College Confidential

Baylor looks to revive season in Austin

Last Saturday, when Baylor quarterback Nick Florence addressed a room full of media after Baylor’s game against TCU, he said the team’s goal this year is to be the Big 12 Champions.

He also said playing the way they did that night was definitely not going to help Baylor achieve that goal.

The Bears’ next bump in the road on their way to that goal is a visit to Austin to take on the Texas Longhorns.

“[We] certainly need to go down and start out in a good way and get a good taste in our mouth to begin with, without question,” Baylor head coach Art Briles said.

Much like Baylor, Texas faced a rough loss last weekend when they played University of Oklahoma in the annual Red River Rivalry and lost 63-21. Now, both teams will be competing to see who can make the quickest turnaround and get their season back on track.

“Really, it’ll be the first team who recovers mentally and physically the fastest that will win this game,” Baylor safety Sam Holl said. “I think the way they played against OU, obviously not how they wanted to play, so, like I said, whatever team recovers the fastest will win.”

In this league, with all the crazy things that happen each week, it is easy to look at results and judge based off one game. For Baylor, Texas’ loss to OU may seem like a weakness they can capitalize, but Florence knows better than to assume.

“They came off a big loss too, so they’re going to have a lot to prove themselves, but ultimately we have to worry about ourselves, and they’re going to come out ready,” Florence said. “It’s a big game for them, it’s a big game for us, so you got to execute well.”

Baylor has won the last two meetings between the two teams, with the Longhorns famously claiming they were not going to let RG3 win the Heisman on them. Well, we all know how that turned out.

Now that Baylor is a real contender against Texas instead of fans just assuming it was a loss on the board for the Bears, tension is high and Baylor is expected to bring home a win and get back on track. However, even Briles knows the fight will be a tough one.

“They always are going to be and always have been a really, really solid football team,” Briles said. “They’ve lost to West Virginia, they’ve lost to University of Oklahoma…they may have cut themselves a little bit, but they’ve go band aids and they can stop the bleeding.”

With a league that holds so many unexpected results from week to week, one would be foolish to try and predict who will come out on top between Baylor and Texas. But, one thing is for sure. This game is critical for both teams in deciding who can turn their season around and who sinks to the bottom of the Big 12. --Savannah Pullin

Texas RB Brown, LB Hicks to miss Baylor game because of injuries

Texas running back Malcolm Brown (ankle) and linebacker Jordan Hicks (hip) will miss Saturday’s game against Baylor, team trainers announced Friday. It marks the third consecutive contest for both Brown and Hicks to be sidelined with injuries. The Longhorns (4-2, 1-2 in Big 12) lost the first two, including last week’s 63-21 loss to Oklahoma. Other Longhorns who will not play tonight include FB Alex De La Torre (ankle), DB Sheroid Evans (leg) and TE Miles Onyegbule (ankle). Offensive tackle Donald Hawkins (ankle) is listed as questionable. In addition, defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat, who is out for the season, underwent successful surgery Friday to repair a torn pectoral muscle.

_ Jimmy Burch

Red Raiders looking to block out distractions, avoid letdown

Shocking at least one nationally-ranked team per season is becoming a habit for Tommy Tuberville's Red Raiders.

West Virginia, after enduring a 49-14 beating Saturday in Lubbock, was put on the list of Tuberville-led Tech upsets joining the likes of then-No. 3 Oklahoma (2011) and then-No. 14 Missouri (2010). Though not the case in 2010, Tech then suffered through
a series of major letdowns following its win in Norman, Okla., last season, ending its schedule with a five-game losing streak to finish bowl ineligible.

Two of those losses saw Tech's defense allow a program-worst 66 points.

"Well, I hope we learn from last year because we pretty much around the same part of the season did the same thing," Tuberville said. "We did something nobody else thought we could do and we didn't win another game. 

"We've got to get focused on every day of what we've got to do to get better."

One of the first steps Tech took toward blocking out distractions was by canceling post-practice interviews this week. The Red Raiders host a weekly news conference Mondays, and follows up with media availability Tuesday and Wednesday after practice. Though
a reason was never stated, it is likely that move was taken so the team could focus solely on the task at hand — a trip to No. 23 TCU (BCS) on Saturday.

It does not help that the Red Raiders, at No. 18, have earned their highest ranking in the AP Poll since 2008, when the program was ranked No. 2 at one point. Tech earned a No. 21 ranking during the 2009 season after beating then-No. 15 Nebraska in Lincoln,
Neb.

More importantly, though, is the Red Raiders' No. 17 ranking in the BCS standings — and that is what the Horned Frogs will be eyeing down, considering a win Saturday would likely vault them into the Top 20.

Aware of the bullseye placed squarely on his team, Tuberville said his team needs to continue playing like the hunter, and not accept the fact that it is the hunted.

"We're a better team than we were last year, but we're also a target," Tuberville said. "When you're ranked as high as we are now and people see what you've done, you're going to get their 'A' game."

By Jose Rodriguez — Special to the Star-Telegram

Longhorns plagued by lack of effort

The Texas Longhorns noticed an alarming trend when they watched the game film of last week's 63-21 loss to Oklahoma: a lack of effort on defense at times.

UT allowed season-highs in points, total yards (677), rushing yards (343) and first downs (30) against the Sooners. 

"Three or four guys were really playing hard and some guys were not playing hard," senior safety Kenny Vaccaro said. "It's just causing a cancer on the team because if we're ever going to be anything defense, everybody has to play hard. Everybody needs to want to make the play every down and it's not like that right now. People are looking for people to make plays."

But the Oklahoma game was not the first contest in which Texas struggled defensively. 

The Longhorns rank 103rd in rushing defense in the FBS, allowing more than 209 rushing yards per game on average. Texas (4-2, 1-2 Big 12) has surrendered 12 rushing touchdowns and its opponents average more than five yards per carry. UT is 99th in total defense, giving up nearly 450 yards per game. 

"The problem is we are too careful on defense," senior defensive end Alex Okafor said. "We're not throwing our bodies around. We're expecting someone else to make the play. And that all comes from practice, from taking plays off, from effort and all that. We have to change that."

So how does that change before Saturday's matchup against Baylor ?

"You have to throw your body around in practice like you would in a game and it has to become second nature for the effort to be there," Okafor said. "Tackling is not the issue, effort is. Effort and relentlessness, we don't have that right now."

When asked why the Longhorns have shown poor effort at times this season, Okafor and Vaccaro couldn't pinpoint a reason. 

"Honestly, I really don't know because I feel like that's the mentality of the individual player," Vaccaro said. "It's your decision what kind of a player you want to be. I don't know why somebody wouldn't play hard, I don't get it."

Vaccaro doesn't think speeches or team meetings will cure the Longhorns' defensive woes. He said it has to "come from within."

"If we're going to turn this defense around, we have to come together and play like we love the person next to us," Vaccaro said. "We're not playing like that, but we should be."

By Austin Laymance/Special to the Star-Telegram

Was Florence given too much, too soon?

I do not think many people would voluntarily choose to trade places with Baylor quarterback Nick Florence.

He is the successor of a Heisman trophy winner and only played 18 games in three years before being handed over the responsibility of leading Baylor’s offense.

So, after Baylor’s six-turnover game with four interceptions against TCU, it comes as no surprise that critics may be questioning if Florence was given too much responsibility, too soon.

“The thing we got to keep remembering about Nick (Florence) is that he really hasn’t played that many football games,” Baylor head coach Art Briles said. “We look at him like he’s a real experienced quarterback where, really, his experience in game time is not that much.”

Although he is lacking in on-field experience, Florence said his biggest concern is to just do his own thing and play within his abilities without trying to be a photocopy of Robert Griffin, which has worked well for him so far.

Briles admits he may be guilty of dismissing the realities of playing quarterback and assuming that every situation Florence is given would just fall in to place. But Briles says it is only because of Florence’s knowledge and intelligence in the game.

“I don’t think you can put too much on him because he’s very intelligent,” Briles said. “I think maybe we had floated along there pretty well at that position these last two or three weeks and had a little success, and a lot of times when that happens you become a little more aggress with the football in situations because everything has been good.”

So how does Florence handle his critics and the pressure of trying to differentiate himself post-RG3 era?

“I just try to be who I am,” Florence said. “I try to go out there everyday and practice strong and practice hard and learn in the film room, and just try to do what I do and not be Robert Griffin.”

Florence says above all, the team has to remember that it’s just a game. They want to have fun, but they also want to win in the process. -- Savannah Pullin

Texas A&M releases 2013 football schedule, which includes eight home games #aggies

Southeastern Conference officials finalized the league’s 2013 conference football schedule Thursday, allowing Texas A&M officials to release the Aggies’ full schedule for next season. A&M will play eight home games in College Station during the 2013 season, including SEC dates against Alabama (Sept. 14), Auburn (Oct. 19), Vanderbilt (Oct. 26) and Mississippi State (Nov. 9). The team also will have four non-conference games at Kyle Field against Rice (Aug. 31), Sam Houston State (Sept. 7), SMU (Sept. 21) and New Mexico (Nov. 16).

A&M’s crossover opponents from the SEC East Division will be Vanderbilt and Missouri. SEC officials said the 2013 slate is a bridge schedule to be used for one-season only. Below is a look at A&M’s complete schedule for the 2013 season:

 

2013 TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL SCHEDULE (As of Thursday, Oct. 18, 2012)

Saturday, Aug. 31             vs. Rice                                                 Kyle Field

Saturday, Sept. 7              vs. Sam Houston State                   Kyle Field

Saturday, Sept. 14           vs. *Alabama                                     Kyle Field

Saturday, Sept. 21           vs. SMU                                               Kyle Field

Saturday, Sept. 28           at *Arkansas                                      Fayetteville, AR

Saturday, Oct. 5                Open date

Saturday, Oct. 12              at *Ole Miss                                       Oxford, MS

Saturday, Oct. 19              vs. *Auburn                                       Kyle Field

Saturday, Oct. 26              vs. *Vanderbilt                                 Kyle Field

Saturday, Nov. 2               Open date

Saturday, Nov. 9               vs. *Mississippi State                     Kyle Field

Saturday, Nov. 16            vs. New Mexico                                Kyle Field

Saturday, Nov. 23            at *LSU                                                 Baton Rouge, LA

Saturday, Nov. 30            at *Missouri                                       Columbia, MO

Saturday, Dec. 7               SEC Championship Game             Atlanta, GA

 

_ Jimmy Burch

 

 

Sports book sets even-money odds on Brown's return to Texas next season, 5/7 odds on his departure

Texas football coach Mack Brown has made it clear that he is not walking away from his job with the Longhorns any time soon despite a negative fan backlash following Saturday’s 63-21 loss to rival Oklahoma.

But what are the odds on seeing him back on the Longhorns’ sideline next season? Bovada Sportsbook (www.Bovada.lv) established even-money odds today (1/1) that Brown will coach the Longhorns (4-2, 1-2 in Big 12) in 2013. Odds of his departure were placed at 5/7.

Let’s be clear. Texas officials have shown little interest in forcing Brown’s departure but there is a $3.5 million buyout in his current deal. Brown, who has a 145-41 record in 14-plus seasons at the school, led Texas to a 2005 national championship and a berth in the 2009 BCS National Championship Game.

The loss to OU marked Texas’ third consecutive setback in the series, with the last two by margins of 41 and 38 points (Texas fell, 55-17, in 2011). Brown, 61 and under contract through 2020, said during Monday’s news conference in Austin that he is “way too competitive and have way too much pride to leave something bad. I’m going to get this fixed.”

Here is Bovada’s take on Brown’s potential return in 2013, which was distributed today as one of this week’s “specials” for college football fans. The list:

SPECIALS - Will Mack Brown be the Head Coach of Texas for Game 1 of the 2013 Regular Season?         
Yes                  EVEN   (1/1)
No                    -140      (5/7)
 
SPECIALS - Will Notre Dame allow an Offensive TD vs. BYU?      
Yes                   -250     (2/5)
No                    +170     (17/10)
 
SPECIALS - Will Notre Dame play in the BCS Championship game?       
Yes                  +500     (5/1)
No                     -900     (1/9)
 
_ Jimmy Burch

 

Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl adds sponsor for 2012 game, to release ticket plan on Oct. 22

Officials at the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl have added Colonial Savings as an official sponsor of this year’s contest, to be played Dec. 29 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. In addition, bowl officials announced Thursday that ticket information for this year’s contest will be released Oct. 22, with information available online at ArmedForcesBowl.com. The contest, in its 10^th season, is scheduled to kick off at 10:45 a.m. on Dec. 29 and will be an ESPN telecast.

_ Jimmy Burch

 

A&M OT Joeckel, an Arlington HS grad, leads list of Aggies receiving midseason acclaim

Texas A&M offensive tackle Luke Joeckel, a junior from Arlington High School, has been selected to midseason All-America squads selected by SportsIllustrated.com and CBSSports.com. He joins A&M defense end Damontre Moore, who leads the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for losses (15), on both squads. In addition, A&M freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel has been added to the watch list for the Manning Award while freshman receiver Mike Evans has been added to the watch list for the Biletnikoff Award.

_ Jimmy Burch

Reggie Wilson finally gets his chance

Texas Longhorns defensive end Alex Okafor considers Reggie Wilson one of college football's best backups. That's about to change. 

Wilson is prepared to make his first career start on Saturday when Texas (4-2, 1-2 Big 12) hosts Baylor (3-2, 0-2). The Haltom High School product will assume a larger role for the Longhorns with fellow junior defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat out for the season due to injury. 

"Reggie has just been a player in waiting," said Okafor, who leads UT with six sacks. "Before this, he was one of the best backups in college football. It's his time now." 

Wilson has one sack, one tackle for loss and 11 total tackles in six games this season. He's filling in for one of UT's best defenders, though. Jeffcoat leads Texas with 11 tackles for loss and is second with four sacks.  

"Obviously, you can't replace a player like Jackson Jeffcoat," Wilson said. "I know my role is to step up and help us win the next game. Jackson is a completely different player than who I am. I just have to play my game, do my part and help us win games."

Wilson has been waiting for an opportunity like this for a long time. 

He didn't start playing football until seventh grade, when he was introduced to the sport. Wilson was born in Africa's Ivory Coast, where his parents relocated following a bloody civil war in neighboring Liberia. He spent 11 years living in Africa, often in refugee camps, before moving to the United States in 2003.

With a lot of hard work, Wilson has blossomed into a solid defender since coming to Texas in 2010. 

"Coming in, the coaches knew that I was raw," Wilson said. "I always had speed and strength. But as far as the little things like which steps to take, eye control, just little things with my technique are things I've tried to work on over the years. I see improvement and I just need to keep getting better. I feel like I have improved every year and it's time for me to help Texas win."

Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has also noticed Wilson's growth as a pass rusher. Wilson had three quarterback pressures in 13 games last season. He's already matched that number this year. 

"Reggie Wilson is a guy who has really come a long way from last season," Diaz said. "Not just in terms of his ability to come off the edge and pressure the quarterback, which he's done a couple times this year, but in terms of being a dependable guy. He'll be asked to step up."

By Austin Laymance/Special to the Star-Telegram