"The Horns Are Overrated"
by Sleepy on Jun 18, 2009 7:37 PM CDT
43 comments
That's the subject of this article from Tim Griffin on ESPN.com (or I guess I'm supposed to call it a blog). He's not specifically trying to prove that point, but it's an interesting topic given the building anticipation among Longhorn football fans (read: you).
He's responding to comments by Pete Fiutak of College Football News.com:
"It's all relative. Everyone feels bad about what happened to the Longhorns last year so they're the automatic No. 2 pick over Oklahoma. I have a gut feeling that the Sooners, rebuilt O line and all, are better, and I have another gut feeling (or maybe it's the burrito I ate) that there will be at least two losses (OU and Oklahoma State). Again, it's all relative. Of course this is a top-five team.
Gut feelings aside, could we be underestimating OU and OU Lite? Obviously much has to play out even this summer before we really know who this Longhorn team will be, but I don't see that the national media has overrated the Longhorns. It would be one thing if they were anointed national champions, but many of the pundits have placed them 3rd or 4th behind Tebow, Carroll, and OU. I think the pre-glory of these other teams has positioned UT to fly slightly under the radar, as concealed as you can be with the quality of the team they have. However, after the RRR, there will be no hiding.
Here's the point: it's good to be overrated in today's environment, if the players are mature about it. Whether you agree with Fiutak's comments or not, college football is the only sport where being overrated is an advantage (see Oklahoma, University of). What if the Longhorns are slightly overrated? If we drop the OU game (gasp!) but then run the table, we could be in a good position given the perception built from the pre-season. More overhype please, media! The Longhorns handled the pressure like men last year.
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i dont think that OU will be a pushover, however, i think that texas has more experience and talent overall on the team, with fewer question marks than OU does.
i love how he thinks we’re a top 5 team… but overrated.
i hate how he picks “pity ranking” as the reason for our overrating rather than our legitimate concerns at DL and RB… we’re pretty solid everywhere else except tight end…
by Displaced Longhorn on Jun 18, 2009 8:35 PM CDT reply actions
What an idiot
Everyone feels bad about what happened to the Longhorns last year so they’re the automatic No. 2 pick over Oklahoma.
Actually, they choose us as #2 because they (correctly) think we’re better than OU. Lets look at the facts:
1) In our last matchup, we beat OU by double digits on a neutral field.
2) Thereafter, we were basically tied with the human voters going into the MNC.
3) OU then embarrassed itself yet again, on national television, in front of the entire country, while Texas won its game.
Only a biased jackass could look at these facts and conclude that people are ranking Texas over OU because they “feel[] bad about what happened to the Longhorns last year.” By the facts, we’re the better team; thus the higher ranking. It’s that simple.
If we drop the OU game (gasp!) but then run the table, we could be in a good position given the perception built from the pre-season.
Please. Everyone knows that a UT win over OU means UT was only better for part of one game, and that OU should be in the championship, while an OU win over UT means UT doesn’t even deserve a BCS bid.
by burntorangehorn on Jun 18, 2009 9:49 PM CDT reply actions
I’d love nothing more than to see OU drop games to Okie State, UT, and of course BYU. It’d definitely be a lower-profile game if OU had already dropped a game to a non-BCS school before the RRS, but after last year I no longer care if OU’s a respectable opponent. I want them trampled into dust.
by burntorangehorn on Jun 18, 2009 10:07 PM CDT reply actions
Last season, BYU...
…..beat 0-12 Washington by 1 point, lost to TCU by 25 and lost to 8-5 Arizona by 10 points.
With a front-7 like OU will be putting on the field, I’m not looking for OU to have any problems with BYU.
--- All roads to the Big-XII Championship lead through OU/RRS. It's not just another game! We're all about championships here. ---
Plus, everyone saw that BYU could only win at home
Playing in Arlington will probably make them look like a FCA/D2 school
by future_longhorn_dad on Jun 19, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
No one is underestimating OSU
They are going to be awesome next year, even w/o manbeast Pettigrew. While I call for Texas having an undefeated season, I look for OU to get beat in Norman by a very mad group of cowboys
"Stats are for losers, I like winning games."
I don't get the OSU love
They lost 4 of their last 6 and their best win last year was over a Missouri team that ended up hemorrhaging by the end of the season.
OSU and Missouri
Were the two most overrated teams last year. Their “epic” game against each other only furthered that illusion.
If you can cover Dez, you can beat OSU, its as simple as that. Last year they could make you pay with Pettigrew, they cant this year. I like our chances.
by BoddickerIsClutch on Jun 19, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
we covered dez last year and nearly loss… their running game was in beastmode.
by Displaced Longhorn on Jun 19, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions
but BiC is right..
…Pettigrew was the main problem. Now they don’t have him, so we can concentrate on Dez, and more on the running game. Still, I think we might have problems w/ OSU.
by vy til i die on Jun 19, 2009 8:01 PM CDT up reply actions
OSU
OSU is better no doubt but I see them losing to Georgia with a score around 28-14. The first game of the season is gonna show some rust on the Cowboys with their passing attack. I think Georgia just has better depth and talent overall despite the loss of their star players. I see Georgia slicing through their “defense” and Zac Robinson getting frustrated by the team speed and his lack of height.
When the Pokes travel to Norman they might as well just forfeit the game. Gundy has a horrible track record against OU, never beat them as a coach or player I believe, and being in Norman its gonna be a blowout along the lines of 45-21.
In addition to those OSU is bound to drop a game against somebody unexpectedly (tech?)
OSU’s defense is really no weaker than Georgia’s offense. It’ll be a strength vs. strength, weakness vs. weakness game.
by burntorangehorn on Jun 19, 2009 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I see your point but
I think theres a better chance that Georgia can get something going on the ground than OSU’s defense being able to make stops consistently.
Aside from that the cowboys offense is good but not the juggernaut its made out to be. OSU can destroy bad and mediocre teams but loses to good and elite teams. They rely on jumpballs to Bryant as their best passing option but mostly use sideline screen stuff that Georgia will not put up with. Their running game is good with Hunter and whoever but Georgia has the horses to shut that down or limit it at least.
I expect a good showing from the Pokes but I dont expect them to win
Count me as a polemicist on the faith in the SEC, I guess.
by burntorangehorn on Jun 19, 2009 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Georgia got lit up against GaTech: 45 points scored! They also let Bama, Kentucky, LSU, and UF score at least 38 on them. That just doesn’t scream defensive strength to me.
I wish OSU had played them last year because I think they would have won. I think they will win this year. I think it will be fairly high scoring game, and I don’t think Ga keeps up. How do they replace Stafford, Moreno, and Massaquoi (2 1st rounders and a 2nd) and still put up any offense (it was bad enough as it was last year).
I’ve heard the ess-eeeeee-seeeee fans claim that Georgia’s excuse for not being effective on offense is that they run a more pro-style offense, which I find to be a silly argument. First of all, if that were the case, wouldn’t it make sense to go to an offense that actually works? Secondly, why does it work in the NFL, but not in college? Thirdly, if it’s the offense they run, it’s the offense they run, and it doesn’t make sense to grade them on a curve because of it. They’re just not good on offense, period. They’re not terrible, or even bad, but they’re probably not going to be especially scary on offense after losing the talent they did. They return their entire offensive line, which will help the new class of starters at the skill positions, but they return only one other offensive starter: AJ Green, a promising soph.
You’re right, though, that’s they were overrated on defense, and part of that is the fact that they played in the SEC. What’s going to be interesting against OSU is whether their young defensive backs (they return one starting CB, one starting safety, and no depth on their two-deep in the defensive backfield) can handle Bryant and Robinson. OSU returns everyone but two OL and redzone non-factor Pettigrew on offense, unless Bowling’s seriously out. I don’t think UGA can handle those receivers, and I think the OSU offensive line will hold up well against the defensive line.
So basically they were overrated on both sides of the ball.
by burntorangehorn on Jun 19, 2009 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree. The only reason I think it will be high scoring on both sides is that even though Ga’s offense is pretty bad, I think OSUs defense is a little worse. However, i think OSU can put up 38+ if Kentucky and GaTech can, so that’s why I’m picking OSU.
admittedly Georgias defense was
not one to be admired last year, gave up a LOT of big plays and third downs. However I still think Georgia’s overall talent is better than OSU’s. OSU certainly has some impressive skill players though
actually
the reason Georgia struggled on offense last season was b/c their OL was decimated by injuries. It started in two-a-days, when they lost their starting LT. I think by season’s end, they had lost some obscene amount of linemen to injuries, like 5 starters, including 3 LTs alone.
The “pro-style offense” scheme excuse doesn’t work, b/c a bunch of teams in the SEC run a pro-style offense with mainly 21 personnel, including Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Mississippi State. It is one of the reasons the defenses in that conference are so overrated, the offenses are too simplistic.
Injuries hit ‘em hard, but they weren’t all that good on the offensive line in the first place. I’ve seen plenty of teams with worse injury situations, like Cinci with its QBs, overcome and succeed.
by burntorangehorn on Jun 21, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions
Probably not against Tech
Leach’s inability to win big games on the road are well-documented.
by TheElusiveShadow on Jun 22, 2009 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I've followed the Horns all my life
and I can’t remember expectations ever being this high (70s to present, if you must know). I don’t remember 2005 being this “preordained.” The Horns are always expected to produce, but man, there’s no wiggle-room for 2009. It’s going to be a tough, tough slog to pull this one off. The Big 12 is a minefield and too many questions are still to be answered before I can sell myself on the idea that we’re any sort of shoo-in.
God, I freaking hope so, though.
P.S.
Yea Baseball.
Disciplina Praesidium Civitatis.
Yeah I hear you...
I’ve followed them all of my life too and I see it the same way. I do have faith that the coaches, Colt, Shipley along with Houston and Kindle can lead this team and give it the maturity and toughness needed to get it done. We will have some tough games that we will find a way to win. I think by the end of next season we will all be happy.
For now though I am going to enjoy the finals in Omaha. The season will get here when it gets here (I hate the drought as much as you all do, but I can’t do anything about it)… and for me seeing the Horns with a chance to win another CWS is awesome.
Oh and on the “overrated” thing… let them “overrate” us all the way to the MNC. I think this is McCoy’s year.
1 Peter 2:17
Yes there will be unbelievable hype about Texas this year...
but I trust Colt, Shipley, and this coaching staff will have this team pinpoint focused and locked in all year. There’s a tremendous amount of leadership and accountability on this team. I like the fact this team is loaded and still has a chip on their shoulder about last year.
This season’s success will revolve around the OU and Okla St. games and I firmly believe we’ll come throught.
Texas vs. Florida will be the national title game folks.
why does everybody think
Florida will make it through the SEC unscathed…? I think USC has a better chance because they are in the PAC 10.
yea at least UF has the target on their back
and take s the heat of of UT but the schedule is really hard to read
UL-Monroe=blowout win
@Wyoming=blowout win
Texas Tech=catch them early at home, should win without much trouble
UTEP=blowout win
Colorado=mediocre team, at home, easy win
OU(dallas)=toss up with slight edge to Texas
@Mizzou=I have no idea what to expect from a brand new team on the road
@Oklahoma St=dangerous, dangerous, dangerous!
UCF=blowout win to catch our breath
@Baylor=I like Griffin but its still the bad-news-bears…blowout win
Kansas=no trouble at home
@Texas A&M=dangerous remember 07
As a fan, I hate preordaining anything...
The Big 12 will look great any way you cut it, and there are 3 clear frontrunners (with the operating space for a 4th to emerge… who knows?). But all this talk that UT has it locked and it’s all theirs… when trash talking among friends gets started in another month or so, I’ll definitely be arguing that UT has got the strength, the depth, and the knowledge to take it all the way; I won’t be arguing that Texas is de facto in the MNC game.
I just hate to jinx things as a fan!
who has the motivation to win?
OU and Sam Bradford got the breaks last year. UT beats OU and gets the SHAFT. Colt absolutely SMASHES the passing completion percentage record and can’t win the Heisman. With a senior QB that completes more than 75% of his passes and never did worse than 65% Whose gonna be the hungriest team with something to prove ?
I hope they hold a grudge
but honestly I havent felt much of this “chip on their shoulder” attitude from the team in interviews etc.
I think us fans just want them feel like we do. I think fans think that their feelings are shared by the players…not sure thats true
I would love to see them chomping at the bit like we all keep saying but frankly I dont see it..I dont hear it
Does that mean they wont be good? No they’re gonna be good, they just dont dwell about it as much as fans would think. They have their own lives and dont think about OU 24/7
well thats kind of hard to understand but what im trying to say is
Is the team holding a grudge?
or
Are the fans holding a grudge?
Is this “fire” we talk about real or an assumption based on our feelings as fans
I think the chip is on OUR shoulder
by future_longhorn_dad on Jun 19, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
Team feeds on the fans as well.
Tough to gauge the teams hate on OU today, when they are focused on internal practices and personnel.
By the time October comes around, they will have heard so much shit from every angle about last year I wouldn’t worry about a chip being on their shoulder, however OU will be out there with something to prove as well, I cant wait.
by BoddickerIsClutch on Jun 19, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Poppycock
Just another sensationalist headline… Tim Griffin is getting clicks instead of following the logic train, here we go (choo choo):
1) Mighty Horns ’08 = Lying, Cheating Dirtburlgar ’08 + 10
2) UT ’09 = UT ’08 – Orakpo, Miller, Melton Cosby, Ryan Palmer, Dockery
3) OU SUX ’09 = OU SUX ’08 – O Line, WRs, DBs
ERGO… Timmy is saying that Orakpo Miller, Melton, Cosby, RP, Dockery are ten points more valuable than OU’s O-line (-1 guy), WRs, and DBs?
NO SIR, I SAY, BEGONE TIM GRIFFIN
God bless Dockery and the time he put in, but I’m mildly surprised he’s even being listed as a lost starter. It seems like he’s been in on fewer snaps than his platoon players the past few years.
by burntorangehorn on Jun 19, 2009 10:29 AM CDT up reply actions
That is a weak arguement
You cannot base why a college football team is ranked over another on sympathy. Thats preschool mentality, its wasnt fair for us to miss the MNC so, everyone should feel sorry for us. All but one game last year, we played good solid football, not blowout football, and not mistake prone football, all with a mediorce running game. Plus, you cannot say we are a top 5 team with 2 loses. If we have the calaber to be a top 5 team, when how in the world are we going to lose to a restructuring team and a team the continuously chokes midway throught the 3rd.
by future_longhorn_dad on Jun 19, 2009 12:02 PM CDT reply actions
In addition
A friend of mine that played some college football has made me a firm believer in line experience. It does not matter how big or strong a lineman is if he has little or no experience at the college level. I know that there are plenty of exceptions, but there is no way Stoops got 4 together for this coming year. Everyone knocks us for "almost " losing to tOSU in the Fiesta, but that defense had the good part of 4 years together. Having Bradford, Murrayand Gresham on the field still does not mean the line will be able to protect them long enough to be ultimately effective.
by future_longhorn_dad on Jun 19, 2009 12:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Your friend is correctomundo. It starts and ends with the OL.
OU was knocked down in the rating because of the loss of starters in the OL. Even if those guys are replaced with squad members with some experience in the offensive system, that is not game experience. The logical deduction is that the Bradford will feel the difference. The only good thing which can be said is that five games into the schedule, the OL should be much better than it was opening day. Against weak sister teams, OU will run its regular offense without much difficulty…but against stronger teams things will be more apparent.
My early predictions are that the TEs and hot receivers will catch a lot of balls, Bradford will have more early INTs and the downfield game will be slower to develop. OU might run more just because it is easier in the beginning.
The only other logical deduction is that the OU defense will have to pick up the slack, cover their loses and balance out the offense with increased aggression.
Texas has an experienced line, with some depth, an experienced QB and a corral of RBs to fit into the scheme, good receivers and the lone weakness of no solid TE at this point. Without an experienced receiving TE after Irby went down, the Horns still won.
A better explanation is that Stoops and OU, like SC, have plenty of allies in the press that need only the flimsiest argument to utter their proclamations.
Don’t worry…these Horns can deal with fictions. They are the real thing.
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