If you're looking for some knee-jerk analysis about which team benefits most by moving this year's Texas-Texas Tech game from Nov. 7 to Sept. 19, the answer is easy: Texas.
The earlier a game is played, the more it favors the team with the more experienced quarterback and the more experienced defense. In both cases, that will be Texas in 2009. Throw in the fact that the game is in Austin, and this should be a significant boost for the Longhorns in their chase for a national championship.
Why? Not only will Texas get to face new Tech QB Taylor Potts, the heir apparent to departed starter Graham Harrell, in the first road start of his college career, they will do so on national television while Tech -- presumably -- is still undefeated and, in all likelihood, nationally ranked. A victory in that setting should boost Texas' poll position. Facing a rebuilding Tech defense in September, rather than November, also should bode well for the success rate of Texas QB Colt McCoy and eight other returning offensive starters from last season (including four of five offensive linemen).
Another plus, from a Texas standpoint, is that moving the Tech game eliminates a challening back-to-back stretch that featured games at Oklahoma State (Oct. 31) followed by the original date (Nov. 7) against Tech. Spacing out challenging conference games always is preferable to having them in consecutive weeks, as the Longhorns learned the hard way last season.
From a Tech standpoint, the move to Sept. 19 will provide a much-coveted, prime-time national TV appearance. But on the surface, the date switch sure appears to add a lot of extra challenges for coach Mike Leach and his staff in terms of producing a road victory in Austin.
Obviously, injuries will play a role in the outcome and Potts may be better than anyone envisions. He could steal the show on Sept. 19 and lead Tech to a stunning upset. The Red Raiders certainly have lots of intriguing returnees, although the star power quotient will be down with the losses of Harrell, WR Michael Crabtree, DE Brandon Williams, S Darcel McBath and others.
That's why you've got to say this move favors Texas, based on everything we know in early February.
_ Jimmy Burch
Comments