Burnt Orange Nation Realistic, Confident Against Buffs

Usually when you talk to a person who blogs specifically for their favorite team you get the company line but not with the people at Burnt Orange Nation, the biggest Texas Longhorns blog around. Peter from the Burnt Orange Nation blog took the time this week to answer my questions about Texas Longhorn football and the Big 12 Championship game.

He was realistic about what concerns him about the Longhorns and truthful about which player from Colorado he would take for his team. He was also confident, and you can’t blame him, about the Longhorns chances of winning the Big 12 Championship.

1. What gives you the most confidence about your team
going into the championship game?

The biggest thing is the talent gap. Colorado just doesn't have the athletes to play with the Horns, to the point that, even on their best day, and on our worst, we're still going to win most of the time. If Texas brings its A, or even B, game, the Buffaloes just have no chance.

It's worth noting, too, that Vince Young had what was probably THE best passing half of any quarterback this year in the first matchup against CU. Young completed 16 of 18 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown, plus three rushing touchdowns. Yikes…

2. What concerns you the most about your team?

We are our own worst enemy at this point. The only way we lose this game is if we're looking ahead to the Rose Bowl, or worried about post-season awards. I think the Heisman pressure really threw Vince Young off against A&M. It was a disappointing performance.

3. If you could take any player from the other team
who would it be and why?

This one's easy. Colorado's kicker, Mason Crosby, is the best in the country. Meanwhile, Texas' place kickers have combined to miss nine—NINE!—extra points this year.

4. Who is a player on your team that gets over-looked?

Texas always gets lots of hype, and has gotten even more this year with the undefeated season, but one guy that gets overlooked a bit, but is vital to the team, is tight end David Thomas. The guy can run block with the best of them and has broken every receiving record for a tight end at Texas. He's probably Vince's go-to guy, at least as a possession receiver.

5. Why is your team going to win the conference
championship?

See #1. We're just that much more talented. The other thing that's developed this year has been the leadership of Vince Young. It's developed so much that it's even spread to the coaches, who have loosened up under Vince's tutelage. Vince simply doesn't let the Horns lose. He won't on Saturday, either. The Horns win this one, 38-13.