Longhorns Around the Web

Each Friday, we'll be offering up a sampling of Longhorn- and Big 12-related sports coverage making its way around the Web.

So you lost four tight ends to injury before the start of the season? Not a problem if you've got Dan Buckner, who's been Jermichael Finley-esque in recent weeks. From The Sporting News, via the AP: "At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Buckner has moved from wide receiver to what Texas calls its "flex" position lined up closer the ball. Shipley occupied a similar spot last season and caught 89 passes for 1,060 yards. The move means Buckner is often matched up against linebackers or safeties instead of speedy cornerbacks. He's got the speed to outrun linebackers, the height to outjump safeties and the strength to break tackles."

Tre' Newton has officially supplanted Vondrell McGee as the team's starting tailback. Coach Mack Brown had this to say about Newton after Saturday's win over Texas Tech: "We're lucky enough to have enough quality backs that can step up. It has been hard to get Tre' ahead of those other experienced guys, and now because of his effectiveness and the fact that we have had some injuries, it gives him his shot. When you are The University of Texas, number one, you better not get hurt because there is one that can step up and take your place, and number two, when you have your chance, you better produce, and Tre' has stepped up and done that."

Perhaps you noticed that the nice 34-yard scamper John Chiles broke off late in the first quarter last week began in a set that Longhorn coaches swore off last season. While the Q package is still neatly tucked away in the playbook, the new Wild Horn package has taken its place, and actually works, thanks to superior team speed and Chiles' more prominent role in the offense.

After successfully predicting that the Longhorns wouldn't cover last week's 17-point spread against Texas Tech, why not try to get a streak started? This week's line is 35, depending on where you look, and smart money is on Texas to cover, considering 1) it's UTEP at home and 2) it's not secret the Horns haven't quite hit their stride yet, and Mack Brown knows that as well as anyone.

It isn't the most exciting news week with the Miners coming to town, but this is Big 12-related, and it is sports-related, and it's pretty funny: Apparently the Kansas Jayhawk men's basketball team threw down with their football counterparts earlier this week, resulting in some injured hands and grammatically unsettling Facebook statuses..