to go with our whine nor do we need a split title.  I was at the game last night and was a little overwhelmed by all of the "split title" talk by fellow Longhorns.  Let me say by the way that I was also pleasantly overwhelmed with all of the pre-game festivities and how OSU and their fans proved to be up for the challenge.  Now back to the split title...that ship sailed when we were denied access into the Big 12 Championship.  Let OU and UF battle it out Thursday night for the 2008 title and let's focus our passion and hopes on 2009.  Utah is the only program outside of the BCS Title game participants who can honestly gripe about being denied a title or title shot.  In fact, I hope Utah makes all kinds of stink about it and it gets a lot of pub and maybe even a little Congressional talk (not that it matters in today's world).  The reality is that until the majority of conferences (which is mostly non-BCS schools) rally against the current system, it will not change.  Every three years when a non-BCS conference school gets denied a chance at an unbeaten record meaning something it is also one more chance for the fires of protest to begin to rage.

As far as Texas, I have said repeatedly, both on this website as well as talking and blogging with Houston-area sports people, that this team is eerily familar to the 2004 Texas Longhorns.  Just like them, the 2008 team beat a Big-10 team in a BCS bowl game in dramatic fashion.  Just like them, the current team will be losing a few, but meaningful seniors, but will also have a core nucleus intact to strengthen going into the following season.  The 2005 Longhorns and the 2009 Longhorns have the same conference schedule as the year before.  Key players from some of those conference opponents from the prior year are no where to be found the next.  This Longhorn team is set up to make an incredible push for the National Title in 2009.  I am excited and can't wait for opening kickoff against ULM to start that journey.

However, in the meantime, I would hope that fans can be passionate, yet reserved when discussing what could have been in 2008.  That, and all of the drama with it, is out of our hands, yet 2009 is in our collective grasp! Thanks to Colt, the Longhorn Dynasty will add another notch in their belt in 2009 as the keys to the car get turned over to Gilbert in 2010 much like they were with Colt in 2006 after VY helped win the title for us in 2005.  

Hook 'em!