As for movement, what I see was a short (hour and a half) NW movement before it resumed a due westward movement. That's a jog, not a change in movement. It might be the difference between just south of Galviston and Galvaston, but it's not going to bring it into NO unless that high to the north moves out of the way.

Steering currents are pushing it west with possibly a slight southwest component. As the high over Texas moves west, the hurricane will be forced to stay south until the low exits to the east. Once it exits it can begin the northward curve. Thus, in many ways, the track of the hurricane is more dependent on the movement of the high then on the depth of the storm.

IR Loop (5-15 minute frames...instead of 30 minute at SSD)
http://wwwghcc.msfc.nasa.gov/cgi-bin/get...mp;numframes=20

Steering currents:
http://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/tropic/real-time/atlantic/winds/wg8dlm6.html