Too bad for Applewhite. Just as speculation about Muschamp succeeding Mack Brown began with his hiring, so did speculation about Major Applewhite having a significant coaching role at Texas in the future, possibly even as the head coach. Handicapping the likelihood of one or the other taking over for Mack Brown, many probably would have chosen Applewhite, as most only expected Muschamp for a year, or two at most. Now, with Tuesday's announcement, Applewhite seems on the outside looking in, leading writers to wonder if Applewhite is the loser in this situation.

While it certainly means that Applewhite will likely never be the head coach at Texas, I don't think it precludes a long career for Applewhite as a coach for the Burnt Orange. There's a strong possibility that Applewhite will take over as offensive coordinator if Greg Davis gets a head coaching job (unlikely) or retires when Mack Brown does (much more likely). Applewhite and Muschamp seem to have a strong working relationship, which makes it unlikely that Muschamp will bring in his own assistants (except, perhaps, a defensive coordinator) at the expense of Applewhite. At only 30, Applewhite looks to need a half-decade or so of experience (and some significant experience as offensive coordinator) before being a strong candidate for a job good enough to compel him to leave Austin.

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The Boom shall resonate indefinitely about the ATX. Even more than eight hours after hearing the news that everyone's favorite Youtube legend will be the next head coach of the Texas Longhorns (the money quote: "If I had left Austin, my wife would have stayed here."), when Mack Brown decides to mosey on over to the AD's office. There's no doubt that speculation about the length of Muschamp's stay began before the ink even dried on his contract. As did questions about a possible Muschamp ascendancy, or even the possible replacements.

Earlier in the day, I found myself wondering if the now-unemployed Greg Robinson might find his way back into a more flattering shade of orange. After all, I still credit Robinson's intensity in 2004 with Cedric Griffin's effort knocking Ohio State's tight end free of the potentially game-clinching catch in the Horseshoe.

That idle speculation was spectacularly silenced. Beyond the new rounds of speculation about how long Mack Brown will remain head coach (and the impact of this decision on Major Applewhite), the immediate question is how the announcement impacts the 2009 recruiting class. The first subject to consider is Jamarkus McFarland, whom I discuss later. After McFarland, though, consider that Texas still has offers out-of-staters and nationally elite defenders like corner Dre Kirkpatrick, defensive end Devon Kennard, and linebacker Jarvis Jones, who constitute the majority of outstanding UT offers for '09. Retaining Muschamp could be the final selling point for Austin.

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No starter? No big deal. While Longhorn fans are busy worrying about an anemic performance from the running backs against a vastly physically outmatched Rice team, Greg Davis is busy being unconcerned about who starts. Vondrell McGee is listed as the starter after an unimpressive 8 carries for 30 yards, with Chris Ogbonnaya and Fozzy Whitaker listed as the co-backups. PB mentioned yesterday that McGee looks uncomfortable running the ball out of the shotgun. Despite his "Bulldozer" nickname from high school, McGee hasn't shown the ability to break tackles in his time at Texas.

Solution? The scheme seems to be part of the problem, as running out of the shotgun doesn't take advantage of McGee's downhill running style. Surely, his knee injury suffered in the FAU game doesn't help, but I think some tweaks to the scheme would benefit McGee. The easiest adjustment is a wrinkle that some zone read teams are running now: instead of having the running back right next to the quarterback, he stands a foot or two farther back. For a running back without explosive quickness, it allows extra room to accelerate and read the defense. Something less easy to install (it would probably have to be done in the spring) is to use some of the Pistol formation that Nevada runs. The running back remains at normal depth, while the quarterback takes the snap from in front of him, using a three step drop when passing. It allows the running back to get a running start when receiving the ball, negating the biggest weakness of running from the shotgun. It requires some footwork adjustment by the quarterback and may take some time to develop timing, but it's something to consider.

No tight end solutions yet. Ever since his devastating injury on Saturday night against Rice, Texas coaches have been searching for a solution to the problem of replacing the versatile Blaine Irby. So far, they have no answers. IT's Ross Lucksinger ($) calls for a shift in offensive philosophy and a movement to a base four wide receiver set. Unless Greg Smith or someone else really prove themselves a threat in the passing game, it doesn't make sense to have them on the field except for running downs. Going four wide might even help the running game by spreading the field even more and forcing defenses to play more nickel defense, leaving them smaller and less physical. The Longhorns also have the depth at the receiving position to do it. In fact, one of the issues coming into fall practice was getting playing time for all the talented receivers. The shift may even allow the electric John Chiles more snaps.

Speaking of Chiles. Mack Brown said the nine Q package plays against Rice "looked good." I'm not sure if the coaches consider it part of the package, but several plays with Chiles at quarterback were impressive, including several of his long runs. It wasn't just his athletic ability evidenced in those runs, it was his vision. On two plays he saw holes open up. Instead of running into trouble within the design of the play, he improvised and hit the holes quickly and decisively. That vision, coupled with a moribund running game, leads me to believe that Chiles should see more snaps at running back, especially because it's hard to justify taking McCoy off the field in big games when he's running the offense with the precision of a maestro.

A savior from the defensive ranks? Texas coaches mentioned on Monday that they may look to the defense to help fill the decimated tight end ranks. No specific names were given by the staff, leaving it up to your humble scribe to speculate. And so I shall. The first two names that come to mind are Brian Orakpo and Eddie Jones, although I think the problem is pressing enough to warrant some practice time spent on tight end tryouts on defense. Orakpo makes sense because of his size/speed combination, but his value to the defense probably outweighs any potential gain for the offense. Eddie Jones, however, hasn't been seeing a lot of playing time with the emergence of Henry Melton and Sam Acho, who played some tight end in high school and might be another option because of his experience. With limited practice time, the package wouldn't be anything close to extensive, but with several complimentary plays, could be effective. I don't think any defense wants to let Eddie Jones or Sam Acho run through their secondary without any resistance.

One of my favorite columns of any kind each year was MLB columnist Joe Sheehan's "My Guys" piece, which he used to run prior to each season, highlighting a handful of players he loves to have great, high-impact seasons but who aren't receiving sufficient hype. This year, he tweaked the format to "Breakout Players," but the concept is about the same.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

Right. My Guys for 2008:

Lamarr Houston, DT - If there's a Lamarr Houston Hype Parade, I suppose I've been the guy with the funny hat, elongated wand, and whistle. I've seen others here and elsewhere start to come around, but judging by the poll in the right sidebar... I'm not exactly leading a revolution. As I keep saying during each of this summer's radio appearances, I think he's the best player on the team.

Deon Beasley, CB - I'm not exactly on an island here, but as far as I can tell, my opinion of Deon Beasley's potential this season is well ahead of most. Not only is he a shining example of proper player development - a credit to the coaches - but the end result is a player who's as mentally confident as he is physically gifted. Playing elite cornerback requires that kind of mental confidence - if you're thinking, you're finished - and if all goes well, Texas has one of the conference's best cornerbacks and the coaches get as strong a reinforcer as is imaginable that the Beasley Way is the Proper Way to develop a player. He's not the team's most gifted defensive back - just the best developed. With so much young talent in the DB Cupboard, a championship-level secondary can be had sooner rather than later.

Sam Acho, DE - Lamarr Houston? Is an NFL-caliber physical freak. Sam Acho... far less so. But it took me about three plays last season to do that thing where you sort of squint in at the TV, hit rewind, and ask yourself, "Wait, who was that?" The kid has absolutely phenomenal instincts, and if Brian Orakpo is the obvious star at end, Acho is the guy - more so than Eddie Jones, perhaps - that I look forward to seeing on the field opposite Orakpo. Especially given what Muschamp will be asking of his front four, I love what Acho brings to the table.

Malcolm Williams, WR - Though I sense more Kirkendoll and Buckner hype, I'm sticking with Williams as My Guy to be the breakthrough receiver for Texas this year. I remember 2004 well enough to be wary of expecting too much of any first-year receiver, but if there's a 2008 successor to Limas Sweed, I think it's Williams. I'm making him one of My Guys because he's a lot stronger than Sweed was in '04.

Michael Huey, G - I see absolutely no difference between Huey and Justin Blalock, a four-year starter at Texas and immediate starter for the Atlanta Falcons in the Sunday league. A product of the Kilgore football factory, Huey is an Absolutely Dependable starter waiting to happen.

Who are Your Guys heading into 2008? And more importantly.... why?