Texas Longhorns at Missouri Tigers Preview

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, September 30, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

College Football
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!

Before there was Vince Young in the Big 12, there was Brad Smith.

Young, the dual threat QB who has led the Texas Longhorns to a 3-0 record and No. 2 national ranking this season, didn't really establish himself as a star until midway through 2004. Meanwhile, Smith -- who seems like he's been at Missouri since the days of Don Faurot -- was in his third year of piling up impressive offensive numbers.

So far this season, the Missouri Tigers senior signal caller (10,570 career yards in total offense) has thrown for 748 yards and six TDs and scored four times while gaining 339 yards on the ground, numbers that trump those of Young.

The difference, of course, is that the Texas Longhorns QB and Heisman Trophy candidate has a far superior supporting cast. Starting Longhorn RB Selvin Young is scheduled to return from an injury for Saturday's noon kickoff at Faurot Field in Columbia -- but if he doesn't, freshman Jamaal Charles ranks 14th national in rushing. Young has TE David Thomas and wideouts Limas Sweed and Billy Pittman as targets and one of the nation's best offensive lines as protection. Defensively, Mack Brown's team is led by LB Aaron Harris, DB Michael Huff and DT Rod Wright.

Texas has won 12 of the last 13 meetings between the two schools, last losing to Mizzou in 1997. The Missouri Tigers are ranked third nationally in rushing, thanks to Smith and RB Marcus Woods, but the defense has struggled. Gary Pinkel's squad has beaten Arkansas State and Troy State while losing to New Mexico. Texas has easily handled Louisiana Lafayette and Rice while scoring late to edge Ohio State in Columbus in week two.

Last year, Texas faced Missouri a week after losing to Oklahoma and pulled out a hard-fought 28-20 victory. Young was pulled at halftime for ineffectiveness. This year, the Longhorns have the opposite challenge -- not looking ahead to the Red River Shootout with OU next week.
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Darrell Laurant

Sorry, Darrell Laurant's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report