Red River Shootout Early Preview

Texas is unanimously ranked #2 in the nation, and OU isn’t even in the AP Poll. Just looking at those kinds of numbers makes most people think that Texas should win the Red River Shootout easily. But as Lee Corso says, “Not so fast, sweetheart.” Five reasons why UT fans need to be concerned about this game

1. Rhett Bomar – Flat out, this kid can play. Let’s not forget that he was the number one quarterback recruit two years ago, and he’s definitely beginning to show signs of it. His second half passing against UCLA was admirable, and most people get lulled into his big corn-fed country boy looks and don’t realize this kid can run the ball too. UT was having a difficult time in the first half containing the run against Mizzou, especially when Brad Smith broke runs to the outside. The Longhorns have a solid MLB in Aaron Harris, but lack the speed and tenacity on the outside linebacker positions that Derrick Johnson once helmed.
2. Adrian Peterson – He’s still Adrian Peterson, which means this man-child will run over you like an eighteen-wheeler. Injured or not, Peterson still runs with style that is rarely seen. He has the moves and speed of a smaller finesse running back, but the size and strength of a big bruiser. He can attack the Longhorn defense many ways, and looks to have a big game. Don’t forget how badly he dominated UT last year.
3. Bob Stoops – He’s fallen on a few difficult times, that I personally think started with the Kansas State loss two years ago in the Big 12 Championship. His team hasn’t had the same killer instinct (Orange Bowl 2005) that it once had, but they still possess the five-year winning streak in this rivalry.
4. Mack Brown – Longhorn fans are warming up to him, but Mack probably has more pressure to win this game this year than all his years combined. If UT loses this game next week, it’s not just an upset loss to an unranked team, it’s a loss to an unranked OU team. That’s a huge difference to the burnt orange faithful. Mack has always had an odd loyalty to his upperclassmen, as exhibited when he started Ivan Williams in the 2001 game, not even letting Cedric Benson off the bench. Hopefully Mack’s learned his lesson and lets freshman sensation Jamaal Charles run wild, but the man has crazy eyes and crazy hair.
5. Mental blocks – A five-year losing streak takes its toll mentally more than anything else on this team. The good thing about this team is that most of the impact players haven’t had to deal with this streak for more than a year or two. This really is a completely different team than the Simms-Benson-Williams regime, and hopefully these kids don’t have that mental block that the older guys had. Vince Young has two losses under his belt against OU, but looks more determined than ever to win it all this year.

Having given you those reasons, I still believe Texas should pull out a victory on Saturday. This is one of the most talented teams in recent years, and is led by a quarterback that not only has the skills, but the pure desire to win big games. On the other hand, the opposing side fields a completely different OU team, with countless new starters. This team has yet to see talent like Texas, and will probably fall two scores down quick. It will be on Bomar’s shoulders to mount a comeback, but I see the Longhorn defense keeping the Sooners in check this year.

--CH is sadly, one of the unfortunate alumni who never saw a UT victory in this rivalry as a student. Perhaps he should have stayed for a fifth year victory lap.