Every coach since Fulmer has shown the same problem. Underachieving big time vs lesser opponents (even Lane in his one season had a couple stinkers). Excuses made constantly. Nagging feeling (or outright proof) that the HC is in over his head, or doesn't know what he's doing.
Heupel ? Fahgetabout. I don't think the past matters with this guy. He will have them ready. They stole one from us last year, we were still unsettled at QB, they were (smoke and mirrors as it turned out, but) still riding the momentum of a 10-3 season and Mullin still looked like their coach of the future. This year is completely different, and I will even throw in that its at home.
It might be a boatrace in favor of us (I hope so!), or it may be close game. I have no expectation that we lose a close game just because it's close, and it dam sure isn't a coin flip.
We are CLEARLY the better team this year, and by a large margin. In the past, maybe we had an edge, but this is like they are Custer and we are Crazy Horse. Or so I say.
I will sound one note of caution on Heupel, and say, "he isn't going to be affected by the past..."
based on what I have seen so far. I've been burned too many times in the past and made too many excuses for idjuts like Jones, Dooley and Pruitt (has any program ever missed that badly 3x in a row?) that I am definitely going to qualify it.
From what I have seen so far, I trust Heupel to have the team come out firing on all cylinders and treating this just like any other game.
We will see!