SEC threatens fines, suspensions

Well after some high-profile, highly-subjective calls in two big games against the SEC's front-runner teams (Florida and Alabama), and some corresponding criticism from the coaches who got the short end of the stick, it seems like the SEC is just going to lock things down for now.

This seems like a really desperate move - something a despotic ruler would do when his corruption is exposed: "Well, I'll just prohibit any criticism or free speech!"

Even if the criticism isn't legitimate, the SEC can take a much more transparent and proactive approach to this. Show folks how you're planning on addressing refereeing. At least make it seem like you're doing something, even if you're not.

Bringing the hammer down like this makes it seem like you're trying to just put a lid on the problem.

Hey folks,

I'm a Longhorns fan, usually over at Burnt Orange Nation, but check in with the Chiefs from time to time after the recent drafts of Charles and others.

Anyway, an unrelated question - I was watching one of the NFL Network's Top Games this evening, and they were showing a game from 1990, Seahawks @ KC. The thing that caught my eye was several possessions in which the Chiefs ran a 4-wide set out of the shotgun, with one man in the backfield.

Now I'm sure at the time it wasn't referred to as the spread, but this certainly was a rare scheme, given that it's rare scheme to see in the NFL even today. What was this referred to at the time? Was it a novelty then as much as it would be today?

Any KC history buffs that can educate me on who the OC was and what he was running would be appreciated!

Hey Longhorns,

I'm sure a lot of you got this email too, but UT Athletics is doing another cheap ticket promotion.

For a limited time, we are offering you and your guests $6 tickets to the Men's Basketball game vs. Baylor and $5 tickets to the Women's Basketball game vs. Oklahoma. This is an Internet-only promotion and is available from Monday, Feb. 23 at 6 a.m. through Friday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m.

Texas Men's Basketball vs. Baylor: Monday, March 2, 2009 at 8 p.m.
Visit the PROMOTIONS page at TexasBoxOffice.com and enter the promotional code: BASKETBALL

Texas Women's Basketball vs. Oklahoma: Sunday, March 8, 2009 at 2:30 p.m.
Visit the PROMOTIONS page at TexasBoxOffice.com and enter the promotional code: COACHG

Mack (and all the other coaches in NCAA) is up for Coach of the Year honors here:

Liberty Mutual's Coach of the Year

When we think of class - when we think of holding the players to the same standard in both academia and football - when we think of even-handedness (as opposed to heavy-handedness) in dealing with all issues - when we think of the best representative of college football - no better man comes to mind than Mack Brown.

According to the AP article on their Big 12 awards, Colt is the leading rusher for the team this year, with 576 yards to this point.

I remember the year before last - Colt's freshman season - if memory serves me correct, it was the first time in a long time that UT had not produced a back with over 1000 yards rushing.

What years have we been under 1k yards rushing?

Do you think it's a sign of the times (only 2 players so far this season in the Big 12 have broken the 1000 yard mark, as opposed to 4 in the SEC) that the conference has tipped the scales in the direction of passing instead of rushing? Interestingly, however, the Big 12's combined yardage for the top 3 is 7850, whereas in the SEC it's 7461.

Does it point to dearth of good rushers in the league, period? Or is it an issue of o-lines, or even o-line coaching?

I'd love to hear some thoughts on UT's pretty poor showing in the run game (Baylor has outrun us by more than 200 yards) this year, as well as thoughts on the general state of the run in the conference compared to other conferences.

This may not get much traffic in the 18 hours running up to the game, but I wanted to document our potential secret weapons - or viewed from another angle, our 'Hail Mary' players/options.

Much talk leading up to this game was about bringing in surprises for OU, or things that we might not see in a mature form until the game, since the Sooners thrive on preparation and knowing what you're going to do.

It's been well documented that Colt can scramble, so while that may still be a secret weapon, OU is aware of it and it's more of a safety valve. So what other "Holy shit, I wasn't expecting that!" kind of opportunities are there for Texas?

These are HIGHLY optimistic possibilities, but here are some options I can see:

Coaching

I'm probably not the only fan hoping that Mack Brown slips some crazy pills into Greg Davis's morning coffee tomorrow. Given the vanilla play calling that he's so often criticized for, a Greg Gone Wild could shake things up for the Sooners. He's shown some flashes of creativity, misdirection, and general "Woah, who called that one?" types of plays leading up to this game. Might he blow it wide open? Or is he just going to blow?

Fozzy

Right now he's 3rd on the depth chart (not sure on his medical status?). But maybe Mack is looking to pull a reverse Mike Leach ("Everybody here is healthy and it will remain that way pretty much forever", referring to injury reports) with some head coach misdirection. Could Fozzy still show up?

Chiles

He's been mediocre at every position he's played so far this year, but as has been mentioned, this is a great game for anyone flying under the radar to break out. Maybe the past week at practice has seen Chiles solely at running back and/or wide receiver, and he's ready to make some plays. OU certainly isn't going to be playing deep if Chiles gets ready to chuck the ball, but here's hoping Ogby inspired him last week and he's ready to pull his weight as a similar double-duty RB.

Young receivers

We've got depth, we just don't have standouts. Any one of the young WRs could step up and play big this game. I hope this is the case and OU underestimates the lot of 'em.

Tight ends

Even compared against Fozzy, Chiles, and GD, this is probably the most optimistic - that one of our big boy tight ends develops some good hands and catches the ball. If Colt's ability to run is diminished by OU's preparation, then the opportunity for a TE to stand out in this game could not be greater. GD had some big faith in Greg Smith as a receiver, so let's hope that wasn't just preseason talk.

Any other possibilities? I'm not trying to encourage "when pigs fly"-type 'secret weapons', but just trying to think of things that even we, as overanalytical fanatics, would be surprised but elated to see.