Matt Berg Posts

To this day, I can remember exactly where I was when Texas ran 'Roll Left' to upset Nebraska in the first ever Big 12 Championship game. In case you forgot, let me set the situation. It is 4th and inches and Texas is on their own 30 yard line. Texas is leading by 3 and there is only 2:30 left in the game.

What would you do here? Punt, right? Nope. John Mackovic gambled and came up with one of the greatest plays in Texas school history. James Brown fakes the hand off, rolls to his left side (they usually ran it to the right), and finds a wide open Derek Lewis who runs all the way down to the Nebraska 10 yard line. Texas ended up scoring and sealed the victory for the Longhorns.

The funniest part about the video is Brent Musburger saying, "4th and inches. No question what's about to happen." I am quite sure he was not expecting that.

With Texas coming in at 9th in the first BCS standings, many people are counting Texas out of any National Title picture. But I wouldn't quite do that just yet. We are only half way through the season and Texas is just starting to get into the meat of their schedule. Their computer rankings should increase dramatically, as they face Nebraska, Texas Tech, and A&M in three of their next five games, adding to their strength of schedule. And don't forget the Big 12 title game.

Texas also looks like they are coming into their own on offense. Ever since Greg Davis opened up the offense in the second half of the Oklahoma game, Colt McCoy has been on fire. Colt threw for 2 touchdowns in the second half against OU, and followed up that performance with a school record 6 touchdowns against Baylor. Look for Texas' offensive rhythm to continue in the second half of the season.

And then you have to look at the rest of the other teams schedules. #2 USC still has the toughest part of their schedule left, and I don't see them going undefeated facing Oregon, Cal, and Notre Dame all in a row. #3 Michigan still has to face Iowa and Ohio State. #4 Auburn still has Georgia, Alabama, and a possible SEC title game. #5 West Virginia still has Louisville and Rutgers. #6 Florida still has Georgia and Florida State, and the list goes on. I don't see any of those teams remaining undefeated.

Bottomline, if Texas wins out I expect to see them in the hunt for the National Title game. And worst case scenario they will win the Big 12 and move on to the Fiesta Bowl, where rumor has it they will play Boise State. Man, what an exciting game that will be.

We had a great time as usual at the Texas/OU game, well I guess it is only a great time if you win the game. It was one of the loudest games at the Cotton Bowl that I have ever been to. We took some great pictures and have some video of the end of the game. Enjoy.


This is where we actually parked. Ended up they guy never came and asked for money. I was just glad my car was still there when we got back.


Pretty cool shot of Texas taking it to OU's defense. Thankfully Greg Davis finally started to let Colt throw in the second half.

In a recent interview with Dan Steinberg from the Washington Post, both PJ Tucker and TJ Ford sat down to discuss Longhorn football, though it was clear that PJ was ready to do all of the talking. It's funny how Dan Steinberg blatantly says he is trying to get linked up by the Texas blogs out there with this interview. Well, it worked.

Tucker: It's Texas, baby. That's how we do. You know, that's how we do. You know, Texas, we're winners.

Oregon grad Fred Jones: Don't believe that.

Tucker: We win, we're winners.

Me: Could you still win the national championship?

Tucker: Of course. One loss and all. Let me tell you something....

Fred Jones: Are you gonna really....

Tucker: I'm doing my interview right now.

Jones: Can I tell you something though? You are doing an interview, so conduct yourself like you're doing an interview.

Tucker: Texas is what right now, sixth?

Jones [to others]: Do you hear what he's saying?

Tucker: What's Oregon? What are they?

Me: 20th I think, something like that? [Actually 18th]

Tucker: They were undefeated. And they were ranked, what, 15th? [Actually 11th] We have a loss and we're ranked sixth. What do you think that says about the programs? What do you think?

Jones: You see the difference though? He's sitting here asking you football questions, and we just had a basketball game. What does that tell you?

Tucker: Hey, that's how it is.

This really goes to show you that football is king in Texas. After a basketball game, it is Texas football that they are talking about. And I am hoping that Fred Jones really isn't trying to say that Oregon is on the same level as Texas, especially after they got waxed this past weekend by Cal. And with those ugly uniforms, how can anyone really think Oregon is all that good?

Texas is deep at running back, even with losing Ramonce Taylor. Selvin Young is healthy for the first time since his freshman year and has thankfully regained his speed. Jamaal Charles is always a threat to break the big run, continuing where he left off last season. Jamaal and Selvin have been a lethal running duo this year, running for 334 and 243 yards respectively and each scoring 3 touchdowns. And if you are in a short yardage situation, don't worry, Henry Melton will come to the rescue. Melton is a 270 lb tailback who will run over you (especially after Mack Brown yelled at him) and has already scored 5 touchdowns this season.

And let's not forget Jamaal Charles' run last year against Oklahoma, bursting through the line, busting a sick spin move, and then flying to the end zone for an 80 yard run. That run really set the pace for Texas' dominating 45-12 win last year in the Red River Rivalry. I expect a lot more of the same this year from the Longhorn running backs.

Oklahoma's defense has been poor this year to say the least, although the linebackers are solid. Rufus Alexander leads the OU linebackers and was a Consensus All-Big 12 first team selection last year. He has already recorded 36 tackles this season with 7 of them coming for a loss. Zach Latimer is their middle linebacker, and already has 2 sacks and 1 interception so far this season. Overall I would say OU has some decent talent at the linebacker spot, but it will be hard for them to get past the Texas offensive line and they will have little chance at stopping the speedy Texas running backs.

This is another easy one. I think MC Steve Austin said it best, "Bevo is stampedin', we leave you broken and bleedin'." Look for a couple of big runs by the Longhorns and hopefully Greg Davis has learned to stick to the run. Hook 'em.

EDGE: Texas

Two of Dallas' finest MCs, Steve Austin and Knesecary, battle it out for Quick's Red River Rap Battle crown. QuickDFW is hosting this event, and I must say that the finished product was very well produced. Both Steve Austin (UT rep) and Knesecary (OU rep) bring the noise, though I think Steve Austin has the best line of them all: "Y'all a buncha girly men, when ya play us ya panties showin'." Check it out over at QuickDFW.com and make sure to vote (for Steve Austin!).

Some background info on the MCs:

Steve Austin
A.K.A: Hollywood Cole, Claiborne Slim
Age: Timeless
Hometown: Donaldsonville, LA
My style of rap in 10 words or less: Aggressive, appealing, entertaining, passionate, unique, fun and detailed.
My favorite rap jam is: "Passin' Me By" by The Pharcyde
My favorite all-time rapper is: A tie between Jay-Z and LL Cool J
Tupac or Biggie: 'Pac all day erry'day
Andre or Big Boi: Andre (but only when he's rhyming)
Check out my music at: www.steveaustinonline.com

Knesecary
A.K.A: Jelly Johnson, Knestiny's Child
Age: 22
Hometown: Dallas, TX
My style of rap in 10 words or less: Universal!
My favorite rap jam is: "Ready or Not" by The Fugees
My favorite all-time rapper is: Kool G. Rap
Tupac or Biggie: 'Pac
Andre or Big Boi: Andre
Check out my music at: www.myspace.com/knes

Not to be outdone by those Oklahomans up North, a brewery out of Austin, TX has come up with their own brand of beer, Oklahoma Suks Beer. At first I thought this was a joke, especially with the way they spelled "Suks", but Burnt Orange Nation has confirmed that this beer can be purchased at Central Market in Austin, TX for a whopping $16.99 per 12 pack. Even with that high price I am sure it is flying off the shelves, and if anyone wants to send me a 12 pack, just let me know.

My favorite part about this beer just might be the label, "Brewed South of the Red River, to prevent impurities and single-branch family trees, this Texas beer has something every Oklahoman can only wish for: Distinctively Smooth Taste. You'll Be Hooked!"

So I guess now the real question is which beer is better? texas SUX Beer or Oklahoma Suks Beer. Well, since both beers had a little trouble spelling the word "sucks", this might be a tough one. I think a taste test is in order this weekend. Hook 'em.

It's True: OU Sucks Beer Is Here [Burnt Orange Nation]

The Red River Rivalry is heating up, so much so that BigStick Brew Company has created a new beer titled "texas SUX Beer". texas SUX Beer just became available June 1, 2006, and is filling up the sports bars around Oklahoma. Honestly, I really hope they have plenty of this beer left in Oklahoma because they are going to need something to drown their sorrows in when they get beat by Texas.

Some info about texas SUX Beer:

texas SUX Brand Beer is a light-bodied classic American Golden Ale brewed in Krebs, Oklahoma. "We're just trying to have some light-hearted fun with this product and enjoy the rivalry between Oklahoma and Texas," said BigStick founder Ken Stoner.

"Every state has a rival that they love to poke fun at and we are enjoying making fun of Texas. Now that our first SUX Brand bottled beer is on the market, we plan on expanding into other states where there are intense rivalries. We are working on brewing a Michigan SUX beer in Ohio and a Florida SUX beer in Georgia," Stoner said.

BigStick also offers shirts, hats and other apparel through its website and retail partners. BigStick's business strategy is to have a product that drives the apparel and, simultaneously, have apparel that supports the product. "We admire the Eskimo Joe's business model. They have been very successful with both their clothing and restaurant. We'd like to emulate that model, but multiple it in every market where there are rivalries," Stoner said.

BigStick Brew Co. owns the trademark for SUX® Beer and has licensed the name to Krebs Brewing Co to brew texas SUX Beer. Krebs Brewing Co., located at Pete's Place restaurant near McAlester, is known for it flagship product - Choc Beer. texas SUX Beer is 5% alcohol by volume and is available statewide in liquor stores and restaurants with licenses to sell strong beer (what a weird Oklahoma law right?). For more information about this Oklahoma made product visit the website www.suxbeer.com.

Texas probably works on special teams more than most other schools in the nation. And it shows. In five years with special teams guru Duane Akina, Texas has blocked 43 kicks, the most of any team in the nation over that period. Coach Akina takes a different approach to his special teams units, actually making it seem cool to the players to be in the group. The punt return and block teams even have a nickname, "The Posse". Mack Brown even said that this year's special teams units may be the best he has ever seen. They already have recorded 3 blocked kicks and both Aaron Ross and Quan Cosby have returned punts for touchdowns this season.

The only downside would be the field goal kicking where Greg Johnson is 1 of 2 on the season. The only pressure kick he faced, he missed badly to the right against Ohio State. Luckily we don't rely on the kicking game because Mack is usually pretty aggressive and tries to go for it on 4th down whenever possible. I will say though, that I will be quite nervous if we have Johnson lining up to kick a field goal to win the game, no matter the distance.

The Sooners do have some skill players on special teams, including super versatile Reggie Smith, who is always a threat to return a punt or kickoff for a touchdown. However the Oklahoma specials teams hasn't seen the firepower it once had. Last year marks the first year in the Stoops era that OU had no touchdown returned on a punt or kickoff. And it was just this past weekend where Reggie Smith returned the first punt for a touchdown in a rout of Middle Tennessee.

I just don't see anything too intimidating on the specials teams for OU. Texas obviously puts the work into their special teams and I think most agree they are some of the best in the nation.

EDGE: Texas