Season in Review

Well folks, it's been a long while, I know. Since we last spoke, lots has happened to say the least. Let's get reacquainted by reflecting on the....something....that was the Longhorn football season - and what we have to look forward to (seriously).

Desperate Times:
You can spin it anyway you want to but things are pretty desperate on the 40 acres, at least as it pertains to football. Mack's ego appears to be getting the best of him this time around and there's not another Colt or Vince on campus right now and I don't think there's one lurking. Prevailing rumors appear to be that this is his last hu-ra, but who knows what's going to happen. All I know is things ain't right and I'm not sure they've got the savvy or experience to do a significant leap. Mack's said for the last couple of years that 2013 is the target season where they expect to make a serious run. I'm not seeing it. Hope I'm wrong, but don't think I am.

Manny Diaz seems like a terrific person, smart, articulate, intelligent. But here's what I know - when you're paid that kind of money, you can't have the worst defensive season of any Texas team....ever.....and expect to keep your job. I understand they had injuries, but when you have top 5-8 recruiting classes year in and year out, your backups are good. We'll see what happens - lot of that defense comes back, but lose KV and Okafor (and others who may leave early). Not sure what they're going to do to curb that, but something hast to change - culture, play calling, practices, something.

Not losing a lot on offense either, but not really sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing outside of the running backs. I like the idea of Major having the team's respect and listen to him. That's not a bad thing at all. But at the end of the day, looks like this will be Mack's team for one more year and unless he either steps aside from day-to-day, or does a complete 180 re: his style, I can't say I'm overly optimistic for anything other than a similar season we had this year. By the way, they had no business winning that Alamo Bowl.

Spreading It Around:

• Just finished the Cotton Bowl - man, aggies shredded Oklahoma. What happened to the Sooners after halftime??? Manziel breaking bowl game records, winning heismans as a freshman? Crazy shit in College Station.
• One thing I'm most looking forward to is how Manziel does next year. He's losing 3 NFL lineman, Michael and Swope - that's a lot. Not taking anything away from his season, but that's tough to overcome. Will be interesting to see how many freshman get opportunities for serious playing time - quite a crop coming in. 
• By the way - here's a new rule I'm instituting: SEC fan can't start "claiming" A&M success until after 2 full years in conference. And conversely, Aggie fan can't "claim" SEC success for same amount of time. Same with any team in a new conference. 
• How about those Louisville Cardinals??? Charlie Strong keeps building that equity...
• I know it's moot, but looking back at these bowl games - my gosh this product has become diluted. There were some good match ups and some good (sometimes unexpected good) games, but man it sucks when you can easily create better games. But need to cut them in half. 
• I think Stanford is going to be the cream of the crop in the Pac 12 for next few years. That's a really good team. 
• Alex Okafor made himself a lot of money in that Alamo Bowl..
• Notre Dame....rrrriiiiiiight. 

 NFL:
I know you're sick of me saying it, but the NFL is soooo much better than college football. I mean, playoffs in the NFL is great. Anyway down to the final four, but let's look back a bit - and ahead to make some predictions...

• You have to like what you're seeing if you're a Seahawks fan. Who knows if they'll keep this going, but that's a good looking football team. They need a premier receiver and they're set. 
• Let me see if I get this straight: Jerry Jones makes mad claims to turn shit up on it's head in D-town, and his response is firing Rob Ryan and bringing in Monte Kiffin? Isn't he sure to come in and install the Tampa-2 out of a 4-3? Hasn't Dallas played a 3-4 for the past...a long time? I'm just not sure the personnel is there at the moment. Maybe I'm wrong. 
• I wish I could have felt the stench of relief in Atlanta last weekend....
• I'm usually the guy sticking up for Kubiak and I'll continue to - but he needs an AFC title game appearance next year, or it may be bust. Obviously a lot of variables that could come into play, but I give him a ton of credit for sticking to a plan, but they need to take the next step. Absolutely, positively must get depth at receiver. Nothing else matters. 
•  And how about that Ray Lewis....warrior. Pure and simple. 
• What a train wreck that Denver coaching was. So many things wrong. Lots of fingers going around Moore, Manning, Fox - all deserve blame. That was a tight team that never seemed to match intensity. 
• I'd love to see Baltimore (and Flacco) pull this out, but I just don't see it. As much as I hate it, i think it's going to be the Pats. 
• Give me San Francisco here..all day long. I would be surprised and supremely impressed if Atlanta wins this game. 

Monti Te'o:
Uhhh......I got nothing. I don't even know what to think about this whole thing. I'm sitting this one out for a bit.

Lance:
Yeah, I'm definitely going to be dedicating more time and energy on this one at a later date....here's a quick preview.
1. I've been saying this for years....you don't dominate in the dirtiest sport without being dirty.

2. If you're criticizing companies for pulling funding to Livestrong....you've lost you're f'ng mind.

....stay tuned. It'll be entertaining to say the least.

Have a great week folks. I'll have super bowl preview and the great Lance take of '13.