The good news: Texas won the Big 12 football championship tonight, our defense is awesome again, Elisa didn’t wake up the kids screaming when Hunter kicked the field goal, and Texas likely will go the the national championship game.
The bad news: Pretty much everything else.
I’m in shock over the offensive game plan (assuming there was one — I’m not really convinced at this point). My Christmas list now includes a new offensive line, running game and offensive coordinator. That was pathetic. Props to Nebraska, but holy hell that was painful to watch.
Chris Hall, who somehow was named 1st team All-American but only Honorable Mention All-Big 12, started off both halves with 15-yard chop block penalties. Michael Huey and Kyle Hix should walk back to Austin after that performance. Maybe Colt was suffering post-concussion syndrome on that last play after being sacked eight times.
Let’s be honest. Colt lost the Heisman tonight. I just hope he still gets a free trip to New York.
Here’s the question: Is there any way the Harris Poll voters and coaches drop us below TCU or Cincinnati, which could knock us out of the championship game? The knee-jerk reaction to that kind of performance – one in which we needed instant replay to have a chance at the winning kick – might be to do so.
I imagine we’ll see a lot of media pushing the underdog Horned Frogs or Bearcats over the next 24 hours, saying that Texas didn’t play like a national championship contender. And you know what? They’d be right on that point. But the key is to consider the entire season. Texas plays in the Big 12 and went undefeated. And I’m sorry, but the Big East and Mountain West just don’t compare, even in a down year.
This was a night for Texas in which seemingly everything went wrong: turnovers, penalties, blocked punts, poor kick coverage, a brainfart by Goodwin on our own one-yard-line, James Kirkendoll forgetting how to catch when he had the easiest 70-yard touchdown opportunity of his career, clock mismanagement, inexplicable sacks that took us out of field goal range. We even lost the freaking coin toss. And you know what? We still won.
Texas won their 3rd Big 12 title. Mack won the second of his career. Colt and the seniors won their first. At the end of the day, no matter how it happened, that’s pretty flippin great. Congratulations.
One final note: After a few drinks and the stress of a last-second win, I seem to use a lot more “we”s when discussing the Horns. I’m not apologizing.
HOOK ‘EM!!!
BIG 12 CHAMPS!!!!!!!!!
Subscribe to the blog
#1 by Elisa on December 5th, 2009
Quote
3 things:
1. Whisper cheering is new to me. And I don’t like it. Feels wrong.
2. I like that we’re going to be the underdog in the National Championship. It’s worked out well for us in the past. Call Gene Chizic for tips and BRING ON BAMA.
3. Photo credit to my high school friend, Kellison. Thanks for uploading this amazing shot to Facebook!
#2 by Ryan Hartzog on December 6th, 2009
Quote
Well said, it was nasty ugly. This was not just whew, this was a horribly lucky win. Colt unfortunately doesn’t deserve the heisman, his first half of the season was not great and tonight was just terrible (thanks in part to O-line).
Not only do the other two conferences not compare, but they don’t have 13 wins, Texas does. Neither TCU nor Cincy had to play a championship game. More difficult conference, and an extra game. If anyone says that final game doesn’t matter ask Florida what can happen in game 13.
Missed blocks everywhere, I mean everywhere. Not just the O line, but the RBs couldn’t pick up blitzes either. This spread offense never sits well with me, I hate the zone read runs. Greg Davis not running more when it was more successful than the pass in the early going is inexcusable. The guy seems to be allergic to the run.
And any Cornhusker coming across this blog who screams about the refs, I don’t want to hear it. If you don’t have possession of the ball you can’t be called down, and at least 2 blown holding calls got you some yards. I concede the blown pass interference call was horrible and I”m sure they missed a hold on us somewhere.
HOOK ‘EM!!!
#3 by Jodi on December 6th, 2009
Quote
Fantastic picture! Whisper cheering is definitely not as cool as normal cheering but you get used to it
As Texas has played a lot of games at night this year, I have had to whisper cheer a ton. Luckily Aaron sleeps pretty soundly during the times that I forget to whisper 
#4 by Brian on December 6th, 2009
Quote
Thoughts from a weekend in Austin:
1. Thank goodness the walls in the AT&T Conference Center Hotel are soundproof. I’m not sure what was coming from my mouth, but whatever it was, it wasn’t very holy and would likely scar young children for life.
2. Thankfully the UT D decided to bring their A game. Anything less and we be screwed.
3. Wonder if the Texans are eying Hunter Lawrence. Not that I want them to get rid of Kris Brown (unless he keeps missing extra points). Just saying…#1 draft pick!
4. Whisper Cheering – ha! Yes, it’s not right. Maybe the two of you should consider expanding the house to include a soundproof entertainment room so whatever you have to yell doesn’t reach ears of the wee ones. That, and don’t invite me over (see #1).
5. Off-topic: Anyone know why the bathrooms in the AT&T Conference Center Hotel have sliding doors that don’t lock? I mean, when you’re in a room with two queen size beds and you’re rooming with your brother – Why no locks?