Weekend Reactions

Quick hit reactions from this weekend's activities...

• Here we go. Yeah, so....so much for that great optimism around these Longhorns. THAT was quite disappointing there on Saturday. Was I shocked? No, but surprised that they didn't compete. And please save me the "youth" argument - I know, I get it, they're young. I was saying the exact same thing - youth equates to inexperience, but should have little to no affect on effort. This Texas team gave a pretty piss-poor effort. Guess what, a lot of teams have a lot of youth, but they still compete at a high level and there's no excuse for not competing. Oklahoma is a great football team and with all due respect to Bama and LSU, they are right up there with the best teams right now. Yes, Texas is young, inexperienced and got pushed around, but they are still a top 30-35 team and the Sooners completely dismantled them. Remember, the Sooners weren't favored by 40, they were favored by 10.
  
• Why I'm pissed. I was pretty cool throughout the game because my expectations were fairly low, but I've been stewing ever since the game ended. I'm pissed because when is Texas going to walk into this game and just stomp on Oklahoma's throats and kick their teeth in from start to finish? During the title run year with VY the Horns beat OU by 30. Other than that - it's been a 10 or less point affair with the only blowouts coming at the hands of the Sooners. Just once, I'd like to see Texas come out and play like they prepared to win by 30 - I want Mack to run up the score, I want to see their offense held to 3-and-outs all game long. When are we going to see that, huh? Makes me sick.
• Secondary. The one group I was bragging on was the most embarrassing aspect of the game. From the very first snap it was apparent that our D-backs were scared sh*tless of the Sooner receivers. Why do I say that you ask? They gave about a 10 yard cushion ON EVERY PASS PLAY. Stoops clearly saw something in the film room - as bad as our rush defense has been, he came out and threw the ball 50 times....and promptly propelled his QB up the charts on the always-premature heisman talks.
• Long Season. It's going to be a long-ass rest of the way for this Texas team. Starting next week where Okie State will probably do something similar. The only consolation is that the Cowboys aren't near as physical and the Sooners.
• Stop it. Can we just all agree that Ash is being prepped/groomed to be the guy? So just go with him already. I think a painful reality has set in with most Texas fans (at least the half-way rational ones) regarding this season - bowl game would be nice. That's it for expectations. So let's just put Ash in there and let him develop. Yes, I know, he made some ridiculously bad decisions in Saturday's game, but his upside is 1000% higher.
• Thank God. That's what Aggie fan is thinking today. Nice win - another loss and that would have pretty much mailed in the season so that was a good win to gut out. They're still alive and I guess they got some monkey off their back. Two things we know about the Aggies - they are truly a Big 12 school - high-flying offense and underwhelming defense. Look out, Baylor will score some points down in College Station next week. Should be another good one.
  
• Florida is all sorts of bad this year. Starting QB being out doesn't help, but my word they are a mess of a team. No sweat Muschamp, you saw that first hand last year too. Give a year or two.
  
• Don't look now, but Kansas State is a tough, tough football team. Absolutely nothing flashy at all, but they will grind and grind. Still plenty of time for them to fall apart, but I'm not seeing it.
  
• Who in the Big 10 is even close to being in Wisconsin's league? No one. That race won't be close. Save me the Michigan State and Penn State talk - the Badgers are the real deal.
  
• NFL thoughts. Tough loss for the Texans - I thought for sure they would pull that one out. Great last-minute drive until the last play. How money is Sebastian Janikowski?
• I wonder where the bottom is in Philly. Brutal day for Vick and company. Really brutal.
  
• Your Carolina Panthers ladies and gentlemen - the 1-4 team NO ONE wants to play. I've said this before, but how happy is Steve Smith that Newton is there.
  
• So just who is going to win that NFC East anyway? The Eagles? Cowboys? Let's not forget the Giants lost to the Seahawks today.....at home. Point is this is a wide open division, save for maybe Philly unless they have a massive turnaround (and stop turning the ball over).
  

Enjoy the week.