It Is What It Is It's Going To Be A Shootout...........

Well this weekend the number one ranked Texas Longhorns will be taking on their instate rivals the Texas Tech , Red Raiders for bragging rights , state supremacy and with an eye on further enhancing their national championship credentials. And when these two top ten teams meet on Saturday infront of a sellout crowd in Jones SBC Stadium , in Lubbock, Texas. It will be to the delight of the crowd and a nation watching in anticipation to see how things'll unfold.




With both teams at 8-0 and ranked #'s 1 and 8 respectively . It has to be said that the might of the Big 12 will be on display for all to see. The standings as they now sit within the conference refect that these are the two dominant teams and programs this year in the Big 12. Nationally as well in both the AP Top 25 and the BCS Poll both have very credible rankings. Though that in ofitself won't be the only thing to be admired about this game. We'll also get to see some very talented players and Heisman Trophy candidates in the guise of Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree. Each of the three in question will be hoping to show their prowess on gameday and catch the eye of the voters. The clearly discerning fans will only all too pleased to see such a talented bunch of individuals.


The aspirations of the Red Raiders is that should they unseat their unbeaten guests then they now will be viewed as legitimate national contenders for a BCS Bowl berth as and national championsip. Undoubtedly though much of the puublicity has been around the nationally top ranked Longhorns. But Texas Tech too are deserving of the acclaim being shown to their instate rival. If nothing else they too have shown prodigious talent on the field of play as well as productivity. And you'd be hard pressed to say that they're not in the same class as the Longhorns at this juncture. As prodigious as the Longhorns have been . The Red Raiders have been equally so.



As the game approaches a lot will be on the minds of the two teams' respective coaches. Mike Leach of Texas Tech and the much respected Mack Brown of Texas both know that they possess two exceptionally talented teams. And it has to be as such, with the two teams that's profligated with talent on both sides of ball. There are many who felt that Brown's national championsip winning team of 2005 may well have been the best Longhorns' team that he's coached in his tenureship there in Texas. This team may well surpass that achievement should they win the national championship. Such was the hype over that 2005 Rose Bowl victory over Pete Carroll's USC Trojans. That many felt that all Carroll's team had to do , was to turn up. And then they'd proceed to defeat the Texas Longhorns. Someone obviously forgot to send Mack Brown and his team the script. As the VInce Young led Texas Longhorns proceeded to upend the might of USC.



Mike Leach's team won't be afraid to face the Longhorns head on and show them what they're made of. And this game will be a battle of wills , seeking supremacy in every aspect of the game. Defensively the edge may well be with the Red Raiders . But on the offensive side of things it may well be the Longhorns . Who may well hold the upper hand. Hopefully however we won't see the type of game that was nationally televised last weekend and played infront of a national tv audience by Penn State and Oklahoma State ? Such was the monotony of the display by both teams that you may well have wanted to leave your seat and so some chores around the house. Neither team showed any inclination for creativity on the field once the game unfolded. And it has to be said that complete and utter boredom must've set in for those watching the broadcast. As to those in attendance they may well have felt the same way. Though it may not have been visible for all to see.



The likelihood is that we'll see a far more entertaining and well played game exhibited by the two teams. They've shown all year that they're more than capable of playing to the highest levels. But there've been times also where there's been something of a tailoff in their play. And that's to be expected as the college season is long and arduous. This isn't a trap game for either team and they both know that they'll either put up or shut up at the end of day. There are no second chances here and it'll be a game not for the faint of heart.



As to the talent on the field with Chris Ogbonnaya, Colt McCoy ,Jordan Shipley , Quan Cosby and the cadre of defensive players such as Rodrick Muckelroy, Ryan Palmer, Earl Thomas and Blake Gideon. The Longhorns will be showing us inheritly what they're made of in every facet of the game. The Red Raiders will throw at the rivals prodigious quarterback Graham Harrell, wideout Michael Crabtree , Ryan Hale, Eric Morris , Edward Britton , Baron Batch. Equally on the defensive side of things they're no slouches either. As they'll look to be tested by the Longhorns prodigious offensive capabilities. It's to be seen whether or not the likes of Marcus Bunton , Brandon Sesay, Jake Ratliff, Darcel McBath, Marlon Williams can withstand the tempest of the Longhorns' offense. So it ought to be real fun finding out this coming Saturday.



The game will have its high stakes built in. So much of what we'll witness will be predicated as to who's prepared to ante up and lay their cards on the table. No doubt this particular shootout will have its ramifications one way or another for one of these two teams. The question is which one'll have their bullets loaded and gun ready to pull the trigger and draw ? Last man standing your guess will be as good mine ?




tophatal ...................