The Will Muschamp Factor

by PB @ BON on Aug 19, 2008 3:16 PM CDT in Football

First, a reminder of who we're dealing with here:

I mentioned this morning that I'm more excited about this team and season than I anticipated being as recently as the beginning of the summer. It was then that I pitched you my narrative for 2008, arguing that Texas' stars seemed to be aligning for a title run next year.

I still think that's true for all the same reasons, and yet as I sit here 11 days from kickoff, I'm more than just feeling good about this year as a building block for the '09 run; I've steadily come around to the idea that Texas is going to be real good, real fast this year, as well.

I've been a guest on a dozen radio shows the past month, which has given me the opportunity to talk through the expectations game with various program hosts, each of whom inevitably asks about Texas' perception as the third or fourth team in the Big 12 this season. Interestingly, whereas I've felt compelled to stick by my argument that the top prize(s) aren't in the cards for Texas this year, I've more and more found myself arguing that it would be a mistake to underestimate this year's squad.

And the name I keep coming back to is Will Muschamp. Overstating his impact may be hard to do (though we're all trying).

As I wrote in TThe Eyes of Texas 2008:

The Muschamp factor. Fans and pundits have a tendency to overstate the ‘genius’ of football coaches, and those who expect a cure-all scheming miracle from Will Muschamp are probably setting themselves up for disappointment. Even so, there’s a strong case to be made that Will Muschamp’s arrival may particularly benefit Texas in ways beyond what might normally be expected from such a coaching change. As Mack Brown has gone about addressing the fundamental weaknesses Texas has struggled with the past two seasons, it may be that he couldn’t have found a better coach to supplement the effort than Will Muschamp.

The Longhorns’ new coordinator is fiery, intense, and the kind of motivator who challenges his pupils to aim for better than their best. For a team and program trying to start a new chapter and establish an identity, a coach like Muschamp should be incalculably helpful. For Texas, where standards have at times slipped into what is comfortable, it can only help to have a coach whose core philosophy is in large part an effort to avoid settling for good enough. For Muschamp, the team that works harder, with more intensity and drive, is going to win. That’s the attitude he used as a walk on player to become a starting safety and team captain at Georgia, and it’s the attitude he insists his players adopt, as well.

It’s in this way that the Muschamp hire may do more for Texas than the act of bringing aboard of a good new coach normally might. His presence helps forward the momentum created after the A&M loss, while his fierce competitiveness ensures that his charges will be every bit as hungry to compete, improve, and win as their coach.

(emphasis added)

Are you with me? It's a subtle point, nuanced enough that I think I underappreciated what it might mean for Texas in 2008 when I started writing this summer that expectations needed to be tempered. As fall workouts have gotten underway, updates on the team resume, and Muschamp (and his players) have spent some time talking about what's happening on that side of the ball, I'm reminded again why I wrote what I wrote in the preview to begin with: There is an impact Muschamp will have on this football team (not defense, team) that makes his hire especially relevant in evaluating Texas' ceiling in 2008.

Momentum, momentum, momentum. Texas enters the final 10 days of practice barreling downhill with the positive momentum that started two days after the A&M loss, really picked up steam with the coaching hires, and now seems poised to furiously attack the season opener with a chip-on-the-shoulder, prove-'em'-all-wrong attitude that's been sorely lacking in Austin the past two years.

The excitement stems not so much from any idea that the 2008 Longhorns will be the first team to launch into a season this way, it's that they've got just the man on the sidelines to make sure there's no letting up. Building momentum isn't a championship skill; sustaining it is.

I'm officially excited.

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Muschamp is the man

I am bring a sign that will read “BOOM M&&@^ER YEAH!!!” in the hopes that it gets put up on television.

Horizontalism is its own reward.

by bendj on Aug 19, 2008 3:31 PM CDT 0 recs

Well, I was being productive...

at work and the PB has to go and post this. Now, all I can think about is Orakpo and Houston tearing the heads off of opposing QBs.

Longhorn football cannot get here fast enough. The poor Owls of FAU are in for a beating.

by Misterserious7 on Aug 19, 2008 3:33 PM CDT 0 recs

Get used to it, I'm afraid

Summer’s over and I’m back to being tethered to my computer 24/7.

It’s gonna be a fun fall.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Aug 19, 2008 3:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

BEWARE THE KOOL-ADE

I love the optimism. The anticipation for the season feels like watching the cowboy waiting to pull the the rope on chute 5 and let the 1600 lb snarling brahma bull out into the ring at a rodeo. But PB – what has really changed since the “Wait til 09” rhetoric? We’ve had only 2 practices and coachspeak to get a feel for the team. I agree that Muschamp’s mind over ability attitude can infect the whole team, and that this program has momentum. But it’s going to be a brutal run through the Big 12 this year, and we’re 10 days away from kickoff with plenty of questions on both sides of the ball. 9 wins and the Holiday will be a great year for this young team. I await my thrashing.

by Horndogger on Aug 19, 2008 4:09 PM CDT 0 recs

I agree.

Following this team through message boards and blogs is like watching the tide, and is every bit as predictable. Slowly over the offseason the perception of the team gets a little better. It’s almost like a story being told where it gets exaggerated a little bit more every time it is told. Every tidbit we get about a player pushes them a little higher in our minds. This all peaks with the glowing practice reports we get this time of year.

Problem is we still have all of the same questions we had 8 months ago. Will Chiles really become a game breaker? Can Colt cut down on the turnovers? Who will step up and be the #3 receiver, let alone the big play receiver we need? Will we really not see much of a dropoff at the RB position? What about TE? Will the OL really be a strength? Will we really be able to get a decent pash rush going? Will our DT depth hold up and will Lamar Houston be the answer at DT? Will our LB’s be able to cover anyone? Can any of our safeties play at the level we need? Can Mucshamp really improve our pass defense that much his first year?

Just too many questions there for me to feel that we will be real good, real fast this year.

by Horncasting on Aug 19, 2008 4:41 PM CDT up 0 recs

Will it be the same, different, but the same?

Or will it be altogether different?

For me, the questions of 8 months ago are gone.

The questions now are about this team. And realize this summer didn’t have the sky high hype of last summer. This summer has been quiet, subdued and only since the start of practice has the enthusiasm seen a big rise. And that’s all pretty normal; last year was the real aberration. That team thought the were a lot better than they were – and so did we. And we were both wrong.

Last, I have no doubt Muschamp will improve the defense, all of it. What PB is saying is that a change in team motif can/will occur and the whole nature of the team evolves. The change of scheme is a part of it, but the pressure on the QB will be the real linchpin. Get that pressure and everything falls into place.

by whills on Aug 19, 2008 9:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Should have said questions since the spring

instead of 8 months ago. Remember how positive everyone was during the spring and how it completely dropped off after the spring game? I’m hoping we don’t have the same situation 8 days from now, like we did last year after week 1.

by Horncasting on Aug 20, 2008 11:40 AM CDT up 0 recs

I don't expect perfection right off the bat.

There will be mistakes and adjustments to be made. The youth and inexperience with have to grow up during the ooc games. There should be a pretty good jump between the first and second games; more steady play the next two.

The spring game is precisely that, an experiment in many ways, a means to answers rather than the answers themselves. Plus you still have the injured players to fit into the puzzle. So, there is a big difference to me between what coaches want to see and what fans expect from the Horns.

The big difference I see is attitude and intent becoming manifest and the steady increase in confidence by the players not just in their grasp of their roles but of the team concept itself. This August they seem to realize you only prove yourself against opponents, not each other. Nothing means anything until you prove it on the game field.

by whills on Aug 20, 2008 12:40 PM CDT up 0 recs

Well

Nothing has changed, and as I note in the post, I still think the same thing for the same reasons. What I’m getting at is that I think we’re not only building for a title run in ‘09, but that we’re going to be better than I thought a few months ago. Conference or national title winners? That still seems unlikely; but I do think that we’re going to be accelerating rapidly up a real fun learning curve, reaching a point where we’re the team no one should want to play in November/bowl season.

--PB--

by PB @ BON on Aug 19, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up 0 recs

no thrashing

here, except I hope the bowl is something different than the Holiday. I’d take the Cotton, since there’s no other option and 9-3 is too many losses for the BCS. As you and Horncasting point out, there’s nothing but the usual preseason rhetoric to base improvement on. I hope there’s a new attitude. I hope Muschkamp is a major factor. I hope the #$#$$^ injuries that really impacted last season a lot will stay away. I hope OU is thoughtful enough to turn the ball over four times. Ad infinitum

But what wins isn’t attitude or formations or August dreams. It’s talented players performing on Saturdays. Since most of this year’s starters were on last year’s team, I don’t think the talent is much improved. And the schedule is tougher. And I still don’t believe John Chiles can complete passes. And, there are not enough Owls on the schedule.

by edsp on Aug 19, 2008 5:00 PM CDT up 0 recs

allow an optimist to comment

I beg to differ with edsp on some points, which I think will feed into PB’s optimism. I think there are permanent changes for the better with this team that COULD lead to the prospect of being a team that no one wants to play.

1. John Chiles, the passer. If you look at the sanitized videos provided on MB-TF, which of course eliminate the bad plays, two patterns emerge. One is that passing plays with Chiles as QB occur more frequently. True, these aren’t 15 yard slants or deep outs, but the man has developed some poise and some zip. He’s throwing the same passes, against pressure, that McCoy was throwing early in 2006, the bubble screens, dump-offs to the backs, circle routes to the TE and RB. He still throws the occasional duck, but I’m telling you, the threat of a pass is increasingly there. This means that if Chiles is in the game at QB running the “Thunder” package, there will be more plays than the zone read and the option being run. Look in particular for counter play action, where the play looks like a run to the right, Chiles takes a few steps to the left, pulls up and hits the TE (frequently Blaine Irby) on a crossing route into the gap where the MLB is supposed to be. That we never saw last year.

2. Vondrell McGee is showing up more frequently than the other two backs in demonstrated running plays, and looks much quicker to the hole and in his cuts than JC ever did. He might not have as many TD’s from 30 or more yards out, but he looks impressive to me and I expect him to garner the bulk of the carries this year. Almost every play in the videos where the RB gets a pass is also McGee. GD has claimed “no separation” among the backs, which could mean that nobody is better than Chris Ogbonnaya (downer) or it could mean that the trifecta of VonOgWhittaker is better than any single back could be (serious upper).

3. The OL will be almost certainly better than last year, and there is confidence in the depth should injuries arise.

4. Orakpo, Miller, and Kindle have been referred to in uncharacteristically positive ways by Mack and GD several times. Our pass rush will be better

I think the difference between last year and this year is

Many more chances to get Chiles on the field, better OL, more conservative Colt, a better pass rush, and in fact better line play in general, plus everyone is working under the notion that the best 11 take the field (Muschamp)

I think RB’s are a wash – fewer big plays but more consistency and variety

The difference between 9-3 and 11-1 will be the safeties, and that is where Muschamp and Akina will earn their money, regardless of intensity. The jury is completely out on them at the moment.

Overall I sense a better team with more intensity and chemistry, and a much stronger will to excel. So even if the talent is much the same, and a few losses accumulate, I suspect we won’t be whining about the team’s heart and intensity, as we did much of last season.

by burnt in ny on Aug 19, 2008 7:02 PM CDT up 0 recs

agee 100%

I think you pretty much said it perfect.

by Longhorns84 on Aug 19, 2008 8:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

agree*

by Longhorns84 on Aug 19, 2008 8:36 PM CDT up 0 recs

great Burnt in NY

The difference between 9-3 and 11-1 will be the safeties, and that is where Muschamp and Akina will earn their money, regardless of intensity. The jury is completely out on them at the moment.

I really think it will be up to the DB’s

"Nobody leaves this field until we beat the hell out of them".................... L.J."Louis"Jordan in 1913 before kickoff of the Texas/ou game.

by ouALWAYSsux on Aug 20, 2008 10:33 AM CDT up 0 recs

last year

half the defense consisted of mediocre veteran players. This year its LOADED with talent, and they have the best def. coor. in college football coaching them. That is whats different this year on defense.

On offense, we lose some key players but fill the vacancies with very talented players. Major should help Greag Davis get over a few bumps in the road throughout the season.

by Longhorns84 on Aug 19, 2008 8:32 PM CDT up 0 recs

Secondary

I really think you are discounting the inexperience at safety and at backup CB way too much. I remember all world talents and future NFLers Huff and Griffen giving up huge plays when they were inexperienced(one from the home Arkansas game still stands out).

by Horncasting on Aug 20, 2008 11:25 AM CDT up 0 recs

Nightmares

Muck is having Muschamp themed nightmares, indicating to me that the intensity is super-high at camp. I am unbelievably excited for this season.

I like our speed. We’ve got the tools. I’d rather be working with this than a bunch of experienced guys who can’t play.

by 98horn on Aug 19, 2008 4:39 PM CDT 0 recs

I love the irony of expecting high results from nightmares.

Muschamp’s Nightmare – The Defense from Hell

eventually just the Nightmare.

They’d have to be extremely disruptive to earn that.

I think Muck personally has the kind of talent to accomplish that. If he can carry out his mission straight from Muschamp’s psyche; that would really lead and consolidate the attention of this defense. They will all be moving toward completion of Muschamp’s dream.

OOC teams: Outsmart them while you can, because that won’t last long.

It may take half a season, but this can become a very smart and savvy defense.

First they learn to do it and be aggressive; then they must learn to control that aggression and use it wisely. If they stay healthy in key places, they could something by the bowl games.

by whills on Aug 19, 2008 10:27 PM CDT up 0 recs

my guess:

The D will put a hurtin’ on a bunch of teams this year. My sincere hope is that we are at the top of our form for the OU game. I really, really hate OU, and my #1 gripe with Mack is that he loses that game on a regular basis. I also don’t ever want to hear McCoy say “this isn’t a revenge game” again. That’s loser talk.

I like our speed. We’ve got the tools. I’d rather be working with this than a bunch of experienced guys who can’t play.

by 98horn on Aug 20, 2008 9:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

Let's break this down a little.

The first two games will be to get the O and D to play as units; there will be mistakes, hopefully more of the ‘errors of commission’ mode which can be corrected. This is the traditional time to whip the units into game fluid units. Neither game will be easy per se but not a high degree of difficulty, either.

The second two games are for polishing both units, for corrections which are coaching mistakes (ex: getting playing into proper place and role, final determination of who can play where, decisions on younger players on depth chart, finalizing range of attack on O and D) and for players – particularly the DBs, to either claim their positions or be replaced in some manner. The Arkansas game will be a great test, a determined enemy with some talent, a new and somewhat unpredictable attack and passion on the field which the Horns must match if not exceed. After that game, we will know so much more and will know if our optimism is justified.

CU and OU are where it comes together, where they play outside the friendly confines of home with passion and intensity.

Like you, I want emotion, esp. on the defense. I want aggression and confidence and I’m sure the coaches do, too. I want the maturity to weather the emotional poles in big games, more true in the RR Shootout than most any other game to that point. The Horns have to be ready to smack them in the mouth from the gun – and to absorb the hits themselves.

by whills on Aug 20, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Past Years

It seems our beloved Horns (VY excluded) approached the OU game with fear in their eyes. And to be fair, Stoops has placed some humiliating whoppings at Mack’s feet. I want them breathing fire, really angry, when they hit the field. I don’t care if we lose so long as we make the Sooners hurt. They should wake up the next day—preferably from a coma—KNOWING they played UT. I’ve never been more disgusted than the 2000 game, when we quit at halftime.

I like our speed. We’ve got the tools. I’d rather be working with this than a bunch of experienced guys who can’t play.

by 98horn on Aug 20, 2008 5:06 PM CDT up 0 recs

Absolutely agree.

Punish those bastards.

by whills on Aug 20, 2008 5:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Agree except

I care if we lose. That game will continue to the the key to bigger and better things for this team.

by Horncasting on Aug 20, 2008 9:15 PM CDT up 0 recs

I care too

My point is: I want palatable anger on the field this year. I want our motto to be: Sooner bitches deserved to be kicked.

I like our speed. We’ve got the tools. I’d rather be working with this than a bunch of experienced guys who can’t play.

by 98horn on Aug 21, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up 1 recs

FRESH START

I’m feeling bullish about this team, 10-2 in the regular season with a split in the Big 4 games, OU, Mizzou, Tech and Kansas.
In addition to the coaching hires, the last piece of confetti from 2005 has now hit the ground: this team is hungry again. Rashad Bobino and Quan Cosby are the only two current guys who played against USC.

by Longhorn90 on Aug 19, 2008 6:47 PM CDT 1 recs

Also

Orakpo and Miller, and Dockery and Melton may have

by edsp on Aug 19, 2008 10:57 PM CDT up 0 recs

Dammit PB

you’re making it awfully difficult on me to maintain my cautiously optimistic attitude.

by billb on Aug 19, 2008 7:15 PM CDT 0 recs

Wait and see

Despite my heart wanting to get overly excited about the potential of this season, I am maintaining an even keeled approach of caustiously optimistic wait and see. I think we are in for a fun season.

by LonghornArmy'68 on Aug 19, 2008 8:19 PM CDT 0 recs

I cant tell if Im more excited about this team winning

Or seeing what this team is capable of. Is there really a difference?

I cant wait to see what impact Muschamp/Major have. I’m excited to see our young receivers develop. I’m really hopeful that Kindle and Shipley have big, healthy seasons. I cant wait to see McGee and Fozzy so I can pick which one Id rather see carry the ball the majority of the time. I cant wait to see Chiles get used more in the offense, and I cant wait to see Colt put 2007 behind him and smash some records.

This year is a different feeling, Im not fired up about known commodities, I’m really excited to see what we can do. Everyone I listed above is unproven in my opinion, and if they all fall into place, the sky is the limit. I cant wait to see us play.

by BoddickerIsClutch on Aug 20, 2008 9:30 AM CDT up 0 recs

Reports of significant defensive improvement and 18 critical returning starters for Tech, plus a lot of returning studs for Mizzou and OU, had me worried about UT’s season.

Reading recent reports about camp, MustChamp’s fire and brimstone coaching, and juggling of the depth chart to cut out the apathy all have me crawling out of my skin to call Texas a contender.

The moral of the story? Well, there are two:

1: I should never bet on any game of any team of any consequence to me.

2: a gentle breeze in the right direction is all that it takes to make me ignore my better judgment and start believing UT could pull off a great season.

by burntorangehorn on Aug 19, 2008 10:28 PM CDT 0 recs

if...

we play with intensity and CONFIDENCE on D then I believe we can do something this season. We shall see during the OU game if this is there.

by DaGoose on Aug 20, 2008 9:36 AM CDT 0 recs

I'm taking a wait-and-see attitude re:Muschamp

Other former SEC DCs (Torbush, Chizik) didn’t fair so well in the Big 12.

by Beergut on Aug 20, 2008 10:47 AM CDT 0 recs

Chizik

Really let us down by delivering that National Championship. What a loser!

I like our speed. We’ve got the tools. I’d rather be working with this than a bunch of experienced guys who can’t play.

by 98horn on Aug 20, 2008 11:14 AM CDT up 1 recs

chizik?

yeah, he had a lot of trouble adjusting in 2005. i mean, look at these national ranks: #8 scoring defense? #10 total defense? #8 pass defense? #4 pass efficiency defense? surely he could have adjusted better than THAT.

by billyzane on Aug 20, 2008 4:08 PM CDT up 2 recs

Those are problematic examples

Torbush was only in the SEC for a single season, and just came off a fairly disastrous period of running Mack’s UNC team into the ground. His reputation as a “defensive mastermind” was formed almost a decade earlier in the ACC. He did have the single (excellent) season at Bama, but Torbush, like everything else associated with Fran, soured at A&M.

As 98horn and BZ noted, Chizik faired well the first season, and there was a drop off in the season following an MNC. That is not uncommon.

I can agree with taking a “wait and see” with Muschamp until he proves himself in this conference, but there is more reason to be have confidence in him that most. In any case, he certainly shouldn’t be judged on the Carl Torbush experience.

by learned hand on Aug 20, 2008 4:51 PM CDT up 0 recs

Second line from the bottom, “than” instead of “that”. Not a typo, just an absence of concentration.

by learned hand on Aug 20, 2008 4:55 PM CDT up 0 recs

Inexcusable

If you were my associate, I’d fire you for such incompetence! No, I’d tell you your post wasn’t fit to line a bird cage, and then fire you!

Relax, man, this is a football blog, not law review.

I like our speed. We’ve got the tools. I’d rather be working with this than a bunch of experienced guys who can’t play.

by 98horn on Aug 20, 2008 5:33 PM CDT up 0 recs

Haha, point taken.

A guy with a dead federal judge for an avatar probably takes things too seriously anyway.

by learned hand on Aug 20, 2008 7:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

Muschamp factor

I think it is possible that we are looking for the Muschamp factor to impact the program right away when the real impact will be seen later. We may see a lot of the same-old, same-old out of the defense, which may be somewhat discouraging. After all, many of the players have already settled into the old ways, ingrained the bad habits, and lack the gumption needed to break out. It will be much harder to turn those guys around than to bring in new players who come here to play Muschamp’s brand of ball and want to devote themselves to getting better because of it. We may see some immediate kick, but look for some players to get with it and some not. And Muschamp will have to adapt — you fight with the army you’ve got. But over time, we will have a new breed of players, ones suited to the style of play Muschamp expects. And that’s when we will see the true impact.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Aug 20, 2008 11:01 AM CDT 0 recs

Or not.

I think the players that fit Muschamp’s system were there all along, and are this year and next. Last year imho was a case of the right players but the wrong system (or whatever that was that Akina and McDoofus put into place). Muschamp hasn’t done much tweaking, other than leaning a few folks up and putting more speed on the edges. It is very much win and win now, ‘08 and ’09 – no reason to think he’ll ever be around to see his first recuit start, unless of course he becomes the HMFIC.

by Horns757 on Aug 20, 2008 12:22 PM CDT up 0 recs

Or maybe so.

Physically, the players we have may be able to fit into Muschamp’s scheme, but my point is that they have not previously shown the kind of motivation that we expect of a Muschamp defense. And sure, he will be able to build a fire under some of the old guys, but some will stay ingrained in their old sloppy ways. However, you can be sure the players who come to play for him will have the attitude he demands.

Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. If they get mad, you're a mile away AND you have their shoes.

by Caradoc on Aug 21, 2008 10:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

Don't look past Arkansas

Everyone seems to discount them because they weren’t great last year and have a new coach and new system. Plus we should have significantly more talent than them.

Keep in mind these were the same things that were said before they beat us in 2003 at home (our talent edge was supposed to get us past their experience edge). In 2004 we were VASTLY more talented than them, had a lineup of future NFL players including Superman at QB, and still needed a fumble at the end of the game to secure the win. T

Those guys hate Texas more than any team we will play this year. If we play down to them this game could be alot tougher than it looks on paper.

Sidenote: Not playing VY in the 2003 game was an absolute crime.

by Horncasting on Aug 20, 2008 11:36 AM CDT 0 recs

Expectations....

I have to say… My expectations leading into this season are much MUCH MUCH higher than they were leading into last season. I went to the Alamo Bowl against Iowa at the end of the 2006 Season and although we won, it was downright pathetic. The teams struggles continued on into the 2007 season with a dissapointing showing against Arkansas State and UCF. I was damn suprised we won 10 games last year.

On the other hand, the Holiday Bowl against Arizona State should be a great precurser to what this season will be like. With Muschamp and Mack Brown fired up, the team will be fired up and perhaps all that talent can finally be put to good use. Next time I see soldier boi being performed on the sideline when they are barely beating UCF, I’m going to raise holy hell. No more of that shit. Its fine to be relaxed and have fun, but that was absolutely ridiculous and quite embarrasing for the whole university.

I’m excited about Muschamp just as much as the next guy, but I try to stop and remember- We haven’t even played a game yet. I think everyone is under the assumption that he will yield a defensive performance that is impressive just as G. Chizik did in 2005.

Win or lose this year, I want to see Texas unleash some serious fury on EVERYONE.
FAU is already talking smack.
Arkansas is our old nemesis.
OU-obvious hate there.
Kansas State- We need to shut them up because of the last 2 dissapointing years.
Texas A&M- embarrased us the last two years as well
UTEP- thinks playing us is there own little super bowl or something.

Everyone is gunning for Texas this year. It is time to stand our ground.

"I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he didn’t recruit me and he said: "Well, Walt, we took a look at you and you weren’t any good.
- Walt Garrison

by 512 on Aug 20, 2008 2:33 PM CDT 0 recs

FYI: we don't play KSU this year.

by billyzane on Aug 20, 2008 4:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

Big 12 Championship game?

by billb on Aug 20, 2008 4:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

Doubtful but not impossible.

Read where only two of those 19 JC transfers to KSU have made first team, one on each side of the ball. Pretty expensive investment if they don’t get a majority of the 19 on the field this year in some capacity. Sort of a go-for-broke strategy that probably has a pretty good chance of going broke.

by whills on Aug 20, 2008 5:08 PM CDT up 0 recs

Not a bad strategy considering their QB

and the fact he only has 2 more years of eligibility. I can’t image they have anyone near as good coming in behind him.

by Horncasting on Aug 20, 2008 9:17 PM CDT up 0 recs

Prince figures to be there two more years

and if he doesn’t break .500 he could be gone, too (12-13, 7-6 and 5-7). The grill will really heat up in ’09.

by whills on Aug 21, 2008 1:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

Better bring your power towel!

by BoddickerIsClutch on Aug 21, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up 0 recs

Another Example

This is yet another example of why I’d rather read BON (long with several other SBN sites) than watch SportsCenter on a fall Wednesday: the ability to change our minds due to more thinking and new information. A talking head on TV often seems more interested in sticking to an original position than saying what he really thinks. This, though, is a great example of “I still kind of think X, but I’m not married to it and here’s why.”

This is the great thing about being a sports fan: when anticipating and analyzing, there’s no shame in re-evaluating in the process. I, for one, totally agree that the closer this season gets, the more I think it may turn out to be a special culmination of a really good calendar year since the A&M debacle. I also happen to agree that everybody not named Texas had better watch the hell out in 2009.

by 40AS on Aug 20, 2008 4:38 PM CDT 0 recs

I think there's a lot of flux...

OU has a strong senior line and a good set-up but will have a ton of pressure, much of that fan induced due to the losses last year and another bowl fiasco. And they’ll lose much of that OL in ’09.

aTm has a new coach under great pressure to show the Fran model was fail! mode operation.

OSU has the west Texas wind mouth pouring in money by the jet load trying to move the whole program.

Baylor needs Briles to eek out a couple of wins in Big 12 play just to get back in the recruiting racket.

And Tech has had the siren call of national hype, felt the intoxicating elixir of national attention, and now has to live up to it. Always easier said than done.

And all the Horns need to do is just play good football and get better each game. It’s a different role but a really well-placed one for the Horns this particular year, just in the right place to steal some thunder.

by whills on Aug 20, 2008 5:18 PM CDT up 0 recs

Regarding Tech

There was a report on ESPN yesterday that Reed, one of the starters in their secondary and a good kick returner was carried off of the field and was seen icing his ankle and knee.

by Horncasting on Aug 20, 2008 9:20 PM CDT up 0 recs

Recs for everyone

This is just a great thread. I love my fellow BONers.

by BigTexBD on Aug 20, 2008 5:48 PM CDT 0 recs

Back to the muschamp factor

Ah…I can feel the goosebumps ready to form for that glorious saturday when I wake up and just know that the horns will be playing once again…

My take on muschamp…(not that it means anything…)

There is alot of speculation to say that you might not see any difference in the D this year and last year…I find that hard to believe.

Lets look at the Texas D…Yes they are young, But lets all remember this is TEXAS… The #1 or #2 recruiting team in the nation (and thats depending on which poll you look at). To be perfectly honest, there is no way in hell they can be as bad as they were last year…I think those kids are deathly afraid of Muschamp. I think we will see the change the first drive of tha FAU game (Lord help them…) I can’t honestly allow myself to sit back and still be somewhat skeptical about how the defense is coming along…The only question really about the defense is the safety’s… and you know muschamp has pretty much put his foot up those guy’s asses to get production…

Thats just my take…

HOOK EM!

by mccoy12 on Aug 21, 2008 6:20 AM CDT 0 recs