Steve Sarkisian challenges run-game, run-game responds
If you cruise the Texas internet you’d think Quinn Ewers was the story of the game following Texas’ comfortable win over Kentucky. You must remember, the internet often misleads. The actual story of the comfortable victory was the Texas run-game.
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This season we’ve seen Texas exert game in pretty much every game, save Georgia. More often than not that’s been due to great defense. On Saturday, however, it was the Longhorns rushing attack that asphyxiated the Wildcats.
Late in the week I had a good source send me a simple response regarding the upcoming game — “run festival.”
I didn’t really know what to do with that. The Texas run-game hasn’t exactly inspired confidence this season, though it hasn’t been as bad as some think. There’s been a few times this year when I’ve shared accurate practice info that didn’t materialize games. Rather than sharing it and exposing my chin, I embedded that information in my ‘Four potential game outcomes‘ article.
I think this game will hedge between ‘close’ and ‘blowout’ in large part due to the defense and good enough offense. I think the offensive line will hold its own and probably then some against a quality defensive line.
A lot of people are out on Ewers right now but I’m expecting a complementary game on offense between run-pass balance. Maybe I’m crazy. If we see that, Texas will demonstrate game control throughout, though it may not manifest in a blowout.
Percent chance: 49%
The term ‘run festival’ sounds cool and I desperately wanted to use it, but even if the run-game showed up, I didn’t know what a ‘run festival’ would look like.
THIS, this is what a ‘run festival’ looks like:
The whole damn festival didn’t even fit in the screen cap.
Much was made and overblown of Quinn Ewers‘ ankle injury, but given he wasn’t 100% what better time to have the mindset to grind the opponent into the turf. This was as opportune as it gets for Steve Sarkisian to challenge his offensive line and running backs.
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While everyone else had fumbles on their mind, the other Quin-, Quintrevion Wisner, not only took care of the rock but he slashed and dashed through the Wildcats front with quickness and toughness. Look at that chart above.
For the game, Wisner accumulated 158 yards with a 6.1 average yet his longest run was 17 yards. In your Matt McConaughey voice…con-sis-ten-cy.
Sometimes it feels like Sark flies a little too close to the sun. Reference the Vanderbilt game that got closer than we would have liked. But every time he challenges his team they seem to come out better for it.
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Now, if Texas can pair that second half running attack with Ewers’ first half passing, you’re looking at one of the odds on favorites to win it all.
