DanMcQ
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Post by DanMcQ on Sept 25, 2010 20:10:48 GMT -5
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rosslynhoya
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Post by rosslynhoya on Sept 25, 2010 22:05:33 GMT -5
Nor would I. However, that date is circled on the calendar of many longtime Texas fans as a revenge game. I'm sure you remember the debacle known as Rout 66, which led directly to the firing of John Mackovic: articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/14/sports/sp-32350The UCLA game is considered a potential problem by some Texas fans for two reasons: 1) it's sandwiched between the Texas Tech and Oklahoma games. Classic trap game, yada yada yada, BS BS BS. 2) The Texas offense, as I suggested above, may still be working out some of the kinks that come with tweaking the offense in Week 4. However, after watching the TV version of the Texas-Wyoming game on DVR this week, I'm convinced the 'Horns will put it together this week in Lubbock, then return to Austin to beat the Bruins by 20. Even if Texas is still low on the learning curve at that point in time, Neuheisel's crew looked flat against K-State, and worse against Stanford. No way UCLA heads home victorious this time. No way. Yep, I remember that game very well, and how astonished I was by the outcome. Revenge beats trap any day. I think your 20 point estimate is low. I think 30-40 is more likely. As a wise man once said, it's a trap.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 25, 2010 23:51:15 GMT -5
As a wise man once said, it's a trap. It's something very sloppy and embarrassing, but I'm still not sure it's a trap. Texas gave away the first half. UCLA had nothing without serious turnover assistance from the Longhorns. Then, in the second half, the 'Horns came out flat emotionally. This is something that has occasionally plagued Texas football under Mack Brown (think back-to-back losses against K-State in the post-Vince era), but something I hadn't seen over the past two years. It's extremely frustrating when your football team screws up, then lays down. I am hoping that part of today's "attitude" comes from the fact that a) Texas has a lot of young starters this season; and b) many veteran players have never experienced a tough game against an unranked opponent in their careers. Unfortunately for Texas, the football team's problems go far beyond attitude. The "new offense" isn't working at all, some units look unprepared/not well coached (O-line in particular is receiving a lot of complaints), and the 'Horns already have a few injury problems. Oklahoma isn't looking great either, and I'm hoping Texas can patch together a win at the Cotton Bowl next weekend, but it certainly looks as if UT fans will have to endure some growing pains in the first year (or couple years) of the Garrett Gilbert era. UGA losing to Mississippi State today only makes things worse. The folks in Athens are clamoring for Will Muschamp at a record rate.
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RDF
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Post by RDF on Sept 26, 2010 0:40:18 GMT -5
I know Texas spends a ton of money on facilities--but I've got to ask--does anyone there use the weightroom? UCLA just beat the hell out of them by running and Texas OL looks like a HS team.
Good news--a good HS passing attack can beat Oklahoma under Venables.
Big XII sucks this year--it's really bad. ACC level bad.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 26, 2010 1:46:43 GMT -5
I know Texas spends a ton of money on facilities--but I've got to ask--does anyone there use the weightroom? UCLA just beat the hell out of them by running and Texas OL looks like a HS team. Good news--a good HS passing attack can beat Oklahoma under Venables. Big XII sucks this year--it's really bad. ACC level bad. On the defensive side of the ball, it's more an issue of recruiting "athletes" to defend spread offenses than a weightroom issue, IMO. There are guys on the team (Keenan Robinson in particular) who have added significant muscle from last season to this one. Lack of size/strength was a noted problem in the national championship game last season. Offensive line could certainly use some extra lifting sessions, but confusion/missed assignments are just as much of a problem. The OL simply hasn't been very good as a unit in any game yet this season. Arizona State should have beaten Oregon 18 different ways in the second half tonight. Threet must have set some sort of INT record. Arizona State has a lot of talent and will be a tough out in the Pac 10 if they reduce the slop. Stanford - Oregon next weekend should be a great game.
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hoyainspirit
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Post by hoyainspirit on Sept 26, 2010 9:09:11 GMT -5
Way to spank that Irish butt, Stanford. We may actually contend for the Pac 10 title this year. (I can dream, can't I?)
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kchoya
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Post by kchoya on Sept 26, 2010 10:20:17 GMT -5
I think they call that gesture a "DeFilippo."
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SirSaxa
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Post by SirSaxa on Sept 27, 2010 6:28:52 GMT -5
Way to spank that Irish butt, Stanford. We may actually contend for the Pac 10 title this year. (I can dream, can't I?) Stanford @ #4 Oregon next weekend, home vs. #18 USC Oct. 9, and home vs #14 Arizona Nov. 6th. Those appear to be Stanford biggest hurdles to a Pac 10 title. The way they are playing on O and... surprisingly for Stanford... on D, they appear to have as good a chance as anyone in the conference. And ESPN rates Stanford soph QB the #1 draft prospect in the nation. WOW... Stanford! Who'd a thunk it?!?!
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Sept 27, 2010 11:36:34 GMT -5
Who'd a thunk it? Shades of Jim Plunkett! ;D
I found the UCLA- Texas game astonishing. I never could have imagined UCLA pushing Texas all over the field like they did in the second half. Bring on the mighty Cougars! Maybe UCLA will even show the semblance of a passing offense next week.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Sept 27, 2010 13:08:24 GMT -5
I didn't watch hardly any of that Georgia-Miss. St. game, but man Georgia must have looked awful. I actually picked Jawja in that game, and boy was I wrong. I thought Aaron Murray looked decent against South Carolina, but maybe I overvalued the Gamecock defense. While that Auburn-USCe game was an instant classic, I thought that the Cock defense was exposed. On the other hand, I was pretty impressed with Garcia, and ultimately that game probably came down to who was at home.
As for the ACC, I thought that Ga Tech would hang the first loss on the Wolfpack. I didn't watch almost any of that game, but it never seemed to be too much of a contest, and unless I'm mistaken, NC State is now the only ACC team without a blemish on its record.
Lastly, another game I saw very little of, but still was somewhat of a shocker was UCLA not just winning at Texas, but seemingly doing it with ease. Combine that with Oklahoma's struggle against a Cincy team that has been handled relatively easily by other "lesser" teams, and maybe RDF is right: maybe the Big 12 (less 2 lame ducks) is as down as the ACC. Following along those lines, the Big East is still struggling as well. West Virginia put up a solid effort against LSU and in a night game in Death Valley no less. But they still lost. Rutgers gave UNC a tussle, but I'm not sure that speaks too highly of the Scarlet Knights. It's just too hard to evaluate the Tar Heels with their constantly transitional roster. Miami looked good on the road against Pitt and seems to be the class of the league. Va Tech's win at previously unbeated BC is solid, but it's just too hard to dismiss the back to back losses to Boise St. and James Madison, especially with a strong homefield advantage in both games, even though the former wasn't in Blacksburg.
The bottom line is that after about a third of the season, it looks like no less than 3 of the 6 BCS conferences are noticeably down this season. Looking at it further, there was talk coming into the season that the SEC would have a down season. It's still too early to tell, but I don't think so. The teams have shuffled around a bit for sure. Tennessee is certainly in a rebuilding stage and no where near the level they were a decade ago. Georgia is also struggling worse than anytime since Ray Goff and maybe even further back than that. Ole Miss is clearly not where they want to be -- their strong showing against Fresno St this past weekend not withstanding. But still, with Bama as a clearly elite team and then a second group including Arkansas and Florida, arguably a smidge ahead of the group including Auburn, South Carolina and LSU, I don't think the SEC as a whole is really down. And that's really the key to the SEC. Year in and year out, there just aren't many gimmees in the league. Even traditional doormats like Vandy and Kentucky aren't the inept sisters of the poor that they routinely are.
Finally, the Big 10 was thought to be significantly on the way up. Ohio state has certainly held up their end of the bargain thus far. Iowa's stumble at Arizona tarnishes the leagues image a bit, but still, that is a quality loss against a ranked opponent on the road. Wisconsin, while not yet tested, is putting up the numbers you expect from an elite team. But after that, the verdict is still out. Penn St. has been somewhat pedestrian. The loss to Bama is no shame, but even in some other games, they haven't been as dominant as expected. Michigan St. and Michigan have both shown potential, but again, are essentially hanging their hats on victories over a still not very good Notre Dame team. And then there is little to say about the bottom half-plus of the league. The Northwesterns, Illinois, Indianas and Purdues simply don't scare anyone.
So that leaves only the Pac 10. Oregon looks for real; there's no doubting that. Stanford, Arizona and USC continue to win, though some have shown obvious chinks in the armor. Oregon St. has struggled early against 2 strong foes on the road, and really have nothing but 2 moral victories to show for themselves. I did think that Az. State looked strong for much of the game against Oregon and of course UCLA just pulled off the upset over Texas. The Washington schools continue to suck, in spite of the exorbitantly excessive hype over Jake Locker. But all in all, I think the Pac 10 and the SEC are clearly the best two conferences. Which one is better remains to be seen.
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 28, 2010 0:13:15 GMT -5
The total non-awesomeness of the Big 12 will be on display this Thursday, when TAMU travels to Oklahoma State. Both teams are 3-0, but haven't exactly shined against cupcake opponents.
Has anyone seen Northwestern play in 2010? I'm wondering whether this could be another sleeper year for the 'Cats in the Big Ten. Conference play starts this weekend with an annihilation of Minnesota, which is apparently so bad it is longing for the halcyon days of Glen Mason.
Outside of the obvious top 25 matchups, not a whole lot of interesting games this week. The only really intriguing contest, to me, is UGA at Colorado. On paper, the Dawgs should roll, but strange things have been known to happen in Boulder at night. And if strange things do occur, Georgia will be 1-4. Ouch.
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Post by HoyaTejano on Sept 28, 2010 2:00:10 GMT -5
In the Mack Brown era I've often thought Texas' philosophy was recruit all this talent and then just throw it out on the field and that in itself is enough to win big in the Big XII. It's hard to argue wit the results. However, when the opponent punches back--OU in 2000-2004, CU in 2001, A&M in 06-07, Tech in 02 and 08, Bama in the BCS title game--the horns looks stunned, just stunned, that the other team has the temerity to be competitive. The Longhorns have all this raw ability at so many positions that maybe it just plateaus and never develops.
I think the big issue with UCLA is not the turnovers, but the way UCLA exploited them with a relatively 1-dimensional attack. The pistol is the kind of innovation offense that a midlevel team uses to even the odds against a high-talent squad. I hate to say this but UCLA was underrated a little bit coming into this matchup. People forget that UCLA recruits in a strong hotbed of talent also, and when its led by a guy (Ayers) that's scored nearly as much as his offense has, Texas walked into a TRAP: a BCS school running a derivative offense backed by a salty defense.
T
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hoyainspirit
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Post by hoyainspirit on Sept 28, 2010 9:34:42 GMT -5
=BUM slams the BCS(again).Quote:For all the propaganda about how wonderful the Bowl Championship Series is because it gives college football's regular season so much meaning, here's what the 2010 season may boil down to: style points.
Sort of like in figure skating. The judges may have to decide whether Boise State's triple lutz - Virginia Tech, Oregon State and Nevada - was more impressive than Ohio State landing a triple salchow - Miami, Wisconsin and Penn State - even though it might have missed a double axel somewhere along the line.
As Brent Musburger might say, "Seriously, folks, this is what it's all about."And there's this:And finally: Serious kudos to Georgetown, which has owned the Patriot League cellar in recent years the way Duke controls the same spot in the ACC The Hoyas are now 2-0 in conference play after Saturday's 17-7 victory over 2009 champion Holy Cross. Imagine: Georgetown off a fast start and no sign of St. Leo's on the schedule..
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Post by AustinHoya03 on Sept 28, 2010 23:15:51 GMT -5
In the Mack Brown era I've often thought Texas' philosophy was recruit all this talent and then just throw it out on the field and that in itself is enough to win big in the Big XII. It's hard to argue wit the results. However, when the opponent punches back--OU in 2000-2004, CU in 2001, A&M in 06-07, Tech in 02 and 08, Bama in the BCS title game--the horns looks stunned, just stunned, that the other team has the temerity to be competitive. It's thrilling to blame that "teasip" attitude, but here are some easy counterarguments: Oklahoma in 2008, Oklahoma State in 2004, 2007 and 2008, Nebraska in 2006, and Ohio State in 2005. I'll spare you my characterization of Aggie football over the past decade. Hasta Thanksgiving.
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Post by HoyaTejano on Sept 29, 2010 2:56:56 GMT -5
Austin, it's not even the past decade. I would say more than that, at least 15 years -- Aggie football hit the wall in Boulder against CU in 1995 when ranked #3 and couldn't win -- that basically was the closest in multiple generations' lifetimes that A&M would ever get to serious national championship aspirations. Even with the 1998 Big XII Championship A&M carried the Texas and Florida State losses and was too far out of the picture even though it upset K-State.
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CO_Hoya
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Post by CO_Hoya on Sept 29, 2010 8:07:50 GMT -5
strange things have been known to happen in Boulder at night ;D But seriously, no, no, a thousand times no. I'd say half the Buffs fan base will be rooting for UGA, just to put the final nail in Coach Dead-Man-Hawkins' coffin.
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DFW HOYA
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Post by DFW HOYA on Sept 29, 2010 8:37:32 GMT -5
Austin, it's not even the past decade. I would say more than that, at least 15 years -- Aggie football hit the wall in Boulder against CU in 1995 when ranked #3 and couldn't win -- that basically was the closest in multiple generations' lifetimes that A&M would ever get to serious national championship aspirations. Even with the 1998 Big XII Championship A&M carried the Texas and Florida State losses and was too far out of the picture even though it upset K-State. Until the Aggies get past hiring "name" coaches and getting someone who will rededicate A&M to out-working TU, they will not get out of the middle of the pack. TCU has gone from its former Duke-like status in major college football to #4 because it hired underrated talent (Franchione, Patterson) that simply worked harder than anyone else. Of course, when Franchione became hugely overrated at Alabama the A.D. couldn't wait to hire him. Wathing Mike Sherman coach the Ags is like watching Wade Phillips coach the Cowboys, and I don't mean that in a good way. When Sherman's time is up, the same former students will cry for A&M to hire Stoops or Saban or even Pete Carroll. What they need is a great coach of their own.
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hoyarooter
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Post by hoyarooter on Sept 29, 2010 11:39:40 GMT -5
Austin, it's not even the past decade. I would say more than that, at least 15 years -- Aggie football hit the wall in Boulder against CU in 1995 when ranked #3 and couldn't win -- that basically was the closest in multiple generations' lifetimes that A&M would ever get to serious national championship aspirations. Even with the 1998 Big XII Championship A&M carried the Texas and Florida State losses and was too far out of the picture even though it upset K-State. Until the Aggies get past hiring "name" coaches and getting someone who will rededicate A&M to out-working TU, they will not get out of the middle of the pack. TCU has gone from its former Duke-like status in major college football to #4 because it hired underrated talent (Franchione, Patterson) that simply worked harder than anyone else. Of course, when Franchione became hugely overrated at Alabama the A.D. couldn't wait to hire him. Wathing Mike Sherman coach the Ags is like watching Wade Phillips coach the Cowboys, and I don't mean that in a good way. When Sherman's time is up, the same former students will cry for A&M to hire Stoops or Saban or even Pete Carroll. What they need is a great coach of their own. I suggest Bear Bryant.
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DFW HOYA
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Post by DFW HOYA on Sept 29, 2010 12:52:07 GMT -5
He's already coached there. Maybe aTm needs to look within Big 12 schools for an assistant. Not that Major Applewhite needs to be in consideration (that would be too much of a culture shock), but winning is more important than school ties: --The greatest coach in UTexas history (Darrell Royal) graduated from Oklahoma. --The second greatest coach in OU history (Barry Switzer) graduated from Arkansas. --Even the greatest coach in Houston history (Bill Yeoman) started his career at Texas A&M before joining Army.
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hifigator
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Post by hifigator on Sept 29, 2010 12:59:08 GMT -5
I don't care what kind of visions of grandeur the Aggies may have, they simply are not Saban, Carroll or Stoops material. Let's face it, all hollywood fabrications aside, the undersized dork with the pocket protector and big horn-rimmed glasses simply doesn't get Angeline Jolie, or Selma Hayek, or Cameron Diaz etc...
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