Warning!

I am still pissed.

You read it here a couple of weeks ago - my biggest fear was that the bye week would kill any momentum these guys had - and it did. This was, easily, the most humiliating and disappointing loss this Texas team has had in a long, LONG time. To play like that against a very mediocre Texas A&M team is simply unacceptable. Just a few questions:

How can this team consistently come out and play like they don't care and weren't even aware that a game was scheduled for a full half? This has happened more weeks than not this year.

How is it possible, with consistent top 7 recruiting classes, that our defense is that bad? They gave up 533 total yards to the aggies....THE F'NG AGGIES!! Not to mention, 362 of those yards came through the air...to a team that ranks 107th in passing offense. By the way, the 533 yards is the average yardage given up by the longhorn defense in the past 4 games. See ya Duane.

How is it possible that this coaching staff can get so little out of so much talent?

What does this team do at practice every week?

The list of questions can go on and on. There are no words (yet so many) to try and describe the egg that this team laid on Friday afternoon. If there are any players or coaches who weren't completely humiliated by this loss then kick them off the f'ng team because I sure as hell don't want them playing for this team. This is especially true for the offensive line and entire defense. With exception to Jamaal Charles' limited action (surprise, surprise, another injury for the soft longhorns), there was not one single bright spot on this day...not one.

Colt had, easily, his worst day of the year - some of the worst decision making I've ever seen from a QB since Chris Simms in the first 10 minutes of the Big 12 Championship game against Colorado. Does Colt know he can throw the ball away when outside of the pockets? He gave up a sack, a fumble and an INT on 3 different instances when he could have easily (and legally) tossed the ball into the sidelines. Memo to Colt - you aren't even close to being as good as you think you are (or as your coaches would have you believe). Throw the freaking ball away you idiot.

I could go on and on, but I won't as it will kill me. But I will give you my "musts" for this Longhorn team heading into next season.

1. The entire defensive coaching staff MUST be fired....yesterday. Duane Akina is terrible and does not deserve one more paycheck - get rid of all of them...I think they will after the bowl game.

2. Mack, go out and recruit a top tier QB - let Colt know that performances (and seasons) like this aren't conducive to successful Longhorn teams and if we have to go out and put a freshman in, by God we will. Mack absolutely must bring in another 4 or 5 star QB to start building. I've said it 100 times and I'll say it again - we've seen the best that Colt McCoy has to offer.

3. We must bring a blue collar work ethic and mentality back to this team. They talked on the radio after the game about John Machovic and how he wasn't a good fit here because he was seen as a "cheese and wine guy" and lacked the toughness mentality we so sorely needed. Well, we're back to cheese and wine here and we need that mentality here like we've never needed it before. If I'm Mack Brown, when the kids start spring ball and then come back in the summer, I'm taking away the ridiculous amenities - couches, plasma TVs, stocked fridges, etc. - I'm going back to the Junction Boys type practices to help remind these guys what toughness is and how to compete with toughness. Pardon my language, but our team is nothing more than about 75 pussies who can't stand to hit or take a hit. Make them earn the overly comfortable environment you shower them with.

4. Fire Mad Dog along with the defensive coaching staff. There's no better example of someone stealing money from the athletic department than this guy. If he's responsible for strength and conditioning, he's failing miserably at it. Get rid of him and get some new, fresh blood in here to really start a fire under these players.

Bottom line is this, Mack needs to make changes. I know that goes against his blind loyalty, but simply put, this program is inching towards consistent mediocrity. I used to put Tenn and Texas in the same boat in terms of the programs, but Tenn actually managed to pull out a tough win on the road when it meant something. Meanwhile, for the second straight year, with something on the line, Texas lays an egg and gets pushed around by their in-state rival who are not even close to being as talented as the Horns.

Something tells me this year will be different and Mack will make the changes and here's why: Mack can have all the 9 or 10-win seasons he wants, but start losing to the Sooners AND the Aggies in the same season (when you should have won both games) and you'll soon find those fans that are most loyal to you will begin turning on you - Texas fans may be crazy, but they are NOT blind loyalists - just loyalists who know when something needs to change.

I don't give one freaking sh*t what bowl game we go to - I really don't. It's meaningless and an utter disappointment. Just one more game for this team to underachieve.

Other College Football Notes:

• Great year Kansas, it was a great fun. Regardless of that Missouri game, this Kansas team surprised a lot of folks - Mangino will most certainly get a raise/bonus for this year....and they got pretty much the whole team coming back.
  
• I really thought the Jayhawks were going to pull it out...I really did. Too many turnovers.
  
• When in the world have you seen two offenses like Kansas and Missouri play - I swear there was like 3 huddles in the entire first half. What a show those guys put on.
  
• I'll say this again - this season is a perfect example of when a college football playoff is needed: Regardless of who ends up in the title game, tell me one of these teams doesn't (Ohio State, Florida, W. Virginia, Missouri, USC, etc.). Parity like this makes a playoff necessary whereas if we had the same 5 to 6 teams drumming everyone else, you really can't make as good of an argument. Usually the BCS idiots wait until after the season to make their annual "tweaks" to a permanently broken system, but not this year, they had to make one with 2 weeks remaining. Nice.
  
• For those of you who were screaming about Oregon being "the best team in the nation" - I hope you guys are finding something else to scream about. Getting shut out by UCLA is, well....pretty embarrassing. "We didn't have our starting QB", they didn't have their first 3 quarterbacks. O-V-E-R-R-A-T-E-D.
  
• I'm SOOO happy Tennessee pulled that game out, I really am. Yet again, Fulmer saves his job for (probably) one more year. And what a game by Erik Ainge - this guy has been on fire the past two games.
  
• So much for closing the year out on a high note, Nick Saban. OUCH. I don't think anyone blames you for losing a close game to Auburn, but everyone will blame you for losing to Louisiana-Monroe. I still contend this guy will have this team back on track for a great year next year, but it may be a lonely summer in Tuscaloosa.
  
• One lesson we've learned VERY well this year - it's very difficult to keep 18-22 year old kids motivated and focused week in and week out. See LSU, Alabama, Texas, Oregon, Arizona State, etc.
  
• I have no idea what bowl Arizona State will go to, who they will play or what the spread will be - but I'm picking against them.
  
• So looks like the Aggies will announce Mike Sherman as their new head coach. Really? Mike Sherman? Not sure there's a lot of Aggie faithful that are overly excited about this hire. There's no chance in hell this was the first choice...maybe not even second. I'm starting to wonder if their Athletic Directory knows what he's doing. Pro coaches in the college game is a very iffy proposition.
  
• OU has to be nervous about facing Missouri for the second time this season...and when they're playing exceptionally well.
• I'd like to meet the drunken idiot who "accidentally" bet on the Missouri Tigers and West Virginia Moutaineers meeting in the National Title Game...back in September.
  
• Odd thing here - I think it's still possible for Georgia to back into the national title game...without playing for their conference championship. If that happens, look for the BCS yahoos to add a clause saying that you must win your conference before being considered for the title contender. It may sound silly, but it's gotta be a must in this system.
  

Heisman Update:
I don't want to fully commit to this, but Darren McFadden may have made a very VERY strong case for the "top award" after his game against LSU. He shredded a very good defense and (still) there's no question he's the best running back in the league and will most certainly be picked as the top RB coming out of the draft.

And let's officially throw Chase Daniel in there - replacing Glenn Dorsey while Dixon is out. I hate to take Dorsey out, but he's been pretty weak the past couple of games. Will still be picked ahead of all of these others when draft time rolls around. Narrowing it down to four. And sorry Brennan, you're still not heisman worthy in my book.

Tim Tebow
Chase Daniel
Darren McFadden
Michael Crabtree

College Basketball Note:
Unfortunately my DVR wasn't working on Saturday night, but great game by the Runnin' Horns. That was a huge win over a very talented and very well coached Tennessee team. Not to mention it ended a 2-year losing streak against the Volunteers. Augustin is really playing great and Abrams has already eclipsed the 30-point mark once this year.

I see lots of success for this team this year. Their lack of size is the primary concern, but their backcourt play could be second to none by the time conference play rolls around.

On another note, if you get a chance to watch Michael Beasley play for Kansas State, take it. He's special to watch play...and he'll be in the NBA next year.

NFL Notes:

• So close Philly....so close. I really thought they were going to pull it out.
• Play calling at the end of the game (coupled with decision making by Feeley) killed the Eagles' chances.
  
• And the Colts even played a good game - 400+ yards in offense and zero turnovers.
  
• Watching the Titans game on Sunday, I about fell asleep. This team is getting worse and worse each week - seriously, they may not win another game this year. Each week is a reminder that as talented as VY is, he needs better talent around him, especially at the receiver position. He's got a lot of INTs, but his receivers aren't doing anything to help him out in that department. Hopefully he'll grow a lot between now and next year.
  
• Astonishing how much Albert Haynesworth means to this Titans team - they've been blown out 3 straight weeks without him.
  
• One of the largest travesties in the NFL world this year is the Green Bay/Dallas game - roughly 70% of the country won't be able to see it in their own homes. Way to go cable companies AND NFL - way to look like a bunch of selfish idiots to the hard-working people that have made you your millions of dollars. Work it out or get the f*&k out of the way and let someone else do it.
  
• After tonight, pay close attention to the Steelers and their next 3 games - these next three weeks will determine the essence of this team - for real or pretender.
• It's early and they are still very much in the playoff hunt, but if New York plays anywhere close to as bad as they played against Minnesota (at home no less), they will not win another game.
  
• I have officially made up my mind about Eli Manning - he's just not that good. He's the Colt McCoy of the pro world - he's got some talent and you know he understands the game really well, but there's a ceiling to what he can do and frankly, the ceiling is a bit too low for a team who wants to win championships.
  
• Let's assume for a minute that Brett Favre stays consistent with his performance this year - he will have his best statistical year....of his career. Call me crazy, but if this happens, I would give him the MVP over Tom Brady. Won't happen.
  
• And one other thing about those Packers that often gets overlooked - they won their last 6 games last year. I'm picking them to beat those Cowboys this Thursday night (you know, the game none of us will see).
  
• Devin Hester is a complete and utter freak - as Peter King put it - he's mocking history, not just rewriting it.
  
• $50 says 2 things happen with the Bengals at the end of the year: Marvin Lewis is gone and so is Chad Johnson.
  
• After watching AJ Feeley QB the Eagles, one thing is more and more certain to me - Donovan McNabb will not be back in Philly next year. Too bad the way the last few years have ended for him - he's been great for that team and frankly, he deserves better than they ever showed him. I bet Philly fans are STILL happy that they took him over Ricky Williams that fateful Saturday afternoon - remember how crazy the fans went when they didn't pick Ricky? Add Minnesota to the list of possible stops for McNabb next year - Vikings or Bears.
  
• Be careful Steelers - with your ubber-tough schedule the next 15 days, don't overlook these Dolphins. You don't want to be the pro version of UCLA to the Dolphins' Fighting Irish.
  

That's all I've got folks - our college championship matchups will be set this time next week. We'll do some in-depth analysis....or we'll just do what everyone else does and throw out some wild-ass guesses. Here's hoping Mack Brown pulls his testicles out of a drawer and kicking it up a notch on the 40 acres for the next 4 weeks.

Thanksgiving Special

This is a very special Thanksgiving - when was the last time the Packers/Lions game meant squat? We've also got Arizona State at USC which will determine who gets the edge in the Pac 10. And that's just the half of it!!

Big weekend for Texas....and all of a sudden for Oklahoma too. Numerous implications this weekend and it will no doubt be some crazy games. Let's look...

Missouri vs. Kansas:
And so it begins - by and far the best competition both of these teams have faced this year...by a mile. Missouri did play (and lose to) Oklahoma, but if anything, we've got more question marks about those guys as well. With that said, I still think both of these guys are really good teams. I've got two primary concerns for Missouri: 1) they're defense is VERY jeckyl and hyde, and 2) they have not been as consistent/methodical as Kansas has been.

Missouri's defense absolutely must show up because there's nothing we've seen to indicate Kansas' offense won't show up. I'm also confident that we'll see a very good game by Chase Daniel - perhaps definitively throwing his hat into the heisman ring.

At the end of the day, I really think Kansas is playing more consistently and they've both close/tight games as well as blowing teams out of the water (Nebraska). My only small concern is the "big-ness" of the stage that none of these guys have experienced before at this level. But, I still think they are more talented top to bottom on their roster. In fact, I don't think this will be as close as most of us would think - Kansas continues their cinderella season.

Kansas - 41
Missouri - 28

Oklahoma State at Oklahoma:
And all of a sudden, Oklahoma faces the situation that Texas has mastered over the years. They've got to be sweating just a bit in Norman after the Tech game and all of the injuries. As of now, they're without the starting running back and a linebacker. Bradford is still a question mark, but if he does play, you gotta wonder about his confidence a bit (remember, he's a redshirt freshman). If he doesn't play, it's all of a sudden a 50/50 game here. Although, Halzle came in and played pretty darn well once he got warmed up.

I think there's a real chance for Oklahoma State to compete in this game and I also think this will in fact be a tight game. But, as I mentioned last week, Oklahoma was very capable of losing the Tech game, but I still think they are too well coached to lose back-to-back games - Stoops is typically a great motivator.

Oklahoma - 34
Oklahoma State - 28

Arizona State at USC:
Nice prime-time game here, I think we got lucky....unfortunately, I STILL contend that Arizona State is not really that good. I still think they can beat USC (because guess what everyone - USC is in fact beatable), but I don' think they will.

I'm too lazy to try and figure this out, but if (when) USC beats ASU, you'll have a 3-way tie for the Pac 10 lead (Oregon, USC and Arizona State). I'm not positive, but I think Oregon would take the crown as they've beaten both of these guys. Either way, I'm taking USC big.

USC - 38
ASU - 24

UCONN at West Virginia:
West Virginia is loving this game because they will get credit for playing a top 25 team late in the year. I'm not sure how deserving the top 25 label is, but it's there and that's what the polls calculate. Granted, the Huskies have won a lot of games this year and they certainly have a solid defense, but I don't think they are West Virginia good.

Don't get me wrong, the Mountaineers are more than capable of blowing this game - and it wouldn't surprise me a bit.

West Virginia - 42
UCONN - 31

Texas at Texas A&M:
I briefly touched on this last week, but I really see this as a must-win game for Texas to keep this momentum going. If they go into College Station and lay an egg, it will be an enormous step backwards for these guys.

But, I don't think it's going to happen. The word on the street is that the Aggies just aren't motivated and don't seem to care about playing for their coaches. I have nothing to base this on except the observations/opinions of others - the same "others" that were adamant about how pumped up the Aggies were going to be last year when they came in and spanked Texas..so I'm putting a little clout into it.

Offensively I'm really hoping I see a sharp game with very few "real" mistakes (false starts, late hits, delay of game, etc.). And I think it's really imperative that Texas not turn the ball over. The numbers tell us Colt will probably throw an INT in this game, but I'm more worried about the fumbles we've had of late - we're averaging like 1.5 fumbles per game. Granted, we've lost almost none of them, but we're still giving them chances. And if we can't get the running game going, Colt may struggle - Charles has to come out firing.

Defensively - here's the thing, Texas A&M is not hard to stop. Primarily because they know how to do one thing - run the ball. Granted, they do have some success with the option in there, but if we can't stop their running game, we're in trouble. If the defense can keep the aggie offense in check early and let the offense put you up by 10 or 14, you're sitting pretty.

In all honesty, and you know how skeptical I am of these Longhorns, I do think they are way more talented than anything the Aggies can throw out. Michael Goodson has been a huge disappointment and Martellus Bennett (sp?) has been less than spectacular - and he's one of their best athletes. I think Texas can really use this as a statement game and make some noise in the BCS.

Which brings me to this - I know there are some who disagree with me here, but I think if Texas can go in and get a convincing win they put themselves in the best position to pickup an at-large bid for a BCS bowl - this is assuming OU moves on to the conference championship. My thinking is the bowl committees aren't going to give an at-large bid to the conference runner up - a team who just lost the last game they played. According to Stewart Mandel, he sees Texas facing Illinois in the Sugar bowl I believe, but as we know, anything can happen...and probably will. I'm going Texas in a big statement win here - mostly because they've shown consistent improvement over the last few weeks and I sense some hunger there.

Texas - 42
Texas A&M - 22

Other College Football Notes:

• The Phil Fulmer roller coaster continues at Tennessee - win against Kentucky and you're in the conference championship game and likely, saving your job for another year
• I still contend (though I hesitate more) that Alabama is going to be pretty darn good next year, but they REALLY need a decent showing against Auburn to have something to build on. A win would be astounding, but I don't see it happening
• 2 Observations on this football season: 1) Parity like this is a good for the playoff argument, but 2) parity like this supports the "every game matters" theory as well. My take is this - if you have the same 6-8 teams year in and year out (like in the 90s), the BCS seems to be a good fit, but when you have this much parity between the top 15-20 teams, it begs for an 8-team playoff.
  
• Hey Baylor, why in the world are you firing Guy Morris - you've had more success under this guy than you've had in the 5 years before him. You need to better manage your expectations there.
  
• Good for Lloyd Carr for being able to retire without being forced out. He had a good run...until Tressell came to Ohio State.
  
• I didn't mention it above, but I'm also a tad worried for Kansas - the number 2 ranking curse.
• Words of joy from a Red Raider after the big win: http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/79337

NFL:

• Can't go here without mentioning the Maurice Jones-Drew hit on Shawn Merriman - wow! He leveled that guy.
  
• It's astonishing how far the Chargers have come since last year....when they were 14-2. GM has to lose his job...has to.
  
• Phillip Rivers is no good. Sorry, but he's really no good.
  
• What a crazy kick in the Cleveland/Baltimore game at the end of regulation - never seen that before. Gotta love seeing Phil Dawson continue to kick ass in the league. Interesting note: he's the only player on that Browns team who was there when they started their second tenure in Cleveland.
  
• Vince Young has struggled A LOT this year - no disputing that. BUT, he's played pretty damn well the last two games and I think it has to do with Fisher and Chow letting him get out and throw the ball more. He still needs work on his accuracy, but his decision making is vastly improved. He's getting killed by the fact that he's got dick for receivers - these guys are terrible. There were at least 2 or 3 instances when they were wide open and dropped a perfectly thrown ball. Uggh. Not making excuses though - Vince needs to play much better, but he needs help.
• What in the world happened to the Titan's defense? They are atrocious - I don't Denver was actually in the red zone more than 2 times - they scored on runs/passes longer than 25 yards.
  
• By the time the playoffs roll around, the Patriots may be the most hated team in the league - I really hope they lose their first game...in the second round of the playoffs - that would be great.
  
• Top 5 things we didn't expect to see this year in the NFL: 1) The Chargers sucking this bad, 2) the Saints sucking this bad, 3) the Patriots looking like a college team, 4) Brett Favre competing for an MVP...and top team in the NFC, and 5) the Romo and the TO show.
  
• Ugghh - one thing I will say for Vince Young - he needs to learn how to get outside of the pocket and throw the ball away.
  

A-Rod:
So most of you know I'm not a big baseball guy - never have been, but I do follow it somewhat (I use that term very loosely). The way that this A-Rod thing has been followed and reported on is just crazy. How in the world does this guy look like a jackass that so many want to make him out to be? He's getting ridiculed for asking for such a crazy amount and then going back and groveling?? What?

First off, did anyone really expect him to get $350 million? Surely not. Yes, it was a ghetto move to announce his opting out during the world series, but I think that was more his agent. Look, I'm not sure why Yankees fans hate him so much - you know, his career postseason numbers aren't that bad - they're certainly not terrific, but they aren't horrible either.

He just won (in a landslide) his 3rd MVP in four years. He's the best player in the game...period. He "settled" for a contract with the yankees (that isn't final yet) and he's STILL the highest paid player ever. But you know what, HE'S GOOD - HE SHOULD BE PAID MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE. With that said, I certainly don't condone the salaries these guys make, but he should be making more. Yankee fans are crazy - they should be ecstatic with this signing ...assuming it gets done.

That's what I got gang - have a great Turkey Day. I'll try and get a weekend recap out before next week.