LIKE most coaches, you don’t get much out of weekly press conferences leading up to a big game with Texas’ Mack Brown.
You know the drill: “[Fill in the opponent here] is well-coached, the players are well-schooled, and we expect them to be ready to play on Saturday.”
But Brown surprisingly dropped a few gems this week, as his No. 1 Longhorns (8-0) prepared for No. 6 Texas Tech (8-0). Gems you might want to consider before you – like 54 percent of players in Las Vegas already have – jump on those Cinderella Red Raiders and the points.
Brown on whose offense is comparable to Texas Tech’s:
“There are more similarities to Missouri because the quarterbacks are deeper, the splits are bigger and [they’re] running the ball more.”
Missouri? Hmmm. The Longhorns smashed the Tigers, 56-31, two weeks ago in Austin.
Brown on Tech’s Mike Leach, a strange sort – one of few coaches to have not played at this level – who’s never been one to shy away from running scores up, from not making friends in the fraternity.
“Mike’s different. He’s fun, his own person. He’s very bright,” Brown said. “He always says that he’s hard to defend because he’s not just the regular, old Joe. He wants to be out of the box and he’s right, he is hard to defend.”
Different? Fun? Hmmm. Say what you will, but when you get a chance to pound him, you pound him.
Make no mistake. This isn’t a mismatch we’re talking about in Lubbock. The Red Raiders – with Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree – have an unbelievable offense, an adequate defense, and perhaps enough talent to make the national title game. Time will tell.
But we already know Texas has enough. It has overcome three Top 10 teams in three weeks by a combined 39 points. Anything can happen, as college football has clearly illustrated these past two seasons. But in terms of skill, coaching, motivation and karma, the Longhorns are right there.
At least that’s what we’ve summated. And something tells us Brown agrees.
“It’s a real fun time,” Brown said, “for Texas football.”
Texas (-4) is the pick.
TONIGHT
South Florida (-21/2) over CINCINNATI: After a crazy weather week, the forecast appears clear in Ohio for the speedy Bulls.
SATURDAY
West Virginia (-4) over UCONN: The Mountaineers may have turned a corner vs. Auburn, and the Huskies might be a tad let down after hammering Cincinnati.
MINNESOTA (-61/2) over Northwestern: Things have to break right elsewhere, but the Gophers have a shot at the Rose Bowl. They must, if nothing else, hold up their end.
MICHIGAN STATE (-41/2) over Wisconsin: The Badgers already are 0-2 on the road in the Big Ten, against teams – Michigan and Iowa – that aren’t the Spartans’ caliber.
Pitt (+41/2) over NOTRE DAME: The Panthers’ best efforts have come away from Pittsburgh – at South Florida and Navy – where Dave Wannstedt cannot hear the critics.
Arkansas State (+23) over ALABAMA: Tennessee last week, LSU next week. The Tide need to get a win, stay healthy and get some rest.
Missouri (-20) over BAYLOR: The Bears had some mojo going before the heart of their Big 12 season kicked in. It’s all gone now.
Florida (-51/2) over Georgia (in Jacksonville): Don’t be fooled by Georgia’s victory at LSU. If the Bulldogs give up 38 points and 497 yards to this team, they won’t finish on the left side of the score.
Iowa State (+31) over OKLAHOMA STATE: The Cowboys are due for a letdown of sorts, and have Texas Tech on deck.
Oregon (+3) over CAL: The Ducks’ season turned on a late fumble call in the end zone vs. the Bears last year. Revenge time.
Florida State (+21/2) over GEORGIA TECH: After years of being overvalued – while just not being the same, old FSU – the 6-1 Seminoles are now undervalued. Take advantage.
BOSTON COLLEGE (-41/2) over Clemson: Can’t see a motivated bunch with an interim coach traveling into the cold to face a team that has its number.
USC (-441/2) over Washington: Once again, an impossible game. You can’t take the Huskies with all their problems. You just have to hope Pete Carroll doesn’t have sympathy for the departing Ty Willingham.
OKLAHOMA (-22) over Nebraska: A once-great rivalry renewed. Tough to go against the Sooners. As close to the number as they play, more times than not, Bob Stoops’ crew gets it done.
OFF THE GRID
KANSAS (-101/2) over Kansas State: Nothing like a reeling rival at home to cure what ails a team that can still make the Big 12 title game.
Last week: 8-7 Overall, 3-0 Best Bets, 1-1 Off The Grid.
Season: 74-57-3, 16-10-1, 8-8-1.
tsullivan@nypost.com