Morning Coffee Is Enjoying This Offseason
by Peter Bean on Jan 16, 2008 8:44 AM CST
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Morning Major update. Every single Texas news site is reporting the same thing: this deal is done. All the Alabama reports are the same - Applewhite's leaving. With a deal apparently in place, an announcement could come as early as this evening, but more likely tomorrow; the positions may not be filled until after close of business today.
This is why we hired Muschamp. With the early departure period for juniors now closed, The Oklahoman projects the Sooners' two-deep for 2008, and it's an impressive group - especially on offense. If everyone stays healthy and out of trouble, the Sooners will start five seniors on the offensive line. They lose Malcolm Kelly - a significant loss - but return solid talent at wide receiver. Sam Bradford will try to build on his remarkable freshman season. Jermaine Gresham is a terrifyingly good tight end. And Demarco Murray replaces senior Allen Patrick at tailback - an upgrade.
The talent level of the OU offense in 2008 is what makes both the hiring of Will Muschamp and his ability to develop Muck-Norton-Kindle so critical. With at least three new starters in the secondary, the health and effectiveness of that trio of LBs will be the most important factor in the effectiveness of the Longhorn defense in 2008.
Alas, it is only January. Boo.
An unusual recruiting season. Even as those most in tune with recruiting amp up the chatter about the class of 2009, there's going to be more news than usual in the final three weeks before signing day for Texas' 2008 class. At this time most years under Mack Brown, Texas fans are mostly disengaged from the frenzy that consumes most schools, as the year's class is filled so early.
Not so this year, as Texas remains in the mix for a hot, out-of-state prospect in RB Darrell Scott and looks to add a couple additional players late in the recruiting season. With Jermichael Finley and Jamaal Charles' decisions to turn pro, additional scholarships have become available. I'll work this weekend on getting a full recruiting board up, with updates on any players in whom Texas seems to be interested.
Scouting the competition. If you're wondering just how good Texas A&M's hoops team is, tonight presents a good opportunity to take a look. At 15-1, the Aggies are off to the best start in school history, but that record is against a mostly soft schedule. As the DMN reports, the schedule starts to heat up now for A&M with a road game tonight against Texas Tech (ESPN2, 8:30 p.m.) and then another tough away test Saturday at K-State.
--PB--
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The Major
I was thrilled, but also surprised to hear that Major was returning to Austin. I'm still very curious as to what role they are going to put him in, and how much influence he is going to have. I just hope they don't waste him. He could be a tremendous boost for Davis, but if he is just stuck with RB's, and no scheme/play calling duties, it will be such a waste.
No matter what happens now, I think its great that he is going to be positioned to either take over for Mack or Davis...hopefully Davis and hopefully sooner rather than later.
by Texas Our Texas on Jan 16, 2008 8:57 AM CST reply actions
I think Murray...
... should rest his dislocated kneecap for one season, just to be safe. Anyone want to start a petition? I worry about this kid... er... medically...
Apple!!!! White!!!!
I am all atwitter at the thought of The Major coming back to Austin. How long do you think it will be before he has a cameo on Friday Night Lights?
OU
I'm a little surprised Duke Robinson didn't declare, since it seemed likely he'd be taken in the bottom half of the first round, as a guard. It's unlikely he'll better than projection, even with a great senior year, whereas Phil Loadholt has a lot to gain should he perform well. Oh well, OU's gain is our loss.
Other OU news...
Muskogee's Jameel Owens and Stacy McGee commit to OU
Owens is the No. 7 wide receiver in the country according to Rivals.com. He picked the Sooners over Oklahoma State, Tennessee and Texas Tech. McGee, the No. 6 defensive tackle in the country according to the same site, chose Oklahoma over Tennessee.
Bah!
Ohio State football will play Oklahoma in 2016 and 2017
Ohio State and Oklahoma have finalized plans for a a two-game football series in 2016, the schools announced today.
The first game of the new series will take place Sept. 17, 2016, in Norman, Okla. It will be followed by a Sept. 16, 2017, game at Columbus.
Double bah!
Links provided via the always on the ball SMQ.
Rivals Update Projections - Scott to Colorado
Just a quick note that Rivals updated its final top 100 rankings and final predictions on where top 5 star recruits will end up.
As far as Scott goes - he dropped from 4 to 6 (whooptiedoo) -
but all Rival recruiting experts predicted him to end up at Colorado.
Scott to CU
I'd be stunned if he didn't choose CU - blood trumps all and with his bro there I don't see Mack pulling this one out.
In other news - I don't know if it's gotten any run here w/ the excitement around Major, but did anyone see the beatdown Kansas put on OU in Lawrence on Monday? Oh my. They look almost unbeatable. (and the loss of Griffin for OU would not have mattered one bit the way KU played).
It is his uncle
who is at Colorado, but he currently lives at his Great Aunt's house (the uncle's mother).
Loss of Sumlin impact on OU?
We haven't talked about this much at all, but what will be the impact of losing a guy like Sumlin on OU's offense? Also did Heupel get promo'ed?
AAS says deal is done
Applewhite will probably be introduced tomorrow morning and he's going to get to work on recruiting Darrell Scott next week.
Agros
What I find interesting about the Agros is that their team is very deep but also very foul prone. With starters constantly in foul trouble, can they find enough continuity with their bench to finish the game? And they are also horrible free throw shooters (like some other team lately), which hurts them the more they use their power game. They have some talented newcomers, but have not found a replacement for Acey Law's leadership or last minute heroics. So this is a team that could beat anyone, or go down at any time. The probabilities may catch up to them at tournament time, but in league play they are going to be fun to watch.
yes
They play their entire team more than 8 minutes a game I believe. I know for sure they go at least 9 deep, so a few fouls from the 'starters' playing aggressively is hardly the end of the world for them.
by Michael Bean on Jan 16, 2008 12:56 PM CST up reply actions
Anyone watchin Tech destroy the Aggies?
A classic Bobby Knight game. Great defense and motion in the offense.
I think A&M was called for 20 travels. Some of them at least were questionable. The key for them was their big guys getting in trouble. They supposedly have a matchup advantage over us because of their size, but not if they just hack all game. Hopefully we get the same calls when we play them.
Just like in football, Tech owns A&M.
by goingforthecorner on Jan 16, 2008 10:46 PM CST reply actions
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