I caught the first half and some of the 4th quarter of the Texas Tech game. Finally, a game where the Horns didn't take either half off or shoot themselves in the foot repeatedly. Looked like more non-holding calls for yet another UT opponent, but the Horns played too well for it to matter.
I consider myself not to be much of a "calls conspiracy" guy, outside of some really questionable stuff in Alabama games over the years (although that was shattered by the recent Iron Bowl, where, for as much of it as I got to watch, the refs were screwing Bama left and right and handing AU gift after gift, keeping them alive). However, the stuff the Big 12 has been doing with Texas this year is unquestionable. You can look at things like holding calls against teams vs. Texas and holding calls against the same teams vs. everyone else, but you don't need to. Just watch the games. I don't see how you can reasonably conclude that the officials aren't just throwing up a giant middle finger to Texas this year. It's really something.
When the Longhorns play like that, I think they're probably one of the two best teams, along with UGA--the version that played Ole Miss and Tennessee, not the UGA that craps around with Auburn, etc. When both play their best game, I think those are the best teams I've seen. Michigan and Ohio State are a step below that, maybe Oregon and Washington belong there too, and FSU with Jordan Travis.
What I find interesting is not the conversation about Texas and Oregon. Rather, Texas and FSU. Even without losing Jordan Travis, I didn't think FSU was as good as UGA or Texas. So if they win the ACC CG, what happens if Washington re-defeats the Ducks and UGA beats Alabama? You have undefeated Michigan, Georgia, Washington and FSU. Washington is probably safe from any 1-loss team taking their spot. Florida State is interesting, because do you reward a team for being perfect and who continued to win after their QB was hurt? Or do you penalize them because you "believe" they are lesser now, and don't give them the chance, and let a 1-loss team jump them? There will be many arguments made either way, I think. I myself am not sure what I'd do, because I see the merits of both sides, although I'm inclined to not let an undefeated team be jumped by a 1-loss, and FSU does have a nice ooc win over LSU.
Should be interesting. Seems like everyone thinks the Ducks will beat Washington, but the Ducks were thought to win the past two times, and Washington keeps beating them, so....
I just hope Texas plays their best game again vs. Okie State. Will be much better for the chaos if everyone else holds serve, which is more interesting than if they were to lose. Plus, my wife and my many Longhorns friends will be happy, so there's that.
