Haven't seen this specific quote covered, but I think it gives us some insight into a. the difficulties in the running game thus far, and b. hope for the rest of the season on the offensive side of the ball.  Here's the quote, from Stewart Mandel's article on SI.com

"We've been so inconsistent with our running game because we've played so many different running backs," said Brown. "We added some plays [for this game]. We really thought we could win the first five games without much of a running game. The fact we ran the ball really well today is encouraging to me."

That's the closest I can recall to a tacit admission of the Texas coaching staff holding back for OU.  And not just holding back plays, but holding back A RUNNING GAME.  As much as it frustrates the fanbase, Mack and GD are willing to "just win baby" up until the OU game.  They don't give a damn what it looks like, or what we think about it.  Any analysis of the Texas running game pre-OU is futile, as pre-OU Texas is playing with one arm behind their back.  Acknowledging this makes it easier to understand the apparent discrepancy in these numbers (I've removed Sack yardage and attempts, as has been discussed here many times before, those should really be a part of the passing numbers):

vs Colorado:  23 Carries, 58 Yards, 2.52 YPC

vs Oklahoma:  36 Carries, 175 Yards, 4.86 YPC

4.86 against the best front seven that we'll see all year, at least until the MNC.  That, coupled with the improvement in the passing game that should result from more Goodwin and WIlliams and less Kirk and Chiles, should be cause for hope for Texas fans, even if the offense is run by GD.

I never thought I'd see the day...

Beergut capitalized "Texas".

courtesy of Dr. Saturday

As a result, Ryan gives Sherm only about "a two percent chance" of getting canned after the 2009 season. Over at I Am the 12th Man, "Coach Beergut" thinks a firing is even less likely:

There is a zero percent chance he will be fired following the 2009 season, regardless of record. The only way he would be fired is if he did something completely immoral/illegal that embarrassed the school/program, or if he violated NCAA rules in an egregious manner. (I beieve all NCAA coaches have a similar moral turpitude/NCAA sanctions release clause in their contract.)

I think the minimum expectations in 2009 are a 6-6 record and a bowl berth. The fanbase will be happy seeing some improvement. If we win more than 6 games, that is gravy. If we manage to upset Texas or Oklahoma, the fanbase will be ecstatic.

If Sherman had another season where we go 0-5 against the other teams in the Big 12 South, there would definitely be some rumblings from the fans and some discontent, but he isn't going anywhere.

If you really wanted to mess me up, you should have gotten to me before Rout 66.

This list is arbitrary and I'm sure many will disagree.  I'd love to see ammendments and suggestions, but also stories.  Texas losses are like JFK's death.  I always know where I was.  I'm sure you do to.  Also, for the first half of the Mack Brown era, I was in college (read:  had a drinking problem, particularly on Saturdays).  Any additional details for the late 90's games would be greatly appreciated.  I don't live in Austin anymore, and haven't been to a game in years, so any additional info from people that were at games would be greatly appreciated. 

I think this is probably a better discussion topic than Top 10 Games of the Mack Brown Era was.  That is the nature of Texas fans (Although no video in this one, I wouldn't do that to ya).  Okies, Aggies, and others will call it whining, to be sure.  I call it a palate that is honed to savor every note of sorrow.  So, without further ado, My Desert Island All Time Top 10 Worst Losses of the Mack Brown Era.

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Ok, so this post is going to force me to disclose how big of a geek I am, but hey, its the off season, work is slow, what do you want from me?

This year, EA Sports is allowing gamers to build their own schools online.  Create a program, customize, and then import it into the game when the game comes out.  So I'm looking around in there (just curious, honest!) and see that you can use real teams as templates.  Here is the link to Team Builder, but I think you have to have an EA account to view (doesn't cost anything though).  And now that I've shamed myself, your 2010 Texas Longhorns (in descending order by Overall Rating).

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Over the past 11 seasons, Texas has arguably been involved in more iconic and memorable games than any other Div 1 program.  One thing that struck me in compiling this list was how many of the close ones we have won.  It's no great wonder that when you think of the 3 primary QB's of the Mack Brown era (Applewhite, Young, McCoy), clutch is among the first words that comes to mind.  There are 3 games in particular that were tough to leave off of this list, and here are links to the game recaps.  I'm sure people will disagree with some of these rankings, and that's kinda the point. 

My criteria were as follows:

1.  Program significance

2.  Season significance

3.  Great finish:  Not a must, but it seems to almost always happen when Texas is in a big game anyway.

4.  Strength of Opponent:  This kept a couple of Tech games (2003, 2006) and Okie St 2007 out of the list.  Also Vince's heroics @ Kansas.

Last 3 games out: 

Ryan Bailey in the snow

Only win @ K-State

Another Nebraska winning streak eats it.

And there you have it.  So, without further ado, here's my top 10 games of the Mack Brown Era, complete with links, videos, and cheesy headlines!

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While I'm all for giving tOSU and the Fiesta Bowl their due attention, Colt's announcement that he was returning for his Senior year, along with this post from Barking Carnival, got me thinking about Colt's place in history.  He already holds every major record at Texas, but what about nationally?  Below are several major records that Colt has a shot at.  The conclusion that can be drawn from these numbers is that we've been downright spoiled at the Quarterback position for the better part of a decade.

NCAA Career wins: 42, David Greene, UGA (2001-2004)

With a win over tOSU, Colt would finish his Junior year with 32 victories, needing only our standard 10 wins as a Senior to tie the winningest QB in NCAA history.  11 wins and it's only Colt at the top.

NCAA Career starts: 51, Phillip Rivers, NCST (2000-2003)

If he stays healthy, Colt definitely eclipses this one.

NCAA Touchdowns Responsible for: 146, Colt Brennan, HAW (2005-2007)

McCoy has been responsible for 99 touchdowns thus far.  With a decent game against tOSU, and 13 or 14 games next year, this record is within reach (though by no means automatic).  That Brennan put up those numbers in 3 years is mind-boggling.

NCAA Career Passing Efficiency: 168.9, Ryan Dinwiddie, Boise St. (2000-2003)

Colt currently sits at 159.1, good enough for 8th All-time.  If Colt were to replicate his numbers from this year in 2009, he would finish with with a career passer rating of 164, good enough for 3rd All Time.  This is where all the picks from his soph year come back to haunt him.

NCAA Career Completion Percentage: 70.4%, Colt Brennan, HAW (2005-2007)

Colt's career completion rate is 70.19%.  If he were to duplicate his numbers from this year next year, his career completion percentage would be 72%.  This one is definitely in sight.

In Conclusion:

Were Colt to come close reproducing his stats from this year in 2009, he would be set the records for Wins, Starts, TD's, Completion %, and be 3rd all time in Passer Rating.  Not bad for a 3-Star prospect from Tuscola.  It's quite possible that our last two QB's could end up BOTH being Top 10 All-Time players.

We all know by now that our lead in the computers is .06.  I thought I'd break it out, poll by poll, to see what we're really working with.  I'm sure PB and others have copious amounts of data and analysis en route, but here is a (hopefully) good primer on each of the polls and our lead/deficit.  For my conclusion as to probable change in each poll, I'm assuming all favorites hold serve, which is the only way any of this matters anyway.  If you haven't seen it yet, the BCS site has a nice lil PDF with all the computer rankings shown individually.  Linky

Wolfe

Alabama 10.173

Texas 10.128

Tech 9.889

OU (sucks) 9.888

Conclusion:  OU (sucks) picks up at least one point here next week.

Billingsley (Billyzane's BFF)

Alabama 320.349

OU (sucks) 314.425

Texas 311.780

Tech 309.763

Conclusion:  Probably stays as is, too much ground for OU to make up on Bama, and Tech is not passing us with Baylor.

Anderson & Hester

Alabama .819

Utah .805

Texas .803

OU (sucks) .786

Tech .785

Conclusion:  A little hope here, as we have a substantial lead over OU (sucks), and are oh so close to Utah.  I'm gonna (wistfully) say that we pick up a point here.

Jeff Sagarin

Texas 93.53

Tech 92.59

Alabama 92.38

OU (sucks) 92.32

Conclusion:  He's our buddy now, but I think he's going to hurt us next week.  I think OU (sucks) picks up 2 points here, jumping Bama and Tech.

Colley

Texas .9446

Alabama .9160

Utah .9058

Florida .9021

OU (sucks) .8939

Conclusion:  Incomplete.  Although, since the highest and lowest computer rankings are tossed, I think he may be tossed from both Texas and OU's standings, as he is this week.

UPDATE:  OU should be far enough out that they can't pass Utah.  As long as they don't move into third, Colley is still a throw out.

Massey

Is as lazy as Colley, and has not updated his site either.  Here are his rankings, per the BCS site.

OU (sucks) 2.56

Texas 2.532

Tech 2.513

Alabama 2.508

Conclusion:  Incomplete.  Hard to see any change here though.  I'll say that this one stays as is.

UPDATE: No change will be occcuring here, and Massey would be thrown out for OU, as he gives them their sole number 1 ranking.

Add 'em up!

Thrown out, Texas:  Colley (1st), Billingsley (3rd)

Thrown out, OU:  Massey (1st), Colley (4th)

OU (sucks) nets a +.02 in the computers.  If the polls hold as is (I know, I know) here is what you would get in the BCS...

Texas:  .9242

OU (sucks): .9225

but, if we don't pick up one in Anderson & Hester, then we drop to 

Texas:  .92086667

and OU (sucks) stays at .9225, and the land thieves are in KC.  Basically, just root against anyone that Utah played.  Game of inches indeed.

So there was not a Google Calendar for Texas Men's Basketball, so I went ahead and made a public one.  I don't know if anyone else out there is as big of a geek as me, but I need that info on my phone, computer, reminders, etc. 

Search for Texas Men's Basketball in "Public Calendars" if you want to subscribe.  Right now it's just times and locations, but I'll add TV info soon.  Let me know if there is anything else that might be helpful on there.

Cheers.  Hook em!

After the 38-14 victory over Colorado, I'm more worried about Red River.  While the defense has definitely improved over the last 5 weeks, I still don't think we have the answers necessary in the secondary. 

Colt has been amazing thus far, but he showed flashes of '07 Colt, forcing a couple of balls in the first game with a semblance of pressure.  Going in to ou, the Irby injury becomes all too relevant.  Shipley and Cosby have done all that anyone could ask for, but we don't have a third receiver.  We don't have a tight end who can catch.  We do have a solid outlet in Ogbonnaya, but we're not going to see him break anything for distance against a defense the likes of ou. If they are able to clamp down on the corners, our offense could be in for a long day at the fair.

The running game looks even more suspect after playing our first legitimate defense of the year.  Cody has promise in short yardage situations, but he isn't going to provide the ever elusive explosives.  If Fozzy doesn't play, who do we have that is capable of breaking one?  And for that matter, could Fozzy break one if he played?

I realize I'm dwelling on the negative after our 5th consecutive blowout, and if anyone would lke to portray this glass as half full, it would be most welcomed.

Fellow BON'ers,

I just got up and came to BON as I usually do, first thing in the morning.  I see that the Tebow thread is continuing to grow longer and longer as Beergut baits more and more of us into an fruitless discussion about the greatest player of all time based upon various ever-changing metrics, blah, blah, blah.  Let me save you the time folks. 

It is madness to have a discussion with someone who is going to distort facts, change the rules as he goes, and is impervious to reason.  While Beergut is clearly capable of bringing something interesting to the table, he is obviously more interested in provoking people.  He does so here, at Double T Nation, and other SBN blogs.  Meanwhile he hasn't commented at 12thmanchild in over a year.  This is not someone who wants to talk college football, this is someone who wants to argue. My own instinct upon reading some of his most recent nonsense is to dive back into the fray, as I have done numerous times before.

I'm not going to this time.

There are numerous blogs out there where we can argue with each other, walk each other into semantic traps, and engage in spiteful rhetoric.  As PB suggested, orangebloods is only a few keystrokes (and a subscription fee) away.  

What drew me to BON in the first place was the lack of bickering and the preponderance of high minded discourse about all things Longhorn.  I know that I have contributed to the watering-down of great content with petty arguments, and for that, I apologize. 

I guess I just wanted to say that while I will continue to actively read this blog, and regularly comment, for what it's worth, I personally am not going to engage in the "conversations" with everyone's favorite aggie.