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 Thursday, October 4, 2001
Hybl passes first test, while Simms awaits his challenge
By Gary Danielson
Special to ABC Sports Online
Saturday's Red River Shootout will match Oklahoma's Nate Hybl against Texas' Chris Simms. Hybl is 4-0 as the Sooners' starter. Simms is 9-2 for the Longhorns.
Nate Hybl
Nate Hybl was courageous against Kansas State. It was exactly what Oklahoma and Bob Stoops were looking for. They didn't expect him to be a Heisman Trophy quarterback this year, but they expected someone to take that leadership role. I think they were praying for a performance that everybody could rally around him.
They have a sound defense, although they made a lot of mistakes against Kansas State's option game. They found a team that could rally against Nate. It couldn't have been any better for Oklahoma.
I said early in the year that if Oklahoma expected to meet its goals this season, the quarterback would have to win two or three games with great performances. Nate notched the first one against K-State. It wasn't artistically great, but it was gutsy. Bob Stoops couldn't have asked for a better performance.
Oklahoma has talented receivers, but Kansas State demonstrated that they are not great route runners. They do a lot of finesse plays like quick screens. You are not going to shut them down, but if you can run with them, take away the easy throws and force them to run patterns downfield, they can be covered.
If I was Texas, I would see if Oklahoma adjusts its protection. I was disappointed in Oklahoma's scheme against Kansas State. They have been running this scheme for three years. It was a very simple blitz that Kansas State ran the whole game, and it wasn't until the middle of the fourth quarter that they started using their tight end on an obvious matchup. I am sure Nate Hybl will be in the meeting rooms this week and asking them if they have any protections that can widen the line and help him a little bit.
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Chris Simms
His talent on the practice field speaks for itself. You can't help but look at him throw the ball. He just catches your eye. We all know what we are talking about here.
I have never seen a pressurized situation for a quarterback like his. Did he deserve the hype? No. Has it been embarrassing to him? Probably. But he is a tremendously mature person who has a sense of history about where he's going or where he wants to go. That is very important, especially for a quarterback.
He's just itching to prove to everyone that he belongs where that hype is. He prepares himself and he's not awed by it. He has not passed a test against a team that has really climbed all over him. Those types of performances are few and far between for any quarterback.
I wouldn't necessary downgrade Chris if he struggles a little bit against Oklahoma this week. Look at Chris Weinke. He didn't have a great game against them, and he's starting in the NFL.
I'm not sure if Texas' offensive line has proven it's athletic enough to handle the speed they will face against Oklahoma. That's one of the key matchups in the game.
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 Nate Hybl hangs in the pocket and finds Antwone Savage for a 75-yard touchdown (Courtesy: ABC Sports).
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Antwone Savage scores on the 64-yard strike from Nate Hybl (Courtesy: ABC Sports).
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Oklahoma's Nate Hybl hangs in the pocket and finds Antwone Savage for a 75-yard touchdown pass (Courtesy: ABC Sports).
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Texas' Chris Simms calls his own number and gets the Texas touchdown.
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Texas' Chris Simms finds Tony Jeffery in the corner of the end zone.
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Texas' Roy Williams turns on the jets on this 40-yard TD run.(courtesy: ABCSports)
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Texas' Chris Simms throws 20 yards up the middle to Roy Williams for the TD.(courtesy: ABCSports)
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