Win-Win
So does anyone here think the Bucks will win tonight? Because I do. I've said this before, but here's my reasoning: Consider the recent matchups in '05 and '06. Texas prevailed in Columbus in the first meeting due to some last minute Vince Young heroics, the same reason they defeated U-M and USC in Rose Bowls where they were otherwise outplayed. The second meeting in Austin was largely dominated by the Bucks, who proved to be physically superior. Now there are plenty of reasons to like Texas this time, but hearing everyone so easily dismiss the Buck's chances tonight reminds me of our bowl game last year. And I read a quote from a Texas player saying, basically (I'm taking some paraphrasing liberties here), the Longhorns are playing for style points. If that's their attitude, that's a big mistake.
Either way, it's a win-win night for Michigan fans. If the Bucks win, it will stave off what will surely be another rabid attack on the Big Ten's national reputation. If they go down, well I don't have to tell you I'm sure, but that's always fun to watch. And for the record, I don't think any Michigan fan should ever root for OSU unless it directly benefits our season.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:50 PM ^
Only because Tressel > Mack Brown
Texas has the talent and experience edge, the only thing OSU has going for it is the Sweater Vest's advantage over Brown with a month to prepare.
January 5th, 2009 at 7:53 PM ^
Not sure that's the best reason... considering recent history
January 5th, 2009 at 8:01 PM ^
are as good or better than the Sweater Vest. Mack Brown isn't.
So there was no major advantage in coaching so talent wins.
On a scale of 1-10 with 1 Being Bobby Williams and 10 being whoever the best coach ever is
Brown 5
Miles 7
Tressel 8
Meyer 8.5
IMO
January 5th, 2009 at 8:40 PM ^
Mack Brown turned North Carolina into a top 10 team, then turned Texas into a top 5 one. How is he only a five out of 10? If he wins tonight, 2008 will be his *fourth* career season of one or zero losses. How exactly is Miles, who's never lost fewer than two games a year, a better coach?
January 5th, 2009 at 9:08 PM ^
Miles work at Okla St. and LSU.
I don't know how he turned Texas into a top 5. They were doing just fine before that's why Texas is a great job to have. That and you don't have to leave Texas to recruit or play your biggest rival.
Brown at UNC lost lots of games he shoudln't have, and is doing the same thing at Texas. Even during VY's Champ year, they blew the Kansas game and needed the refs to bail them out repeatedly.
He's LLoyd Carr with more talent and an easier schedule, loses lots of games he shouldn't.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:14 PM ^
One is amount of conference championships he's won in his career!!
January 5th, 2009 at 7:52 PM ^
Let's not forget to mention how the pass-happy Big 12 teams have failed to impress so far this bowl season. It'll be interesting how their two giant programs fare.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:12 PM ^
It was also pass-happy Chris Leak (of all people) to torch the UOS secondary a couple years ago. To me that is the intriguing matchup tonight: most accurate passer in NCAA vs. untested (and previously exploited) secondary.
January 5th, 2009 at 8:04 PM ^
if OSU wins outright.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:14 PM ^
There is this. If Wells has a really good game, maybe he'll leave. That'd be good.
January 5th, 2009 at 9:51 PM ^
only works if Oklahoma goes on to beat the Gators.
January 5th, 2009 at 11:53 PM ^
I don't know how he turned Texas into a top 5. They were doing just fine before that's why Texas is a great job to have.
Uh, no. Texas went 4-7 the year before Brown arrived, and fired John Mackovic. As for him "losing lots of games he shouldn't have at UNC," you might want to double-check the records. Brown went 10-2 and 11-1 his last two years there. After he left, UNC went into the toilet.
With this win, Brown has now had four seasons of one loss or less: 1997 (11-1), 2004 (11-1), 2005 (13-0) and 2008 (12-1). He's won three BCS games in a row. Basically, the only thing keeping his program from being USC East is that there's another juggernaut (Oklahoma) in his division. Still, Texas has won three of the last five meetings with the Sooners. Pretty good for an "average" coach.
January 6th, 2009 at 9:23 AM ^
If Rich Rod wins one Conference Championship in 20 years God forbid, I will call him an average coach. Oh wait, he's already won more than that.
You are right, Texas was in dire straights before Brown. Oh wait, Mackovic went 10-2 the year before their 4-7 season.
Two of those one loss seasons were with the best, most dominant player in college football in the last 20 years, Vince Young. Brown had to get out of his way.
So your just telling me, Brown can't win the big game with no conference championships. He couldn't beat FSU, and now Oklahoma.
He also has ridiculous advantage of playing Oklahoma IN TEXAS every year and his recruiting stamp consists of his state.
This was the prototypical Mack Brown season, win the big one (Oklahoma), lose the one you shouldn't (TT).
January 6th, 2009 at 12:38 PM ^
Your logic eludes me. How can you trash Brown for "losing games he shouldn't" and then claim Miles is better? Miles has never lost fewer than two games in any season. (He's also 0-4 lifetime against Brown, losing all four in blowouts.) His national title team last year lost to Kentucky and Arkansas. Was LSU supposed to lose those games?
And then here, in one post, you dog Brown because he "can't win the big game" and then state that a typical Brown season involves "winning the big one?" Huh?
As for the Vince Young years, doesn't Brown deserve credit for putting the kid in a position to succeed? He totally revamped his offense to fit Young's talents. And Young or no Young, it's not easy to go 24-1 over a two-year stretch. In fact, that's tied for the best two-year stretch in college football over the last 25 years.
As for conference titles, come on, you can't seriously be defending the Big 12's ridiculous tiebreaker methods. UT had the same record as OU and beat them head-to-head. And as for UNC not winning a conference title, well, when's the last time they've ever won one? Brown might be UNC's best coach in school history.
You seem to have arbitrarily decided that Brown isn't good and are now fishing for reasons to back that up. You're basically criticizing him for not being perfect.
BTW, Mackovic went 8-5 in 1996, not 10-2.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:14 PM ^
Your Cherry picking your stats as well. You say that Brown has won 3 out of the last 5 against Oklahoma, which is true but of course 4-6 lifetime played in Texas every time. Not so good.
Maybe I'm wrong considering Miles is better than Brown. But Brown has been at Texas for a lot longer than Miles at LSU and been a head coach longer.
I'm saying when he does manage to win the big game, he follows it up with an embarrassing loss.
Also, regarding the ridiculous Big 12 tie breaking rules. Did they conspire to screw Texas out of the Big 12 every year or just thisyear, Mack has been there 11 years and has 1!!!
He also coached in the old ACC when it was FSU and crap. Plus I think, its not impossible to win there, I think Butch Davis is building a good program in less time that Brown did it. Brown is the best coach UNC has, that is saying something with Dean Smith, and Williams...wait your talking about football, oh not as impressive.
But Maybe I'm wrong if you accept that RichRod will only win one Big ten title in the next 10 years, that you will think thats ok. Then fine Brown is above average coach.
I think of Brown has a great recruiter, although in Texas its hard not to be one, and very average coach. Think Cooper.
You are probably right it's hard to compare Miles and Brown because of the difference of the length of time.
Mackovic last four seasons: 4-7, 8-5, 10-2-1, 8-4...
So he was a definite improvement, but also didn't leave the cupboard bare either. Plus I think the Big 12, or SWC was much more balanced then it is today, with Colorado, and Nebraska being much better then then now. Now it's OU-UT and that's about it and random good team that everyone thinks better than it really is.
"As for the Vince Young years, doesn't Brown deserve credit for putting the kid in a position to succeed?"
-NO, an idiot could have use the biggest, most dominant talent, I didn't think running pass patterns and letting him run was a play. I'm not saying, Brown is an idiot.
"It's not easy to go 24-1 over a two-year stretch. In fact, that's tied for the best two-year stretch in college football over the last 25 years."
Of course its the best two year stretch, they play more games now. Even Miami's Uber talented team only went 23-1. Also, they caught a lot of breaks, and most of them happened because they had VY.
In my opinion, Hey I can't prove an opinion, he is a coach who is out coached in many, many games. Last night was a great example. That game shouldn't have been close. Pryor couldnt't throw, to the point where Tressel, would put in Boeckman in to throw.
January 6th, 2009 at 4:15 PM ^
I didn't know I was on the Mack Brown fan club website.