Could the Longhorn's defense be the best in the country?
Almost on the eve of the season, Mack Brown suggested, no, he outright claimed that this could be the best defense he's had in 13 years at Texas.
He's wrong.
It could be the best in the nation.
That obviously is a bit premature, considering the sixth-ranked Longhorns have nine regular-season games to play. But they sent out a message loud and clear that they can win with defense.
Garrett Gilbert just isn't fazed by anything.
The Texas Tech crowd was loud, the atmosphere was hostile. Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert stayed cool, though, despite some rough moments in his first road start.
"He didn't look any different on any play," Texas coach Mack Brown said. "It's amazing to me. His demeanor didn't change at all. Now, on the last drive that we had for the touchdown, he did get after them and he was animated, and that was the first time I'd seen him do that."
From the Dallas Morning News:
UT true frosh DE Jackson Jeffcoat is the third-best pass rusher in the state, right behind Mario Williams of the Texans and Demarcus Ware of the Cowboys. Jeffcoat abused the TT Oline all game. And he's only 18.
Gilbert is not Colt McCoy.
He also showed off his physical talent, which will soon have Mel Kiper drooling. For example, nobody loved Colt McCoy more than his offensive coordinator, Greg Davis. But when asked last week how much stronger Garrett's arm is than McCoy's, Davis laughed.
"It's, uh, noticeable," Davis said then.
So much for all that silence during the game.
Yes, it was a big surprise.
Mack Brown on calling a fake punt in the second half: "Nobody with any sense would call a fake punt on their 30...I thought it would be a big surprise."
Penalties were an issue.
Texas had way too many penalties - 11 for 95 yards. I'm not sure if it was the crowd or what, but the Longhorns gave up penalties on both sides of the ball that ruined important Texas drives. Texas Tech had eight penalties for 98 yards.
Sorry, Tommy. Tuberville really thought the Raiders would get at least 30 points.
"Again, I'm proud of the entire team because of their effort. We just didn't execute well enough to have a chance to win there at the end. I thought we'd score in the 30's. But, you know, it's just one of those things where we just never could get the tempo or get anything going on first down."
The Land Thieves were befuddled by Air Force's triple option. (Game highlights.)
It isn't like the Sooners had run into this offense before.
The Cornhuskers beat creamed Washington. QB Taylor Martinez didn't have a problem playing in a hostile environment.
Coaches lectured Martinez all week on the potential problems from Washington’s crowd. Finally, the kid had enough.
"Just give me the rock," he said.
Nebraska coaches loved it so much they laughed. They were still smiling Saturday night after Martinez led a 56-21 beatdown of Washington.
The Aggies barely escaped Florida International and the best QB in the Big 12 had a rough day. (Game highlights.)
Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman didn't consider benching Jerrod Johnson after he threw his fourth interception of the third quarter.
Instead he got in his quarterback's face and said: "You got us in this, get us out of it."
I guess all that Heisman talk is over.
The Pokes lead the nation in passing.
On Sunday, however, when the updated NCAA statistics were released, OSU’s identity had a new characteristic.
For the first time in school history, with an average of 391.7 per game, the Cowboys lead the nation in passing yards.
What did we learn this week?
Nebraska's running game is terrifying. Yeah, Washington's defense is weak. But plenty of teams play plenty of weak defenses. Few, if any, have three 100-yard rushers that are all threats to do it again on any week. Nebraska's defense looks on track to be as good as it was a year ago, and it will only get better as the season progresses. If the running game does the same, the Huskers will be a team in the national title picture. So far, the Huskers are the only team in the conference with three blowout wins, and their three includes a road blowout against a Pac-10 team. Taylor Martinez, Roy Helu Jr. and Rex Burkhead give this Huskers offense an edge that was missing in 2009 behind an offensive line that's turned in outstanding performances for the season's first three weeks.
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