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Bryan Harsin

Bryan Harsin's offense isn't aiming for a specific score to top an OSU squad that averages over 62 points per game.

Texas will face the best offense and defense it's seen in 2012 on Saturday against Oklahoma State. Bryan Harsin spoke Monday on what it'll take to outscore the Cowboys.

Jeff Howe
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      Jeff Howe

    • Good stuff Jeff...

      Hot Rod

    • Going to do the same thing I did with THE BLITZ piece with Manny Diaz.

      *****

      Without counting Texas, the Big 12 has five offenses averaging at least 40 points per game in 2012.

      While the chances are better than fair the Longhorns will find themselves in a shootout at some point during Big 12 play, there's no magic number the coaches feel they need to hit in a given game.

      “Not at all,” Harsin said. “We're trying to score on every play.”

      The Longhorns are No. 4 in the league in scoring offense, but that's good enough for seventh nationally at 49.3 points per game. Texas might not score 66 points again this season, but that doesn't mean the Longhorns are incapable of scoring in bunches during their slate of conference game.

      Three of the Longhorns' next four opponents, including Oklahoma State, give up more than 23 points per game, meaning the offense will get more than a few chances to move the ball and put points on the board.

      Jeff Howe

    • Now, all of that said, one thing the coaches talked to the players about as far back as fall camp was how to handle the ebbs and flows of success and failure throughout the season.

      Right now, David Ash is having to learn how to deal with a world of praise heaped upon his shoulders. As long as he doesn't forget the work that went into his career night against Ole Miss, and his production through three games that has him third nationally in pass efficiency with a 190.5 quarterback rating, he should be fine.

      “You're going to get patted on the back when you have success, and that's great,” Harsin said. “But what got you there? Don't forget that.”

      Whether he emerges as a Heisman candidate at some point this season, or reverts back to simply being a guy who is efficient without being flashy is irrelevant. Teams now have tangible proof that Ash can throw the ball down the field. So while he's worked, he'll have to immerse himself even deeper into honing his craft to – at the very least – establish the kind of consistency the coaches want to see over 12 games.

      If the work leads to consistency then it'll make Ash a guy who can win football games. The passing game at Texas is no longer a myth, and the obstacle is now to keep it going and help maintain the offensive balance Harsin and Mack want to see.

      “If you like that, work harder,” Harsin said. “The better you do, the bigger the bull's eye gets, but that's a good thing. Embrace that challenge.”

      Jeff Howe

    • While people have all sorts of observational points that signal maturity and development on the part of David Ash, the in-game phone conversations Harsin has with Ash have shown Harsin exactly how far his quarterback has come.

      There were times last year as a true freshman when Ash was lost. Now, he's understanding what he's seeing pre-snap, and he's not afraid to tell Harsin what's working, what's not, what he saw, and what he missed throughout the duration of a game.

      “In his mind I'm able to talk to him and he's able to visualize a defense, a front or a coverage, we've got it right there and we're able to communicate,” Harsin said. “There's not like, 'What is this?' He gets it. He understands the way we game plan.”

      Ash is also becoming more involved in the game plan. Harsin encourages Ash and Case McCoy to text him if they see something during Monday film study they can exploit and that will work in the game plan for that week.

      He's done that, and he's done everything the coaches have asked him to this point.

      Jeff Howe

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      Jeff Howe

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      Burrito Jimmy

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