THEY are the biggest non- story in college football this season. Though marquee quarterbacks suffered major injuries and marquee programs suffered major upsets in the early going, the Texas Longhorns just plodded right along.
With five unimpressive wins to open the year, Texas made little to no headlines. Quarterback Colt McCoy — the only one of the Big Three not to be injured this year — hasn’t regained the form that made him the Heisman Trophy runner-up last season. And the defense that was going to be so key to the Longhorns’ national title hopes has been marginal, at best.
But, again, they are undefeated. They are ranked No. 2 in the nation. And all of the dreams they opened the season with — a Heisman for McCoy, a Big 12 title and then, the BCS championship — are all still out there . . . if they just beat Oklahoma on Saturday in Dallas.
“We think we have gotten a lot accomplished,” Texas coach Mack Brown said. “But we still have a lot of things that we need to do.”
It starts Saturday against a team that is 0-2 in its only true tests this season. The Sooners (3-2) — granted Sam Bradford is back from injury now — already have lost to BYU and Miami. And if you tack on the BCS title game loss to Florida that ended last year, Oklahoma is on a 3-3 stretch.
Sounds to us like a team that Texas can make a statement against.
“We are not,” Brown said, “starting the games well.”
Which is true. In fact, Colorado of all teams — as a 34-point underdog no less — was up, 14-10, at the half, before Texas woke up and won, 38-14, last week.
But, as Brown said, “This is OU week.” And everything’s different. Everything’s more important.
We say the Longhorns treat it as such . . . and keep all of their Texas-sized goals right in front of them. Texas (-3½) is the pick.
TONIGHT
SOUTH FLORIDA (+2½) over Cincinnati: The Big East is far too mediocre to have 1. A steady Top 10 team, as the Bearcats have been; and 2. Anything but one big, tangled mess at the top of the standings.
TOMORROW
RUTGERS (+3) over Pitt: Speaking of Cincinnati, seven weeks later, the Knights get a chance to show the nation the Bearcat Labor Day Disaster was a fluke.
SATURDAY
Ohio State (-13½) over PURDUE: The Bucks’ less-than-stellar cover vs. Wisconsin last week will have Jim Tressel more than focused against the turnover-happy Boilers.
WISCONSIN (-2½) over Iowa: On the flip side, the Badgers played well enough to earn a moral victory vs. Ohio State. Now, they can shoot for the victories that count.
UCONN (-13) over Louisville: The Huskies play hard, home and road, and will have total focus after the collapse at Pitt last week.
PENN STATE (-17) over Minnesota: The Lions finally have gotten it going on offense, and should be able to contain the Gophers’ overrated passing game.
BOSTON COLLEGE (-2½) over N.C. State: Good at home, bad on the road: The 2009 Boston College Eagles. This one is in Chestnut Hill.
FLORIDA (-25) over Arkansas: Points aplenty, but we don’t foresee many scores out of that improved Razors offense. Remember, Alabama beat Arkansas by 28. The hefty points looked good before that game, too.
NOTRE DAME (+10) over Southern Cal: A coming-out party of sorts for the Irish, perhaps. The defense scares us, but Jimmy Clausen and Co. should be able to dent the scoreboard.
NEBRASKA (-10½) over Texas Tech: The Cornhuskers are 5-0 against the spread this year. More importantly, they are stifling on defense, and should be able to control clock here.
Virginia Tech (-3) over GEORGIA TECH: Great spot for the Hokies, as they catch an overachieving Yellow Jackets team fresh off back-to-back road wins.
AUBURN (-13½) over Kentucky: The Wildcats play hard, but have health problems, and the Tigers will be eager to return home after getting blasted at Arkansas last week.
CENTRAL FLORIDA (+14½) over Miami: The Knights’ new facility in Orlando is not an easy place. Two ranked teams — Texas and South Florida — have played there since it opened in 2007. Both failed to cover vs. UCF.
ALABAMA (-17) over South Carolina: The Tide defense will always give you a chance for a cover, and the Gamecocks offense plays right into its hands.
OFF THE GRID
Georgia (-8) over VANDERBILT: Though we are sick of this dreadful Bulldogs team on the grid, we’ll take a chance with them in this rare “OTG” sighting. Mainly because the Commodores are inept.
Brigham Young (-17½) over SAN DIEGO STATE: How did this team lose to Florida State? The Cougars have it rolling once again, and should move the ball with ease vs. the Aztecs.
Records: Last week: 8-7 Overall; 2-1 Best Bets; 1-2 Off The Grid.
Season: 42-47-1; 7-11; 10-7.