First and 10: Texas is roaring into SEC, while Oklahoma is limping. What’s up with Oregon?

You’ve heard it before, but now it’s undeniable: Texas football is back. That, plus Oregon’s struggles and a Notre Dame revelation in this week’s First and 10.

1. Texas football was lost but now it’s found in the SEC

A quick refresher for those forgetting just how unbearably lost Texas football was not so long ago.

The big, bad Longhorns, the most valuable television property in all of college sports, the kings of excess and the good life, actually complained to the Big 12 because rival Oklahoma — are you ready for this? — flipped the Hook ‘Em hand gesture and pointed down.

Mommy, the mean men are making fun of us again!

It’s enough to make every red-blooded college football fan puke.

I’m not sure what was more emasculating for once loud and proud Texas: that it complained, or that the Big 12 capitulated and started throwing flags on those flashing horns down.

Personal foul, Team Soft.

Now here we are, and the thought of that nonsense — with the ugly end to the golden era of Mack Brown, and the failed versions of Texas Is Back under Charlie Strong and Tom Herman — is far in the rearview.

Texas, everyone, is roaring into the SEC in its first season in the best conference in college football. Oklahoma is limping behind, scrambling for answers.

“We are capable of anything,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday at his weekly press conference. “We are entitled to nothing.”

Welcome, Texas, to officially being back.

It’s almost like the program with every possible advantage has been drawn into some strange football vortex with its entry into the SEC, the conference with every possible advantage. From annoying once-was demanding everything or else, to surging what-is taking anything it wants.

Meanwhile, there is bitter rival Oklahoma, which seemingly snuck into the SEC party on the tails of Texas (more on…


Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/first-10-texas-roaring-sec-080716749.html

Author : USA TODAY Sports

Publish date : 2024-09-11 08:07:16

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