College Football Week 5

Well, it's been a frustrating week in Longhorn land. The Texas offense struggled throughout the game, and the defense which played very well in the first half against UCLA didn't execute as well in the 2nd half and the Bruins offense pounded the ball with a renewed swagger. It's one loss, a non-conference loss at that. Texas can still win the Big 12 and play in a BCS bowl game. This week's game against ou is now even more important in determining where Texas will end up at the end of the season.

ou comes in with it's own problems. It's defense has struggled against passing teams and ranks in the bottom 3rd of all FBS teams in total defense. The ou passing attack has been great with a complimentary running came that looks strong as long as Demarco Murray remains healthy.

The Texas strength is it's pass defense which bodes well going up against the ou strength which is it's pass offense. If Texas can stop the ou run and minimize the passing game, they can give the offense a chance to figure out what it wants to be and win this game.

I think Texas will continue to try to get out to a quick start in the 1st quarter with an up-tempo passing offense with some draws to D.J. Monroe who showed some great acceleration in the UCLA game last week. He has the chance to break one at any time. Texas will be without Mike Davis, the freshman WR who has been the best at that position so far this season for Texas. Hopefully Greg Davis will dial up more deep balls for Goodwin and Malcolm Williams which should open up the underneath routes for Chiles, Kirkendoll, and the RBs. Gilbert will have to manage the game well, occasionally throwing the ball away when face with too much pressure from the ou blitz. The Longhorns can't afford to turn the ball over in this game. Turnovers will likely decide the outcome on Saturday.

All that said, I think this will be another low-scoring game with Texas pulling out a 20-10 victory with a strong defensive effort. Monroe, Chiles, AJ Williams, and Sam Acho will be big difference makers.

Other games of interest:

#7 Florida @ #1 Alabama:
Florida doesn't have teh defense to stop Bama's ground attack, and Bama's D will stuff Florida's struggling offense. Bama wins by a couple scores.

#9 Stanford @ #4 Oregon:
This should be a great game. Oregon has been very good early on, but Stanford is their first real test. I think this game will have lots of points, but the Ducks will win it at home by a touchdown.

Kansas @ Baylor:
Baylor will take a big step towards it's first bowl game in over a decade with a win at home against KU.

#22 Penn State @ #17 Iowa:
Really? Who cares about this game. Loser goes to the Alamo bowl to play Texas Tech or Ok state. I'll say that Iowa will win this at home.

Happy Saturday!