The Winds of Change
Finally blowing across the 40 acres. Albeit subtle, wheels are in motion. Something exciting (I guess) to look forward to. I won't go into a gush fest over Deloss Dodds, mainly because of the negligence of the athletic department over the past 3-4 years, but I will say this: when you look at where this university was in the national sports arena when he got here, and look at it today, it's tough to deny the accomplishments. Say what you will about the seedy business of college athletics today (and I'm right there with you), but he has played by the rules (as far as we know) and has built an empire that rivals any in college sports. That stadium as it is today (and will be by 2015); the Longhorn Foundation; the facilities and resources - that's all, in large part, because of what Deloss Dodds did. So...let's accept that for a minute..........ok. Now I want his ass gone - change and growth are needed. Let's move on.
Now, I won't go into any sort of head coach speculation or validation of what we've heard, read or both. But I will say this - of all the names I've heard floated out there, here's what I merely think:
Nick Saban - I'm not saying he's coming, nor am I as a fan drooling over him. But I will say these few points:
a) He's an ego maniac and you can't trust a thing he says. We know this.
b) He's had instances of "boredom"
c) If he were to come to the University of Texas, he would have them seriously relevant within 2 seasons...tops. And he knows that.
d) Tuscaloosa ain't Austin
e) Bringing LSU back into stature; building a dynasty at Alabama - imagine if he were to come to Texas and win 2 national titles over 4-5 years. Go back and add that to the end of that list above and tell me it wouldn't appeal to an ego maniac. The recruiting; the history; the money; the lifestyle. It's a lot of intrigue for someone like Saban.
f) Texas money men loooooove getting "face time" with the coach....Saban hates that shit.
g) Texas haters hate hearing this...but it's true, like it or not.....it's f'ng Texas.
Again, I'm not saying he's coming and nor do I necessarily think it's a good fit, other than to have someone come in, let him be him, and watch the wins roll in. ESPN would love it...I give it a 50/50 chance to be honest.
Will Muschamp - I think he's probably more likely. Tough road in Gainesville, cleaning up a mess of sorts. He brings great attitude, fire, personality, and I think after spending time in Austin, and then going to Gainesville, he'd like to be back in Austin. I'm just saying. Remember, he was the guy the really wanted to take over from Mack....
Charlie Strong - Took a basketball school and turned them into a damn-good football program. We'll see what happens after their start QB leaves, but that's a good looking team. He's got good coordinator roots as well.
That's what I got - my money is on one of those 3. Now on to football...
Just Another Thursday Night in Ames...
How is that not a country song? Let's first briefly touch on the KSU game. Let's be honest, the Wildcats are way down. Even with the Purple Wizard doing his thing to get them playing hard, they just lost way too much talent and playing time after last year. With that said, it was still a MUCH needed and a confidence booster....especially it being Kansas State, who has owned them the last several years. The defense was playing tough, offensive line was much improved, and the running game was great. I hate to say this, but they were 200% better than the past 2 games.
Here are a few thoughts heading into this week's match up with the Cyclones...
Now, I won't go into any sort of head coach speculation or validation of what we've heard, read or both. But I will say this - of all the names I've heard floated out there, here's what I merely think:
Nick Saban - I'm not saying he's coming, nor am I as a fan drooling over him. But I will say these few points:
a) He's an ego maniac and you can't trust a thing he says. We know this.
b) He's had instances of "boredom"
c) If he were to come to the University of Texas, he would have them seriously relevant within 2 seasons...tops. And he knows that.
d) Tuscaloosa ain't Austin
e) Bringing LSU back into stature; building a dynasty at Alabama - imagine if he were to come to Texas and win 2 national titles over 4-5 years. Go back and add that to the end of that list above and tell me it wouldn't appeal to an ego maniac. The recruiting; the history; the money; the lifestyle. It's a lot of intrigue for someone like Saban.
f) Texas money men loooooove getting "face time" with the coach....Saban hates that shit.
g) Texas haters hate hearing this...but it's true, like it or not.....it's f'ng Texas.
Again, I'm not saying he's coming and nor do I necessarily think it's a good fit, other than to have someone come in, let him be him, and watch the wins roll in. ESPN would love it...I give it a 50/50 chance to be honest.
Will Muschamp - I think he's probably more likely. Tough road in Gainesville, cleaning up a mess of sorts. He brings great attitude, fire, personality, and I think after spending time in Austin, and then going to Gainesville, he'd like to be back in Austin. I'm just saying. Remember, he was the guy the really wanted to take over from Mack....
Charlie Strong - Took a basketball school and turned them into a damn-good football program. We'll see what happens after their start QB leaves, but that's a good looking team. He's got good coordinator roots as well.
That's what I got - my money is on one of those 3. Now on to football...
Just Another Thursday Night in Ames...
How is that not a country song? Let's first briefly touch on the KSU game. Let's be honest, the Wildcats are way down. Even with the Purple Wizard doing his thing to get them playing hard, they just lost way too much talent and playing time after last year. With that said, it was still a MUCH needed and a confidence booster....especially it being Kansas State, who has owned them the last several years. The defense was playing tough, offensive line was much improved, and the running game was great. I hate to say this, but they were 200% better than the past 2 games.
Here are a few thoughts heading into this week's match up with the Cyclones...
- It's a Thursday and it's not Thanksgiving....that makes me a tad nervous.
- ISU playing their second straight Thursday night game. Does it mean anything? Probably not...
- In all honesty, the Cyclones are way down this year (story of most Big 12 teams) - should be another confidence boosting, "work-out-the-kinks" game for the Longhorns.
- Main thing I learned in KSU game was if you give Jonathan Gray the ball 20-25 times a game, he will exceed 100 yards every time. As deep as we are at the running back position, let's please let Gray be our workhorse. He's craving it and he's durable.
- I'm hearing that Swoopes has been getting significant snaps and is listed as the second stringer behind McCoy. Here are my thoughts on Swoopes: what in the hell does Mack have to lose? Case McCoy cannot get Texas to a point of significance in the Big 12, God forbid we talk about winning the conference title. Hopefully they ease him in and then let him just go against OU, but we jump ahead of ourselves. Point is - Case ain't going to bring you what you need. And Swoopes may not either...but he may.
- I say all of this under the assumption that Ash's availability will be questionable and spotty in the coming weeks.
- I'm cautiously optimistic about seeing this defense with another 2 weeks to work with Robinson - I like what I saw against the Wildcats.
- I'm taking Texas 34-17.
- LSU going to Mississippi State - that's a tough game to follow that battle last Saturday.
- Washington has played some good teams and they are a great story - I don't see them beating Stanford. Not one bit.
- As much as the media wants the Aggies and Ole Miss game to be good, I don't see it happening. I do think the Rebels will put up points as the Aggie defense has been non-existent at more than a few points this season. But Ole Miss ain't stopping that offense. Ever. Aggies by 17 points.
- Overnight the SEC turned into "we're the only conference that plays any defense", to a track meet that makes the Big 12 or Oregon raise an eyebrow. Amazing what a year makes.
- Could W. Virginia at Baylor be intriguing????
- Doubt it.
- Same question with TCU at OU.
- Same answer.
posted by The Bearden Wonder at 11:42 PM
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