Good Morning Longhorn Fans!
Texas Longhorns at Iowa State
This game is anything but a gimme. When you get down to the statistics, you will see some possible issues. And don’t discount the intangibles, especially a Thursday night game at Jack Trice Stadium. Not quite the same mojo as the Cyclones have at Hilton Arena, but still pretty good. Iowa State is 10-4 in its last 14 Thursday night games (21-12 all-time).
The important stuff:
Kickoff at 7:01 p.m. Thursday night. It will be broadcast on the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network. We get a great crew, with Steve Levy (play-by-play; he is a really good sportscaster) and both Brian Griese and Todd McShay giving insight and analysis. The smart, informed, and beautiful Laura Rutledge will be on the sidelines.
Longhorn Network’s Texas GameDay show begins two hours prior to kickoff. Following the game, LHN will also host Texas GameDay Final for an hour postgame.
Texas radio broadcast with Craig Way, Roger Wallace, and Quan Cosby can be heard nationally on Sirius channel 132, XM channel 199, and online channel 953. And of course on KOKE FM here in beautiful Austin Texas. [104.9 FM, 1260 AM, 101.9 FM, 99.3 FM, 98.5 FM, 105.3 FM]
Texas Game Notes:
http://texassports.com/documents/2017/9/22//04_Texas_Football_Notes_2017_Iowa_State.pdf?id=9254
Iowa State Game Notes:
http://texassports.com/documents/2017/9/24//Iowa_State_FB_Notes_Texas_.pdf?id=9261
Texas leads the series 12-2, but last time the Horns were in Ames, they handed C.S. a 24-0 beating that was a harbinger of bad things to come in the Midwest for Charlie. Texas rebounded last year with a 27-6 win. Of note, the only win for Iowa State in Austin ever was the 28-21 win in annus horriblis (2010). The Iowa State Offensive Coordinator that day was Tom Herman.
Texas is a 5 point road favorite (opened at 4, and a couple of books have us at 5.5, including the MGM Mirage and the Wynn). Over/under is 63.5. While I don’t bet on the Texas Longhorns financially (emotionally and psychologically is a whole ‘nother issue), I do think that is a very fair line. I think it will be a good game, provided the Texas defense we saw in Los Angeles is the defense that shows up and plays in Ames. As my friend Pat suggested, they wear the same colors as the Trojans, so maybe that will work. If the defense we saw Labor Day weekend trots out on to the field at Jack Trice, things may not go so well.
Matt Campbell (Mt. Union, 2002) is in his second year in Ames and doing quite well. The Cyclones are 2-1, with wins over Northern Iowa (42-24) and Akron (41-14). Iowa State lost to Iowa 41-44 in overtime, the same Iowa who nearly beat No. 4 PSU last weekend. Averaging 41.33 points per game, 148.3 rushing yards per game, and 311.67 passing, the Cyclone offense is one of the best I can remember them having in a good while.
The Cyclone offense is keyed by quarterback Jacob Park, No. 10. 76 for 114 (a solid 66.7%) with 8 TDs and 2 picks, he has thrown for 935 yards (311.67 ypg). However, he may want to consider a new photo and/or barber for his senior year.
Four Cyclone receivers have over 100 yards through 3 games. #18 Hakeem Butler (Travis, Texas), is 6’6”, and he has 15 catches for 234 yards, averaging 15.6 per catch, with 3 scores. Allen Lazard (#5) is another big receiver at 6’5”, and he has 19 catches for 178 yards; also 3 TDs. Trever Ryen (#19) has 13 receptions for 154 yards, and #16 Marchie Murdock, Jr. (Arlington, Texas) has 8 for 130.
Running back David Montgomery (#32) has 321 yards, for a 107 per game average. 5.7 yards per carry is healthy.
The leading tackler on the Iowa State defense is #42, linebacker Marcel Spears. 27 tackles (11 solo), with 2.5 TFL. Right next to him is linebacker Joel Lanning, with 16 (8) and 2.5 TFL. Right Corner Brian Peavy (#10) is third in the ISU stats, with 21 (9) and 2 TFL. LB Willie Harvey (#2) has 19 tackles (6 solo), but he also has 4.5 TFL (24 yards), with 2.5 sacks for 21 yards. Our offensive line is going to have to keep him off Shane and Sam.
ISU is #4 nationally with only sack allowed this season. Defense going to need to get some pressure on Jacob.
The Cyclone depth chart: http://www.cyclones.com/documents/2017/7/17/17depth.pdf
The Statistics
Offense
| Statistic | Texas | Iowa State |
| Rushing Offense | #50 – 190.7 ypg | #84 – 148.3 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #29 – 296.7 ypg | #18 – 311.7 ypg |
| Total Offense | #25 – 487.3 ypg | #42 – 460 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #25 – 40.3 ppg | #16 – 41.3 ppg |
| First Downs | #23 – 25/game | #38 – 23/game |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed* | #52 – 20, 84 yards | #4 – 11, 25 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #21 – 47% | #69 – 40% |
| Red Zone Offense | #119 – 67% / 60% | #24 – 93% / 79% |
| Long Scrimmage Plays | #70 – 52/10+; 17/20+; 7/30+ | #70 – 52/10+; 16/20+; 7/30+ |
*I am switching to total tackles for loss allowed as opposed to TFL per game.
Defense
| Statistic | Texas | Iowa State |
| Rushing Defense | #47 – 125.3 ypg | #26 – 107 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #82 – 248.3 ypg | #119 – 295 ypg |
| Total Defense | #62 – 373.7 ypg | #80 – 402 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #71 – 26 ppg | #78 – 27.3 ppg |
| Tackles for Loss | #121 – 14, 62 yards | #43 – 26, 84 yards |
| First Downs Allowed | #32 – 17/game | #107 – 23/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #15 – 27% | #116 – 48% |
| Red Zone Defense* | #5 – 60% / 40% | #122 – 100% / 82% |
| Long Scrim. Plays allowed | #33 – 41/10+; 5/20+; 6/30+ | #65 – 49/10+; 18/20+; 4/30+ |
*ISU tied for last in Red Zone Defense
Match-up Comparison
| Texas Offense | Iowa State Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 190.7 ypg | 107 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 296.7 ypg | 295 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 487.3 ypg | 402 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 40.3 ppg | 27.3 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 25/game | 23/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 47% | 48% – 3rd Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 67% / 60% | 100% / 82% – Red Zone Defense |
| LSP – 52/10+; 17/20+; 7/30+ | 49/10+; 18/20+; 4/30+ – LSP Allowed |
| Texas Defense | Iowa State Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 125.3 ypg | 148.3 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 248.3 ypg | 311.7 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 373.7 ypg | 460 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 26 ppg | 41.3 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 17/game | 23/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 27% | 40% – 3rd Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 60% / 40% | 93% / 79% – Red Zone Offense |
| LSP Allowed – 41/10+; 5/20+; 6/30+ | 52/10+; 16/20+; 7/30+ – LSP |
This was not what I was expecting. I knew from watching scores and writing the last few weeks that Iowa State had a pretty decent team, but the No. 18 passing offense ranking was a surprise. As was their rush defense at #26 nationally.
We are pretty even on scoring, and almost identical on long scrimmage plays. Note the Texas passing offense to ISU passing defense. We should get 300 yards in the air. The key question: what will the Longhorns do in the ground game. I can’t begin to guess.
My heart tells me big road win to start Big XII play.
My gut tells me Texas wins.
My head tells me Coach Herman and the coordinators and rest of the staff better have Texas hitting on all cylinders if we are going to get out of Iowa with a win.
Texas wins 45-35.
www.AustinHornsFan.com
After years of dreaming, my website is up and running, at least parts of it. I am pretty excited about this. Mary Elizabeth thanks for your help!
These emails will be posted there. The blogposts are password protected. HookEm2017 is the password. More to come!
Previews
Not much out as I write Wednesday night on Barking Carnival. My buddy W.W. McClyde and a couple of other barkers have their podcast up if you want to kill an hour. I suggest you pair it with bourbon. https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2017/9/27/16376578/bc-unplugged-the-iowa-st-edition
Commentary on the ISU passing game against our not yet great pass defense.
Gerald Goodridge:
Joe Cook on InsideTexas.com:
http://insidetexas.com/what-is-it-about-ames/
Some good stuff on 247sports:
Iowa State University of Science and Technology
From the ISU website (http://www.add.lib.iastate.edu/spcl/exhibits/150/index.html)
Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm (now Iowa State University) was officially established on March 22, 1858, by the legislature of the State of Iowa. Story County was selected as a site on June 21, 1859, and the original farm of 648 acres was purchased for a cost of $5,379. The Farm House, the first building on the Iowa State campus, was completed in 1861, and in 1862, the Iowa legislature voted to accept the provision of the Morrill Act, which was awarded to the agricultural college in 1864. Iowa Agricultural College (Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts as of 1898), as a land grant institution, focused on the ideals that higher education should be accessible to all and that the university should teach liberal and practical subjects. These ideals are integral to the land-grant university.
In 1959, the college was officially renamed Iowa State University of Science and Technology. The focus on technology has led directly to many research patents and inventions including the first binary computer (the ABC), Maytag blue cheese, the round hay baler, and many more.
Not sure why it isn’t mentioned, but Iowa Agricultural College and Model Farm was the first designated land-grant institution under the Morrill Act. I may kid about Cow Colleges a lot, but I am completely serious about my admiration for the extraordinary impact of the Morrill Act and the colleges funded and founded under its auspices. I agree that higher education should be accessible to all. Perhaps we need to get the squabblers and tweeters in the District of Columbia to come up with the 21st century version of a Morrill Act. If Cornyn would do it, the name alone contribute to the lore of agricultural colleges.
Iowa Aggies. Kudos on the round hay baler and Maytag blue cheese. What starts in Ames changes farming and salads. I certainly think Maytag blue cheese is a wonderful contribution to the world; maroon carrots, not so much.
Big moments in ISU History:
- 1876, the university cemetery is opened, one of the few active cemeteries associated with a university campus in the U.S.
- 1898, renamed the Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanical Arts.
- 1913, college roads are paved.
- 1939, the Atanasoff-Berry Computer is invented; The ABC was the world’s first electronic digital computer.
- 1943, James Keith Shillington earns his B.S. degree (he taught organic chemistry at Washington & Lee University for decades, influencing the lives of hundreds of young men who would go on to be fine doctors and other professionals throughout the South and other parts of the country).
Want to learn more? Of course you do!
http://www.isualum.org/pride/traditions/traditions-and-history/
Some truly distinguished alumni. My selections from a lengthy list.
- George Washington Carver (1894 ag, MS 1896).
- Nawal El Moutawakel (’88 phys ed), first Arab woman, first African woman, and first Muslim woman to win Olympic gold and 2016 Olympics coordination commission chair (the first woman ever to chair the Olympics coordination commission)
- Hugh Sidey (’50 journalism), presidential biographer and former White House columnist for Time magazine
- John Garang (PhD ’81 econ), former vice president of Sudan and former leader of Sudan’s People’s Liberation Army
- Elwood Mead (1883 civil engr), Bureau of Reclamation commissioner during the construction of the Hoover Dam; Lake Mead is named for him
- Lee Teng-Hui (attended, ’53 ag econ), president, Republic of China, 1988-2000
- Frederick Douglass Patterson (DVM ’23, MS vet path ’27), founder, United Negro College Fund
Iowa State alums have been CEO of: Dow Corning, Lockheed Martin, Principal Financial Group (2), 3M, Texas Instruments, Standard Oil, Boeing (2), and Tailgate Clothing Co.
Ames and Iowa
Iowa derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many Native American tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. It is the only state that has a state abbreviation that consists of two vowels (IA). It is the only state who’s eastern and western borders are formed entirely by rivers (Mississippi on the east and the Missouri and Big Sioux on the west).
Iowa was once part of Louisiana, and as such came to the United States in one of the greatest real estate deals of all time, the Louisiana Purchase. (Refresher – $11,250,00 cash and debt forgiveness of $3,750,000, or 3 cents an acre; adjusted for inflation, that is still around $250 million, or less than 50 cents an acre. And it came with minerals.)
Estimated population of Iowa in 2015 was 3,123,899. The DFW MSA in 2017 is about 7,424,256, Houston MSA 6,928,233. Austin-Round Rock MSA (2,112,172) plus San Antonio-New Braunfels MSA (2,479,874) is 4,592,046.
Ames is a bustling metro area of about 90,000. Founded in 1864 as station stop for the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad, by a woman named Cynthia Olive Duff (a Kellogg) and a railroad baron named John Insley Blair. Ames is named after a Massachusetts congressman, Oakes Ames (hell, I don’t know why), and the location was chosen because it was a good place to cross the Skunk River.
The local paper, the Ames Tribune, is published Tuesday-Sunday. Not much news coming out in Ames on Sundays that can’t wait until Tuesday. Sort of like the Statesman. But that is every day now.
Going that way? The only FBO is Hap’s Air Service at the Ames Municipal Airport. Call ahead, 515.232.4310. Big note on Hap’s website (www.hapsair.com): “PLEASE NOTE: It’s ISU football season and that means the Ames Airport is under a TFR for every home game. TFRs’ typically begin one hour before kickoff and end one hour after the game’s conclusion. Always contact DSM ATC before landing or taking off during the TFR.” Just a heads-up Tony.
If driving, you are in luck. I-35 runs through Ames. From downtown Austin, it is just 967 miles. Without traffic, you can do that in under 14 hours. There is never any traffic on I-35.
Texas Volleyball
The Longhorns are No. 5 and just swept Baylor Wednesday night in our Big 12 home opener. Texas Volleyball is now 80-2 against Baylor. Last time the Bears beat us was October 27, 2001, win a hard fought 2-3 loss for Texas. I like that kind of domination.
Hate Week Approaches
October is almost here, and with that comes the Red River Shootout and Hate Week. Please send me your favorite Texas-OU memory. Also looking for streaks. Safe to say if you are not at 40 or more straight OU games, you won’t be making the short list. But something like 24 years straight, and you are 26 years old would be cool.
Polls
AP Poll: Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma, PSU, Southern Cal, Washington, Georgia, Michigan, Texas Christian, Wisconsin. Okie State drops to 15. Washington State at 18. Notre Dame at 22. West Virginia at 23. Sand Aggies receiving votes and 3 spots out of the Top 25. Niiiice.
Coaches Poll: Roll Tide, Clemson, Land Thieves, Nittany Lions, Trojans, Washington, Wolverines, Georgia, Buckeyes, and Badgers at 10. Texas Christian at 11. Okie A&M at 14. Wazzu at 16. WBGV at 23.
EDSB
Spencer Hall is a bit eccentric. Somehow, I let him slip off the radar every year. But got him back in my sights this year, and this is good stuff. Great media. My Horned Toad friends will love this:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/9/25/16353018/ncaa-football-rankings-week-5-2017
Big 12 – Week 5
Baylor heads to the Little Apple for a 2:30 game with the Wizard and his Wildcats. ESPN2. Kansas State favored by 16.5, and the over/under is 58.5. K State should dominate.
Texas Tech hosts No. 15 Oklahoma State for a night game at Jones AT&T Stadium. 7:00 p.m. on FOX. Pokes are favored by 9.5, and the over/under is 82.5! After being upset at home last week, I am not sure what to think about Okie State. Going with Kliffie and the Elf on this one. Guns Up!
Believe it or not, everyone else in the conference is off. Land Thieves, Jayhawks, and Frogs all taking the week off.
This Week in College Football
Two big games Friday night with four undefeated teams.
No. 14 Miami (FL) at Duke, 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. Miami (FL) is favored by 6.5, and the over/under is 56. Interesting line, as ESPN’s predictor has the Blue Devils winning. I will go with Duke for Jones Top Ten, which I still miss.
No. 5 Southern Cal at No. 16 Washington State, 9:30 p.m. on ESPN. This has the potential to be one of the best games of the weekend. Leach and his Cougs are 3.5 home dogs to the Trojans, and the over/under is 65. Southern Cal has the big win over us and the good road win over Cal Berkeley, while WSU has a much less impressive resume. Hard to pick this one, as it is good for Texas for the Trojans to win, but my heart is with the Pirate.
Saturday:
Vanderbilt (3-1) at No. 21 Florida (2-1). 11:00 a.m. on ESPN. Gators are favored by 9.5, and the over/under is 79. Vandy looked good before last weekend. Florida probably wins and covers.
Northwestern (2-1) plays undefeated and No. 10 Wisconsin at 11:00 on ABC. Badgers with a big 15.5 line, and low o/u at 49. Wiscy is tough at Camp Randall, so I think they win and cover.
No. 18 South Florida (undefeated) at East Carolina (1-3). USF a big road favorite at 23.5. 11:00 a.m. on CBSSN. O/U is 79. Barring a big stumble by the Bulls, bet they cover and hit the over.
Indiana (2-1) at No. 4 Penn State (4-0). 2:30 p.m. on BTN. PSU -18; o/u 66.5.
Big game at Neyland Stadium. No. 7 and undefeated Georgia and Tennessee (3-1) play at 2:30 p.m. on the Columbia Broadcasting System. UGA favored by 7.5, and o/u is 47. Georgia to cover and bet the over.
Murray State (1-3) at No. 17 Louisvile (3-1). This is where I might make a basketball joke, but not sure how much longer Louisvile is going to be playing basketball. 2:30 p.m. on ACC Network, and the Cardinals are favored by 48.5 while the o/u is only 63.5.
Miami in South Bend to play No. 22 Notre Dame (3-1). RedHawks are 2-2 and are three touchdown underdogs to the Irish. O/U is 53.5. Sorry Jim, but my guess is the Domers cover. 4:00 p.m. on NBCSN.
Good game in Jordan-Hare Stadium. No. 24 Mississippi State (3-1) at No. 13 Auburn (also 3-1). 5:00 p.m. on ESPN. Tigers favored by 9, and o/u is 50.5. War Eagle.
Troy at 3-1 is very different than Louisiana State at 3-1. No. 25 Tigers favored by 20.5 at home for a night game in Red Stick. O/U is 49. LSU covers and wins, over. 6:00 p.m. on ESPNU.
No. 2 Clemson and No. 12 Virginia Tech in a battle of unbeatens in Blacksburg. 7:00 p.m. on ABC. Tigers favored by 7.5 and the o/u is 51.5. I think the Hokies cover.
No. 6 Washington (4-0) at Oregon State (1-3). 7:00 p.m. on PAC 12 network. Huskies favored by 26.5, and the o/u is 60.5. Washington covers.
HOTTY TODDY! Ole (2-1) Miss at No. 1 Alabama. 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. Crimson Tide a mere 4 touchdown favorite. O/U is 59.5. Look for the Rebels to cover!!
Northern Illinois (2-1) at No. 19 San Diego. Aztecs only an 11 point favorite at home, with the o/u at 46. 9:30 p.m. on CBSSN. If San Diego wins, I guess I am going to have to figure what the heck is going on.
Other Games of Interest This Week
Friday, Brigham Young (1-3) at Utah State (2-2). Brigham Young favored by 2.5. 7:00 p.m. on CBSSN from Logan, Utah.
Houston at Temple, 11:00 a.m. on ESPNU, from the Linc. Cougars coming off the tough loss to the sand aggies should get well against the Owls. Major and his boys favored by 13.5, o/u is 46.
Rice at Pittsburgh, 11:00 a.m. on the ACC Network. Panthers favored by 20.5, and the o/u is 51.5. Pitt should cover.
Who would have guessed that on September 30, a winless Florida State would be playing an undefeated Wake Forest? Not ABC. 2:30 p.m. Noles favored by 7.5, and o/u is 45.5.
UTEP at Army. 2:30 p.m. on CBSSN. Miners looking for first win, and the favored Black Knights are 2-2. Army should cover the 24.5 line, unfortunately.
Navy at Tulsa. 2:30 p.m. on ESPNU. The Middies are undefeated and already looking for a third American Conference win. Navy favored by 7.5, and O/U is 74.
Texas State (1-2) at Wyoming (2-2). Cowboys favored by 16.5 over Withers and the Bobcats. 3:00 p.m., no TV, and going to be tough road game for Texas State.
Southern Methodist with Connecticut at Ford Stadium in Highland Park. 3:00 p.m. on ESPNN. Huskies 1-2, and the Ponies a solid 3-1. Southern Methodist should cover the 17 point line, but the 73.5 o/u seems high.
Arizona State at Stanford. 3:00 p.m. on PAC 12 Network. Cardinal a 16 point favorite.
Iowa at Michigan State, 3:00 p.m. on FOX. Spartans a narrow 3 point home favorite.
Colorado in the Rose Bowl to play UCLA. 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2. Bruins favored by a touchdown.
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical (3-1) at home for the Gamecocks (3-1). 6:30 p.m. on the $EC Network. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical favored by 9 over South Carolina. O/U is 49.5. Kyle Field should be packed for a really important game for the aggies.
Last Week
Big 12 – Week 4
Oklahoma and Baylor turned out to be quite a football game, with the Bears actually taking a three point lead in the third quarter. Very impressive performance by the Bears in a 49-41 defeat. I can’t help but wonder if Baker Mayfield didn’t somehow provide the inspiration, as before the game he told the Bears that they must have forgotten who their daddy was. And “I’m gonna have to spank you today!” http://ftw.usatoday.com/2017/09/baker-mayfield-oklahoma-baylor-trash-talk-skirmish-pregame-video-daddy-spank
And as far as planting a flag and the spread, I stand corrected (I really do; I finally got a stand-up desk). Mayfield is who got planted, and the Brazos Baptists covered nicely. https://instagram.com/p/BZaGHbHBDqh/
West Virginia and Kansas ends 56-34. Line was 21.5. Wrong again Tim. Never would have guessed the Jayhawks would score 34 points.
Texas Tech managed to get past Major Applewhite and his Cougars, 27-24, covering. Way under the under (by 20 points).
GREAT game in Stillwater. No. 16 Texas Christian and No. 6 Oklahoma State in what I thought might be either a shoot-out or blow-out. Glad it was the former. Amazing game by the Texas Christians, with a big 44-31 road win over a top 10 team. Frogs, Land Thieves, and Sand Aggies all undefeated after the first month of the season.
Last Week in the Top 25
One of the reasons I put in the lines, in addition to the obvious, is because I love looking back when I am writing the next weekend’s missive and seeing how darn close Vegas is.
Friday night, Utah was a 3.5 point favorite on the road against Arizona. Utes won by 4, 60-24.
I missed on that one.
Saturday:
Ohio State beats UNLV 54-21. Favored by 40, I guessed right on the no cover
It wasn’t just closer. North Carolina State went into Tallahassee and upset Florida State 27-21.
Louisvile 42, Kent State 3. No cover.
Old Dominion falls to the Hokies, 38-0. Virginia Tech stays perfect.
Alabama not only covered the line (18.5), they covered the over/under (43). Vanderbilt goes down 59-0. Not sure if Bama is better than we thought or the Commodores worse.
No. 2 Clemson 34 to 7 over Boston College. No cover and the under. Missed on both.
No. 5 Southern Cal wins 30-20 at California: I have to say I nailed this: (i) line was 17, and Cal covered [ü]; (ii) O/U was 43, I thought it was low [ü]; (iii) close game, at least until half way through the fourth quarter [close enough – tied at end of 3, Trojans went up 30-13 with about 11 to play].
Miami (FL) takes down the Rockets and covers, 52-32.
Michigan with a nice Big 10 win over Purdue, 28-10. Harbaugh didn’t like the visiting team accommodations. Google it.
Leach has the Cougars playing some football. 45-7 over Nevada to stay perfect. Cover.
Georgia looked at the 4.5 and sneered. Mississippi State falls 31-3. Bad guess by me, but I like the result.
San Diego State out guns a valiant Air Force squad, 37-35. Line was 3.
Louisiana State with a nice win over the Cuse, 35-26. No cover though.
Iowa and Penn State played a thriller in Iowa City, PSU escaping with a 21-19 win.
Auburn crushes Missouri, 51-14. Not sure this SEC thing is working out for Mizzou. But at least our guys aren’t up there tearing up their knees on that crappy field anymore.
Florida at Kentucky. Gators were 1.5 point favorites. 28-27 Florida with two touchdowns in the last 8 minutes to win.
Washington at Colorado was supposed to be closer. Washington was favored by 11.5, and the O/U is 50. I had Colorado; the Huskies trounced the Buffs 37-10.
Ducks and Sun Devils. Weird stuff happens in the desert at night. Arizona State takes down Oregon 37-35.
Other Games of Interest Last Week
Notre Dame did kick a field goal in the last 5 minutes of the game, but it was superfluous, as the Irish kicked the Spartans 38-18. Got to watch most of this with my favorite Notre Dame alum and father of Peter, Mark Dean. A nice night in San Antonio. Really love Dough Pizzeria. Still can’t figure out who to explain the emotions of watching Kathryn with her son.
Mea culpa: I do in fact owe Parker and Wesley an apology, as the Cavaliers took care of business in Boise, with a very nice 42-23 road win. Wahoos!
Duke 27-17 over North Carolina.
LA Tech at South Carolina. 2:30 p.m. on $EC Network. Cocks favored by 9.5, O/U is 53. Take Carolina and the over.
Southern Methodist ran over Arkansas State 44-21, easily covering (5.5).
Rice drops to 1-3 with a home loss to Florida International.
UTSA remains perfect! 44-14 over Texas State. (got this one – UTSA covered and the O/U was 45.)
UTEP didn’t sniff the line, losing 41-14 to New Mexican aggies.
Miami wins and covers Central Michigan, taking down the Chippewas 31-14. Got both of those (CMU -1, O/U 53).
UCLA and Stanford. I think the Cardinal was an angry bird. A 7 point favorite and an O/U at 58, and Stanford woodshedded the Bruins 58-34.
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical with a great overtime win over Arkansas, 50-43. Congrats to the aggies.
Washington & Lee Generals
The Generals open ODAC play on Saturday in Emory, Virginia. A few miles north of the Tennessee and North Carolina borders on Interstate 81, Emory, with a population of 1,251, is a suburb of Abingdon. On the edge of the Tri-Cities, Emory is not a hotbed of excitement. The featured picture on the Emory Wikipedia page is the post office, of which they are proud (founded 1847). Named for John Emory, a Methodist bishop, and the great Patrick Henry, E&H is a nice little liberal arts school in one of the prettiest parts of the country.
The Generals and the Wasps meet for the 47th time, with E&H leading the series 29-17. But W&L has won 11 of the last 15 and 6 of the last 7. Averaging 378 yards per game rushing, look for W&L to get a win on the road. 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, and the video stream at: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ehc
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs clinched the NL Central last night in St. Louis. A hard fought season for the Northsiders, I feel good about the playoffs. Cubs open with the Washington Nationals. More next week! Going to be a great postseason.
Houston Astros
Big congrats to the Astros. A really nice season, which they have punctuated the last two days with a 14-3 thrashing of the Rangers on Tuesday and 12-2 beating last night. I miss the Big Dog, but am really wishing I was reading the back and forth between Ed and Tommy over this week’s games.
Cool Stuff
Public Research Universities collaborate to improve completion rates for low-income students. Proud that The University of Texas is part of the University Innovation Alliance.
Longhorns in the NFL, Week Three:
http://texassports.com/news/2017/9/26/football-longhorns-in-the-nfl-week-three.aspx
Love the time-lapse photography from Andrew Takano
Want to see what football fans with too much time on their hands do? An entire post about one play.
Music
Lee Fields & the Expressions:
Wish You Were Here: https://youtu.be/W3rIA-BCZ0E
You’re the Kind of Girl: https://youtu.be/DXdXqke7HnE
Ivy League
INAUGURAL REPORT FOR 2016 SEASON
By Lonnie Schooler
The “real” college football games began in earnest during the weekend of September 15/16, and this past weekend marked the return of Ivy League Football conference play for 2017, as the first bite of autumn takes hold up in the Northeast and the leaves begin to change color.
Prediction for the Year:
In 2016, the Fighting Quakers of Penn and the Princeton Tigers tied for the league championship, each with one loss. In 2017, the Ivy League Sports Report indicates that Princeton, Harvard, Yale and Penn are all receiving votes in the FCS poll. Harvard and Princeton are favored to win the championship ; but with Ivy League football, one never knows.
Results of Games on the weekend of September 22-23:
Four Ivy teams clashed with each other this past weekend.
In Cambridge, the Harvard Crimson hosted the Brown Bruins. Following up its opening week loss to the University of Rhode Island, the Crimson prevailed 45-28. In New Haven, Bulldogs of Yale followed their opening weekend victory over Lehigh with a trouncing of the Big Red of Cornell, 49-24. Elsewhere in play involving League members, Columbia continued its unbelievable (and undefeated) start to 2017 with its second victory of the year, this time over Georgetown, 35-14. Princeton like-wise remained undefeated with a 38-17 victory over Lafayette. Dartmouth eked out a win 27-26 over Holy Cross (following an opening game win over Stetson).
Finally, the Fighting Quakers played what had to be one of the zanier games of the young season, defeating Lehigh 65-47! That’s right, 65-47. In my memory (which stretches back to my freshman year of 1964), I cannot recall any team from Penn scoring even 50 points in a game!
SCHEDULE FOR SEPTEMBER 29-30:
The schedule for this weekend’s games is as follows (all times CDT):
Friday: In the premier matchup of the weekend, which is being nationally televised by the NBC Sports Network, Dartmouth travels to Philadelphia to face the Fighting Quakers in the inaugural conference game for both. The game will kickoff at 6:00 P.M.
Saturday: Harvard travels to Washington to tangle with the Georgetown Hoyas (1:00 P.M.).
The University of Rhode Island “travels” to play Brown in what is essentially a home game for both teams in Providence at 6:00 P.M.
The Columbia Lions journey to middle New Jersey to meet the Princeton Tigers at 11:30 A.M.
Yale travels to the Bronx to face off with Fordham (5:00 P.M.)
Colgate travels high above Cayuga’s waters in upstate New York to meet its neighbor Cornell (12:30 P.M.).
Enjoy your football this weekend. Go Horns!
Longhorns Basketball
Shaka Smart and the Texas Longhorns are getting ready for basketball season. Going to be a good year. The Texas Tip-Off is Wednesday October 18 at Gregory Gym.
Teddy
Thanks to everyone who wrote back about Teddy. It was good to hear from you.
God Bless Texas.
Tim Taylor
Tailgating before Home Football Games:
Lot 38, East of Sid Richardson Hall.
HOOK EM HORNS!!
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2017. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
On Twitter: @tctayloratx
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On Instagram: @tctayloratx
On Facebook: www.Facebook.com/Tim.C.Taylor
and: www.Facebook.com/Juan.Heisman
Great work TT. Hook em Horns