One Under the Belt

The rust is off and we're out of the gate in this 2013 football season. This is going to seem like an odd deviation, but after a slow start (another one?) for the Horns, I'm actually quite optimistic looking ahead. Especially with the conference looking a little down. And I'm especially excited about the upcoming NFL season. But first, let's over-analyze the Texas scrimmage....

You could collectively hear every Texas fan in the world thinking "here we go again" in the early goings. The good news is they turned it on pretty quick (relatively speaking). Lot of positives, but still some concerns. Let's start with the concerns...
- I wish, wish, wish our secondary was more physical. They are killer athletes, but God forbid they have to take down a RB or Tight End one-on-one. They'll be great at breaking up passes and making the QB work for it, but ball carriers who get into the secondary have a good shot of going the distance.
- BYU will have some film to look at to see how NMSU was able to find open gaps in that zone coverage. I was going ape shit watching them dink and dunk in those open pockets.
- They can't run the ball when the defense stacks the box....so don't try. Do what you do well and embrace it. BYU will stack the box.
- Turnovers....turnovers.....turnovers. Can't let that happen. From here on out, can't let that happen.

Some positives...
- Man, there are some flat-out athletes on this team. Daje Johnson, Overstreet, Jonathan Gray, John Harris...they've got some offensive weapons. I hope Major can embrace his inner Oregon Ducks.
- Loved seeing Cedric Reed emerge as another force to be reckoned with on that defensive front. He was everywhere!
- I'm very optimistic about the next 3-5 games - great progression of tests and opponents. The stars are aligning for this team, we'll see if they can capitalize. A big "we'll see"...

Regardless of what we may have seen in Virginia last week (in a monsoon no less), BYU is a solid team with a great coach. They've averaged 10 wins over the last several years, and they know how to handle adversity. On top of that, they'll be playing hungry and borderline desperate. This will be a tough game and I would caution Texas fans to temper expectations. Sneaking out of Provo with a W would be a great step forward. I think Texas' talent simply overwhelms the Cougars.
Texas - 30
BYU - 21

What I liked about opening weekend...

• TCU and LSU - those looked like some pretty polished teams, relatively speaking. Great, great game by both teams. No one wants to play these guys...
• Clemson - looked like a team on a mission in that game. They took jab, after jab, after jab from Georgia and simply hung in there and took advantage of their opportunities. They looked like a championship team. 
• Jameis Winston - Yeah, that guys' going to be good. 

What I didn't like...

• I have to think your run-of-the-mill aggie fan has to be going crazy at Johnny Dipshit. Talk about a punk. I hope the "locker room" can temper him. He's too good to be pulling shit like this - very unfortunate....I still say he has zero career in the NFL. Zero. He's a phenomenal college player and fun to watch, and he'll get drafted, make a team, and then bomb. Write it down. 
• The Big 12 - I still contend over the last few years the Big 12 has been as deep, if not deeper than any conference. Certainly not looking good after a week of games - granted most of the teams are replacing key pieces across both sides of the ball (especially QB). Sidenote: As I've said, it sets up very nicely for Texas....if they can deliver. 
• Boise State - as someone who has argued in favor of the Broncos for many years and how they deserve to be considered amongst the top tier teams....that was no bueno. That is a tough loss for this team given their conference. All of a sudden, they have much less control over their BCS destiny. 

Moving on to the N.....F......L:
As always, more and more exited for the NFL the older I get. I love it. Absolutely love it. As I type this I'm watching the opener with Broncos/Ravens (nice sucker-punch by Mother Nature to hard-core football fans - "it's been 8 months, but let's wait just 40 more minutes"). I've got 3 fantasy players playing; I've got a bourbon and water; I'm about to hop on the Podcast; and NFL is on. I'm just going to brain dump for a little bit...

• To get this silliness out of the way - I'll take Denver vs. Atlanta in the Super Bowl. Denver wins. Whatever. 
• Let me remind readers, before I start dropping fantasy wisdom up in here, I'm going for the Three Peat in the Ghost of Al Davis fantasy league. So...you know....you might want to pay attention. 
•  I'm most proud of my Desean Jackson pick in the 10th round. I would argue that this may be the highest value pick in any draft. I'm just saying....
• Speaking of Desean Jackson and carrying Andre's Johnson to a 3-peat, how fun will the Eagles be this year? Sign me up to catch as many of those games as I can. It may be a dumpster fire at times, but man it'll be a fast-paced one. I hope the Chip Kelly thing works in the NFL. I'm not sold, but I'd like to see him succeed.
• Teams I'm most interested in seeing how they come out: Kansas City, Seattle, Dallas and Chicago. 
• Players I'm most interested in seeing: Cam Newton, Josh Freeman, Russell Wilson and RGIII
• Per my ridiculous prediction above - I just feel like this is a last hoo-rah for Peyton and this team as it exists. Still a little weak on D, but that will improve when Von Miller puts down the bong and gets back into action. I just feel like this is their moment. 
• I'm looking at the Packers, Falcons, Niners and Hawks as tier 1 candidates in the NFC. Those teams are as tight as I've seen. Should make for good theater come December. 
• For the AFC, give me Houston as the dark horse. And a lot of writers seem to be in love with Cincy, so why the hell not? That could be fun.
• Longhorn moment: I think Kenny Vacarro is going to have a huge year for New Orleans and really help that defense out. 

Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week:

• Syria.....(heavy sigh rubbing my hands over my head).... I got nothing....
• I'm proud to say I'm going on about a week (more?) and still haven't seen this alleged VMA awards show dance debacle between Hannah Montana and someone related to the Dad on Growing Pains. I like my chances of taking this streak all the way to the grave. 
• I can't believe I'm saying this, but Turbo, the animated snail movie, is really, really good. Funny (and smart funny at that). I dreaded it, but loved it. 
• Well, maybe a little sports (but it's tennis, soooo.....) - I love Federer, but it's time to hang it up bro. He's been great to watch, and has help kept me halfway interested over the last several years. But it's time...

That's all I got folks - take 'er easy and enjoy the weekend!