Sweet Revenge
I know they would never admit it, but I sure hope this is what the Longhorns are thinking....revenge. Yes, we all remember what happened last year - specifically Texas being knocked out of the conference title game (you could actually also blame that on the following game against the aggies) as well as knocking Colt out of the game - 1st and goal on the 2 and we run 2 consecutive QB sneaks to get in...gotta love that confidence in the running game.
Anyway, it's a new year and the Horns get another chance at these Wildcats. Something tells me these Wildcats may not be as fired up as they were last year either - I sure hope the Horns are more fired up than they were last year. The good news is Colt is all grown up and looking a strong 15 years old (as opposed to looking 13 last year).
In all honesty, I cannot begin to fathom that Texas would allow this Kstate team to waltz in here and beat us for a second straight year (although stranger things have happened). I was glad to see Mack spread the wealth last weekend in terms of playing time - let's hope that he keeps it up. I complained about the linebacker play against Central Florida (it was horrible), but the young guys who got a chance against Rice really took advantage of the opportunity. Now let's just hope that Mack continues this trend on both sides of the ball. More specifically, Davis and Brown absolutely HAVE to find a way to work John Chiles into the offensive scheme somehow - he could come in and play a "Tim Tebow" role. He's far too good of an athlete to have sit on the sideline all year long. Of course I think both Brown and Davis know that if they give him enough touches, and he performs like he did against Rice, he may have a QB controversy on his hands - we're not that far removed from the VY days after all.
As I mentioned earlier this week, Kstate has put some pretty impressive numbers up this year on offense (albeit against lesser competition) and as you know, until I see otherwise, the Texas defense will always be a question mark to me going into any game. If I were an opposing coach, I think I would run a reverse or naked bootleg every play - Texas has zero back-side containment and I don't think our defensive ends have "stayed home" once this year. Obviously they looked much better against Rice, but let's be honest, Rice is arguably one of the worst 3 teams in the country - me and 10 of my friends may look pretty good against Rice.
Offensively, as I've mentioned, I do believe this team will only get better and better (maybe not next week, we'll see...) as the year progresses. Jamaal Charles is the conference's leading rusher (shocking considering the RB talent the aggies have) and could again have a big day....with who knows how many fumbles. It should be interesting because Kansas State has been playing VERY well against the run this year - somethings gotta give. And by the way, in an interview earlier this week Charles (don't know the question) talked about how he doesn't think he should be replaced b/c of the fumbles. Are you kidding? If you continue to turn the ball over you're putting the team in tough situations - turnovers are the biggest killers of momentum. I hope this guy turns it around in this category, but if he continues to have 1-2 fumbles a game, you have to pull him. You just have to. Of course Charles could fumble 4 times a game and Mack would never do that.
I'm not worried about losing this game, however I am worried a little bit about this team looking ahead to OU next week. The Horns need this game in a bad way - they really need to open up conference play with an eye-opening victory and one that really sets the tone going into next week that this Texas team can compete with OU. Let's be honest Horns' fans, have you seen anything that would indicate Texas can hang with OU? Me neither. Big-time opportunity game here and although Kstate isn't a big powerhouse (who is in the Big 12 this year), at least it's not Baylor or Iowa State. A tune up game with revenge on the mind - the nation is taking notice Texas, don't blow this chance.
Texas - 41
Kansas State - 24
Friday Night Lights:
First off, I can't understand why college football plays on any given night these days - especially Fridays. I mean, who schedules these games?
As you may know, West Virginia (#5) visits South Florida (#18) tonight in what Mountaineer fans are hoping will be a revenge game. Last year, South Florida waltzed into Morgantown and upset the then #5 Mountaineers, killing their hopes of a national title game. Two years ago they did the same thing to Louisville - and I predict we'll see a lot of the same this year. I think South Florida, yet again, upsets these Mountaineers in what's sure to be one hell of a game.
I think it all comes down to defense and South Florida plays some pretty solid defense. Last year they were able to shut down Steve Slaton and Pat White and we'll see if they can do it again. The Bulls are averaging pretty good numbers in the passing game and are putting up 30+ points a game. W. Virginia on the other hand is averaging a whopping 357 yards rushing a game - bottom line is this, if you can stop them from running the ball, you can beat them. It's as simple as that. And by the way, they rank second in the nation in rushing at that 357 - who in the world is first????
I'll admit, I'm starting to come around on the Big East - although Louisville turned out to be a fraud (really? Syracuse beat you?). Between Rutgers and South Florida, you've got well-balanced offenses and very tough defenses and then you've got W. Virginia and their exciting, quick-strike offense. Again, 357 yards rushing...PER GAME! Should be a good one. I'm going with the Bulls.
South Florida - 34
West Virginia - 28
The Rest of the Nation:
I really don't see the big deal here. I know that Sports writers will typically beat stories into the ground as fast as they can (like they have here), but whatever. So the guy went off a little bit, so what. Did he handle it the way he should have? No, probably not. Does it really matter? Not at all. If he wants to really bitch and scream (or any coach for that matter), go bitch and scream at the fans. Why you ask? Have you read a message board recently? Those are BRUTAL! Remember how brutal the fans were to Chris Simms? What about Michigan State fans after the Notre Dame game last year? Yes, some sports writers are irresponsible sometimes - and heads up to Coach Gundy - columnists are paid to write their opinions. But, so what - all you do when you go on tirades like that is bring more attention to it.
Either way, it's nowhere near as big of a deal as the media would like to think. Not even close.
Meanwhile, did anyone notice that in the very same press conference on the other side, Mike Leach absolutely RIPPED his players? Funny how we didn't hear anything about that. Gotta love consistency in today's media.
NBA Note:
So evidently Shawn Marion is officially unhappy and requesting to get out of Phoenix. Memo to the Lakers - you missed the boat on the KG opportunity, let's see what we can do here. I say you can package Lamar Odom and Smush Parker (or some other nickel/dime player) and make the trade for Marion. You then still have to go and get Jermaine Oneal though.
Seriously, here's the issue with this - if Marion gets traded (and I suspect he probably will considering chemistry is so critical to Phoenix's success), he'll never have a better opportunity to get a ring. Sure he can conceivably make the Lakers a more serious contender, but let's be honest, right now in the west it's all about Spurs, Mavs and Suns. As much as guys want to be "the man", they usually realize, within a couple of years, that winning/competing for championships is a lot better. Case in point are these Lakers - do you think Kobe is happier now or when he was winning championships?
This is an opportunity for the Lakers as Marion is a tremendous rebounder and defender - with he and Kobe together on the same team you may arguably have the best defensive backcourt in the league - hands down. Throw Oneal in the middle and you're talking scary defense.
Do I think this will happen? No, Mitch Kupcheck is next to worthless and this organization seems to be paralyzed with the "what if it doesn't work out?" syndrome. Of course if there is an opportunity I would make damn sure that Marion understands that Kobe is the man. Period. We shall see.
Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week:
Anyway, it's a new year and the Horns get another chance at these Wildcats. Something tells me these Wildcats may not be as fired up as they were last year either - I sure hope the Horns are more fired up than they were last year. The good news is Colt is all grown up and looking a strong 15 years old (as opposed to looking 13 last year).
In all honesty, I cannot begin to fathom that Texas would allow this Kstate team to waltz in here and beat us for a second straight year (although stranger things have happened). I was glad to see Mack spread the wealth last weekend in terms of playing time - let's hope that he keeps it up. I complained about the linebacker play against Central Florida (it was horrible), but the young guys who got a chance against Rice really took advantage of the opportunity. Now let's just hope that Mack continues this trend on both sides of the ball. More specifically, Davis and Brown absolutely HAVE to find a way to work John Chiles into the offensive scheme somehow - he could come in and play a "Tim Tebow" role. He's far too good of an athlete to have sit on the sideline all year long. Of course I think both Brown and Davis know that if they give him enough touches, and he performs like he did against Rice, he may have a QB controversy on his hands - we're not that far removed from the VY days after all.
As I mentioned earlier this week, Kstate has put some pretty impressive numbers up this year on offense (albeit against lesser competition) and as you know, until I see otherwise, the Texas defense will always be a question mark to me going into any game. If I were an opposing coach, I think I would run a reverse or naked bootleg every play - Texas has zero back-side containment and I don't think our defensive ends have "stayed home" once this year. Obviously they looked much better against Rice, but let's be honest, Rice is arguably one of the worst 3 teams in the country - me and 10 of my friends may look pretty good against Rice.
Offensively, as I've mentioned, I do believe this team will only get better and better (maybe not next week, we'll see...) as the year progresses. Jamaal Charles is the conference's leading rusher (shocking considering the RB talent the aggies have) and could again have a big day....with who knows how many fumbles. It should be interesting because Kansas State has been playing VERY well against the run this year - somethings gotta give. And by the way, in an interview earlier this week Charles (don't know the question) talked about how he doesn't think he should be replaced b/c of the fumbles. Are you kidding? If you continue to turn the ball over you're putting the team in tough situations - turnovers are the biggest killers of momentum. I hope this guy turns it around in this category, but if he continues to have 1-2 fumbles a game, you have to pull him. You just have to. Of course Charles could fumble 4 times a game and Mack would never do that.
I'm not worried about losing this game, however I am worried a little bit about this team looking ahead to OU next week. The Horns need this game in a bad way - they really need to open up conference play with an eye-opening victory and one that really sets the tone going into next week that this Texas team can compete with OU. Let's be honest Horns' fans, have you seen anything that would indicate Texas can hang with OU? Me neither. Big-time opportunity game here and although Kstate isn't a big powerhouse (who is in the Big 12 this year), at least it's not Baylor or Iowa State. A tune up game with revenge on the mind - the nation is taking notice Texas, don't blow this chance.
Texas - 41
Kansas State - 24
Friday Night Lights:
First off, I can't understand why college football plays on any given night these days - especially Fridays. I mean, who schedules these games?
As you may know, West Virginia (#5) visits South Florida (#18) tonight in what Mountaineer fans are hoping will be a revenge game. Last year, South Florida waltzed into Morgantown and upset the then #5 Mountaineers, killing their hopes of a national title game. Two years ago they did the same thing to Louisville - and I predict we'll see a lot of the same this year. I think South Florida, yet again, upsets these Mountaineers in what's sure to be one hell of a game.
I think it all comes down to defense and South Florida plays some pretty solid defense. Last year they were able to shut down Steve Slaton and Pat White and we'll see if they can do it again. The Bulls are averaging pretty good numbers in the passing game and are putting up 30+ points a game. W. Virginia on the other hand is averaging a whopping 357 yards rushing a game - bottom line is this, if you can stop them from running the ball, you can beat them. It's as simple as that. And by the way, they rank second in the nation in rushing at that 357 - who in the world is first????
I'll admit, I'm starting to come around on the Big East - although Louisville turned out to be a fraud (really? Syracuse beat you?). Between Rutgers and South Florida, you've got well-balanced offenses and very tough defenses and then you've got W. Virginia and their exciting, quick-strike offense. Again, 357 yards rushing...PER GAME! Should be a good one. I'm going with the Bulls.
South Florida - 34
West Virginia - 28
The Rest of the Nation:
- Interesting weekend for the Pac 10 with their 4 "powerhouses" in action against one another - USC at Washington (blowout) and Cal at Oregon. Obviously I think USC will walk through this game (I just don't think Washington is as good as we hoped after their early-season success), but I am predicting Oregon beating Cal.
- Will be interesting to see how Auburn responds in the Swamp against the Gators. I believe it was Ole Miss who racked up some impressive yards against that young defense last weekend.
- Unless I read this wrong, how in the world can Florida State be favored over Alabama? I don't care where they're playing the game FSU is terrible.
- Better question, how in the world can Nebraska continue to be ranked in the top 25???
- Couple of things for the Aggies: 1) don't overlook these Baylor Bears - remember what happened a few years back? 2) When you do the horns down thing with your hands when you're playing teams that aren't the horns, it really makes you look dumb. That and about 500 other things, but that one is really worth mentioning.
- And speaking of horns - those South Florida Bulls I mentioned above are now doing the longhorn sign as well. Damnit man, c'mon - imagination people.
- Although this is more like a scrimmage - here's a preview for the Tech game: http://fannation.com/blogs/post/62445
- Rest up this weekend college football fans - next weekend is a BIG ONE - just to name a few: Texas vs. OU; Okie State vs. A&M; Missouri vs. Nebraska; Florida at LSU; Georgia at Tennessee; UCLA vs. Notre Dame, etc., etc.
I really don't see the big deal here. I know that Sports writers will typically beat stories into the ground as fast as they can (like they have here), but whatever. So the guy went off a little bit, so what. Did he handle it the way he should have? No, probably not. Does it really matter? Not at all. If he wants to really bitch and scream (or any coach for that matter), go bitch and scream at the fans. Why you ask? Have you read a message board recently? Those are BRUTAL! Remember how brutal the fans were to Chris Simms? What about Michigan State fans after the Notre Dame game last year? Yes, some sports writers are irresponsible sometimes - and heads up to Coach Gundy - columnists are paid to write their opinions. But, so what - all you do when you go on tirades like that is bring more attention to it.
Either way, it's nowhere near as big of a deal as the media would like to think. Not even close.
Meanwhile, did anyone notice that in the very same press conference on the other side, Mike Leach absolutely RIPPED his players? Funny how we didn't hear anything about that. Gotta love consistency in today's media.
NBA Note:
So evidently Shawn Marion is officially unhappy and requesting to get out of Phoenix. Memo to the Lakers - you missed the boat on the KG opportunity, let's see what we can do here. I say you can package Lamar Odom and Smush Parker (or some other nickel/dime player) and make the trade for Marion. You then still have to go and get Jermaine Oneal though.
Seriously, here's the issue with this - if Marion gets traded (and I suspect he probably will considering chemistry is so critical to Phoenix's success), he'll never have a better opportunity to get a ring. Sure he can conceivably make the Lakers a more serious contender, but let's be honest, right now in the west it's all about Spurs, Mavs and Suns. As much as guys want to be "the man", they usually realize, within a couple of years, that winning/competing for championships is a lot better. Case in point are these Lakers - do you think Kobe is happier now or when he was winning championships?
This is an opportunity for the Lakers as Marion is a tremendous rebounder and defender - with he and Kobe together on the same team you may arguably have the best defensive backcourt in the league - hands down. Throw Oneal in the middle and you're talking scary defense.
Do I think this will happen? No, Mitch Kupcheck is next to worthless and this organization seems to be paralyzed with the "what if it doesn't work out?" syndrome. Of course if there is an opportunity I would make damn sure that Marion understands that Kobe is the man. Period. We shall see.
Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week:
- Season premier for The Office was spectacular last night - still a great show!
- If you're returning a rental car, I'm not sure there's a worse airport than San Francisco International to fly out of - no rental car, no problem, but getting that car back and then taking the tram to the terminal is brutal.
- And speaking of air travel - is there an industry in this country that is more riddled with incompetence and inefficiency than the airline industry? I haven't found it yet if there is.
- For those VY fans out there (and let's be honest, how can you NOT be a Vince Young fan), be sure to catch 60 Minutes on Sunday night - should be an interesting interview.
- Soooo, Venezuela and Iran have "cemented" ties together and proclaimed, "No one can defeat us"...Really? I disagree - they're called tactical nuclear weapons and they are quite effective. Can you think of a better example of 2 nations who probably don't really like each other, but are unified on one common misconception - that they can "defeat" (whatever that means) the US if they stick together? I know he's a well-educated man, but every time Ahmadinejad opens his mouth, he sounds dumber than a sack of rocks. Those 2 guys are like the cartoon with the big, tough bull dog, "Spike" and the little terrier-type dog always jumping around going "hey spike, what do you wanna do spike? hey spike, we going to catch some cats, spike?" - the only problem is neither of them realize that they are both the little terrier-type dog.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 8:03 AM
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