it was obvious that the game was moved for TV. He got a question for his weekly questions column asking about the possible move and only then did he ask Texas about the possibility. As a reporter, that’s something I’d have expected him to do last week at the latest. He could have gotten the same information then.

For me, one of the big benefits of scheduling tough opponents is that it creates opportunities for exposure. You’re only in the “national discussion” and relevant if people, ideally across the country, can tune in and see your brand of football. Next year, it seems like the only real guarantee of good exposure is Texas, because I can’t imagine the networks passing on a Texas-UCLA matchup for the names alone. But Houston and KState aren’t likely to draw any non-local attention, but they are still going to be very tough games. Where is the benefit to our program? Unless there’s a well of talent in Kansas we’re trying to tap or some small pocket of Texas that isn’t interested in UT but is interested in Houston, why unnecessarily beat our brains in with this schedule? I don’t see how it’s “cowardly” to analyze risk/reward and determine that certain games place undue pressure on our players and coaching staff without equivalent potential gain.

I wouldn’t completely write us off to upset Texas. No one gave us a chance against Tennessee, but no one knew how bad Crompton would be. In the same vein, Texas is losing both McCoy and Shipley, and whoever replaces McCoy may not get it done.

I stil think we’d have major trouble, but it’s not this year’s Texas squad. Hell, with CRN’s discipline and the tendency of UCLA football players to play down (or up) to the competition, I’d rather us play Texas and our guys actually show focus and drive, than play SJSU and our guys play down to their level and possibly choke against one of college football’s biggest jokes. It’s been our M.O. of late, so really, f**k it, let’s go for the big fish.