Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Skip navigation

Even without Howard's comments, Texas still wasn't going to take us lightly

Post

Even without Howard's comments, Texas still wasn't going to take us lightly

From BurntOrangeNation

Morning Coffee Is Eight Days From Go - Burnt Orange Nation


Baptism by fire. From this Statesman notebook, we learn Texas has begun preparing earlier for opening week opponent Florida Atlantic than has been typical in the past. Said Mack Brown:

"We didn't realize how good their quarterback (Rusty Smith) was until we started watching film of him this spring," Texas coach Mack Brown said Wednesday. "This will be the best opponent we've played for an opener since I've been here."

Perhaps Brown was unaware that Rusty Smith was the player of the year in the Sun Belt as a sophomore last season, when he completed 59% of his passes for 3,688 yards, 32 TDs and 9 INT. He returns to familiar faces, as well, with FAU's top eight receivers–all of whom caught 15 passes or more last year–returning. For the cherry on top, the Owls' top two rushers also will be on the field again in 2008.

With 18 starters returning overall, Florida Atlantic isn't just the toughest opening week opponent during the Mack Brown era, they're likely the best non-conference opponent on Texas' schedule this year (depending what you expect from Arkansas).

Brown goes on to note:

"We're going to have to play well, because they're going to throw the ball," Brown said. "Those safeties are going to have to play older than they are."

Not only will the Owls provide a legitimate challenge to our green secondary, the entire non-conference slate is poised to do so.


Back to the top
Control functions: