Old School

That's what it will feel like to some fans on Saturday. Memories of rough battles in the SWC days - and oh how times have changed. I think Arkansas comes out swinging, but at the end of the day I don't think they'll be able to stop the Horns' offense.

They're definitely a team that can put up some offensive numbers, but I think the system has a lot to do with that - their problem is they're not a very organized team. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see them, like the past 3 Texas opponents, put up a lot of yards (350+), but not a lot of points. That concerns me down the road, but it will get the job done on Saturday. After all, the Hogs had to come from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Western Illinois (at home) and Louisiana-Monroe.

I think Texas rolls this weekend (and next) - Colt puts on another show and the young secondary has somewhat of a coming out party with a couple of picks.

Texas - 49
Arkansas - 16

There are some good games on this weekend...but first I must touch on this.

Oregon State - 27

USC - 21

Can I just say it again please - this is precisely why there should be no official polls until October. Think about how pissed Georgia fans are - we got bumped in the polls, after winning our games, for this team? Either way, you get the picture. And another thing - Oregon State is horrible. Their freshman running back played great, but they tried to give that game away. And OSU coaches, I promise you there's a better backup kicker out there..I promise.

Either way, great upset for college football - parity is good and upsets are fun - let's just hope it ends there.

Tennessee at Auburn - Well who the hell knows what's going to happen here! I really believe Tuberville has more "in the coaching tank" than Fulmer and can get more out of his players. I think this game is controlled completely by Auburn. You know, ugly, low yardage, low scoring - they will dominate the line of scrimmage. The Fulmer downfall continues.

Auburn - 16
Tennessee - 9

TCU at Oklahoma - Don't worry, I'm not delusional and I don't think TCU will pull off another stunner. But, I do think this is a good game for OU before heading into conference play. TCU will definitely come out with passion, but I just don't see them hanging with OU's offense for 4 quarters (or 3).

Oklahoma - 37
TCU - 22

Alabama at Georgia - I don't know...I'm just going to say I've got a hunch here.

Alabama - 24
Georgia - 22

Sorry for the short one this week - back on Sunday recapping the weekend. Enjoy the games (and the music).

The Stretch Begins

No more "easy ones" for the Horns from here on out. Granted, I don't think Arkansas is going to come close to beating Texas, but they are an SEC school, they just happen to be in a bit of transition. If the Alabama game was any indication Texas *should* crush them. But after that we jump straight into conference play with a trip to Boulder and then OU and Missouri in back-to-back weeks. That will be interesting...

Extremely impressive win by the horns - I know it was only Rice, but they still executed flawlessly and Colt just looks better and better each week. 19 of 23, that's crazy. Best play of the game was Colt bowling over that safety to score that rushing touchdown - this kid is for real. As you probably know, Colt broke Major Applewhite's record of career TD passes, but here's what you may not have pondered - he did in the third game of the year....in his junior year. He's going to shatter that record and likely hold it for quite some time. I'm getting more and more excited about those match ups with Mizzou and Oklahoma. 

Defensively? We're still giving up big passing numbers (301 against Rice) and I know they're keeping teams out of the end zone, but OU and Missouri and Tech will be a different story. Not saying they won't step up, I'm just saying our secondary is consistently giving up 250-300 in the air.

Colt continues to be the team's top rusher and I'll guess I'll take it because he's also throwing up over 300 yards/game. As long as the team can continue to rush for 175+, I don't care how many backs they use - although I am more comfortable with a primary/secondary back system. 

Other observations and epiphanies from the weekend...

• Who do you think is more sick about their head football coach situations - the West Virigina AD or the Tennessee AD? I think we'd all agree that we've seen the best that Fulmer is going to throw out there by now and although he may get close every few years, he ain't getting the Vols over the hump. And I'll say it again, Bill Stewart has no business being a head football coach.
  
• How about the cojones on Les Miles? That's some fun football to watch. Huge win for LSU - they still have a tough road ahead (Florida, Alabama and Georgia), but that win has to do wonders for their confidence.
  
• Tech had 9 different receivers go for 20 yards or more. That is something else.
  
• Don't look now, but the Aggies may be replacing Baylor in the cellar of the Big 12 south - at least for this year...don't get too excited Baylor fans, I assure you it won't be a long-term situation.
• What a terrible game for the Aggies on Saturday at home. Miami had damn good athletes, but with exception of the first play of the game and then a meaningless drive late in the game, they were flat and uninspired. Worst home loss in like 20 years for A&M. Tough stretch for the aggs.
• Ugh - I was so frustrated at Skip Holtz in their loss to NC State - he compounded an error with another one right on top of it. On the road, 4 point lead and you have fourth and goal on the 1.5 or 2 yard line and he goes for it. First off, when you're on the road you take the points. Period. But then, he calls a running play...when the first 3 plays were also running plays (they had first and goal from the 2). You could feel every ECU fan thinking "don't run the ball, don't run the ball, don't run the ball)...as soon as they lined up you just new they were going to run. They ran. 3 yard loss. Turnover on downs. Point is, they ended up getting the ball back later in the quarter in the same situation and kicked the field goal...to get the lead to 7. Had they kicked the first one you'd be looking at a 10 point lead. NC State scored to force OT and won. Arrogant, stupid move by the coach.
  
• Just when you think FSU may be taking baby steps to get back into national prominence they lose to Wake Forrest and muster up a whopping 3 points. Colorado visits the Seminoles this weekend - you know I've been optimistic on the Buffs this year, but I think this game gives Texas a much clearer picture of what to expect in Boulder in a couple of weeks. I still say that was a solid win over the Mountaineers, although I think it's abundantly clear that W. Virginia is a shell of a team they were just one year ago. 
  
• Yet another sucker punch for the Pac 10 - nice game Oregon...
• And speaking of the Pac 10, let's go ahead and put ASU in that same bucket as Oregon State and Oregon - the "wishful thinking that didn't work out" bucket.
• Is it completely inconceivable to think that there could be 3-5 legitimate heisman trophy candidates out of the Big 12? Loooong way to go, but Bradford, Daniel, Crabtree, Harrell and McCoy - it's not that crazy.
  
• What the hell is wrong with Beanie Wells' foot?

A few NFL thoughts...

• Along with the AFC South, the NFC East is going to be a brutal run for those teams...and I can't wait! 
• Wow Ronnie Brown...wow. What a game by the Dolphins, who saw that coming? That has to deflate the Patriots. No doubt they miss Brady, but I'm not sure having Tom Brady would have been the difference in this one...he doesn't play defense.
  
• I don't know for sure, but Jamarcus Russell could suck - he's completing like 8 passes a game.
  
• How did the Bears lose that game against Tampa - they were up by 10 with seven minutes to go and lost in OT. Gotta finish the games.
  
• What a heartbreaking loss for the Colts - I still say these guys are right in the mix of things at the end of the year. 
• Al Davis continues to run this team like he's a government official. I don't blame Lane Kiffin one iota - I would make that old bastard fire me and pay me to leave. Who in the world is going to take that job and take it seriously? First, he's going to be fired, but they win a game so he's safe. Then, Davis and company leak rumors that Kiffin will be fired today because he blamed the loss yesterday on him. Then, Monday evening, he's now "safe for today". What in the world is going on up there? 
• I'm going to save some paper and send the same memo to the Texans and Browns: Change your QBs!!! The only certainty at this point is that Anderson and Schaub aren't going to get it done. 
• As long as both of these guys stay healthy, no team has anything that is near as good as the RB tandem of Marion Barber and Felix Jones. 

Non-football Thoughts for the Week:

• Great, GREAT showing by the US team in the Ryder Cup when NO ONE was giving you a chance - Boo Weekly doing the bull dance and feeling the flow...that was the tournament right there. No Tiger and Phil was mediocre - gotta love it. 
• Saw a new movie this past week - King of Kong: A fist full of quarters. Great, great, great movie. Documentary about the "cut-throat" world of competitive classic video games. If you liked Hands on a Hard Body then you'll definitely like this a lot.
• You'll be glad to hear that I came out of Survivor: Single-Parent Bearden House unscathed. All good. 
• Boy, this little "financial correction" has really been a curve ball to our fearless candidates - neither of those poor bastards has idea what to say or what to do. Buckle up friends, it's going to be an interesting 2 months. 

That's what I got - I'll be back later this week with a preview of this weekend's big games. Enjoy the week.