Texas vs Oklahoma St Preview: Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire?

Austin – The off-season departures of Nebraska and Colorado from the bosom of the Big XII family, necessitated some retooling of league schedules for the 2011 season. Ostensibly, this was a boon for some, like the Longhorns, who got its game against the high-scoring, high-octane and undefeated Oklahoma State Cowboys, formerly scheduled for T. Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, relocated to the friendly confines of DKR Memorial Stadium for a second year in a row. A boon(e), right? Not so sure. Let’s examine this a bit. The Cowpokes are undefeated at 7-0 (Hmm…), possess of a number six national ranking (Really?), lead the nation in scoring at 51.5 pts per game (Gulp!), and return to Austin with last year’s confidence-building, streak-ending, decisive 33-16 thumping of the Longhorns – in Austin, no less – fresh on their minds. Come to think of it, the real boon for Texas would have been for the schedule-maker to leave off this week’s game against OSU, postpone it until further notice. 2013, maybe?

One week ago, Mack Brown’s youthful charges were roadkill, the unwilling recipients of a backshed whipping courtesy of the Oklahoma Sooners; the 55-17 shellacking was one of the worst beat-downs of Brown’s storied coaching career. Conversely, the ‘Pokes hung 70 points on hapless Kansas, had its offensive stars in street garb by the half, after posting a shocking and sobering 56 points in the first half alone. Longhorns versus Cowboys – two ships passing in opposite directions? Perhaps? Upon reflection, however, I think not. Here’s why.

Texas O vs Oklahoma State D

For the superstitious, streak-obsessed or those just looking for a rope on which to hang tenuous hope, the Longhorns are a perfect 13-0 following the OU game during the Mack Brown era. That’s all fine and dandy, but if the Longhorns are to right their listing ship following the trashing by OU, it will begin with a complete about-face by the offensive line. Last week’s outing was, well, “offensive” in all of the wrong ways, one of the most egregiously awful outings this writer has seen from a Longhorn squad. Really, it was that awful. To be fair, the O-line was not solely to blame for the carnage, just a portion of it: those eight sacks allowed and five turnovers – three for OU scores! – were also a result of terrible QB play, bad decisions, slipshod ball-handing and a glaring lack of big-game experience. The Longhorn youth played like wet-behind-the-ear freshmen last week. And yes, the possibility for a repeat performance looms large for this game, the fragile mental state of the ‘Horns being very much in question. But, this is no OU defense the Longhorns face, however, and I firmly believe the Longhorns will play a much better game offensively this week, re-establishing its power running game, reigning in the turnovers, and getting solid play from their two-headed QB rotation of David Ash and Case McCoy.

Texas D vs Oklahoma State O

The malaise that afflicted the Longhorns a week ago was hardly confined to the offense. The Sooners QB Landry Jones was unfazed by the infrequent pressure applied by the Texas D, had over 300 yards passing at halftime. Cowboy QB Brandon Weeden, at 28 years of age, a man among boys, literally, has the tools and arm to match Jones’ gaudy stats. Indeed, a season ago, the Texas D was torched for 409 yards by Weeden. If the Texas D fails to pressure Weeden, it will be a repeat performance by Coach Mike Gundy’s Cowboy squad, and possibly and disturbingly, the catalyst for a season-long tailspin by the Longhorns. That said, there is something to be said for the resilience of youth. Those same, beleaguered Longhorn defensive backs, who went to the school of the hardest knocks last week and absorbed a painful lesson, will come out and play much better this week. Count on it.

Predicted Score:

The Longhorns will come out, try and control the game and the clock with much-improved O-line play, steadier QB play and power running. The feeling here is that they will indeed shorten the game with a solid effort from a red-faced O-line. Expect a huge day from RB Malcolm Brown, and dizzying flashes of brilliance from a revived Fozzy Whitaker. Do not be surprised to see a Longhorn kick return for six either. Much like the Sooners, the Cowboys can be had on the special teams side. Finally, expect as well, that this Longhorn squad will be in the game in the fourth quarter, before finally succumbing to that supreme offensive machine from Stillwater.

Texas 27 Oklahoma State 38 (opening line: OSU -7 1/2)