Absolutely. Bama’s win was very impressive and sufficient to make them number one last week.

However, we can say with certainty that ‘Bama isn’t 31 points better than Georgia, at Georgia, at the half. Kudos to the Tide for coming out with that much steem, putting Georgia on its heels and slamming the door shut in the second half. On Saturday, however, OU, one of the best teams in the country came out firing if not on all than at least on most of its very formidable cillinders, played, on balance, an excellent game from start to pretty much finish and was defeated by on OU team that matched them in talent and execution and bested them in resilience and heart. Further, the merit of the Clemson win was further diluted by the disaster against Wake Forest. Given our sytematic dominance against the rif raf and ’Bama’s difficulties with Kentucky and Tulane our case is fairly decisive if not quite overwhelming.

Of course this is all academic at this point at many very difficult tests remain. Still, I think one can make a very powerful, and objective, argument that we deserve to be number 1 at this time.

….Oregon State teams have historically had a tough time getting out of the gate. However, they finish well.

Look at their performance the past two seasons.
Early Season: 4-5
Final 9 games: 15-3

After losing 3 of their first 5 games, Oregon State has a good chance of finishing the season 9-3.

I would be extatic to get out of the conference with 1 loss and might, depending on circumstances, be very content with a 2 loss season. I am emphatically not overlooking Missouri. Daniel’s performance against OSU (well, without the ints) and our less than fortress-like pass defense vs. OU leave me petrified.

Petrified but not particularly anxious. I’ve have been oblitarated at work and have watched far too little football this season, this being my first full weekend for a while. Still, I’ve been following closely enough and have to say that I’ve enjoyed Texas football immensely since the Holliday last year. In some ways I’m enjoying this season more than 2005. After the win in Columbus I would have considered anything less than an MNC (the USC hype notwithstanding) a serious disappointment. This year, as I comment above, the expectations are fewer and the accomplishments easier to appreciate.

Still, bearing in mind the hiring and effect of Muschamp we need to consider that there is virtually 0 chanc e he’ll be here in 2010 and perhaps not more than 50/50 that he’ll stick around for 2009. With Colt and the D expectations would rise and the anxiety might return.