Texas Football Home Opener: Five Things to Watch for on Saturday
The home opener on Saturday kicks off a new era in Texas Longhorns football. A new head coach will patrol the sidelines for the first time since 1997. Charlie Strong has come in and shaken the program to its core, letting the players – and fans – know who is calling the shots.
Season openers give fans the opportunity to find answers to their questions. This opener is no different, except that many fans aren’t really sure what they will see on the field Saturday. A coaching change can do that.
Here at Hookemheadlines, we are wondering what will happen on Saturday as well, particularly in five areas of the game.
5. Kicking Game Jitters?
Anthony Fera handled the punting and kicking duties last season. This is no big deal unless you consider he beat out the guys who will be kicking for Texas this season. It isn’t that these players are bad; it’s that they are unproven in game situations.
Nick Rose is listed as the No. 1 kicker. He has not attempted a field goal in a game in his career. His backup, Nick Jordan, has kicked in games, but mostly from short range. A reliable kicker could mean the difference between 10-2 and 8-4.
William Russ takes over the punting duties. He has a strong leg, but lacks consistency and experience. A punter that can pin an offense deep in its own territory, or gets great hang-time on his kicks is a defense’s best friend. One that shanks punts or outkicks his coverage leaves the team vulnerable.
There will be some growing pains with this group. A field goal may be missed or a punt shanked. The important thing to look for: Does the team have confidence in these guys?
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4. Energy level after the first quarter
The players will come out motivated and fired up. They always did under Mack Brown. The problem the last few years has been a lack of energy or intensity if the team fell behind, or didn’t put together scoring drives in the first quarter. When the energy level dropped off on the field, it died in the stands. The players and fans feed off each other. A big play can energize the crowd, leading to the players getting pumped up. This has been lacking recently.
The coaching staff has worked hard to change the mentality on this team. Whether it has taken hold or not will come to the forefront if the offense struggles early, or the defense gives up a few big plays. This team needs to maintain a high energy level throughout the game, not just the first quarter.
3. Who will make an impact along the defensive line?
We all know what Cedric Reed is capable of. The problem is, so does North Texas. Reed will see plenty of double teams, running backs staying in to chip him, or the Mean Green running away from his side. Someone else has to make plays and become a disruptive force. Shiro Davis should benefit from Reed drawing multiple blockers. He needs to live in the North Texas backfield. Desmond Jackson must clog up the inside running lanes, allowing the linebackers to shoot the gaps and disrupt the run game.
North Texas has a pretty decent offensive line. This will be a good test for the Texas defensive line. Someone needs to make a name for himself so that BYU, UCLA, etc. must game plan for him. A second playmaker along the line also opens up opportunities for Reed to be the disruptive force he excels at.
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2. How well does the offensive line hold up?
The offensive line will have three new starters take the field Saturday. Dominic Espinosa and Kennedy Estelle return to anchor a unit thin on experience. There is talent in this group. The question is how long will it take for this line to gel. There is added pressure knowing the quarterback they are protecting missed most of the 2013 season due to concussion-related symptoms (more on this in a bit).
Texas will want to establish the run. Heck, Strong would hand the ball off to Malcolm Brown and Johnathan Gray all day if he could. The success of the run game starts up front. Brown and Gray will not be able to do much if there are no running lanes. Texas’ depth is razor thin. Desmond Harrison will sit this game out. Rami Hammad is transferring to another school. Joe Wicklline’s group cannot afford injuries, or the Longhorn offense could be in trouble.
1. How does David Ash perform?
Fans will hold their collective breath the first time Ash hits the ground. They won’t exhale until he gets up and heads back to the huddle (the Texas huddle). Fans need to know that his concussion history is behind him and that he can take a hit without the worry of another one. Will Ash scramble as much as he did in years’ past, or will he heed Strong’s advice and avoid the big hit? Keeping Ash healthy is paramount if Texas wants to contend for the Big 12 title.
Of equal importance is his ability to run Shawn Watson’s offense. Ash needs to be smart with the ball and keep his team in manageable down and distances. This offense isn’t ready for multiple third and long scenarios. Teams will focus on stopping the run, so he needs to be smart with the football.
The buzz at DKR should be at a level not felt since the Vince Young days. A new season brings renewed optimism. If the team can answer these five questions, fans will leave Saturday night feeling pretty good about the direction this team is heading. And it will show that Strong is the right man for the job.