Happy Thanksgiving Longhorn Fans!
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Longhorns
No. 17 Texas hosts No. 13 Iowa State in Austin on Friday, with kickoff at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium at 11:00 a.m. Texas is 5-2, 4-2 in Big 12, Cyclones are 6-2, 6-1. The game will be broadcast on ABC, Matt Barrie (PxP), Mike Golic Jr. (analysis), Kris Budden (sideline) will have the call. Calling the game on the Longhorn IMG Network, of course, The Voice of the Longhorns, Craig Way, joined by Roger Wallace and Quan Cosby. Also broadcast in Spanish, with Dr. Rubén Pizzaro-Silva, Jesus Mendoza. This game will most likely determine who ends up in the Big XII Championship game. Texas wins, and we continue to control our destiny and can get there. Iowa State wins, and I am sure they are in (one game left after us, West Virginia in Ames).
Our tenth meeting in Austin, where Texas leads 8-1, and eighteenth overall in the series that Texas leads 14-3. Last year’s tough loss in Ames, 21-23. The 2015 shutout in Ames, 24-0. And, when else, 2010. We lost in Austin 28-21.
Among my gratitudes this week, I will secularly and selfishly include Texas Longhorns football. This will be my sixth game to attend in person this year, and I feel very, very fortunate. Just praying that it is the fourth win I see in person in 2020! I think it will be, although expect a close one. The Vegas line opened at pick, consensus is Horns -1 right now.
Tom Herman is very, very good as an underdog with extra prep time. The rescheduling of the Kansas game may prove to be quite the blessing. I believe that on this Senior Day, our seniors and leaders will carry this team to a victory. It may be the last time we see some other guys play in Austin, as they will take the opportunity to play on Sundays.
Thank You Seniors
What a great group of seniors. Thank you Sam Ehlinger for four of the grittiest years we have seen a Longhorn play. Thanks to all of these Longhorns, Tarik Black, Cade Brewer, Chris Brown, Matt Frost, Jack Geiger, Ta’Quon Graham, Russell Hine, Tope Imade, Kai Jarmon, Cort Jaquess, Derek Kerstetter, John Lilly, Denzel Okafor, and Brenden Schooler.
Julius Whittier
Early Friday morning before the game, The University will unveil a statute in the north end of Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium honoring Julius Whittier, the first Black football letterman at Texas. From U.T.:
Whittier earned three varsity letters as an offensive lineman (1970-71) and tight end (1972) at Texas. Though not eligible to play on the varsity team as a freshman per NCAA rules, he enrolled at UT and joined Coach Royal’s program as a scholarship student-athlete in 1969. Texas won the National Championship that year and again during Whittier’s sophomore year in 1970. The 1970 team is being honored on Friday for the 50th Anniversary of that national title, as well.
A San Antonio native and 1969 Highland High School graduate, during his three years as a letterwinner at Texas, Whittier helped the Longhorns post an overall record of 28-5 and win three Southwest Conference Championships. UT was 20-1 in SWC play during that time and finished ranked in the Top Five twice (1970, 1972) and among the Top 20 all three years.
Read more here. Good stuff.
Iowa State Cyclones vs. Texas Longhorns
What a game this promises to be. Two ranked teams with huge stakes for each. Well matched, both with excellent quarterbacks and good young coaches.
Official Texas Preview:
https://texassports.com/news/2020/11/23/no-20-football-preview-vs-no-15-iowa-state-nov-27-2020.aspx
Texas Game Notes:
https://texassports.com/documents/2020/11/23//Texas_2020_Notes_8.pdf
The Game Notes from ISU, in case you are bored:
https://cyclones.com/documents/2015/6/5//Iowa_State_Football_Notes_Texas_.pdf
Iowa State University Cyclones
The Cyclones come in to this game with a 6-2 record. The two losses are the opening season loss to Louisiana, 14-31 (which even now seems almost as inexplicable as the Texas loss to Texas Christian) and the loss in Stillwater to Oklahoma State, 21-24. Iowa State has beaten Texas Christian (37-34), the Land Thieves (34-30), Texas Tech (31-15), Kansas (52-22), Baylor (38-31), and, most impressive, the 45-0 whipping of the K State Wildcats last weekend.
As one will note from the stats below, Iowa State is solid on defense. In addition to the National stats and rankings, #2 in the conference in rush defense, #3 in total defense. Pass defense less strong, but a lot better than Texas. Top of the conference in Red Zone Defense, with that impressive 50% TD stat.
But there are two people one hears most about on this team, and they are on offense. The quarterback Brock Purdy, and sophomore running back Breece Hall.
Breece Hall (#28, 6-1, 215 lbs) is the top running back in the Big 12. 1,169 yards in 8 games, 15 touchdowns on the ground. He averages 6.49 yards per carry and 146.13 yards per game. He’s gained over 100 yards every game this season. He has one receiving touchdown, and with that 6 points he leads the Big 12 in scoring. Nationally, the No. 5 rusher in yards per game, but No. 1 in total yards (No. 2 in that category is Sincere McCormick, of UT San Antonio, who has 1,094 yards). And, top in long rushing plays: 32/10+, 12/20+, 8/30+, 4/40+, 4/50+, 3/60+, and 2 at 70+. Those are some big, big runs, and he is capable of busting a big one on any play.
Brock Purdy (Junior, #15, 6-1, 212) is the second best quarterback in the conference, behind Sam Ehlinger. Maybe not statistically, but in terms of what he does for his team, his passing and his rushing. Purdy is 151/237 this season with 13 TDs and 6 picks. On the ground, 253 net rushing (319 gained), 3 touchdowns.
ISU Receiving leaders: Xavier Hutchinson (#8, Junior WR, 6-3, 207), 41 catches for 518 yards, 4 TDs. Then of note, a big tight end. Charlie Kolar (#88, RS Junior TE, 6-6, 257), 25 catches, 286 yards, 4 TDs. Landen Akers (#82, RS Senior WR, 6-0, 191), 14 for 216 yards.
Defensively, no surprise that ISU is led by a big strong linebacker. Mike Rose (#23, Junior SLB, 6-4, 245), has 63 tackles, 39 solo. 8.5 TFL for 27 yards and 1.5 sacks for 15 yards, plus 4 interceptions (leads team). Rose is No. 2 in the Big 12 in tackles. Second is Jake Hummel (#35, Senior WLB, 6-1, 228) who has 51 tackles (32 solo), 4 TFL for 8 yards. Vance O’Rien (#34, RS Junior MLB, 6-2, 248), 42 tackles (19 solo), 2 TFL for 11 yards, 1 sack for 8. Great linebacker play is the reason for that great run defense. Also to watch: JaQuan Bailey (#3, RS Senior DE, 6-2, 281) has 32 tackles, and 12 of those are tackles for loss (70 yards) and 6 sacks (51 yards). Bailey also leads the Cyclones with 45 career starts.
The University of Texas Longhorns
A quick look at some our key players.
Sam Ehlinger is the Big 12 leader in total offense. 323 yards rushing, 1,834 yards passing, averaging 308.1 yards per game. 7 TDs on the ground, 22 in the air. He is our leading rusher. There is not a more valuable player to his team, in the country or the conference, than our Sam Ehlinger.
We have a huge and strong receiver corps, and Sam does a great job of checking down and making plays. 17 Longhorns have caught passes in this shortened season. Joshua Moore leads, with 22 catches for 343 yards. But, key, his 7 touchdown receptions. And right behind Moore is Brennan Eagles, with 19 catches for 286 yards and 5 TDs. Those 2 guys have half our receiving touchdowns. Moore has a long of 78, Tarik Black a catch for 72.
We knew early on it was going to be a running back committee. But Bijan Robinson rises each week and is, at worst, first among equals. Counting on Mr. Robinson to have his best game on Friday.
Joseph Ossai has 49 tackles (23 solo), 13.5 TFL for 47 yards and 4 sacks for 30 yards, plus 3 forced fumbles. Ossai getting pressure on Purdy could be the difference in the game. We really need him. We could really use a forced fumble in ISU territory early in the game.
Our linebackers are next. Juwan Mitchell has 46 tackles (23 solo), 4 TFL for 10 yards. Demarvion Overshown has 42 tackles (19 solo), 6.5 TFL for 23 yards and a sack for 9. Our DBs: Caden Sterns – 39 tackles (23 solo); Chris Adimora 36 tackles (23 solo); BJ Foster, 33 tackles (18 solo); and Chris Brown, 30 tackles (26 solo, tops on the team). Big Ta’quon Graham has 7 TFL for 25 yards and 2 sacks for 8. Overshown, Brown, Josh Thompson, Sterns, Jalen Green, and Adimora each have an interception. We need at least one on Friday.
The Statistics
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Iowa State |
| Rushing Offense | #61 – 167.3 ypg | #32 – 205.3 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #37 – 269.9 ypg | #68 – 232.4 ypg |
| Total Offense | #39 – 437.1 ypg | #37 – 437.7 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #15 – 40.4 ppg | #31 – 34.4 ppg |
| First Downs | #56 – 21.6/game | #47 – 22.1/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #85 – 17, 108 yards | #38 – 9, 70 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #73 – 40, 153 yards | #62 – 37, 132 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #75 – 39.4% | #44 – 43.7% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #14 – 75.0% | #60 – 55.6% |
| Red Zone Offense | #44 – 87% / 58% | #65 – 83% / 66% |
| Long Run Plays | #48 – 37/10; 11/20; 4/30; 3/40 | #19 – 49/10; 16/20; 9/30; 5/40 |
| Long Pass Plays | #36 – 72/10; 27/20; 15/10; 10/40 | #27 – 78/10; 26/20; 9/30; 4/40 |
| Long Scrimmage Plays | #41 – 109/10; 38/20; 19/30; 13/40 | #23 – 127/10; 42/20; 18/30; 9/40 |
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Iowa State |
| Rushing Defense | #25 – 117.9 ypg | #15 – 104.0 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #112 – 283.1 ypg | #58 – 229.8 ypg |
| Total Defense | #59 – 401.0 ypg | #24 – 333.8 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #65 – 29.7 ppg | #30 – 23.4 ppg |
| Sacks | #52 – 14, 98 yards | #18 – 22, 147 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #19 – 57, 211 yards | #13 – 62, 237 yards |
| First Downs Allowed | #102 – 24/game | #22 – 17.9/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #38 – 36.7% | #32 – 35.8% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #5 – 18.2% | #63 – 57.1% |
| Red Zone Defense | #38 – 78% / 53% | #16 – 73% / 50% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #44 – 24/10; 8/20; 2/30; 1/40 | #60 – 29/10; 5/20; 1/30; 0/40 |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #110 – 83/10; 24/20; 7/30; 2/40 | #84 – 69/10; 23/20; 13/30; 6/40 |
| Long Scrim. Plays Allowed | #87 – 107/10; 32/20; 9/30; 3/40 | #76 – 98/10; 28/20; 14/30; 6/40 |
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Iowa State |
| Turnovers | #60 – 3F, 5I; 8T | #92 – 5F, 6I; 11T |
| Turnover Margin | #34, 12:8, +4, 0.57 | #57, 12:11, +1, 0.13 |
| Penalties | #110 – 60, 570 yards | #68 – 39, 329 yards |
*Based on total number of penalties.
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Iowa State Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 167.3 ypg | 104.0 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 269.9 ypg | 229.8 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 437.1 ypg | 333.8 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 40.4 ppg | 23.4 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 21.6/game | 17.9/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 39.4% | 35.8% – 3rd Down Defense |
| 4th Down Offense – 75.0% | 57.1% – 4th Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 87/58 | 73/50 – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 37/10; 11/20; 4/30; 3/40 | 29/10; 5/20; 1/30; 0/40 – LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 72/10; 27/20; 15/30; 10/40 | 69/10; 23/20; 13/30; 6/40 – LPP Allowed |
| LSP – 109/10; 38/20; 19/30; 13/40 | 98/10; 28/20; 14/30; 6/40 – LSP Allowed |
Texas Defense |
Iowa State Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 117.9 ypg | 205.3 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 283.1 ypg | 232.4 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 401.0 ypg | 437.7 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 29.7 ppg | 34.4 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 24/game | 22.1/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 36.7% | 43.7% – 3rd Down Offense |
| 4th Down Defense – 18.2% | 55.6% – 4th Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 78/53 | 83/66 – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 24/10; 8/20; 2/30; 1/40 | 49/10; 16/20; 9/30; 5/40 – LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 83/10; 24/20; 7/30; 2/40 | 78/10; 26/20; 9/30; 4/40 – LPP |
| LSP Allowed – 107/10; 32/20; 9/30; 3/40 | 127/10; 42/20; 18/30; 9/40 – LSP |
Some pretty big deltas in there. Our weakness on pass defense will be an attack point I am certain. The strategy Texas deployed to beat West Virginia – contain the run and make them beat us through the air, will be much harder against Breece Hall and the Cyclones. He is just too good of a running back. Yes, we are excellent against the run, better than most ISU has played. But, the Cyclones have played a lot of good teams, and Hall has earned his 100+ yards against all of them. My guess is that we are going to have to do a better job in getting pressure on the quarterback and, importantly, when Purdy scrambles away from pressure, not letting him get lots of positive yards. I think our DBs match up well. If our D line plays a great game, I think we slow the Cyclones down on the ground. The other key will be forcing some mistakes, and we are better than average at that.
Here are some key points, from the official preview: In his career as a head coach, Herman’s teams are 11-1 (8-1 at Texas) when given more than one week to prepare for an opponent. That includes a 5-0 mark since the start of the 2019 season. 2-0 this year. Including his two seasons in Houston, Herman’s teams have scored 419 points (38.1 ppg) and allowed 263 (23.9 ppg) when coming off at least one extra week of preparation. The Kansas postponement may turn out to have been a really, really good thing for the Horns.
Until I saw Iowa State destroy Kansas State last weekend, I was very confident Texas was going to win this game. I am still very confident that Texas can win this game, but the Horns are going to have play their best football of the season. We cannot make mistakes, and especially cannot commit penalties at critical times (third down, red zone). That #110 ranking nationally is in number of penalties; ranked on yards per game, we are No. 125 – third from the very bottom with 81.4 yards per game. We can’t hand Matt Campbell and the Cyclones 80 or 90 yards. Texas has to avoid the false starts that put us in third and long instead of third and 2 or third and 3. This is the game Texas has to play clean. We know they can do it, as we saw against Baylor (5 penalties, 50 yards) and West Virginia (4 for 45). That is manageable and really pretty good. But 10 flags for 100 yards (Tech) or 12 for 92 (Texas Christian) or 13 for 142 (Oklahoma State) is not. That won’t work Friday.
The next key, as it always is – protect Sam Ehlinger and keep him healthy. Give him time to make his reads and get him a block when he needs it. Sam can turn a 7 yard sack into an 8 yard gain with just a little help. We need the receivers to catch everything that is thrown to them or close. No dropped balls this week.
If we can get 80 yards from Bijan Robinson, and maybe 40 from RoJo, Texas wins. If Bijan, with his speed and agility, can just get a little wiggle room at or past the line, he might break one.
Control Breece Hall. We have great run defense, and if the line and linebackers can keep Hall from getting past them with a head of steam, and stop him from getting big chunks, we can win.
Special teams. More precisely, smart special teams play. No muffed punts, no blocked punts, and make good decisions. A D’Shawn Jamison return for a score wouldn’t hurt either.
So early Thanksgiving morning, the line is Texas by 1. Over/under is just 57. I have Texas winning this 34-28. Hook Em!
Polls Week 13
College Football Playoff Rankings: Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, The Ohio State University™, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, Florida, Cincinnati, Northwestern, Georgia, and Miami (Florida). Land Thieves at No. 11, Iowa State at 13. Texas is in at No. 17; pretty impressive. Brigham Young was at No. 14, which means there is some serious Strength of Schedule evaluation. North Carolina at No. 19. Oklahoma State at No. 23. Tulsa at No. 25. Too much $EC.
AP Top 25: Alabama, Notre Dame, The Ohio State University™, Clemson, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, Florida, Cincinnati, Brigham Young, Oregon, Miami (Florida). Land Thieves jump to 14, Iowa State at 15. Texas is up to No. 20, and Oklahoma State drops to 21. Mack Brown and his Tarheels back in the AP at No. 25. Coaches Poll: Roll Tide, L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac, The Ohio State University™, Clemson, Gators, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, Cinci, Brigham Young, Miami (Florida), and Georgia. Land Thieves at 14 and Iowa State at 15. Texas at No. 21, Okie A&M at 22, and UNC at 23.
Big 12 Standings
Iowa State Cyclones 6-1
Land Thieves of Norman 5-2
Texas Longhorns 4-2
Oklahoma State 4-2
West Virginia 4-3
Kansas State 4-3
Texas Christian 3-4
Texas Tech 2-5
Baylor 1-5
Kansas 0-6
This Week’s Games
I wrote the weekend preview before the CFP rankings were released, so all of the rankings below are from the AP Top 25 Poll, not the CFP
This Week in the Big 12
Texas Tech at No. 21 Oklahoma State (5-2, 4-2). 11:00 a.m. on FOX. Cowboys are favored by 11, over/under is 54. Pokes have to win to stay alive in the Big 12. They will.
K State at Baylor, 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2. The Bears favored by 5.5, and the over/under is 46. Pretty surprised by the line, even after the beating the Wildcats took last weekend.
No. 14 Oklahoma at West Virginia. 6:30 p.m. on ABC. A night game in Morgantown. Should be fun. Land Thieves favored by 11. I think this will be a really good and close game. Postponed. Covid issues in Norman. Shocked.
Texas Christian at Kansas. 7:00 p.m. on FS1. Horned Frogs favored by 24.5. Over/under is 51.5. That’s a big line, even against the Jayhawks.
This Week in the Top 25
First, a correction. I had a mistake last week when writing about the great comeback win by the Tulsa Golden Hurricane over Tulane. The Tulsa third string quarterback who rallied the Golden Hurricane is Davis Brin, from Boerne, Texas. The fact he’s a good kid from Boerne compounds the egregiousness of my error, but it was late that night and I might have had a beer. Thanks to loyal reader Ned Dismukes, a Tulsa fan, who quickly pointed out my mistake, allowing for the error to be corrected before the post was up on AustinHornsFan.com. I need a good editor.
Friday
I will not be dilly-dallying at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium after the Horns get the W over the Cyclones, as there is a great game at 2:30 p.m. from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The No. 2 and undefeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish and UNC play at Kenan Stadium in what promises to be a great game, knowing William Mack Brown. ABC. Notre Dame favored by 5, over/under is 67.5. I love Mack Brown, but family first. My grandson Peter will most likely wear his Texas shirt for the Horns game and nap time, and when he gets up put on a Notre Dame shirt to watch the rest of this game with his dad. So, for Peter & Mark, Go Irish. Play Like a Champion.
No. 9 Oregon at Oregon State, 6:30 p.m. on ESPN from Corvallis. Up until this year, this game was called the “Civil War”. I understand the schools are looking for a new name. Fifth most played rivalry in FBS, with Oregon leading the series, which began in 1894, 66-47-10. They play for the Platypus Trophy. The schools are 50 miles apart in the Willamette Valley, and I think I will pop a cork on a good pinot noir from that fine region and perhaps read some Oregon history from H.W. Brands’ “Dreams of El Dorado”. Most excellent book. I commend it to your reading and education. Ducks favored by 13.5, over/under is 64.
Saturday
No. 3 Ohio State at Illinois. 11:00 a.m. on FS1. Buckeyes favored by 28.5, over/under is 71(!). Meh.
Kentucky at No. 6 Florida, 11:00 a.m. on ESPN. Gators favored by 25 at home in the Swamp, over/under is 61. Should be big Florida win and cover.
Maryland at No. 12 Indiana. 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2. Hoosiers favored by 11.5, over/under is 62.5. Watch out for the Terps. They are sneaky good.
No. 16 Coastal Carolina at Texas State. 2:00 p.m. on ESPN+. I am giving serious consideration to going down to San Marcos and looking for a ticket. If the Chanticleers win out and beat Alabama in the National Championship game, I can say I saw them play in person. Yes, I have been drinking. CCU favored by 17, over/under is 58.5.
No. 22 Auburn at No. 1 Alabama. The Iron Bowl. 2:30 p.m. on the stations of the Columbia Broadcasting System, as it should be. Nick Saban tested positive this week and will not be stalking the sideline yelling at players and throwing his headset. Crimson Tide favored by 24.5. Wow. I will take Tigers to cover. But Tide will win.
Pitt at No. 4 Clemson. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN. Pitt is 5-4 overall, 4-4 in ACC. Should be a moderately interesting game for a quarter. Maybe. Tigers favored by 24, over/under is 55.
No. 11 Northwestern (5-0) at Michigan State. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2. Wildcats favored by 13.5 over the Spartans, over/under is 41.5. Northwestern going to be 6-0 before dinner time Saturday night.
Colorado at No. 19 Southern Cal. Both undefeated, and Trojans favored by 11. 2:30 p.m. on ABC. Still not sure about Southern Cal.
Louisiana State at No. 5 Texas Agricultural & Mechanical. 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. Aggies favored by 14.5. Over/under is 64.
No. 13 Georgia at South Carolina. 6:30 p.m. on the $EC Network. Bulldogs favored by 21.5.
Other Games of Interest This Week
Thanksgiving Day
Colorado State at Air Force, 1:00 p.m. on CBSSN. Not a long drive for the Rams. Falcons favored by 6.5.
New Mexico (0-4) at Utah State (0-4). 6:00 p.m. on FS1. New Mexico favored by 6.5. I am going to venture a guess that this game doesn’t get very good ratings.
Friday
Nebraska at Iowa, 12:00 noon on FOX. Iowa favored by 13.5. Iowa is No. 24 in the CFP, so this is technically now a Top 25 game. Over/under is 53. Hawkeyes will win this pretty easily I think.
Leland Stanford Junior University at University of California at Berkeley, 3:00 p.m. on FOX. The Game. Both teams 0-2. Cal favored by 1.5.
A similarly big rivalry, the Central Michigan Chippewas at Eastern Michigan, also at 3:00 p.m., on CBSSN. Decisions, decisions. CMU favored by 7.0.
Saturday
PSU at Michigan. Nittany Lines are 0-5. 11:00 a.m. on ABC. Michigan favored by 2.
Southern Methodist at East Carolina, 11:00 a.m. on ESPN+. Ponies favored by 12, over/under is 67.5.
UTEP at William Marsh Rice University, 12:00 noon, on ESPN3. Owls favored by 11.5. Go Rice!
Miami at Akron, 12:00 noon on ESPN3. Big battle in Ohio. Miami favored by 14.5. Big line for a 1-1 team, even against the 0-3 Zips.
(AP No. 23) Louisiana (7-1) at UL Monroe (0-8). 2:00 p.m. on ESPN3. I am sure I can research this, and some decade I might, but of the various directional schools around Louisiana that then became University of Louisiana at [whatever], how did Lafayette win out to be the “University of Louisiana”? For the record, I am glad Lafayette won. Always liked that town. My godfather lived there and it is mighty fine Cajun country. But, how? Doesn’t matter. Ragin’ Cajuns favored by 28.5.
North Texas at UTSA, 2:00 p.m. from the Alamodome. Roadrunners favored by 3.
Egg Bowl! Mississippi State at Ole Miss. Bulldogs 2-5, Rebels 3-4. 3:00 p.m. on $EC Network from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in beautiful Oxford. Ole Miss favored by 9.5. Over/under is 69. Hotty Toddy!
Memphis at Navy, 6:00 p.m. on CBSSN. Tigers favored by 13.5. Go Navy!
Utah at Washington, 6:30 p.m. on ABC. This game was added with the cancellation of the Apple Cup game between Washington and Washington State. Huskies favored by 7.
Virginia at Florida State, 7:00 p.m. on ACC Network. UVA favored by 9.5, over/under is 58.5. Go HOOS!
Arizona at UC Los Angeles, in the Rose Bowl, 8:00 p.m. on FOX. Bruins favored by 10.
Nevada at Hawaii, 10:00 p.m. Surely someone is broadcasting this. Nevada favored by 7.
Week 13 Games
Cancelled or Postponed
- 11 Land Thieves at West Virginia.
- 7 Cincinnati at Temple, cancelled
- Southern Mississippi at UAB, cancelled.
- San Diego State at Fresno State, cancelled.
- Minnesota at Wisconsin, Cancelled.
- Tulsa at Houston, postponed.
- La Tech at FIU, cancelled.
- Washington & Washington State, not sure, but not playing this weekend.
The Week That Will Be
Til I Collapse HornMafia (Matt Craig) on Barking Carnival.
https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2020/11/25/21718760/the-week-that-will-be-til-i-collapse
Really good this week.
Texas Basketball
I was one of the lucky few (joined by Claudia) who was in attendance at the Frank Erwin Center for the season opener against the UTRGV Vaqueros. I am not the best at guessing crowds, but I am pretty sure there weren’t more than 300 people in the lower level of the Drum. I know, Covid and all that, but this team is really talented and really deep. Texas dominated their System cousin from the Valley, 91-55. Shaka has a good team, and the depth is complemented by length and athleticism. We saw a good bit of pressure, and I am hoping that means more havoc this year. He has the horses.
Texas lead wire to wire, although UTRGV got within striking distance a couple of times in the first half. The Horns played well, especially when what I would call (using a lacrosse or hockey term) the second line was on the court – which was some combination of Gerald Liddell, Brock Cunningham, and Donovan Williams, all of whom had significant minutes, plus Royce Hamm, Jr.
Courtney Ramey led the Horns in minutes and points, 36:50 and 20, plus 7 assists (2-4 from 3). Our other experienced Guard, Matt Coleman III, had 33:07 minutes, 17 points, and 5 assists. Kai Jones had 14 points in 23 minutes. But the man everyone was talking about – everyone in the country – is Greg Brown III. Wow. 23:52 electric and athletic minutes from the freshman. 10 rebounds. Only 11 points on some poor shooting from the field (2-9), but 7-9 from the free throw line. But 10 rebounds, to give him a double-double in his first game in Burnt Orange.
An excellent night shooting the ball, which portends well. 31-54 (57.4%), 7-17 from beyond the arc (41.2%), and 22-34 from the stripe (64.7%). Second half was lit – Texas show 76.2% from the field.
No. 1 play on SportsCenter, Dunk of the Night on SportsCenter, and per one of the talking heads on the World Wide Leader, the early contend for Dunk of the Year. Yes, it was pretty good.
The first of many Greg Brown posters 😯
Filthy #HookEm @gb3elite pic.twitter.com/pDp4VyLLtm
— Jeff Barker (@JeffBarker_) November 26, 2020
For more on the game, check out Dustin McComas’ article on OrangeBloods.com:
https://texas.rivals.com/news/texas-showed-how-it-wants-to-play-in-season-opening-win-over-utrgv
Follow Dustin on Twitter too – @DMcComasOB. One of the best accounts to keep up with Shaka Smart and the Longhorns. Also, Brian Davis from the Statesman – @BDavisAAS and my friend Cedric Golden – @CedGolden
Last Week in the Big 12
As mentioned, K State got shellacked in Ames. 45-0. Cyclones with a 28 point second quarter. Just ugly. Breece Hall had 15 carries for 135 yards and 3 TDs. Purdy was 16/20, 236, 3 TDs. Xavier Hutchinson 6 catches for 111 yards and a score.
Bedlam. What the hell Mike? 21-7 Land Thieves at the end of the first quarter, and it didn’t feel that close. I was actually looking forward to watching this. Final 41-13.
Last Week in the Top 25
Alabama did what Alabama does, humiliating lesser teams. 63-3 over Kentucky, and the Wildcat field goal was in the first quarter, which ended 7-3. Crimson Tide with 56 unanswered points the rest of the way.
Indiana covered at Ohio State! Hoosiers with a “good” loss, 25-42.
Clemson at Florida State got postponed.
Vanderbilt covered, proving once again why betting is bad for you. Florida 38, Commodores 17.
Appalachian State gave it a good shot, but fell at Coastal Carolina 23-34.
North Alabama just got hammered by Brigham Young, 66-14.
UCF. So close. Bearcats 36, Golden Knights 33.
Northwestern was a home dog (7.5) to Wisconsin, but beat the Badgers 17-7.
Oregon in a closer than expected game with the University of California, Los Angeles. Ducks edge the Bruins 38-35.
Tennessee 17, Auburn 30. Tigers with the win and cover. War Eagle.
Mississippi State 24, Georgia 31. State did in fact cover. Got that one.
Watched a bit of Liberty at NC State. Wolfpack was favored by 3.5, and they got the win 15-14, ending Liberty’s miracle season. Vegas was a bit off with the over/under at 67.5.
Southern Cal 33-17 over the Utes. Fight on!
Music
Oddly, I had trouble figuring out what to include this week for music. And so for something completely different, select performances of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos. Some of my favorite music. Good to cook by on Thanksgiving Day.
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 in F major, BWV 1046, I. Allegro
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 in F major, BWV 1047 – Allegro moderato
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major BWV 1048
Brandenburg Concerto No. 4 in G major BWV 1049
Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 in D major, BWV 1050
Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-flat major BWV 1051
This last link is pretty cool. All 6 concertos, an hour and half long. Some great art in the video accompaniment.
Jim Nicar
1916: The main entrance to The University’s original Clark Field at 23rd and Speedway, where the Gates/Dell Computer Science Complex is today. Purchased in 1899 for $3,000 from a private owner – $1,000 each from students, faculty, and alumni – it was UT’s first athletic field.
1951: A busy University of Texas West Mall and Texas Union. Rows of trees filled the mall during the 1930s and ’40s, but were cleared to create an open, grass mall in the 1950s and ’60s. The current planters were installed in the mid-1970s.
Central Texas Food Bank
Support good causes like this please.
https://www.centraltexasfoodbank.org/
Gratitude
So the four things I’m most grateful for are my faith, family, friends, and freedom. Those four blessings in my life are more than one needs to be sustained and live joyfully. The joy I find in my family and friends is strengthened by my faith, and I’m blessed to have many freedoms, especially the freedom of religion and freedom of speech.
So as I wrote that originally, I sort of laughed at my alliteration with the F. This is an ode to my great friend and law school classmate, David Margrave. At our rehearsal dinner, David gave a toast in which the first letter of every word he spoke began with a T. At my 40th birthday dinner, he gave a toast where every word he spoke begin with the letter F. And for my 60th birthday video which my family gave me in August, David’s toast was comprised of words which began with the letter S. David is incredibly brilliant and talented.
So, a few other things I’m grateful for:
- Football
- Fried food. Especially French Fries.
- Frozen margaritas
- Frito pie
- Fajitas
- Fresca (it pairs well with tequila)
- French wine, especially Bordeaux
- Firm, as in my law firm and my colleagues
Happy Thanksgiving
God Bless Texas
God Bless America
Tim Taylor
Tailgating before Home Football Games
The Juan Heisman Tailgate
Lot 38, East of Sid Richardson Hall.
HOOK EM HORNS!!
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2020. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
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You can contact me by mail: Tim Taylor P.O. Box 5371 Austin, Texas 78763-5371