Is Texas in the Rose Bowl?

Their plan is to pit USC against each one of them to see where they rank among the all-time greats.  I could see them doing this last year on January 7 after that USC team actually won something, but isn't it a little premature to be doing it now?

It took me all of five minutes to find on the NCAA's website that the 1999 Seminoles were ranked 19th in total defense, the 2002 Buckeyes were ranked 23rd, and the Trojans were ranked 30th in 2003. The NCAA only posts data from 1999, so I think it is safe to assume that there have been quite a few other national champions ranked below 15th in total defense.

Second, I am really trying to look at this objectively. I've gotta root for my Trojans but I grew up rooting for Texas, and I think VY is extremely talented, so this is difficult to say. I really think that Vince's reaction so far to the upcoming Rose Bowl shows he isn't handling the pressure put on him by the media very well.

It is difficult to deny that when the media has put increased pressure on Vince he has, more often than not (not that he hasn't had his momemnts), responded poorly.

1) 2004 Oklahoma (Finally, this is the year! Also of note this is the only time Vince has been an underdog as a starter)
2)2005 Texas A & M (go out there and win the Heisman!)

Yeah, there was some pressure for last year's Rose Bowl, but Texas was suppose to win that.

I'm not trying to fuel Burnt Orange Nation with USC quotes but I think Matt and Coach Carroll both had some very interesting responses to what Vince has been saying of late. (All of this is from insideusc.com)

Matt Leinart (on Vince Young being upset after the Heisman): "I just can't see where he's coming from, with all due respect, I think the votes spoke for themselves."

I think Vince is an incredible talent, and I love watching him, but step back for a moment, certainly that was the most crass response to losing the Heisman in my lifetime. I think you have to attribute it to the pressure being put on him, because the response really kinda did seem out of character. I think that pressure bodes poorly for UT.

Pete Carroll (on Longhorn comments in the media): "They talk like they ain't been here before."

I'm sure something disrespectful of Texas can be taken of this quote. I'd be looking for the same if I was a UT student or alum, but what I take from it is just an observation that the pressure, despite the media attention, despite the chance to go for history, isn't on my Trojans. They have proven themselves, they've been here before, they know what to expect from the hoopla and on the field.

The pressure is on the Longhorns, and certainly a way to deal with that anxiety and that pressure is to open your mouth and gab. I'm not taking offense with that, I just think for some guys that is a normal response...and we're seeing that with some Texas players. Maybe of concern though is that we're seeing it with VY, cause Rodrigue Wright can be off his game and Texas can win. Vince cn't let this pressure throw him off his game.

First of all, sc has had a lot of injuries on defense, and have dealt with a patchwork D all season.  They have also faced something like 5 of the top 20 offenses (statistically).  

And frankly, there is some legitimacy to that.  ucla had a highly ranked offense and the sc D completely shut them down.

At the same time, it's not just a cliche that defense wins championships, and other than the bad muthaf*ker scott ware, sc has plenty of weaknesses.

But the key point that I keep hearing is that with a month off, sc is going to get several key people back from injury.  Who?  I have no idea.
My point is only that sc folks will tell you that their defense is better than their ranking.

These same guys try to argue that the Horns' defense is similarly OVERRATED due to the weak offenses we have played.  That's the same argument people used when Ohio St beat Miami (someone already mentioned this).  It just doesn't fly.

EYESofBEVO, I have to side with the sc homer on this one- it doesn't matter if stats are pre or post bowl game.  I have a hard time believing that ohio st could WIN their bowl game and drop from the 15th D in the nation to 23rd, or sc from 15th to 30th in one game.  No way.  

As for all the smack talk flying around- get real.  Who cares if it is a slight on sc?  If they need bulletin board material to get up for the national championship game, then they have already lost.  

I have no problem with Vince and Wright talking smack.  I want the rest of the team looking at Young and thinking, damn, this guy KNOWS we are going to win.  I want every single player believing it.  sc is used to teams being scared of them.  We can't have that.

You CAN NOT go into this game scared.  The second you lose confidence this game is over.