MUNCHIES BOWL
Maybe Colt McCoy didn't get the Heisman or AP Offensive Player of the Year, but he did get a great Christmas present when best bud Jordan Shipley was granted another year of eligibility.
That means more chances for W's next season, and that's what it's all about for Colt.
Fans of his are chomping at the bit for next season, and I've heard the word "redemption" used already.
What does Colt have to redeem? He had a great year - beating biggest rivals Oklahoma (and the Heisman winner, heads-up) and Texas A&M and set more school records than I can count.
And if the Red River Rivalry had been later in the season, he'd be playing Florida for the national championship instead of what someone in the chatroom referred to as "Texas North" (OU).
Well, anyway, back to the grindstone ... so let's focus on one week from today at 7 p.m. when the Longhorns tangle with the Buckeyes in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
On paper, Texas should win this game, but I bet Ohio State still wants to play.
Here are some comparisons:
Total Offense: 5,717 yards for UT vs. 4,075 for OSU - breaking down to 476.4 and 339.7 per game, respectively
Passing Offense: 3,594 for UT vs. 1,777 for OSU - math says that's doubled.
Rushing Offense: 2,123 for UT vs. 2,299 for OSU - not that much difference, really.
Total Defense: UT has been giving up 339.9 yards a game vs. 279.2 for OSU - being in the Big 12 makes a difference.
Scoring Offense: UT averaged 43.9 points per game vs. 28.2 for OSU.
Scoring Defense: UT held opponents to 18.6 ppg vs. 13.1 for OSU.
I've also heard a lot about the Buckeyes well aware of the fact that they aren't getting any respect as this game draws nearer.
So, you have two highly-motivated teams wanting to prove themselves to the nation.
I say Texas is just a little more motivated and will win 35-17.
Just in case you missed the Heisman vote totals, it was indeed close. Sam Bradford had 1,726 votes, followed by Colt's 1,604 and Tim Tebow's 1,575.
Colt won the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, of course, voted on by the nation's college coaches. That's a big honor, as is the Davey O'Brien Award won by Sam Bradford and, of course, the Maxwell and the Spirit Award also won by Tebow. As you recall, last week Colt won the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year Award.
Tonight, the Davey O'Brien award is announced, and a bunch of other ones, including the Maxwell - for which Colt McCoy is also in the running.
Of course he's coming back. I also like the fact that Texas will be playing Ohio State again. This will give Colt a chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time. If you recall, that was his only loss his freshman year before injuries added two more L's late in the season.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - Texas quarterback Colt McCoy and Longhorns defensive end Brian Orakpo have been named The Associated Press Big 12 offensive and defensive players of the year.
Colt McCoy is also a finalist for the 2008 Manning Award, honoring the nation's top quarterback.
If you recall, last week Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow and Graham Harrell were chosen as the three finalists for the Maxwell Award.
I'm no geek, but it seems to me that they just need to change one little algorithm.* The computer just needs to "digest" this bit of info before spitting out a result: "If two teams have the same records and one of them beats the other, under no circumstances would the losing team be awarded a higher standing than the winner." I'm sure the gearheads could figure out how to code that in.