There is Plenty of Motivation for the Game Against TCU

The season started out more rocky than anticipated. For a team with so many returning starters and the most experienced[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)]  starting quarterback in the Big 12, expectations were high and rightfully so. When Texas stumbled against teams that everyone thought they would beat, things got ugly and people started jumping ship.

After defeating K-State and completely manhandling a top 25 team in the Oklahoma Sooners, the fans are back onboard, the players have taken notice and are using the negative talk as a source of motivation.

“If you weren’t there when we were struggling, we don’t need you there now,” safety Adrian Phillips tells SportsDay DFW. “Of course, that’s how it always happens. When you lose, they hate you. When you win, they love you.”

Being told that  After beating Oklahoma the way that Texas did, it seems that a little respect is due. Perhaps this respect will have to wait for a victory against  TCU? TCU (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) opened as a favorite over Texas (4-2, 3-0) … this fits the script nicely.

Asked why he thought the Horned Frogs got the nod, Case McCoy offered his own self-deprecating theory.

“Probably because I’m the quarterback, right?” McCoy said.

He’s won three consecutive games since stepping in for injured David Ash — including against the rival Oklahoma Sooners — yet people seem to be waiting for the implosion.

Among Texas players, McCoy and defensive back Quandre Diggs seem to channel doubt into incentive on command. Diggs suggested that it might be because both had standout siblings that played at Texas in Quentin Jammer (Diggs) and Colt McCoy.

“I keep a chip on my shoulder,” McCoy said. “No one thinks I’m any good except for my team.”

Said Diggs of the critics: “We know if something else happens, they’ll be right back on our backs.”

Just when Texas seemed to have things going last season, TCU spoiled the traditional Thanksgiving game with a 20-13 victory. The Horned Frogs threw just 10 passes.

One other cautionary sign: coach Mack Brown said he was happy Texas had a bye last week after Oklahoma because players still “were full of themselves.”

Texas wasn’t ranked in the initial BCS standings, although four Big 12 teams cracked the top 20.

At the same time, Texas controls its own destiny in the Big 12.

“We do believe we have a chance to win the conference championship,” Brown said. “We do believe we have a chance to win out, understanding that in college football right now every week we could lose as well as win.  But we put ourselves back in a position where we have a chance.

“I thought the message was great to everybody out there that’s struggling:  don’t lie down and quit, don’t give up, and don’t point fingers. Just play.”

And turn every criticism into extra incentive.

Source: SportsdayDFW

[/s2If]
[s2If current_user_is_not(s2member_level2) OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level3) OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level5) OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level6)OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level7)]

The rest of this article is available to Digital Subscribers only. Login or Subscribe to continue reading.
[/s2If]

 

#Hookem