NEXT, PLEASE
I'm still going with my months-old prediction that Texas will only lose one game this year (to Texas Tech), so that means a "W" against Missouri Saturday night.
If the Tigers can forget all that pressure that's on them (one wide receiver said "We can't lose another game!"), then the game will be another barn-burner to the tune of 6 to 8 TD passes and total points in the 80s. I have a feeling the pressure on Chase Daniel will be evened out by his motivation caused by Mack Brown initially passing him over for Ryan Perrilloux.
If, however, the Tigers lose focus it will actually be the Longhorns who will be ready to pounce, and the fourth quarter could be lop-sided.
Colt McCoy may be level-headed and a nice guy, but I think when he smells blood in the water he ramps his game up a couple of notches. And if the Tigers' defensive secondary "leak oils," it is definitely turn out the lights the party's over even though the fat lady is singing.
There, I'm all out of metaphors.
Here's the game capsule from the Associated Press:
Line: Texas by 5½.
Series Record: Texas leads 15-5.
Last meeting: 2005, Texas 51-20.
What's at Stake
In what could be a preview of the Big 12 title game, Texas is trying to hold on to its first regular-season No. 1 ranking since 1984. The Tigers are trying to stay in the national title hunt and get quarterbd ,sdsack Chase Daniel back in the running for the Heisman Trophy after he threw three interceptions in a loss to Oklahoma State.
Key Matchup
Texas LB Roddrick Muckelroy vs. Missouri RB Derrick Washington. Muckelroy leads the Longhorns with 56 tackles and will need to have a big game tracking down Washington, who leads the nation with 13 touchdowns. Washington had just eight carries last week but Missouri but will likely want to control the clock on Texas' home field.
Players to Watch
Texas: Safeties Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon. The freshmen face another huge test in trying to keep up with Missouri receiver Jeremy Maclin and the rest of the Tigers' passing attack. Texas gave up five passing TDs against Oklahoma.
Missouri: Tight end Chase Coffman. Texas struggled to cover Oklahoma tight ends last week and Coffman is the kind of big, fast athlete who can wreck a defense with short and medium routes in the middle of the field.
Facts & Figures
Missouri's only two wins in Austin came in 1894 and 1896. Missouri's only win against Texas in the Big 12 came in 1997 ... Even if Missouri scores early, no lead is safe against Texas. The Longhorns have nine second-half comeback wins since 2006 ... Tigers have 28 players from the state of Texas ... Missouri is 0-10 against No. 1 teams.