The University of Texas Longhorns’ football team is riding high into its #1 vs. #2 match up against Ohio State- but not because of the game. That’s right UT fans, it’s your yearly Longhorn drug bust.
Current players Tarell Brown and Tyrell Gatewood, along with former linebacker Aaron Harris, joined the long list of recent Texas football players (Ramonce Taylor, Cedric Benson, Ricky Williams, etc.) to be busted with marijuana.
Travis County sheriffs said that they stopped the car after observing it swerving in and out of traffic and failing to use its blinker to change lanes.
This is when it gets complicated (or good, Ohio State fans).
After finding marijuana on Harris, the driver, the police then discovered more under the drivers seat. Police then discovered Brown asleep (allegedly) in the back seat with a loaded gun in his lap.
More statements have surfaced that police then had to use tasers to apprehend the players.
Wow.
That’s right Texas fans, the “Highhorns” have officially taken the title as college football’s worst behaved team, no disrespect to Miami.
Not to mention that the top-ranked Buckeyes come to town this weekend, led by standout wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. (who Brown was supposed to match up with), and senior duel threat quarterback, Troy Smith. Both are legitimate Heisman hopefuls.
Aside from the controversy, this will be a huge weekend for both teams. Unless there is a shootout between Maurice Clarrett and Brown, the key story is the actual game.
There hasn’t been a #1 vs. #2 regular season match up since 1996 when Florida State beat Florida 24-21. Coincidently, the same two teams met up in the Sugar Bowl almost two months later to decide the national champion. Florida won in a route, 52-20.
Ohio State brings an explosive offense, capable of scoring on any play, from anywhere on the field. Smith is coming off of a 297 yard, three-touchdown performance, and that’s just with his arm. He only had one rushing attempt. You can bet Texas will be seeing a more well rounded game from Smith this weekend. Not to mention, they have to figure out a way to cover Ginn, if it’s possible.
Gene Chizik and the Texas defense hopes to counter that offense. Michael and Marcus Griffin are studs at safety and Tim Crowder give them a solid end. No one is questioning the Longhorn defense though.
It’s easy to light up a defense like UNT’s, but the Longhorns will have to rely on freshman quarterback Colt McCoy to lead them. Can McCoy handle the pressure as well as Young did last year in Columbus? That’s a question that can only be answered on Saturday.
Last season Young connected with WR Limas Sweed for the game-winning score with only a couple minutes left in the game.
Sweed is already off to a fast start this season after his five catch, 111 yards and two-touchdown performance.
Saturday’s contest will begin at 7 p.m. on ABC. Oddly enough, the last three #1 vs. #2 games have been won by the #2 team.
This is a huge weekend for Buckeyes and Longhorns alike, you could make that case that whoever wins can punch their ticket for January 8th in Glendale.