When last we saw our friends the Rockets...This was what it looked like. Bruce Gradkowski celebrating a 2 OT victory over the Falcons in an epic struggle at the Doyt, which, if BG had won, would have netted us the East title.
We've lost two in a row to our arch-rivals. The year before, we led 27-7 at halftime and ended up losing--giving up a stomach-churning 28 points in the third quarter.
BG, arguably, should have won BOTH games. Both losses left me in a state of depression for days. Furthermore, our records over the past five seasons are virtually identical and this year we are both 4-7. But, due to beating us--and going on to win a couple MAC titles, UT is clearly, on a long-term basis, the competitive class of the conference.
I'm not sure a win salvages our season. But losing tonight would mean a disasterous season, whereas winning tonight can at least get us to disappointing. Finishing the season on a five game losing streak heading into long winter conditioning is unthinkable...multiply it by 10 if we get waxed tonight.
UT lost to Ball State at home, and they are simply not a dominant team this year. Clearly, neither are we. I hope against hope we bring a strong game, AT gets hot, and we pick up a road win that would be a nice lift and reward for a team that has worked very hard, even if we don't know today how talented they really are or really will be. I find it hard, in the end, to envision us winning the game, but who knows?
The key will be on our defense, I believe. The Rockets have struggled to move the ball. If you see them start to light us up, that's the dead canary in the mine....evacuate!
As always, beating the Rockets would be sweet.
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