Nebraska vs. Texas

I’ll be in Dallas Saturday for the Big 12 Championship game and, no, I’m not taking the Cornhuskers lightly. Much like A&M had the best offense Texas has faced all year, this Nebraska group will have the best defensive front and best downhill running scheme. Texas running game, while much maligned this year, has actually done exactly what it has needed to do, provide quality carries when Colt needs help. The 4 headed monster at tailback has accounted for 1,315 yards this season while Colt has pitched in another 368.  Just shy of 1,700 yards rushing for a devout passing team isn’t bad, and they average 4.4 yards per carry to boot. When you consider all yards for the season, Texas has rushed for 1,967 yards and still 4.4 yards per carry. That is after sacks are taken out of college totals. Compare that to the 2 bell cow rushing programs in the conference, Oklahoma St. and Texas A&M at 2,301 and 2,285 respectively. Oddly enough, Ok. St. averaged 4.4 ypc and A&M 4.5.

Nebraska brings a feature tailback, Junior Roy Helu, Jr. Helu is a workhorse and does a good job of running between the tackles and can also bounce outside effectively. He’ll need all the help he can get from his offensive line as Texas has the conference’s and nation’s best rush defense.  Plano freshman Rex Burkhead logged big carries down the stretch last week against Colorado.

I look for both teams to play their own game early. Texas with the short passing game and Nebraska trying to establish the run. Nebraska is tested this year. They played Virginia Tech early on the road and most of their games against like opponents have been close and fairly low scoring. If Ndamukong Suh and Jared Crick can hold the middle and get pressure on Colt (they have combined for 29 tackles for loss and 15.5 sacks) then Nebraska will likely be in the game and have it fairly low scoring. Texas will look to shut down the run and force Zac Lee to beat them with his arm. I think Texas has the advantage here and will eventually be able to make more big plays.

Down the stretch they come…

No change at the top of the BCS standings. Florida, Alabama and Texas remain the top three and appear headed for a Big 12 vs. SEC championship game. TCU tries to hold off Cincinnati. The Bearcats have games against Illinois and top 10 Pittsburgh left while TCU has only New Mexico left that is at least coming off a win over Colorado State, but posts only a 1 – 10 record. 

Short turnaround week for Texas as  they travel to College Station to take on A&M. The Aggies became bowl eligible this week with a win over mistake prone Baylor.

Nebraska survives Kansas St. to win the North and the right to face Texas for the Big 12 championship. In the 13 years the Big 12 conference has come full circle, but upside down. In the inaugural Big 12 title game, it was a 7-4 Texas team that upset Nebraska, that appeared to be on the verge of a national championship. Now, with one game to play against Colorado, 8-3 Nebraska has a chance to return the favor.

Just when you thought Stanford was the best team in the PAC 10, they lose to Cal. Meanwhile, Oregon needed overtime to get by Arizona and set up a winner take all matchup with Oregon State for the PAC 10 title. I like the Ducks to win at home.

It’s Romo Time

The month of November is upon us and if you haven’t figured it out yet, Tony Romo rarely loses a game in November. His lone November loss as a starter was a 22-19 loss to the Redskins in 2006 in just his second start.

Kansas St. and Nebraska seem to have the inside track at the Big 12 North. My money is on Nebraska riding the win over OU to the title.

Oregon’s loss to Stanford last week was unexpected, but what was expected is that Jim Harbaugh is turning into a very good coach. Considering the struggles of Michigan this year, it makes you wondr how long before rumors begin of a coaching change.

TCU will host College GameDay in Ft. Worth this week and Amon Carter Stadium will actually be sold out! I’ve never had any bad feelings toward TCU and from a fan standpoint I wouldn’t mind seeing TCU show up on our schedule on a regular basis. Utah is their last test on their way to what appears to be an undefeated season and a BCS bowl game.

Speaking of non-BCS schools, can someone explain to me how the powers that be keep insisting the BCS works? Has anyone taken time to consider a what if? What if 2 of either Florida, Alabama and Texas end up with one loss and TCU makes the National Championship game over Cincinnati? Please start calling the BCS what it is, a 5 game money-making scheme designed to make sure that at least 6 schools from the anointed conferences get a big paycheck and by the way we couldn’t care less who plays who.

 

Texas Football now…and then

This week has been a great example of why the current Texas Longhorns are likable and inspire hope, while the early 2000’s version never lived up to the hype.

According to Mack Brown, the senior leadership is driving this team. Weekly slogans and dog tags that keep underclassmen focused has replaced…well…Roy Williams. I’ll admit it, I have long been a Roy Williams apologist. “Good” Roy is a physical specimen. He possesses all the tools and talent any elite wide receiver could ask for. But something is missing. UT named their leadership award after him and as has been pointed out by many in the local media, it is probably time for that to change. His recent comments that Tony Romo throws good passes to everyone but him is just another in a long line of “it’s not my fault” statements from Roy. Roy was a leader of his era, but his leadership led Texas to 4 straight losses to OU and consistent under achievement.

 Texas sells 86,000 season tickets and has helped Missouri and Oklahoma St. set attendance records each of the last 2 weeks. Deloss Dodds is right, Texas is the Joneses.

Why do teams that come to Austin to learn the spread offense from Greg Davis, end up being better than Texas at it? Oregon has exploded this season and seem to be able to run and throw consistently from the spread.

LSU vs. Alabama highlights the weekend slate. Alabama is coming off a bye week, much like Florida was going in to the LSU game. I’ll be interested to see if ESPN annoints this another classic SEC defensive masterpiece or just another display of poor offenses.