Tag: Horns Football

Texas Football: Updated FPI and game-by-game predictions for Longhorns

Following their opening week win, the latest FPI rankings are favoring the Texas Longhorns moving forward. Could it be a magical season?

The latest FPI (Football Power Index) results are favoring the Texas Longhorns heavily in the Big 12. Previously they were ranked just outside of the top 10 teams. Following the 59-3 opening weekend win, Longhorns Wire takes a look at the newly updated numbers from ESPN.

The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team’s performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily.- From ESPN’s website on what is the FPI

Updated FPI rankings per ESPN

FPI Rank 6wins % Win Conf Playoffs Win Natty
Updated 5 20.1 99.3 51.7 42.5 5.8
Last Week 8 19.0 97.1 39.6 29.4 3.5

Updated game by game predictions per ESPN

Opponent Win Prob Prev Win Prob Change
Texas Tech 91.5 79.0 +12.5
TCU 77.8 75.4 +2.4
Oklahoma 60 49.9 +11.1
Baylor 87 85.4 +1.6
Oklahoma State 63.4 60.3 +3.1
West Virginia 89.1 89.6 -0.5
Kansas 96.5 94.6 +1.9
Iowa State 90.1 81.1 +9.0
Kansas State 85.4 75.5 +9.9

Related: ESPN projects Longhorns record using win probability

After one week of Big 12 play where seven of the 10 took the field, the Longhorns saw a huge swing their way. At least when it comes to the ESPN computers. Despite the fact that Oklahoma also won big over the weekend, the Longhorns win over UTEP is valued much higher. In terms of the simulations ran for the updated FPI.

We are seeing the Longhorns go from a projected eight-win season to now looking at a perfect 10-0 record. Certaintly games are played on the field but the analytics are all pointing to the Texas Longhorns making a very strong push in the conference.

Even with the conference looking less than stellar over the weekend with a 4-3 record, they still have an opportunity to send a team to the College Football Playoffs. Provided either Oklahoma or Texas win out they will likely be in the playoffs. Question is can they finally get over the hump this year and take down Oklahoma twice? We will find out in just less than a month at the Cotton Bowl.

Texas Football Recruiting: Highland Park offensive tackle expected to visit this week

Three-star offensive tackle Jack Leyrer is expected to visit Texas on Friday.

[jwplayer WAf8Edix-er0jUifI]

It’s been an unusual offseason in regards to the recruiting process. Continue reading “Texas Football Recruiting: Highland Park offensive tackle expected to visit this week”

Former Texas star Earl Thomas’ future with Baltimore is now uncertain

Former Texas safety Earl Thomas’ troublesome offseason may cause the Ravens to release him before the season begins.

Former Texas safety Earl Thomas may be released by the Baltimore Ravens after a troublesome offseason.

In April 2020, Thomas was held at gunpoint by his wife, Nina Heisser, after an alleged cheating scandal. In the court documents, Heisser alluded to the fact that Thomas had began drinking on a consistent basis.

His erratic behavior has unfortunately continued throughout Ravens camp. According to CBS Sports NFL reporter Jason La Canfora, Thomas’ participation in position meetings has been an issue.

It’s not just the off-field problems.

On Friday, Thomas was involved in a physical altercation on the field with fellow safety Chuck Clark. Several teammates believe that Thomas was in the wrong for the scuffle.

It appears that the Ravens could make a final decision on Thomas’ future as soon as Saturday. It’s not likely to end well considering the team’s leadership council does not want to tolerate that type of behavior.

The potential for team discipline such as a suspension has seemed likely, but it’s possible that Thomas’ career as a Raven could be over completely.

It can’t be an easy decision considering Thomas is a three-time first-team All-Pro and one of the most talented and productive safeties in the NFL. On top of that, his contract has more dead money right now than the Ravens have cap space.

Oddly enough, another former Longhorn could fill in for Thomas should he continue his career elsewhere. Ravens players have voiced confidence and strong support for DeShon Elliott.

Elliott was drafted by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. The rising safety compiled six tackles last season before being placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury.

TCU quarterback Max Duggan could miss game against Texas

TCU opens its football season on Sept. 12 and could be without their starting QB, Max Duggan. Gary Patterson confirmed the rumors on Zoom.

[jwplayer 0Uf2WRia-er0jUifI]

TCU opens its football season against SMU on Sept. 12 and could be without their starting quarterback Max Duggan. The sophomore out of Iowa started the final 10 games of the 2019 season for the Horned Frogs.

Head coach Gary Patterson was on a Zoom call with reporters, confirming the starting quarterback will miss some games this season. Patterson did not specify if it was due to COVID-19 reasons or not.

“Max has a condition that he’s had his whole life and we caught it,” Patterson said. Right now he’s in a good place and hopefully he’ll be getting back sometime during the season. Right now we’ll be going forward with the rest of the quarterbacks. It’s a thing he was born with and I’m just glad we found it; I can say that.”

Texas is scheduled to host TCU on Oct. 3, the week before the Red River Shootout against Oklahoma. Duggan had a career day against the Longhorns last season, going 19 of 27, 273 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.

Redshirt sophomore Matthew Downing is now expected to take over, starting against the Mustangs to open the season. A transfer quarterback from Georgia, Downing has yet to take a snap for TCU. However, he did play in four games in Athens during the 2018 season.

“Downing has been the guy that’s taking all the one reps. He just keeps getting better and better,” [Patterson] said. “The biggest thing is he’s a competitor just like his brother that played here. He’s smart, understands the offense and he’s a competitor.”

The Longhorns will be looking to get revenge against the Horned Frogs after last season’s embarrassing loss in Fort Worth. Quarterback Sam Ehlinger played his worst game of the season, going 22 of 48 for 321 yards, two touchdowns, and four interceptions.

Garry Patterson has Texas’ number, going 6-3 against them in his career. The Longhorns have only beaten TCU twice since their introduction to the Big 12 in 2012.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

CFB Analyst Joel Klatt: Texas has a ‘great chance’ to knock off Oklahoma

Joel Klatt is confident that the stars are aligning for Texas to finally knock off Oklahoma as the Big 12 Champions.

The hype surrounding Texas football this season is real. Continue reading “CFB Analyst Joel Klatt: Texas has a ‘great chance’ to knock off Oklahoma”

Two Longhorns listed among college football’s top 50 players

Two Longhorns are listed within 247Sports’ top 50 college football players this season.

The 2020 college football season is rapidly approaching. Continue reading “Two Longhorns listed among college football’s top 50 players”

Austin health official thinks 25,000 fans at DKR is ‘too much’

According to a report from KXAN in Austin, Dr Mark Escott of the Travis County Health Authority believes it is too much.

The Texas Longhorns are preparing for the upcoming season and athletic director Chris Del Conte has stated there will be fans in attendance. In an email to season season ticket holders, Del Conte proclaimed they were ready to “rock n’ roll.” The plan around most major colleges participating in the fall season falls around 25 percent capacity. At Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium that means 25,000 screaming fanatics.

However, not everyone agrees with the sentiment of having that many fans in the stands. Recently KXAN, a NBC affiliate in Austin, had an interview with interim Austin-Travis County Health Dr. Mark Escott. Escott was not a fan of moving forward with 25 percent or 25,000 fans at DKR.

He spoke with local schools about their upcoming football season and even wants to start slow with them.

Let’s see if we can play, lets see if we can have two healthy teams play one another and then let’s talk about introducing parents of the athletes into the stands and again move gradually towards more people as we can prove success.”

When discussing fans at the stadium, Escott wants UT to limit the number even beyond the 25 percent being announced across the remaining FBS schools.

Packing 25,000 people in, even in a 100,000 seat stadium, introduces a lot of risk, not only to the people who are there but to the community as well,

While you can understand the sentiment behind the doctors thoughts, it really doesn’t hold much weight. The city of Austin holds zero authority over the University of Texas.

Texas football’s highest-graded returners on defense per PFF

New DC Chris Ash will have a ton of returning talent to work with. Here are the highest-graded returners on Texas’ defense per PFF:

Texas’ defense struggled last season, being the reason for a couple of the Longhorns’ losses last season. However, there is hope and optimism for the defense going into 2020.

Most of that is due to how many contributors are returning this season. Texas is expected to have nine starters back, including Caden Sterns, B.J. Foster, and Joseph Ossai. The roster is full of studs.

However, the implementation of defensive coordinator Chris Ash will be the biggest reason for the hoped success. Former defensive coordinator ran a base 3-3-5 defense and Ash will be switching over to a base 4-3 defense.

Ash will have a ton of returning talent to work with, hoping to make the Longhorns’ defense one of the best in the Big 12.

Here are the highest-graded returners on Texas defense per PFF:

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Longhorns Profile Snapshot: No. 68 Derek Kerstetter

LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster. Today, we will be looking at senior C Derek Kerstetter.

Going into the 2020 football season, LonghornsWire will be looking at each scholarship player listed on the Texas roster.

Heading into the season each profile will cover where the player is from, how recruiting websites rated them coming out of high school, and what role they will play for Tom Herman this season.

Today, we will be looking at senior center Derek Kerstetter.

Derek Kerstetter, Center

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

Height: 6-5 / Weight: 293

Class: Senior

Hometown: San Antonio, Texas

High School: Reagan

HS ranking (247Sports): Three-star / No. 27 position / No. 52 in-state

HS ranking (Rivals): Three-star / No. 45 position / No. 59 in-state

Analysis: Derek Kerstetter played right tackle for the Longhorns last season, forming an outstanding duo with left tackle Samuel Cosmi. Now, the senior will be moving to the interior offensive line, playing center.

Coming out of high school, Kerstetter was just a three-star prospect and outside the top 50 in the state of Texas. Offensive line coach Herb Hand has done an excellent job in turning Kerstetter into a good offensive lineman to one of the best in the Big 12.

Zach Shackelford was a leader of the football team last season from the center position. Kerstetter will have major shoes to fill, having to keep Texas’ offensive line at an elite level. They will be protecting quarterback Sam Ehlinger, the most important player on the offense.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Thursday Big 12 Morning Rush: Headlines from around the conference

Each morning, LonghornsWire will provide the top headlines in the Big 12. Today, BR, Twitter, and TexasTech.com provide the headlines.

Each morning Longhorns Wire will share the top stories from around the Big 12 Conference. For this edition of the Big 12 morning rush, Bleacher Report, Twitter, and TexasTech.com provide the headlines.

Continue reading “Thursday Big 12 Morning Rush: Headlines from around the conference”