by no means am I a big Simms fan, but even I have to give the guy credit for leading my Horns on that victory drive. As for that 3rd-and-11 play you're talking about... that was remarkable. He showed excellent poise in taking the hit to deliver a much needed first down. However the fact that a single first down is used as defense for Chris Simms and his play this season is rather disconcerning for Horn fans.
Well, drapg, there are several examples I could use of Simms making good plays this season. He has good statistics, won one of his "big games", has had substantially less bad decisions, and has had to carry the offense in several games like last night where Benson was shut down. Actually, IMO, Cedric has been more of a disappointment this season than Chris. The reason I am using that play so much is that for two years, most of the anti-Simms crowd have been calling for Simms to have a "highlight play" or drive against a good team where he won the game. After last night, he has one.
i agree on the Ced issue. Dude has been much more disappointing than Simms. You can throw Roy W. into that mix as well. I don't know if its there injuries or what, but both haven't played anywhere near last season's display. Maybe Ced misses running behind M. Williams. I know having a hog like that blocking created a lot of gaps in the line. With their lack of play, Simms has had more pressure to lead the team and he showed up yesterday. I'm going to withhold judgement on him until after the ISU game (even though they looked pitiful yesterday) and when he gets another chance in a bowl game (or hopefully Big 12 championship game )
He's a product of a system designed to produce big numbers and he doesn't produce against the best opponents he plays. Ohio State made Tech's offense look like **** until the fourth quarter, when Tech scored two late TDs against Ohio State's second-stringers. Kingsberry has to produce against Oklahoma or Texas to deserve serious consideration. Willie Totten didn't win a ****in' Heisman either. He may be a product of the system, but he still has to produce. There are very few QBs, in my opinion, that can throw for 500 yards with no running game - the entire defense knows you're going to pass. Things certainly weren't working for them vs OSU, but that was also their first game. I agree he needs to produce against OU or UT, but I think he definitely should be a contender. The A&M game was a huge statement against that defense. His numbers are the best in the country. He's now completed more passes in his career than anyone in NCAA history. Tech's three losses are also to teams that are a combined 22-2, one of those coming in overtime.
Ugh. Come on. It was the first game of Kingsberry's fourth year running the offense. It was also the first time Ohio State had seen Tech's offense. I think that offsets any first-game difficulties Tech may have had. Kingsberry is nothing but a latter day David Klingler. He plays in an offense designed to throw the ball 50-60-70 times a game, so aside from the occasional bad game (which coincidentally seems to pop up when Tech plays a legitimate Top 10 opponent), the QB will put up big numbers. The fact that Tech doesn't have a running game is built into the offense. They're not running Texas' offense and chucking it 60 times a game-- they're running Mike Leach's stupid chuck-and-duck, which takes into account the fact that the opponent is likely to put fewer down linemen and linebackers on the field. It's a gimmick. Kingsberry is an average college quarterback in all areas but one-- most QBs couldn't withstand the unnecessary pounding his stupid offense allows him to take. I am absolutely unimpressed by his numbers. I've watched him play for three years now, and he hasn't done a goddamned thing to impress me. Right. What does that tell you about Tech's offense?
Ugh. Come on. It was the first game of Kingsberry's fourth year running the offense. The QB's not the only one that has to perform to make that type of offense work. Their top receiver from the last several years (*90* catches last year) was gone, for one. The fact that Tech doesn't have a running game is built into the offense. They're not running Texas' offense and chucking it 60 times a game-- they're running Mike Leach's stupid chuck-and-duck, which takes into account the fact that the opponent is likely to put fewer down linemen and linebackers on the field. That's the point. Everyone on the field knows they are going to throw the ball and they still do it well. It's the same as VaTech - everyone knows they are going to run the ball virtually every play and they still get yards consistently. Right. What does that tell you about Tech's offense? Well, for one, it tells me that its damn good. #5 in total yards (#1 major conference team) and #11 in scoring. And they do it with scrub talent led by a very good QB. Do they beat top 10 teams? Hell no - there's not enough talent all over the field to do it. Ricky got shut down by Top 10 teams too, but that didn't mean he wasn't amazing. It just meant that the rest of the team wasn't good enough to beat top-10 programs.
Major, how many yards did Ricky have against #6 Texas A&M in 1998...? Or against #7 Nebraska that same year....?
Major, how many yards did Ricky have against #6 Texas A&M in 1998...? Or against #7 Nebraska that same year....? Nebraska was very good. A&M sealed his performance. K-State and UCLA (both top 10 teams, I believe) were miserable. After that K-State game, most people thought his Heisman campaign was dead. I agree that Kingsbury has to perform well against UT and/or OU. However, Ricky also ran wild against Baylor and Iowa State, I believe (300+ yards each). He padded his stats against the bad teams too. I'm just saying his numbers thus far certainly have to put him into contention.
13-24 for 184 yards constitutes "putting the team on your back"? Oh, but he had "one good throw". Did your reception go out during that interception? Yeah, UT is unlike any offense in the history of football. I see. Why am I even responding?
And the Bucks keep doing just enough to win, I love it! Also congrats to OK they looked awesome! Great games 2 weeks in a row. I hope Texas Tech keeps winning,, I agree with Brian K that Kliffy is a product of the system but my Buckeyes need Texas Tech and Washington State to keep winning. THey run a freak show offense. Good teams will make their offense look stupid but they can make most other teams look silly.
In a terrible offensive system, on the road, against a top 5 defense, and without a running game, that does constitute putting the team on your back. He made a bad throw, but it happens to everyone in most games. The bottom line is, when the game was on the line, he made the play he had to make to get us the win.
Ah, yes -- the "terrible offensive system". Almost forgot there for a second. I actually think he had a pretty good game for him, but average overall. A couple of those throws to Johnson were of the "No, No, No...Yes!" variety. Good thing those DBs were face guarding. Nice plays though. Cat, I think you should be right about Texas winning out. May not make it to the Big 12 title game though.
Do ya'll know what is impressive? That OU has scored 31 PPG or more with Nate Hybl being the QB more often than not. Their defense this year also looks pretty much the same as the last 2 years as well (at least equal in defensing the pass). It is time for all of us to admit OU is just on another level from Texas right now any way you slice it (offense, defense, special teams). To tell you the truth if OU was playing Miami next saturday on a nuetral field I'd take the Sooners too. OU next 2 games could be tough though. If they get through them we (Texas) can forget a shot at the national title. OU could still lose 1 more (Big 12 championship game or otherwise) and get a Fiesta birth over a one-loss Texas team. Texas' season is still by a thread. Can't have a slip up and have to hope the Buffs or Aggies can bring their A game and get a little luck to put the first lost on the Sooners. Then things will get real interesting.
