The 64 million dollar question surrounding the Texas Longhorns in 2012 is the play of QB David Ash.
As a true freshman thrust into the position last season, Ash wasn't ready. For Texas to get back to the top of the Big 12 this season after a two-year tailspin, he'll have to be.
That's why parsing the tea leaves of his unremarkable game against Wyoming (20-27 for 155 yards, 1 TD and 0 INT's) has become a cottage industry among Longhorn fans in the last few days.
The good news, according to offensive coordinator Bryan Harsin, is that Ash did all he was asked he to do by the Texas coaching staff:
According to Harsin's grading scale, Ash received a "solid winnable" grade -- essentially what the narrative has held Ash needs to do to win this season. Yes, the big plays are important, but remember that protecting the football and being accurate are the two keys for Harsin. No interceptions. Accuracy that was more than adequate until compared to someone like Colt McCoy. This is what the coaches want.
A "game manager" is more than enough for Texas to defeat a punchless team like Wyoming. The real question is whether they'll be able to beat teams like Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and West Virginia if they don't ask their QB's to do more.
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