A win over rival Oklahoma could help quiet Simms' critics

AUSTIN -- Like it or not, Texas fans tried to write quarterback Chris Simms' legacy before he ever set foot on campus.

The son of former Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms would lead Texas to a national championship -- or two -- and routinely beat Oklahoma and anyone else who stood in the way.

Four years later, Simms' legacy stands like this: 20-4 as a starter but 0-3 against Top 10 teams with a startling 12 turnovers and no touchdowns in those defeats.

Simms gets knocked for not being able to win big games, which often turns into claims that his college career has been more hype than substance.

Leading No. 3 Texas to a win Saturday over No. 2 Oklahoma would end that.

Simms says he's over the bumps and bruises his body and ego took last season in tough losses to Oklahoma and Colorado in which he combined for eight turnovers.

And he's looking forward to getting another shot at the Sooners.

"I'm real confident and think I'm going to go out there and play a good game," he said. "Last year, I got a lot of experience in the game. This year, I have a better understanding of what it takes to win a big game like this."

Simms has passed for 1,161 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions this season. More importantly, Texas coaches say he's making better decisions on when to throw downfield or to a secondary receiver or not to throw it at all. He's thinking with his brain, not his strong left arm.

Teammates say he's a better leader in the huddle.

"He has taken over," tackle Robbie Doane said. "This is his team."

Coach Mack Brown, Simms' fiercest defender, says his quarterback is "playing better than he's every played before."

It helps that Simms doesn't have to look over his shoulder anymore.

Last season, every interception, every sack and every loss prompted some fans to call for Simms to be replaced by Major Applewhite, the school's all-time leading passer who was riding the bench.

Applewhite is gone and so is the strain of being second-guessed all the time.

"He's not having to answer questions about he and Major every week," Brown said. "I think that's taken some pressure off.

"I think we thought because he was from New York and his dad was a superstar, he'd handle all that. I don't know that he handled it all well," Brown said.

Texas fans hit Simms hard after last year's loss to the Sooners. Brown says the four interceptions were misleading.

One came on a spectacular play by Sooners' safety Roy Williams, who leaped over a blocker and hit Simms as he threw. The ball fluttered into the hands of linebacker Teddy Lehman, who returned it for a touchdown.

The last came with Texas trailing 14-3 in the final minute and virtually no chance to win. Simms finished with 198 yards on 24-of-42 passing.

"I thought he played well and with a lot of poise," Brown said. "He got beaten up a lot worse than he should have after that ballgame."

Simms doesn't shy from his critics. He stands in for interviews and answers tough questions. He goes to school on a campus of 50,000 students and has heard his classmates whispering after the losses.

"I didn't want to go into hiding and act like I'm afraid of the world," Simms said. "I wanted to be a man about the situation. You've got to go on with your life."

To get ready for this season, Simms took the Texas receivers home to Franklin Lakes, N.J., for four days of fishing and relaxation -- and running pass routes.

"We looked at it as a vacation," said wide receiver B.J. Johnson. "He looked at it as work."

The question remains as to whether Simms can do to Oklahoma what he does against the Tulanes and North Carolinas.

Brown said it shouldn't matter in deciding Simms' legacy.

"I think people with any sense are going to know he's left a great legacy at quarterback at Texas," Brown said. "Whether he beats Oklahoma or not."