Last Chance...

To save the season for the Horns. I think by now most of the Longhorn faithful realizes that, at least compared with recent years, this season is more or less "over". I don't mean to imply that fans don't care - they most certainly do, but when you are perpetually a top 3-4 team (deserved or not), two straight losses is a hard pill to swallow.

But hark, on the horizon is one final opportunity to come up big. I promise you this - if the Longhorns stroll into Lincoln and steal another game from those Huskers in their home, we will soon forget the UCLAs and the Oklahomas of past weeks. Win this game and there's a new excitement and confidence with no pressure - because the Longhorns simply aren't contenders and will likely not sniff BCS bowl eligibility, so let's just go play and kick people's asses. Sounds good, right?

Let me preface all of this with this one thought - I can't see how anyone in their right minds can pick Texas to win this game based on what they've seen thus far from both teams. Can't happen. Nebraska has an offense that has seemed to materialize out of thin air during the off season and is now approaching unstoppable force mode. Their defensive line is certainly not what it was with Suh back there, but they're not pushovers and they have a seasoned secondary with NFL players all over it. Meanwhile, Texas has a ridiculously big, athletic, fast....and undisciplined defense. And offensively the Horns have.......11 guys. That's all I got.

But wait, this is Texas and you die-hard Longhorns are certainly still clinging to the "but....but" or, "if we can just....". OK, just for you, here's your shot...
1. Texas owns Nebraska. I know, it sounds silly to say this now, this year, but it's true. They do. I don't think Texas has ever lost in Lincoln and they've beaten them in 2 conference title games.

2. Nebraska is putting a tremendous amount of pressure on themselves. Make no mistake, Husker nation is making this a H-U-G-E game - it's their chance to get their final revenge on Texas as they step out the back door to the Big 10. It's no secret that Osbourne was none to pleased with the way the Big 12 shook out and (at least I think) he blamed Texas for a lot of that. Well, as Osbourne goes, so goes Lincoln, Nebraska - so this is a big one. But is it too big?

3. Texas doesn't need a stellar, high-flying offense to win this game. This defense is more than capable of winning this game for Texas. Now the faith that they'll step up is questionable, but they're good enough too. Remember last year's Big 12 title game? Nebraska's offense was as bad as our offense this year and they darn-near beat Texas. Texas fans - get this through your thick skulls - get off of Greg Davis' back because this offense is not going to flip any switches. They'll get a little bit better each week, but stop expecting it. Expect it from the defense and just hope the offense doesn't lose it.

Look, the Longhorns have things somewhat leaning in their favor leading up to this - Nebraska didn't slip up last week so they're not coming off of a loss; Texas has had two weeks to regroup and work a game plan; and the bulletin board material is ridiculous (thank you James Peters). This Texas team is quietly behind closed doors working hard (we pray) as the outside world keeps piling - pride game here. We'll see how they step up. Look for Nebraska to tighten up a bit and keep it more conservative than usual...but still pulling out a win.

Nebraska - 23
Texas - 17

Around the Nation...

• Remember when Kansas had that impressive bounce-back showing when they stomped Georgia Tech? Me neither. That's a bad football team right there.
  
• Here's a gem of a game for Big 12 faithful - Missouri at Texas A&M. The Aggies continue to boggle the mind. I thought they were going to beat the Hogs (that was such an ugly football game for both teams - looked like an August scrimmage). Missouri has a chance to keep pace the Huskers while the Aggies need to snap a two-game skid. It's in College Station and I think the Aggies will find a way to get back on the winning ways.
  
• I think Wisconsin is going to beat OSU this weekend - I don't know, I just think they will thereby further throwing a wrench into the rankings.
  
• "Boise State could never hold up to the rigors of a Big 12, Big 10 or SEC slate of games like these other teams" - still hearing this kind of stuff. Question - why would anyone automatically think they couldn't? Mark my words, the Broncos are going to the national title game. But they still won't get the love. Why is it that the bulk of college football fans think that outside of a few 10-15 teams, everyone else is "terrible"? I mean you have OSU, Florida, Alabama, USC, Oklahoma, Texas, Penn State, LSU, Oregon, etc., etc. - guess what, there are teams that are outside of that list (and we all know the list) that are good teams. My general rule of thumb (for what it's worth...not a lot) is that if you're playing teams in the top 45-50, that's pretty good. Just me. Remember, there are 120ish teams in Division 1 (or whatever the hell they call it today) football. 40th ranking is pretty good....subjective, but pretty good.
  
• Speaking of this mess - is there a team that's going to benefit more from the conference realignment next year than the Utah Utes? This team has been plagued with the Boise State effect (hell, they were plagued by it before BSU came up the ranks) for many years now and all of sudden, with one logo change, they're automatically "in the hunt"....simply by association. Is Utah going to be any better simply because they are in the Pac 10? Not immediately, but they'll sure as heck get the BCS Conference "benefit of the doubt". They have to be giddy - they can compete in that conference immediately. Here's what happened to Utah last week (and wont' happen in the Pac 10) - they threw 68 up on Iowa State (BCS school mind you)...and dropped in the polls. Awesome.
  
• Bet the over in the Tech/Oklahoma State game....not a lot of defense in that game. Sounds like Okie State may be without a few key receivers which doesn't bode well - but again, not a lot of defense so it may be fine. I don't know when the last time the Cowboys beat Tech, but if you can figure out this game you let me know. Either way, bet the over.
• Oh wait, Hooser has Tech figured out: http://www.fannation.com/blogs/post/747905?new=true
• Baylor, Tech, Aggies, Kansas State, Texas and Oklahoma State - someone please figure these teams out. Big 12 is a jumbled mess.
  
• Game of the weekend could very well be Auburn and Arkansas. Unlike past years, should be a shoot out (aren't these games usually like 12-9?) with these two QBs. Auburn has a shaky pass defense and Mallet is a future NFL quarterback. You do the math. Auburn has had some close calls this year and I the Hogs got that sloppy one out of their system last week. It's at Auburn which is huge, but I see the Hogs pulling an upset here thereby throwing an enormous wrench into the SEC standings - Hogs beat Auburn, who beat S. Carolina, who beat Alabama, who beat Arkansas. Good luck with all of that pollsters.
  
• Very tiny upset alert in Norman - Cyclones visit OU. Long shot, but Iowa State can put up some points.
  
• Here's something crazy - I think heard this correctly - Alabama plays 6 teams this year who are coming off of a bye week when they play them. That has to be an anomaly.
  
• Two things: Remember when I said last week that the loser of Michigan/Michigan State will begin a downward spiral? Michigan gets Iowa at home....very good defense. Look for the wheels to start coming off.
  

NFL Notes

• Congratulations to Colt McCoy, making his first start for Cleveland this weekend......in Pittsburgh....against the Steelers.....we'll make sure to have an ambulance ready for you, now get in there and show 'em what you got! Hope he does well. Tough way to make your introduction to the league.
  
• Guess who got his first win (by like 2 points) last weekend in Fantasy? That's right - the streak has started.
  
• I'm so intrigued about the train wreck that is Vikings vs Cowboys. How in the world do you touch this game if you're betting? It's in Minnesota I believe so have to give Vikings slight edge, but Favre is officially breaking down right in front of our eyes. Keep your eyes peeled for Jerry Jones' head to explode as the last second ticks away on another Cowboy loss. He's committed to not firing his coach mid season, but I think Wade will test that over these next few weeks.
  
• Come on now Texans, don't do this....
• Intriguing match up that I don't want to watch at all - Tampa at New Orleans. Both teams are not what they were last year and one of them has to be nervous.
  
• I'm not selling the Packers just yet in the NFC - this conference is wide open at this point and they have as good a shot as anyone. They'll bounce back, but they had two crushing losses this past week (injuries). Sounds like Finley may be out for the year.
  
• Is there a team playing a tougher schedule than the Ravens right now? At Pittsburgh, Denver, New England this weekend, Jets. I got Flacco in fantasy so I'm loving it...
• Quietly, the Tennessee Titans are putting a nice little run together - there's no attention because Chris Johnson is putting up 300 yards per game. But VY is efficient, not making mistakes and they just keep winning.
  
• Great game of the weekend - Philly at Atlanta. I picked up Vick and Dez Bryant in FF and both are hurt or questionable. I think the Eagles will need him to win this game.
  
• Oh, the Chargers are under .500 early - let me put my shocked face on. We've seen it - they'll be fine and likely win the division.
  

Baseball
I know I'm the last guy to be talking baseball, but have to get a few of my un-expert opinions in.

• I like the Rangers chances, BUT, here's what I don't like. This series could be over with Cliff Lee pitching just once. I know how the last series worked out and you had to have Lee out there, but that can't be a good feeling for Ron Washington. We'll find out just how good those other Rangers are. The only thing going against the Rangers is they have home-field advantage...which they don't seem to get is a good thing. Beware over-confident Rangers fans - say what you will about New York's deficiencies, this team knows how to win in the post season. Hope for a rusty CC with 8 days rest....
• I just think that with their pitching, Philly is running away with this whole thing.
• Again, not a huge fan and couldn't tell you who was in the World Series the past 3 years, but look at the pitching this year - a lot of super stars in this final four.
  

Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week
Ella woke up last night to go potty - walked into the bathroom, climbed up on the pot and started to tee tee and poo poo. But NO, the one final obstacle in the quest to go potty that can have a tendency to hamstring all of us - forgetting to remove one's underwear. Minor details...

In the history of time, has there ever been an instance when a handyman/general contractor actually a) told the truth, and b) completed something when they first said they would? What depths of history do I have to search to find when this has happened, if ever?

That's what I got gang - enjoy the week.