Cedric Benson was asked by ESPN Radio if he had to choose between
winning the Heisman Trophy and beating Oklahoma, what would it be?
Benson said the Heisman Trophy. This caused ripples throughout Longhorn
land and probably was the only topic on talk radio across Oklahoma for a
few days.
Benson could have bit his tongue and said something team-oriented like
we'll need to beat Oklahoma for me to have a chance to win the Heisman,
anyway.
Benson, however, spoke openly about a childhood dream of his: to win the
Heisman. The comment probably kicked some Texas fans the wrong way
because they can't believe any player on the losing end of 65-13 and
four straight Sooner defeats could think of anything but beating OU.
It will remind some of Roy Williams last year saying before the season
that Texas could lose to OU and still win a national title. It might
remind some of Mack Brown saying they underestimated the Sooners in 2000.
Texas fans want the Longhorns to be obsessed with beating Oklahoma, but
that won't necessarily mean victory on Oct. 9. One of the biggest
factors in that game will be Cedric Benson running like he wants to win
the Hesiman Trophy.
Q: I know this is looking backward, but can you tell me what
Houston Nutt did to punish the defensive tackle who twisted Vince
Young's ankle in the Arkansas game?
Carl, El Paso
BROWN: Nutt said he was so inundated with e-mails from angry
Texas fans that he felt obligated to review the play and then hold
defensive tackle Arrion Dixon out of the first half of the Razorbacks'
victory over Louisiana-Monroe. "I just want to show our team to always
play by the rules with great sportsmanship," Nutt said. "Arrion told me,
'I'm just trying to get the guy down. I haven't gotten him down all
day.' But if you go back and run it in slow motion, it looks like he's
trying to twist (Young's ankle), and I don't want him to do that. But
let's get this straight, (Young) was never not full speed. We've got
film to prove that. ... Although I am convinced that Arrion did not
intentionally attempt to injure (Young), it is important that our
players understand that their actions on the field are reflective of the
program. Even the perception of unsportsmanlike conduct by our coaches
or players is something that I take very seriously."
•••
Q: I love Selvin Young and cannot wait for him to be back healthy
next year to carry the load. But could his injury actually help our
offense? Just like Mack's rotating quarterbacks seemed to disrupt the
flow of the game, it seems that the tailback rotation has prevented
Benson from getting into a rhythm. Benson's running style is reminiscent
of other Texas backs who only appear to get stronger the more times they
touch the football. So I feel they need him on the field as many snaps
as possible.
Maury Taylor, Blooming Grove
BROWN: The depth that Young provided as well as the occasional
rest that he gave Benson were both critical to this offense. The only
way it doesn't hurt Texas is if Benson can stay healthy the rest of the
year and carry the ball 25 to 30 carries a game, which will happen in
the big games. If something happens to Benson, Texas' season would be in
chaos without Young.
•••
Q: Anything new on Erik Hardeman?
Bill, Fort Worth
BROWN: Texas is still awaiting word on an appeal to the NCAA
about Hardeman's eligibility. There is not reason to be optimistic. But
until the NCAA gets back to Texas on this one, there is still a shred of
hope. Unfortunately, the NCAA takes its sweet time in these matters.
•••
Q: Who can we expect to be Cedric Benson's replacement next year?
Also, unless they hold Rice and Baylor to a combined 100 yards of total
offense, I do not see them beating OU. That Texas defense was bad
against Arkansas. I saw things that made me think, "Here we go again."
Lee, Midland
BROWN: Selvin Young will be the most likely person to replace
Benson at tailback, although Erik Hardeman will be a force as well once
he gets himself eligible. The defense was bad on 14 plays against
Arkansas. The other 60 plays it was outstanding. The question is if UT
can reduce those big plays before Oct. 9. Only time will tell.
Co-defensive coordinator Greg Robinson said they were all errors he can
fix.
•••
Q: I am concerened about our passing game. It seems we don't have
balance on offense and when we go to the passing game when it's needed,
it's not there. Shouldn't the intermediate passing game be developed?
All it will do is create more running room for Cedric and Vince and
allow the QB and receivers to develop a rhythm that will help them in
the fourth quarter when we are down by a score. Our offense is turning
into Nebraska's and we will need more than the run to beat OU.
James Dziedzic, Austin
BROWN: Mack Brown is concerned about the passing game, too.
That's why he called out his receivers this week and basically said step
it up or we'll find someone who will. Brown said freshmen Nate Jones and
Myron Hardy will probably get game action in the next two weeks because
he's been disappointed with all the receivers except Tony Jeffery thus
far. Look for Texas to get a lead the next two weeks and work on the
passing game, like it did at Iowa State last year. If there's still no
consistency heading into Oct. 9, then it's time to be worried.
•••
Q: When are the coaches going to use their tight ends more? They
talk about getting them more involved but they always seem to be
underused.
Erik D. Hughes
BROWN: I agree. But don't be surprised if the coaches are saving
plays for David Thomas and Bo Scaife until the Red River Shootout. You
don't want to show some of that stuff too early and give OU a bunch of
time to work on it. I'll be surprised if David Thomas isn't a huge part
of the game plan against OU.
•••
Q: What's the deal with Garnet Smith? Is he going to play again?
Blake, Arlington
BROWN: Look for Garnet Smith to get some time at linebacker
against Rice. Smith has been working hard in practice and Mack Brown
said he's ready to get on the field.
•••
Q: What can we expect from Rice? They've beaten Houston and
Hawaii. Are they any good?
Tim Sutton, Houston
BROWN: Rice is a veteran club at a lot of key positions, so
they'll be one of the better Owl teams in recent memory. That said, I
don't think they're as talented as the 1994 team that upset UT. The
Longhorns are without the option killer – Carl Reese, who knew how to
defend the option as well as any coordinator in the country. That was
Reese's specialty, much more so than stopping complex passing attacks
because he grew up on Big Eight football as a coach. Greg Robinson
hasn't seen the wishbone in 15 years. So defensive line coach Mike
Tolleson and Dick Tomey have been working closely with Robinson this
week in preparing for the option.
•••
Q: Why haven't we seen any pass rush from Texas yet this season?
Mark, San Antonio
BROWN: It's hard to blitz scrambling quarterbacks, so you saw
more contain against Arkansas than going for broke with a pass rush. You
won't see much pass rush Saturday against Rice, either, because they are
primarily a running team, unless the Owls get way behind. The next time
you should start counting pressures and sacks will be against Baylor on
Oct. 2, and, of course, against Oklahoma. A pass rush will be critical
against the Sooners if Texas has any hope of winning. You have to get to
Jason White early or you will pay later. The last Texas player with
double-digit sacks (10) in a season was Aaron Humphrey in 1999.
•••
Q: Who do you see emerging in the Big 12 North this season?
Ted Fireston, Kansas City
BROWN: Right now, it looks like Colorado. They're the least shaky
of a shaky bunch because they have an experienced quarterback, a proven
running back and a decent defense. Kansas State and Nebraska are both
shaky at quarterback. Missouri's offensive line can't block as the game
wears on and their defense is suspect. Kansas and Iowa State are a year
or two away. What a story that would be if the Buffaloes make it to
Arrowhead Stadium in the wake of all their recent turmoil.
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