The following is what Maisel said today on his ESPN chat related to Texas:

"I know it's a favorite pastime of Orangebloods to rag on Greg Davis, the guy who taught Vince Young and Colt McCoy to win everything in sight over the last seven seasons. There's nothing wrong with the Texas playcalling that a better offensive line wouldn't solve. Texas still doesn't have a running game, and now they don't have a quarterback who can compensate for that problem. But they'll get it fixed."

Nothing wrong with the Texas playcalling - what Texas games has he watched?

Maisel ESPN chat

Today on the Sirius 122 Mike Leach show, he had Barry Switzer as his guest.  Couple of quick hits from one of the Chief Land Thieves:

• If Mike Leach was coaching at Texas, the team would be on par with Alabama and be a dominant team each year.  Also said he cannot explain the Texas offense at all.
• Cannot comprehend why Texas does not have great running backs.  Stated he thinks Texas is obnoxious in only focusing on Texas recruiting while Alabama recruits nationally every year.

Man - I love to watch Texas football and love our uniforms - especially our white on white road uniforms.  However, I would not miss the Army-Navy game each year, especially having a brother in law in Iraq. There is something special about watching thes efuture military leaders and the sacrifice they are willing to provide for us.

But today is special - The Army uniforms they are wearing against Navy are awesome - go take a look - camo helmets and camo pants with black jersey.

Texas as AP Champion?

Great article and especially loved the comment from Craig James and others - OU BCS MNC game and Texas Fiesta Bowl game would be considered co-national championship games with the team that played best (Texas or OU) being named national champion in AP.  Obviously, this assumes OU beats Missouri and then the SEC champion.  The comments kept coming back to Texas has beat OU and deserves its shot just as much as OU.

I was watching the Bruce Feldman blog today on ESPN and this was interesting from the show with a question I asked him.

Bruce (Dallas): Texas beat OU head to head and lost on last play to Tech in Lubbock? Name toughest game on road for OU? It will be an Okie State team not in top 10. That is wrong that OU gets nod over Texas!

 Bruce Feldman: (4:21 PM ET ) Expect to hear a ton of these kinds of points. And a lot of people like you will be talking smart. You should hope UF loses to FSU and then beats Bama and then maybe you can get a rematch.

Was at game yesterday and several fans at the same time groaned when Chiles came in with 11 minutes left in 4th quarter and Texas up only 42-14.  Personally, I felt Colt should of stayed in game as Texas had ball ready to score and he had a chance to have 6 td passes and put us up near 50 points (style points for both team and Colt).  But Mack does not run up score ( I do not think that is running up score) AND Colt had been hit hard several times during the first half AND Kansas was coming up next week.  In fact, during the second quarter, I was watching the sideline and thought Colt may be hurt and would not return after one of those hits from a Baylor blitz.

So, Chiles come in with 11 minutes left and the coaching staff does not call plays like they would with Colt - meaning no passing.  Reminded me of Fred Akers - run, run, run, run.  Come on, 11 minutes left in game and we are not blowing Baylor out of the stadium - 42 points on offense.  I do not think Chiles threw a pass yesterday and he was in several situations (like 2nd and 9) that Colt WOULD throw a pass.  Is that how to prepare the backup QB?  If he is going to be the 2nd team QB and be one play (Colt hurt) from being the starter, how does anyone (including Chiles) know that he can run this offense?

With the anticipated 6' 4' freshman Gilbert coming in next year as QB and after again watching Chiles yesterday, I think coaches need to speak with Chiles and discuss other options on the team.  I know, he wants to be a QB but John Chiles WILL NOT BE a pro QB and he had the athletic skills to play at the next level.  So what will he do, sit behind Colt again next year all year and hope to start his senior year?  Man, afater watching Chiles, I would much rather see Gilbert or another freshman QB (or redshirt feshman QB) that has been mentored by Colt be our starting QB (like Colt was by Vince).  Frankly, I do not trust Chiles decision making and ball handling skills as the QB!

So what is the answer?  How about working Chiles into a tight end or receiver position?  He has the athletic ability to be a game changer when he is on the field.

Any thoughts on this?  Would appreciate hearing other opinions.

Here is the link:

NU-Tech

The way to stop Tech - keep them off the field.  Nebraska controlled clock for 40 minutes, 29-16 first downs.  As a result, Tech only threw 25 passes for less than 300 yards and the game was in Lubbock.

Texas did the same thing last year - controlled clock in Austin for 40 minutes with long drives resulting in touchdowns.  Key is Colt being patient as he has all year.

Dallas Morning News article on the revised cotton bowl and I love this OU comment - so stereotype.........

"It's too tight to sit down," she said. "Come on, this is America. We aren't little people. We are fat."

DMN article link:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/101208dnmetcottonbowl.39c134c.html

I was at the game yesterday and I will tell you - the revised Cotton Bowl is really a great venue for this game.

Bruce, Dallas: John Chiles is a freak athlete that should be on field. He will not be a pro QB. HE should ask to be moved to TE or receiver - thoughts?

 Tim Griffin: (4:29 PM ET ) Bruce: That's probably a wise assessment. Chiles has had trouble passing the ball this season. I think Mack Brown has almost given up on his "Q offense," although I wouldn't be surprised to see him show up on the field some tomorrow.

Who knows, he might be that big receiver for Texas I was talking about earlier?

Thoughts?  Look, Chiles will not be a pro QB and he is hurting his next level chances by resisting a change.  I think he should focus on beefing up weights and pas catching abilities to be a receiver or tight end.  Next year, we have some highly ranked freshman QB posiibiliites and they should be the focus of learning under a senior Colt.

Losses to CU, OU, Tech and Kansas

http://cfn.scout.com/2/779865.html

Texas
CFN Prediction: 8-4
2008 Record: 0-0

Yellow is a win.!

Aug. 30 Florida Atlantic
Sept. 6 at UTEP
Sept. 13 Arkansas
Sept. 20 Rice
Sept. 27 OPEN DATE
Oct. 4 at Colorado
Oct. 11 Oklahoma (Dallas)
Oct. 18 Missouri
Oct. 25 Oklahoma State
Nov. 1 at Texas Tech
Nov. 8 Baylor
Nov. 15 at Kansas
Nov. 22 OPEN DATE
Nov. 28 Texas A&M 

Interesting they have Tech 11-1 winning the South (only loss at OU) because OU would be 10-2 (losses at KSU and at OSU).  They have Missouri winning north with only loss at Texas.

Posting on the FAU student paper - Mack should put this up on the Texas board.

http://upsports.blogspot.com/2008/08/confidence-high-as-owls-prepare-for.html

As FAU prepares for its first real game since the New Orleans Bowl last Dec. 21, confidence is high that the Owls can go into Austin and give the Longhorns a tough game - not just on the scoreboard but in the trenches.

Coach Howard Schnellenberger is firm in his belief that the FAU defense, which often won the turnover battles last season, is even better and meaner in 2008.

Schnellenberger believes that a mean, tough defense can stifle a Texas offense that thrives on athleticism, not physicality. While it may be hard to fathom that a Sun Belt team is scheming to overpower a team from the BIG XII, that is the game plan Schnellenberger is sticking to - at least out loud.

"Once we step out on the field with Texas, the only ones who can help us is ourselves. Texas always has a very polished team that has great talent, but they aren’t tough, they aren’t a physically tough team."

FAU returns eight starters on defense, and Schnellenberger is counting on them as well as four experienced backups moving into starting roles to lay the wood on the Texas receivers.

"My defense will get to a point where they will be mean, nasty and ornery bastards and that’s what you need for Texas. Texas will move the ball with tit-for-tat, screens and options, but we’ll make them pay a price whenever they catch one of those dinky passes. We’ll put three hats on them and make them not want to get up, that’s the way to beat Texas."