Longshot Longhorns

Height hypes rivalries. The celebrated college football rivalry known as the Red River Rivalry recurs Saturday at noon in Texas’ Cotton Bowl. This time, the visiting Sooners from Oklahoma are the top ranked collegiate team. The game is being plugged as the next game of the year (after the OSU-USC debacle) and the publicity is prevalent. The intensity and build-up of bitter rivalries earns exuberance especially if there is a history behind the competition. Ohio State-Michigan takes the cake for college’s consummate, chief contest. But this year’s Red River Rivalry in Dallas is exciting because both Big 12 teams are undefeated and ranked. Both teams illuminate with talent and towering quarterbacks. This weekend could also witness a college football record breaking game if the Sooners score 10 points. Oklahoma will become the first college team to score 30,000 points.
The BCS picture is still murky in Mid-October. Most teams have yet to make a statement or seal their fate in a top bowl game. There are inconsistencies throughout each conference but the early returns show the Big 12 is probably the most competitive. You could make an argument for the aggressive SEC too. The Texas Longhorns are one of five undefeated teams in the Big 12. Sharing that honor, of course, is Oklahoma. Other Big 12 unbeatens include Texas Tech, Oklahoma State and Missouri. Missouri and Oklahoma are glamorous picks to take home the Big 12 crown. I believe the Sooners will conclusively win the Big 12. But the Longhorns are, in my opinion, the conference’s runner up team.
Coach Mack Brown led Texas to a national championship in 2005. The team he assembled this season is not as good as the 2005. However, they have a strong quarterback in Colt McCoy. Number 12 McCoy needs one more touchdown to become the all time career leader for Texas. He already has four rushing touchdowns this season too. With McCoy’s versatility, he seldom throws to any receivers except Quan Cosby and Jordan Shipley. Cosby has 416 receiving yards on the year and Shipley has scored 7 total touchdowns. That amounts to about 60% of the yards on offense for Texas. McCoy needs to utilize other players such as Brandon Collins or James Kirkendoll if the Longhorns are going to put up some points this Saturday. Running backs, Cody Johnson and Chris Ogbonnaya, are effective in the backfield. Johnson has rushed for 6 touchdowns and Ogbonnaya had a huge game last weekend.
The pass defense for Texas is also crucial and could determine the success or demise of Texas. The secondary is made up of mostly freshmen. An inexperienced defense playing in a big time rivalry game is glaring. DTs Ray Miller and Aaron Lewis need to become leaders of the defense and attack and apply pressure on Bradford. Lewis has one interception return for a touchdown but the overall defense doesn’t force turnovers often enough. They do, however, lead the nation in average sacks per game.
Missouri is on the horizon after the Red River Rivalry, so Texas’s schedule doesn’t get any easier. If Texas can keep Oklahoma from scoring early in the first quarter, they have a good chance of making this a close game. The Sooners have outscored opponents 103-3 in the first quarter so far this year. Their balanced offense is 4th in scoring and one of the best in college football. Bob Stoops’ offense likes to use the triple threat trampling team of junior running backs Chris Brown, DeMarco Murray and Mossis Madu. Brown has a half a dozen touchdowns and Murray has 5. Madu has carried the ball 52 times this year. Wide receivers, Manuel Johnson and Juaquin Iglesias, scored 5 touchdowns each as well. Ryan Broyles is a speedy punt return receiver who could make a difference flying under the radar for Oklahoma. The Sooners exude pressure and pound away at their opposition. Look for another win for the number one team on Saturday.

Parting points: Here are my ALCS and NLCS predictions and MVPs:
ALCS: Red Sox in 6 MVP: Jon Lester
NLCS: Phillies in 7 MVP: Chase Utley