Holiday Bowl may be last shot for Texas' Akina

[j-6]

Texas defensive coordinator on thin ice after frustrating season


12:40 AM CST on Monday, December 24, 2007
By CHIP BROWN / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

AUSTIN – Texas coach Mack Brown was asked if co-defensive coordinator Duane Akina would be back calling plays next season.

The answer wasn't exactly an endorsement.

"What we'll do is – you constantly look at what you can do to re-evaluate and upgrade your program," Brown said.

The Texas coach in his 10th year went on to say he'll evaluate all of his coaches after Thursday's game against Arizona State in the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl.

Brown said he spent the last two weeks looking back over a season plagued by inconsistency, adding, "I've probably worked harder the last two weeks than I have my entire life."

It was a season that saw Texas need to recover onside kicks in the final minutes to secure victories against Arkansas State, Central Florida and Nebraska. Texas suffered the worst home loss in Brown's tenure in a 41-21 shocker against Kansas State, which finished 5-7. UT trailed TCU, 10-0, at halftime at home before winning, 34-13, and led only 17-10 at Baylor midway through the fourth quarter. There were also losses to rivals Oklahoma and Texas A&M.



Leadership concerns

Talent wasn't the issue, Brown said.

"People have talked about this team maybe not being as talented as the last two," Brown said. "This team was talented enough to win each week. Maybe they weren't as talented as all those guys in the NFL. Still doesn't matter. They were as talented as the guys we were playing against."

Brown said when a team doesn't play up to its talent, it's the coaches' fault.

"When we lose a game, I question my leadership, the staff's and then the players," Brown said. "And I question the players last because we're supposed to recruit and develop leaders. So any lack of leadership is on us."

Brown took a chance on promoting Akina to defensive play caller. He did it, in part, to stabilize the position after having Carl Reese, Greg Robinson and Gene Chizik all call plays on defense in a four-year span.

Outside of last year's 26-24 Alamo Bowl victory against Iowa, Akina had never called plays on defense before this year. His only play-calling experience was as offensive coordinator at Arizona from 1992-95.

Brown also trusted Akina's recommendation to hire Larry Mac Duff as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach before the season. Mac Duff worked as defensive coordinator at Arizona under Dick Tomey from 1987-96. Mac Duff and Akina, both of whom earned $300,000 this season, worked together at Arizona in 1996, with Mac Duff calling plays on defense and Akina serving as defensive backs coach.




Age gap

But whether it was substitution patterns that called for older players to start and younger players to rotate in or inability to make adjustments, the defense has given up a school-record 4,498 yards, including a school-record 3,306passing yards.

UT never generated a pass rush, posting 25 sacks, among the lowest in the country, and experienced one missed tackle after another.


"When we looked back at the regular season, we felt like we didn't have that great team chemistry like we had on our past teams," said junior defensive end Brian Orakpo. "The thing I noticed was the older guys not relating to the younger guys and not coming together as one.

"The older guys probably wanted to do too much or the younger guys wanted to do too much. That doesn't work in our defense when you have to be gap sound and do your assignment and trust the teammates on the field with you."

Much was made of the coaching staff's decision to start veteran linebackers Scott Derry, Rashad Bobino and Robert Killebrew, rather than start sophomores Rod Muckelroy, Jared Norton and Sergio Kindle of Woodrow Wilson.

At midseason, Akina made an impassioned case for continuing to start the veteran linebackers even though the younger players were making some big plays and appeared to have more athletic talent despite their inexperience.

"The older ones have spilled a lot of blood for this program. And I'm one that maybe believes they should still be playing," Akina said. "There's nothing on tape that says they should not. And yet the younger ones are playing well, too, and there's nothing on tape that says they should not be playing, either. That's why you see them rolling in and out."

And while most will look to the secondary for the reason Texas has given up so many pass yards, very few have been deep passes. Most of the damage has been done with catch-and-run plays at the linebacker level.



Breaking point

Brown said his patience expired after a 38-30 loss at A&M.

"A&M was unacceptable because they came out and did something totally different than they did all year and we didn't handle it well," Brown said.

Asked after the A&M game how his defense performed this season, Akina said, "I thought it was inconsistent. The inconsistency has probably been the biggest thing with our team this year and for sure our defense."

Akina couldn't explain why his players couldn't stop Oklahoma State for two and a half quarters, then completely shut down the Cowboys over the final quarter and a half in a come-from-behind victory.

"I wish I could say the calls changed," Akina said. "But the execution was just better."

Defensive tackle Frank Okam of Lake Highlands said watching film of the defense against TCU, when UT gave up just 251 yards, compared to giving up 533 against A&M, "was like watching two different defenses."

Brown could ask Akina to stay on as co-defensive coordinator, give up play-calling and go back to coaching the secondary, where Akina has turned out six current NFL players, including two Thorpe Award winners (Michael Huff and Aaron Ross). Akina has turned down jobs coaching defensive backs in the NFL with Baltimore, Cleveland and St. Louis since he's been at Texas.

If Brown demoted Akina, Brown might be inclined to let go of Mac Duff, who has the least history with the Texas program, and bring in someone else to call plays.

For now, Brown is not saying what he'll do. But Brown made a call to arms with his team's bowl practices – more hitting, 6 a.m. workouts and punishment served by the entire team for individual mistakes. It's clear he expects to see a lot of improvement on Thursday.


GIVING GROUND

While Texas is ranked 10th nationally in run defense (99.3 ypg), the Longhorns are giving ground in several other areas this season.

Here's a look:

Total yards allowed, 4,498 - Most in school history
Yards allowed per game, 374.8 - Most since 1997 (399.2)
Yards allowed per play, 5.2 - Most since 1998 (5.3)
Passing yards allowed, 3,306 - Most in school history
Passing yards per game, 275.5 - Most in school history
Turnovers forced, 22 - Fewest since 1998 (21)
First downs allowed, 249 - Most since 1996 (250)
Points per game allowed, 24.6 - Most since 1998 (29.6)

Pacific Life Holiday Bowl:
No. 17 Texas (9-3) vs. No. 12 Arizona State (10-2)
7 p.m. Thursday, San Diego (ESPN)

[samikeyp]

How about a replacement for Greg fucking Davis?

Someone needs to loosen the burnt orange purse strings and bring Major home.

[leemajors]

having akina stay on as coordinator would be unacceptable.

[j-6]

What's crazy is that UT still outgained their opponents by a thousand yards for the season (5544 on offense) with passing an issue on both sides of the ball. McCoy threw 18 picks (tied with the Baylor kid for most in the B12) and was sacked 22 times (most in B12).

[BeerIsGood!]

How about a replacement for Greg fucking Davis?

Someone needs to loosen the burnt orange purse strings and bring Major home.


Amen. Just get this game on thursday over and start looking for coordinators on both sides of the ball.

[StylisticS]

having akina stay on as coordinator would be unacceptable.

Exactly. Win or no win. He has to go.

[Vinny Del Negro]

akina must go. there is no discussion. that quote from mack is equally harsh as any other human saying fuck his family and may they all burn their genitals off in a vat of acid.

[samikeyp]

Amen. Just get this game on thursday over and start looking for coordinators on both sides of the ball.


Exactly. Win or no win. He has to go.


akina must go. there is no discussion. that quote from mack is equally harsh as any other human saying fuck his family and may they all burn their genitals off in a vat of acid.

QFT x 3.

[Cant_Be_Faded]

I think it is unfair to talk as if the problems with the UT Football team are all due to Akina. This team has many many deep problems.

It's not Akina's fault for the preseason arrests
the preseason and in-season injuries
Colt's arm strength being exposed as equivalent to a rating of 77 on NCAA
Colt being so scared of getting hit his overall play sucked
Offensive Line ineffectiveness
Entering yet another season with no viable second option at QB and not giving your young QB's enough PT to learn

all of these are bigger reason our season sucked than the defense alone. Don't get me wrong. I think our defense sucked incredibly hardcore. But it was still good enough to put us in a winning position in every single game. We had no business losing to a shit team like A&M. We made them look like football gods while their overall season performance indicates they are a complete shit underacheiving team.
If we protect our QB, make some good drives, we don't lose to KState or Aggg.

[Oscar DeLa]

I don't know what it is but his awareness and injury rating would be like 40 or 44

[johngateswhiteley]

...i don't know what it is.

ASU 500
t.u. 3

[RonMexico]

What's crazy is that UT still outgained their opponents by a thousand yards for the season (5544 on offense) with passing an issue on both sides of the ball. McCoy threw 18 picks (tied with the Baylor kid for most in the B12) and was sacked 22 times (most in B12).

Well, ASU has given up something like 40 sacks this year, so it would be even more pathetic if the Texas D got 0... and an instant firing would be in order.

[Ignignokt]

What's crazy is that UT still outgained their opponents by a thousand yards for the season (5544 on offense) with passing an issue on both sides of the ball. McCoy threw 18 picks (tied with the Baylor kid for most in the B12) and was sacked 22 times (most in B12).


You play a cupcake OOC schedule. Your rushing stats might be a little spiked.

[BeerIsGood!]

I think it is unfair to talk as if the problems with the UT Football team are all due to Akina. This team has many many deep problems.

It's not Akina's fault for the preseason arrests
the preseason and in-season injuries
Colt's arm strength being exposed as equivalent to a rating of 77 on NCAA
Colt being so scared of getting hit his overall play sucked
Offensive Line ineffectiveness
Entering yet another season with no viable second option at QB and not giving your young QB's enough PT to learn

all of these are bigger reason our season sucked than the defense alone. Don't get me wrong. I think our defense sucked incredibly hardcore. But it was still good enough to put us in a winning position in every single game. We had no business losing to a shit team like A&M. We made them look like football gods while their overall season performance indicates they are a complete shit underacheiving team.
If we protect our QB, make some good drives, we don't lose to KState or Aggg.

You're definitely right. I think it was poor coaching across the board coupled with a lax attitude from Mack all season long. Hopefully he realized it and the 6am workouts, increased hitting, and overall more intense attitude the article attributes to him are a sign of that for the future. Mack's not going anywhere, so the first thing that needs to happen is replacing Akina, McDuff, and definitely Davis. That's the start that is needed.

[BeerIsGood!]

You play a cupcake OOC schedule. Your rushing stats might be a little spiked.

What big time program doesn't?

[Ignignokt]

What big time program doesn't?

Auburn, Missouri, USC, OU at least scheduled an annual powerhouse in Miami eventhough Miami sucked, Colorado.

[j-6]

Auburn, Missouri, USC, OU at least scheduled an annual powerhouse in Miami eventhough Miami sucked, Colorado.

Auburn scheduled Tennessee Tech and NM State. Mizzou played Western Michigan and Illinois State (not to be confused with Illinois, who they also played). USC opened with Idaho. OU played UNT and Utah State.

I'm certainly not bragging about Texas beating the CUSA champ (UCF) in their house as opposed to SC going to 5-7 Nebraska. It's not like either program put this schedule together the week before the season started. For instance, there was a news story right before the Arkansas State game that UT and Ole Miss scheduled a home-and-home...starting in 2012. That's five seasons (including '07) in advance.

[BeerIsGood!]

Auburn, Missouri, USC, OU at least scheduled an annual powerhouse in Miami eventhough Miami sucked, Colorado.
I would shred your comment but j6 did a good job of it already. Every major program plays cupcakes because they all have big time games in conference that are very mentally and emotionally draining.

[mookie2001]

one could look at the game logs and see that the big rushing games were conference games

[mookie2001]

now that scott derry, killebrew and marcus griffin are gone, the dc next year is going to look like venebels

[Ignignokt]

I would shred your comment but j6 did a good job of it already. Every major program plays cupcakes because they all have big time games in conference that are very mentally and emotionally draining.


J6 lust mentioned the facts that suited his argument, but left out the others that neglect his argument.

Auburn- played a dangerous K state and S Florida at the begining. Don't know why J6 would leave that out.

Colorado- and up and coming traditionaly a top 25 program always has one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Arizona St, and Florida St was an 07 OOC feature.

Virginia Tech- Played LSU.

Oregon - played Michigan.

Tenessee- played Califas.


Even looking at the aggies, they played the best two teams of the north and UT managed to not play both Missouri and Kansas.

UT could theoretically have a 7-5 season had they had the aggies scheduling.




All teams do play cupcakes, but they're out of conference schedule usually pulls in atleast one to two decent-good BCS conference opponent. Playing non bcs conference cupcakes is UT's thing.

[Ignignokt]

one could look at the game logs and see that the big rushing games were conference games


Nebraska and Tech... LOllerz!!!

[Ignignokt]

Mizzou played illinois a BCS bowl contender.

[BeerIsGood!]

J6 lust mentioned the facts that suited his argument, but left out the others that neglect his argument.

Auburn- played a dangerous K state and S Florida at the begining. Don't know why J6 would leave that out.

Colorado- and up and coming traditionaly a top 25 program always has one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Arizona St, and Florida St was an 07 OOC feature.

Virginia Tech- Played LSU.

Oregon - played Michigan.

Tenessee- played Califas.


Even looking at the aggies, they played the best two teams of the north and UT managed to not play both Missouri and Kansas.

UT could theoretically have a 7-5 season had they had the aggies scheduling.




All teams do play cupcakes, but they're out of conference schedule usually pulls in atleast one to two decent-good BCS conference opponent. Playing non bcs conference cupcakes is UT's thing.

Did you even read his posts? Schedules are set a few years in advance, and nobody can say they saw Kansas and Missou as power teams back when the schedule set. Some could say those teams lucked out by not getting Texas. Also, Texas just got done with a home/home with Ohio St. and have scheduled others for the future. This year it was TCU, who had a down year but had been a big time program for the past few years, and was big time when the game was set.

Show me one national power team that didnt play a cupcake this year.

[Vinny Del Negro]

http://www.electric-bazar.net/blog/images/ploblog.jpg


Fight ON!!!

http://www.stanford.edu/group/squash/USC%20Logo.jpg
http://www.frontrowusa.com/img/event/tn/rose-bowl.gif

Does that say "TEXAS SWCKS" when you're not sucking in your gut?

[Ignignokt]

Did you even read his posts? Schedules are set a few years in advance, and nobody can say they saw Kansas and Missou as power teams back when the schedule set. Some could say those teams lucked out by not getting Texas. Also, Texas just got done with a home/home with Ohio St. and have scheduled others for the future. This year it was TCU, who had a down year but had been a big time program for the past few years, and was big time when the game was set.

Show me one national power team that didnt play a cupcake this year.


Did you even read my post?

I said everyteam schedules a creampuff. But UT has 3 creampuffs and a one trrick pony in TCU

[Ignignokt]

Hi, im UT and scheduling TCU was pretty brave considering we are loaded with 5 stars and TCU has 2A 1 and 2 star athletes.

[johngateswhiteley]

Did you even read my post?

I said everyteam schedules a creampuff. But UT has 3 creampuffs and a one trrick pony in TCU


lol, see what i've been dealing with? stupid t-sips.

[StylisticS]

Hi, im UT and scheduling TCU was pretty brave considering we are loaded with 5 stars and TCU has 2A 1 and 2 star athletes.

Not saying this is true. But it wouldn't surprise me if Texas was so ready to gear up for the immediate home and home with Ohio State that they simply did not concentrate on any opponents for the future. They had to run around and add teams at the last moment. That's why you don't see these teams on Texas schedule for 2008 to return a game. After the 2005 season, while teams already schedule opponents up to 2013, Texas didn't even know who they were going to play from 2007-2013 in OOC.

Shortly after 2005 Texas announced it's future schedules though.
Texas will play Arkansas in 2008-2009
Texas will play UCLA in 2010-2011
Texas will play Ole Miss in 2012-2013

I heard from one fan they tried to get Michigan but Michigan did not want to travel to the south in September. Don't know if that's actually true or not.

[Kermit]

lol, see what i've been dealing with? stupid t-sips.
:lol

Ultimate irony.

[johngateswhiteley]

:lol

Ultimate irony.

i have a purpose on this board, you t-sips actually believe your bullshit.

[Kermit]

i have a purpose on this board.

I guess, if being the board's tampon is a purpose.

[johngateswhiteley]

I guess, if being the board's tampon is a purpose.


:tu well, most of you are bitches.

[j-6]

J6 lust mentioned the facts that suited his argument, but left out the others that neglect his argument.

Auburn- played a dangerous K state and S Florida at the begining. Don't know why J6 would leave that out.

Colorado- and up and coming traditionaly a top 25 program always has one of the toughest schedules in the nation. Arizona St, and Florida St was an 07 OOC feature.

Virginia Tech- Played LSU.

Oregon - played Michigan.

Tenessee- played Califas.

Even looking at the aggies, they played the best two teams of the north and UT managed to not play both Missouri and Kansas.

UT could theoretically have a 7-5 season had they had the aggies scheduling.

All teams do play cupcakes, but they're out of conference schedule usually pulls in atleast one to two decent-good BCS conference opponent. Playing non bcs conference cupcakes is UT's thing.

Spare me the Aggie tough schedule bullshit.

Remember who they played in '06? The Citadel, LA-Lafayette, Army, and LA Tech. SMU and Texas State the year before.

There's a team playing for the national championship this season that scheduled out of conference games with Youngstown State, Akron, Washington, and Kent State. Made it to last year's title game. That same team scheduled Texas the two years before this one - is that a pussy program?

If UT's cupcakes were soft, fluffy, and easy to paste in the year of our lord 2007, so be it. They play Arkansas (in the Cotton Bowl against Mizzou this year) next season while the Ags play Miami (5-7 team that beat them this year) in 08. That looks like the toughest out of conference opponents for each school unless someone wants to defend New Mexico's program.

Every upper-echelon team schedules below their weight class a couple of times a season. Some can get away with more, some can get lucky, and some can get snakebit by an Appalachian State or a Monroe.

[Ignignokt]

Spare me the Aggie tough schedule bullshit.

Remember who they played in '06? The Citadel, LA-Lafayette, Army, and LA Tech. SMU and Texas State the year before.

There's a team playing for the national championship this season that scheduled out of conference games with Youngstown State, Akron, Washington, and Kent State. Made it to last year's title game. That same team scheduled Texas the two years before this one - is that a pussy program?

If UT's cupcakes were soft, fluffy, and easy to paste in the year of our lord 2007, so be it. They play Arkansas (in the Cotton Bowl against Mizzou this year) next season while the Ags play Miami (5-7 team that beat them this year) in 08. That looks like the toughest out of conference opponents for each school unless someone wants to defend New Mexico's program.

Every upper-echelon team schedules below their weight class a couple of times a season. Some can get away with more, some can get lucky, and some can get snakebit by an Appalachian State or a Monroe.


You're right j6, and that's why Ohio St. is so disrespected here, along with Kansas for having a pansy schedule. THe only difference is, that some year are the exception for some programs. But a hard OOC schedule for UT is always the exception.

[BeerIsGood!]

Did you even read my post?

I said everyteam schedules a creampuff. But UT has 3 creampuffs and a one trrick pony in TCU

So you admit that every program plays cupcakes but your argument is that UT plays more per year than every other team. Prove it. Go back over the last 10 years and compare the schedules to other big time programs and see if what you think you know is correct. I want every major D-1 football program compared to UT for a ten year period and UT better be dead last to prove your point.

[BeerIsGood!]

You're right j6, and that's why Ohio St. is so disrespected here, along with Kansas for having a pansy schedule. THe only difference is, that some year are the exception for some programs. But a hard OOC schedule for UT is always the exception.

Ohio St. disrespected? They're in the title game!

Whatever you or I say here doesn't amount to a sack of shit. They aren't disrespected.

[BeerIsGood!]

i have a purpose on this board, you t-sips actually believe your bullshit.

your purpose is to be a complete homer boy jackoff. You're a waste of flesh and should be exterminated.

[Ignignokt]

Ohio St. disrespected? They're in the title game!

Whatever you or I say here doesn't amount to a sack of shit. They aren't disrespected.


everyone outside the big 10 thinks they will get romped by LSU, and they were disrespected throughout the whole year. They just have one less loss against shitty teams, and they won their weak conference.

I know you're trying hard to spin your side to bump UT, but go back to austin talk sports radio and the statesman pre 2005, they were always bitching about UT's soft weak schedule. NT, Houston, Louisana Lafayete, Rice, yeah, those were a big of staple to UT as Waterloo Records, The Dobie Mall, and rich spoiled kids with mini luxury suvs.

Does UT have to be last to prove my point.... that's ridiculous.

But it'd be a laughingstock to suggest that UT is considered to be tough schedulers. USC, Cal, Oregon make it an issue to play respectable opponents. Oklahoma pulls of weak schedules, but they don't get chided as much becuase they consistently manage to use the talent they get in the most efficient way.

UT on the other hand, aside from that great year, manage to squander their talent.

[BeerIsGood!]

where's the proof? First you make a ridiculous claim then you don't bring info to back it up. Bring something to back up your claim or STFU.

[Ignignokt]

Will the Longhorns compute?



Points:
A Sports Column
By Bill Peterson
Football Review of Texas Editor
AUSTIN – Cheers could be heard all around the warehouse district Thursday night when Jeremy Ito kicked a 28-yard field goal on his second try, giving Rutgers a 28-25 win against BCS No. 3 Louisville.

The hometown Texas Longhorns, long ago left for dead in the national championship picture, suddenly returned to sunlight, needing only to win their next three games for voter blessing as a national title contender.

But it remains in question if that opportunity will present itself to the Longhorns. The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) computers, which rank teams holistically, continue to rank Texas well below the other contenders, and it's all tied to schedule strength. Don't blame the computers. They merely crunch numbers, a lot better than people do. That's why Texas is only No. 5 in the BCS
On the human front, the week began with Texas and Louisville in as close to a third-place tie as the numbers might allow in the Harris and USA Today polls – Louisville held a six-point lead for third (2,521-2,515) in the Harris poll and Texas held third by slightly more (1,397-1,382) in the coaches poll. Louisville's loss makes Texas the clear favorite to move into a solid No. 3 next week, provided the Longhorns win Saturday night against Kansas State.

This season, with Big Ten powers Ohio State and Michigan in the No. 1 and No. 2 poll positions, the place to be is No. 3. The Buckeyes and Wolverines play on Nov. 18. The loser will fall well below No. 3, despite intriguing guesses to the effect that Ohio State and Michigan are so far ahead of the pack that the loser won't fall below second. Even if the voters maintain the present top two, the computers will destroy the loser.

But the voters will look at the matter differently. They'll have to decide if the new No. 2 should be Texas, Florida or Auburn, assuming none loses in the next two weeks and remain top six in both polls. With Louisville's loss, they're all likely to be top five. Southern Cal, rated seventh in both polls, is too far back to jump all those other teams, as are all the teams beneath the Trojans. (The computers, which rank the Trojans seventh, might end up loving them. More on that later.)

At least two compelling reasons are likely to put the Longhorns in a strong No. 3 poll position, ready to move into No. 2 after the Ohio State-Michigan game. First, the Longhorns already are No. 3 in the coach’s poll and No. 4 in Harris, so they are the heir apparent, if not the reigning team. Second, Texas is a different and better operation than the 24-7 home field loser to Ohio State on Sept. 9.

On that date, Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, completely unknown and untested, simply couldn't riddle the Ohio State defense. McCoy actually played well enough, but not well enough to beat a No. 1 team. Now, McCoy is a much more established passer, setting the Texas record for touchdown passes in a season (27) and rising to consideration as a Heisman Trophy finalist,

Voters are likely to be intrigued by a Texas-Ohio State rematch for the national title. The story line is too attractive to ignore: The defending national champions, coming back with a new quarterback, fall short against this year's top-ranked team, but improve through the season behind an aspiring quarterback for a second chance at the team that held top ranking all year.

That story radiates national appeal, developed over the last two years. It resonates with casual fans. A Michigan-Florida game for the national title might match two very deserving teams, but it kind of comes from nowhere. Should Texas and Ohio State win out, then Texas-Ohio State is the game people will want. Florida might gripe, but not persuasively. Texas lost to the No. 1 team. Florida lost to Auburn, the No. 5 team. Case closed.

But the computers love Florida, California and Notre Dame, which are ranked fifth, fourth and sixth, respectively, in this week's computer composite. Texas ranks tenth. The polls both rank Florida, California ad Notre Dame sixth, ninth and eighth, respectively. Southern California is seventh in the computers and the polls.

So, here's the question for Texas: Can the Longhorns rise enough in the computers over the next month to augment their strong poll position and win another crack at the national title? Put differently: How do the Longhorns pass Florida, ranked No. 4 in the BCS?

And, here's the problem: The Texas schedule is weak, by computer reckoning, compared with the other contenders. Because computers implicitly measure strength of victory, strength of schedule is very important. Among the computer rankings in use that announce a schedule strength factor, the Longhorns rank no better than 35th in schedule strength and as low as 47th.

But the Longhorns have hope. They play Texas A&M the day after Thanksgiving, giving them a chance for a Top 25 win. A win in the Big XII Championship Game wouldn't be a huge feather in the Texas cap, but it wouldn't hurt. The Longhorns can rise, perhaps to seventh in the computer composites, more if other teams the computers regard more highly lose games in the final weeks.

Southern California plays upcoming games with California and Notre Dame. It's likely a couple of those teams will absorb losses, dropping them in the rankings. If USC wins both, then Cal and Notre Dame drop out of the picture, but the Trojans rise quickly. The best scenario for Texas probably is Notre Dame beating USC and USC beating Cal, because Notre Dame’s other remaining games against Air Force and Army aren’t that hot. If Cal beats Southern Cal, then the computers will campaign for putting Cal in the championship game

A few other results would work for Texas. Ohio State must keep winning, especially against Michigan, lest the Longhorns' loss to Ohio State should become more damaging. Arkansas can help Texas by advancing to the Southeastern Conference Championship Game and beating Florida. If Tennessee beats Auburn this weekend, so much the better for Texas.

In the end, we're likely to see a scrum between Texas, Southern California and Florida for the chance to play the Ohio State-Michigan winner in the National Championship Game. Keep in mind that each poll counts for one-third, with the computer aggregations counting for the other third. That means Texas is two-thirds of the way there if it maintains its poll position.

But the computers are in the way, and the best hope for Texas is that the teams on the field make the computers change their minds, as it were.


here's an article about the longhorns inability to get respect despite a good showing because of strenght of schedule.

[Ignignokt]

let me see...

OOC opponents for 2001

NEw Mexcio state
North Carolina
Houston :lmao

2002
North Texas
North Carolina... showdown with Macks old school..inspiring!!!<sarcasm>
Houston.
Tulane.. got to beat Oklahoma's little sister if we can't beat them. GET ER DUN!!!!

2003
New Mexico State
Arkansas... good.
Toolane. weak
Rice... If you're going to play rice, might as well just play two decent teams instead of a decent SEC opponent and a shitty team.

2004.
NT
arky
Rice.
Spare me.

2005.
Good!!

2006
weak
1 good ohio st, 3 shitty ooc your best opponent being Tech and Oklahomo.

2007
Bwahahahahah!! atleast your not kansas.

[BeerIsGood!]

You're not showing me anything. I've said all along that every major program plays quite a few cupcakes, and you're the one saying that Texas differs from every other major program by playing more cupcakes. Show me the proof. You've shown Texas' OOC schedules since 2001, which included a mix of cupcakes and solid to very good teams. Show me how that's different from every other major program. You're saying Texas plays more cupcakes, prove it.

[BeerIsGood!]

showing one article about strength of schedule doesnt prove anything. That's your entire schedule for one season, and you can't pick your conference games. You have to do much, much better than that to begin to come close to proving what you stated

[j-6]

You're right j6, and that's why Ohio St. is so disrespected here, along with Kansas for having a pansy schedule. THe only difference is, that some year are the exception for some programs. But a hard OOC schedule for UT is always the exception.

The other thing noone's mentioning is the financials. If UT can book Memorial solid for Arkansas State and Rice why even bother with a standard home and away contract? Hell, Rice came to town two straight years and are coming back to Austin in '08. Their reward? One home game in Houston to kick off the '10 season, and then they'll play at Memorial again in '11. That's a win-win situation if Rice is after payouts and exposure.

[samikeyp]

2002
North Texas
North Carolina... showdown with Macks old school..inspiring!!!<sarcasm>
Houston.
Tulane.. got to beat Oklahoma's little sister if we can't beat them. GET ER DUN!!!!

Tulane is Oklahoma's little sister?

[Ignignokt]

Tulane is Oklahoma's little sister?


damn! :lol i confused tulane w/ tulsa.

[Ignignokt]

You play a cupcake OOC schedule. Your rushing stats might be a little spiked.





So you admit that every program plays cupcakes but your argument is that UT plays more per year than every other team. Prove it. Go back over the last 10 years and compare the schedules to other big time programs and see if what you think you know is correct. I want every major D-1 football program compared to UT for a ten year period and UT better be dead last to prove your point.



I don't have to prove that UT plays the worst schedule next to Vanderbilt. My whole premise was that UT plays very weak OOC schedules.

i am not obliged to meet your criteria. It's not UT's fault they have no control over their conference games in a conference that is 3rd to 2nd best in the nation at times. Had it been up to UT, they'd probably schedule all the baylor iowa states, with some nebraska's and colorados thrown in for fun. But if you look at their OOC it's historically always been a joke.

Especially for their talent pool.


"....ugh we don't want to risk an injury by playing Kentucky and California, we'd rather run our schollie players over a bunch of walk ons."

Cal, Tennesee, VT, Nebraska, all traditional powerhouses and even USC have balls to pick worthy opponents.

And for all the UT bashing of USC's overratedness, USC plays the schedule fit for it's talent roster. UT has a top 5 talent roster and avg's in the 35 to 40 range in strenght of schedule, not counting bowl games and Conference title games.

and i don't need to shut up, it's a free country much less, this isn't a UT forum. If you want to go to a more sheltered place to boost your ego go back to some jerkoff Whorn board.

[j-6]

I have a hard time bashing UT's schedule when they played Ohio State the last two years running, with each winning team winding up in the title game. And the Buckeyes played a weaker OOC sked this season than the Longhorns and are right back again.

There's merit to both sides of the argument because some teams need to play up to get recognition and others are looking for the best record they could muster. With no playoff in place and two BCS conferences without an on-the-field championship there's not really a right or wrong way to tweak your schedule.

[johngateswhiteley]

I don't have to prove that UT plays the worst schedule next to Vanderbilt. My whole premise was that UT plays very weak OOC schedules.

i am not obliged to meet your criteria. It's not UT's fault they have no control over their conference games in a conference that is 3rd to 2nd best in the nation at times. Had it been up to UT, they'd probably schedule all the baylor iowa states, with some nebraska's and colorados thrown in for fun. But if you look at their OOC it's historically always been a joke.

Especially for their talent pool.


"....ugh we don't want to risk an injury by playing Kentucky and California, we'd rather run our schollie players over a bunch of walk ons."

Cal, Tennesee, VT, Nebraska, all traditional powerhouses and even USC have balls to pick worthy opponents.

And for all the UT bashing of USC's overratedness, USC plays the schedule fit for it's talent roster. UT has a top 5 talent roster and avg's in the 35 to 40 range in strenght of schedule, not counting bowl games and Conference title games.

and i don't need to shut up, it's a free country much less, this isn't a UT forum. If you want to go to a more sheltered place to boost your ego go back to some jerkoff Whorn board.


logic doesn't work against t-sips.

[Ignignokt]

logic doesn't work against t-sips.

some like j6 can stand their ground, but most of them lose their cool and start insulting your grandma, and the academics at your school.

Just as bad as buff fans.

[leemajors]

logic doesn't work against t-sips.
logic hopes to make your acquaintance, someday.

[johngateswhiteley]

logic hopes to make your acquaintance, someday.

he's my best friend.

[johngateswhiteley]

some like j6 can stand their ground, but most of them lose their cool and start insulting your grandma, and the academics at your school.

Just as bad as buff fans.

thats actually true, though i was speaking generally. j-6 has always been pretty cool...as has sami.

[Mr Dio]

Spare me the Aggie tough schedule bullshit.

Remember who they played in '06? The Citadel, LA-Lafayette, Army, and LA Tech. SMU and Texas State the year before.





:lol :lol :lol

Damn, talk about being slapped in public & doing nothing about it.

[johngateswhiteley]

:lol :lol :lol

Damn, talk about being slapped in public & doing nothing about it.

except he's not and Aggie, nor was he discussing Texas A&M football.

....talk about missing the point.

[Mr Dio]

Lemme guess, the point of the most recent guff is how tough the faggies are & how no one else has a schedule that measures up? :lol :lol :lol

[johngateswhiteley]

Lemme guess, the point of the most recent guff is how tough the faggies are & how no one else has a schedule that measures up? :lol :lol :lol

you don't like to read...like most t-sips. nothings changed.

[BeerIsGood!]

I don't have to prove that UT plays the worst schedule next to Vanderbilt. My whole premise was that UT plays very weak OOC schedules.

i am not obliged to meet your criteria. It's not UT's fault they have no control over their conference games in a conference that is 3rd to 2nd best in the nation at times. Had it been up to UT, they'd probably schedule all the baylor iowa states, with some nebraska's and colorados thrown in for fun. But if you look at their OOC it's historically always been a joke.

Especially for their talent pool.


"....ugh we don't want to risk an injury by playing Kentucky and California, we'd rather run our schollie players over a bunch of walk ons."

Cal, Tennesee, VT, Nebraska, all traditional powerhouses and even USC have balls to pick worthy opponents.

And for all the UT bashing of USC's overratedness, USC plays the schedule fit for it's talent roster. UT has a top 5 talent roster and avg's in the 35 to 40 range in strenght of schedule, not counting bowl games and Conference title games.

and i don't need to shut up, it's a free country much less, this isn't a UT forum. If you want to go to a more sheltered place to boost your ego go back to some jerkoff Whorn board.

I don't give a fuck what you say, but if you're going to make statements like you have here at least have the info to back it up when called on it. You brought two things to this argument, jack and shit. If you're going to accuse a team of dodging opponents when they just finished a home/home with one of the top powers in football then you better bring a hell of a lot of valid information to support your stance. You brought one article and didn't bother to bring any non-conference schedules for other major powerhouses. When I call you on it you go off on some lame ass tangent about free countries and other random bullshit. I called you out, asked you to show proof of the bullshit that you were spouting, gave you over 12 hours to do it, and you brought jack and shit. Next time get your facts straight before spouting off.

[johngateswhiteley]

I don't give a fuck what you say, but if you're going to make statements like you have here at least have the info to back it up when called on it. You brought two things to this argument, jack and shit. If you're going to accuse a team of dodging opponents when they just finished a home/home with one of the top powers in football then you better bring a hell of a lot of valid information to support your stance. You brought one article and didn't bother to bring any non-conference schedules for other major powerhouses. When I call you on it you go off on some lame ass tangent about free countries and other random bullshit. I called you out, asked you to show proof of the bullshit that you were spouting, gave you over 12 hours to do it, and you brought jack and shit. Next time get your facts straight before spouting off.

tantrumsaregood,
...i can't believe how mad you get on here, lol, you're such a little girl. t.u. usually schedules cream puffs when their teams are very good...they just do. they'll have their exceptions here and there, and a lot of other teams do as well, but t.u. was a team that shouldn't. of course, none of that matters now as t.u. is slowly fading away...

[samikeyp]

For any fan of any major school to dig on other schools for scheduling weak teams is just stupid. Everyone does it. They shouldn't but they do. Texas, A&M, OU, tOSU, USC or any big time D-1 school should have the nad to mix in some tough competition. As a Horn fan, I was happy when they had the home and home with tOSU then they went back to Little Sisters of the Poor State. You get a playoff system in place then I think you will see better matchups in September because you won't have as much fear of an early season loss.

[Harry Callahan]

JohnGatesWilkesBootheAggie,

You spend a lot of time bashing THE University of Texas in this thread. You state that "T-Sips" are illogical and don't like to read. I've read through this thread and have a couple of questions for you.

Have you noticed that trainwreck of a program the great "Coach Fran" put out there the last five years?

I have another question for you. Is the A&M football program better off today than it was five years ago?

In is first press conference at A&M five years ago, the nasally voice football phenom coach Fran uttered these words in a sentence - "should have did" (I am not making that up). I knew then and there he would fit in well at College Station. He could neither speak proper English nor coach winning football. The '07 aggie team was loaded with 5th year seniors and still could not win a very weak Big 12 South.

By no means is U.T. football on top of the world at this moment. But at least a very recent National Championship trophy is in Austin - I will be dead and buried a long time before a NC trophy is won at texas a&m. I believe Mack Brown has the ability to make the correct moves with his coaching staff and bring in talented football players in the future.

If you watch games on Sunday, you'll notice a lot more former Texas players playing in the NFL than "former student" aggies players.

Here's another question for you.
Do you feel good about hiring a coach who has not set foot in a recruits house in over a decade? There's no doubt Mike Sherman is a better human being than DF, but I don't think being away from the college game that long is a good thing.

[samikeyp]

Mack Brown has the ability to make moves with his coaching staff but not the desire. Greg Davis needs to go.

[Ignignokt]

For any fan of any major school to dig on other schools for scheduling weak teams is just stupid. Everyone does it. They shouldn't but they do. Texas, A&M, OU, tOSU, USC or any big time D-1 school should have the nad to mix in some tough competition. As a Horn fan, I was happy when they had the home and home with tOSU then they went back to Little Sisters of the Poor State. You get a playoff system in place then I think you will see better matchups in September because you won't have as much fear of an early season loss.


Wrong, USC, Notre Dame, Cal, all those consistently have tough scheduling.

[samikeyp]

So USC, Notre Dame and Cal never schedule weak teams?

The entire ND schedule is not weak but it has cupcakes just like everyone else...the service academies and Stanford come to mind for ND. Then again, ND was so bad this year, they all looked good. :lol

Cal had La Tech and Colorado State, a combined 8-16. I do give Cal props for their home and home with Tennessee though.

SC had Nebraska (not what they once were) Idaho and ND, a combined 9-27. Yes, ND is a once a year rival and has had its moments. Nebraska may have been scheduled 10 years ago but probably not and Idaho?

You are trying to paint Texas as the only school that schedules these weak team and the fact is that they are not. Are some schools better than others? Absolutely but to imply that Texas is the only one or even one of the worse ones is wrong. You mentioned Kansas...much worse, as was K-State in the Snyder Era. A lot of Big 10 schools are horrible too. I stand by my point. Everyone does it...to varying degrees but everyone does it.

[BeerIsGood!]

tantrumsaregood,
...i can't believe how mad you get on here, lol, you're such a little girl. t.u. usually schedules cream puffs when their teams are very good...they just do. they'll have their exceptions here and there, and a lot of other teams do as well, but t.u. was a team that shouldn't. of course, none of that matters now as t.u. is slowly fading away...

Wow, you sure have no ability to spot anger. I'm just calling out the idiots who I am supposed to call out.

You, OTOH, have some sort of University of Texas penis envy as evidenced by every single post you've made in the last 2 years.

[Holt's Cat]

For any fan of any major school to dig on other schools for scheduling weak teams is just stupid. Everyone does it. They shouldn't but they do. Texas, A&M, OU, tOSU, USC or any big time D-1 school should have the nad to mix in some tough competition. As a Horn fan, I was happy when they had the home and home with tOSU then they went back to Little Sisters of the Poor State. You get a playoff system in place then I think you will see better matchups in September because you won't have as much fear of an early season loss.

Yeah. I'm glad A&M agreed to the series with Arkansas. One would think that more D1 programs would opt to schedule some tough non-conference opponents, especially with strength of schedule a factor in the BCS. Then again, Ohio State made it to the title game with a schedule of:

Youngstown State
Akron
at Washington
Northwestern
at Minnesota
No. 23 Purdue
Kent State
Michigan State
at No. 25 Penn State
No. 21 Wisconsin
Illinois
at No. 21 Michigan

They did schedule UDub (I'm guessing they agreed to that when the Huskies were much better), but ending up with 1 loss against that schedule is pretty weak for National Championship consideration, IMO.

I'd say they shouldn't be in it simply for playing Kent State in the middle of the season, then again, just about every Big 12 South team has their own Kent State on the schedule in the form of Baylor.

[johngateswhiteley]

So USC, Notre Dame and Cal never schedule weak teams?

The entire ND schedule is not weak but it has cupcakes just like everyone else...the service academies and Stanford come to mind for ND. Then again, ND was so bad this year, they all looked good. :lol

Cal had La Tech and Colorado State, a combined 8-16. I do give Cal props for their home and home with Tennessee though.

SC had Nebraska (not what they once were) Idaho and ND, a combined 9-27. Yes, ND is a once a year rival and has had its moments. Nebraska may have been scheduled 10 years ago but probably not and Idaho?

You are trying to paint Texas as the only school that schedules these weak team and the fact is that they are not. Are some schools better than others? Absolutely but to imply that Texas is the only one or even one of the worse ones is wrong. You mentioned Kansas...much worse, as was K-State in the Snyder Era. A lot of Big 10 schools are horrible too. I stand by my point. Everyone does it...to varying degrees but everyone does it.


who said never...don't assume sami.

[johngateswhiteley]

JohnGatesWilkesBootheAggie,

You spend a lot of time bashing THE University of Texas in this thread. You state that "T-Sips" are illogical and don't like to read. I've read through this thread and have a couple of questions for you.

Have you noticed that trainwreck of a program the great "Coach Fran" put out there the last five years?

I have another question for you. Is the A&M football program better off today than it was five years ago?

In is first press conference at A&M five years ago, the nasally voice football phenom coach Fran uttered these words in a sentence - "should have did" (I am not making that up). I knew then and there he would fit in well at College Station. He could neither speak proper English nor coach winning football. The '07 aggie team was loaded with 5th year seniors and still could not win a very weak Big 12 South.

By no means is U.T. football on top of the world at this moment. But at least a very recent National Championship trophy is in Austin - I will be dead and buried a long time before a NC trophy is won at texas a&m. I believe Mack Brown has the ability to make the correct moves with his coaching staff and bring in talented football players in the future.

If you watch games on Sunday, you'll notice a lot more former Texas players playing in the NFL than "former student" aggies players.

Here's another question for you.
Do you feel good about hiring a coach who has not set foot in a recruits house in over a decade? There's no doubt Mike Sherman is a better human being than DF, but I don't think being away from the college game that long is a good thing.


1. t.u. needs bashing
2. i noticed
3. hard to say, we have better athletes now vs. 5 years ago, but our teams haven't been as good...so with a new coach its tough to say
4. i wanted mike sherman last year, ask j-6, so i am happy right now

5. actually as of 2005, not sure right now (other than A&M has 32 current players), A&M had more players in the NFL than any other big 12 school. this whole talent disparity thing is myth. t.u. has had a little better talent, A&M has been completely mismanaged

...i would imagine A&M still leads the big 12 in NFL players, 2 years later.

[johngateswhiteley]

anyway....back to the game. starts in about an hour, and i am excited to watch it. the Pac-10 vs. the Big 12...of course i am going for the Pac-10 against anyone not named Texas A&M, let alone t.u.. but i do think it has the makings of a classic, should be a very close game.

ASU 34
t.u. 31

....go sun devils.

[johngateswhiteley]

Kirk is right, that play just saved the game for the sun devils....holy shit. but t.u. is playing great right now, absolutely killing the sun devils.

...truth be told, i thought t.u. would win this game by a touchdown, but i am of course going for ASU which factored into my prediction.

crazy...

[LaMarcus Bryant]

this fucking neocon's blunder is just the type of event to completely shift the momentum of a college football game.

This does not look good.

[violentkitten]

up 18 and you are freaking out about that play? um, ok.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Obviously wonderfuck did not watch the 5 plays after that one which indicated a total bloatation of momentum

plus if you remember
ive been convinced this season is cursed
and we lost to two of the shittiest big twelve teams around two seasons in a row

so HNaturally i'm pessimistic

[violentkitten]

eh, shut the fuck up and have a little faith in your team.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

i will never EVER have faith in a team that is led by this fucking neocon colt mccoy

I hope to god Sherrod Harris beats this fucker out for his job during the summer

seriously MB, JGW, I invite you all to disagree with me

Colt McCoy's injury rating on NCAA would be 45
his Awareness would be 60
and his arm strength would be 77 at best

[violentkitten]

you have a two score lead and theyve only been able to score one TD all game due to a little help from the refs. relax and pour yourself another. and dont let the big 12 lose a bowl game.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

I am with you on that one brah

If this game continues and we win, it'll be nice to see an overrated 19th ranked team roll over an 11th ranked team that was vying for pac10 supremacy with the smegma-laden trojans

[johngateswhiteley]

I am with you on that one brah

If this game continues and we win, it'll be nice to see an overrated 19th ranked team roll over an 11th ranked team that was vying for pac10 supremacy with the smegma-laden trojans

...lol, SC went into sun devil stadium and raped them, it has nothing to do with this game. aside from stanford, SC lost to oregon, who would be in the championship game if not for Dixon getting injured. furthermore, asu is playing like shit.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Colt McCoy has a natural aversion to passing the fucking ball to number 16 Jermichael Finley.

Are you kidding me people? This guy singlehandedly keeps us in the game against OU, with 120 yards receiving, and he has not had a single catch tonight!!!!!


My mind is boggled.....what is the cause of all this excellent pass rush, coverage, and defensive line play???

Is Arizona State this shitty? Weren't they BCS worthy during a stretch?
Or are we seeing UT live up to its potential?

*shrug*

[Budkin]

UT FTW!!!

[violentkitten]

have a little faith in your team.

[samikeyp]

who said never...don't assume sami.

I didn't say anyone did, I was asking a question.

[samikeyp]

Colt McCoy has a natural aversion to passing the fucking ball to number 16 Jermichael Finley.

No shit.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Every time we had a 3rd and 12+, colt looks to his route, then checks down to a running back, he's done this all season long



almost every time we are in this situation, the TE is open for a 6-10 yard pass

i dont get it
Jermichael Finley is probably pissed he didnt choose to play basketball and football at arizona

[violentkitten]

and of course the asu receiver is from sugarland.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

that guy has a larcenous heart

[samikeyp]

that guy has a larcenous heart

and good hands. :madrun

:)

[LaMarcus Bryant]

OMFGZERS that fucking neocon Chris Jesse who touched that ball while it was still live was Mack Brown's stepson!!!


No wonder he wasn't kicked off the sideline
No wonder mack gave him a friendly pat on the ass telling him good effort
no wonder

[samikeyp]

OMFGZERS that fucking neocon Chris Jesse who touched that ball while it was still live was Mack Brown's stepson!!!


No wonder he wasn't kicked off the sideline
No wonder mack gave him a friendly pat on the ass telling him good effort
no wonder

Hopefully it won't cost Texas.

[Mr Dio]

you don't like to read...like most t-sips. nothings changed.


:lol

This UT squad blowing away another OVERRATED pac-10 squad is HILARIOUS!!!!


Read the scoreboard....
:fro


My job is done, YET again.... :lol

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Hark
The Herald Dio Sings

[samikeyp]

Apparently Rudy Carpenter was talking shit to the Longhorn players all week.

Oops.

[johngateswhiteley]

Apparently Rudy Carpenter was talking shit to the Longhorn players all week.

Oops.

no kidding.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

It's funny because this team is the equivalent of Texas in the Pac 10

or in JGW's eyes, the equivalent of A&M






































Three in a row!

[BeerIsGood!]

I'll start off by reiterating that this was a meaningless game. No matter how badly Texas whipped the shit out of ASU, it still leads absolutely nowhere except a pat on the back and several rounds of beers before spring semester.

That said, boy do I wish this game could have led somewhere. I want to see how this team could do if they had to line up next Saturday against Oklahoma or LSU or Ohio St. Aside from the entire 2005 season this was the most satisfied I've been with a Texas football game. For the first time in 10 years Mack turned into Pop and rode those undisciplined kids into the ground and toughened them up. Got them pissed and fucking mean. They spent all week listening to that dumbass blowhard Carpenter run his mouth and they responded. All I hope is that this isn't just the one abberation of a game, the one time that Mack goes balls out ballistic and gets these kids rabid. I don't want to see happy go lucky Mack again come September. You've got the talent there, Mack, just whip them into rabid, mean, disciplined players from the get go and ride them through the season. You just got a team who was sleeping for the last four months to completely dominate a very good team, learn from that.

[BeerIsGood!]

Apparently Rudy Carpenter was talking shit to the Longhorn players all week.

Oops.


Seriously. Coaches should take some footage from this game and drill it into their players heads as proof that you keep your mouth shut leading up to the game. They fucked that kid up. I haven't seen Texas treat an opposing QB that badly since they nearly decapitated that poor Colorado kid in the 70-3 Big 12 title game massacre of '05. That scene late in the game where the kid was limping off the field holding his shoulder with his shirt all torn to shit and his head down was absolutely vicious.

[makedamnsure]

Forget about Mack's kid. It was really funny but I didn't think it'd cost us the game and it didn't.

This was a whole new Texas squad. For 3 quarters, we handled ASU very well. The 4th quarter was kinda mehhhh with Colt making some bad decisions and ASU getting some garbage time touchdowns but we needed this win for the final standings and to see the young talent we have.

John Chiles proves a point that we should've used him more. ASU didn't even know what to do when he got the ball. He gives us another dimension.

Jamaal Charles - let's hope he decides to stick around another year, but I think his decision lies on whether the RB coach stays as well.

[johngateswhiteley]

I'll start off by reiterating that this was a meaningless game. No matter how badly Texas whipped the shit out of ASU, it still leads absolutely nowhere except a pat on the back and several rounds of beers before spring semester.

That said, boy do I wish this game could have led somewhere. I want to see how this team could do if they had to line up next Saturday against Oklahoma or LSU or Ohio St. Aside from the entire 2005 season this was the most satisfied I've been with a Texas football game. For the first time in 10 years Mack turned into Pop and rode those undisciplined kids into the ground and toughened them up. Got them pissed and fucking mean. They spent all week listening to that dumbass blowhard Carpenter run his mouth and they responded. All I hope is that this isn't just the one abberation of a game, the one time that Mack goes balls out ballistic and gets these kids rabid. I don't want to see happy go lucky Mack again come September. You've got the talent there, Mack, just whip them into rabid, mean, disciplined players from the get go and ride them through the season. You just got a team who was sleeping for the last four months to completely dominate a very good team, learn from that.


the win means a lot for t.u., i can't believe how blind you are when it comes to this topic. so if this win means nothing...then why should t.u. even play games in a season they can't win a national championship...why even field a football team? they aren't going to win it next year, nor the year after, nor the year after that. should they put the football program on hiatus? since this win didn't mean anything, neither does any of the games leading up to it or the future wins in a season you don't win the title. am i wrong?


you're stupid.

[Vinny Del Negro]

the win means a lot for t.u., i can't believe how blind you are when it comes to this topic. so if this win means nothing...then why should t.u. even play games in a season they can't win a national championship...why even field a football team? they aren't going to win it next year, nor the year after, nor the year after that. should they put the football program on hiatus? since this win didn't mean anything, neither does any of the games leading up to it or the future wins in a season you don't win the title. am i wrong?


you're stupid.


Because for some teams, winning the bcs championship is a realistic possibility every season (before getting carved up by juco transfers at home). Falling short of this goal is somewhat of a disappointment. OTOH, we cranked out another 10 win season, which for a lot of programs is a big deal, but we've gotten a little spoiled by the last 7 seasons.

To compare, imagine the rush you got the first time you won the big 12, but now it isn't such a big deal that, oh wait bad example. Imagine the first time you didn't have a losing season, and how great it felt at first, but eventually you became numb to the accomplishment, and now you wanted something more, like a winning season AND a bowl win. Something like that.

He's just showing a little emotion, and asking our coaching staff to do the same throughout the entire year.

[j-6]

Speaking of artificial levels of expectations...

Before this season only six of the Big 12 teams had even played for the conference title (OU, UT, and A&M in the South plus Nebraska, K-State, and Colorado in the North) and each program listed has won it at least once. That's in twelve seasons of league operation and UT's title year was the first win since James Brown beat Nebraska and only their second overall.

The only team that is consistently winning this conference is OU, with five titles. Screw all this 'contending yearly for the national title every season' talk just because it happened once and came close a couple of others fairly recently.

It should still be the main priority for the Longhorns to win the Big 12 and let whatever happen happen from that point. Beating three or four cupcakes, handling OU, and running the rest of the conference table should be enough to merit consideration. When the team loses to K-State and A&M in consecutive years - let alone Oklahoma this one - they're not even on the right path.

[Vinny Del Negro]

Screw all this 'contending yearly for the national title every season' talk just because it happened once and came close a couple of others fairly recently.



You're not disappointed when UT is knocked out of contention for the mnc? It's not a realistic expectation to contend for it yearly, when you ALWAYS win 10 games. Are you fucking serious????

Happening once and coming close several times is a big fucking deal, considering the number of college programs.

I mean, I really can't tell if you're being sarcastic.

If not, I'd recommend a nice warm bath, with extra toasters.

[Holt's Cat]

You win it for the first time in 35 years and now you expect to win it every year? Maybe you should be the one hitting the kitchen for some appliances to join you in your bath.

[Vinny Del Negro]

You win it for the first time in 35 years and now you expect to win it every year? Maybe you should be the one hitting the kitchen for some appliances to join you in your bath.

If you don't expect to contend yearly, then you're fucking mediocre. That's it.

[Holt's Cat]

If you expect to win it every year you should get out more.

[j-6]

If you don't expect to contend yearly, then you're fucking mediocre. That's it.

Texas, despite seven straight years of ten win seasons, only has one conference title in two appearances in the Big 12 title game during that span, with two BCS game invites. You can't win the national title if you can't win your conference (that '03 OU squad doesn't count - only BCS at large team to ever make title game). The Longhorns haven't done that consistently enough at this point.

Does going Holiday, Cotton, Holiday, Rose, Rose, Alamo, and Holiday make a team a perennial contender?

[BeerIsGood!]

I don't think or expect Texas to win every year. Go read the Bowl Predictions thread if you want to see where I qualified my statement in this thread.

It is meaningless because it doesn't lead anywhere. It's just a consolation prize of pride, just like an end of regular season game between two teams with no hope for the playoffs. IMO, postseason play shouldn't include games with no chance to advance or go anywhere. I don't think UT should have won the title this year, I think they shouldn't have even been playing a game to begin with since they fucked up enough during the regular season to not earn the right to play postseason football. I'm just so sick of this bowl game bullshit and want to see this title decided on the field. Top 16 teams battle for one spot.

If you're going to comment on my statements at least go in the right direction. Saying I'm a homer fanboy that expects his team to win the title every season is stupid seeing how I've been slamming this team for having no balls and have been slamming this bowl system on here for months. JGW is just too stupid to put 2 & 2 together and figure that out.

[Holt's Cat]

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/txsurfer81/l_feadd904325e7769b8fd8f63803bc694.jpg

[Vinny Del Negro]

If you expect to win it every year you should get out more.

Not only do you put words in my mouth, but this makes no fucking sense. I'm never responding to you again.





As for the other points, I obviously don't realistically expect to win every year. However, competing for the national title is the goal, and when we fall short of that goal, it's a disappointment. Any top program should feel the same way. j-6, yes we are a perennial contender, as a team that wins 10 games yearly, our talent pool is top tier. Therefore we should expect to be in the picture every season, and when we get knocked out, I'm pissed.

I'm simply arguing that a school with our performance this decade, we should set the mnc as the ultimate goal every year.


You have to raise your expectations beyond what you're used to (referring to your bowl list) in order to progress. This was the entire point of my original reply. :downspin:

[Holt's Cat]

I'm never responding to you again.


:cry

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r5/txsurfer81/l_bf770fd8ac806fe940821f2d70df918e.jpg

Come on man, be strong.

[Whisky Dog]

That was a good game by Texas. Does anyone think that this defensive performance will save Akina's job, or is he gone regardless?

[samikeyp]

I think it will save him...sadly 52 points will keep Greg Davis in Austin as well.

[Whisky Dog]

One thing I noticed is that an offensive line consisting of 3 sophmores, one junior, and one freshman played a damn good game. I was surprised that Texas' offensive line was very good while ASU's offensive line got run over. I knew they gave up a lot of sacks, but a lot of that is Carpenter being too stupid to either break the pocket or throw the ball away. What I didn't expect was for ASU to have negative rushing yards until garbage time. Talk about getting dominated at the point of attack. That Texas defensive line allowed Akina to go to some delayed blitzes and corner blitzes to really hammer Carpenter.

[2centsworth]

I don't see how giving up 34 points is a positive for any D coordinator.

The defense is poorly coached.

[Whisky Dog]

I don't see how giving up 34 points is a positive for any D coordinator.

The defense is poorly coached.

7 points were a free gift from the refs and 14 came in garbage time when the game was over.

[johngateswhiteley]

I don't think or expect Texas to win every year. Go read the Bowl Predictions thread if you want to see where I qualified my statement in this thread.

It is meaningless because it doesn't lead anywhere. It's just a consolation prize of pride, just like an end of regular season game between two teams with no hope for the playoffs. IMO, postseason play shouldn't include games with no chance to advance or go anywhere. I don't think UT should have won the title this year, I think they shouldn't have even been playing a game to begin with since they fucked up enough during the regular season to not earn the right to play postseason football. I'm just so sick of this bowl game bullshit and want to see this title decided on the field. Top 16 teams battle for one spot.

If you're going to comment on my statements at least go in the right direction. Saying I'm a homer fanboy that expects his team to win the title every season is stupid seeing how I've been slamming this team for having no balls and have been slamming this bowl system on here for months. JGW is just too stupid to put 2 & 2 together and figure that out.

no....i think your current disposition on anything but the national championship bowl game is foolish. and it is. the other bowls, most of them, mean a whole hell of a lot.

t.u.'s win over ASU helps recruiting, confidence, momentum into next year, the coaching staff, and means more money to the program. its a no brainer, and i cannot believe you don't see that, perhaps you refuse to.

...sit the team next year, cause they aren't winning the title.

[Ignignokt]

UT with their wealth of five and fours stars just managed to beat a team with above average recruiting. And yet some of the longhorns act as if they've defeated Goliath.


Man, UT fans have persecution complexes.

[makedamnsure]

Akina might just stick to the DBs and have someone else come in to run the whole defense.

GD needs to go though...

[LaMarcus Bryant]

MB do you seriously think if you add up the gayness of all longhorn and aggie pictures, on the entire internets, that the longhorn pictures would exceed the gayness of the aggie pictures?

give me a break
i LOL over the fact that you actually wasted precious time to look those up

[johngateswhiteley]

If you don't expect to contend yearly, then you're fucking mediocre. That's it.

incorrect.

[johngateswhiteley]

For 3 quarters, we handled ASU very well. The 4th quarter was kinda mehhhh with Colt making some bad decisions and ASU getting some garbage time touchdowns but we needed this win for the final standings and to see the young talent we have.


the 4th quarter was the most points t.u. scored in any quarter but the 1st, and t.u. also scored a TD with about 2 minutes left. ASU's back2back TD's near the end of the game were drives of 78 and 65 yards...nothing garbage about that.

if you want to call ASU's game play garbage?...i'm with you, they had 4 turnovers to t.u.'s 1. that being said, t.u. worked them.

[BeerIsGood!]

no....i think your current disposition on anything but the national championship bowl game is foolish. and it is. the other bowls, most of them, mean a whole hell of a lot.

t.u.'s win over ASU helps recruiting, confidence, momentum into next year, the coaching staff, and means more money to the program. its a no brainer, and i cannot believe you don't see that, perhaps you refuse to.

...sit the team next year, cause they aren't winning the title.
These bowl games mean some money and a bit of exposure, but that's a price you easily pay to be just like every other legitimate sport who crowns their champion on the field/court. There is no reason other than collective greed for there to be no playoff system. Saying these bowl games are meaningless is a bit of an exaggeration on my part, but in a way they are relatively meaningless compared to a postseason game that has advancement and a shot at the NC at stake.

UT has never won a basketball title, but that's not because they weren't given every opportunity to claim it. College football has tons of teams who have gotten shafted and didnt get the opportunity to claim the title.

[johngateswhiteley]

These bowl games mean some money and a bit of exposure, but that's a price you easily pay to be just like every other legitimate sport who crowns their champion on the field/court. There is no reason other than collective greed for there to be no playoff system. Saying these bowl games are meaningless is a bit of an exaggeration on my part, but in a way they are relatively meaningless compared to a postseason game that has advancement and a shot at the NC at stake.

UT has never won a basketball title, but that's not because they weren't given every opportunity to claim it. College football has tons of teams who have gotten shafted and didnt get the opportunity to claim the title.

thats your most logical response on the issue, although we disagree on the bowl's level of importance. so, will t.u. sit their guys next year?

[LaMarcus Bryant]

I just think its funny that the most dominant opponent that USC has to face in their grueling conference, the conference of champions, the Pac-10, barely managed to reach THIRTY RUSHING YARDS in their bowl game, against an overrated, tea-sip, t.u., university of texas that lost to a&m 38 - 30.
This is the powerhouse that USC barely managed to share a conference championship with.

Wow. Just....Wow.

[johngateswhiteley]

I just think its funny that the most dominant opponent that USC has to face in their grueling conference, the conference of champions, the Pac-10, barely managed to reach THIRTY RUSHING YARDS in their bowl game, against an overrated, tea-sip, t.u., university of texas that lost to a&m 38 - 30.
This is the powerhouse that USC barely managed to share a conference championship with.

Wow. Just....Wow.

i know your just trying to be annoying, but you're looking like a fool.

....Oregon w/Dennis Dixon.

[LaMarcus Bryant]

Thirty
Rushing
Yards
Arizona
State
conference
cochampion
Pac-10
conference of champions.

[johngateswhiteley]

Thirty
Rushing
Yards
Arizona
State
conference
cochampion
Pac-10
conference of champions.

starting RB has been out...whats your point. ASU had 4 turnovers, didn't play well, and t.u. played their best game of the season. t.u. won big...you should be happy about that instead of insisting on looking stupid.

[leemajors]

jgw, to quote the RZA - "Where the fuck's your logic?"

ASU got forced into 4 turnovers by a half baked defense with a lilliputian secondary because they fucking suck, and Dennis Erickson is their coach. USC shared a conference title with these scrubs. that's it.

[johngateswhiteley]

jgw, to quote the RZA - "Where the fuck's your logic?"

ASU got forced into 4 turnovers by a half baked defense with a lilliputian secondary because they fucking suck, and Dennis Erickson is their coach. USC shared a conference title with these scrubs. that's it.

of course you'll see it like that, i'd expect nothing less.

[2centsworth]

7 points were a free gift from the refs and 14 came in garbage time when the game was over.
nice spin, very UT like.

the gift from the refs was a 4th and 3 that resulted in another UT missed tackle for TD.

14 pts down the stretch made that game closer than it should have been at the time. If not for a missed call by the ref on the onside kick it sure looked like ASU was going to close the gap to one score.

[j-6]

On, and regarding scheduling, check out this rant from Pat Hill, Fresno's head coach.

The Idaho Statesman's Brian Murphy got Hill rolling on this issue this week in Boise. Hill's rant was so intense, it's worth examining and I fully credit these quotes to Murphy's interview.

Defending his macho attitude, Hill said, "First of all, we can't get any home-and-home games with Division I schools from the Mountain West. We can't get San Diego State. We can't get Utah. We can't get BYU or Wyoming or any of those people. Why? I don't know. They don't want to play home-and-away with us.

"We have a choice: We play I-AA schools at home or we play BCS schools on the road, top-level schools because the middle-of-the-road BCS schools don't want to play us.

"You get stuck with LSU and Oklahoma and (USC)," he told the Statesman.

"No matter what people want to say, those are the games everybody's pointing to. Everybody in our community. Everybody is looking forward to those games. They're not looking at some of the other games. It's sort of like opening all your presents on Christmas Eve, then on Christmas there's nothing left under the tree.

"More power to (BSU and Hawaii). I'm all for it. That's just not the path we have to go. We're not going to play a I-AA schedule. Now, if somebody wants to come in and play a I-AA schedule and that's what they want to do, then go hire a new coach."

"I'd love to play Utah home-and-home, BYU home-and-home, San Diego State. I'd love to play those games and then maybe one really top-notch BCS team. It doesn't work that way. I've had to explain this for nine years. Nobody gets it. Nobody's coming to Fresno.

"If you're Texas A&M and you can get anybody in the world to come in there and fill your stadium and make $4 million, why would you travel anywhere? They don't travel.

"None of the big boys are traveling anymore. None of them travel. When the NCAA said we're going to add a 12th game and I-AA games count, it ruined any chance of playing those games. All those guys play eight home games a year.

"We'll get there our way. You've got to go undefeated. We've got to beat everybody that's on our schedule. That's the only way you get to go. But there won't ever be any discussion if we ever go undefeated. They'll never be talk about lack of strength of schedule."

He continues with Murphy, "Next year (BSU) is going to Oregon. Is Oregon coming back here? We had a lot of teams that were supposed to come back that bought out. Texas Tech was supposed to come back. Oklahoma State was supposed to come back. Kansas was supposed to come. They all bought out.

"Hawaii's done it their way. Boise did it their way. We're trying to do it our way. We're going to play as tough a schedule as we can. ... We're going to play in the big venues and we're going to play the big teams and that's going to help us with recruiting and our job is to win.

"Maybe it would help us more in the WAC if we played a very soft non-league schedule. It might help us more in the WAC. It might help our confidence. I don't know. But that's not the direction we've chosen.

"I don't know who Boise is playing next year, but they had seven home games this year. Next year, we've got five home games. And we're going to have a good team. But we're only going to have five home games. Our road to the WAC championship is a little tougher than other people because of who we play and it effects us in the WAC, too.

Concluded Hill, "I just know we're better off playing the schedule we play right now. We have no other choice."


http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695239928,00.html

[Colt McCoy]

Aw shucks...As I've been sayin all year, I just wanted to give God all these fumbles. It's nice to be 2-0 in bowl games, I only wish my best friend Stephen McGee had the same luck.