Hornet's Nests
Hey, the Buckeyes know all about hornet's nests.......aka going to NOrthwestern two years ago. From the git go, there was something up. Even Brent Mushmouth mentioned (early in first quarter) that 'something's up.....Northwestern's out for blood'. OK, we have ours too. Actually, any top tier program is going to face that EVERY game they play, as a win over OSU (or Texas, USC, etc) makes their entire season, keeps the coach's job, etc.
However.........Osu (and Texas) should expect that and prepare EVERY game. Knowing that and preparing for a regular season game is different than having a month to prepare for a Bowl. Yeah, Arkansas left the SWC for the SEC (Arkansas was the ONLY non-Texas team in the SWC), and Arkansas and Texas were bitter rivals. So there was no excuse for Texas coming out 'flat'. OSU on the other hand, used the 'Mildcats' as a punching bag for many years - practicing for Meatchicken rather than NOrthwestern that week.
Flat, maybe, but Texas should have whipped the Razorbacks anyway - just like OSU should have whipped Northwestern. The difference is a bowl versus regular season. Texas' second team athletes are better than Arkansas's first team, (and there are enough people on this thread to prove that statement), so flat or lethargic or not caring or under-performing, pick your poison.
If anyone wants to make statements like this, better pick out several games, rather than one or two to establish a 'trend'.
My personal feeling is that Texas underperforms compared to the lofty status of all Mack Brown recruiting classes (usually top 1-3). Maybe last year was the first time that enough of the kids stayed around to become juniors or seniors I don't know. Whereas Tressel doesn't recruit as highly rated athletes, but 'coaches them up' and they perform better. Doesn't matter, as long as they perform on the field. Consistently.
:gobucks3: :gobucks4:
OSU 34 - Texas 14