And here We Go...
Well Texas fans, I don't know what to say....we haven't had a chance to speak since last Saturday's....misunderstanding (yeah, let's call it that). As you may recall, I missed this game due to wedding duties...and it's a good thing. Although it was like a bad dream seeing the texts roll through all afternoon.
Before we get into this weekend's game, let me just say this - I know I called Texas winning this one big, but I also called them losing at least one game this year and now I'm almost certain they'll lose at least one other game. This team has some serious issues and quick sneak peak to what you see below....it has very little to do with coaching so douse those torches Greg Davis haters.
I still look at the stats from the UCLA game and rub my eyes....27 yards passing for the game for bruins, 77 total yards at the half with a ten point lead for bruins, and Texas had 5 turnovers. There you go. I'll get to the defense in a moment, but those stats scream a piss-poor offense. My one and only criticism for the coaches is the insistence (and arrogance) that they can just flip a switch and become a power running team. You're not that now and you won't be that at any point this season unless you start playing the Ivy League teams. Even then it's doubtful. With that said, the Texas offense is lame - and I don't blame the coaches for not calling more complex plays...THEY CAN'T EXECUTE THE SIMPLE ONES. Why in the world would you open the playbook with these guys based on what you've seen? Bad, bad offense right now and they have no one stepping up at any position. No confidence in this offense right now. None.
Now on the other hand, the defense simply embarrassed themselves - we expect little from our offense with the loss of the top two players, but the defense...this is troublesome. You may have noticed that Mack was especially vocal/critical of the defense and I think he knows exactly what he's doing. Here's the one thing that Texas fans should be optimistic about...I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, that the Texas defense will play night and day better. I assure you that after Will Muschamp crawls out of that defense's ass later tonight, his players won't want him back up there....and they'll bring the lumber. Mack knows the defense has to carry this team this year and he knows how to motivate Muschamp. It's on with the defense. Trust me.
At the end of the day I simply can't pick this Texas team that can't pick up 1 yard when they need it; continue to turn the ball over; and can't grasp the fact that you don't field punts inside your own 10 yard line...and if you do, don't drop them. I just can't. Look, we all know Texas usually responds well to losses and they usually do, but again, no confidence in our ability to score points.
And please save your, "yeah, but OU has struggled against some bad teams and almost lost like 2 games" mess. Guess what? They didn't lose any of those game. Know what else? Air Force is a damn solid team and Cincinnati is a BCS opponent that was in a BCS game 2 short years ago. And finally, they haven't embarrassed themselves this year. Texas has. I'm just saying, whoever gets to 20 first wins. Hope I'm wrong...
Oklahoma - 22
Texas - 18
Big 12 South
After watching last night's OSU/Texas A&M game I'm convinced of one thing and one thing only this year in the Big 12 - the South division is wiiiiiide open. Those were some sloppy, sloppy teams last night playing in Stillwater. And if I'm an Aggie fan, I'm going postal thinking about my QB. I'm not sure I remember seeing a player who can such beautiful throws on like 7 of 8 plays, and then just go to complete crap for the next 3-5 plays quite like Jerrod Johnson. That last INT and that fumble that was returned were just.....terrible. He's just mediocre with glimpses of just beautiful brilliance.
And Okie State...how about that last drive that the Aggies had to tie it up - if your strategy was to let them score to get the ball back, bravo. I think that drive was like 5 plays. How do you come storming back from 14 down to take a 14-point lead and then give up the tying touchdown on a 5-play drive in the last 3 minutes? How does that happen? And at home! Terrible.
We'll see what happens this weekend in the Red River Rivalry, but put me down as an undecided on the Big 12 South favorite. As sloppy as the Cowboys and Aggies were, they are more than capable of beating Texas or Oklahoma.
Other Crazy Thoughts for the Weekend
Before we get into this weekend's game, let me just say this - I know I called Texas winning this one big, but I also called them losing at least one game this year and now I'm almost certain they'll lose at least one other game. This team has some serious issues and quick sneak peak to what you see below....it has very little to do with coaching so douse those torches Greg Davis haters.
I still look at the stats from the UCLA game and rub my eyes....27 yards passing for the game for bruins, 77 total yards at the half with a ten point lead for bruins, and Texas had 5 turnovers. There you go. I'll get to the defense in a moment, but those stats scream a piss-poor offense. My one and only criticism for the coaches is the insistence (and arrogance) that they can just flip a switch and become a power running team. You're not that now and you won't be that at any point this season unless you start playing the Ivy League teams. Even then it's doubtful. With that said, the Texas offense is lame - and I don't blame the coaches for not calling more complex plays...THEY CAN'T EXECUTE THE SIMPLE ONES. Why in the world would you open the playbook with these guys based on what you've seen? Bad, bad offense right now and they have no one stepping up at any position. No confidence in this offense right now. None.
Now on the other hand, the defense simply embarrassed themselves - we expect little from our offense with the loss of the top two players, but the defense...this is troublesome. You may have noticed that Mack was especially vocal/critical of the defense and I think he knows exactly what he's doing. Here's the one thing that Texas fans should be optimistic about...I promise you, from the bottom of my heart, that the Texas defense will play night and day better. I assure you that after Will Muschamp crawls out of that defense's ass later tonight, his players won't want him back up there....and they'll bring the lumber. Mack knows the defense has to carry this team this year and he knows how to motivate Muschamp. It's on with the defense. Trust me.
At the end of the day I simply can't pick this Texas team that can't pick up 1 yard when they need it; continue to turn the ball over; and can't grasp the fact that you don't field punts inside your own 10 yard line...and if you do, don't drop them. I just can't. Look, we all know Texas usually responds well to losses and they usually do, but again, no confidence in our ability to score points.
And please save your, "yeah, but OU has struggled against some bad teams and almost lost like 2 games" mess. Guess what? They didn't lose any of those game. Know what else? Air Force is a damn solid team and Cincinnati is a BCS opponent that was in a BCS game 2 short years ago. And finally, they haven't embarrassed themselves this year. Texas has. I'm just saying, whoever gets to 20 first wins. Hope I'm wrong...
Oklahoma - 22
Texas - 18
Big 12 South
After watching last night's OSU/Texas A&M game I'm convinced of one thing and one thing only this year in the Big 12 - the South division is wiiiiiide open. Those were some sloppy, sloppy teams last night playing in Stillwater. And if I'm an Aggie fan, I'm going postal thinking about my QB. I'm not sure I remember seeing a player who can such beautiful throws on like 7 of 8 plays, and then just go to complete crap for the next 3-5 plays quite like Jerrod Johnson. That last INT and that fumble that was returned were just.....terrible. He's just mediocre with glimpses of just beautiful brilliance.
And Okie State...how about that last drive that the Aggies had to tie it up - if your strategy was to let them score to get the ball back, bravo. I think that drive was like 5 plays. How do you come storming back from 14 down to take a 14-point lead and then give up the tying touchdown on a 5-play drive in the last 3 minutes? How does that happen? And at home! Terrible.
We'll see what happens this weekend in the Red River Rivalry, but put me down as an undecided on the Big 12 South favorite. As sloppy as the Cowboys and Aggies were, they are more than capable of beating Texas or Oklahoma.
Other Crazy Thoughts for the Weekend
- Mandel picked Iowa State to upset Tech - I'll let you decide. http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/741285-preview-texas-tech-vs-iowa-state
- I think as much as we want the Florida/Alabama game to be good, I just don't see it happening. Bama takes this one by 10+ points.
- Nice, quiet little battle of undefeateds when Wisconsin visits Michigan State. Unless the Spartans can pull some inspiration from their coach being back from his mild heart attack I think the Badgers are going to be a little too physical.
- Game of the weekend is definitely Stanford at Oregon - give me the Cardinal in this exciting road win.
- My fantasy team is a travesty. I mean, a complete train wreck. I'm still not giving up Andre Johnson even though I know I can get a lot for him. I'm stubborn.
- Tough loss for the Packers on Monday night - terrible penalties and horrible late fumble. Also too bad for the Lions who have to feel the wrath of that frustration.
- Speaking of Lions - I still say they're a better team. They're on the right track.
- Great match up between Steelers and Ravens this weekend. Going to be a sore Monday for those players. Amazing how well Pittsburgh is playing without Roethlisberger. Even more amazing that it's with Charlie Batch. I'm still taking the Ravens in this one. Boldin is proving to pay dividends and Ray Lewis and company are going to unleash on Batch. With that said, I'm not sure Troy Polamalu isn't the most valuable player in the league. Ravens by 3.
- Give me Rams over Seahawks this weekend - as expected, Bradford is good.
- Vick vs. McNabb should be interesting. Emotional for Vick I'm sure as McNabb has been such a supporter. This cat is brimming with confidence and handling it extremely well. The Eagles have better players and will likely win, but don't underestimate a desperate team and Washington NEEDS a win. I still say Vick out duels his buddy for a tight Philly win.
- Ugh - my Giants are horrible and don't look to be improving. They are certainly capable of winning this game as Chicago has been extremely lucky, but they are a mess. And Caughlin may not last the season.
- Before the Dallas game, which I picked Houston to win big by the way, I mentioned that this Texans team is a different team - they just don't look like the same old Texans. Well, this is a perfect litmus test for them. They travel to Oakland to take on a closer-than-you-think Raiders team...who still have no starting QB. This is the kind of game the old Texans would lose. Foster is the difference - Houston nuts out a grinding win in Oakland.
- Heads up - Atlanta is good.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 9:27 PM
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