Intervention
Very late getting this out, but I wanted to let everyone go navigate the stages of depression and denial. I think all you Texas fans (and hell, the South division in general) are firmly aware of the hand you've been dealt. I'll say it again, this division is wide open. OU has the upper hand by far, but they are certainly not without their warts (even Sooner fan knows it).
Of course let's start with the Longhorns. Before I get into a report card of sorts let me get one thing off my chest - and I'll preface this with I have had plenty of moments when I've thrown Greg Davis and even Mack Brown at times, under the bus. But not this time. I'm not saying they don't have their fair share of issues to sort out, but the bulk of the issues are with personnel. Stop blaming the coaches, stop saying "fire Greg Davis" and stop saying they can't recruit. They can and they've proved it year after year. Let me remind all of us of a couple of key points:
Now that we have a more rational mindset let's look at the facts.
Defense - The athletic skills are there, the football IQ isn't. The combination of countless stupid penalties that kept drives going coupled with a few lapses in defense was the crushing blow against the Sooners. This defense is grossly susceptible to mis-direction plays and counters. We'll see what Muschamp has up his sleeve this week, but containing that Nebraska offense (namely their QB) is going to be a huge challenge. We saw how well they did against UCLA....I'm just saying.
Offensively - Great play by DJ Monroe, doesn't mean he needs the ball every single play. He does however need the ball in better positions to get into the open field. Whittaker, Goodwin and Monroe need to be more focal points of the game, but you have to spread the ball out a bit for that. More importantly than that, they MUST throw the ball down the middle of the field....if nothing else just to keep the defense honest. Yes, I was frustrated with the offensive play calling, but when the players aren't executing the simplest of plays, why in the world would they be able to execute more complicated sets? More than anything the players need to step up and show some pride. Hasn't happened once this year. And finally, and this will only change with time, the game is moving 2 speeds too fast for Gilbert right now. Not dogging him and in fact I think he's been one of the better spots (at times). He's just young, but his decision making is painstakingly slow. The question is when will we see that next steps....we haven't yet and I'm betting it's not next weekend in Lincoln.
Special Teams - Complete and utter disaster. Nothing else to say, but GET THE EFFING D-BACKS OUT OF THE PUNT RETURN DUTIES. How many times do they have to screw it up - put Goodwin or Monroe back there. Period.
We've got one shot and one shot only next weekend - we own Nebraska in Lincoln and we're the only team who can say that. They know it and we know it. Last year in the Big 12, payback for past heartbreakers in Lincoln...doesn't look good for Texas, not at all. I'll have my prediction next week, but let's just say I'm not feeling good about it. Thankfully the Huskers took care of business - that would have been worse. When was the last time any Texas team was going into a game like this with two losses in the middle of the season, out of the Top 25 and going to take on a top ten team on the road? Friends it's been a long time - uncharted waters here.
The Rest of the Crazy Division
Of course let's start with the Longhorns. Before I get into a report card of sorts let me get one thing off my chest - and I'll preface this with I have had plenty of moments when I've thrown Greg Davis and even Mack Brown at times, under the bus. But not this time. I'm not saying they don't have their fair share of issues to sort out, but the bulk of the issues are with personnel. Stop blaming the coaches, stop saying "fire Greg Davis" and stop saying they can't recruit. They can and they've proved it year after year. Let me remind all of us of a couple of key points:
- In the last 5 years Texas has won a national title, played for another, and was one dropped INT away (likely) from playing for a third.
- In the last 10 years all they've done is win between 9 and 12 games a year....with the 9-win seasons being VERY rare. In that same time Texas was again one game away from playing for a national title (I'm referring to the Chris Simms show in the Big 12 title game against Colorado).
- Go look at how many starters or players getting significant playing time in the NFL today - it's unreal.
- Go back the past 10 years and look at where Texas' offenses have ranked nationally.
Now that we have a more rational mindset let's look at the facts.
Defense - The athletic skills are there, the football IQ isn't. The combination of countless stupid penalties that kept drives going coupled with a few lapses in defense was the crushing blow against the Sooners. This defense is grossly susceptible to mis-direction plays and counters. We'll see what Muschamp has up his sleeve this week, but containing that Nebraska offense (namely their QB) is going to be a huge challenge. We saw how well they did against UCLA....I'm just saying.
Offensively - Great play by DJ Monroe, doesn't mean he needs the ball every single play. He does however need the ball in better positions to get into the open field. Whittaker, Goodwin and Monroe need to be more focal points of the game, but you have to spread the ball out a bit for that. More importantly than that, they MUST throw the ball down the middle of the field....if nothing else just to keep the defense honest. Yes, I was frustrated with the offensive play calling, but when the players aren't executing the simplest of plays, why in the world would they be able to execute more complicated sets? More than anything the players need to step up and show some pride. Hasn't happened once this year. And finally, and this will only change with time, the game is moving 2 speeds too fast for Gilbert right now. Not dogging him and in fact I think he's been one of the better spots (at times). He's just young, but his decision making is painstakingly slow. The question is when will we see that next steps....we haven't yet and I'm betting it's not next weekend in Lincoln.
Special Teams - Complete and utter disaster. Nothing else to say, but GET THE EFFING D-BACKS OUT OF THE PUNT RETURN DUTIES. How many times do they have to screw it up - put Goodwin or Monroe back there. Period.
We've got one shot and one shot only next weekend - we own Nebraska in Lincoln and we're the only team who can say that. They know it and we know it. Last year in the Big 12, payback for past heartbreakers in Lincoln...doesn't look good for Texas, not at all. I'll have my prediction next week, but let's just say I'm not feeling good about it. Thankfully the Huskers took care of business - that would have been worse. When was the last time any Texas team was going into a game like this with two losses in the middle of the season, out of the Top 25 and going to take on a top ten team on the road? Friends it's been a long time - uncharted waters here.
The Rest of the Crazy Division
- Oh yeah, that Tech victory for Texas is looking real good right about now, huh? Put me firmly in the camp of Baylor this weekend in the Cotton Bowl. Bears by 10.
- I'm not saying this out of bitterness at all because the Sooners took care of business, but that is not an elite team right there - they definitely have some holes that can be exposed. I don't think they're getting out of this year unscathed. They'll likely take the South Division crown (again), but they've got a loss looming...guaranteed.
- One more note on Texas - I think the game at Kstate is almost as scary or scarier than the Nebraska game. Remember, they own us.
- Oklahoma State - I have no idea. They've made some great offensive plays and a whole bunch of bonehead plays.
- And finally, those dreaded Aggies - I've been saying all week that the Hogs will crush them and they very well may do it, but I woke up this morning with a feeling that the Aggies may shock the world and further solidify the point that no one outside of God himself can figure this team out. Jerrod Johnson - STOP TURNING THE BALL OVER!!! Seriously, you make some absolutely gorgeous throws and then you may some just ridiculous ones.
- I don't know who's going to win the Michigan/MSU game, but my theory is that the loser of this game starts a second-half-of-season implosion following this game. Both teams are recently notorious of this. I love Denard Robinson and I know Pryor is good, but what this kid is doing is just sick. At this rate, he'll absolutely destroy anything VY did stats wise. However, their defense is ridiculously bad. Mediocre offenses move the ball up and down the field on them with little to no resistance. MSU just has to keep scoring...and it won't be hard. I give slight edge to Spartans, but should be a hell of a game.
- Let me tell you why LSU fan probably should have hoped for a loss against the Vols - because Les Miles just may fall ass backwards into an extension and lucky wins aside, that's not going to be good for the long term. I warned Tiger fans when Miles was brought in - this is not the guy you want replacing Saban. Sure, he got his title, in the same fashion that Barry Switzer got his title with the Cowboys - come to find a cupboard stocked with the best the league has to offer and a proven system in place - just don't screw it up. Well, after that title what happened? Team has been in decline each year sense - even if not from record standpoint, from consistency and performance standpoint. How many games have they won like that this year? Like 2? I give Florida the edge today...only slightly, but they get it.
- South Carolina has a chance...just a small one, but they've got a chance.
- I think we pretty much know that we can categorize the college landscape like this: Elite teams are simply Ohio State, Alabama, Boise State and Oregon. Then you get into that next tier which is a bit larger and more ambiguous: Stanford, Wisconsin, TCU, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Auburn and LSU (ahem). Then the uber ambiguous "everyone else" - I won't try and name them, but you get the picture. Bottom line is right now, this is a 4-team race.
- Great article by Andy Staples this week on who would you rather hire: Les Miles or Mark Richt. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/andy_staples/10/08/mark-richt-les-miles/index.html
- Speaking of Mark Richt, let's talk Georgia. He's out after this year, no question and their next coach likely will be (in my opinion).....our very own Will Muschamp. I want this cat to stay, but I'm in no hurry to push out Mack. I think he's gone after this year - that's his alma matter and he can recruit down there with the best of them. Would be a bummer if it happened, but I'm not terribly concerned.
- If the Heisman truly is the best player award, it's really not even close. It's Robinson of Michigan and everyone else. He needs like 75 yards to eclipse 1000 for the season. Crazy.
- I want to believe FSU/Miami will be good and meaningful....I just hope for FSU's sake it doesn't come down to a kick at the end......that will inevitably sail wide right. Could be a great game - I just think Miami is a tad better. Jacory Harris.....he's a carbon copy of Jerrod Johnson - brilliant at times and just....I don't know other times.
- I think Stanford absolutely drums USC. The Trojans are a mess - although Oregon's onslaught in the second half last wee should prove to be quite enticing for the Trojans, but Hardbough will get that worked out. He's a better coach than Kiffin.
- Speaking of Stanford/USC - interesting little fact. The last time USC played Stanford (last year or the year before) the Trojans were favored by almost 40. Today, the Cardinal is favored by almost 10 (at least earlier this week). That's a 50-point swing over a year. Someone who has more time on their hands find out if that's a record.
- Game that could be a good one and certainly a trap game for Arizona is OSU vs Wildcats this weekend. This is the kind of game Stoops would have lost for sure the last few years. This is a new team and they're playing well, we'll see if they can remain focused. Could be a good watcher if you've got nothing else on.
- Don't have a lot this week, but Randy Moss to Minnesota? Childress just screwed his team for the next 3 years or so in building, but this could prove to be a big difference in turning things around - now you don't have to rush Sydney Rice back and when he is healthy, look out. This works for a couple of other reasons: Moss is in a contract year so he'll be on his best behavior. He'll be there this year and then I think he's gone. Good move for both teams.
- And on the flip side - don't criticize Belicheck on this. This has been his MO since he's been there and all they've done is won 3 super bowls, had a perfect 16-0 regular season and played for a second super bowl. I'd say he knows what he's doing.
- Finally dropped Andre 3000 in fantasy - I had to do something. Got Dez Bryant and Michael Vick (ahem....injured Mike Vick) in return. It can't get worse, I know that.
- Shocked that Steelers are 3-1 going into Big Ben time. Peter King had these guys winning it all this year and he may just be on to something. They look good.
- How about those St. Louis Rams? They look pretty good. They've already met expectations. I kind of hope Detroit beats them though - that team is much closer to vast improvement than not.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 1:00 PM
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