This has been an interesting thread (and board). Not what I was expecting at all.
While I'm certainly not one of the most vocal Longhorn fan on our boards, I have been quite critical of the offensive line which has prompted quite a few responses.
Maybe this will give you an understanding of where I'm coming from. I am a UT alum and fan for many years. But even before I went to UT, I was a college football fan and now I live in LA.
This board is waaay more civil than the SC fans in '05. It's quite clear 504 you've done your homework in looking at your opponent. Something SC fans had clearly not done in'05. I respect fans who know their opponents. In '06, I supported the Horns, believing they would win all along. Aside: Believe it or not, SC fans are still VERY bitter about losing that game. It's unreal.
I've watched Bama's games all year and believing this to be an even matchup on paper. But there's something I wrestle with believing right now. It goes back and forth for me. Right now this where I'm leaning:
HEART. Don't get me wrong - our defense plays with it, Colt does, our receivers...but one part has failed all year to display it.
Our offensive line.
When something didn't work out, your O-line picked up Ingram or Richardson or McElroy off the turf.
9 sacks on McCoy against Nebraska. 3 picks. Our o-lineman, mostly still standing, did not even look once at their leader crushed on the ground. Unreal. When I was in high school, you saw that kinda behavior from an o-line that didn't like their QB. When I see this, I wonder - what gives with these linemen? Why do they fail to be a good teammate to their leader during tough times? But the thing is, I think they're nice guys (I've seen them interviewed often). Too nice. So I'm left to conclude: They quit. And this has been the case all year.
Unless there is some unforseen defensive meltdown, I see this game being won or lost by the battle between our OL and your DL.
I want that o-line to prove me wrong so bad. More than anything else, I can't imagine 5 young guys having the chance to play in the biggest games of their lives and not even putting up a fight.
They put up a fight, this game is down to the end - could go either way.
They don't play with heart, this is going to get ugly. Note that I'm not saying playing well. I'm saying playing with heart.
I'm going to post my final prediction for all this on Hornfans the week of the game. Maybe I'll change my mind. I'm human, right?
For UT fans reading: My opinion differs from the majority, so be it. Live with it. I will. Chill.
The media is doing it's spin thing sure and quite honestly you guys are showing a helluva lot of respect from what I've read overall. Much more than SC ever has.
I may or may not come back here after the game. Not because I can't take it, but because if I'm wrong, my team proved me wrong and I will take the crap from my fanbase.
I'm posting this here because this is where someone hit the nail on the head and to prove there are still Texas fans who dont see things through burnt orange glasses (well not always
I'll probably post this on one of our fan forums just to be fair.
Here's to a good game.
