Granted, I was somewhat prepared for the loss once Colt went down on the first offensive series, but it was how things fell apart for Texas that was especially hard to deal with.  There hasn’t been such a violent swing from joyous celebration to confused disapointment in Texas fandom since the infamous Texas Tech game last year.  And yeah, I know bringing that up now is like throwing a giant case of Morton’s on a fresh wound, but I’ve got close to a dozen Bud’s under my belt.

Simply speaking, however, that is exactly what happened.  We were exposed to such joyous promise and then returned, via a vicious stomach punch, to a calamitous reality…a vomit inducing reality.

The game was stacked with “what if” scenarios.  From the inexplicable decision to press forth at the end of the first half to GG’s numerous forays into multiple coverage, the entire offensive strategy sans Colt was a giant “WTF!?!!?!” moment.

As a Texas fan, these offensive woes are evident, but they don’t quite stick in your craw.  It’s seeing things like that pompous (and still aggravatingly undefeated) McElroy jumping around at the end of the game as if he actually did something to warrant this victory.  The boy didn’t do shit beyond get his ass sacked with regularity and benefit from having a pubescent male as his quarterbacking opposition.

Who knows how the supposed “experts” will label this game.  Most likely they’ll trumpet some aspect of the game that was either unimportant, i.e. McElroy’s play, or something that was only of consequence courtesy of McCoy’s injury, i.e. “Texas just couldn’t move the ball.”

I’m definitely a Texas fan.  I’ve never tried to hide that.  But as a football fan, looking at the outcome, you have to be deeply dissatisfied.  And no, that dissatisfaction shouldn’t come from the final score, but the ending score: 24-21.  You can’t help but think, “what if,” on everything from that damned shuffle pass to the dropped TD in the second quarter.

As a sports fan, there is no worse fate than “what if,” but that is exactly where we are left as Texas fans…smack dab in the middle of what if.  And that, my friend, is a bitch of a place to be on a cold ass night in Austin.

The Mystery Midget is Going Down

Soon the talk of who is better will give way to the actual on-field results.  And though the talk has been incessant, we figured you kids might want just a bit more perspective on the Championship match-up between the Horns and the Crimson Tide.  Today we break down the individual unit match-ups.

SEC v. Big 12

Peter: Growing up in SEC country, I was supplied with a steady dose of just how great everything SEC was.   These sorts of gauges are tricky so a lot of it went in one ear and out the other. Though the conference records are damn close to equal this year, the SEC is up 2-0 on the Big 12 in head-to-head games.  That has to give one pause when looking at this particular game.

Bjorn: This was a terrible year for this comparison, OU had their least relevant year since I started watching college football, Texas Tech went back in the closet (or storage shed, whatever), and Oklahoma State starts the year by losing their best player to neon deion and losing their title hopes to the Houston Cougars. Meanwhile in the SEC things were pretty potent. Georgia, Arkansas, LSU, and Tennessee are 4 teams, while excruciatingly manic, who could match up with anyone at home. Also, after seeing the rest of the bowl games played out, Florida is the clear and present 3rd best team. It was the SEC’s year.

McCoy v. McElroy

Peter: I know this McElroy cat hasn’t lost a game as a starter, but that says as much about the team that surround him than it does him personally.  Forgive the subtly, but I’m saying that I’d take Colt every day of the week before McElroy.  (Excuse me while I channel some ESPN chaunch analyst like Mark May) Colt’s a gamer. He finds ways to win whether it’s with his legs or his arms.  He might not be the biggest cat out there. He might not have the strongest arm, but he takes care of business when he has to.  I think Texas has a large advantage here.

Bjorn: Yea, no one except the most hard core charmin fan would claim there is even a comparison. I have utmost respect for QBs who learn to not make mistakes and let their great teams win, as that is precisely what Bama asks from him. Like Vince Young before him, if the Longhorns want it, they need Colt to go out and get it. Let’s hope he does his best billy madison: “Oh I can, and I will”

Ingram & Co v. Newton & Co

Peter: As much as I love the Longhorns, Alabama clearly has the edge here.  It might not turn out that way on the field, but it’s the plain facts.  Ingram almost matched the Horns rushing output himself this year.  When you figure in Richardson and Upchurch, both quality backs, the total yardage separation between the teams gets a bit ugly.

Bjorn: Ingram is a beast behind a quality run blocking line. Texas – pass:run::4:1. It’s not really even a comparison. Until greg davis goes bye bye, or until we get another freak (VY) that forces his stupid hand to use the option, pretty much every team we meet in a big bowl will have a better running game than us.

Jones & Co v. Shipley & Co

Snatching Balls

Peter: Other than the defensive prowess of each squad, I don’t know of a more evenly matched unit breakdown.  To be certain, the make-up of the particular sides are vastly different, but each productive in their own ways.  Jones is a man beast with great size, speed, and hands.  He is going to be a very tough man to defend.  What I think gives Texas the edge is the receiving depth.  Sure, there is a great fall off in yardage/production when you get past Shipley, but it is thickly spread throughout several reliable receivers.

Bjorn: Julius Jones is a top 5 WR in College football, and Peek is a giant man with soft hands, but after that their corp isn’t much to speak of. Texas goes 5 deep on speedy 6’2 – 6’4 guys who are testaments to precision route running and hella YAC.

Offensive Line

Peter: After watching Texas struggle against Nebraska, there really can’t be an argument that they are better off in this department than Alabama.  If anything worries me about this game, it’s how they respond after getting consistently chewed up by Nebraska.

Bjorn: This game is going to be won at the line, especially the Texas offensive line. Their showing against Nebraska was pitiful. I hope they hand bathed Colt in olive oil after that pathetic display, because they were just bad. Alabama by a country mile.

Defensive Line

Peter: This is a tough one.  They are both highly talented units.  Call me a homer, but I think Texas is better off, even with the presence of Mt. Cody on the Bama line.  While this was one of our biggest question marks entering the season, I think the line has turned into one of our biggest strengths.  Time and again they have shown that they are just plain better (praise  be to Muschamp) than their opponents.

Bjorn: The Alabama defensive line is over rated. I wish I could say this led me to be confident in our ability to hold them, but see point above. Skill and speed wise, Texas advantage, but again the Kindle and Co. are facing a faster and more skilled Bama O-line.  Should be interesting to see who of these 4 units over achieves.

Let's put a smile on these faces, boys

Linebackers

Peter: There is one man that makes the difference in this comparison and it’s Rolando McClain.  He (along w/Javier Arenas) officially scare the bejeezus out of me.  McClain is definitely the most talented player on the Tide and can really cause some headaches.  Let’s hope that Greg Davis figures out a way to neutralize his presence.  Otherwise it will be a long game for the Horns.

Bjorn: I agree 100%. Texas is solid in this department, but no standout play makers. McClain is so fast for his size, it doesn’t make sense. He could play any position on the defense.

Defensive Backs

Peter: Even with the very adept Arenas in Alabama’s defensive backfield, Texas definitely has the advantage here.  Tossed into the fire as youngsters last year, the unit has responded admirably.  They lead the nation in interceptions and should have plenty of opportunities to shine come Thursday night.

Bjorn: This matchup mirrors that of the receivers, while Arenas may be the brightest NFL prospect, Texas has too many guys with too much speed. I look for them to completely remove the Alabama passing game.

Special Teams

Peter: I’ll call this one a draw. Both teams have very accurate kickers and solid return games.  What may set Texas apart slightly is their ability to pressure punts.  Very few teams have been as successful at this as Texas and it very well could be a difference maker in this game.

Bjorn: You have to give props to a team (dude) who blocked 2 fgs in one game. That was amazing. Our return game has played a role in the big games the past 2 years, and Peter mentioned our punt pressure. The horn’s kickoff coverage needs to be better than it was against aTm, but unless there are FGs and fumbles, I don’t see this aspect being a deciding factor.

Seriously, who is this guy?

Summation and Prediction

Peter: I’ve been saying it for weeks, but I like Texas in this game.  I was relieved when Alabama beat Florida.  In my opinion, Texas matches up better against the Tide than they would have Florida.  There are a few reasons why, but first among them is Will Muschamp.  For those that read Sports Illustrated, you probably saw that Austin Murphy has already made this argument in favor of Texas.  And though he beat me to the print punch, I’ve been making the argument for weeks now.  Muschamp eats vanilla offensive schemes for lunch…and it simply doesn’t get more vanilla than Bama.  They rely on a power run game and occasionally take deeper shots down field (hence Bama’s low yardage total in passing/receiving, but the high yards-per-reception number for most receivers).  Nothing plays into Muschamp’s hands better.  I think he’ll focus on stopping the run and forcing the often shaky McElroy to make plays.  With an equally adept defense on the other end, there is a high probability that it won’t  be a pretty game, but I think Texas will get by with a victory.  If there is one think I’ve learned as a rabid college football fan, it’s never trust the status-quo.  Every one can’t seem to stop talking about how Alabama will win.  This talk seems largely based on how Texas looked in the Nebraska game.  Everything is what have you done for me lately.  The focus is not on how much Bama struggled against Tennessee or Auburn even, but how much they dominated Florida.  As a Longhorn fan, I’m glad the Nebraska game was close.  I like coming in as an underdog.  If I were a Bama fan and heard everyone talking about how/why the Tide would win, I’d be scared.

Bjorn: The UT defense is strongest when opponents run it through the gaps, and when they throw it over the top. It is weakest when the QB is rolling and hitting horizontally cutting receivers. Alabama does all of the former none of the latter. No one in the SEC plays Texas’ style of offense, however a great pass will give the Bama defensive backfield the help it needs. I believe the Alabama offense will struggle for 200 total yards against a defense that (as Peter stated) salivates at their ideals. Period. I would believe the Texas offense sputtering for the same amount, or exploding for 500+. It all depends on UT’s offensive line. If their trial by fire against Demon Suh and his minions toughened them up, Texas by a couple of touchdowns. If once again colt gets sewn into the soil like the manure of his namesake, Texas by a FG. Either way, HOOK EM!

But Grizzly Adams did have a beard

Water cooler conversation couldn’t be better at this point.  Unfortunately, I work for a company that is more preoccupied with tight jeans than tight ends so my water cooler convos are rare.  Luckily, I have Bjorn and the interwebs….

Biggest Surprises in Week 3

1) Washington upsets USC

Peter: I like pretending I’m a skilled tout, but that one was a surprise.  How does this happen, Bjorn?

Bjorn: Well, in 10 years we will learn that the Disney corporation owned the USC football team. It turns out that pete carroll and co. take ESPN’s strokings too seriously and on friday nights they gather around a big mirror and beg, “who is the fairest of them all?” to which the mickey voiced mirror replies, “the trojans are, haha”. Well just like that skank of a witch, mirror gazing is no good for anyone.

2) Tennessee holds its own w/God

Peter: Devilish dealings?  Is there any other explanation for how the Vols escaped a vengeful beat down?

Bjorn: Kiffin promised a team night with his wife if they beat the spread. She’s a team player.

3) Florida State

Peter: What happened to the ‘Noles?  How do you explain an offense that went from 19 points against a DII team to 54 against a supposed BCS busting, OU slaying, child loving football team from Utah?

Bjorn: I don’t understand this at all. at home no less. GD it OU, making the Big 12 look stupid.

Sergio Kindle Supplies the Hit of the Weekend

Kindle Kills Potts

Best Win of the Weekend

Peter: It has to be Cincinnati.  If I hadn’t been touting Brian Kelly for the past couple years, I would feel like a band wagon jumper for saying this.  Going into Corvallis and beating a quality Pac 10 team speaks volumes for not only him as a coach, but the preparedness and focus of his entire team.  They are certainly a team to keep an eye on this year.

Bjorn: BCS bowl here they come…It’s going to be exciting to see if they can hold off a loss. Illinois as the second to last game is definitely dynamite at the end of the track. The illini are Big 10 fodder, but Big 10 none the less.

Biggest Letdown

Maryland, oh Maryland: Week 1, destruction at the hands of a solid Cal team.  Wk. 2, need OT to escape with a win against DII James Madison.  Wk. 3, loss to Middle Tennessee State.

Peter: In the off season, Maryland’s coach Ralph Friedgen went on a diet and lost 86 pounds.  I think everything revolves around this.  Maryland can only be successful if Ralph is massively girthy.  His gut is a modern day version of Samson’s flowing locks.  Given the first two weeks, I’m not sure this can be classified as a “letdown,” but it still seems rather unfathomable.

samson and ralph. one and the same.

Bjorn: He prob had that surgery anyway. What kind of football lesson is a shortcut like that?