Citing the Atlanta Rhythm Section, “There was voodoo in the vibes” last night in College Station. I’m givin’ it up to the Aggies. And if you tell me you saw that coming you are, shall we say, “truth challenged.”
What impressed me was that the Ags never blinked. There were more than a couple of times when it looked like that was slipping away, and each time A&M responded. The red zone interception by Demani Richardson (what were you thinking, Bryce Young?) The 96-yard kickoff return by Devon Achane after ‘Bama had blocked a punt for a TD.
That’s a “wow.” Jimbo Fisher becomes the first former Saban assistant to beat him as a head coach. The Tide loses to an unranked team for the first time in 100 games dating back to 2007. Calzada is no longer an off-menu dish at Pizza Hut. Fun times on the Brazos.
I’m forced to say that is also true upriver. Baylor is pretty good. They still nasty. But they pretty good.
How did Texas manage to lose that game? It was a team effort. Last week I called the Longhorns “immature” for their inability and seeming refusal to put TCU away. Sometimes I hate it when I’m right. Texas led by 21 once Saturday in Dallas and by 18 on three different occasions. So, it’s tempting to put the blame on a Longhorn defense that gave up well over 600 yards. But the Texas offense was even more culpable, in my view. After scoring 5 TDs in the first 23 minutes and 19 seconds of the game, Texas went more than two quarters without putting the ball in the end zone. UT scratched out just ten points in the second half. I’m already hearing folks saying, “Sark took his foot off the gas.” That’s not exactly the way I saw it. I saw an OU defense that after getting abused early suddenly cut off the Longhorns’ fuel line. Texas special teams are not off the hook, either. Yes, Xavier Worthy is a marvelous young player. But his decision to return that kickoff from deep in his end zone was bad enough, but his ensuing fumble was catastrophic.
The Texas rushing defense is abysmal. We saw that in the Arkansas game, and often last week against TCU as well. Au Jus rushed for 339 yards on 41 attempts. Think about it. Here’s a team that was behind by 21 early and by 18 on three different occasions later. How can a team that is down that far just keep running the ball? Because the Sooners knew they could. And at the end, “Field goal? We don’t need no stinkin’ field goal!” Just give the ball to Kennedy Brooks, something the Sooners were smart enough to do 25 times for 217 yards. Bijan Robinson may still win the Heisman. But Brooks was The Man at Cotton Bowl Stadium on Saturday.
And then there is The Instant Legend, true freshman Caleb Williams. Pre-season Heisman candidate Spencer Rattler may never start another game at Au Jus.
I do want to give Rattler full credit for this, though. You know he was hurting emotionally after being benched, but when he was called on late to execute the two-point conversion that tied the game, he did so perfectly.
Poor Casey Thompson. You’d think five touchdown passes would be sufficient.
It was an historic game. And Texas was on the wrong side of history.
Showed Me Something!
Iowa
Ole Miss
Florida State (Mack Brown may be in real trouble.)
Boise State
Michigan
Wake Forest
Washington State
NFL Notes
Zeke Elliott (knee) and Amari Cooper (hamstring) are expected to play for the Cowboys against the Giants today.
Niner TE George Kittle(calf) is on IR and will miss at least three weeks.
The Seahawks think there’s a chance Russell Wilson can return in four weeks.
