NEXT, PLEASE
By Danny Reagan / Abilene, Texas
That would be Kansas State, which under no circumstances should be confused with a small university in Houston that has a cool band but not much of a football team.
The Longhorns - with Colt McCoy leading the way - would be the first to tell you that even though the Rice "scrimmage" was a nice way to spend a Saturday evening, it proved nothing.
McCoy's arm got quite a workout, and if Limas Sweed hadn't gotten too casual after a long catch, the young QB would've had four TD passes. Still, 58-14 against the Owls means very little.
What was proven is that the semi-annual ritual in Austin known as the "quarterback controversy" is ready to bloom whenever the first "L" hits the fan. It's nice to know, however, that John Chiles has McCoy's back when and if needed.
That brings us to Kansas State. Their only test so far has been at Auburn, and they failed it, 23-13, in the season opener. If you recall, Texas passed its only test against TCU. The Wildcats also had their own laugher a week ago, pounding Missouri State, 61-10.
The "real" season actually starts with the Wildcats, and this will be the first game where we'll see just how much the Longhorns can focus when it counts.
Can Colt keep his momentum (most TDs in a game and NO picks), can Jamaal Charles hang onto the ball, can Sweed remember to look for the sideline and, most importantly, how will the team clad in burnt orange perform when one of those Big 12 marbles is finally on the line.