Chaos Theory
Although we can almost smell the end of the season approaching there's still ample opportunity for yet another BCS disaster. And it all starts with Florida vs. The Citadel this weekend....not quite.
I know I've been on a minor hiatus and I'm sure you've all died a little inside because of it, but I've got a lot to catch up on so dig in for this one. I guess I have to start with those Horns as I don't think I've had the chance to talk about the Kansas game.
This was one of those games where if you saw it then you saw how much of a "statement" game it really was. But, if you didn't and you just saw the score, you might not buy that it was that big of a win. They certainly weren't Florida, throwing up 50+ points, but they did hold a team that averages about 46 points a game to a single touchdown. The weather wasn't ideal either, but you can't really use that as an excuse - the offense looked pretty darn good. Colt was great (although he took a bit of a beating, some very hard hitting) both running and passing the ball - yet again he led the team in rushing, but you can't argue with that as they were leaving the middle of the field wide open for him. Whatever, I'll take it.
And the defense - what can you say? Huge performance by the entire defense, especially Sergio Kindle. Stopping Kansas on 3 of 4 fourth downs was really something else. And what the hell was Mangino thinking??? Either way, a great performance heading into the bye week. I'm sticking with my call that all Texas has to do is win out and they're in a BCS game. I'll touch on this next week, but I'm expecting big, BIG things from these Horns against the Aggies.
Texas Tech at Oklahoma:
So it all comes down to this for those Red Raiders - huge road game. Both teams are coming off of a bye week and honestly that bye was much bigger for the Sooners than it was for those Raiders. In fact, I'm not so sure that bye week won't hurt Tech and I only say that because they were really on a pretty wicked roll there and it just seemed like they were brimming with momentum. Either way, rested players is a good thing so we'll just have to see.
As much pub as these offenses get this game will no doubt come down to the defenses. Specifically, who will get those 1 or 2 stops that will make the difference. OU is certainly a different team now than earlier this year with their top 2 defensive players out for the year - doesn't mean they don't have a lot of talent (it's OU, they've got talent), but those were some key pieces of that defense. On the other side, Tech's defense is certainly coming up pretty big in some big games removing any doubt that their defense has in fact improved drastically. The funny thing is if you try and identify the keys to winning for both teams, they're the same: 1) get pressure on the quarterback/get him uncomfortable, 2) keep your opponent's offense off the field, 3) score, score, score. It's things like special teams, turnovers, key first downs late, and most importantly, coaching that will make the difference in this game.
If you look at the top 3 teams in the Big 12 South, 2 of the 3 have a loss that came at the hands of a divisional opponent/top 10 team away from home. Sooners know this win likely propels them into the big 12 title game and they'll be looking for payback from last year's "upset" - they'll be ready to play. And the icing on the cake: Tech's record against ranked opponents on the road under Leach....1-15. Sooners in close one.
Oklahoma - 44
Texas Tech - 38
Muschamp:
Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery interesting move by those Texas Longhorns with the Will Muschamp hire. I honestly don't know what I think about it. It's definitely good that we'll have him around for at least a few more years at the D-Coordinator position - he's definitely the type of guy we want there - he's good and he's demanding which is what you want in that position. BUT, the head-coach in waiting I thought was very interesting. I definitely don't think it's a bad thing, but I'm just curious.
I have no reason (nor does anyone) to question the moves from the football program based on their success of the last 10+ years. And, they obviously saw something in him that they wasn't there with Robinson, Chizik, Akina or Reese otherwise they wouldn't have even considered this. But, I think they also realized that this revolving door of defensive coordinators wasn't going to be a good thing in the long run (hell, they said as much) and if Muschamp left, who would you get that's better or lateral move? And if they were just doing this to keep him, they could have offered him that big salary without the coach-to-be title.
My concern - how patient is Mr. Muschamp? Mack Brown has 8 years remaining on his contract and I think we would all agree that he's likely not coaching beyond that. The million dollar question is will he leave before it's up. I, as do others based on what I've read/heard, think that Mack will likely replace Dodds as AD once he's done coaching. My honest opinion is that Mack coaches 5 more years after this season, but he announces his "retirement" towards the end or at the end of the 4th season ("next year will be my last"). I can't imagine Muschamp wanting to continue to learn 6, 7 or 8 years down the road. I also think Mack *really* wants to win another title before he retires and he thinks he can (who doesn't want to win one?). All in all, I'm happy that we're keeping Muschamp as I do believe this will pay dividends over the next few years with recruiting and continuity. I have no idea what kind of head coach he'll be and frankly, I'm surprised that Texas would invest in a guy who will not have had any head coaching experience before. But again, can we really doubt the decisions that this athletic dept/football program are making? I don't think so. Besides, something tells me there's a clause in there that says they can sit down and revisit in 4 years or so and see where everyone stands.
Other CFB Thoughts and Previews:
That's what I got gang - have a good weekend. I'll get a post up early next week before the holiday.
I know I've been on a minor hiatus and I'm sure you've all died a little inside because of it, but I've got a lot to catch up on so dig in for this one. I guess I have to start with those Horns as I don't think I've had the chance to talk about the Kansas game.
This was one of those games where if you saw it then you saw how much of a "statement" game it really was. But, if you didn't and you just saw the score, you might not buy that it was that big of a win. They certainly weren't Florida, throwing up 50+ points, but they did hold a team that averages about 46 points a game to a single touchdown. The weather wasn't ideal either, but you can't really use that as an excuse - the offense looked pretty darn good. Colt was great (although he took a bit of a beating, some very hard hitting) both running and passing the ball - yet again he led the team in rushing, but you can't argue with that as they were leaving the middle of the field wide open for him. Whatever, I'll take it.
And the defense - what can you say? Huge performance by the entire defense, especially Sergio Kindle. Stopping Kansas on 3 of 4 fourth downs was really something else. And what the hell was Mangino thinking??? Either way, a great performance heading into the bye week. I'm sticking with my call that all Texas has to do is win out and they're in a BCS game. I'll touch on this next week, but I'm expecting big, BIG things from these Horns against the Aggies.
Texas Tech at Oklahoma:
So it all comes down to this for those Red Raiders - huge road game. Both teams are coming off of a bye week and honestly that bye was much bigger for the Sooners than it was for those Raiders. In fact, I'm not so sure that bye week won't hurt Tech and I only say that because they were really on a pretty wicked roll there and it just seemed like they were brimming with momentum. Either way, rested players is a good thing so we'll just have to see.
As much pub as these offenses get this game will no doubt come down to the defenses. Specifically, who will get those 1 or 2 stops that will make the difference. OU is certainly a different team now than earlier this year with their top 2 defensive players out for the year - doesn't mean they don't have a lot of talent (it's OU, they've got talent), but those were some key pieces of that defense. On the other side, Tech's defense is certainly coming up pretty big in some big games removing any doubt that their defense has in fact improved drastically. The funny thing is if you try and identify the keys to winning for both teams, they're the same: 1) get pressure on the quarterback/get him uncomfortable, 2) keep your opponent's offense off the field, 3) score, score, score. It's things like special teams, turnovers, key first downs late, and most importantly, coaching that will make the difference in this game.
If you look at the top 3 teams in the Big 12 South, 2 of the 3 have a loss that came at the hands of a divisional opponent/top 10 team away from home. Sooners know this win likely propels them into the big 12 title game and they'll be looking for payback from last year's "upset" - they'll be ready to play. And the icing on the cake: Tech's record against ranked opponents on the road under Leach....1-15. Sooners in close one.
Oklahoma - 44
Texas Tech - 38
More on this game from someone with a vested interest: http://fannation.com/blogs/post/292339
Muschamp:
Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeery interesting move by those Texas Longhorns with the Will Muschamp hire. I honestly don't know what I think about it. It's definitely good that we'll have him around for at least a few more years at the D-Coordinator position - he's definitely the type of guy we want there - he's good and he's demanding which is what you want in that position. BUT, the head-coach in waiting I thought was very interesting. I definitely don't think it's a bad thing, but I'm just curious.
I have no reason (nor does anyone) to question the moves from the football program based on their success of the last 10+ years. And, they obviously saw something in him that they wasn't there with Robinson, Chizik, Akina or Reese otherwise they wouldn't have even considered this. But, I think they also realized that this revolving door of defensive coordinators wasn't going to be a good thing in the long run (hell, they said as much) and if Muschamp left, who would you get that's better or lateral move? And if they were just doing this to keep him, they could have offered him that big salary without the coach-to-be title.
My concern - how patient is Mr. Muschamp? Mack Brown has 8 years remaining on his contract and I think we would all agree that he's likely not coaching beyond that. The million dollar question is will he leave before it's up. I, as do others based on what I've read/heard, think that Mack will likely replace Dodds as AD once he's done coaching. My honest opinion is that Mack coaches 5 more years after this season, but he announces his "retirement" towards the end or at the end of the 4th season ("next year will be my last"). I can't imagine Muschamp wanting to continue to learn 6, 7 or 8 years down the road. I also think Mack *really* wants to win another title before he retires and he thinks he can (who doesn't want to win one?). All in all, I'm happy that we're keeping Muschamp as I do believe this will pay dividends over the next few years with recruiting and continuity. I have no idea what kind of head coach he'll be and frankly, I'm surprised that Texas would invest in a guy who will not have had any head coaching experience before. But again, can we really doubt the decisions that this athletic dept/football program are making? I don't think so. Besides, something tells me there's a clause in there that says they can sit down and revisit in 4 years or so and see where everyone stands.
Other CFB Thoughts and Previews:
- Great article by Stewart Mandel on the decline of USC's "benefit of the doubt" status (and that's putting it lightly): http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/11/20/usc/index
.html
- Anyone else have this weird feeling that Michigan pulls an upset this weekend in Columbus? Worst season of the year for UM, on the road, no one's giving them half a chance, coach is telling fans to piss off - it's got upset written all over it. Right?
- Big game this weekend with not a lot of pub - Oregon State at Arizona. The Beavers are in a the toughest leg of their schedule and a win in Tucson would give them great confidence. If they win out, they're in the Rose Bowl.
- Imagine this scenario Horns' fans: OU beats Tech, Okie State beats OU, Florida State beats Florida, Florida beats Alabama, and Missouri beats Tech. That could catapult Texas into the title game. Not likely and frankly I'm very anti teams getting into title game without winning their conference. Either way, fun to play charades with the BCS scenarios.
- Another scenario, so says "the man", could put three Big 12 teams into BCS games.
- Crazy hit on Gideon in that UT/KU game - he was clearly knocked out cold. I'll tell you, that game had some big hits.
- Utah vs. BYU is sure to be a great game - it's easy to forget about that one, but check it out, you won't be disappointed.
Twenty-Four:
That's right gang, after a 2-year hiatus of rodeo-ing and DWIs Jack Bauer (aka Kiefer Sutherland) is back. Evidently, Bauer is now wanted by his own Government. As season 7 starts he's working as a missionary in Africa when none other than an...you guessed it, evil warlord attempts to recruit young children into his militia. Blah, blah, blah - either way, I'm sure there will be some cool sh*t in it. And how in the world is the guy who saved the US on numerous occasions, many times single-handily, actually wanted? We'll see, but tune in for the 2-day, four hour event starting Sunday. I know I'm excited...
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 1:24 PM
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