The Week That Will Be (09.01.2012)

How good is Texas going to be this year?

That's been the question you have heard the most this offseason. From the pimple nosed cashier at the grocery store that sees your Texas t-shirt to the annoying co-worker who smirks at you when asking that question to Small Talk Airport Guy to the annoying cousin that went to an inferior state school, to your wife when she's looking for something out of you other than a shrug of the shoulders and a grunt, you've no doubt heard it several times a week.

And, of course, the answer is always, all together now, it all depends on the quarterback.

Texas fans had hoped that incumbent David Ash would have risen up and could be a poor man's A.J. McCarron, who led Alabama to a national title despite throwing for 200 yards or less in 8 of their 13 victories.

And perhaps he could still be. After all, Alabama played two quarterbacks in their season opener against Kent State last season.But if he could be, why not just name him the starter? Unless, of course, Case McCoy has been Tom Brady minus the supermodel wife in summer practices, of which I have seen none unless you count um, going to a "friend's" house and watching the Longhorn Network's coverage of practice featuring the guy from the Real World that isn't Mike the Miz (imagine how much street cred we'd have then), and perpetual sideline guy Ahmad Brooks.

So we tell the airport guy that our defense should be "SEC-caliber", and then get immediately annoyed that everything is now judged in terms of that annoying conference. We tell the grocery store kid that the stable of running backs should be good enough that we will consider bringing back the Single Wing offense as a set base if a quarterback gets injured and we tell our co-worker that Ash's weapons include an Olympian and the sibling of a Texas legend who had a great year last year despite needing his own ward at the hospital.

But we walk out of the store or go back to our cubicle knowing that 11-1 wouldn't be a complete shock, but nor would another 7-5 campaign.

But who knows?

All we know is that the answer to the "How good is Texas going to be" question starts to be answered on Saturday.

Finally.

Boise State @ Michigan State -7:

Michigan State has the defense and running game to get back to the Big 10 championship game, while Boise State has to replace the all-time leader in victories as a quarterback in Kellen Moore, as well as 9 starters on defense.

For entertainment purposes only. Save your money for going to a bar to see this game.