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Locking 'HornsTexas, Ohio State have key questions to answer as they seek to prove who deserves to be No. 1
By JIMMY BURCH
Star-Telegram STAFF WRITER
The winning team that emerges as the answer to that riddle must overcome plenty of questions of its own, starting at 7 p.m. in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Despite the schools' respective 1-0 records and rich traditions, hanging chads are everywhere.
Ohio State has nine new starters on defense and no established kicker. Texas will have a redshirt freshman at quarterback and its most experienced cornerback in street clothes.
In a season when most of college football's top teams have glaring potential flaws that could short-circuit national title runs, Texas coach Mack Brown views this contest as a giant litmus test.
"It will answer a lot of questions for both teams," Brown said. "We'll be behind some, in all likelihood, and how we respond to adversity in that situation will be a defining point for these guys."
In turn, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said his defense is "still a little unsettled" in the wake of a 35-12 victory over Northern Illinois in which Huskies tailback Garrett Wolfe rushed for 171 yards and added 114 receiving yards.
"I'm not sure we know yet what our par is," said Tressel, who plans frequent player rotations to account for the 90-degree temperatures and the questions in his own mind. "We're not as good as we were a year ago. Not on defense."
On offense, the Buckeyes might be the nation's most explosive team. Texas, which led the nation in scoring a year ago behind quarterback Vince Young (50.2 points per game), was that team in 2005.
But with Young in the NFL and redshirt freshman Colt McCoy in the starting lineup, offensive coordinator Greg Davis said the Longhorns are now "driving the speed limit" instead of blazing full-throttle down the Autobahn. That shifts some pressure to a Texas defense that will play without starting cornerback Tarell Brown, who was suspended in the wake of his arrest Monday on drug and weapon charges. The drug charge was dropped Friday, but the gun charge remained.
Even without his top cover man, Texas defensive coordinator Gene Chizik said the Longhorns "love the challenge" they face tonight.
"Early on, when you've got a new quarterback, there's a process of growth like any other position," Chizik said. "We feel good about being able to put it on our back and say, 'We've got to go out and play great defense, not just good defense.' Our kids know that. Our coaches know that. That's part of the deal this year."
At Ohio State, where two different kickers missed field goals in last week's opener, Tressel said Aaron Pettrey probably will handle the kicking duties against the Longhorns. But he reserved the right to switch to Ryan Pretorius at a moment's notice.
The Longhorns plan to roll several players through the cornerback spot vacated by Tarell Brown. But they envision sinking or swimming with McCoy, based on his turnover-free debut in last week's 56-7 rout of North Texas.
Texas center Lyle Sendlein said McCoy gives the Longhorns' offense stability that did not exist 10 days ago.
"We're going in knowing who is going to be under center," Sendlein said. "That takes a big question off your mind in a game like this."
texassports.com
Keys to the game
Texas: The Buckeyes' explosive offense starts with dual-threat quarterback Troy Smith. By keeping him out of rhythm with varied blitzes and cover schemes, the Longhorns can limit touchdowns and force more field-goal attempts.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes allowed a lot of yards to a quick tailback in their season opener. If the defense can't contain UT tailbacks Selvin Young and Jamaal Charles, Ohio State is in trouble.
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By JIMMY BURCH
Star-Telegram STAFF WRITER
The winning team that emerges as the answer to that riddle must overcome plenty of questions of its own, starting at 7 p.m. in Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Despite the schools' respective 1-0 records and rich traditions, hanging chads are everywhere.
Ohio State has nine new starters on defense and no established kicker. Texas will have a redshirt freshman at quarterback and its most experienced cornerback in street clothes.
In a season when most of college football's top teams have glaring potential flaws that could short-circuit national title runs, Texas coach Mack Brown views this contest as a giant litmus test.
"It will answer a lot of questions for both teams," Brown said. "We'll be behind some, in all likelihood, and how we respond to adversity in that situation will be a defining point for these guys."
In turn, Ohio State coach Jim Tressel said his defense is "still a little unsettled" in the wake of a 35-12 victory over Northern Illinois in which Huskies tailback Garrett Wolfe rushed for 171 yards and added 114 receiving yards.
"I'm not sure we know yet what our par is," said Tressel, who plans frequent player rotations to account for the 90-degree temperatures and the questions in his own mind. "We're not as good as we were a year ago. Not on defense."
On offense, the Buckeyes might be the nation's most explosive team. Texas, which led the nation in scoring a year ago behind quarterback Vince Young (50.2 points per game), was that team in 2005.
But with Young in the NFL and redshirt freshman Colt McCoy in the starting lineup, offensive coordinator Greg Davis said the Longhorns are now "driving the speed limit" instead of blazing full-throttle down the Autobahn. That shifts some pressure to a Texas defense that will play without starting cornerback Tarell Brown, who was suspended in the wake of his arrest Monday on drug and weapon charges. The drug charge was dropped Friday, but the gun charge remained.
Even without his top cover man, Texas defensive coordinator Gene Chizik said the Longhorns "love the challenge" they face tonight.
"Early on, when you've got a new quarterback, there's a process of growth like any other position," Chizik said. "We feel good about being able to put it on our back and say, 'We've got to go out and play great defense, not just good defense.' Our kids know that. Our coaches know that. That's part of the deal this year."
At Ohio State, where two different kickers missed field goals in last week's opener, Tressel said Aaron Pettrey probably will handle the kicking duties against the Longhorns. But he reserved the right to switch to Ryan Pretorius at a moment's notice.
The Longhorns plan to roll several players through the cornerback spot vacated by Tarell Brown. But they envision sinking or swimming with McCoy, based on his turnover-free debut in last week's 56-7 rout of North Texas.
Texas center Lyle Sendlein said McCoy gives the Longhorns' offense stability that did not exist 10 days ago.
"We're going in knowing who is going to be under center," Sendlein said. "That takes a big question off your mind in a game like this."
texassports.com
Keys to the game
Texas: The Buckeyes' explosive offense starts with dual-threat quarterback Troy Smith. By keeping him out of rhythm with varied blitzes and cover schemes, the Longhorns can limit touchdowns and force more field-goal attempts.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes allowed a lot of yards to a quick tailback in their season opener. If the defense can't contain UT tailbacks Selvin Young and Jamaal Charles, Ohio State is in trouble.
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