Hooked: UT Football through a UK lens.

Been a minute! Hey, how are y’all? Feeling good? Good. Time to talk some football.

I haven’t posted anything since *checks watch* losing to Georgia. It seems like a lifetime ago. I’m going to blame a lack of creative flair over anything else, but it could as well be attributed to the lack of inspiration I’m feeling from the team right now.

The thing about being a US sports fan here in the UK is that US sports aren’t rammed nearly as much down our throats as it is in the US. So unless you go specifically looking for news and content, it’s easy to let it slide you by. That’s kind of where I’m at, I’ve not been too invested in searching and seeking more information, so it’s hard to be *in* it without the constant TV and media attention everywhere you look.

The weather here in the UK has also turned from fairly nice to fucking abysmal, so it’s been comfort watching for me lately. Longhorns haven’t been exactly comforting. I know what you’re thinking: a Brit, talking about the weather. How on brand.

Now we did defeat Vandy. A great team performance after slipping down the AP rankings. We pumped the Gators in one of the better offensive performances that we’d been yearning for for a while. But the same can’t be said for the Arkansas. We did enough to shut them up, but that was about it. Defense bailing us out time and time again. I guess the saying “good defenses win championships” really does carry a big amount of weight. Michael Taaffe and Colin Simmons playing out of their damn minds.

We did get to watch some of the Arkansas game with my kids (pictured), though. That’s always wonderful. I love how into it they get, cheering the boys on and willingly redressing for the occasion. My eldest — who’s 6 and soccer obsessed — scampering off 5 minutes before game time to change out of his peewee soccer kit to put his Longhorns jersey on really did warm my heart <3.

I’m worried about Kentucky. And I’m worried about A&M. College Station is going to resemble a bad day in Bosnia, especially if we’ve beaten Kentucky and go into the game 10-1. A&M will be out for blood.

I’m also at the point in the season where I don’t know what to think of the Quinn Ewers situation. He’s posted numbers. And he’s made some great throws. But I don’t see him in the clutch, and I’m getting tired of the commentators during the games kissing ass when he makes one great play.

Bond, Wisner, Helm, Bolden and Golden have been the heart of the offense. For me it’s so tough to overlook this. And I’m not sitting here saying “start Manning”. I’m sitting here saying can we stop with the rose colored glasses when it comes to Quinn.

I’m equal parts excited and filled with trepidation for the playoffs. Two big games and we’re there. It’d be nice to see Oregon lose and bump us up the rankings, but I don’t see that happening. I also don’t relish a playoff picture that has us playing Georgia again before the final. I guess I’m used to being disappointed by sports teams, and my fear of getting disappointed is at an all time high.

Here we go, sports fans..

Hook ’em.