BCS Turnaround
Wow, after 2 VERY boring and predictable games in the Rose and Sugar Bowls the BCS is breathing a sigh of relief. The Fiesta and Orange Bowls both gave us unpredictable victories in two pretty exciting games. And man-o-man, I laid an egg in the stump luck bowl pick 'em game - I think I threw my bracket away some time on Tuesday evening.
Oklahoma:
Look, I'm not going to get on Stoops a whole lot - as I said earlier this week, he's won 4 conference titles, played for a fifth and played in 5 BCS games....he's a pretty good coach and he's consistent. BUT, at some point you've got to win one of these big games. The most interesting thing is they've lost these BCS games to opponents from around the country and from various conferences (USC, LSU, Boise State and West Virginia). The bigger issue (to this longhorn fan) is this really hurts the Big 12 conference "perceptions". It's one thing if Texas beats ASU and Okie State beats up on Indiana, but when the best of the conference lays an egg like that - Ugh.
OU will be just fine - they've got that entire offense coming back. They will be replacing a few more defensive guys, but I'm not sure that's such a bad thing at this point. Believe me, they can be doing MUCH worse than what they're currently doing - I think Stoops will have this team right in the thick of things next year. And the other good news is he absolutely owns Mack Brown and if (when) they get by Texas, it's almost cruise control to the conference title year after year.
But, that was a tremendously poor showing the other night - embarrassing loss for a team like OU.
West Virginia:
I think it's fair to say this game was like a "Fairy Tale" for the Mountaineers given everything they've been through over the last month. I don't think many folks gave them a chance - I know I didn't. The way these guys executed and moreover, the way they were getting pressure in Bradford's face all night was something else - that was a perfect example of a team hitting on all cylinders. The way they were able to score immediately after OU all through the second half was amazing. Kudos to those kids - huge win for that program.
HOWEVER, I do think it's a bit of a stretch to give their Interim Coach Bill Stewart the head coaching job after 1 game. Look, he did a heck of a job keeping those kids focused throughout all the madness and they obviously love the guy, but as I said, this was like a fairy-tale game for them - the challenge is sustaining that over an off-season (and oh yea, you have to recruit) and into summer drills and then throughout an entire season.
Who knows, he may be the guy who can get them over the hump and into the title game (they've been oh-so-close in 2 different years including this year), but I think they jumped the gun just a bit here. As their largest booster wrote in a letter to the AD, "you hired a painter to build a house." It's not a knock on Stewart, rather it's recognizing that this is a big-time program and you need a big-time coach....here's hoping Stewart turns out to be the guy; I'm just not sure he is.
Kansas:
Wow.....I mean, WOW!!! Man, when you're wrong, you're wrong...and I was dead wrong on this one. I thought for sure that Mizzou somewhat exposed Kansas just a bit (and I certainly thought Mizzou should have been in this game rather than Kansas), but I guess I was wrong. I really thought (and wrote here) that Virginia Tech would win this by 2 or 3 touchdowns.
What a terrific job Mangino did last night - I was stunned at how fast they came out. They had a tremendous game plan on both sides of the ball and they stuck to it, even when Virginia Tech took all the momentum in the second half. That coaching staff deserves some tremendous kudos for coming up with the perfect game plan.
I'll tell you, I thought for sure that when Kansas had first and goal on the 1-yard line and then backed themselves up to the 30 before throwing an INT, it was definitely over. But, Kansas' defense simply pushed the Hokie offense around. Loved the fact that they out-played Beamer at his specialty - special teams. The Jayhawks had a field goal blocked and a fake punt for a first down...and they recovered an on-sides attempt by Virginia Tech. All in all a great win for Kansas and an even better win for the conference.
Looking ahead to next year, 2 things that most interest me about Kansas. First, they are bringing back almost every starter they have on both sides of the ball. Talent should not be a problem for them next year. BUT, and secondly, with the conference schedule shuffle going on next year the Jayhawks get Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech next year - 3 teams they did not face this year. The good news? Those 3 games there will significantly boost their strength of schedule. The bad news? They actually have to play those 3 teams - I think two of them are on the road as well.
The Big 12 will be very interesting next year.
And finally, from the "this just in" file...
It would appear that the Texas Longhorns spoke with/interviewed Auburn Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp yesterday. Yes, this does sound familiar as Texas nabbed Auburn Defensive Coordinator Gene Chizik for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
I'll tell you what, if they can get this guy I would be absolutely thrilled. Auburn will end up a top 10 team in almost all defensive categories...Texas was near the bottom. This would, without a doubt, be an upgrade on the defensive side of the ball.
I read online that Muschamp was offered a job from Southern Miss this year. I have to believe that one pro to coming to Texas would be the high potential/probability for better head coaching offers down the road. Chizik came in for 2 years and got a head coaching job in the Big 12. Robinson was here for 2 years and got a head coaching job in the Big East - both BCS conferences I'll add. If Muschamp is able to come in here and significantly turn this defense around within a year or two, he'll certainly be a hot commodity.
This also says to me that Duane Akina may not be "the man". He won't be fired, but I don't imagine he'll be calling the shots as much should Muschamp come to the 40 acres. I think I read this in Bohls' column (or somewhere), but I agree with it: After all that emotion and intensity in that big Holiday Bowl win, Mack should come out in his next press conference and say, emphatically, we WILL have a top 10 defense next year. We will get better and do whatever is necessary to get there, but we'll get there.
That would be sweet, but it doesn't sound like our guy now does it?
And finally, I'll end the week on this little note that just may make you Longhorn fans spew your coffee all over your screens......
Mack Brown has more BCS Bowl wins than Bob Stoops. Stew on that one for a bit.
Oklahoma:
Look, I'm not going to get on Stoops a whole lot - as I said earlier this week, he's won 4 conference titles, played for a fifth and played in 5 BCS games....he's a pretty good coach and he's consistent. BUT, at some point you've got to win one of these big games. The most interesting thing is they've lost these BCS games to opponents from around the country and from various conferences (USC, LSU, Boise State and West Virginia). The bigger issue (to this longhorn fan) is this really hurts the Big 12 conference "perceptions". It's one thing if Texas beats ASU and Okie State beats up on Indiana, but when the best of the conference lays an egg like that - Ugh.
OU will be just fine - they've got that entire offense coming back. They will be replacing a few more defensive guys, but I'm not sure that's such a bad thing at this point. Believe me, they can be doing MUCH worse than what they're currently doing - I think Stoops will have this team right in the thick of things next year. And the other good news is he absolutely owns Mack Brown and if (when) they get by Texas, it's almost cruise control to the conference title year after year.
But, that was a tremendously poor showing the other night - embarrassing loss for a team like OU.
West Virginia:
I think it's fair to say this game was like a "Fairy Tale" for the Mountaineers given everything they've been through over the last month. I don't think many folks gave them a chance - I know I didn't. The way these guys executed and moreover, the way they were getting pressure in Bradford's face all night was something else - that was a perfect example of a team hitting on all cylinders. The way they were able to score immediately after OU all through the second half was amazing. Kudos to those kids - huge win for that program.
HOWEVER, I do think it's a bit of a stretch to give their Interim Coach Bill Stewart the head coaching job after 1 game. Look, he did a heck of a job keeping those kids focused throughout all the madness and they obviously love the guy, but as I said, this was like a fairy-tale game for them - the challenge is sustaining that over an off-season (and oh yea, you have to recruit) and into summer drills and then throughout an entire season.
Who knows, he may be the guy who can get them over the hump and into the title game (they've been oh-so-close in 2 different years including this year), but I think they jumped the gun just a bit here. As their largest booster wrote in a letter to the AD, "you hired a painter to build a house." It's not a knock on Stewart, rather it's recognizing that this is a big-time program and you need a big-time coach....here's hoping Stewart turns out to be the guy; I'm just not sure he is.
Kansas:
Wow.....I mean, WOW!!! Man, when you're wrong, you're wrong...and I was dead wrong on this one. I thought for sure that Mizzou somewhat exposed Kansas just a bit (and I certainly thought Mizzou should have been in this game rather than Kansas), but I guess I was wrong. I really thought (and wrote here) that Virginia Tech would win this by 2 or 3 touchdowns.
What a terrific job Mangino did last night - I was stunned at how fast they came out. They had a tremendous game plan on both sides of the ball and they stuck to it, even when Virginia Tech took all the momentum in the second half. That coaching staff deserves some tremendous kudos for coming up with the perfect game plan.
I'll tell you, I thought for sure that when Kansas had first and goal on the 1-yard line and then backed themselves up to the 30 before throwing an INT, it was definitely over. But, Kansas' defense simply pushed the Hokie offense around. Loved the fact that they out-played Beamer at his specialty - special teams. The Jayhawks had a field goal blocked and a fake punt for a first down...and they recovered an on-sides attempt by Virginia Tech. All in all a great win for Kansas and an even better win for the conference.
Looking ahead to next year, 2 things that most interest me about Kansas. First, they are bringing back almost every starter they have on both sides of the ball. Talent should not be a problem for them next year. BUT, and secondly, with the conference schedule shuffle going on next year the Jayhawks get Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech next year - 3 teams they did not face this year. The good news? Those 3 games there will significantly boost their strength of schedule. The bad news? They actually have to play those 3 teams - I think two of them are on the road as well.
The Big 12 will be very interesting next year.
And finally, from the "this just in" file...
It would appear that the Texas Longhorns spoke with/interviewed Auburn Defensive Coordinator Will Muschamp yesterday. Yes, this does sound familiar as Texas nabbed Auburn Defensive Coordinator Gene Chizik for the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
I'll tell you what, if they can get this guy I would be absolutely thrilled. Auburn will end up a top 10 team in almost all defensive categories...Texas was near the bottom. This would, without a doubt, be an upgrade on the defensive side of the ball.
I read online that Muschamp was offered a job from Southern Miss this year. I have to believe that one pro to coming to Texas would be the high potential/probability for better head coaching offers down the road. Chizik came in for 2 years and got a head coaching job in the Big 12. Robinson was here for 2 years and got a head coaching job in the Big East - both BCS conferences I'll add. If Muschamp is able to come in here and significantly turn this defense around within a year or two, he'll certainly be a hot commodity.
This also says to me that Duane Akina may not be "the man". He won't be fired, but I don't imagine he'll be calling the shots as much should Muschamp come to the 40 acres. I think I read this in Bohls' column (or somewhere), but I agree with it: After all that emotion and intensity in that big Holiday Bowl win, Mack should come out in his next press conference and say, emphatically, we WILL have a top 10 defense next year. We will get better and do whatever is necessary to get there, but we'll get there.
That would be sweet, but it doesn't sound like our guy now does it?
And finally, I'll end the week on this little note that just may make you Longhorn fans spew your coffee all over your screens......
Mack Brown has more BCS Bowl wins than Bob Stoops. Stew on that one for a bit.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 10:21 AM
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