Is Texas about to implode?
In the wake of Charlie Strong changing offensive coordinators from Shawn Watson to Jay Norvell this week, The Oklahoman's Berry Tramel asked, is Texas on the verge of imploding?
Tramel also posed the following five questions, all interesting enough to address individually:
1. Can Texas now stop the charade that Joe Wickline was the play-caller, and can Wickline and/or Texas just pay off Oklahoma State. Wickline was not ever going to be the offensive coordinator at Texas. That’s just semantics to get him more money. Can we all agree that OSU ultimately is the party that stood on truth?
Trotter: I would think Oklahoma State's attorneys have to be feeling very confident this week, if they didn't already.
2. Does this mean redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard is about to take over for veteran Tyrone Swoopes?
Trotter: Yes. The coordinator change seemed also to be about changing directions at QB, too. It's become pretty evident the Longhorns are limited with Swoopes behind center. At least Heard offers upside and hope. At the very least the Longhorns have to find out if Heard can be their QB of the future. They are pretty much know now it isn't Swoopes.
Charlie Strong could be looking at a 1-5 start at Texas if they can't beat Cal. Getty Images/Jon Durr
3. Could this season go south quickly?
Trotter: In spite of the turmoil, Texas should handle Rice this weekend. But if the Longhorns can't defeat a solid Cal club the following week, they could be staring down the pike of a 1-5 start with Oklahoma State, TCU and Oklahoma looming. If that happened, the season would be an utter disaster.
4. Could Strong be in trouble after just two seasons?
Trotter: I never envisioned a scenario in which Strong could be fired after just two seasons. Even with the staff upheaval, I still don't think he's in trouble. But I didn't think he'd demote his offensive coordinator after one game. If
Texas falls to Rice, all bets are off.
5. Can Norvell make a difference?
Trotter: Norvell was fired at Oklahoma last year, but part of that was recruiting and part was him getting caught up in Bob Stoops being pressured to make wholesale changes after a disappointing season. And while Norvell hasn't called plays since 2007 when he was at UCLA, he forged a reputation as a strong on-field coach in Norman. Norvell might not fare better than Watson. But it's difficult to see him faring worse than Texas' last three dismal offensive performances dating back to last year. Jake Trotter, ESPN
Are Texas Longhorns about to implode? - Big 12 Blog - ESPN