Here are some facts, whether you throw out the recordbooks or not, about this season thus far:
Oklahoma is 2-2
Two wins are against Tulsa and Kansas St. The victory over Tulsa was by just over two touchdowns; so a solid win. However, Tulsa also got waxed for some 30 point spread against Minnesota and, most recently, has a loss to Houston as a part of their 2-3 record. The victory over Kansas St (the last game for OU) was by 12 points. Again, not a nail-biter, but not overly impressive either. Kansas St is 3-1 but the three victories were over Florida International, Marshall (in a very close game), and North Texas.
The two losses are against TCU and UCLA. TCU has a respectable record, but hasn't really played anyone - beating BYU and Utah by a combined 4 points and playing SMU and New Mexico. UCLA also has 4 wins, but besides the victory over OU has only bested Washington, San Diego State, and Rice.
So, Oklahoma's losses have come at the hands of less-the-greats and OU's victories have been over teams whose performance and records are equally unstellar.
Texas' game against Ohio State is the marker, thus far, of their season. Otherwise, they have played sub-standard competition as well. The other three games have been against LA Lafayette, Rice, and Missouri. The positive in that is that Texas completed dominated those three teams; combined score: Texas - 162, Others - 33. And, of course, Texas went into OSU's house and came away with a good win. Good, because it was an early season test and good because Texas normally chokes away those opportunities. Could it be that last year's Rose victory and this year's win at OSU means the Longhorns are really ready to stay atop the polls for the duration?
Unknown. Unfortunately, a Longhorn victory this weekend won't tell us the answer either. It basically comes down to a Red Sox/Cubs curse and "Can Peyton beat the Patriots?" type thing... can Mack Brown and the Longhorns beat OU? Unless there is really some voodoo-type stuff, or a total psychological block on the part of Texas, they will win this year. OU may say, "Oh forget that we're bad... we'll win this game!" But I don't think they'll be saying it this year, after the game.
Texas still isn't that great, IMO. Their schedule is soft as butter. Besides OSU they play only one other currently ranked team, TCU. Ah well, if USC can play softies and win the National Title, I guess anyone can.
Will someone please get rid of the BCS and the 'one loss and your out' thing so we can have some good football again?
(Now I digress...)
Let's see more Texas v. OSU... let's see that Alabama v. Penn St. game again (now that both are on the rise).. how about if USC plays someone... anyone? Notre Dame... of course thats tradition in tact... good! But c'mon... the next hardest game for the game is California. Remember Cal? The team that didn't get in the Rose bowl because they struggled so much against So Miss? The team that cried because they didn't get in the Rose and then went on to lose their 'lesser' bowl? C'mon. USC doesn't even have to win a conference championship game... not that that would solve anything... ah well. Rant over.
Texas wins. Big deal.
USC wins. So what.
Bring on Tennessee v. Georgia ... that's the best game this week boys and girls.
