From: boisseau@chpc.utexas.edu (John R. Boisseau (Jay))
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: SWC games this week
Date: 3 Sep 92 17:27:19 GMT
Article-I.D.: chpc.1992Sep3.172719.17546
Organization: The University of Texas System CHPC


Well, somebody wanted to know what was going on in the SWC as a whole,
so I figured I'd volunteer to write a VERY SHORT preview for this week, 
and to start writing a more detailed one next week. (If any other SWC
person wants to help with them from now on, we can do it by email to-
gether. I'd appreciate an Aggie's perspective, to balance my Longhorn-ness.)

The SWC is trying to regain some of its former stature this year, and the
teams have scheduled better non-conference opponents in the hops of beating
them and achieving this. Recruiting has improved slightly in recent years
(not quite as many players flee the state), and the number of talented
Texans transferring back to Texas schools has also increased in recent
years.

SWC non-conference record so far: 1-0 (Texas A&M over Stanford)

I hope this satifies the fans of the SWC. I'll try to get my @#$% together
a little better next week...

GAMES THIS WEEK

OU vs. Texas Tech in Lubbock (Thursday, Sept. 3 (tonight) )
----------------------------
This game could not only do much to improve the image of the SWC, it could
_really_ help the Texas Tech program. They had a dreadful start last year,
but won 5 of their last 6 to go 6-5. Most of the key players are back for
Tech: QB Robert Hall, WR Lloyd Hill, and All-American candidate Tracy Saul
are th biggest names. I think the key will be the offensive game plan of
OU. Last year, they acted like they were afraid to throw _despite_ having
Cale Gundy. They lost to the "big three" (UT, NU, and CU) again. However,
Gibbs changed his offensive philosophy for the Gator Bowl, catching
everyone, especially the Virginia defense, off gaurd. OU threw THIRTY
times in that game, and completed 26 (!), many to wide open TEs whom
the Virginia LBs failed to cover whenever Gundy faked a hand-off. The
secret is out now--OU CAN pass (very well)--and if they really do run a
more balanced attack, Gundy throwing and huge fullback Kenyon Rasheed
running, I predict an OU win. If Gibbs reverts to his old convservative
style, Tech has shot at an upset.

Prediction: OU 28, Texas Tech 20

Mississippi St. vs. Texas in Austin
-----------------------------------
Jackie Sherrill claims his current MSU squad is as good as his three best
A&M squads in the 80s (which finished the seasons ranked 14th, 10th, and 6th!).
Sleepy Robinson gave the Horns defense fits last year--he didn't run for that
many yards but he kept getting SOME yards when he should have been sacked.
The Texas defense is not as talented this year, with three linemen and one
db playing pro ball, but they should be strong enough to keep the game
low-scoring, like last year. The biggest question in this game is: how will
the Texas offense play? Pete Gardere returns for his final season, and is
the trigger man in Mackovic's passing offense (that's right, passing at
Texas! ;-) ). UT had _no_ talented WRs last year, and specualtion is that
the two blue chip freshmen, Mike Adams and Lovell Pinckney, will see a LOT
of playing time. Believe it. Phil Brown and Adrian Walker will likely see
most of the playing time in the RB spots. Learning a new offense always
takes time, however, so don't look for too many points from the Longhorns...
but they will score more than last year. Look for a very close game.

Prediction: UT 17, MSU 14 (although part of really believe this score is 
                           reversed)

Rice at Air Force in Colorado Springs
-------------------------------------
Rice is trying to have its first winning season in I don't know how long.
The poor Owls have fielded pretty good teams the last couple of years,
just missing out on winning seasons by losing close games. This may be the
year... but it won't start in game 1, unfortunately. Air Force finished the
season string last year, and destroyed Mississippi State in their bowl
game last year. The Owl defense is just not string enough to handle the
Air Force offense, and the the Owl offense probably can't keep, despite
having one of the best backs you'll never see, Trevor Cobb. Josh LaRoucca
(ro something like that) starts at QB for the Owls this year. He showed
some promise for them last year in limited action. I look for Rice to get
better as the season progresses, and finally get that 6th win, but I
doubt the forst one will come Saturday.

Prediction: Air Force 30, Rice 17

Other games:
------------

Texas A&M at LSU--the Aggies defense is great, their offense is lame. Another
low scoring game for the Aggies, hopefully more entertaining than their last
two (the Cotton Bowl and the Pigskin Classic). Granger has lots of talent,
and will feel more confident after getting his first win. I predict an A&M
win with the offense generating 14 or more points this time. The things
that worries me are: LSU's recent success (past several years, not last year)
against the Aggies,  the fact that the Aggies always lose at least one game
they should win, and the fact that LSU will want revenge for the DRUBBING
they suffered in Kyle field last year. Is still predict and A&M win, I'm
just not as confident as I would expect, based on the two teams' rankings.

TCU at New Mexico--two coaches make their debut in this one, Pat Sullivan for
TCU and Dennis Franchione (sic) at UNM. Franchione has been a program
"resurrector" at the I-AA level in his last two or three tenures, but he's
got his work cut out for him with the miserable Lobos. Give him time... 4
years, maybe, but not 4 weeks. TCU has its stars returning on a _very_ potent
offense (QB Leon Clay, RB Curtis Modkins, and the conference's best group
of receivers), and even their pathetic defense is expected to be improved
(and can at least hold the Lobos at bay, I think). Look for TCU by 3 TDs or
more.

Houston at Tulsa - who knows what the Cougars will look like this year?
They haven't even named the starting QB yet (will do so today), but Donald
Douglas seems to be the leading candidate (Jimmy Klingler should see some
action as well.) Tulsa had a good season last year, but I guess I'm not
a believer just yet (I think A&M just lost their focus after trouncing them
in the first half, and couldn't get it back). Also, I don't think Tulsa
has everr seen a R&S, and Houston usually destroys somebody in their first
game. Look for this to be close than last year's opener ;-) for UH, but
I predict UH will come out on top. I can't even guess a score.

Louisiana Tech at Baylor--Grant Teaff's last year, so the Bears will be
fired up. The big players in Baylor's big-play offense are back. Look for
the Bears to win by 2 TDs.

Tulane at SMU--tough to call. I never thought much of Forrest Gregg as a coach,
so I automatically think SMU will be better than last year. Tulane's program
is as bad as SMU', but SMU has showed signs of life (they even stay close in
some of their games). I look for SMU to win 3 or 4 games this season, if they
have a good year from a good QB (I think their top 3 are all recovering from
knee injuries). I predict SMU takes this one, but7 or 10 points.

-- 
##################################
  John R. Boisseau ("Jay")        
  Department of Astronomy         
  University of Texas at Austin