UCLA has Texas 13 to 3 at the half, in one of the worst Texas games I’ve seen in many years. Four Texas turnovers were bad enough, but QB Garrett Gilbert seems stuck on short-yardage passes or incomplete long ones. Plus the offensive line isn’t protecting him and the defense can’t seem to throttle the UCLA running game. I’ll be surprised if Texas pulls out a win on this one.
UPDATE. They didn’t. UCLA creamed ’em 34 to 12. The second half boos from the Texas fans reported by AP were well-deserved. It’s heretical, but I really think they ought to replace Gilbert with his backup. (Chris Simms, that’s who GG reminds me of. Arrgh.) Course they first have to find some receivers who won’t drop the ball. And an offensive line to protect the new quarterback.
Alamo Bowl, here they come. If they’re lucky.
MORE: From the daily’s sportswriter Kirk Bohls’ conclusions on the game:
“They are a young team that can’t run, can’t block, can’t catch, doesn’t have anyone remotely resembling a big-time, playmaking quarterback yet, makes horrible decisions on special teams and decides not to tackle when momentum heads to the exits.”
And their next two games are against Oklahoma and Nebraska. Lordy.
AND: Inevitably, Texas fell from its No. 7 perch in the AP media poll to No. 21. Also from No. 4 to No. 16 in the USA Today coaches’ poll.
Beating Oklahoma (No. 8 in the media poll) and Nebraska (No. 6 in the media) would elevate Texas in the rankings again, but neither seems likely now.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 