OK, I guess we'll use this as the "official" gameweek thread. I'll start off with my Sunday afternoon prediction, subject to change. There's several players, or concepts, that I think you could call the key to the game, but when it comes down to it, I think the most important player is Dusty Mangum. It's not to say that the offensive playcalling won't be an issue, but I feel pretty confident that this week was a wakeup call for Greg Davis. I don't know if we'll ever see him throwing it 30 yards down the field regularly, but I know we'll show more than last week. Last year, we actually did take some shots downfield, but the OU defense was just sitting back there in a zone, since Cedric didn't play and there was no threat of the run whatsoever. Simms will be fine. Unfortunately, because of Greg Davis, there aren't a lot of risks in the first place. And, even last year when we had no running game, he didn't play that bad. Two of his interceptions were fluke plays in the last couple of minutes (one on the missed block and sack, the other on the desperation throw downfield). Anyway, off of that subject. Against OSU, we moved the ball up and down the field very well, and that will be the key against OU. OU's offense is a bit better than I expected, but most of their drives end up being one big play, rather than sustained drives. It's not to say that there won't be big plays this weekend, but with the level of the defense, there will be substantially less. That being said, I think Texas has a better offense for moving it from the 20 to the 20. If there's one thing I noticed in OU's win last night, it's that they were very questionable in their defense of routes over the middle, and that's the precise area we worked right down the field on against OSU in the five wide receiver set. The key, though, is going to be whether we can get points off of those drives. Momentum is a huge factor with teams this talented, and one missed FG would be a huge boost for OU. However, I do have faith in Dusty to rebound, and come through in the biggest game of his life. He was certainly clutch last year, and hopefully Mack can say the right things to help his confidence rebound. Texas 23 OU 10
How fitting that this is the "official" thread. I have a feeling that we will be hearing that word a lot on saturday. As for my prediction...I think this is a pick 'em. I will not be at all surprised if either team wins, or if either team wins comfortably. But I am a UT guy, so I'll go with UT 20 OU 16. I think the sense of magic has left the OU defense with Roy Dub gone, but I don't have a whole lot of faith in our offense to put together 80 yd scoring drives, either. I think we're going to have to rely on our D and our return game to put us in the kind of field position to where it isn't such a chore for our offense to score. I agree that Dusty is gonna need to exorcise his demons or we might be in trouble. As with last year, there's not going to be much room for error. And I am glad that our Roy was able to test out his hammy a little bit against OSU. Hopefully he will be back to his old badass self. Okay, time to go back to being a fan, so as far as mduke is concerned, WE'RE GOING TO KICK YOUR ASS!
As a completely neutral observer, I'm afraid that all I'm going to add is that I hope Oklahoma wins, because I don't think they can get it done in the end with Hybl at QB. If Texas wins here, their chances are pretty high that they make the Natl. Title game. Needless to say, I've got more important things to worry about, such as Florida State-Miami this week, which will be as good of a - if not better - matchup than Texas-OU. If Miami overlooks FSU and the media coninues to provide fodder for the Seminoles, there may well be an upset next week. My heart tells me... OU 21, Texas 13 FSU 35, Miami 28 My head tells me... Texas 24, OU 17 Miami 28, FSU 27
I need UT to win this weekend! UT 27 OK 21 As for Miami, FSU it is a rivalry so anything can happen. It hink FSU will keep it close but Dorsey finds a way: Miami 35 FSU 31 But more importantly (ha, ha) OSU blasts San Jose State and moves up to #4 and closes in on VT: OSU 42 SJS 7
OU wins 13-10. UT's offense has been spotty at best, and will have trouble scoring on OU. OU will be conservative as hell on offense (what's new), and will play mistake-free. I see UT making a critical blunder (Simms' INT last year, Vasher catching the punt) that gives the game away to OU.
This is the weekend that UT puts it all together on offense and OU's offense just can't keep up. Simms, Benson, and company show the world that OU's defense is overrated big time. Texas 31 OU 10
I expect a low scoring game. I don't think ou has turned it over against ut in the last two weeks. I think that changes this year. Would help UT if they can bring Dawson back for this game. I expect UT to win a 17-13 type game. OF the 17, one score may have to come from the defense or special teams.
I said it in the other thread. OU's offense is a little better than I expected. They still can't run, but Hybl's not the worst quarterback in the country at least. He's far from being good, but with the receivers he has, he's hit a couple of deep balls. Previously, I didn't expect OU to score more than 3-6 points. I thought the offense was that bad. I still don't think it's that much better, but Hybl's shown enough to me that I think he'll get a deep ball once or twice when the Horns blitz.
I've said it once, I'll say it again......Hybl is not the problem. When he gets time, he is a good quarterback.....his #2 rating in the Big 12 proves that. Now I am a little worried though, the only team we've faced with that kind of defensive front is Alabama, and we almost lost that game.....Blitz Hybl, and UT wins easily. Let him sit back and pass, then it becomes a guessing game.....Screw waiting until later in the week, I'll give my prediction now OU- 21 Texas- 14 Griffin had over 100 yards last night.....see, they still can run, just not on the great defenses
OU's defense is nowhere near as good as it's been in years past. Lehman is solid, and their DBs are good. Tommie Harris is suffering from the SI jinx syndrome, and only averages like 1.5 tackles per game. After all the hoopla in the preseason about the Sooner defense, it is the Longhorn D that I've been more impressed with. Jackson and Mitchell don't make up for the loss of Calmus, who had a good nose for the ball. Also, Bassey is no Roy Williams. OU will have to pull some trick plays to score on Texas' defense to score. That stupid shotgun draw play to Quentin Griffin won't get it done. I anticipate that either Reynaldo Works or KeJuan Jones will rip a long run/screen pass for a huge gain. Hybl has shown a nice touch for the deep ball when given time. Look for Marcus Tubbs, Redding, and superstud freshman Rod Wright to pressure Hybl on the 4 man blitzes. Carl Reese will mix in some blitzes while dropping back LBs into coverage most of the time. WLB Lee Jackson is a converted safety, and plays well in coverage. Derrick Johnson has awesome closing speed, and will keep your running yards down. Vasher and Babers are as good as Woolfolk and Strait. On offense, Texas will run, run, and run. Cedric Benson will carry the ball about 25 times, and look for Selvin Young to get about 10-12 carries. Simms will not have to do it by himself this year, as Cedric is now the man. Roy, BJ, and Sloan must catch the damn ball. Kicking game will be okay, but I personally would like to see Matt McFadden as our PK, not walkon Mangum. The X-factor in this game obviously is our meathead OC, Greg Davis. If he stays with the run, and avoids the 5-wide set inside the 10 yard line, we have a decent chance. Ultra-conservative playcalling has been the achilles heel of the Longhorn offense. Texas: 24 Mobilehoma: 13
The same syndrome that Simms has? And don't forget that groin injury.... We may not have Rocky "leader" Calmus, but Lehman up to this point has been just as good as Calmus was last year....Mitchel is leading the team in tackles...I'd say we're about the same as last year in terms of linebackers....
According to Vegas, Texas opened the day as a 3 point favorite over OU and is now a 2.5 point favorite. I think I'd rather be the underdog in this game...
