It's Time for Mack to Step Up

This question may sound crazy, but is it time for Mack to be on the hot seat? Don't get me wrong gang, I'm not suggesting that Mack should be fired...not at all. But, here's one irrefutable fact - this team is quickly unraveling.

I think this really boils down to one key element - there is no leadership on this team at any level; the players aren't filling this void (especially the seniors) and the coaches aren't filling this void. At what point do the coaches actually address this issue - it's clear they currently are not. We all know that Mack isn't a screamer and he isn't really a disciplinarian, but at some point you have to let these players know that they can't continue to behave like this and not pay the consequences...as a team. I said this a couple of weeks ago and I'm saying it again - this organization continues to tolerate this behavior and I believe it has already begun to affect their performance on the field. They clearly don't respect their school, their coaches or their teammates - and they're playing like they don't really respect the game. This team is in trouble and it involves so much more than actually playing football.

If I'm Deloss Dodds, I'm having a very private, but very candid conversation with Mack - either you're going to start addressing this and do something about it or I promise you I can find someone who will. It's time for Mack to shake things up on a number of levels - bring in some new blood (assistant coaches and in particular, the offensive coaches), make a statement in terms of team discipline that doesn't involve a hug, and stop f'ing clapping every time the team lays an egg on the field. You simply can't do the same things over and over again and expect a different outcome Mack...and it's time to start doing something different.

Rice at Texas:
Now aren't you all excited about this big game? Look, here's all you need to know:

• Rice ranks 105th in total offense
• Rice ranks 104th in total defense
• Rice ranks 103rd in points scored
• Rice ranks 108th in points allowed

This should be an opportunity for Texas to really start putting something together and click on both sides of the ball. This shouldn't really be a contest at all. And can we get some playing time for the backups - I know we had to hold on to win our games so far and as such, haven't had the chance to play the younger guys, but if we can't create that opportunity this Saturday, we'll never be able to this year.

I'm really hoping we see a Texas team come out with a chip on their shoulders and earn some respect - they are losing bits and pieces of it on a national level each week. Next week's game against Kansas State is really going to the interesting game - not this one.

Texas - 47
Rice - 12

Aggies at Miami Recap:
And the Big 12 continues to take one on the chin - man-oh-man that was an UGLY game for the aggies. And for those of you who didn't see the game - it was nowhere near as close as the 34-17 final score may indicate - the aggies didn't score until 8 minutes to go in the 4th quarter and their last touchdown came on a 40-yard bomb by the backup quarterback on the last play of the game.

I really thought this was going to be a close game, but as I mentioned last week, the aggies game plan played directly into the hands of the strengths of the Hurricane defense. You simply can't win many games if your as one-dimensional as the aggies are...but yet they only rushed for 99 yards.

I imagine the aggie fans are none to happy about this one. I still wonder what they're thinking about Fran.... Tough loss for the aggies and even tougher loss for the Big 12.

College Football Notes:

• And speaking of the Big 12 - bet you never expected this about everyone's favorite team, the Kansas Jayhawks: KU ranks 4th in the nation in total defense, points scored and points allowed - and they rank 7th in total offense.
  
• Big game in Stillwater, OK this weekend with the Red Raiders coming to town - of course OSU did just lose to Troy...I'm betting Tech runs all over the Cowboys to open up conference play.
  
• Big opportunity for the Wolverines this weekend with Penn State coming to town. Could they turn it around with this game???? I think not, especially if Henne is still out.
  
• I'd like to think that South Carolina can give LSU a good game, but I don't think so. Spurrier continues to make magic with that team, but LSU is too tough - I don't think this one will be close and they may shut the Gamecocks out.
  
• What should Longhorn fans care about Tennessee's game this weekend? Because they're hosting Arkansas State...remember those guys Horns' fans?
  

That's what I got for the week folks. Enjoy the weekend.

Sad But True

Well, if you aren't a Texas fan I bet that game was pretty fun to watch. If you are, it was maddening to watch.

Let me start with the painful truth - this Texas team is mediocre. That's it. The offense is capable of putting up some big numbers, you can see that, but as with past Mack Brown teams, they simply can't finish drives. The defense you ask? Not so good. As a matter of fact, when Texas starts to play some stronger competition, they will struggle quite a bit and give up some ugly numbers. I don't know of a team that has underachieve more this year than these Texas Longhorns (Michigan doesn't count - they're just not very good).

Let's start with the offense. If you glance at the box score you would think Texas put up 70 points (488 total offensive yards, 162 return yards, balanced attack with Colt completing 68% of his passes). But then you take a look at the fact that Texas kicked 5 field goals (with 1 miss). Same coach, same issues - can't finish drives. I said this yesterday and I still stick with this - Colt played a pretty damn good game. There were definitely some miscues he had on about 6 plays, but all in all, he showed more improvement than any other player over the course of this year thus far. He also played very tough running the ball (if any of you Longhorn fans out there tell me you didn't cringe every time he took a hit, you're lying).

The issues with the offense, I believe, really come down to Greg Davis. How can Texas continue to employ this man with zero signs of improvement or innovation over the past 7 years (VY not withstanding). And a couple of things in particular for Davis: 1) STOP running the lateral pass play to the wide receiver. It has NEVER EVER worked in the last 6 years. And 2) STOP running the zone read - it will never work unless Vince Young (or his clone) comes back for his final year of school. At the end of the day, what we see is what we get with Greg Davis and it's really too bad because we all know Brown will never fire anyone as his loyalty always has and always will override his common sense as a coach. And now about that running game - so Jamaal Charles has had his 3rd straight 100+ yard game and averaged 7 yards a carry this game, but it's evident that he HATES running up the middle. He is quite effective if he's able to get to the outside, but I find it troubling that we give the vast majority of the carries to a guy who is uncomfortable running between the tackles. When I see Ogbonnaya run the ball I think to myself - I would give that guy the ball about 30 times a game.

Now with the defense. What can I say except they are really, truly not good. I'll say this, it's maddening how easy it is for teams to move the ball against this Texas team - especially running around the ends. And here's a memo to Mack Brown and the defensive coaching staff - just because someone is an upperclassmen doesn't mean that he automatically gets the starting job. Our linebackers are HORRIBLE. I mean worthless. They were nowhere to be found at any point in that game. If someone isn't getting the job done than replace them - that's what good coaches do. I really don't know what else to say except that this defense will cost Texas more than one game this year.

I'll close by saying this - don't be fooled by next week's Rice game. This Texas team is not close to being as good as they were last year; they are nowhere even close to their #6 national rank; and write this painful one down Horns' fans - they have ZERO chance to beat Oklahoma - the Sooners are so much sharper, much better coached and play with an overall toughness that I've never seen Texas come close to matching since the Vince Young days. It really pains me to say it, but this Texas/OU game may be reminiscent of the 60-something to 20-something days of about 6 years ago.

Other Saturday Observations:

• I know USC "whopped up" on Nebraska (sort of), but all I kept hearing was how USC's defense was the key to their success this year - offense was a question mark, but the defense was going to be dominant. Is that why they gave up 420 yards to Nebraska? And in case you're wondering - the Trojans did have their starters in there until the very end (I guess Carroll is trying to keep up with LSU in the polls after all). Oh, and the offense looked just as sharp as it has in past years. I did also say that I was worried about Nebraska's defense after the Wake Forest game - those concerns were confirmed. USC made moving the ball on these guys look way too easy.
  
• Which I could have seen that Louisville/Kentucky game - what an ending.
  
• And speaking of great endings - Arkansas/Alabama game was GREAT!! I'm not that impressed with the Razorbacks this year - Felix and McFadden are still unbelievable though - just don't like that team.
  
• Pac 10 took one on the chin yesterday in the form of Washington and UCLA getting blown out - the Bruins to a bad team.
  
• It's still early to start declaring who the better conferences are this year, but the Big 12 (with exception to OU) is really struggling this year - although nice win by Iowa State yesterday.
• How about Ryan Perilloux in his first start for LSU - playing Middle Tennessee State of course - almost 300 yards and 3 TDs.
  
• ...Not to mention LSU held them to 9 yards total rushing for the game....which happens to be 15 more than Notre Dame put up against Michigan.
  
• I think anyone would be hard pressed to argue that Notre Dame is NOT the worst team in Division 1 football this year. Each week I see this little bits of this team, I'm more and more convinced that they may not win a game. Clausen is getting killed out there.
• I know I write this a lot, but this year is a great example of why there should be no "official" polls (those that have any bearing whatsoever in the final bowl decisions) until the second week of October - case in point: Virginia Tech, Texas, Michigan, Louisville, Auburn, South Florida, UCLA and Wisconsin...just to name a few.
  

NFL:

• It's early, but the Colts are really something to behold - Tennessee always plays them tough, but Manning was terrific. Gotta be the favorites to repeat.
  
• How about those New Orleans Saints? There's still a long way to go, but to lose a game like that against Tampa Bay is really bad. They've got some things to figure out on defense.
  
• I feel like the Titans are a few key player pickups away from taking a huge step - they don't have a lot of big-name talent (except you-know-who), but they have some tough players and I really like Fisher. Chris Brown continues to shine in the running game and Vince had a far better passing day this week.
  
• Cowboys offense most definitely looks improved from last year, but I'm not fully on board the bandwagon just yet - their first two games were against arguably the worst team in the NFC and the wost team in the AFC. Actually, in looking at their schedule today, they may have one of the easier schedules in the league. They've got games against the Patriots, Bears, Minnesota and at Carolina that make up the toughest games on their schedule. They've got 2 against the Eagles, but I think the jury is still out on these guys.
  
• Vince Young was uncharacteristic today and showed numerous instances of blatant frustration and lost his cool - one of those instances costing his team 15 yards after he had a nice scramble for about 8 yards. He's a true competitor and wants to beat the best (Manning), but you can't do that.
  
• Cincy/Cleveland - nice defense. I don't think Quinn will be starting anytime soon with the numbers Derek Anderson put up today (6 TDs and a truck-load of yards).
  - And how about those Houston Texans - what a start to the year these guys are having at 2-0. Should be an interesting year for these guys.
  

Golf:
Here's the story with Tiger Woods - he's really good, the end.

Are you kidding me with this dude?

That's what I got folks - I'll be out of town for the next week (work) so not sure when I'll get the next posting up, but keep checking back as I WILL NOT have the chance to send out the update email.

Have a great week.