Longhorn fans should blame Blake Gideon for BCS snub

December 2nd, 2008 by Vince Mullins

Blake Gideon

Fans of Longhorn football have blamed their snub from the Big 12 Championship Game on the Harris Poll, the BCS, global warming and probably even Barack Obama. Others blame the conference’s choice to defer the three-way tie settlement to the polls rather than settling on the field.

I hate to do this, but this was settled on the field and not the neutral field Red River Classic.

Months of preparation and hours of filmwork came down to the final moments of the November 1 epic Texas Tech game – and true freshman safety Blake Gideon dropped an easy interception that would have tied the Longhorns invitation to the BCS National Title Game up with a bow.

(A refresher – go to the 2:30 mark as Tech QB Graham Harrell scrambles left, flips a fastball to WR Ed Britton who tips it skyward. As ESPN Kirk Herbstriet points out on the footage this is a drill done every day with the defense, and Gideon flat drops the biggest sporting opportunity of his young life.

Texas Tech final drive versus Texas

Next play – Crabtree touchdown and the fans are on the field.)

Some background – Blake Gideon is the LAST Newcomer listed in the Phil Steele 2008 College Football Preview but quickly moved into the starting lineup under first year defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. He was building quite the brand name for himself in the first two months of the season. His Facebook page likely was filled with awful, hurtful things after the drop so I hope at least one of his 671 friends came to his defense.

Just one year ago Gideon was at his high school homecoming, and right now he is the most likely villain in a year of almosts for the Texas Longhorns. Now fans and Texas coaches alike blame the outcome of this once magical season on external factors rather than realizing they had it in their hands. Actually, if you watch the replay Gideon whiffed on the interception in a Rob Deer-like fashion.

The Gideon story serves as a microcosm of life in general – years of training only prepare you for the spotlight, it does not guarantee a grand performance. Some people “drop the ball”, others grab it and carry it to glory. If you are good enough, you get a few shots at the big play and you can bet Gideon drills himself mercilessly for the next big event.

I can appreciate why no one points this out now; many would cite sensitivity to the young man’s ego but the more likely case is that a month ago is ancient history. Please understand that I wish no ill will to Blake at all – the way his career leapt ahead at such an early age suggests great things for him. My wish for the kid is that he will make a play for the ages and Chris Connely will perform the “Behind the Music” like interview, and I certainly don’t want him to go Donnie Moore on us as if this were the end of his existence.

But the geographical and emotional distance I possess allows me to remind Longhorn fans that you had the national title in your grasp. You may still have a shot at the national title if the SEC fails to impress the voters – but likely you should prepare for the Cotton or the Fiesta.

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