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.

Continue reading this post »

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).

Continue reading this post »

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!

Continue reading this post »

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.

Don't know if I am late to the party on this or not.  If so, sanction me!

It seems that Vince has a couple of new cross-trainers out with Reebok.  One pair is in the blue/light blue palette of the Tennessee Titans.  I'm not sure where the other color combo comes from...

Vince Young Cross Trainers

Just thought it was kinda cool.  I think that this program will continue to feel the effects of Vince (and KD to a slightly lesser extent) for years to come.  Here's to hoping that they both continue to be outstanding ambassadors for the Texas program.

KD scored 29 last night despite another poor shooting performance (7-21).  That was his last summer league game before going back to Vegas for US National Team practice.  I was trolling for articles and came across http://www.supersonicsoul.com (a nice Sonics blog, for what its worth.)  They had a link to a great article on Durant.  Here's the link

http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_6400987

(I apologize profusely for the lack of html embedding skills)

Anyway, most of the article is rehash, that we've all heard a thousand times.  Running the hill, he's driven, etc.  However, hearing him say that he almost cried because he couldn't work out around draft time...I just can't help but love the kid. Thought some of you might enjoy it.

Today EA Sports NCAA Football 08 is released to the public.  I know that quite a few of us will run out and buy it to get a vicarious football fix to help ease the "middle of july no sports at all when does football season get here" doldrums.  

Personally, I have to name the entire Texas roster (I hate seeing QB #12, RB #25, etc.)  Yes, I understand that I am anal-rententive and could probably find a better way to spend my time than pulling up the entire roster from mackbrown-texasfootball.com so that I spell Oduegwu correctly, but such is the state of my mid-20's.  The question is this...

Latest poll is out, and we are up to #15, our highest ranking of the year.  atm jumped to #6, and Kansas is #3.  

I think that much of the discussion about NCAA seeding has underestimated the nation's opinion of the Horns.  Yes, I realize that rankings don't necessarily translate to seeding, but with a split in the next two games, plus at least one win in the conference tourney, we should be ranked right about where we are now.  That should mean no worse than a 5 seed (sorry to disappoint BillyZane).  

That atm game looks positively HUGE right now.

to the good guys.

Continue reading this post »

I was bored waiting for the Super Bowl to start and decided to do a little research on Durant's place in history.  The announcers and analysts seem to mention several times a game how he is obliterating Big 12 records, but I was curious as to how his season stacks up against the all-time greats.  Well, it stacks up well.

Through his first 22 games, KD has 557 points and 252 rebounds.  If you project him at his current averages and say that the horns get 2 conference tournament games and 3 ncaa tournament games, he would have a total of 35 games.  (I know you can't take games for granted, but I think calling the horns a Sweet 16 team is not far from the expectations.  I tried to account for that by using his season averages, not his Big 12 averages.  If I use those numbers I start laughing giddily because they are preposterous.)

His totals through 35 games (at his SEASON averages) would be 886 points and 401 rebounds.  

Now for the context.  

The Big 12 record for points in a season is 844 (Marcus Fizer, ISU, 99-00).  The Big 12 record for rebounds in a season is 423 (Drew Gooden, KU, 01-02).

The NCAA freshman record for points is 965 (Chris Jackson, LSU, 1989).
The NCAA freshman record for rebounds in a season is 462 (Peter Padgett, Nevada, 1973).

Incidentally, Jackson is the only freshman to score over 900 points.  Padgett is the only freshman to go over 400 rebounds.

KD COULD DO BOTH.

The records that I can find couldn't give me a comprehensive list of the players to ever go over 900 and 400, but I know that there aren't many.  The only ones that I saw (and if anyone can find a better resource, please let me know) were...drumroll please...Hank Gathers and Larry Bird.  Gathers did it in 89 in that crazy Loyola scheme where they averaged 122 a game.  Larry Bird did it at Indiana State in 79.  Both were Juniors.

Folks, this is not just the greatest Texas player of all time.  This is not just the Big 12's greates player in its history (I know its only 11 years old, but still).  This is arguably the greatest freshman year ever recorded.  This is one of the top 25 (ish) seasons ever by ANY college player.  

I don't know if this will enhance anyone else's appreciation of KD, but it did for me.  I can't wait for the a&m game tomorrow, because we aren't just watching the Horns:  we're watching history.

(All stats are from the NCAA's site.  The link is below.)
http://www.ncaa.org/library/records/basketball/m_basketball_records_book/2006/2006_m_basketball_reco rds.pdf

It looks like Mitch Mustain could be headed to Tulsa, following Gus Malzahan.  Lets recap...

Vince Young-National Title, Greatest Clutch Performance of All-Time, 3rd in NFL Draft, NFL ROY

Xavier Lee-riding the bench in a horrible offense at FSU
Rhett Bomar-Took cash from a car dealership, now at Sam Houston St.
Ryan Perriloux-riding the bench at LSU, under federal investigation for counterfeiting
Mitch Mustain-Transfering to Tulsa after being pulled for a combination of a guy named Dick and a running back.

Colt McCoy-National Freshman of the Year.

High School QB's, for your own sake, Just go to Texas.  At this rate John Brantley is going to take counterfeit money from a booster and have to transfer to Arkansas-Pine Bluff to backup a guy named Pussy.

I know it is a couple days old, but figured some people might not have seen it.  Here is the link

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?name=feldman_bruce#20070112

Little things like this always make me appreciate the fact that I get to be a Texas fan.