What's That Smell?
It's Lubbock. Yeah, you remember Lubbock Texas fans, don't pretend like you don't. Veeery interesting match up here folks. If I would have posted on Monday I would have been leaning very heavily towards taking the Red Raiders in an upset after last week's performance. We'll get to that though. Interesting slate of games this weekend - certainly nothing of the caliber we saw last weekend, but I think we'll actually see some BETTER games this weekend. Oh, and the Kansas City Chiefs are back.
Let's get to it...
Texas at Texas Tech
Well that was certainly a lackluster performance by the Longhorns last Saturday, while Tech threw up it's usual 746 yards of offense against....hell, it doesn't matter. Boy that running game sure has people uncomfortable, doesn't it? Unfortunately, opposing defenses don't fall into that category. And what, we're on our third new RB starter in as many games? I hope to high heaven that Brown is just toying with the players/media with this because if not, my confidence in our running game - and our coaches ability to judge it - is way low. I would love to spend 10 minutes with Applewhite asking him what he thinks.
Here's what I do know though - Gilbert has a freaking cannon for an arm. I don't think there's a throw on the field he can't make. Seriously. Unfortunately, however, I'm not sure our receivers are any more reliable than our "starting" running backs. We have no go-to back who can get that 3 yard gain when we need it up the middle, or that receiver who WILL make that play on third down when we need it most. Think Benson and Shipley. That's what worries me most right now. Of course that person could emerge this weekend and all of this is moot, but I'm not banking on it.
Here's my thought on Tech - it's still Tech and they'll still move the ball, no doubt. Hell, Taylor Potts is experienced and he's not stepping into this game untested so they'll certainly air it out. Here's my prediction on their offense (and I know, I know, this is the script for almost every game between Texas and Tech): they'll put up 350+ yards on Texas and score in the low 20s. If you're playing Tech and you get them inside the 20 yard line, they struggle to push the ball in. They are masterful at operating using the entire field - shorten that field and you've got a shot. Another thing about their offense - they have to play the Texas defense. I just can't imagine that Texas will allow Tech to put up anything close to 30 points. They might, but don't see it happening. Key for Texas is don't turnover the ball and don't let them get ahead of you beyond 10 points. If the horns can do that, they'll win. And I think they will - but don't look for that high-flying attack, or that "running game" to wake up just yet Texas fans - we've still some work to do...but a solid road win for Mr. Gilbert and company. Building his confidence now is key.
Give Tubberville 2-3 years before he has this defense stopping teams like he knows how to do - he simply doesn't have the talent there just yet. When we go back to Lubbock in 2 years, then I'll be more worried about that defense.
Texas - 27
Texas Tech - 22
Counterpoint - http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/734985?new=true
A few other gems....
Iowa at Arizona
Probably the marquee game of the day in my mind (and I'm actually pretty happy it's a late one). Nick "Westlake High School Football Rules" Foles will be thoroughly tested by that Iowa front seven....and he may get hurt if he ain't careful. This will be, by miles and miles, the best defense this Arizona team will face - probably in a decade knowing the Pac 10. With that said, this kid can play and I imagine he'll make some plays on Saturday night.
Boy, does this sound like a broken record or what....but this is an important game for Iowa if they want to creep into that title hunt discussion. Yeah, I've written that about 34 times over the last half decade. But it's just as relevant now as it was those past times.
Same for Mr. Stoops (the Mike one that is) - he's clawed his way to keeping his job there and a home win here would really give him some breathing room, as well as some much-needed confidence for the Wildcats. Unfortunately though, Hawkeye nation will come with a vengeance. This game will be won in the trenches and Zona simply can't compete in there with the Iowa farm boys, although they give it one hell of an effort.
Iowa - 34
Arizona - 30
Nebraska at Washington
Look, I don't know, but I just think that I'm hitching a ride on the Jake Locker bandwagon for this week and we'll see what happens. His coming out party starts Saturday. Keep an eye on the Husker's QB. He's good. But not good enough and unless Suh has another game's eligibility that we don't know about, get ready to party in Seattle.
Washington - 22
Nebraska - 17
Other Random College Football Notes...
Peace out.
Let's get to it...
Texas at Texas Tech
Well that was certainly a lackluster performance by the Longhorns last Saturday, while Tech threw up it's usual 746 yards of offense against....hell, it doesn't matter. Boy that running game sure has people uncomfortable, doesn't it? Unfortunately, opposing defenses don't fall into that category. And what, we're on our third new RB starter in as many games? I hope to high heaven that Brown is just toying with the players/media with this because if not, my confidence in our running game - and our coaches ability to judge it - is way low. I would love to spend 10 minutes with Applewhite asking him what he thinks.
Here's what I do know though - Gilbert has a freaking cannon for an arm. I don't think there's a throw on the field he can't make. Seriously. Unfortunately, however, I'm not sure our receivers are any more reliable than our "starting" running backs. We have no go-to back who can get that 3 yard gain when we need it up the middle, or that receiver who WILL make that play on third down when we need it most. Think Benson and Shipley. That's what worries me most right now. Of course that person could emerge this weekend and all of this is moot, but I'm not banking on it.
Here's my thought on Tech - it's still Tech and they'll still move the ball, no doubt. Hell, Taylor Potts is experienced and he's not stepping into this game untested so they'll certainly air it out. Here's my prediction on their offense (and I know, I know, this is the script for almost every game between Texas and Tech): they'll put up 350+ yards on Texas and score in the low 20s. If you're playing Tech and you get them inside the 20 yard line, they struggle to push the ball in. They are masterful at operating using the entire field - shorten that field and you've got a shot. Another thing about their offense - they have to play the Texas defense. I just can't imagine that Texas will allow Tech to put up anything close to 30 points. They might, but don't see it happening. Key for Texas is don't turnover the ball and don't let them get ahead of you beyond 10 points. If the horns can do that, they'll win. And I think they will - but don't look for that high-flying attack, or that "running game" to wake up just yet Texas fans - we've still some work to do...but a solid road win for Mr. Gilbert and company. Building his confidence now is key.
Give Tubberville 2-3 years before he has this defense stopping teams like he knows how to do - he simply doesn't have the talent there just yet. When we go back to Lubbock in 2 years, then I'll be more worried about that defense.
Texas - 27
Texas Tech - 22
Counterpoint - http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/734985?new=true
A few other gems....
Iowa at Arizona
Probably the marquee game of the day in my mind (and I'm actually pretty happy it's a late one). Nick "Westlake High School Football Rules" Foles will be thoroughly tested by that Iowa front seven....and he may get hurt if he ain't careful. This will be, by miles and miles, the best defense this Arizona team will face - probably in a decade knowing the Pac 10. With that said, this kid can play and I imagine he'll make some plays on Saturday night.
Boy, does this sound like a broken record or what....but this is an important game for Iowa if they want to creep into that title hunt discussion. Yeah, I've written that about 34 times over the last half decade. But it's just as relevant now as it was those past times.
Same for Mr. Stoops (the Mike one that is) - he's clawed his way to keeping his job there and a home win here would really give him some breathing room, as well as some much-needed confidence for the Wildcats. Unfortunately though, Hawkeye nation will come with a vengeance. This game will be won in the trenches and Zona simply can't compete in there with the Iowa farm boys, although they give it one hell of an effort.
Iowa - 34
Arizona - 30
Nebraska at Washington
Look, I don't know, but I just think that I'm hitching a ride on the Jake Locker bandwagon for this week and we'll see what happens. His coming out party starts Saturday. Keep an eye on the Husker's QB. He's good. But not good enough and unless Suh has another game's eligibility that we don't know about, get ready to party in Seattle.
Washington - 22
Nebraska - 17
Other Random College Football Notes...
- Vacated Heisman for 2005....whatever. I will say however, nice class by VY. Good for him.
- I know it looks good on paper, but Florida at Tennessee won't be a pretty game. Don't be fooled.
- I'm sure you've seen the highlights, read the praises and all that good stuff, but if you haven't watched Denard Robinson play yet, do so. Amazing. He's the QB for Michigan and he's a superstar. He single-handily won the Notre Dame for them. Unbelievable talent.
- Put me down as a Texas fan who's all of a sudden scared to death of Oklahoma.
- I'm telling you - if Ingram quietly left the team tonight and never came back - Bama fans would never know it. Mark my words - Richardson will be a MUCH better player at the next level. He's really good. I still say Bama has a loss looming....
- Terrell Pryor looks really solid. He's come a long way. Will be fun watching Michigan/OSU this year with those two QBs.
- One more thing Texas fans - I've heard talk of "knocking Potts out of the game" - we don't want that to happen. Our defense is built to disrupt QBs like him. The Sheffield kid can move around - I'm more scared of him than I am of Potts sitting back there cemented into the ground.
- Green Bay, run, don't walk, to make a trade for Marshawn Lynch - you can get him cheap, especially with all that RB talent in Buffalo. Do it. Now.
- Bummer and a half about that BS call in Chicago last week - that was a catch and we all know it, but the rule is the rule. Crazy thing is had that exact same thing happened in the field of play (ie not in the end zone), it would have been a catch. That's NCAA dumb - NFL will fix that, I guarantee it.
- And PS - Lovie Smith, and more importantly, his boss, knows that game was a loss.
- LOVED the Ravens/Jets game. Loved it. This is called a sophomore slump Mark Sanchez - you'll work out of it, but it's real. Seriously though, you looked like you had never taken an NFL snap before.
- Is Ray Lewis ever going to not be dominant? What, like 15 years now? He's a beast. Love him.
- I'm sticking with Ravens and Packers in the Super Bowl and feeling good about it too.
- Anyone want to bet money that the Texans have a Houston Oilers-type meltdown this weekend? I hope not, but that would be so like them. Kubiak needs to coach his ass off this week to keep that momentum going.
- My fantasy team blows - I'm overreacting, I know, but I'm not at all confident in any of them. Speaking of Houston, reeeeally need Andre Johnson to do his.....Andre Johnson thing this weekend. Please?
- Helloooooo Kansas City - impressive win by them. An even more impressive showing by the defense. Anyone thing Charles will get more than about 11 touches this game? I do....and I've got Thomas Jones on my fantasy team. Damnit. Seriously though, very impressive win and something to build on for that organization. Derrick Johnson looks damn solid.
- What the hell were the Dallas Cowboys doing all summer because it sure as hell wasn't practicing. What a horrible game that was all around - Dallas just happened to lose it. And that was a divisional game too....oh boy. Who do they get this week, Chicago? It's a good thing they didn't pick up Julius effing Peppers over the off season....oh they did? Oh crap.
- Nice Randy Moss....nice. Great quote of the week - that's just Randy being Manny. Love it.
Peace out.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 2:10 PM
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