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batted balls · 12-18-2006, 09:42 PM

Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . .

This week's matchup of #1-ranked Texas and #2-rated Nebraska may be known as How the West was Won after the final gun sounds. It's not only the a battle of the top two teams in the latest All-American Football League poll, but more importantly gives the winner a leg up on taking the West title and moving into the playoffs.

So, which team does Ole Max give an edge to? Let's check the tale of the tape. Texas, 4-0, has played both its close games on the road (narrow wins over BYU and USC). Nebraska, also 4-0, has been pretty tough in Lincoln with victories over UCLA and Colorado. Edge: Nebraska.

The Longhorns have rolled up 153 points thus far this season. That's an average of 38.3 for those of you mathematically challenged. Nebraska is averaging 32.5 points a contest. Defensively, Texas is giving up 22.8 per game while the Cornhuskers are surrendering 19.3 . . . Edge: Even.

Texas features better offensive balance. Earl Campbell (236 yards) and Ricky Williams (219 yards) are the top rushers. Vince Young has shown the ability to both run and pass efficiently. Mike Adams is the top Longhorn receiver. Nebraska, meanwhile, is all about the run. Ahman Green (441 yards) and Mike Rozier (380 yards) power the ground game that goes deeper than a dandelion root. Six different Cornhuskers have scored rushing touchdowns this fall. The passing game has been virtually non-existent this season. Some would argue that Nebraska hasn't needed to throw. Edge: Texas.

Whose special teams are more special? Texas' Dean Campbell has two punt returns for TDs and Nathan Vasher has one. Johnny Rodgers has a kickoff return score and also handles the punt return duties. Both teams' kickers have just one field goal this year. Of course, there ain't much use for field goals when you can score six. Edge: Even.

Which coach is better, Darrell Royal or Bud Wilkinson. Why don't you ask Ole Max which Sports Illustrated swimsuit model is the greatest? It's a wash (don't you like how Ole Max paints a picture?) . . .

So just how does Ole Max see this one turning out? Well, folks, it will come down to special teams. Give Nebraska the win by a field goal, 31-28.

Luck of the Irish
How fortunate has Notre Dame been this season? Well, the Fighting Irish of Knute Rockne are 4-0 . . . yet, ND has outscored opponents by just over five points a game. The Irish have two seven-point wins while twice edging teams from the state of Michigan by four and three points respectively. Three straight weeks have brought comeback victories. Sometimes, Ole Max notes, it's better to be lucky rather than good.

Ole Max's Big Poll
1. Texas (4-0)--Vince Young rode again this past week.
2. Nebraska (4-0)--The Cornhuskers take over the second spot and are waiting in Lincoln to lasso the Longhorns.
3. Oklahoma (4-0)--The Sooners may have the inside track to the Midwest title, but then again they struggled to get past winless Wisconsin.
4. Florida State (4-0)--A last-minute win over archrival Miami sweetens the Seminoles' season.
5. Notre Dame (4-0)--When will the Irish luck run out? Maybe, it won't.
6. Penn State (3-1)--Joe Pa's Lions roared back from their first loss of the season quite nicely.
7. HBCU (3-1)--The Titans run the ball better than anyone, including Nebraska.
8. Syracuse (3-1)--Only one of this week's teams ranked sixth, seventh and eighth will be crowned East champions.
9. Michigan (3-1)--Bo still can't believe he lost to Notre Dame in the Big House back in week two.
10. Auburn (3-1)--The Tigers have renewed life after this week's heart-pounding win.

Heisman Hype
1. Willie Galimore, HBCU--Still the odds-on favorite to strike the pose.
2. Ahman Green, Nebraska--A big game against Texas this week could go a long way to vaulting this 'Husker past Galimore.
3. Bo Jackson, Auburn--Bo may know a lot of things, but Bo knows running the football best.
4. Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh--A dark horse candidate who continues to play well in the Steel City.
5. Walter Payton, HBCU--Too bad for Walter he's in the same backfield with Galimore. Good for the Titans that Walter's in the same backfield with Galimore.

Until the final gun sounds in Lincoln, this is Max Mercy, Jr. signing off . . .

12-18-2006, 09:42 PM	#64
batted balls All Star Starter Join Date: May 2003 Location: White Sox Country Posts: 1,323	How the West Will Be Won--Max Mercy, Jr. Max Mercy, Jr. here again, folks . . . This week's matchup of #1-ranked Texas and #2-rated Nebraska may be known as How the West was Won after the final gun sounds. It's not only the a battle of the top two teams in the latest All-American Football League poll, but more importantly gives the winner a leg up on taking the West title and moving into the playoffs. So, which team does Ole Max give an edge to? Let's check the tale of the tape. Texas, 4-0, has played both its close games on the road (narrow wins over BYU and USC). Nebraska, also 4-0, has been pretty tough in Lincoln with victories over UCLA and Colorado. Edge: Nebraska. The Longhorns have rolled up 153 points thus far this season. That's an average of 38.3 for those of you mathematically challenged. Nebraska is averaging 32.5 points a contest. Defensively, Texas is giving up 22.8 per game while the Cornhuskers are surrendering 19.3 . . . Edge: Even. Texas features better offensive balance. Earl Campbell (236 yards) and Ricky Williams (219 yards) are the top rushers. Vince Young has shown the ability to both run and pass efficiently. Mike Adams is the top Longhorn receiver. Nebraska, meanwhile, is all about the run. Ahman Green (441 yards) and Mike Rozier (380 yards) power the ground game that goes deeper than a dandelion root. Six different Cornhuskers have scored rushing touchdowns this fall. The passing game has been virtually non-existent this season. Some would argue that Nebraska hasn't needed to throw. Edge: Texas. Whose special teams are more special? Texas' Dean Campbell has two punt returns for TDs and Nathan Vasher has one. Johnny Rodgers has a kickoff return score and also handles the punt return duties. Both teams' kickers have just one field goal this year. Of course, there ain't much use for field goals when you can score six. Edge: Even. Which coach is better, Darrell Royal or Bud Wilkinson. Why don't you ask Ole Max which Sports Illustrated swimsuit model is the greatest? It's a wash (don't you like how Ole Max paints a picture?) . . . So just how does Ole Max see this one turning out? Well, folks, it will come down to special teams. Give Nebraska the win by a field goal, 31-28. Luck of the Irish How fortunate has Notre Dame been this season? Well, the Fighting Irish of Knute Rockne are 4-0 . . . yet, ND has outscored opponents by just over five points a game. The Irish have two seven-point wins while twice edging teams from the state of Michigan by four and three points respectively. Three straight weeks have brought comeback victories. Sometimes, Ole Max notes, it's better to be lucky rather than good. Ole Max's Big Poll 1. Texas (4-0)--Vince Young rode again this past week. 2. Nebraska (4-0)--The Cornhuskers take over the second spot and are waiting in Lincoln to lasso the Longhorns. 3. Oklahoma (4-0)--The Sooners may have the inside track to the Midwest title, but then again they struggled to get past winless Wisconsin. 4. Florida State (4-0)--A last-minute win over archrival Miami sweetens the Seminoles' season. 5. Notre Dame (4-0)--When will the Irish luck run out? Maybe, it won't. 6. Penn State (3-1)--Joe Pa's Lions roared back from their first loss of the season quite nicely. 7. HBCU (3-1)--The Titans run the ball better than anyone, including Nebraska. 8. Syracuse (3-1)--Only one of this week's teams ranked sixth, seventh and eighth will be crowned East champions. 9. Michigan (3-1)--Bo still can't believe he lost to Notre Dame in the Big House back in week two. 10. Auburn (3-1)--The Tigers have renewed life after this week's heart-pounding win. Heisman Hype 1. Willie Galimore, HBCU--Still the odds-on favorite to strike the pose. 2. Ahman Green, Nebraska--A big game against Texas this week could go a long way to vaulting this 'Husker past Galimore. 3. Bo Jackson, Auburn--Bo may know a lot of things, but Bo knows running the football best. 4. Tony Dorsett, Pittsburgh--A dark horse candidate who continues to play well in the Steel City. 5. Walter Payton, HBCU--Too bad for Walter he's in the same backfield with Galimore. Good for the Titans that Walter's in the same backfield with Galimore. Until the final gun sounds in Lincoln, this is Max Mercy, Jr. signing off . . . __________________ White Sox fan since 1972 Last edited by batted balls; 12-19-2006 at 02:27 PM.