Sometimes you breeze through your schedule, and it seems your team can accomplish anything... see: us in 2004, tOSU 2006 for recent examples. I discussed this today with the future bro-in-law; what is the ONE THING (or things) that will bring down the teams worthy of mention, based on recent results?
We'll start with OUrselves to be fair...
OKLAHOMA
It has to be said... by season's end, three years in-a-row-- OUr defense can look big, bad and great, but has a problem finishing the job. Some believe it's just a matter of execution, some call for assistant coaches' heads or personnel changes. What's truth is that if OU was playing USC for the National Title back in 2003, holding onto a 14-point lead with three minutes to go, everyone could safely assume the game was iced. Nowadays we're letting freshmen quarterbacks QB-sneak for eight yards and mid majors pull off hook-and-laterals for not only 4th and 19 conversion, but for the game saving score as well. If OU's quarterback leads his team well this season, we'll forever be on the edge of OUr seat wondering which defense will show up. The one that stole five turnovers and owned national power, Nebraska... or the one that went into OT with Baylor.
It's difficult to pinpoint a trendy weakness for Mack Brown and Texass. They just kinda show up in different areas. Sometimes, Greg Davis crawls into a hole. Sometimes, your once-a-generation talent QB (VY) can't hold onto a ball to save his life. Sometimes, a quarterback who rarely completes a pass can light up your "All-American" secondary. This year, I honestly think that the Texas depth chart is one of the youngest overall, but finest stacked in the nation. All positions but one. The sole position that wrecked your team last year when its designated starter was out, quarterback.
Do I think Texas loses to Baylor or Iowa State if Chiles has to step in for McCoy? Not really... do I think they struggle against Oklahoma, Nebraska, Tx Tech, on the road at both aggy pits? I wouldn't bet a dime on Texas beating any of those teams without McCoy unless he went down at a comfortable score margin for . Would they win? Possibly/Probably... are you really gonna bet the farm on it, though?
aTm
This one's easy... Fran is not a big-game coach. Has no history of being so, and no signs shown yet that he ever will be. To think that there is more fan support and $$$ going into that guy's program than OUrs is just sickening. His offense is predictable, his defense only plays decent games againt "rivals," and he's like having Al Bundy on the sidelines-- comical at times, always the victim, mostly boring. If ever you want to swing the momentum, try an onside-kick... a fake punt... hell, even a play-action pass has been known to kick the FRANchise right where it hurts. Guys like Mike Leach and Bob Stoops are like kids with magnifying-glasses when it comes to torturing aggy with surprise "GOTCHAs!!!" They play a mean home game, but most approach them with the attitude "how do we win this time?" rather than "how do we stack up?"
TEXAS TECH
As long as Leach is there, I consider them dangerous. This guy has a nack for throwing the ball damn-near every down, and still racking up impressive stats. His defense = cluster****. It's great to have standout WRs playing in the secondary, but I don't think skinny "converted" linebackers really pose any threat outside of the tacky gloves they wear for INTs. Maybe one of the gazillion quarterbacks or wideouts on the roster forgot they were out on defense... I dunno. A red-hot offense like TT brings to the table versus a Fiesta Bowl OU defensive effort is a recipe for disaster. Their weakness, however, is division 1 athletes capable of running simple corner-routes all the way in the zone to tie it up or regain the lead. Shoot-out football, 'nuff said.
NEBRASKA
Calahan tries WAY too hard to "out-coach" his opponents. Such examples include the opening KO return of the BIG 12 CCG, brilliant reverse call put them inside their own five instead of somewhere across the 20, or the run of failed trick plays againt Auburn. Usually coaches who approach Calahan's team approach it calmly and alert for his signature bonehead call that sticks out like a sore thumb every game.
OKLAHOMA STATE
The kind way to say it is... 6 minutes shy of ten wins or more. The truth is saying they choked. Mike Gundy really hasn't established any trends other than packing it up too soon. We're all guilty of that from time-to-time, but coughing up 5 losses in the final moments? Defense is another cluster****, but such tis OSU football. Has anyone ever said "gawd I wish we had Barry Sanders/Thurman Thomas/Bobby Reid?" Of course it has been said. Has anyone ever thought to themselves "man, if our defense was as good as OSU's is, we'd be something special!" with a serious look on their face? I know, I know... new DC, give 'em a chance... whatever. Much like last year, I'm not counting any OSU opponent out of a game who is only down 21 in the 4th. Shoot-out football, orange-aggy style.
Anyone agree or disagree? Care to mention any others you might see that I don't or just didn't mention?