear. Now? It appears to be quite a bit closer than when the world woke up on Saturday. A Tigers-Cornhuskers showdown in Lincoln looms on Oct. 30. After Texas' upset of Nebraska on Saturday, a Missouri loss to Oklahoma next week wouldn't hurt too badly in terms of winning the North. As for the rest of the division, well ... let's just say you won't see Missouri or Nebraska losing to anyone by five touchdowns this year. It would be shocking to see the winner of that game in Lincoln not win the North.
2. Oklahoma answered the bell as the Big 12's lead national title contender. With Nebraska out -- for now -- of the national championship picture, Oklahoma looks like the conference's top team. The Sooners had arguably their best performance of the season, delivering a 52-0 beating to Iowa State in Norman. The defense has been inconsistent, but top to bottom, Oklahoma looks like the league's most complete team, even if it isn't the Big 12's most explosive team. When it comes to passing the ball and stopping the pass, as well as running the ball and stopping the run, Oklahoma has shown that it has the capacity to be one of the league's best. Rare are the games Oklahoma puts it together for an entire game, but the Sooners did that on Saturday night.
3. Write off Texas and Mack Brown at your own risk. You knew Texas had a chance to win in Lincoln on Saturday, if only because of Mack Brown's success against the Huskers. I felt confident the Huskers would win, but Mack Brown showed once again why he's one of the best coaches in the game. G-Magic, Garrett Gilbert is not. But he showed the ability to run, and one of the reasons it worked was because I very much doubt Nebraska had prepared for it. Maybe I'm wrong, but it certainly didn't look like it. Brown used those runs to build a lead, and then handed the game to his platoon of running backs, Fozzy Whittaker, Tre' Newton and Cody Johnson, who carried the Horns to a win. And that's without even mentioning the way Texas completely shut down Taylor Martinez and prompted the second benching in three games for the freshman. Texas was aided by dropped passes from Nebraska, but the Longhorns deserved to win that game.
This was a picture-perfect game plan that salvages some of Texas' season and leaves it in the Big 12 South picture, should Oklahoma stumble.
Additionally, our condolences to Brown and the family of his wife, Sally Brown, who didn't attend Saturday's game after the death of her brother.
4. Baylor will get its chance to make school history. Before the season I thought Baylor had six games on its schedule that didn't necessarily require an upset to win. So far, Baylor is 5-0 in those games and 5-2 heading into next week's game with a chance to end a 15-year bowl drought. It will host Kansas State and probably be a slight favorite, with Robert Griffin playing the best football of his career. For all the cruel fate of last season, beginning with Griffin's injury and ending with a one-win conference season, this year has gone almost exactly as planned for the Bears, who are a couple dropped passes away from already being bowl-eligible.
5. Kansas might be historically bad after all. So far, Kansas has played two teams in the bottom half of the Big 12, and it's lost by 48 and 52 points. That's inexcusable. Kansas ducks Texas and Oklahoma on this year's schedule, but what's going to happen when it plays at Nebraska on Nov. 13? The Jayhawks have to get better fast, and quit losing in such embarrassing fashion. That's embarrassing for everyone in the conference, and right now, these Jayhawks are looking like the new Washington State. Find me a BCS conference team playing worse football right now.
6. Oklahoma State must be accounted for in the Big 12 title race. Missouri gets to definitively have a chance to prove itself against Oklahoma next week. Oklahoma State's turn will come earlier in the afternoon when it hosts Nebraska. Don't discount the difficulty of winning in Lubbock, and Oklahoma State did exactly that, in more convincing fashion than Texas earlier this season. The deeper we get into this season, the clearer it becomes that Bedlam in Stillwater on the season's final weekend may decide the Big 12 South. A win by the Cowboys over Nebraska next week would make that almost a certainty.
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Nelson Chenault/US PresswireDeMarco Murray and Oklahoma hold the Big 12's best shot at reaching the national title game.
Nelson Chenault/US PresswireDeMarco Murray and Oklahoma hold the Big 12's best shot at reaching the national title game.3. Write off Texas and Mack Brown at your own risk. You knew Texas had a chance to win in Lincoln on Saturday, if only because of Mack Brown's success against the Huskers. I felt confident the Huskers would win, but Mack Brown showed once again why he's one of the best coaches in the game. G-Magic, Garrett Gilbert is not. But he showed the ability to run, and one of the reasons it worked was because I very much doubt Nebraska had prepared for it. Maybe I'm wrong, but it certainly didn't look like it. Brown used those runs to build a lead, and then handed the game to his platoon of running backs, Fozzy Whittaker, Tre' Newton and Cody Johnson, who carried the Horns to a win. And that's without even mentioning the way Texas completely shut down Taylor Martinez and prompted the second benching in three games for the freshman. Texas was aided by dropped passes from Nebraska, but the Longhorns deserved to win that game.
This was a picture-perfect game plan that salvages some of Texas' season and leaves it in the Big 12 South picture, should Oklahoma stumble.
Additionally, our condolences to Brown and the family of his wife, Sally Brown, who didn't attend Saturday's game after the death of her brother.
4. Baylor will get its chance to make school history. Before the season I thought Baylor had six games on its schedule that didn't necessarily require an upset to win. So far, Baylor is 5-0 in those games and 5-2 heading into next week's game with a chance to end a 15-year bowl drought. It will host Kansas State and probably be a slight favorite, with Robert Griffin playing the best football of his career. For all the cruel fate of last season, beginning with Griffin's injury and ending with a one-win conference season, this year has gone almost exactly as planned for the Bears, who are a couple dropped passes away from already being bowl-eligible.
5. Kansas might be historically bad after all. So far, Kansas has played two teams in the bottom half of the Big 12, and it's lost by 48 and 52 points. That's inexcusable. Kansas ducks Texas and Oklahoma on this year's schedule, but what's going to happen when it plays at Nebraska on Nov. 13? The Jayhawks have to get better fast, and quit losing in such embarrassing fashion. That's embarrassing for everyone in the conference, and right now, these Jayhawks are looking like the new Washington State. Find me a BCS conference team playing worse football right now.
6. Oklahoma State must be accounted for in the Big 12 title race. Missouri gets to definitively have a chance to prove itself against Oklahoma next week. Oklahoma State's turn will come earlier in the afternoon when it hosts Nebraska. Don't discount the difficulty of winning in Lubbock, and Oklahoma State did exactly that, in more convincing fashion than Texas earlier this season. The deeper we get into this season, the clearer it becomes that Bedlam in Stillwater on the season's final weekend may decide the Big 12 South. A win by the Cowboys over Nebraska next week would make that almost a certainty.
Texas should shelve power running game
October, 4, 2010
10/04/10
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By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
It made sense at the time, and in theory, Texas should have had the offensive line to do it.
"We did a lot of self study and found out that we had more explosive plays when the quarterback was under the center in the running game as well as the tailback being right behind the quarterback," Texas coach Mack Brown said during Big 12 Media Days. "The other reason that we feel like we need to go ahead and run the ball more and better is the last two years in the BCS we played two-back downhill running Ohio State, and this year we played two-back downhill running Alabama. And in both cases, we didn't tackle the great tailbacks very well. We feel like by having downhill runs and working more in the running game and against the running game in practice would help us if we go out in conference and see someone who wants to just line up and run us."
Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Texas probably shouldn't expect to run into Alabama or Ohio State this postseason.
Maybe the Longhorns intended approach is best for the long term, especially with superstar recruit Malcolm Brown on the way next fall. Texas wanted balance. Through five games this season, it's clear that the running game Texas hoped to establish won't arrive with any consistency, despite three senior offensive linemen and three experienced running backs.
Texas' best chance to salvage something meaningful from this season rests with putting the ball in the hands of its best offensive player: Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert's big mistakes have been limited and the offense has been most productive when the Longhorns have spread out and let him sling it.
Big deficits forced Texas to do it against UCLA and Oklahoma.
Now, the Longhorns should choose to do it.
Its most explosive play against Oklahoma's suspect rush defense didn't come with power between the tackles. It came from the shotgun, a jet sweep handoff to a streaking D.J. Monroe, Texas' fourth running back, who quickly proved how much faster he was than anyone else on the field with a 60-yard touchdown that brought Texas to within 14-7.
It's been five games, and Texas hasn't had a longer run from scrimmage than Monroe's. So much for explosiveness from under center.
Letting Gilbert, a sophomore who will make his sixth career start in two weeks against Nebraska, determine the result of Texas' season doesn't sound appetizing.
But can Texas really trust a running that is averaging more than four yards a carry? Remember, see that number drop is likely to drop when the Longhorns hit the meat of their conference schedule.
Gilbert taking over could also help speed the development of Texas' second-best offensive player, freshman receiver Mike Davis.
Gilbert hasn't shown a tendency toward game-breaking mental or physical mistakes. In his worst game of the season -- Texas Tech -- two of his three interceptions were tipped at the line of scrimmage. Deep balls to James Kirkendoll and Malcolm Williams against Oklahoma and another to Kirkendoll against Texas Tech showed his potential. The more opportunities he gets to nurture that potential, the better.
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Brendan Maloney/US PresswireTexas' best offensive player has been sophomore Garrett Gilbert.
Brendan Maloney/US PresswireTexas' best offensive player has been sophomore Garrett Gilbert.Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Texas probably shouldn't expect to run into Alabama or Ohio State this postseason.
Maybe the Longhorns intended approach is best for the long term, especially with superstar recruit Malcolm Brown on the way next fall. Texas wanted balance. Through five games this season, it's clear that the running game Texas hoped to establish won't arrive with any consistency, despite three senior offensive linemen and three experienced running backs.
Texas' best chance to salvage something meaningful from this season rests with putting the ball in the hands of its best offensive player: Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert's big mistakes have been limited and the offense has been most productive when the Longhorns have spread out and let him sling it.
Big deficits forced Texas to do it against UCLA and Oklahoma.
Now, the Longhorns should choose to do it.
Its most explosive play against Oklahoma's suspect rush defense didn't come with power between the tackles. It came from the shotgun, a jet sweep handoff to a streaking D.J. Monroe, Texas' fourth running back, who quickly proved how much faster he was than anyone else on the field with a 60-yard touchdown that brought Texas to within 14-7.
It's been five games, and Texas hasn't had a longer run from scrimmage than Monroe's. So much for explosiveness from under center.
Letting Gilbert, a sophomore who will make his sixth career start in two weeks against Nebraska, determine the result of Texas' season doesn't sound appetizing.
But can Texas really trust a running that is averaging more than four yards a carry? Remember, see that number drop is likely to drop when the Longhorns hit the meat of their conference schedule.
Gilbert taking over could also help speed the development of Texas' second-best offensive player, freshman receiver Mike Davis.
Gilbert hasn't shown a tendency toward game-breaking mental or physical mistakes. In his worst game of the season -- Texas Tech -- two of his three interceptions were tipped at the line of scrimmage. Deep balls to James Kirkendoll and Malcolm Williams against Oklahoma and another to Kirkendoll against Texas Tech showed his potential. The more opportunities he gets to nurture that potential, the better.
Texas started Cody Johnson at running back in Week 1. Tre Newton led the team in rushing, with 61 yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns.
Texas started Newton in Week 2. Fozzy Whittaker led the team in rushing, with 62 yards on seven carries and a touchdown.
Texas plans to start Whittaker in Week 3.
Get used to the revolving door. Texas' three-man platoon of running backs will be played as they produce through the season, and the term "starter" might become meaningless by halftime if other backs behind them take advantage of opportunities.
"What we will do is play the guy with the hot hand," coach Mack Brown said. "So, whoever's making yards, we'll let him stay in."
Last week, that was Whittaker, who Brown said earned 45 of his 62 yards after contact. That's a good sign for the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Whittaker, who is the smallest of Texas' three backs. The Longhorns have tried to establish a previously absent "power running game" through the spring and fall to balance the offense for new starter Garrett Gilbert, but with his performance, Whittaker proved power can come without size, beating out the 251-pound Johnson and the 6-foot, 200-pound Newton.
"He was the most productive in the [Wyoming] game and that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to keep the hot back in the game," Brown said. "We're lucky we have three good backs. When he was in the ballgame, he made the most happen. He had 45 yards after contact in this game. He looks really fresh and he's quick. If we can continue to keep him healthy, he's been a good player when he's been healthy."
All three backs have gotten significant carries in all three games, with the top performer earning the distinction of starter the following week. Don't expect that to change.
Texas started Newton in Week 2. Fozzy Whittaker led the team in rushing, with 62 yards on seven carries and a touchdown.
Texas plans to start Whittaker in Week 3.
Get used to the revolving door. Texas' three-man platoon of running backs will be played as they produce through the season, and the term "starter" might become meaningless by halftime if other backs behind them take advantage of opportunities.
"What we will do is play the guy with the hot hand," coach Mack Brown said. "So, whoever's making yards, we'll let him stay in."
Last week, that was Whittaker, who Brown said earned 45 of his 62 yards after contact. That's a good sign for the 5-foot-10, 195-pound Whittaker, who is the smallest of Texas' three backs. The Longhorns have tried to establish a previously absent "power running game" through the spring and fall to balance the offense for new starter Garrett Gilbert, but with his performance, Whittaker proved power can come without size, beating out the 251-pound Johnson and the 6-foot, 200-pound Newton.
"He was the most productive in the [Wyoming] game and that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to keep the hot back in the game," Brown said. "We're lucky we have three good backs. When he was in the ballgame, he made the most happen. He had 45 yards after contact in this game. He looks really fresh and he's quick. If we can continue to keep him healthy, he's been a good player when he's been healthy."
All three backs have gotten significant carries in all three games, with the top performer earning the distinction of starter the following week. Don't expect that to change.
Wyoming led Texas in the second quarter of last year's game in Laramie, and they led in the second quarter once again this year in Austin.
Wyoming's Austyn Carta-Samuels ran for a 19-yard score to take the lead in the second quarter, but Texas scored the game's next four touchdowns -- including one in the final minute -- to secure a 34-7 win at home over the Cowboys.
Texas' running game will be executed under a microscope all season, but Texas coach Mack Brown's commitment to the ground game has continued. Texas threw the ball 35 times but ran 29 times for 167 yards -- a 5.8 yard average.
Last week's star and this week's starter, Tre' Newton, had a quiet day while Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson outperformed Newton. Whittaker had 58 yards and a score on just six carries, highlighted by a 39-yard score. Johnson played through a sprained ankle suffered last week to run for 51 yards on nine carries and two scores.
Meanwhile, Newton had just 29 yards on 9 carries, but had a five-yard touchdown run called back for an illegal block.
One great development for Texas was the emergence of freshman receiver Mike Davis, who led the team with 104 yards and seven catches -- both game highs -- including a 45-yard score from Garrett Gilbert that put the Longhorns up 20-7 just before halftime.
Wyoming's Austyn Carta-Samuels ran for a 19-yard score to take the lead in the second quarter, but Texas scored the game's next four touchdowns -- including one in the final minute -- to secure a 34-7 win at home over the Cowboys.
Texas' running game will be executed under a microscope all season, but Texas coach Mack Brown's commitment to the ground game has continued. Texas threw the ball 35 times but ran 29 times for 167 yards -- a 5.8 yard average.
Last week's star and this week's starter, Tre' Newton, had a quiet day while Fozzy Whittaker and Cody Johnson outperformed Newton. Whittaker had 58 yards and a score on just six carries, highlighted by a 39-yard score. Johnson played through a sprained ankle suffered last week to run for 51 yards on nine carries and two scores.
Meanwhile, Newton had just 29 yards on 9 carries, but had a five-yard touchdown run called back for an illegal block.
One great development for Texas was the emergence of freshman receiver Mike Davis, who led the team with 104 yards and seven catches -- both game highs -- including a 45-yard score from Garrett Gilbert that put the Longhorns up 20-7 just before halftime.
Texas spent the offseason pursuing balance, something its offense hasn't had while Colt McCoy slung his passes with remarkable accuracy. Sure the Longhorns' points per game average did not suffer, but the lack of a consistent running game hurt in games against Nebraska and Alabama, and in the 2008 season's bowl win over Ohio State.
In all three games, Texas' offense didn't come near its usual production. So with McCoy's exit came change that hit a minor speed bump against Rice on Saturday. Though the Longhorns won comfortably, the rushing totals never neared the dominance Longhorns fans have come to expect from their team.
"I thought that when I evaluated the running game, and I thought this when we left the field on Saturday, the front side of the play was knocked in. It was unbelievable, as good as we’ve ever done," said Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis. "But we didn’t do a good job on the backside a couple of times. We had some great blocking upfront that created holes, but if we get the backside cut off, the play that ended up making three [yards] might have made 10."
Texas' top two running backs didn't touch the targeted benchmark of four yards per carry and a previously undisclosed injury to starter Cody Johnson prompted a switch to Tre' Newton. Johnson sprained his ankle on his second carry, slowing his production.
"I think that also speaks to Cody’s toughness and his ability. He was in it to the very end of the ball game," Davis said. "That part is encouraging, that he was tough enough to play through it, but we would like for him to tell us when those things happen."
He was also stuffed four times inside the 5-yard line, while Newton took advantage of goal line carries and scored three touchdowns. He'll make his sixth start on Saturday against Wyoming, and along with his offensive line, will be chasing a better day than the one he had Saturday.
"We’re not near where we are going offensively," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "What we wanted to do in this game is line up and test the guys and be patient and send the message to them that we may not run it a lot more than we have in the past, but we want to run it better than we have in the last couple of years. We did that. 200 yards rushing is good. We didn’t have long runs."
Brown and his featured back, Newton, know the number that matters is the "1" in the win column. But they also know the running game they've tried to improve since the spring needs to be better than it was on Saturday for that number to grow.
"We're all happy with that," Newton said of the win. "but we came back and looked at the film and we saw areas where we could improve, and that's a goal each week, just improve each and every week."
In all three games, Texas' offense didn't come near its usual production. So with McCoy's exit came change that hit a minor speed bump against Rice on Saturday. Though the Longhorns won comfortably, the rushing totals never neared the dominance Longhorns fans have come to expect from their team.
"I thought that when I evaluated the running game, and I thought this when we left the field on Saturday, the front side of the play was knocked in. It was unbelievable, as good as we’ve ever done," said Texas offensive coordinator Greg Davis. "But we didn’t do a good job on the backside a couple of times. We had some great blocking upfront that created holes, but if we get the backside cut off, the play that ended up making three [yards] might have made 10."
Texas' top two running backs didn't touch the targeted benchmark of four yards per carry and a previously undisclosed injury to starter Cody Johnson prompted a switch to Tre' Newton. Johnson sprained his ankle on his second carry, slowing his production.
"I think that also speaks to Cody’s toughness and his ability. He was in it to the very end of the ball game," Davis said. "That part is encouraging, that he was tough enough to play through it, but we would like for him to tell us when those things happen."
He was also stuffed four times inside the 5-yard line, while Newton took advantage of goal line carries and scored three touchdowns. He'll make his sixth start on Saturday against Wyoming, and along with his offensive line, will be chasing a better day than the one he had Saturday.
"We’re not near where we are going offensively," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "What we wanted to do in this game is line up and test the guys and be patient and send the message to them that we may not run it a lot more than we have in the past, but we want to run it better than we have in the last couple of years. We did that. 200 yards rushing is good. We didn’t have long runs."
Brown and his featured back, Newton, know the number that matters is the "1" in the win column. But they also know the running game they've tried to improve since the spring needs to be better than it was on Saturday for that number to grow.
"We're all happy with that," Newton said of the win. "but we came back and looked at the film and we saw areas where we could improve, and that's a goal each week, just improve each and every week."
Texas entered its season opener with Cody Johnson as its starter at running back, but Tre' Newton took over as the featured back for much of the second half of the Longhorns' 34-17 win over Rice.
On Monday, Newton found himself on top of the depth chart heading into this week's game against Wyoming.
On Saturday, it was obvious that change was afoot in Texas' backfield. Johnson was less effective after success on Texas' first drive, but an injury might be to blame. Texas coach Mack Brown said Johnson sprained his ankle on the second play against Rice and didn't tell anyone, but the injury limited Johnson's mobility.
"He wasn't as efficient with his cuts after that," Brown said. "He'll be slowed this week, but we hope we'll get him back in time for the game."
Depending on how much Johnson plays on Saturday, it could provide more opportunity for Fozzy Whittaker, who rushed for 51 yards on nine carries against the Owls. Brown said on Monday it was the first time Texas has had three backs rush for over 50 yards since 2005.
On Monday, Newton found himself on top of the depth chart heading into this week's game against Wyoming.
On Saturday, it was obvious that change was afoot in Texas' backfield. Johnson was less effective after success on Texas' first drive, but an injury might be to blame. Texas coach Mack Brown said Johnson sprained his ankle on the second play against Rice and didn't tell anyone, but the injury limited Johnson's mobility.
"He wasn't as efficient with his cuts after that," Brown said. "He'll be slowed this week, but we hope we'll get him back in time for the game."
Depending on how much Johnson plays on Saturday, it could provide more opportunity for Fozzy Whittaker, who rushed for 51 yards on nine carries against the Owls. Brown said on Monday it was the first time Texas has had three backs rush for over 50 yards since 2005.
Texas 34, Rice 17: Not exactly the blowout Texas fans had in mind, but the Longhorns were in control for most of this game. Plenty of eyes were on Texas' three running backs Saturday, as they ran for 171 yards on 42 carries -- a four-yard average. Against Rice, that's not a very encouraging sign.
What is encouraging is Tre' Newton, who after losing the starting job to Cody Johnson, stated his case to earn it back. He was Texas' featured back in the second half, and got more carries than either Johnson or Fozzy Whittaker, running for 61 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. Deep in Rice territory, Newton got it done. Johnson didn't. The offensive line has a lot of influence on that, but the number of touches in the second half for Newton vs. Johnson is hard to ignore.
An OK, but uninspired, debut for Garrett Gilbert, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 172 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Malcolm Williams and Marquise Goodwin had four catches each.
One other note: Texas' defensive backs could have made this win much more lopsided if they had hung on to a few interceptions, but they didn't have much trouble doing it last year, when the Longhorns had 25 picks, five more than any other team in the Big 12. Aaron Williams and Chykie Brown both had a pair of catches they could have come down with, and Brown's would have been an easy touchdown. Saturday was out of character for them.
We didn't learn a ton about Texas, other than the running game needs work. We probably won't learn much about them next week against Wyoming. That probably won't be the case when the Longhorns travel to Lubbock in Week 3.
What is encouraging is Tre' Newton, who after losing the starting job to Cody Johnson, stated his case to earn it back. He was Texas' featured back in the second half, and got more carries than either Johnson or Fozzy Whittaker, running for 61 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries. Deep in Rice territory, Newton got it done. Johnson didn't. The offensive line has a lot of influence on that, but the number of touches in the second half for Newton vs. Johnson is hard to ignore.
An OK, but uninspired, debut for Garrett Gilbert, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 172 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions. Malcolm Williams and Marquise Goodwin had four catches each.
One other note: Texas' defensive backs could have made this win much more lopsided if they had hung on to a few interceptions, but they didn't have much trouble doing it last year, when the Longhorns had 25 picks, five more than any other team in the Big 12. Aaron Williams and Chykie Brown both had a pair of catches they could have come down with, and Brown's would have been an easy touchdown. Saturday was out of character for them.
We didn't learn a ton about Texas, other than the running game needs work. We probably won't learn much about them next week against Wyoming. That probably won't be the case when the Longhorns travel to Lubbock in Week 3.
Newton pushing Johnson for Longhorns?
September, 4, 2010
9/04/10
5:00
PM ET
By
David Ubben | ESPN.com
Sure, it's Rice. But Tre' Newton made a strong case for more touches, instead of starter Cody Johnson, in the first half.
Johnson carried the ball nine times in the first quarter for 36 yards, but Newton has been the key piece of Texas' past two touchdown drives, carrying the ball six times for 28 yards and two scores, and Texas leads 24-10 at halftime.
Johnson has 12 carries for 46 yards at the half.
Johnson jumped over Newton and Fozzy Whittaker to be named Texas' starting running back after starting preseason camp as the No. 3 back. Coaches credited a leaner, faster Johnson for the move, and he's busted the longest run of the day for the Longhorns, an 18-yarder.
The biggest reason he won the job was his power as a 251-pounder that coach Mack Brown hoped would help Texas better establish the downhill game. But with one yard standing between Johnson and a 7-3 early lead, he was stopped for a four-yard loss on a sweep outside.
Newton scored both of his touchdowns from inside two yards.
Johnson carried the ball nine times in the first quarter for 36 yards, but Newton has been the key piece of Texas' past two touchdown drives, carrying the ball six times for 28 yards and two scores, and Texas leads 24-10 at halftime.
Johnson has 12 carries for 46 yards at the half.
Johnson jumped over Newton and Fozzy Whittaker to be named Texas' starting running back after starting preseason camp as the No. 3 back. Coaches credited a leaner, faster Johnson for the move, and he's busted the longest run of the day for the Longhorns, an 18-yarder.
The biggest reason he won the job was his power as a 251-pounder that coach Mack Brown hoped would help Texas better establish the downhill game. But with one yard standing between Johnson and a 7-3 early lead, he was stopped for a four-yard loss on a sweep outside.
Newton scored both of his touchdowns from inside two yards.
Texas released its depth chart Monday for Week 1 against Rice, and the biggest change falls in line the Longhorns' offensive shift in the offseason -- a move to establishing a more effective downhill running game.
Junior Cody Johnson, a certified rumbler at 5-foot-11 and 251 pounds, hopped over the front-runners in the spring, Tre' Newton and Fozzy Whittaker to become the Longhorns' starter, leaving Newton and Whittaker behind to share No. 2 duties. Coach Mack Brown says both will play and get carries.
"Fozzy and Tre' didn't do anything differently, it's just the power Cody brings to us, and he can pass protect, he can catch the ball, run routes out of the backfield," Brown said. "With the power running attack that we're looking at right now and downhill runs, he's just a real load when he runs down straight ahead."
Johnson dropped from 256 pounds this spring to 251 for fall and lost 5 percent of his body fat, impressing Brown, who made it clear that the emphasis on the running game was in pursuit of balance, rather than a wholesale identity shift.
"It's funny, we scored 40-something points a game last year, and the only thing people wanted to talk about, they didn't want to talk about Colt [McCoy] being up for the Heisman for two years, the question marks were about the running game," Brown said. "We don't care. We want to run the ball well when we want to run it, but we're not going to line up and run the ball every time. We've never said that. What we want to do is be able to run it when we want to run it, but if there's nine, 10, 11 guys on the line of scrimmage, we're going to throw the ball, because we can't beat the teams we need to beat being one-dimensional. And that's what was the problem last year. We were so pass-oriented, that we lost our ability to consistently run it, and if the quarterback was having a bad day or getting hurt, we had trouble moving the ball."
Brown added that Texas would keep its uptempo style.
Elsewhere on the depth chart, Barrett Matthews parlayed an impressive spring into a starting spot at tight end, and relegated Greg Smith to the H-back spot, ahead of former running back Chris Whaley. Alex Okafor shifted from defensive end to tackle, providing a spot for true freshman Jackson Jeffcoat, one of the nation's top recruits in 2010, to occupy the No. 2 defensive end spot behind Eddie Jones.
Junior Cody Johnson, a certified rumbler at 5-foot-11 and 251 pounds, hopped over the front-runners in the spring, Tre' Newton and Fozzy Whittaker to become the Longhorns' starter, leaving Newton and Whittaker behind to share No. 2 duties. Coach Mack Brown says both will play and get carries.
"Fozzy and Tre' didn't do anything differently, it's just the power Cody brings to us, and he can pass protect, he can catch the ball, run routes out of the backfield," Brown said. "With the power running attack that we're looking at right now and downhill runs, he's just a real load when he runs down straight ahead."
Johnson dropped from 256 pounds this spring to 251 for fall and lost 5 percent of his body fat, impressing Brown, who made it clear that the emphasis on the running game was in pursuit of balance, rather than a wholesale identity shift.
"It's funny, we scored 40-something points a game last year, and the only thing people wanted to talk about, they didn't want to talk about Colt [McCoy] being up for the Heisman for two years, the question marks were about the running game," Brown said. "We don't care. We want to run the ball well when we want to run it, but we're not going to line up and run the ball every time. We've never said that. What we want to do is be able to run it when we want to run it, but if there's nine, 10, 11 guys on the line of scrimmage, we're going to throw the ball, because we can't beat the teams we need to beat being one-dimensional. And that's what was the problem last year. We were so pass-oriented, that we lost our ability to consistently run it, and if the quarterback was having a bad day or getting hurt, we had trouble moving the ball."
Brown added that Texas would keep its uptempo style.
Elsewhere on the depth chart, Barrett Matthews parlayed an impressive spring into a starting spot at tight end, and relegated Greg Smith to the H-back spot, ahead of former running back Chris Whaley. Alex Okafor shifted from defensive end to tackle, providing a spot for true freshman Jackson Jeffcoat, one of the nation's top recruits in 2010, to occupy the No. 2 defensive end spot behind Eddie Jones.
The number "20" is getting some major play in the college football section of ESPN.com today as we move through our month-long preview of the 2010 season.
And the Big 12 makes plenty of appearances in all 10 of our 20-piece lists you should check out.
Fittingly, we called it "20 for 10."
Here's what we've got today:
And the Big 12 makes plenty of appearances in all 10 of our 20-piece lists you should check out.
Fittingly, we called it "20 for 10."
Here's what we've got today:
- Top 20 Heisman contenders: Don't count on the Big 12 bringing it home in 2010, but Oklahoma and Texas A&M make appearances.
- Top 20 college football superfans: Take note, Kansas Staters.
- Top 20 undersized running backs, courtesy of Pat Forde: This means you, Oklahoma State, Colorado, Texas A&M and Iowa State.
- Top 20 family ties: Texas, Nebraska, you'll enjoy this. As will the Newton and Steinkuhler families.
- Top 20 must-see games: Texas at Nebraska is No. 2, but the Big 12 makes two more appearances on the list.
- Top 20 teams with the best chance to win it all: You can probably guess who's on here, but head over anyway.
- Top 20 worst situations to be in: Perhaps the most intriguing of our lists, and the Longhorns made the cut twice.
- Top 20 debates over who to be: Blogger Andrea Adelson tackles 20 "would you rather" questions, with plenty of Big 12 quarterback flavor.
- Top 20 hot and cold things: Columnist Mark Schlabach runs down a nice hot or not list.
- Top 20 NFL prospects: Todd McShay turns in a list topped by Prince Amukamara and someone named Nathaniel Solder. Two more Big 12 players make the cut.
Miss your team's mailbag? Here's the first two:
On with the show...
Dan in St. Peter, Minn. asks: Who do you think has/had more pressure put on them, Freshman Colt McCoy following VY's run into glory or Grapes (GG) following his...um...encounter with the Alabama Defense?Do you think the "lights will be to bright for him" as they were for Nebraska's Cody Green or will he deliver as a freshman?
DU: First off, Grapes is a fantastic nickname. Although, it opens up the Horns to some too-easy jokes every time he gets sacked about what’s eating him. And I can only assume you’d have to pay Johnny Depp some royalties. I’m sure no one wants to get into that.
But to your question: It’s Gilbert. The hopes were high for McCoy, but no one expected him to do what Vince did. Even though he never got that national title, he was arguably as good overall as Vince was, even though they were very different quarterbacks. Now, the folks in Austin have seen that legends can be replaced and that it’s possible for Gilbert to be as good as McCoy—and he might be. No pressure, just replace the quarterback with the most wins in the history of college football.
I don’t think “the lights will be too bright,” but like McCoy in his first year (Ohio State, Texas A&M), Gilbert’s going to have his bad days and forgettable games alongside his memorable ones. But unlike McCoy, he’ll have a top-notch defense to fall back on and help the Longhorns “down year” be pretty high. The Longhorn defense finished 24th nationally in scoring and total defense when McCoy was a freshman. I’d be shocked if Texas was that low this year.
Eric in Dallas, Texas asks: Which running back actually steps up to take some of the load off Gilbert, and will Texas stick with the running game if Gilbert proves he is consistent and reliable?...........Or will Texas ditch running the ball around the UCLA game, only to try and revive it after OU takes a halftime lead in the RRR?
DU: Tre’ Newton and Fozzy Whittaker should receive the bulk of the carries, but I think the distribution will vary game-to-game based solely on who’s being more productive. As for your second question, I think the reverse is more possible. They’ll keep running the ball and I don’t see Texas losing a game until maybe at Texas Tech in the third game but more likely the Red River Rivalry. If they’re down at the half, I could definitely see the running game scrapped and the game put in Gilbert’s hands, depending on how he’d played in the first four games. If he engineers a comeback and beats Oklahoma, thus reincarnating the spread in Austin, well… let the legend begin. He looked really good in the spring game, and I didn't see any real negatives in his Easter performance against his own defense. Obviously, that wasn't the case against Alabama, but he won't see defenses like that every week. We'll probably get a good read of what to expect from him this year by the end of the Texas Tech game.
Bobby in Austin, Texas asks: Why did you not put Texas' three-headed monster on your list?? I mean, Texas has so much talent to be afraid of, it is ridiculous! Garrett Gilbert will be the best QB in the Big 12 this year with all his skill and leadership. He already has 2 Texas state championships to his credit and several Texas high school passing records. Fozzy Whitaker and/or Tre' Newton will have a big year in the new offense with Gilbert being more under center. They are fast and shifty and can make big plays. And Malcolm Williams and Marquise Goodwin will have a party on the field this year at receiver. The size and athleticism of Williams could rival anyone in the conference, while Goodwin is one of the fastest players in the nation and can jump farther than anyone (proven by his national championship in long jump). So what gives?
DU: Who would you kick off my list for a quarterback with zero career starts, two running backs who have never rushed for more than 600 yards in a season and two receivers who have also never touched that mark? Oklahoma State has a couple of those, but they also have a guy without a real ceiling in Kendall Hunter and a chance to put up crazy numbers offensively.
Larry in Salina, Kansas asks: Does Texas pay you weekly or monthly for your services?
DU: Bi-weekly, with per-post bonuses.
Cecil in Plano, Texas asks: Mack Brown and Co. have a lot of work to do this off season and once the season starts. What are the realistic expectations for the 2010 Horns and what will you be looking for in order for them to make a championship run this year or next?
DU: The defense will keep the Longhorns streak of winning 10 games for the past nine seasons alive. How many more they win is up to Gilbert. If he plays well, Texas could go undefeated. The defense won’t be able to beat teams like Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas A&M by itself. If he plays poorly in those games, the defense will need to make a couple big plays or force some timely turnovers to win.
Kevin in Austin, Texas asks: David, love the blog. I have a feeling that the post-Earl Thomas era for UT's secondary is going to be BETTER than last year. I think the added experience of Aaron Williams, Chykie Brown, Curtis Brown and Blake Gideon, in a defense that snatched 17 non-Earl Thomas INTs in 2009, will mature into the scariest secondary in college football. Do you agree and should the rest of the conference decide to focus on the run game versus UT?...(uh oh...Acho brothers....)
DU: I agree completely. Texas should have the best secondary in the nation, and that front seven will help them do it. The Acho brothers, Sam and Emmanuel, LB Keenan Robinson and DT Kheeston Randall will put pressure on passers and keep teams from focusing on the run. The entire defense will have a hand in what should be a good turnover ratio and a great pass defense, but the talent and depth that Texas has on the defense’s back line is unrivaled.
On with the show...
Dan in St. Peter, Minn. asks: Who do you think has/had more pressure put on them, Freshman Colt McCoy following VY's run into glory or Grapes (GG) following his...um...encounter with the Alabama Defense?Do you think the "lights will be to bright for him" as they were for Nebraska's Cody Green or will he deliver as a freshman?
DU: First off, Grapes is a fantastic nickname. Although, it opens up the Horns to some too-easy jokes every time he gets sacked about what’s eating him. And I can only assume you’d have to pay Johnny Depp some royalties. I’m sure no one wants to get into that.
But to your question: It’s Gilbert. The hopes were high for McCoy, but no one expected him to do what Vince did. Even though he never got that national title, he was arguably as good overall as Vince was, even though they were very different quarterbacks. Now, the folks in Austin have seen that legends can be replaced and that it’s possible for Gilbert to be as good as McCoy—and he might be. No pressure, just replace the quarterback with the most wins in the history of college football.
I don’t think “the lights will be too bright,” but like McCoy in his first year (Ohio State, Texas A&M), Gilbert’s going to have his bad days and forgettable games alongside his memorable ones. But unlike McCoy, he’ll have a top-notch defense to fall back on and help the Longhorns “down year” be pretty high. The Longhorn defense finished 24th nationally in scoring and total defense when McCoy was a freshman. I’d be shocked if Texas was that low this year.
Eric in Dallas, Texas asks: Which running back actually steps up to take some of the load off Gilbert, and will Texas stick with the running game if Gilbert proves he is consistent and reliable?...........Or will Texas ditch running the ball around the UCLA game, only to try and revive it after OU takes a halftime lead in the RRR?
DU: Tre’ Newton and Fozzy Whittaker should receive the bulk of the carries, but I think the distribution will vary game-to-game based solely on who’s being more productive. As for your second question, I think the reverse is more possible. They’ll keep running the ball and I don’t see Texas losing a game until maybe at Texas Tech in the third game but more likely the Red River Rivalry. If they’re down at the half, I could definitely see the running game scrapped and the game put in Gilbert’s hands, depending on how he’d played in the first four games. If he engineers a comeback and beats Oklahoma, thus reincarnating the spread in Austin, well… let the legend begin. He looked really good in the spring game, and I didn't see any real negatives in his Easter performance against his own defense. Obviously, that wasn't the case against Alabama, but he won't see defenses like that every week. We'll probably get a good read of what to expect from him this year by the end of the Texas Tech game.
Bobby in Austin, Texas asks: Why did you not put Texas' three-headed monster on your list?? I mean, Texas has so much talent to be afraid of, it is ridiculous! Garrett Gilbert will be the best QB in the Big 12 this year with all his skill and leadership. He already has 2 Texas state championships to his credit and several Texas high school passing records. Fozzy Whitaker and/or Tre' Newton will have a big year in the new offense with Gilbert being more under center. They are fast and shifty and can make big plays. And Malcolm Williams and Marquise Goodwin will have a party on the field this year at receiver. The size and athleticism of Williams could rival anyone in the conference, while Goodwin is one of the fastest players in the nation and can jump farther than anyone (proven by his national championship in long jump). So what gives?
DU: Who would you kick off my list for a quarterback with zero career starts, two running backs who have never rushed for more than 600 yards in a season and two receivers who have also never touched that mark? Oklahoma State has a couple of those, but they also have a guy without a real ceiling in Kendall Hunter and a chance to put up crazy numbers offensively.
Larry in Salina, Kansas asks: Does Texas pay you weekly or monthly for your services?
DU: Bi-weekly, with per-post bonuses.
Cecil in Plano, Texas asks: Mack Brown and Co. have a lot of work to do this off season and once the season starts. What are the realistic expectations for the 2010 Horns and what will you be looking for in order for them to make a championship run this year or next?
DU: The defense will keep the Longhorns streak of winning 10 games for the past nine seasons alive. How many more they win is up to Gilbert. If he plays well, Texas could go undefeated. The defense won’t be able to beat teams like Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas A&M by itself. If he plays poorly in those games, the defense will need to make a couple big plays or force some timely turnovers to win.
Kevin in Austin, Texas asks: David, love the blog. I have a feeling that the post-Earl Thomas era for UT's secondary is going to be BETTER than last year. I think the added experience of Aaron Williams, Chykie Brown, Curtis Brown and Blake Gideon, in a defense that snatched 17 non-Earl Thomas INTs in 2009, will mature into the scariest secondary in college football. Do you agree and should the rest of the conference decide to focus on the run game versus UT?...(uh oh...Acho brothers....)
DU: I agree completely. Texas should have the best secondary in the nation, and that front seven will help them do it. The Acho brothers, Sam and Emmanuel, LB Keenan Robinson and DT Kheeston Randall will put pressure on passers and keep teams from focusing on the run. The entire defense will have a hand in what should be a good turnover ratio and a great pass defense, but the talent and depth that Texas has on the defense’s back line is unrivaled.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
David Ubben
Ubben joined ESPN.com in March 2010 after covering Big 12 football for two seasons at the Columbia Missourian and The Oklahoman. Ubben, a native of Springdale, Ark., lives in Dallas.
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