Hi guys... long time reader, first-time poster.

I was wondering what you guys think of the Longhorn football team in 02. I'm a big fan, and I was hoping to get some insight from my net brothers here on the board.

Also, I'm looking for a guy named "mileslong" around here. Let me know if he pops up.

Texas's schedule is much harder next year, with games at North Carolina, Kansas State, Texas Tech, and Nebraska. And of course, the OU game in Dallas. I like to think that with Chris Simms' experience this year, he will be a smarter player and not make the game-costing mistakes he made this year.

I think we could be in the Big 12 Championship game next year too. OU loses Roy Williams, Nebraska loses Crouch, K-State sputtered at the end of the season, and NC should be a tough win. A loss to Nebraska will take us out of the Big 12 Championship game. Keep in mind, we did beat Nebraska in Lincoln in 98, so anything is possible.

But I guess we'll wait and see. I'm pumped about the Horns next year. Meanwhile, the Runnin' Horns BBall club is kicking some ass in the conference, despite losing Chris Owens. Their schedule only gets harder from here, so let's get pumped up everyone!!

Hook 'Em!!

Wrong forum. You're one forum too far down.

Texas missed the chance of a lifetime in 2001. I said in the beginning of the year that Mack Brown was an idiot to play Simms instead of Applewhite. So what does he do? He starts Simms in the Oklahoma game. And in the Big-12 championship.
Pure idiocy.
Brown's a crafty recruiter. I give him props!
But he's a s***y coach, and lousy tactician.
Sad to say for Texas, but you have one of the best teams, but you will NOT win the national title as long as Brown remains the head coach. Which is sad.
So much wasted talent!
The Texas shcedule this year was tailor-made for the Rose Bowl. Simms is lousy, and I knew at the beginning of the year that he would not take you there.
I am still shocked that Brown stuck by Simms as long as he did this year, especially with the way Applewhite performed in San Diego.

I see Texas at 8-3 next year.

next year's schedule is tough, and admittedly mack has not proven that he can truly coach, but have you seen the recruiting this year?????? best class in the nation by far, imo. with this preponderence of talent from all of mack's recruiting classes, we can't help but be a contender every year.

This will be a legendary recruiting class, but we all know that recruiting is not the problem. Coach Brown has not yet shown himself to be a good enough big game day coach to win it all. No doubt we will continue to win 9-11 games a year, but....

That being said, coaches and staff do turn the corner. Part of our problem this year was Chris' inability to run a complicated offense against good defenses. In the games against OU and A&M (the only two really good defenses we faced in the regular season), the game plan was dumbed down considerably in order to compensate for Chris' lack of field vision. He's got a great arm and, in a rhythm, he can be very effective. I was a big fan of his. But, he may be our biggest liability next year. He's led the team now for a good portion of two years. So the big question is: how much more can he mature now? After the CU game, this is a major concern (no pun) And with Vince -- the greatest QB recruit in the history of ever -- on the sidelines next year, we may be in for another long season of second-guessing (along with great shots of a more muscular Chris on the sidelines).

Still, it's an overwhelmingly talented team that with any luck will be in the running more years than not. I was in Lincoln when we won there, so it can be done!

Hook 'em

it'll be interesting to see if they redshirt VY. even so, a few awful simms interceptions (see big 12 championship game) and the fans'll be calling for chance mock.

i would think that we should put in a lot more option and bootleg stuff to take advantage of the incredible mobility of young and mock (assuming he, and not nordgren, is the backup) in the coming years.

I think we have a great chance of winning it all next year.
1. Win in the Holiday Bowl taught the team what it was like to come back and win.
2. Cedric Benson will be starting all year.
3. The big 3 will be juniors and even more awesome.
4. Chris will be a seasoned senior not having to deal with the "cult of major". Our back up Mock and Nordgren are studs too. Vince Young will redshirt.
5. Loaded with young talent on offensive line.
6. Defense will be faster and meaner.
7. Derrick Johnson will be a terror along with Randall and others.
8. Nebraska needs a QB to make their system work. Plus we beat them at home before.
9. K-State - there best days are past.
10. ou - Bobby proved he can't win them all even the ones he should win (see osu game).

Further for all those people who say Mack can recruit but can't coach would you pin the same thing on Bobby Bowden or Tom Osborne? It took these guys along time to win a national championship. Even Spurrier only won one.
Texas will win the national championship if not this year, next year.

chihorn,
After reading your post, I agree with the very last part of your last sentence, "the year after."
Texas' schedule next year is too difficult. There will be no title for the Horns in 2002.
Maybe, just maybe, you can do it in 2003. And maybe, just maybe, if you fire Brown. I think the Vegas odds makers figure him for a 2 point differential for the opponents vs. Texas. Bad coaching is bad coaching. It has punished so many teams in the past. But perhaps will get better at his job. Maybe 2003 will be your year.

AU Tiger

I have to disagree. Good teams win tough games. I think we have the skill, heart AND coaching to do it.

Give me Mack Brown any day over our former "coaching genius" John Mackovic. He may have been a genius but he also lost to Rice and after a 66-3 beating by an 0-2 UCLA told the fans "get over it".