Kirk Bohls, from the Houston Chronicle, tells McElroy & Cubelic what's been happening at Texas fall camp and what he thinks of the Longhorns in 2024
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Welcome back, McElroy Cubicle. Good morning, Jock74.5. Final hour of the show. Final hour of the week for us here. And when we get back on the air three days from now on Monday, well, I actually won't be here. I'll be at jury duty. That's right, jury duty. If you guys are listening and you plan on putting a jury together on Monday, it'd be advantageous if I wasn't included on the jury. I am...

Someone that has a microphone in front of me all the time. Maybe things from what I hear, it just comes out on the radio. I don't think it'd be a good play. But you're told not to talk about it. I've been also told not to do a lot of things. And those things happen. Oh, okay.

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Go to callwaynes.com and let Waynes continue to create your happy place. Happy to be joined by our good friend Kirk Bowles, who has now moved over to the Houston Chronicle. So we'll get him back in just a second. Just lost him a moment ago. He's tapped into anybody that's going on with the Texas Longhorns. It's kind of fascinating.

How Texas is perceived this year and how different it was from a year ago last year. I remember having them in my top six in the preseason and everybody and their brother was like, what are you doing? Why are you on board Texas? And then urban Meyer came out today of the best roster in the sport. And I was like, Oh my gosh, urban Meyer doesn't know what he's talking about. This team stinks. And then sure enough, they go on to beat Alabama and week two and everybody then got on board the bandwagon and,

The rest is history, and we welcome men. He's Kirk Bowles of the Houston Chronicle. Kirk, congrats on the move to Houston Chronicle, by the way. Thank you, Kirk. Secondly, this Texas team, the perception very, very different from where it was a year ago. Last year, it was the same song and dance we always seem to do. Oh, this team is always overly inflated in the preseason, and then now this year, they

I think they might actually be a little inflated in the preseason. How have you evaluated them so far?

But much different than a year ago. You're exactly right about that. And it's a lot different coming off 12-2 than it was 8-5. And so it's funny how everything's just kind of reversed. I mean, the expectation's just going through the roof now. And, you know, people are already looking into tickets to Atlanta to play Georgia in the rematch in the SEC championship game. So, yeah, it's probably out of control.

and maybe the injuries to the running back brought them back to earth a little bit. But, yeah, they're kind of in a fever pitch here, ready for Colorado State in about two weeks. I'm not against it. I think there's all the reason in the world to feel good about what they have, who they could be, what they might be.

But it's not without question marks. And everybody's got question marks to an extent. But with what they lost at wide receiver, with what they lost at defensive tackle, with the ineptitudes at times of what they had in the secondary, it's, I think, a little bit tougher transition this year, as some might assume. Couple that with the upgrade in schedule, right?

and how this team has occasionally, Kirk, played to the level of the competition. Do we anticipate that still being the same, or do you think they will be a little more consistent this year?

They sure better be. I mean, you know, how many times have we heard Texas is back? And what that only meant is that they're back in the standings. You know, it's, you know, you're talking dose of reality here, Greg. I mean, you see it for what it is. And as close as they were, it's so interesting last year, 12 and 2, right? Yeah. Yeah.

Last game of the season, Quinn, yours is throwing into the end zone to try to get the tying touchdown and the winning extra point to go play Michigan. They led Oklahoma with about 75 seconds left in the game, and OU scored with 15 seconds left in the game. Otherwise, they're 14-0, but...

They could have easily lost the Houston game. They maybe should have lost the TCU game. The Iowa State was, you know, a rugby match back and forth. And so they were – and that's that whole margin of error thing, you know. Were they as good as 12-2 with that secondary –

You know, and, you know, Byron Murphy and Tavondre Sweat masked a lot of problems on that defense because nobody could run on them. And still, they ranked 116th in pass defense. So you make a lot of valid points. I mean, brand new receiving core. Secondary was kind of in shambles last year. Michael Penix never got touched by the pass rush. Murphy and Sweat are gone. So...

And then they had the four-bitch and running back issue. So they're not without flaws in question, Mark, and you're right to ask questions that we all will have until August 31st and beyond. What do you think is, like you referenced, the Houston, the TCU, the Iowa State performance offensively, do you think those are games that can be overcome in the SEC, or do you think...

We're looking at a really, really tough spot with the transition, knowing the level of competition amongst the teams that are considered, quote, middle tier or bottom tier. Do you think this is going to be maybe a bit of a transition year as a result of that? Well, it could, because...

You're playing Florida, and yeah, that game's in Austin, and people are down on the Gators, and Philly's on the hot seat, but Florida's not Houston. If they play that kind of game against Florida, they get tripped up and lose. Kentucky's no slouch, as we know.

I mean, you know how tough they are on defense and how they like to run the ball. So, you know, and I don't know, Houston may have been the outlier because if you remember that, Texas was at 21 to nothing. And they're going in to kick the field goal with Bert Auburn, who is back and as automatic as they come. And he tries to trick play.

And it blows up in their face. And before you know it, the game's tied and Texas is playing for its life. So I think Sark even admits he got too cute in that game. But, you know, again, there are some flaws. But, you know, it is so funny, too, you know, being here in Austin for 500 years. You know, you see your team up close and you see all the flaws. You see the strengths, but you see all the flaws. But every team's got them. And so...

I sure wouldn't dash the hopes of Longhorn Nation because I think they've got so many other strengths going for them. It certainly feels that way. His visit at Kirk Bowles of the Houston Chronicle does an amazing job covering the horns. You look at the running back spot, and that's been a bit of a question mark. Gosh, it's been crazy how many injuries they've had, whether it's Jonathan Brooks last year or two this season. It's just been crazy.

It's been a bit of a challenge. They do have depth there to an extent, but now down to three scholarship backs. Do they have enough? And in situations, who's going to be that short yardage guy? Do they have that guy? Or are things going to be a little bit more challenging for them to run the football?

It will be more challenging. I mean, C.J. Baxter, who was their lead tailback and starting, you know, day one here when training camp opened. I mean, he's a 6'1", 220-pound big guy. You know, J. Don Blue is maybe the fastest guy on the team. You know, he ran like a 10.2 in the 100 meters in high school. But, you know, he's not that big.

big, huge guy that's going to take on blocks and protect Quinn Ewers. And we all know with Deshaard Choice, their great running back coach, if you're not going to pass pro, you're not going to be on the field. So, and that's one of the reasons, Greg, they're looking at guys like, you know, Juan Davis, you know, is 6'4", 235 pounds, tight end. You know, I mean, he was a quarterback in high school, though, and he ran the 200 majors. He's a great athlete. And,

You know, another one is Jerry Gallette, the retro freshman linebacker. He's 6'3", 235. They're looking at him back there, too, in addition to Ryan Niblett, who's kind of a smaller wide receiver type who, you know, has only played in three games here. But, yeah, I just – but you know Sark, Greg, he loves balance. You know, Texas was top 25 in running and passing last year. No doubt.

And he's had every full season he has had, except for the one where he got let go at USC. He's had a thousand yard runner. And so it's a little bit of myth, even though he may be a quarterback whisperer and, you know, a passing innovator, a great play caller, you know, he's had the number one running back in the NFL draft the last two years with B. John Robinson and Jonathan Brooks. So he's not going to abandon the run.

But, you know, they're going to maybe put some more beef back in that backfield, maybe play more two tight end alignments, that sort of thing. And it does kind of add to the pressure of Quinn Ewers, don't you think, as a former quarterback yourself? Yeah.

I think so. And I mean, Quinn even saying the other day, like maybe I'll run more. I was like, no, no, no, no, no, no. Yeah. Don't go there. No, you won't. It's not a great either. So I don't know if he did run a little bit better scramble a little bit better last year. He did. Yeah.

Doesn't always protect himself, and, you know, that's an issue, him having set out five games the last two years and with no quarterback behind him who's taking a meaningful snap. So, you know, that's going to take a while. Well, don't say that, Kirk. You're not allowed to say that. You know who's behind him. So I think that –

I forget the name. He's a guy that might know a little bit about throwing it around the yard. They're going to have to play Arch Manning in September. I talked to him about a week or so ago. Are you going to have to get him meaningful snaps

early in games, you know, in September, he said, oh yeah. And I said, well, you feel like you're at, you're forced to, cause Malik Murphy's now at Duke and you don't have a backup other than Arch who's thrown five passes. And he said, no, no, but he didn't elaborate. I don't think he wants to open that can of worms at all. I don't think that'd be one where he goes in there and gives them a lot of playing time. And all of a sudden Arch is bawling. That's, that's,

The recipe for disaster. But wouldn't you, if you're the coach, Greg, would you play him, say, you know, Colorado State, you know, then they have UTSA and Louisiana Monroe. Those three games, I would play Arch Sum in the first half when the bullets are flying, you know, not give him –

six series, but give him a couple series just to get his feet wet. Would you, if you were the coach? I think it'd be beneficial. I remember my last year at Bama, first couple games, we played Penn State Week 2. I think it was FIU or San Jose State. I think we played Week 1. They gave AJ the fourth series. I didn't need it. I don't think we had any completion at that point. It's like, all right, we're good. Let's just...

Let's just stay the course. So, yeah, I think against a UTSA is pretty good and Colorado State's pretty good, too. So it's like there's a real slouch in there. You can get some good quality reps and some confidence building reps against. But maybe you can find some time for him in the first half if things look good in practice in the week leading up. Lastly, Kirk, as we get you out of here with this.

What are the Texas fans most excited about this upcoming season? They had a taste of the SEC the last couple years with the home-and-home against Alabama, but is there anything now that the transition is complete that really has them fired up? Well, more than anything, Greg, it's just...

the feel of big-time games on the schedule and not to disparage the Big 12 but the Texas fandom had just gotten bored with Baylor and Iowa State and West Virginia you know not to impugn those programs but they just didn't bring the same brand name or the excitement level you know that George is going to bring that Florida is going to bring good

you know, Arkansas road trip to Fayetteville and what that means. So I think I just sense that an excitement, you know, plus the fact that the Texas is a top five team, according to the polls that I haven't seen since Vince was around. And, and, and to be fair,

08 and 09 when they played y'all for the national championship in 09. I hate to bring that up, but you just haven't seen that in about 15 years, Greg. So they just can't wait till Saturday. I don't know if I'm

I don't know when the last time I saw this much anticipation. You know, probably maybe 05 season when they won it all with Vince and then 07 and 08 when Colt was doing his thing. So it's more the anticipation. And then a little bit worried about the grind. Like you said, the SEC brings it every week, and you better bring it or you're going to lose.

You're not playing Houston, TCU, or Iowa State anymore. So it's real, and it's coming soon, and people can't wait. Oh, there is no doubt it is coming soon. I really appreciate the time, Kirk. Thanks again so much, and we look forward to visiting again soon. Thank you, Greg. Have a great day. All right, Kirk Bowles joining us here.

on McElroy and Kubrick in the morning. Does an amazing job. Just actually transitioned to the Houston Chronicle. He was at the Austin American Statesman forever, but now he's at the Houston Chronicle, and there's no doubt that the Houston Chronicle is better for it. He does an amazing job covering the Texas Longhorns. He's a legend. Been doing it for a very, very long time. You can check him out at KBowls, B-O-H-L-S, on X, formerly known as Twitter.com.

to keep things so you can stay up to date with what's going on with the long horse. All right, when we come back and tell you about some coaching continuity, I was going through this the other day and there's basically program stability scores that I've never even heard of, but it found really interesting and I'll explain what they are and how they can be impactful and

towards assessing some of these teams in the upcoming year. I'll explain next on McElroy and Kubrick in the morning on jocks. Catch up with all things McElroy and Kubrick in the morning by subscribing to the podcast. Mythically, he's grown. He's almost like a little bit bigger than a player, right? Like the myth of Bo Jackson. Like rate and download the show from the jock cap or wherever you get your podcast. It's time for Bob's dare to compare. You get style. You get features. You get style.

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