Why It May Not Matter: Oklahoma State's pass defense in 2007 was even worse—112th in the nation. Texas also has a rising junior quarterback in Colt McCoy who managed to finish 24th in passer efficiency last season despite a more than shaky offensive line.
UT is a young team that figures to get better as the year goes on, so this game might be happening after everything clicks for the Longhorns. Plus, Texas hasn't lost to Oklahoma State since its 4-7 campaign in 1997, and it hasn't lost at home to the Cowboys since 1944.
BIG EAST
The Game: West Virginia at UConn, November 1
Before: Auburn
Why it Will be a Trap Game: The Mountaineers' trip to Storrs comes a week after what could be a titanic matchup with Auburn in Morgantown. West Virginia will doubtless be amped from the game against the Tigers, wanting to prove the school made the right choice by sticking with Bill Stewart as head coach.
The national feeling is that the bowl win over Oklahoma was a nice story, but Stewart may not be the right guy for the job. Defeating Auburn is probably the one chance the team has to stand up and make a statement on the national stage in favor of its beloved head coach.
The contest the week after has "classic letdown game" written all over it. After what will be an emotionally draining contest with Auburn win or lose, West Virginia must travel up north to face the well-disciplined Huskies.
UConn doesn't play highly entertaining football, but last season it found a way to win ugly with ruthless efficiency. The bottom fell out of their season late last year with the Huskies losing three of their last four. In 2008, UConn will want to prove that it was not a one year wonder. Beating West Virginia would be the best way to do that.
Why it May Not Matter: For starters, West Virginia smoked UConn 66-21 last year. It was a tour de force for the Mountaineers' QB Pat White, and he's back in 2008. He won't be running exactly the same offense, but there's something about him that UConn couldn't handle. If the Huskies don't figure White out, it's over because they won't have the firepower to win a shootout.
In addition, UConn might end up contending for a conference title again, in which case any trap potential goes out the window.
BIG TEN
The Game: Ohio State vs. Troy, September 20
Before: at USC
Why it Will be a Trap Game
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