General

Shanoff’s Wake-Up Call: Texas Is NOT No. 1

Jan 6, 2009, 1:21 PM UTC

Today’s Calls: Texas vs. Ohio State, Mack Brown vs. the BCS, Brandon Spikes vs. Oklahoma’s D, Pitt vs. UNC, Pat Burrell vs. Milton Bradley and More.â†µâ†µThe Opening Pitch: Texas is NOT No. 1. (No matter what Mack Brown’s delusions might be.)â†µ

â†µâ†µAnd in a bowl season of spectacular performances from wannabe top-ranked teams, it was almost refreshing to see a contender struggle.â†µ

â†µâ†µFacing an Ohio State team mauled by its last two BCS bowl opponents — not to mention September’s humiliation at USC, Texas’ top rival for stray No. 1 votes on AP Top 25 ballots — Texas looked ... ordinary.â†µ

â†µâ†µThat same gritty Big Ten defense that USC garroted (twice: against OSU and Penn State) and against the SEC breezed through with ease the past two BCS title games, instead stymied the Longhorns’ reputed offensive attack, one more data point that perhaps the prolific Big 12 performances this season were a result of shoddy D, rather than overwhelming O.â†µ

â†µâ†µThere is a silver lining for Texas fans: Their team did finally rally to make plays and win the bowl game, thanks to the baffling — and out-of-character — decision by Ohio State’s Coach Sweatervest not to squat in the middle of the field, kick a gimme field goal to take the lead and, most important, leave Texas without enough clock to do anything.â†µ

â†µâ†µInstead, the Buckeyes scored a TD relatively quickly (too quickly), leaving more than 2 minutes for Texas to score — something that ANYONE watching the game knew was going to happen, even with Texas’ struggles against Ohio State’s defense all game long. (Come on: It’s Ohio State in a BCS bowl game.) â†µ

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â†µâ†µBut in this college football season, style points count (unless you are lucky enough to actually be playing in the BCS national title game). USC and Utah set a high bar for spectacular execution and bowl domination — and that was against opponents superior to the one Texas was playing.â†µ

â†µâ†µTexas was obviously looking ahead of Ohio State — after the past two seasons, who could blame them? — looking to making their case for that AP national title. Instead, they played themselves out of the Top 3. â†µ

â†µâ†µAnd yet ... Brown still insists he is going to vote Texas No. 1!â†µ

â†µâ†µWow, he’s SO principled: Not only does that violate his deal as a Coaches Poll voter to support the BCS title-game winner, but it totally undermines any credibility he has remaining on this issue. There is “politicking” and then there is insulting the intelligence of fans.â†µ

â†µâ†µ“Texas for No. 1?” Ha! But Brown’s team did make a super case ... for No. 4.â†µ

â†µâ†µBut, hey: Of the teams without a claim on the national title, they are first in that line.â†µ

â†µâ†µBCS Title Game Trash-Talk Update: Florida’s D gets into it, with captain and All-American LB Brandon Spikes offering his take on the defense played in the Big 12:â†µ

â†µâ†µ“When I watch SportsCenter, I look at the scores, and it’s 56-49, just basketball scores. I feel like it’s a joke ... Everybody’s offense can’t be that explosive or there’s really no defense being played in the Big 12.” Then he added insult to insult by bringing up Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech.â†µ

â†µâ†µIs Oklahoma’s defense as porous as the rest of the Big 12? Well, the Sooners did give up 45 points to the same Texas team that could barely muster three touchdowns vs. Ohio State last night; OU needed to average 60 — when you give up 29 ppg in conference play, you HAVE to score prolifically.â†µ

â†µâ†µMore: Matt Hayes at BCS Media Day.â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Coaching Carousel: Drama in the front office! The Ravens won’t let the Browns talk to their personnel director George Kokinis. I’m still not sure why Cleveland isn’t breaking the bank for Scott Pioli; instead, they have allowed the Chiefs to get in the game as a second player.â†µ

â†µâ†µNo word yet on whether Jeff Jagodzinski has taken the Jets up on their offer — or his interest — to interview with them ... or, more importantly, if BC has made good on their threat to can him for doing it. It is the most compelling story line on the Carousel right now.â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile: Wouldn’t you know it? Kevin Gilbride may want to coach in Oakland — but the Raiders don’t want him. That’s it: Turn down someone who sees the mess happening out of there and still wants to be there.â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Must-Read: Mike Florio’s 10-Packâ†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Awards Season: James Harrison wins AP Defensive Player of the Year. Given that he was the best player on the best defense, this makes sense. In the storied history of the Steelers’ defense, to set a new team record with 16 sacks is impressive enough.â†µ

â†µâ†µNFL Draft: If UNC WR Hakeem Nicks wasn’t coming out early before the bowl season, his YouTube-worthy performance in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, was part of a sick 217-yd, 3-TD effort that put him on everyone’s All-Bowl first-team.â†µ

â†µâ†µCBB: Pitt is No. 1 for the first time ever. And they didn’t just earn it because UNC blew it; the Panthers’ dismantling of Georgetown showed that Pitt has — at this point — a stronger claim to be top-ranked than any other team in the country. DeJuan Blair for national POY!â†µ

â†µâ†µMeanwhile, in the latest edition of the Big East Fight Club: Rallying from its humiliating weekend loss at St. John’s, Notre Dame reclaimed some of its Top 10-ish luster by beating Georgetown, which went from a stirring win at UConn last Monday to two straight losses to league rivals.â†µ

â†µâ†µMLB Hot Stove:â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Rays treat themselves to a slugger. After glowing about Tampa’s “BudgetBall” success, it is weird to salute them for paying $8 million a year for Pat Burrell. But with last year’s success, the time to invest to keep the winning going is now, and Burrell makes TB’s strong lineup better.â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Cubs sign Milton Bradley: The fans in the bleachers will love him. And even though the guy might be certifiably crazy, he is also certifiably one of the most productive hitters in baseball — Bradley led the A.L. in OPS by 34 points over A-Rod. Terrific move for the Cubs.â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Jason Giambi (back) to the A’s? It’s like a Moneyball reunion. Where’s Paul DePodesta?â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Andy Pettitte turns down Yankees: Um, does he think he’ll get a better offer elsewhere? Is $10 mil for the season not enough? Apparently, someone hasn’t heard about the recession.â†µ

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â†µNBA Instant History: How bad is Carmelo Anthony's hand injury? Not so bad he couldn't score 21 and dish 9 assists, but bad enough that he will miss a TBD amount of time. ... Spurs win at Miami for their eighth win in nine games (Tim Duncan: 19 and 9).â†µ

â†µâ†µR.I.P. Carl Pohlad, 93: The billionaire Twins owner presided over two World Series titles — as well as the threat of contraction. Condolences to his family, friends and Twins fans.â†µ

â†µâ†µThe Last Word: “This is a tough injury. I would probably venture to say it’s probably the toughest of my career. We’ll see what happens.”â†µ

â†µâ†µ— Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson, on his nagging groin injury and the uncertainty/unlikelihood that he will play in this weekend’s Divisional Round game at Pittsburgh. Then again, there is Darren Sproles!â†µ

â†µâ†µDan Shanoff writes The Wake-Up Call every weekday morning for SportingNews.com and blogs daily at DanShanoff.com. Got any comments, questions or feedback? Email Dan at shanofftsn-[at]-gmail-[dot]-com. â†µ

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