Why Texas fans shouldn't worry about the Texas run game after an iffy 1st half against CSU
Despite Texas running for 190 yards against Colorado State on Sunday, there was little evidence of a consistent run game until true freshman Jerrick Gibson entered the game in the second half. Gibson, from IMG Academy, ran for 67 yards on 10 carries. He seemed to get more comfortable with each carry. The Frank Gore comparisons (stylistically speaking) we heard in August appear apt.
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The lack of first half run dominance has some fans questioning what the run game will look like this season. I get it, after a dominating 52-0 performance, fans are forced to break out the fine-tooth comb and magnifying glass.
To me, for two reasons, even when considering the output on the ground this game played out perfectly.
Big Reason No. 1
Steve Sarkisian loves to run the ball. One of the greatest misnomers about him is that he’s pass-crazy. Nothing could be further from the truth, he just has a knack for producing run games that make it easy to pass effectively, especially over the top off play-action.
I’m not sure Quinn Ewers threw a true deep ball today and that’s no coincidence. It’s important to remember the deep ball is often tied directly to the run game. One begets the other.
Against Colorado State, Sark didn’t need the run-pass conflict like he does against better teams.
One might say they should have worked on it anyway but that’s like saying a pitcher should throw curveballs when the hitter can’t catch up to the fastball. Especially considering…
Big Reason No. 2
When CJ Baxter and Christian Clark were lost for the year the writers of IT were asked what impact that would have on the season. My response was, the offense will be more inclined to throw it against poor teams and run it against better teams. That may seem counter-intuitive but it makes perfect sense if you remember the offense thrives off the run-pass conflict.
Fans want to see the running backs carve up poor teams. I believe Sark wants to preserve them for the big games; games like next week against Michigan.
Sark has an ace up his sleeve when it comes to bridging the gap between his preferred ‘run the ball, kill them with play-action’ approach. That’s the RPO and intermediate passing game. That’s how Texas controlled the CSU defense. The Horns offense threw wave after wave of talented skill player at the Rams and they had no answer.
Texas had 11 receivers catch a pass on Saturday.
Further Context
Not only is it wise to protect the running backs from injury, it’s wise to realize this team hopes to be playing well into January. Sark needs to preserve against injury and the sort of wear and tear that will occur over an increasingly longer season. It’s an absolute win when Sark can limit Jaydon Blue and Tre Wisner. I mean, look at how fans responded when Blue looked the tiniest bit ginger.
I’m not saying the Horns are going to run all over Michigan. Given their defensive front that’s not likely and it shouldn’t even be the goal, but a better run-pass balance is much more important for overall success against them than Colorado State.
There will be a time to assert the run. That time was not today.
