Defensive questions Texas-based teams must answer in training camps

Questions abound for the Texas-based university football teams playing in Power 5 conferences on the defensive side of the ball. In short, the squads must address these concerns if they hope to contend for trophies. For some teams, it’s a matter of finding the right athlete for a position. For others it’s a matter of finding multiple bodies for a front. The good news is each coach believes he has the personnel to fill the need. Let’s examine the defensive questions. Texas — The biggest concern are the defensive tackles.…

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Offensive questions for teams as they start training camps

NCAA football teams across the country are getting ready for the start of their fall training camps. Here in Texas, some might be preparing on practice fields, while others are in an air-conditioned bubble. Still, several teams have questions going into the season. We’ll start with the members of the Power 5 conferences beginning with their offenses. Texas — New offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert installed a faster-paced spread offense that utilizes four- and five-receiver sets. While head coach Charlie Strong didn’t name true freshman quarterback Shane Buechele the starter, he…

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Suspension of Aggies coaches illustrates it’s time women are treated better

The actions of two Texas A&M assistant football coaches can’t be overlooked, not now, not in a day and age where sexual assault by male athletes against women has taken midfield. That’s why Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin acted swiftly in suspending offensive line coach Jim Turner and tight ends/special teams coach Jeff Banks for two weeks without pay. The two were in charge of the Texas A&M’s Talk Chalk for Women where coaches talked about the fundamentals of the sport. More than 700 were in attendance. The slide show…

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Teams capable of crashing the College Football Playoffs

While Oklahoma was the favorite to win the Big 12 and represent the conference in the College Football Playoffs, it’s important to note that there’s more than one squad that could crash the four-team party. Let’s start with the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The reason is because of depth in key positions, especially at quarterback thanks to Mason Rudolph. Rudolph threw for 3,770 yards, 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions last season. But he’s not the only reason the Cowboys are optimistic. Receiver James Washington returns a season after he caught 53…

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Mayfield continues his ‘Shake and Bake’ style north of the Red River

People who know Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield say his success is attributed to one very important quality — his moxie. He describes his moxie as energetic, enthusiastic and “laid back at times.” That helps explain the nickname he received at Lake Travis High School, “Shake and Bake.” When he played for the Cavaliers, Mayfield said he developed another quality — being fearless — noting his teammates fed off of his moxie. “It’s about distributing the ball,” he said. “Distributing the ball to the playmakers. You have to make plays for…

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Let’s examine candidates for Big 12 expansion

Big 12 Conference fans should come to terms with the fact that conference leaders — the university presidents — are going to add new members. While there are no candidates that make me want to black out future dates on my calendar, it’s worth noting the four that seem to have picked up the most steam. The University of Houston is at the top of the Texas list, primarily because of several hundreds of acres of land purchased by Texas Chancellor William McRaven in the city of Houston. Looks like…

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Hatred of losing and respect for Strong drives Bluiett, Longhorns

Don’t bother asking Caleb Bluiett whether he likes the role of the tight end in Texas offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert’s offense. He can keep a secret. “I’m happy to be on the field again,” he said. “I know how we’re going to be used. I can’t necessarily tell you that right now. The season hasn’t started.” Last year he caught eight passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The two scores came in the team’s two biggest wins — Oklahoma and Baylor. Bluiett has always tried to lead by example.…

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Mahomes happy to have spent spring on the gridiron to make his field of dreams come true

Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes couldn’t help but laugh. Mahomes gave up baseball last spring to concentrate wholeheartedly on football. So what did the Red Raiders baseball team do? Only returned to the College World Series again. Mahomes laughed again as he recalled that even his old high school, Whitehouse, reached the Class 5A state tournament. But he has no regrets about passing on baseball. That extra time resulted in getting stronger in the weight room and putting on an additional 15 pounds. “I turned myself into a meathead,” he…

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To expand or not to expand — The question for the Big 12

Fans of the Big 12 aren’t seeing the reason why university presidents have authorized Commissioner Bob Bowlsby to explore candidates for expansion. Fans are thinking in terms of competition. They want strong competition in order to help their teams secure playoff spots and win numerous trophies in prestigious bowls and in March Madness. But the university presidents are thinking in terms of money. Big money. Reports are surfacing that Oklahoma president David Boren said television contracts allow the conference to add up to six new members and that ESPN and…

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Experienced players will lead West Virginia this season

West Virginia had five players taken in the NFL Draft in May — athletes with talent, great work ethic and attitude. And yet head coach Dana Holgorsen smiled as he thought of his 2016 squad when he visited with reporters July 18 at Big 12 Media Days. The five athletes — Karl Joseph, K.J. Dillon, Daryl Worley, Nick Kwiatkoski and Wendell Smallwood — were seniors who had been in the program almost as long as Holgorsen. The coach said they were purposely recruited as players who would stay for at…

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