Monday, October 07, 2002
Sooners game looms large for QB Simms, Longhorns
By Mike Lopresti
Gannett News Service
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Oklahoma State defender Kevin Williams watches from the turf as Texas quarterback Chris Simms looks to pass during the first quarter in Austin Saturday.
(AP photo)
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Here comes a major intersection on the road to the Fiesta Bowl. Texas is No. 2. Oklahoma is No. 3. Someone has to be in Miami's rear view mirror. That would be Saturday's winner.
For Chris Simms, it's the moment of truth. The Texas quarterback had a miserable day of it last year against the Sooners with four interceptions in a 14-3 loss. A Longhorn offense that broke 40 points nine times was held to a field goal on the day when 15 points would do. If Simms wants to win friends and influence people in Austin, this is the week to atone.
The touchdowns will likely not be easy this time, either. Texas, 5-0 for the first time since 1983, is second in the nation in scoring defense. Oklahoma is fifth.
The fact that the Longhorns barely held off Oklahoma State on Saturday and the Sooners had to slip past Missouri suggests they were both looking ahead - or they're not that much better than anyone else.
Rebels yell over snub
Think the Mississippi Rebels were emotional after they stunned sixth-ranked Florida on Saturday? You should have seen them last December.
It was one furious band of miffed Mississippians when word came that the 7-4 Rebels wouldn't be getting any of the SEC bowl bids.
That's hard to do. The conference receives eight.
“This team deserved to play in a bowl game,” Rebels coach David Cutcliffe said at the time. “I'm going to stop short of saying anything else or I may regret what I might say.”
If the snub showed any lack of regard for the Rebels, that should be no problem after Saturday.
It wasn't so much that Mississippi beat Florida 17-14. It was how.
The Rebels' defense had been a sieve, leaking for 38 points to Vanderbilt its previous game, and 42 to Texas Tech the week before that. Hence, four new starters Saturday.
And suddenly, with four new starters Saturday, Mississippi had a wall. Rex Grossman was intercepted four times, the Gators were held to four first downs in the second half, and the Rebels claimed their highest ranked victim since 1952.
This despite only 37 yards rushing and a career low in passing (154 yards) by Eli Manning.
“Offensively and defensively, we grew up,” said Manning. “It wasn't the prettiest, but it was about the sweetest.”
No wonder. Big brother Peyton spent a college career at Tennessee as Gator bait, going 0-4 against Florida.
“He'll probably be the first one to call me,” Eli said.
Coming attraction
Florida State at Miami. It's not the week's “A” game because of the Seminoles' troubles, but there is still plenty of heat. Miami has its No.1 ranking to protect. Florida State has its memories of last year's 49-27 loss, the most points the Seminoles have ever allowed the Hurricanes.
Tennessee at Georgia. The Bulldogs are 5-0 for the first time since 1982. and proved Pat Dye was wrong when he said they weren't “man enough” to beat Alabama. But how did a radio interview with a former Auburn coach become a cause?
Michigan State at Iowa. Break out the white uniforms. It's Oct. 12, and the Spartans finally play their first road game.
Quotebook
“When we decide to self-destruct, we're really, really good at it.” - Navy coach Paul Johnson, whose Midshipmen have 15 turnovers in their last four games, all losses. Let's hope none of them end up on minesweepers.
“They probably were cockeyed or have cataracts or something.” - Washington receiver Reggie Williams, theorizing on why the officials missed what he thought were pass interference calls in the Huskies' loss to California.
“If they would have run it back, I would have tackled him.” - Baylor coach Kevin Steele, about Kansas' kickoff return following a late Baylor field goal that gave the Bears a 35-32 victory. Baylor had lost 29 straight league games.
Stat of the week
It's still almost neck and neck, the scoring race between the Notre Dame offense and the Notre Dame defense. The offense has eight touchdowns this season, the defense five. The 5-0 Irish are 75th in the nation in scoring, one spot above 0-5 Akron.
Thumbs of the week
Up to Bowling Green. Falcons go for 72 against Ohio, now lead nation with 50.75-point average.
Up to Chas Gessner. Brown receiver, and lacrosse All-American, catches 24 passes against Rhode Island to tie Jerry Rice's one-game record.
Up to California. Gerald Ford was president the last time the Bears beat Washington.
Up to Texas Tech quarterback Kliff Kingsburg. A busy arm is a happy arm - 59 attempts and 49 completions at Texas A&M, and already 22 touchdown passes for the season.
Down to Arkansas. Overtime pays, but not always. Hogs lose in six OTs at Tennessee, a year after they beat Mississippi in seven.
Down to Louisiana-Lafayette. Whose bright idea was it to resume LSU series after 64 years? Saturday's 48-0 shutout makes it 542-0 in last 10 meetings.
Down to Texas A&M. Two weeks after R.C. Slocum strips offensive coordinator of play-calling duties, quarterback throws seven touchdown passes but Aggies lose 48-47 to Texas Tech, anyway. Defensive coordinator waiting for knock at the door.
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Sooners game looms large for QB Simms, Longhorns
