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November 09, 2002 Loyalty: Still Bittersweet? I once wrote about the sadness of being a sports fan in Houston. I mentioned how, for once, University of Texas had a chance to play for the national championship. I had scenarios sketched out, because as of then, we didn't have the clear right. Well, by the time the game came around, we did. A victory guaranteed us a spot against the Miami Hurricanes for the top spot. Of course, we were upset by the Colorado Buffaloes and thus ended another bittersweet season. This year, we started the season ranked #2 and #3 in the ESPN and AP polls, respectively. It was great news, as we were finally getting some respect. But then we hit our usual roadblock, the Oklahoma Sooners. For three quarters, we looked strong, as if we were going to pull it out. But that wasn't meant to be. The team that was #3 and #2 in the polls came back and scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, dashing our hopes for an undefeated season. Now, with two weeks left, and a crazy Saturday last week when four undefeateds went down, only three remained in Oklahoma, Miami and Ohio State. Oklahoma looked the strongest, undoubtedly dictating its path to the Fiesta Bowl in Tempe, AZ. Of course, this is where today's irony falls into place: Texas, back up to #4 after the barrage of upsets, got some help from its arch nemesis deluxe, the Texas A&M Aggies. Not sure how, but they pulled it off: a 30-26 defeat of Bowl Championship Series leading Oklahoma. What happens now? Let's be wishful: The fact that Oklahoma lost to a 5-4 team and Texas lost to a team with only one loss means that Oklahoma gets hurt more in the computer rankings. In short, Oklahoma and Texas will be duking it out for the #3 spot in most of the rankings now. But then you have Miami and Ohio State. Miami, with a 31 game winning streak (keep in mind an average season is 11 games), ripped apart the disappointing Tennessee Volunteers. And then Ohio State: How these cheeky bastards won their game today is miraculous. On 4th down, they had a blessed throw 37 yards for a touchdown with a bit over a minute left to beat the Purdue Boilermakers. So they stay #1 and #2. Let's hope now that Ohio State loses to Michigan in its last week. Michigan has historically spoiled the Buckeyes' hopes and here's hoping this year is no different. Then you have Miami going against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the final game of the season. VTech's strength is rushing: And that is bad news to Miami whose rushing defense almost cost them a game against the Florida State Seminoles. VTech, of course, was one of the undefeateds until last week (and lost this week in three overtimes to the mediocre Syracuse Orangemen), so its only hope of getting national coverage now is by being a spoiler. Recap: Texas wins out, hopefully Texas beats out Oklahoma in rankings, and either Virginia Tech beats Miami or Ohio State loses to Michigan. Or both: Which means we'll see a rematch between Texas and Oklahoma again. For once, then, we ask: Can Chris Simms bring home the bacon? It won't be easy, and he still has to prove himself against the Sooners. With a three game losing streak against the OU boys, UT needs to make things happen. Here's hoping we'll make it happen. Here's hoping this loyalty pays off. | |||