Frontrunners

Until last season, I described Mack Brown as the coach who had done the least with the most. He has now returned to form.

Losses to mediocre Kansas State and horrid a$m dropped UT all the way to the Alamo bowl and a date against an underachieving Iowa squad that managed only 2 conference wins.

The result? A come from behind win where UT found itself down 14-0, and almost 21-3. Only a botched halfback option saved the Longhorns.

Perhaps no program plays down to the level of the competition when nothing is on the line more than UT. While Iowa put forth its best effort of the season- an effort that would have won games against NW, Indy and Minny- Texas' lack of effort dug the hole.

Naturally, Iowa draws an indifferent Texas squad, but ISU seldom gets a shot at that.

It is understandable that UT's players didn't care. When you are having smoke blown up your skirt from the age of seven, a date with a 6-6 team in a possibly third-tier bowl doesn't get your juices flowing no matter how many sprints you are given in practice leading up to it. It goes with the territory of being highly gifted, and knowing it.

Give me a squad of three-star lunchbucket types any day. They won't win every game, but they will have the courtesy to show up and work hard every week.

Gene- remember this when you are out recruiting. You need both kinds of kid to win.

Peterclone