TV analyst wonders if UT is ‘tired of being made fun of’

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ESPN and ABC-TV analyst Kirk Herbstreit had a strong rebuke for Texas heading into the upcoming season.

In comments made during a recent interview with Dallas-Fort Worth radio station KESN (hat tip: Dallas Morning News), he didn't mince words about the Longhorns.

"Texas on paper looks good," Herbstreit said. "Until I see it, it's hard for me to buy in.

"This has been going on for three years now. Until you see this team play with a bit of a chip on its shoulder and play with an attitude, it's going to be the same old, same old. But maybe they're tired of being made fun of and their head coach being made fun of and maybe they're ready to do something about it."

Herbstreit likes what Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy has accomplished in recent years.

"I think Oklahoma State with Mike Gundy have become a legitimate program," Herbstreit said. "They're no longer a team that might pop up for a 10 or 11 win season and go back in the corner and win six or seven.

"I think they proved that last year. I think that was a heck of an effort by the Cowboys last year after everything they lost. I think it's wide open. Again, we're sitting here in May, and I haven't looked at the schedules and who plays who where and that kind of thing. But I think Oklahoma State could be a very dangerous team again this year."

After nine teams went to bowl games last season, Herbstreit is intrigued by the Big 12′s depth.

Mack Brown's Longhorns were 5-4 in Big 12 play in 2012. Mack Brown's Longhorns were 5-4 in Big 12 play in 2012. Photo: Sarah Glenn, Contributor Photo: Sarah Glenn, Contributor Image 1 of / 17 Caption Close TV analyst wonders if UT is ‘tired of being made fun of’ 1 / 17 Back to Gallery

"I think last year even though West Virginia faded down the road after starting so fast, you put them and TCU in that conference, and I think there is tremendous depth in the conference," he said.

And the development at Baylor, where Art Briles has led the Bears to an unprecedented streak of three consecutive bowl trips, also was noted by Herbstreit.

" With Baylor, they've proven that they're much more than RGIII," Herbstreit said. "It's more about Art Briles and what they're doing and the new stadium coming so I think that program is here to stay not to mention you go along with some of your traditional powers."