Morning Coffee
by Peter Bean on Aug 24, 2007 12:03 AM CDT
in Quick Hits
13 comments
A brief programming note before diving into the news: I'll be away from the computer all day Friday with a full day of orientation. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited. As much as I'm going to miss Austin in general, and being there for UT sports in particular, I'm happy to be a student again and have been genuinely impressed with everything I've seen up here so far. Onward to the news.
I submitted my off the cuff first draft preseason BlogPoll ballot on Tuesday, as did 58 others. Brian's number crunching doohickey digested our input and spit out a poll:
Over the weekend, we'll take a look at the first BlogPoll roundtable question: "Who's overrated? Underrated?" I'll also take all the excellent comments on my own ballot into consideration as I make some revisions.
A note to my fellow bloggers: please remember that I've made a vow to use the BlogPoll rankings when discussing a team this season (except insofar as the commentary is related to who shall be playing in the BCS national title game). So take your ballots seriously, y'hear? And by seriously, I don't mean doing what everyone else is doing. I mean providing explanations for your votes. That's all the poll requires. Consistent, transparent methodology.
Player highlight videos are always fun, but some are better than others. You won't find too many better ones than this Jamaal Charles tribute. All Hail King Charles.
Kirk Bohls' Friday column is on scheduling, though it's all old, old conversation around these parts. I only bring it up because it ran on the same day as a note on ESPN.com that Miami is seeking a season opening opponent for 2008. And, gee, looking at Texas' calendar for next season, there's a nice open slot to start the season.
Why not Miami? Unlike the Michigan pipe dreams, this thing is feasible. Not only does Texas have an opening to kickoff the 2008 season, but there's an opening in 2009 as well. And while Arkansas is on the schedule both years, that's not a program riding so high that it'd be suicidal to add another interesting opponent to the slate. This would be a big win for both schools. I'm on board, even if I'm not gonna hold my breath.
I've been meaning to mention this for a while but have been so busy that I haven't found the right time. Today's as good a day as any to note that SBN has added a Kansas State blog called Bring On The Cats. It's a great site, with a sharp-witted author who covers the Big 12 damn well. For a nice starter introduction, I'd urge you to take a look at TB's Best of the Big XII post. Great stuff. Go have a gander.
--PB--
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Miami
I would love to see UT play Miami next year in the Hurricanes first game at their new home. Just imagine all the media circus in Florida with the Canes moving from the Orange Bowl to Joe Robbie, or whatever corporate name it is now called, and the Horns going in there and humiliating Convict U.
by sportsfan on Aug 24, 2007 7:43 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
TCU
by sharkbait101 on Aug 24, 2007 10:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Only one game w/ TCU
Click to see the current lineup of future schedules.
by Shake on Aug 24, 2007 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's interesting.
The season after a national championship win the longhorns were dropped pretty good at the beginning of last season (for a defending champ). One of the big reasons was starting a freshman QB. That doesn't seem to affected OU much in the poll, not having experience at QB.
I guess many are assuming you can still have a running game when the QB isn't that great. My guess would be not having an experienced QB will cause problems for their ground attack. Defenses know they won't see many audibles in the face of defense shifts before a play. You can bet that every pass scheme OU has it won't be very complex in the beginning. This could be a big advantage to a defense.
If Colt McCoy wasn't such and exceptional freshman UT would had maybe two more loses and finished 8-4 in regular season play.
I would say the same about OU except chances are Bradford won't be another McCoy, at best 9-3 at worst 8-4 so they are over rated at least 10 positions (maybe more).
by Xerxes on Aug 24, 2007 10:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I would think
That the expected drop from Vince to human is a big difference compared to Thompson to red shirt freshman.
by Wells on Aug 24, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
didnt we start the season #2 last year?
even though we know that was done so we could have that #1 vs #2 matchup.
by the other Andrew on Aug 24, 2007 11:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Miami
Not to go all HC pessimistic, but I'd say the chances of us traveling to Miami are slim to none.
First of all, Mack's already got his Florida recruiting game done after this year by playing Central Florida.
Second, Mack already has his BCS non-con game, playing Arkansas at home. Sadly, with no Mustain, McFadden, Marcus Monk, I don't see Arkansas being ranked at the beginning of '08.
Third, I see absolutely NO way Mack would start a season against a good team without a warmup game (such as Arkie St) first. Look at his history; it's a lot of New Mexico States and North Texases. The only halfway decent opponent in the first game was when they played NC State in '99, and I have strong doubts that Mack was the one who scheduled that one.
Fourth, after Miami destroys A&M on Sept. 20, Mack will definitively say, "No, thanks."
by jc25 on Aug 24, 2007 11:22 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That slot is all but filled
I've posted it on a couple of locations. These guys can't even tie Miami's cleats and they are only 2 seasons removed from Div.1-AA. Our season opener will be against the juggernaut Florida Atlantic. Whooppee!
TEXAS SIZED OPPONENT ON THE HORIZON?
By Marcus Nelson | Monday, August 13, 2007, 11:30 PM
The word around the Oxley Center is that FAU is close to finalizing a game at Texas next season. While athletic department officials say the deal is not finalized, it sounds like there are only a few small details to be worked out before a Owls-Longhorns tilt will be official.
The discussions are still ongoing, but the Owls believe they will be in Austin, Texas for the first game of the 2008 season. FAU also plays at Minnesota and at Michigan State next season.
Texas is familiar with Sun Belt Conference teams. The Longhorns will play host to Arkansas State to kick-of this season and have played a Sun Belt Conference team every year in its opening game since the Sun Belt’s first year in 2001.
.
.
by HornChamps on Aug 24, 2007 11:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Two Owls in one season?
That in and of itself says how crap our OOC schedule is.
by patienthornsfan on Aug 25, 2007 2:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Miami would need to recipricate
That isn't very likely. The entire reason they rescheduled FSU to mid-season was to avoid the suckfest that had become that rival game on the first week of the season. It was too early to play a big time match.
For elite college matchups they need at least one game under their belt, so the quality of play is up to par and they have figured out little things like, "who is our QB?". Otherwise you get gipped, because they are both trying to feel it out in the 3rd and 4th quarters. Let the players find their sea legs.
I have no problem with Texas scheduling a patsy the first game of the season. This isn't the NFL where you have 5+ preseason games to determine the depth chart.
by EYESofBEVO on Aug 24, 2007 12:05 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Don't spit up your morning coffee...
... but evidently Lance Bass is a Horns fan too.
On behalf of gay men everywhere, I apologise.
by patienthornsfan on Aug 25, 2007 3:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
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