Good comments from Longhorn. I grew up in Oregon, now live in Texas. These are two teams I pay attention to and have friends that are close to the Oregon program.
Remember early in the season after Texas lost to Ol'Miss at home and was 1-2. Mack was on the hot seat and the talk shows wanted him out. The horn's barely beat Iowa St. on the road and heat got hotter.
Then came the Red River Rivalery (shootout or whatever they want to call it now). Texas took Oklahoma apart. Surprised most of us. The team rallied behind Ol Mack. They won three more games after that (albeit, no one that good). Then, here comes Oklahoma St. into Austin and takes Texas apart. They beat a mediocre Texas Tech in Austin and then go to Waco and get beat by 20 ( played well for a half).
All this is to answer your question: Do I think they will play hard for Mack, Yes. The problem is the matchup that Longhorn mentioned above. The Ok. St. and Baylor game gives anyone pause into backing the Longhorns.
Saying that, I don't think Oregon ended their season all that well. After losing to Stanford, they did play well at Utah. They then got Blown up at Arizona. They end their season by edging Oregon St. (probably should not have won the game). What I thought was funny, is that the Oregon St. kids get to go to Hawaii, Oregon kids get to go to San Antonio. How excited to you think those kids (after talking down the Rose bowl back in November feel about going to San Antonio. Let's go look at the Alamo and Stroll the River Walk. Woopee. I don't know how focused these kids will be (on top of the suspensions of a couple of the players). Also, recruiting for the Ducks this year has been very poor. The staff has been working hard to get some quality players, but so far, hasn't been going well. Probably the poorest recruiting year in the last 20.
Coach Allioti (defensive coordinator) for the ducks is retiring after this game. He has been there since Rich Brooks and has coached through four regimes. the team may want to send him out on a winning note.
Most of you know San Antonio is only 80 miles from Austin. In about an hour and a half Longhorn fans can make it to the game. I don't know if Oregon sold their allotment of tickets, but, I think I know who/what the crowd will be there.
So Smitty, In this long winded, round about way, I'm telling you, good luck. The matchup is bad for Texas, but they will be playing for Mack. How excited are the Oregon kids to be in San Antonio and How hard will they play, don't know. If they show up, they can handle Texas. If they show up with an Arizona or Oregon St. effort, Texas probably is in the game.
Take care. rb
any year in the black is a good year.
