The Daily Texan's Double Coverage 2021-10-01

T H E D A I LY TEXAN PRESENTS

Double Coverage VOL. 16 ISSUE 5 | Oct. 1, 2021

eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan file

friday, october 1, 2021

overall STANDINGS 1.

Christina Huang

2.

Myah Taylor, Kaitlyn Harmon, Hannah Williford

T-3.

Matthew Boncosky,

Vicente Montalvo, Blaine

3

TEXAN

Jenny DeVico

5.

Nathan Han, Payne Williams

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Nathan Matthew Payne Christina Hannah Vicente Han Boncosky Williams Huang Williford Montalvo

Myah Taylor

Kaitlyn Harmon

No. 8 Arkansas @ No. 2 Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

No. 14 Michigan @ Wisconsin

Michigan

Michigan

No. 5 Iowa @ Maryland

Iowa

Maryland

Iowa

No. 7 Cincinnati @ No. 9 Notre Dame

Notre Dame

Notre Dame

No. 12 Ole Miss @ No. 1 Alabama

Alabama

No. 3 Oregon @ Stanford

Oregon

Young, Angelina Braese 4.

STAFF PICKS

No. 6 Oklahoma @ Kansas State

Georgia

Georgia

Arkansas

Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Georgia

Wisconsin Michigan

Michigan

Michigan

Iowa

Maryland

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Iowa

Notre Dame

Cincinnati

Notre Dame

Cincinnati

Notre Dame

Cincinnati

Notre Dame

Cincinnati

Notre Dame

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Alabama

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oregon

Oklahoma

Kansas State

Ohio State

Rutgers

Texas @ TCU

Texas

No. 22 Auburn @ LSU

Georgia

Angelina Braese

Georgia

No. 11 Ohio State @ Rutgers

Georgia

Blaine Young

Arkansas

Oklahoma Oklahoma

Georgia

Jenny DeVico

Wisconsin Wisconsin

Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma

Kansas State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Texas

TCU

Texas

Texas

Texas

Texas

Texas

Auburn

LSU

Auburn

Auburn

Auburn

LSU

Auburn

Week 5 Results

8-2

7-3

6-4

8-2

7-3

6-4

Overall Record

30-10

30-10

24-16

27-13

24-16

31-9

EDITOR’S NOTE

Texas Football needed last Saturday’s 70-35 beat down over Texas Tech. For the first time this season, some could say Texas looked like a top 10 team. One loss to an Arkansas team keeps the Longhorns unranked, but it won’t be for long. If head coach Steve Sarkisian and team come out of the gates swinging against TCU – establishing the run game, converting on third downs and pressuring TCU quarterback Max Duggan – then Texas can look to find itself with a win and in the top 25 come Sunday.

Oklahoma Oklahoma Oklahoma Ohio State

Ohio State

Ohio State

Texas

Texas

Texas

LSU

LSU

Auburn

LSU

8-2

7-3

5-5

7-3

8-2

30-10

27-13

26-14

27-13

27-13

DOUBLE COVERAGE Double Coverage Editor Kaitlyn Harmon Design Editor

Jenny DeVico

Photo Editor

Kaitlyn Harmon

Blaine Young

Copy Editor

Angelina Braese

Writers Nathan Han

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Matthew Boncosky

Vicente Montalvo

Christina Huang

Hannah Williford

Payne Williams

Designers Isabella Waltz

Sally Parampottil Managing Editor Myah Taylor

GAMEs TO WATCH

DOUBLE COVERAGE

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By Hannah Williford

|

@howdy_itshannah

No. 12 Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama Oct. 2, 2:30 p.m. CT, CBS

No. 2 Georgia at No. 8 Arkansas Oct. 2, 11 a.m. CT, ESPN

Whether it’s back-to-back victories in 2014 and 2015, or Nick Saban’s “rat poison” speech, Ole Miss has brought excitement in an otherwise stable era for Alabama. As the Rebels return to Bryant-Denny Stadium after five consecutive losses to Alabama, they will try to turn the Tide again. While both teams enter the weekend undefeated, a close finish against Florida in Week 3 has raised doubts about the Crimson Tide. Saturday’s matchup will be a test of Alabama’s questionable defense as Ole Miss enters the game with one of the strongest offenses in the nation.

The Bulldogs and Razorbacks will face off Saturday in an SEC East-SEC West showdown. Both programs enter Week 5 undefeated, meaning the end for an undefeated season for one of them. Georgia has started its season with overwhelming wins, including a 62-0 beatdown of Vanderbilt last Saturday.

In all but one game, Georgia’s defense has kept opponents to under 10 points.

The Bulldogs’ success has made them heavy favorites, but Arkansas has been victorious as an underdog this season. The Razorbacks took care of business against Texas and took down No. 8 Texas A&M two weeks later, all while allowing only an average of 14.5 points per game.

No. 7 Cincinnati at No. 9 Notre Dame

No. 21 Baylor at No. 19 Oklahoma State

Oct. 2, 1:30 p.m. CT, NBC

Oct. 2, 6 p.m. CT, ESPN2

Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly will welcome his old program this weekend as Cincinnati travels to South Bend. With the exception of Notre Dame’s matchup against Wisconsin, both teams remain relatively untested this season.

A win for Cincinnati, which plays in the American Athletic Conference, would be essential for its College Football Playoff campaign. The Bearcats are led by veteran quarterback Desmond Ridder, who has helped the team to a 43-point average this season. Notre Dame quarterback Jack Brian is also slated to take snaps under center this weekend after an injury, giving a push to the Fighting Irish.

Undefeated Big 12 teams Baylor and Oklahoma State will meet at Boone Pickens Stadium in what promises to be one of the closest games of the weekend as Baylor holds only a 3.5-point spread. Both teams have put forward strong defensive showings throughout the season, holding teams to under an average of 20 points per game. The Bears will be missing key outside linebacker Terrel Bernard on Saturday after he was reinjured last week, which could put a damper on Baylor’s defensive efforts.

No. 3 Oregon at Stanford Oct. 2, 2:30 p.m. CT, ABC

While Oregon enters Saturday’s game as heavy favorites over two-loss Stanford, an upset would mean a major shake-up for the Pac-12 conference. The Cardinals will have home-field advantage, but the Ducks have already proved their strength on the road this season against Ohio State.

Both teams have scored over 30 points in each game with the exception of Stanford’s season opener and last weekend’s loss to UCLA, making for a potentially competitive offensive game.

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LONGHORNS IN THE NFL

friday, october 1, 2021

5

Texas football alumni showed up and showed out Sunday across the league. For longstanding Texas fans, Longhorns are proud to flaunt the burnt orange after Baltimore Ravens kicker and Texas great Justin Tucker recorded the longest field goal in NFL history on a game-winning score.

By Payne Williams

In one of the most exciting weeks of regular season football of recent memory, Justin Tucker stole the show.

Week 3 featured four games that came down to the wire with game-winning field goals, but Tucker was the talk of the NFL world after his historic game. In a nail-biting finish, the veteran NFL kicker knocked down the game winner to put the Ravens ahead of the Detroit Lions, and he did so in record-setting fashion. Tucker’s kick between the goal posts set the record for the longest field goal in NFL history. As if the record-breaking, game-winning field goal could not have been any more theatrical, the 66-yard field goal flew through the air, nailed the crossbar of the goal post and bounced through the uprights as the play clock hit triple zeroes. As arguably one of the greatest NFL kickers of all-time, Tucker solidified his status as such Sunday – and his all but certain induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

BRADON JONES Miami Dolphins

|

@paynewilliams5

JUSTIN TUCKER Baltimore Ravens elisabeth dillon

/ the daily texan file

Miami Dolphins safety Brandon Jones spent his Sunday in the Las Vegas Raiders’ backfield.

The former Longhorn is making his impact in an already loaded Miami secondary, finishing as the Dolphins’ fourth leading tackler with 14 total tackles. Two explosive sacks highlighted Jones’ performance, and his instincts and athleticism played a crucial role for Miami as the team took a potential AFC title contender to overtime. Unfortunately for Jones and the Dolphins, they were on the receiving end of a game-winning field goal from Raiders’ Daniel Carlson to send them back to Miami with their second straight loss. eddie gaspar

/ the daily texan file

Playing another vital role in one of the league’s best defenses Sunday was Denver Broncos rookie Caden Sterns. The Texas alumnus made the most of his involvement in the Broncos’ shutout win over the New York Jets by picking off the 2021 NFL Draft’s second overall pick, Zach Wilson. Sterns sealed the game with an interception from Jets receiver Braxton Barrios and a minute to go. The rookie safety put the nail in the coffin on an impressive win in Week 3. Sterns’ early production has only added to a Broncos defense that has led the team to a 3–0 start, the franchise’s first since 2016.

CADEN STERNS

Denver Broncos

MALCOLM BROWN Miami Dolphins

joshua guenther

ethan oblak

/ the daily texan file

/ the daily texan file

Another Texas football product made their presence known in Sunday’s matchup between the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders. Dolphins running back Malcolm Brown displayed patience and vision as he broke loose for a 24-yard touchdown to put Miami up 14-0 late in the first quarter.

Brown is averaging four yards per carry on 17 carries through the first three weeks, but the former Texas running back is making plays when the opportunity presents itself. Originally signed as a free agent to the then-St. Louis Rams in 2015, Brown rushed for over 400 yards and five touchdowns in 2020, bringing experience to a young Miami offense.

6

conquering demons

DOUBLE COVERAGE

TEXAS FEATURE

HOW TEXAS HOPES TO GET OVER TCU HUMP

The Longhorns hope to end their losing streak to the Horned Frogs Saturday.

By Matthew Bonocosky

@mboncosky teve Sarkisian did not mince words when asked about his messaging to the Longhorns as they prepare to take on TCU Saturday.

“We’re going to show up Saturday at 11 o’clock and kick off and play football,” the head coach said.

While Texas boasts a 63–27–1 record against TCU in a series that dates back to 1897, it’s no secret that the Horned Frogs have had the Longhorns’ number since they first joined the Big 12 Conference in 2012.

Getting over the TCU hump is a task that neither former head coaches Charlie Strong nor Tom Herman could manage during their stints at Texas. Saturday’s showdown in Fort Worth provides Sarkisian a chance, in his first season as head coach, to finally put to rest one of the many sources of frustration that have existed

S

eddie gaspar

among the Texas faithful for the past decade: the Horned Frogs.

“We’re not naive to the elephant in the room that we’re 2–7 against TCU (in) the last nine years,” Sarkisian said.

The former Alabama offensive coordinator has not been at Texas long enough to experience numerous losses as a Longhorn, but his players have. Senior left guard Denzel Okafor remembers former running back Keaontay Ingram’s fumble on the 1-yard line in last year’s matchup against TCU. The costly fumble occurred with just four minutes left in the game and would have given Texas the lead.

Instead, TCU took over, and a timely first down allowed the Horned Frogs to run out the remainder of the clock, further deepening the Longhorns’ frustrations after yet another loss.

“There’s some things you can’t

control,” Okafor said. “You can’t get mad at the guy who makes a mistake every now and then, so you just got to go to the next game.”

What the Longhorns can control is how they prepare in anticipation of the Horned Frogs’ offensive attack led by junior quarterback Max Duggan.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 214-pound quarterback has given Texas fits in recent years with his abilities both as a thrower and a runner. In his previous two games against Texas, Duggan accounted for 655 yards and five touchdowns combined through the air and on the ground. He epitomizes the mobile pocket passer.

“He knows how to make plays,” nose tackle Keondre Coburn said.

“We have to make sure we have contain (coverage) on him.”

Coburn said the defense needs to be prepared for situations when

Duggan will extend plays outside of the pocket. Duggan has the ability to make it look like he’s going to run the ball, only for him to throw it over a defensive back’s head after the defense commits to pursuing him on the ground.

“He’s done that a lot to us the past two years,” Coburn said.

Duggan isn’t the only player on the TCU offense that has torched defenses on the ground, however. Sophomore running back Zach Evans is one of the best backs in the nation, and senior defensive back Anthony Cook knows all about him.

As a Lamar High School product from Houston, Cook played against Evans and North Shore High School in the regional round of the 2017 6A playoffs. Cook said he doesn’t remember much about that game outside of how physical a runner Evans is. Against Cook and Lamar

/ the daily texan file

High School, North Shore won 4429, a memory that still pains Cook years later.

“He was successful, that’s why I remember him,” Cook said. “They won.

That’s all that matters.”

Whether it’s personal rivalries that date back to the glory days of high school, painful memories from recent failures against the Horned Frogs or the fact that Texas isn’t ranked after two blowout wins, the Longhorns have plenty of chips on their shoulders heading into Amon G. Carter Stadium on Saturday.

But the Longhorns will have to properly channel those frustrations into a complete, mistake-free win if they hope to finally conquer their TCU demons.

“We want to be dominant in the Big 12 and TCU is in front of us,” Coburn said. “We got to take them off the table.”

BIG 12

friday, october 1, 2021

7

POWER RANKINGS

By Kaitlyn Harmon

|

@kait_harmon

1. OKLAHOMA SOONERS

Under head coach Lincoln Riley and an offense led by potential Heisman Trophy candidates quarterback Spencer Rattler, the Sooners are booming in the Big 12. Yet, in a close victory to West Virginia in Week 4, Oklahoma and Riley sealed the deal with a game-winning field goal to advance to 4–0 for the season. Ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll, the Sooners claiming the No. 1 spot within the Big 12 is no surprise with Rattler already boasting 1,000 passing yards heading into Week 5. The Oklahoma defense has accumulated 275 tackles and 14 sacks through four games, clearly making OU a threat to any opponent.

2. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS The Cowboys, ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll, head into Week 5 with 12 touchdowns and 1,491 total yards. Against easier opponents in Missouri State, Tulsa and Boise State, head coach Mike Gundy and team are 4–0, yet the four wins hardly came without any tribulation. Three of the Cowboys’ last four matchups came within a touchdown, making the case that Oklahoma State might be overrated. Still, a win is a win, and as the Cowboys prepare for Big 12 play, opponents will have to prepare to face a defense that has kept opponents scores below four touchdowns.

3. BAYLOR BEARS For the first time since the 2019 season, Baylor is 4–0. The Bears have found success through the air with 871 passing yards to boot as they face Oklahoma State on Saturday. Junior quarterback Gerry Bohanon has created a 73.3% completion rate for himself and seven touchdowns in just his first season as the starting man under center. Senior running back Abram Smith has rushed for 413 yards and five touchdowns in his four games, giving the Baylor offense a viable running option.

4. TEXAS LONGHORNS With a loss to Arkansas in Week 2, Texas pleads a tougher case, but an impressive 70-point win over Texas Tech last Saturday gives the Longhorns credibility. With 1,950 yards of total offense averaging 487.5 yards per game, head coach Steve Sarkisian’s offensive schemes have clearly made a difference for Texas. The Longhorn defense has accounted for 290 tackles and nine sacks as the Longhorns head into Week 5 to face TCU. A Saturday morning showdown Oct. 9 against the Sooners will either prove Texas’ legitimacy or Oklahoma’s Big 12 reign.

5. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS The Mountaineers held the Sooners to just 13 points until the very end of the fourth quarter last Saturday. For an Oklahoma offense that averages 444 yards per game, West Virginia held Riley and Rattler all night long. Starting quarterback Jarret Doege leads the Mountaineers with 889 passing yards and six touchdowns, and the West Virginia defense has carried the Mountaineers to a 2–2 start with 280 tackles and 14 sacks.

6. TCU HORNED FROGS Facing their first conference matchup of the season, the Horned Frogs are 2–1 heading into Saturday’s meeting with the Longhorns. Junior quarterback Max Duggan and head coach Gary Patterson have crafted an offense that utilizes the run-pass option. Duggan has connected with 10 different receivers over the course of three games, making the TCU receiving corps stacked and ready to conquer any defense. Yet, the Horned Frog’s wins came against unimpressive teams, and Saturday’s matchup against Texas will either prove or disprove TCU’s identity this season.

7. IOWA STATE CYCLONES Winless in conference play, the Cyclones struggled against Baylor in Week 4. With a close loss to Iowa in Week 2, Iowa State needs to find a consistent source of momentum as the Cyclones head into Big 12 play in the weeks to come. The Cyclones are currently 2–2 with alternating wins and losses up until Week 5.

8. TEXAS TECH RAIDERS Any defense that allows an opponent to put up 70 points is one that needs tending to. Allowing 639 yards of total offense last Saturday, the Red Raiders’ loss to the Longhorns is an embarrassing one. On the offensive side of the ball, Texas Tech has a 38% third down conversion rate and struggled to limit Texas’ time of possession.

9. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS Also winless in conference play, Kansas State struggled in Week 4 to make key plays. The Wildcats produced a 16% third down conversion rate and could not hold Oklahoma State’s time of possession last Saturday. Under head coach Chris Klieman, Kansas State only has 1,382 total yards of offense throughout the span of four games.

10. KANSAS JAYHAWKS The Jayhawks are lagging in 10th place in Big 12 play with only one win this season. Kansas has averaged 19.8 points per game and barely capped off a win against South Dakota in Week 1. The Jayhawks are currently headed into Week 5 play against Iowa State with a three-streak loss and a defense that has continuously allowed over 250 yards in offense each game.

KNOCKOUT

DOUBLE COVERAGE

8

KAITLYN’S

By Kaitlyn Harmon | @kait_harmon

Texas’ pockets run deep. In the past 23 years, only four men have been given the keys to the Longhorns football program. Since January 2014, the University of Texas has spent nearly $54 million on the hirings and firings of three head coaches, not including current head coach Steve Sarkisian.

According to a Business Insider report published in November 2016, the University of Texas – at the time headed by former athletic director Steve Patterson and interim athletic director Mike Perrin – spent approximately $26.5 million

in buyouts. With Sarkisian in the mix five years later, Texas has now spent $50.5 million in buyouts, including the $24 million UT coughed up to kick Herman and his coaching staff out of Austin.

Texas isn’t the only program that has danced with the struggle of hiring a head coach and then quickly regretting it. Since 1998, when Mack Brown took over as Longhorns head coach, USC has hired and fired six head coaches – including current Texas head coach Sarkisian.

It is to no surprise that USC’s

jack myer

tom brooke

/ the daily texan file

/ the daily texan file

toggling between head coaches has only earned the Trojans two national championships within the past 23 years, one of which was dismissed by the NCAA due to infractions. It is also no surprise that the Pac-12, a regularly underwhelming and underproducing conference, has produced only two national championships in the past 23 years, both courtesy of USC. At the conclusion of the 2019-2020 season, only two of 12 teams produced 10-win seasons.

When programs consistently miss out on national championships, fanbases and athletic directors come for the head of the man in charge: the head coach.

According to a Mercury News report published in April 2020, the Pac-12 spent over $100 million in coaching buyouts, not even including numbers from Stanford and USC – who are exempt from Public Records Requests due to their private school status. Texas, a singular program, has spent half the amount the Pac-12, an entire conference, has dished out in coaching buyouts.

After Texas’ heartbreaking loss to Arkansas, Longhorns fans found themselves feeling déjà vu. Sarkisian was supposed to be the answer, the solution to a recurring problem. Now, some members of Longhorn nation are questioning the totaled $50.5 million of buyouts among four head coaches, wondering if it was all really worth it. After all, eight figures should be worth at least one additional national championship or at least a close game to an unranked Arkansas team, no?

In the four years former head coach Herman spent at Texas, he capped off his time at the helm with a 32–18 record. Texas fired Herman’s predecessor, Charlie Strong, after a 16–21 record. And

with the only head coach to give the Longhorns a national championship in the 21st century, Mack Brown completed his time at Texas with a 158–48 record.

Both Herman and Strong produced Texas coaching careers consisting below 70% winning percentages, Herman with 64% and Strong with 43%.

On Sept. 13, USC fired sixth-year head coach Clay Helton. Helton concluded his time as a Trojan 46-24 with a 65% winning percentage. For USC, Helton was simply not enough.

joshua guerra

/ the daily texan file

joe capraro

/ the daily texan file

Expectations within the realm of college football and national championships are changing. With three powerhouse college football programs – Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State – consistently finding their way into the College Football Playoff contention each year, programs are yearning for change. Programs expect national championships and nothing short of them.

Texas is no different and will seemingly do anything it takes to get its name thrown into the national championship ring — even dish out millions of dollars

TEXAS friday, october 1, 2021

9

By Vicente Montalvo | @VMont20 The Longhorns hit the road for just the second time this season, traveling to Fort Worth to take on TCU. Since the Horned Frogs joined the Big 12 in 2012, they have outmatched Texas seven of the nine times the two teams have tangoed. Saturday’s duel will be an intense matchup between two in-state teams, with the victor being in prime position to compete for the Big 12 title come December.

WINS IF....

…it stays calm in a hostile environment

Against Texas Tech, the Longhorns had themselves a day scoring 70 points and tallying 639 total yards of offense. Texas has looked strong at home but struggled during Week 2 against Arkansas in Fayetteville. Even though TCU is in a bit of a slump, the Longhorns need to be prepared to enter an unruly stadium in their first conference road game this season. Since Texas announced its eventual move to the SEC in July, opponents will be even more intense and focused on beating the Longhorns.

…it establishes the running game

When Texas hired head coach Steve Sarkisian in January, he was in large part brought in to display his innovative offensive play-calling. Heading into Week 5, Sarkisian hasn’t had to grab fancy plays from the back of his pocket, instead relying heavily on the running game to create offensive momentum. Fortunately for Sark, the head coach has a deep running back unit headed by sophomore running back Bijan Robinson. The Horned Frogs always bring a ferocious defensive line, but with elusive

loses IF....

though the Horned Frogs are coming off a disappointing home loss to SMU, they should not be overlooked as an easy-going opponent. TCU head coach Gary Patterson always finds a way to get the most out of his players when it matters most. Saturday’s matchup will be up to Sarkisian and staff to capture Texas’ momentum and keep the squad focused on the present matchup while leaving the Oklahoma game where it belongs: next week.

…Gary Patterson’s defense confuses Casey Thompson

Before becoming the head coach for the Horned Frogs in 2000, Patterson’s expertise came from coaching on the defensive side of the ball for many years. Patterson is known to play a 4-25 positionless defense, using his players as he sees necessary rather than blaine young / the daily texan staff assigning them to a certain scheme.

The Longhorns cannot overlook how …it looks ahead to Week 6 poor their opponents have been playing as Longhorn faithful have had Week 6 of late, but rather realize and understand that circled on their calendars all season long for Patterson can alter his team’s recent form of the beloved Red River Rivalry. With one more play at any moment. Texas’ offense needs to Saturday before the Cotton Bowl is packed be on its toes because Patterson and team will with burnt orange and crimson red, Sarkisian be throwing the proverbial kitchen sink at needs to retain the focus of his players. Even the Longhorns.

Longhorns in the backfield, look to see if Texas can find a win on the ground.

…Casey Thompson throws the deep ball

The Horned Frogs defense should be firing on all cylinders with defensive upperclassmen, yet they find themselves struggling. TCU’s defense gave up almost 600 offensive yards in last Saturday’s matchup against SMU, which gives junior quarterback Casey Thompson an ample opportunity to take advantage of an underdeveloped defense. Against Texas Tech, Thompson found continuity and composure by staying in the pocket as he led the UT offense to hang 70 points on the Red Raiders. To beat TCU, Thompson will have to prepare to not fall victim to TCU’s disguised coverage and blitz packages.

DNP

EdD MPA

MLA

MSNHL MSMan

blaine young

Med MSE

MSSD MSMkt

/ the daily texan staff

MID MSN

MSKin MSSW

What will your next degree be?

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Join us at the Graduate School Fair!

October 12, 2021 | 10 AM-2 PM In front of Gregory Gym on Speedway

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DOUBLE COVERAGE

10

NOTES FROM THE OPPONENT

NOTES ON THE COACH

copyright courtesy of tcu athletics, and reproduced with permission

By Nathan Han @NathanHan13

The Daily Texan spoke with Colin Post, football beat writer and sports editor for TCU’s student newspaper TCU 360 ahead of Texas’ game against the Horned Frogs Saturday.

The Daily Texan: After TCU’s loss to SMU last week, what’s the general attitude around the program right now?

Colin Post: The general term I would say following the SMU loss is “soul searching” for TCU football right now. The big thing is defense. Anybody that’s followed TCU knows that (head coach) Gary Patterson is a defensive-minded coach.

So, for a TCU defense to give up 350 rushing yards, something like 6.7 yards per carry when Ulysses Bentley just ran over TCU, I think that raises a lot of big questions … they missed 20 overall tackles. Even guys in the secondary like T.J. Carter at safety that you expected to be really good just are not producing very well right now. And so that is the focus right now for TCU. Gary (Patterson) was even talking about it, (saying), “We’re

going to have to be better, plain and simple. This same team that showed up on Saturday (against SMU) will not be able to (beat) Texas.”

DT: If TCU does get the win and has a nice defensive showing against Texas, which players will have stepped up for that to happen?

CP: The biggest question is (whether) TCU (will) be able to stop (Texas running back) Bijan (Robinson). Where that starts is going to be that interior defensive line and the linebackers for TCU. Patterson did just say that Khari Coleman, who had a great freshman year last year, has a really good chance to play this Saturday … he’s a defensive end that will really help the line and their chemistry, overall quickness and athleticism …

Dee Winters at linebacker.

He’s a junior; he had a really great sophomore year alongside now-Houston Texan Garret Wallow. This Saturday, although he did come up with a big interception, he gave up three catches on the four times he was targeted and missed three or four tackles … (Winters) is going to have to be a lot better for TCU.

DT: A lot of Texas players and coaches have mentioned Max Duggan as a huge factor in this game. What should we expect out of Duggan who’s burned Texas a couple of times before?

CP: I think the biggest question offensively is just (which) Max Duggan are we going to get.

In the last few years, the best version of Duggan has been prevalent against Texas, especially in the 2019 game … he’s very sneaky fast, very strong with the ball and averages quite a few yards after contact.

DT: Given the recent TCU dominance in this matchup, do you think Patterson sort of feels like he might have Texas’ number?

CP: Gary Patterson would never admit that, he’s just not a bulletin board type of guy, he’s a “next game is the only game that matters” type of guy …

Those two Texas wins back-toback and going 7–2 against Texas in their time since they’ve been in the Big 12 is what I think kind of keeps Gary afloat with the TCU Horned Frog community of like, “At least we’re beating Texas.”

copyright courtesy of tcu athletics, and reproduced with permission

By Jennifer Errico @errico_jenny

Under TCU head coach Gary Patterson, the Horned Frogs have defeated Texas in seven of their nine matchups since joining the Big 12 in 2012. Patterson is nothing but influential in the rebirth of TCU Football.

After joining TCU in 1998, Patterson’s 21 seasons in college football make him the nation’s second-longest tenured head coach.

Added to his resume are 22 national coach of the year honors and a 26–3 record as an AP top 5 team, the second-best mark nationally.

Patterson looks to secure a win in the Horned Frogs’ first conference game on Saturday after beating the Longhorns 33-31 last season. Texas, which is currently riding off two wins with a confident quarterback in Casey Thompson, may give Patterson and team a run for their money.

At Patterson’s side is a deep coaching staff acting as both analysts and support systems to aid the 125 players mentally and physically. Patterson believes he has as solid of a foundation as anyone could have in college football right now, stating his staff focuses on every detail to better the team’s continuity.

“Our group has great

chemistry,” Patterson said at Big 12 Football Media Days in July. “Very rarely do you have a group where both the offense and defense act as one team. Chemistry is a great start.

The way they work is a great start.

And having a starting quarterback back is a great start.”

Patterson differs from his Big 12 conference rivals by focusing on defense among a modern day offensive revolution. His defensive acumen dates back to his playing days at Kansas State as both a safety and outside linebacker in 1980 and 1981. In 1984, Patterson took over at the linebacker coaching position at Tennessee Tech while earning his master’s degree in educational administration.

From 1996 to 1997, Patterson spent two seasons as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at New Mexico before arriving in Fort Worth in 1998 as an assistant coach. Patterson took over at the helm as the head coach for the Horned Frogs in 2000, utilizing his skills acquired in multiple conferences to create defensive schemes sought out by NFL coaches.

Defense is reactive in nature, but Patterson flipped that idea.

Patterson treats his defense like an offense, forcing opponents to acclimate to TCU’s style of play rather than vice versa.

Running a 4-2-5 defense, Patterson controls the field with three safeties and dictates calls from the back to front instead of the front to back. With the triple option, Patterson plays man-on-man coverage, causing chaos for opposing offenses, something that could be a concern for a young Texas offense headed by a new starting quarterback in Thompson.

Losing five defensive starters to the 2021 NFL Draft, Patterson has scrambled to rebuild his defensive line. Patteron’s toughest task was finding someone to fill the shoes of now-Houston Texans linebacker Gary Wallow. Wallow was drafted to the Texans in the fifth round, but with three TCU players now backing up at that position, Patterson isn’t worried.

During Patterson’s second season in Fort Worth, he groomed the highest TCU draft pick in LaDainian Tomlinson, who was drafted as the fifth overall pick by the Chargers in the 2001 NFL Draft. Tomlinson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017 with 163 career touchdowns and 13,684 rushing yards.

Patterson has coached 263 all-conference selections, 18 firstteam All Americans and has led 55 players to the NFL.

opponents to Watch

friday, OCTOBER 1, 2021

By Christina Huang

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@stina_huang

No. 15

Saturday’s matchup against TCU should be an interesting one, as the Horned Frogs have given Texas trouble over the last couple of years. The Longhorns have been winless against TCU since 2019 and have not won in Fort Worth since 2013. With new head coach Steve Sarkisian at the helm, Texas looks to break the three-year losing streak on Saturday, but TCU has quite a few players in its arsenal who may prove troublesome. Here are three Horned Frogs to look out for this Saturday:

Max Duggan

Junior quarterback Max Duggan could prove to be an issue for Texas once more Saturday. Last year, the Iowa product outplayed Sam Ehlinger in TCU’s close 33-31 win over Texas. ESPN statistics gave Duggan a QBR of 84.7 and Ehlinger a 77.3 after the 2020 matchup between the two. Duggan is a clean passer and can be a quick runner when he needs to be. A scouting report on Duggan written by 247Sports’ Charles Power in 2019 described Duggan as a player with “a very high athletic ceiling.” Power also praised Duggan for his athletic abilities, saying that “his athleticism transfers over to the field, (making him) one of the more statistically productive quarterbacks in the cycle.” Duggan is eager for another win over Texas, especially following TCU’s tough 34-42 loss at home to SMU last weekend. Despite the loss, Duggan completed 16 of his 28 attempts for 276 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. The junior quarterback has definitely improved since last season and has more than enough potential to keep Texas’ losing streak alive.

No. 6 Running Back

Zach Evans

copyright tcu athletics, and reproduced with permission

copyright tcu athletics, and reproduced with permission Zach Evans was the No. 2 running back in his recruiting class right behind current Texas star running back Bijan Robinson. The No. 1 and No 2. recruits of the 2020 class will meet for the first time this season for an exciting matchup. This season, Robinson has scored five touchdowns while Evans has only recorded two as both programs enter into Week 5. Both backs are similar in terms of physical size, measuring in around 5-foot-11-inches, six-foot and a little over 200 pounds.

If there is any running back that is comparable to Bijan Robinson, it’s Zach Evans.

The physical similarities between the two running backs and their close recruiting rankings should make Saturday’s game a true test of strength and athleticism.

Back in 2020, a scouting report by 247Sports described Evans as a “naturally instinctive runner with underrated power,” and described Evans and Robinson as having “very similar skill sets.” Saturday’s game will rehash the fight for the title of best running back between the two former top-two recruits, both of which found themselves on Big 12 offenses.

Taye Barber

Although TCU enters Saturday’s matchup with its only loss of the season coming last weekend, senior wide receiver Taye Barber had an impressive performance in an altogether rougher week for the Horned Frogs. Barber caught every single one of his five targetsfor 114 yards down field. The wideout averaged 22.8 yards per reception and found the endzone for one touchdown. TCU head coach Gary Patterson described one of Barber’s catches as “outstanding” during his postgame media availability. After Barber’s monstrous game against SMU, the Horned Frogs will most likely rely heavily on the wide receiver again this Saturday to secure a win over the Longhorns. Against Texas last season, Barber had a solid performance, as he caught seven targets for 51 yards. Barber will look to exploit Texas’ defense once more, even though doing so this season may prove to be a little more difficult against a defense that allows on average 7.8 yards per pass. Barber’s performance against SMU proves that he is still one of TCU’s top receivers and that the Frogs will need him in order to show out offensively.

Quarterback

No. 4

Wide Receiver

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