There's one big BUT here on the no-huddle: Indianapolis! That no-huddle seems to function pretty well for the Colts. This isn't to suggest that the TU quarterback is as good as Manning. And who knows how much Manning actually calls at the line, what with the microphones in the helmets. But this might be the one situation where you can out-scheme somebody. And pros have to be smarter, football-wise, than college guys. So upon further review, if you have sharp coaches and a talented quarterback, the no-huddle could drive somebody pretty good pretty nuts.
[p]Navy just wins games.[p]
My criteria was not an upset -- it was that teams win games because their system is difficult to adjust to. You have no response to that. Further, you have response to my analysis that this a point of comparison. You articulate no cogent response to the argument that teams with these quirky, but effective, offenses win games, in part because they are tough to prepare for.
[p]Now, Picker -- got a question. What do you think are the best burger joints in town?
My crieria was winning games. Tech stunk before they got that goofy offense. Now they go to bowls every year and can compete when they have decent talent. Then again, it appears the rest of college football is wising up to the Tech spread -- it might be like the wishbone in a few years. While I agree that call stunk against OU (both of 'em), OU did lose, just like they lost to Oregon. As far as I can see, you only get to claim one screw job a decade -- they happen, no doubt, but if it happens every year, you start to look like Arkansas fans.
Back to the topic, the question was whether this TU offense will work. If they run formations like that wildcat, it should be fun at least. They'll win games. Maybe upset someone every couple of years. At the very least, TU is stealing recruits from Arkansas which is just funny to watch.
Know clue why Leach hasn't left Lubbock. He's so weird, he might like it there. I thought Stanford would take him. I really like the guy -- he's just one of those colorful coaches and is willing to do things the old guard football types cringe at. That's a good thing. Plus, he's willing to play TU. We need more people like Leach and fewer Sabans and Mileses.
Ron's is top notch. Brownie's is pretty darn good too.
I had thought that the microphone/speaker setup in NFL QB's helmets were for a very specific period of time and they were shut off after that (this is not to rebut your no-huddle suggestion...just that not sure that the helmet is continuing to work throughout the entire pre-snap play).
I understand the no-huddle can give most teams fits, but Stoops has done a pretty good job of preparing his troops for this offense before. Honestly, the biggest impediment to OU having it's way is not the offensive scheme...it is the absolute stellar play of P. Smith. That guy is incredible and I, for one, would love to have that talent and veteran leadership on OU's team this year. If TU keeps it close, it is because they have a QB, in P. Smith, that is more than solid and can make plays.
However, I still think TU will have a hard time dealing with this offensive line of OU's. Like OSU, nobody has been talking at all about how the defense is going to really play. I will be curious to see the first couple of weeks and how these 3 teams (OU, OSU and TU) handle some non-conference opponents.
burgers:Webers, Ron's, Goldies, Ty's and still love Brownies.
TU has a chance to pull the shocker for two reasons:
1. Paul Smith
2. OU has not played TU well of late, so that must add to the confidence of Smith and the Golden Hurricane.
This is a game that can get out of hand if OU doesn't turn it over early and uses its superior talent edge in the trenches to muscle TU. But make no mistake...if OU makes a mistake or two early and lets TU hang around, Paul Smith could control the clock and stun the Sooners. I give TU a 10-15% chance.
As for "gimmick" offenses and defenses...this is what inferior teams must do to beat teams with better talent. I mean, it's simple. Tech or TU or Boise is not gonna line up against an OU or Alabama or USC and play them "straight up". They know coming in they must use finesse or tricks to get an edge. If these teams want a chance to beat a big dog, then they better so something out of the ordinary. Thus, practice it all year and hone it to perfection.
TU doesn't have the receivers it has had in the past.
To that end, it also won't have the one player that torched OU. Garrett Mills has now moved on to giving opponents of the N.E. Patriots fits. Unless there is another Mills waiting in the wings somewhere that nobody has heard of, Smith's talent may be all for not.
Who knows how the departure of Kragthorpe will affect TU's play. It can't be a positive. Like I said below, I give TU a 10-15% chance for now. OU can sure play to the level of their competition at times.
Changing the subject...how about that gutty performance by Lava Man in the Hollywood Gold Cup Mr. P? I love to watch horses that win races like he does. He's not close to the level of retired Invasor, because he can't win out of California, but man what a racehorse. By the way...as Lava Man heads to the Pacific Classic at Del Mar, I'll be hoping to find a shipper to beat him. He ran the final 1/8 mile in 25 seconds in the Gold Cup...that won't get it done against better than AP Excellent.
Sorry for the off the wall horse racing comments...I'm a big fan. The Rags to Riches and Lava Man races have made this a great year so far...
I love your ideas about what horse racing needs. Does Fair Meadows put on a show...ever? Do they market? Do they give the casual gambler a reason to go to the races? Not that I see.
I often wager at a casino in NE Oklahoma where a full room of horse players can be witnessed on the weekends. But they (like me) are racing purists. Not there for the entertainment...but for the challenge of matching wits against the betting public and the track morning line maker.
I like the quality of racing at Hollywood Park and thus play races there often. That track has it figured out. True, it's built around the $$$ of LA...but Friday's post is 7:05pm locally, and a live band rocks the house after the last race.
Handicapping tournaments are out there...but not for the casual fan. Tracks and simulcast centers need to do a better job of drawing in casual fans. Poker is fine...I play myself. But I also play the ponies. There's room for both! Besides...more casual bettors make it a bit easier on handicappers like you and I, eh Mr. P??
