The SEC Forum at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

They're signaling "Longhorns are #1!"

Late to the party on recapping the Longhorns holding on Vs a grudge-holding TCU. But that last long throw and catch by Ewers to Mitchell to close it out was a thing of beauty - this type of play is the gutsy difference between the haves and have-nots:

It doesn't have to look pretty. It just has to work.

Quinn clearly wasn't healed last week. Throughout the game, Texas managed to just barely miss the mark, such as a brilliant outside run for 9 1/2 yards, followed by a run stuff, followed by a (suspect) false start. Instead of a new set of downs inside the 10, there's a FG.

When Texas gets out to a big lead this week, Sark may have to call time out to remind his team that the other guys are about to give it everything they have. They're going to try and claw back in the game, so be ready for heroics. As long as Texas has Texas on their jersey, the other teams are going to bow up. Crush that moment and the game is over. Let it succeed, and they'll never stop fighting.

I very much doubt that any Big 12 team has a DL that matches at least Alabama's at home. When the middle of the 4th quarter came, the Texas OL was able to shove the Bama DL out of the way for 7 minutes and end the game. They absolutely can do it. They knew Alabama was going to empty the tank to get the ball back. They fought through it.

There's going to be that particular point where even the Big 12 DLs are going to make a stand. The Texas OL just has to hold each other accountable - remind each other that this is gonna be a man on man fight, and to show the defense who's got the guts.

Last night risked the ideal setting for a Longhorns upset. An underrated Iowa State team, playing a road game in the cold - I figured Texas could get ambushed. But their big talent advantage came through, staying just ahead enough of Iowa State to remain in control, especially in the second half. Texas played like they were taking their business trip seriously.

Despite lingering hurt, Ewers was efficient, distributing the ball to seven different receivers, all of which caught two or more passes. Baxter stepped up for 117 rushing yards with the backfield on his shoulders after Brooks' injuries Vs TCU.

Any time Iowa State scrapped back, Texas fought back with responses that weathered them through the game. For instance, after Iowa State took a 66 yd pass to the house to trim the lead to 23-16 in the 4th, Texas pieced together an 11 play, 6 min drive topped by a FG to make it a two possession game again.

Compared to the Longhorns last trip to Ames, losing 30-7 and getting run out of the stadium by Breece Hall, this is an experienced, well rounded team with NFL ready talent at key positions; they play cohesively, methodically working through a schedule full of teams posturing for one last shot at the Horns.

the big 12 refs were on to you

They squatted around the first half with self-inflicted problems and came on stronger in the second half.  The reverse of what they've been doing.  If they put it all together for 4 quarters they'll be really tough to beat.

That was the Alabama game, Texas played a full 4 quarters, dominated the LOS from both sides, and used the skill position players for key plays all game long.  We haven't seen that Texas team since that game, but if/when we do again, they'll be tough for any team in the country to beat.