I would counter that anyone who believes Gilbert should have only had 30 snaps, in a season in which Texas had huge leads in many games by the 3rd quarter, is equally full of feces.
You are 100% correct. This was a massive failure on Brown and Davis' parts. Not just during the season, but even within the game itself. I am really starting to question Mack on his deference to Davis. I am really starting to itch for the Muschamp era to start. I suspect that his gambling and aggressive instincts would not allow for some of Davis' more turtle like antics. Mack's staff needs to be capable of maximizing their players' potential. I also hope he has learned how important it is to have a team where any player is capable of stepping in when necessary rather than pimping a guy's stats for the Heisman. If Brown screws up Gilbert the way he screwed up Simms ima be pissed. I'm not making a direct comparison here, which would have meant that Brown pulled a senior McCoy and made Gilbert a first year starter (Craig James musta been taking notes). I'm saying by thrusting a freshman into a hostile environment rather than gradually allowing them to get a feel for the game and their teammates you are basically hindering their future chances. Sort of nurturing a Brad Lidge syndrome, with the added plus that you are messing with 19 year old kids' heads.
It's not going to get any easier in 2010. I know that to SEC fans the Big 12 is just another minor nothing conference, but there are going to be a ton of dangerous teams fighting it out next year. Apart from OU Texas also gets the pleasure of going into Lincoln and Lubbock, but at least gets OSU and A&M at home (as well as their lone legit non conference game in UCLA). None of these are gimmie games for a first year QB, and right now I don't see how they can go undefeated again. Granted they have yet another elite class coming in, but losing Thomas, Kindle, and Houston hurts immensely -- as much as losing McCoy and Shipley IMO. UT will still have an incredibly impressive secondary and I think they will be a defensive team next year. I just think one or two games will do them in. I'm leaning towards either Nebraska or OU in consecutive games at the onset of their Big 12 season.
Texas had a phenomenal year and I was very proud of their performance Thursday. This was a special season for Longhorn fans. Though no one will truly know what might have happened, we know what actually did happen. Alabama ran it down UT's throat. The team that made fewer mistakes and had fewer turnovers won. Texas couldn't stop 'Bama's bread and butter. I suspect that this would have killed them eventually whether Colt played or not. Regardless I thought the Longhorn players did exceptionally well given the circumstances. Even Gilbert seemed to be literally growing by the play. I really wish that he had had a chance to get those inevitable first plays out of his system before that game. That sack and fumble to kill UT was the first sack he has taken as a collegiate athlete. I would have much rather he taken it against OSU, Mizzou, or Kansas. I can honestly say that I have never been more impressed with a QB's performance that featured 4 interceptions as well as a fumble and two turnovers in the last 6 minutes inside his own 10 yard line with his team down by 3 at first. He needed to learn to take a hit. His WR's needed to learn how he threw. He also needs to get a little more height on his passes. Way too many tipped balls. These problems are fixed through repitition and playing together in practice and game day situations.
Sorry to all for the long and rambling post. I've been thinking and talking about the game a lot the last few days and just kind of felt like writing about it. The list of times I've experienced this feeling is just so short. I obviously have the '06 Rose Bowl. I've also had the Rockets in the '90's and the 'Stros World Series. Making the Final Four was nice, but not the same thing. I've never been nuts about Texas baseball. I've been to games and I root for them but I really enjoyed Rice winning in 2003 more than any UT CWS. I can also honestly say I'd really enjoy it if Rice somehow beat UT next year in their first football game -- admittedly in part because it won't happen. I certainly wouldn't bask in it, but it's really neat to see a University that does things the right way and that is smaller than my high school win (especially a NC). Reckling is a great cheap way to blow off an afternoon.
I read the last few pages of this thread after posting and I'm repeating a lot of points already made -- there are a lot of smart people on this here MB
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