 "Photo: Ralph Notaro (NDM Images)")
The Texas Longhorns need to clear some space on their bulletin board. In big, bold letters,
Howard Schnellenberger has provided a spark to a season opener that has long looked like just another chance for Goliath to exact revenge on David.
In words that bite a little harder than they should, the Florida Atlantic coach has pointed out a wellknown but rarely acknowledged scar on Texas’ sleek exterior.
“They aren’t tough,” he told the University Press. “Texas will move the ball with tit-for-tat
screens and options, but we’ll make them pay a price whenever they catch one of those dinky passes.”
Over the past two years, getting tough with the ’Horns has been a strategy that more often
then not has proved successful. Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Kansas State have accounted for five of Texas’ six losses over that span, hitting quarterback Colt McCoy early and often in the process.
“Once we step out on the field with Texas, the only ones who can help us is ourselves. Texas always has a very polished team that has great talent,” Schnellenberger said. “But they aren’t a physically tough team.”
Last season, with an offensive line decimated by injury, Mc-Coy often struggled under the
increased pressure. He threw a career-high 18 interceptions, including four in the loss to Kansas State.
Meanwhile, a rushing offense helped by Jamaal Charles’ midseason explosion now returns
the same questions that plagued them for much of the 2007 season. Facing third down and short, the Longhorns failed to get crucial inches again and again.
In Florida Atlantic, the Longhorns will face a relative unknown on the college football landscape. Just years into their existence as a Division I program, the Owls won the Sun
Belt Conference, the New Orleans Bowl and finished with an 8-5 record despite being outscored by 27 points on the season.
However, under the guidance of Schnellenberger — a football legend who coached Miami
to a national title, led the Alabama offense under Bear Bryan to three titles and was a part of the Miami Dolphins perfect season in 1972 — the Owls have the leadership to stand face-to-face with any team in the nation.
“My defense will get to a point where they will be mean, nasty and ornery bastards, and
that’s what you need for Texas,” he said. “We’ll put three hats on them and make them not want to get up. That’s the way to beat Texas.”
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