Like a Phoenix Rising from the Ashes
The Big 12 rises and begins it's journey to the top of the college football world....
Probably a little dramatic, and nothing is final (or terribly shocking), but TCU would give the conference big wigs "a little breathing room" if you know what I mean. Obviously this is a no-brainer - Big East is falling apart, and do you really want to fly to S. Florida, Pittsburgh, New York/New Jersey, etc., etc.? It's early, and I sure won't speculate as to what other moves may happen...so that's all I got to say about that.
A few thoughts on last week....just a few.
Let me preface my take with this: It's fair to say that this Texas team has pretty much exceeded my expectations up to this point in the season. There's a new/different energy that's very apparent (less so last week, but it's there). And the way the defense is flying around, there's a tremendous amount of upside for this team.....over the next 2-3 years.
With all of that said, this is a very young team (remember, 17 freshman who have never stepped foot on this field, in this game). Hanging in this game is going to require a toughness and discipline that quite frankly, we're not yet positive it's there....of course we're not positive it's not there either.
Let's be honest and fair - Texas does have a chance. It's not a big one, but they do have one and the one thing I'm excited about is to see just what they're coming with (I have to believe there's going to be some wrinkles). The opportunity is the run game - oh how I wish Malcolm Brown would explode and get some payback for what an Oklahoma freshman by the name of Adrian Peterson did to us so many years ago. This is probably the Sooners' weakest link. Plus, a solid running game will keep Landry Jones and company off the field.
I alluded to the dual QB system above, well logic would say I'm an idiot: combined, these guys are completing 70% of passes with no INTs. They don't have a ton of TDs (4 or 5 I think), but they aren't jeopardizing any games either. Still, they're going to face athletes and take hits like they haven't all year - not even close.
I said this team would take their lumps and I'm afraid this is going to be one. They could certainly shock most of us, and it's not impossible, but OU is a very, very good team. I hope to see Texas keep this close and grind late into the game....but if they aren't careful this could be a track meet. I think they'll play tough.
Oklahoma - 27
Texas - 16
Aggie Psyche:
Where is it? I gotta say, haven't seen one play of one game for the Red Raiders, but that's why I have Allen. Here's what I think: Tech doesn't have the horses to run with A&M, especially if they are spotting the Aggies 20 points. But let's be honest, the A&M head game is a question mark and no one can deny that. Jones Stadium is a tough place to play, no doubt about that, especially if you're wearing the maroon and white. But this ain't your run-of-the-mill Tech team (i.e. no more Mike Leach). I like Tubberville a lot, but he just doesn't have the same style.
But, Tech is still putting up points and yards with the best of them...they just always seem to do it in about 2.5 quarters. Which ironically is about how much time A&M needs to score about 25 points. On paper, this has a good chance to be a good, old shootout, but I'm just not feeling it.
It all hinges on how the Aggies are able to mentally prepare for this one. I think they win.
Aggies - 36
Tech - 24
NFL Notes:
Probably a little dramatic, and nothing is final (or terribly shocking), but TCU would give the conference big wigs "a little breathing room" if you know what I mean. Obviously this is a no-brainer - Big East is falling apart, and do you really want to fly to S. Florida, Pittsburgh, New York/New Jersey, etc., etc.? It's early, and I sure won't speculate as to what other moves may happen...so that's all I got to say about that.
A few thoughts on last week....just a few.
- I honestly walked away from that Iowa State game feeling more uneasy than I have all season - and that just sounds absurd, I know. It was the first game where they didn't come out and play as sharp as they had the previous week (maybe it was because they had a bye week). All in all a very...weird game. And is it me or did the thing last like 5 hours? Vs should not be covering football games. It's not their thing.
- I know it seems to be working for this team, but I'm not at all a fan of the 2-QB system. I know they're young and have their own strengths - and in a year like this (closest to "rebuilding" Texas has been in a LONG time), you can afford to do this to build experience and identify a clear starter. But, this won't last. It can't.
- People who I know who are much closer to all of this/know folks close to this have always said that by about the midway point through the season Ash would be the starter. Who knows...
- Weird how when Fozzy lines up behind center, the whole world knows what's coming and he still picks up 7-12 yards every freaking time.
- Run defense is worrisome....very worrisome.
- Kick coverage is a close second.
- Texas at 10/11? Huh.....flaw number 16 of the poll system we've got - other teams losing is a huge factor on your placement. And yes, I'll give my usual, broken-record comment on polls: there should be none of any kind until mid October.
- Hold on while I try and find that "shocked" look on news that Garrett Gilbert is transferring...Real quick, 3 potential landing spots: Ole Miss, Arizona, Houston
Let me preface my take with this: It's fair to say that this Texas team has pretty much exceeded my expectations up to this point in the season. There's a new/different energy that's very apparent (less so last week, but it's there). And the way the defense is flying around, there's a tremendous amount of upside for this team.....over the next 2-3 years.
With all of that said, this is a very young team (remember, 17 freshman who have never stepped foot on this field, in this game). Hanging in this game is going to require a toughness and discipline that quite frankly, we're not yet positive it's there....of course we're not positive it's not there either.
Let's be honest and fair - Texas does have a chance. It's not a big one, but they do have one and the one thing I'm excited about is to see just what they're coming with (I have to believe there's going to be some wrinkles). The opportunity is the run game - oh how I wish Malcolm Brown would explode and get some payback for what an Oklahoma freshman by the name of Adrian Peterson did to us so many years ago. This is probably the Sooners' weakest link. Plus, a solid running game will keep Landry Jones and company off the field.
I alluded to the dual QB system above, well logic would say I'm an idiot: combined, these guys are completing 70% of passes with no INTs. They don't have a ton of TDs (4 or 5 I think), but they aren't jeopardizing any games either. Still, they're going to face athletes and take hits like they haven't all year - not even close.
I said this team would take their lumps and I'm afraid this is going to be one. They could certainly shock most of us, and it's not impossible, but OU is a very, very good team. I hope to see Texas keep this close and grind late into the game....but if they aren't careful this could be a track meet. I think they'll play tough.
Oklahoma - 27
Texas - 16
Aggie Psyche:
Where is it? I gotta say, haven't seen one play of one game for the Red Raiders, but that's why I have Allen. Here's what I think: Tech doesn't have the horses to run with A&M, especially if they are spotting the Aggies 20 points. But let's be honest, the A&M head game is a question mark and no one can deny that. Jones Stadium is a tough place to play, no doubt about that, especially if you're wearing the maroon and white. But this ain't your run-of-the-mill Tech team (i.e. no more Mike Leach). I like Tubberville a lot, but he just doesn't have the same style.
But, Tech is still putting up points and yards with the best of them...they just always seem to do it in about 2.5 quarters. Which ironically is about how much time A&M needs to score about 25 points. On paper, this has a good chance to be a good, old shootout, but I'm just not feeling it.
It all hinges on how the Aggies are able to mentally prepare for this one. I think they win.
Aggies - 36
Tech - 24
NFL Notes:
- And how about that Tony Romo....he's like a cute, little Brett Favre, but without the Brett Favre.
- This Houston Texans team is looking pretty darn good. We'll see how it goes without Mr. Andre Johnson, but this just looks like a different team.
- Don't look now, but Eli Manning just may be having the best regular season of his career. This just in: there's still 75% of the season left to play.
- Dallas can't get rid of Martellus Bennett off their team fast enough - going on a limb here, but he's not there when next year's draft arrives.
- I'm rooting for the Lions - they could still collapse, but my gosh their confidence must be high. The way they're playing, 10 wins is not inconceivable.
- I hope Mike Tomlin is hitting the sense of urgency button in Pittsburgh - they're banged up, but they know how to win when they need to (and they need to).
- Love him or hate him, what Cam Newton is doing is quite remarkable.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 9:18 PM
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