Texas Longhorns vs. Tech Sand Aggies 2018

November 9, 2018

Texas Longhorns vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders

The Horns head to Lubbock for a critical game with the Sand Aggies.  Win on Saturday, and this team can still have a shot at playing in the conference championship.   Lose on Saturday, and just about all hope of playing in the Big 12 CG is gone.  This is a must win game for Texas.  But honestly, given my feelings for Texas Technical, every game against the Sand Aggies is a must win.

Watch this one.

Texas remains ranked in all the polls, despite the back to back losses.  At No. 19 in the CFP, 15 in the AP, and 19 in the Coaches.  Keep winning Horns.

Kickoff in Jones AT&T Stadium is 6:30 p.m.  The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX, with Tim Brando, Spencer Tillman, and Jon Morosi.  On the Longhorn IMG Radio Network, Craig Way, Roger Wallace, and Quan Cosby.

The Longhorns are favored by 1.5, and the over/under is 62.  All that sounds about right.  The line opened with the Sand Aggies favored by 1.

This is a really good one.  If you haven’t seen this short Sam Ehlinger video, take the time now:

This will be the 68th meeting between the Horns and Red Raiders.  Texas has won 7 of the last 9, and if you think about that last 9 years, that is pretty good.  The overall series records favors Texas 50-17.  6 of those 17 Sand Aggie wins have come since the advent of the Big 12.  Working backwards:  Last year’s 23-27 post-Thanksgiving Day loss here in Austin; 45-48 home loss in 2015 on the Friday after Thanksgiving; the 2008 loss in Lubbock when Texas was ranked No. 1 in both polls and heading for the BCS, 33-39, as Michael Crabtree snatched a Graham Harrell pass out of the cool South Plains air and pranced into the endzone with one second left and yes I was there and am still bitter has hell; 2002, a 38-42 loss in Lubbock; in 1998, a 35-42 loss in Lubbock (Mack’s first year); 1997, 10-24 loss in Austin (Mackovic’s last year).  In Lubbock, Texas won 20 of 30.  It has been odd series for the last couple of decades.

This is the Tenth Anniversary of the Crabtree Catch, and of course the Sand Aggies are celebrating that win and the 2008 team at the game tomorrow.  Oh boy.  Sick I won’t be in Lubbock for that.  Love watching that replay.  Also Senior Day for the Red Raiders.  I’m sure glad we celebrate National Championship teams and Heisman Trophy winners.

Tech comes in 5-4.  The Sand Aggies opened the season with 27-47 loss to Ole Miss.  Coach Skinny Pants righted the ship the next week with a 77-0 shellacking of Lamar.  Perhaps Tech’s most impressive win was the 63-49 win over Houston.  They followed that up with 41-17 whipping of Okie State in Stillwater.  (I really thought that game was indicative of what Texas would do when the Horns went to Stillwater; now I am hoping it is not indicative of what might happen Saturday in the Hub City.)  West Virginia scored 42 on Tech (sounds familiar), beating the Sand Aggies by 8.  Tech rallied for two wins after that, an impressive 17-14 win over Texas Christian in Fort Worth, then 48-16 tripling of Kansas.  Not surprised they lost to Iowa State 31-40; but impressed they got 31 on the Cyclones.

Last week the Sand Aggies lost the shootout with the Land Thieves, 46-51.  Kliffie’s latest stud quarterback, Alex Bowman, was badly injured and didn’t play in the second half (TTU led 31-28 at half).  Jett Duffey replaced Bowman, and managed 9 completions on 17 attempts for 139 yards and 2 touchdowns.

A few good memories:

Taylor Potts, please meet Sergio Kindle

Tony Brackens introduces himself to the Sand Aggie kicker.

 

And as you know, Kliffie played quarterback for the Red Raiders.  He knows Rod Babers.

Here’s the big question, and it is a good excuse for me not to have much more of a preview (in addition to a wedding this weekend, which has most of my family in Austin and my mind more on my beautiful and brilliant daughter instead of researching the Sand Aggie roster).

With Bowman out, who does Kingsbury start, Jett Duffey or McLane Carter?   Duffey more of a runner, Carter more of a passer, or does who starts not matter because they both play?  Most recent report is Duffey will start.  Either way, it is going to be interesting.

Regardless of who starts, the Texas defense has it hands full.

The Statistics
Offense
Statistic
Texas
Texas Technical
Rushing Offense #81 – 155.3 ypg #95 – 146.5 ypg
Passing Offense* #37 – 266.8 ypg #2 – 375.6 ypg
Total Offense #53 – 422.1 ypg #9 – 522.1 ypg
Scoring Offense #40 – 32.3 ppg #9 – 42.7 ppg
First Downs #28 – 23.9/game #2 – 28.4/game
Sacks Allowed #30 – 13, 92 yards #42 – 15, 118 yards
Tackles for Loss Allowed #35 – 46, 167 yards #78 – 56, 211 yards
Third Down Conversions #31 – 43.9% #22 – 45.3%
Fourth Down Conversions #9 – 70% #12 – 69.2%
Red Zone Offense #109 – 78% / 63% #22 – 90% / 70%
Long Run Plays #90 – 41, 4, 3, 0 #67 – 48, 10, 4, 0
Long Pass Plays #36 – 91, 37, 15, 5 #2 – 137, 45, 25, 10
Long Scrimmage Plays** #54 – 132; 41; 18; 5 #3 – 181; 55; 29; 10

*  Mike Leach’s Washington State Cougars are No. 1, with 397.4 yards per game.

**  Alabama and the Land Thieves are tied for first.  And we beat the Land Thieves.

Defense
Statistic
Texas
Texas Technical
Rushing Defense #47  – 144.2 ypg #64 – 160.7 ypg
Passing Defense #103 – 256.4 ypg #125 – 291.9 ypg
Total Defense #72 – 400.6 ypg #110 – 452.6 ypg
Scoring Defense #66 – 26.8 ppg #88 – 30.7 ppg
Sacks #93 – 15, 116 yards #79 – 17, 120 yards
Tackles for Loss #41 – 61.5, 221 yards #70 – 52, 203 yards
First Downs Allowed #59 – 20.2/game #92 – 22.1/game
Third Down Conversions #84 – 40.7% #30 – 33.8%
Red Zone Defense #7 – 71% / 54% #33 – 78% / 56%
Long Run Plays Allowed #50 – 43; 9; 2; 2 #66 – 48; 16; 9; 2
Long Pass Plays #94 – 86; 30; 18; 11 #125 – 103; 37; 21; 12
Long Scrim. Plays allowed #76 – 129; 39; 20; 13 #111 – 151; 53; 30; 14
Other
Statistic
Texas
Texas Technical
Turnovers #4  – 7, 4F, 3I #76 – 14, 3F, 11I
Turnover Margin #27 :  +0.44 #61 : +0.11
Penalties #109 – 71, 587 yards #122 – 76, 679 yards

*Based on total number of penalties.

Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense
Sand Aggie Defense
Rushing Offense – 155.3 ypg 160.7 ypg – Rushing Defense
Passing Offense – 266.8 ypg 291.9 ypg – Passing Defense
Total Offense – 422.1 ypg 452.6 ypg – Total Defense
Scoring Offense – 32.2 ppg 30.7 ppg – Scoring Defense
First Downs – 23.9/game 22.1/game – First Downs Allowed
3rd Down Offense – 43.9% 33.8% – 3rd Down Defense
Red Zone Offense – 78%/63% 78%/56% – Red Zone Defense
LRP – 41; 4; 3; 2 48; 16; 9; 2- LRP Allowed
LPP – 91, 37, 15, 5 103, 37, 21, 12 – LPP Allowed
LSP – 132; 41; 18; 5 151; 53; 30; 14 – LSP Allowed

 

Texas Defense
Sand Aggie Offense
Rushing Defense – 144.2 ypg 146.5 ypg – Rushing Offense
Passing Defense – 256.4 ypg 375.6 ypg – Passing Offense
Total Defense – 400.6 ypg 522.1 ypg – Total Offense
Scoring Defense – 26.8 ppg 42.7 ppg – Scoring Offense
First Downs Allowed – 20.2/game 28.4/game – First Downs
3rd Down Defense – 40.7% 45.3% – 3rd Down Offense
Red Zone Defense – 71%/54% 90%/70% – Red Zone Offense
LRP Allowed – 43, 9, 2, 2 48, 10, 4, 0 – LRP
LPP Allowed – 86, 30, 18, 11 137, 45, 25, 10 – LPP
LSP Allowed – 129, 39; 20; 13 181; 55; 29; 10 – LSP

 

So, Texas should easily hit or exceed their season averages in all offensive categories.  I think Sam will have a big game, and I think we move the ball with a good mix of runs from Watson and Ingram and lots of LJH and Collin Johnson.

The question is, what can Orlando and defense do to slow down and hopefully stop the Sand Aggie offense enough to get Texas the win?  I’m hoping the run defense returns to norm (the 130 or less yards per game, not the West Virginia gut-ripping rushing success).  I think they will, but the linebacker play needs to improve.  The challenge, as it has been for years with Tech, is how to defend their pass attack.  375 yards per game is great, and they have, as they have since the days of Leach, an explosive offense with great big play capability.  This game will turn on for Texas on the defensive secondary.  We can’t keep getting caught in blown coverages, regardless of who is playing quarterback for Tech.

Texas also has to play a cleaner game last night.  I about puked last week when that great Collin Johnson touchdown was called back for offensive pass interference by Lil’Jordan.  I don’t know how many West Virginia drives were extended by Texas penalties, but I am sure it was a couple.  Texas cannot give the Sand Aggies free yards and free first downs in a night game in Lubbock.

Texas wins this game 45-41.  Hook Em.

The Official Preview:

https://texassports.com/news/2018/11/5/no-15-19-football-preview-at-texas-tech-nov-10-2018.aspx

Official Texas Game Notes

https://texassports.com/documents/2018/11/5//2018_Texas_Football_Notes_10_Texas_Tech.pdf?id=12470

Want to get in the mood for the game?  A bad mood?  Check out this Sand Aggie preview.  They hate us, and apparently believe we view this a rivalry.  Bless their hearts.

https://www.vivathematadors.com/2018/11/7/18068842/anti-preview-texas-tech-vs-no-15-texas-red-raiders-longhorns-football-rivalry-horns-down

Casey Dobson’s Lubbock Travel Alert

Dangerous things happen biennially in Texas.  In odd years, the legislature convenes in Austin.  In even years, the Texas Longhorn football team travels to Lubbock.  For the last few even years, I have enjoyed the tradition of including Casey Dobson’s classic rant on Lubbock and Texas Technical.  Just like reading The Night Before Christmas on December 24, we enjoy this timeless classic in even years.  Judge Smails at his finest.

Because business, both personal and legal, sometimes requires travel to Lubbock, I am issuing this personal Lubbock travel alert. Last night, as I was leaving the charming confines of Jones Stadium as the sand aggies ruined our chances for a good bowl trip, the sand aggie partisans were savoring the win with their usual class and good sportsmanship. I could keep the ice being thrown at me from hitting my head by using my hands as a shield, but there was no escaping the Techsters’ subtle, ironic wit: “F*** you, you f***ing Texas [DELETE]!” Wow. With all due respect to Duke basketball fans, these Tech kids have got to be the most clever college fans in the country.
As I rounded the last corner before exiting, one particularly erudite young denizen of the South Plains screamed at me to “Get the f*** out of Lubbock!” Shocked by his lack of hospitality, I’m afraid my response may have included a mild epithet.
However, as I walked toward my rent car, parked in the 20-square block slum that is immediately adjacent to what Sports Illustrated called the ugliest college campus in America, and then began to drive out of the vast expanse of brown urban blight that is the Hub City, it occurred to me that the young man at the game was trying to help me. While I was cursing the darkness, he was lighting a candle. I AM the f*** out of Lubbock, and I intend to stay the f*** out of Lubbock.
Accordingly, this is my notice that I will never again travel to Lubbock. For any reason. Ever. I have learned my lesson. Lubbock has whipped me, and I am man enough to admit it. I ain’t going there again. Not if I’m offered front row seats at Lubbock Municipal Auditorium for a concert where Willie and ZZ Top are opening for Jesus Christ, and they’re going to euthanize Reveille and the Masked Rider between acts. Not if the Victoria Secret models offer to take me there in a luxurious motor home, stocked with Cohibas, condoms, Tanqueray, and Silver Oak, and bearing a bumper sticker “If this van’s a rockin….”   Not if the corps of cadets offers to stand in the hot sun along Hwy 87 as an honor guard, wearing nothing but their shiny boots and t-shirts that say “I love Bevo!” on the front and “Hillary Clinton for President” on the back.
Nope. I ain’t goin’.

All of those asterisks are really effective, aren’t they?

Godspeed to all who are making the trip to Lubbock.

West Virginia 42, Texas 41

 Brutal loss last Saturday.  Hard to stomach a Texas loss when we put up 41 points and have a 7 point lead with 2:34 to play.  Due to time constraints, this week’s review of last week’s game is limited.

Best part of the game:  Sam Ehlinger.  What a day.  He actually outdueled Will Grier, who got back in the middle of the Heisman discussion with his performance.  Go figure.

The stats comparison to season averages.  Game number first, season average for Texas in parenthesis.  WVU numbers on the right are all their season averages.

Texas Offense West Virginia Defense
Rushing Offense – 166 (154 ypg) 132.9 ypg – Rushing Defense
Passing Offense – 354 (255.4 ypg) 216.6 ypg – Passing Defense
Total Offense – 520 (409.4 ypg) 349.5 ypg – Total Defense
Scoring Offense – 41 (31.3 ppg) 19.6 ppg – Scoring Defense
First Downs – 28 (23.4/game) 20.1/game – First Downs Allowed
3rd Down Offense – 54.5% (42.9%) 35.8% – 3rd Down Defense

 

Texas Defense West Virginia Offense
Rushing Defense – 232 (133.3 ypg) 147.9 ypg – Rushing Offense
Passing Defense – 346 (245.3 ypg) 331.3 ypg – Passing Offense
Total Defense – 378.6 ypg 479.2 ypg – Total Offense
Scoring Defense – 42 (24.9 ppg) 39.9 ppg – Scoring Offense
First Downs Allowed – 28 (19.3/game) 23/game – First Downs
3rd Down Defense – 58.3 (39.0%) 44.9% – 3rd Down Offense

So:  Offensively as a team, Texas about average on the run (but about 25% over what West Virginia had been allowing) and really strong in the passing game.  Nearly 100 yards over what Texas has been averaging (about 39% more than the Texas average).  About 10 points and 32% above average on scoring, and way over what the Mountaineers had been surrendering.  That’s the good news and best takeaway from the game statistically.

Defensively, not so much.  Texas gave up nearly 100 yards more both running and passing than the season average, and while West Virginia was about on average for the season passing, they were 84 yards over their season average running.  Not good run defense last weekend.

As noted, Sam was our star, and LJH was a close second.  25 for 36 with 3 touchdowns and picks, 354 yards and only one sack.  He also ran 11 times for a gross of 65 and a net of 52 (22 more than Ingram logged).  LJH had 9 catches for 143 and a score, with a long of 29, and Devin Duvernay had 6 for a 100 and a score, with a long of 48.

I really don’t know what’s wrong with the Texas defense.  My guess is a mix of injuries and two consecutive games running into good offensive teams with head coaches who are good (Gundy) and great (Holgorsen).

The inability to stop the Mountaineers really hurts.  I haven’t re-watched the game.  “Didn’t have the time”, but truth be told, I could have figured out a way if I wanted to.  Just couldn’t.  The sting from this one is going to last a long time.

 

I am at a really high level of frustration with the officiating in the Big 12.  This is not just about Texas.  It is all teams, everywhere.  It is really not good.  I will give you this example, where this week’s opponent, the Texas Tech Red Raiders got absolutely screwed.  Game changing screw-up by the referees.  This is embarrassing.

But in our game last weekend:  The call which changed a first down to a turnover on downs at the West Virginia 5 when Sam’s helmet “came off”.  Ehlinger’s helmet is ripped off before he gets the yardage, and so Texas is effectively penalized?  Not sure about the call or whether the rule is just bad, but that one sucked.

Rankings

CFP Rankings:  Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, and Michigan.  That’s a lot of college football blue blood.  Then, Georgia, OU, Louisiana State, Washington State, West Virginia, and Ohio State.  Good for the conference to have 2 in the Top 10.  Texas is 19, Iowa State at 22.

AP Poll:  Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Michigan, Georgia, Oklahoma, West Virginia, Ohio State, Louisiana State, and Washington State. Texas at 15, Iowa State at 23.

Coaches Poll:  Bama, Clemson, L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac, Wolverines, UGA, Land Thieves, tOSU, West Virginny, WAZZU, and the Bayou Bengals.  Texas at 19, Iowa State at 25.

After the first CFP rankings came out, Dabo Swinney talked about Alabama and the “ROY” Bus.  He said Alabama was on the first bus, and everyone else was on the ROY Bus – the “Rest of y’all” bus.  Pretty good metaphor.

Big 12 Week 11

The conference plays a full slate of games.

No. 9 West Virginia back in Morgantown hosting Texas Christian.  11:00 a.m. on FOX Sports 1.  Mountaineers favored by 11.5, and the over/under is 55.5.  West Virginia wins and covers.  And hits the over.  If they can hang 42 on us, they will score in the 40’s on Saturday.

Also at 11:00 a.m., the Sunflower Showdown between 3-6 Kansas and 3-6 K State in Manhattan.  11:00 a.m. on FSN.  Wildcats favored by 10, and the over/under is 47.

Baylor in Ames to play Iowa State.  2:30 p.m. on FOX Sports 1.  Cyclones are 14.5 point home favorites, and the over/under is 51.  Baylor has improved, but not as much as Iowa State.  Iowa State to win, but Baylor may cover.

Bedlam!  Another Big 12 mistake, moving this game, but it will be entertaining.  Are the Big 12 officials now involved in scheduling?  No. 6 Oklahoma is a 21 point home favorite over Oklahoma A&M.  2:30 p.m. on ABC.  Over/under is 79.  Should be a good game, but I think the Land Thieves win.

This Week in the Top 25

Thursday night, NC State was favored at home by 19.5 over 4-5 Wake Forest.  Mark Dean and I were watching this, and we both agreed that Wake Forest was one of the best 4-5 teams in the country.  Now they are one of the best 5-5 teams.  NC State had a three point lead, and in the last minute or so of the game, the Deacs drove the ball and scored to upset the Wolfpack.  Quite a game.

Two Friday night games:

No. 13 Syracuse hosts atrocious Louisvile.  6:00 p.m. on ESPN2, and the Orange are favored by 20.5.  Over/under is 69.  The Cardinals are bad.  2-7 and 0-6 in the ACC.  Petrino may have to fire up his motorcycle, because his days in Louisville are numbered.  Syracuse should romp in this one.

Great late game from Idaho on the Smurf Turf.  No. 23 Fresno State (8-1) at Boise State (7-2).  9:15 p.m. on ESPN2.  Fresno favored by 2.5, and the over/under is 53.5.  I like Boise to cover.

Saturday

Anchors Aweigh!  I will be cheering for the Midshipmen Saturday morning, as Navy plays No. 12 and undefeated Central Florida in Orlando.  11:00 a.m. on ESPN2.  UCF favored by 25.5, over/under at 63.5.  Yes, Navy is 2-7 and 1-4 in the American, but Orlando is where magic happens, right?

A somewhat big game in East Lansing.  No. 18 Michigan State hosts No. 10 Ohio State.   11:00 a.m. on FOX.  Buckeyes favored by 3.5, and the over/under is 52.  Good luck Sparty!

South Carolina into the Swamp to play No. 15 Florida.  Both 4-3 in the $EC.  11:00 a.m. on ESPN.  Gators favored by 6, and the over/under is 54.  I think Florida wins and covers.

Wisconsin at No. 20 PSU.  11:00 a.m. on ABC.  PSU by 9, o/u is 55.  Go Badgers.

No. 16 Mississippi State at No. 1 Alabama.  Mississippi State is 2-3 in conference and ranked sixteenth.  Blows my mind.  2:30 p.m. on the Columbia Broadcasting System, live from Bryan-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.  Crimson Tide favored by 24, and the over/under is 53.  Hoping State can cover.

No. 4 Michigan at Rutgers.  The State University of New Jersey is 1-8 and winless in the Big Ten.  That might explain why the Wolverines are 40 point favorites on the road.  O/U at 48 too.  Think about that.  Wish I had time to go see some of the betting opportunities on this one. Bet they are funny.  2:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network.

Big game for the Pirate in Boulder.  No. 8 Washington State and Colorado, 2:30 pm. On ESPN.   Cougars 8-1 and 5-1 in conference.  Buffs are 5-4 but just 2-4 in the Pac-12.  But a decent team. Wazzu only favored by 6.  Over/under is 60.5.

No. 11 Kentucky at Tennessee.  2:30 p.m. on the $EC Network from Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.  Cats favored by 5.5, and the over/under is 42.  Will the Vols get their second conference win on Saturday?  I think they might.

Northwestern is 5-1 in the Big 10 and on top of their division and unranked (see Mississippi State above).  They are at No. 21 Iowa, who is 3-3 in the Big 10.   2:30 p.m. on FOX.  Iowa favored by 10.5, and the over/under is 44.

Great game between the Hedges.  No. 5 Georgia hosts No. 24 Auburn, 6:00 p.m. on the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network.   Bulldogs favored by 14, and the over/under is 52.5.  I like Auburn to cover, but Georgia to win.

No. 3 Notre Dame home with Florida State.  Monday, I would have said this will be a laugher.  But ND QB Book is out with an injury, and that is a possible game changer.  6:30 p.m. on NBC.  Irish favored by 16.5 as of Thursday afternoon. Over/under is 53.  I still think Notre Dame wins.

No. 7 Louisiana State at Arkansas.  Tigers are 4-2 in the SEC, and the Pigs are Zero and 5.  6:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.  LSU favored by 13.5, over/under is 47.5.  I hope LSU covers the line by about 40.

No. 2 Clemson at No. 17 Boston College.  BC is one of the most improved teams in the country, and Clemson is Clemson.  Tigers favored by 20.  7:00 p.m. on ABC.  Over/under is 57.

Other Games of Interest This Week

Congrats to Jimmy U and Miami (OH) on the big win over Ohio in the Battle of the Bricks.   So glad to have MACtion back on Wednesday nights.

Ole Miss Rebels at Texas Agricultural & Mechanical Saturday morning, 11:00 a.m. on CBS.  Aggies are 13 point favorites, and the over/under is 66.5.  Not the best year for Ole Miss, but it would be nice to see them cover.  Hotty Toddy!

Southern Methodists looking for win number 5 in East Hartford, Connecticut.  Ponies and UConn kick-off in Pratt &Whitney Stadium at 11:00 a.m.  Southern Methodists favored by 19.5.  Over/under is 65.  Good luck Mustangs.

Nebraska at home in Memorial Stadium to host Illinois. Been a tough year for the Huskers, but they are favored by 17.5 in this one.  11:00 a.m. on the Big Ten Network.  Over/under is 69.5.

Interesting game in Charlottesville.  Liberty heads up US 29 to play the Cavaliers.  2:00 p.m. on the ACC Network.  Wahoos favored by 29.5, and the over/under is 60.5.  Go Hoos!  Win it for Parker!

UTEP looking for a second win.  Middle Tennessee plays the Miners in the Sun Bowl.  2:00 p.m.  MTSU favored by 13.5, and the over/under is 48.

Texas State hosts Appalachian State at Bobcat Stadium.  3:00 p.m. App State favored by 21, and the over/under is 46.5.

Temple at Houston.  Coach Applewhite and the Cougars looking to get back on track against the Owls, and they should.  Houston is good at beating Owls.  Cougars favored by 4.5, and the over/under 69.5.  6:00 p.m. on the CBS SportsNetwork.

Roadrunners host FIU in the AlamoDome.  Florida International favored by 9.5.  6:00 p.m.  Would be nice to see UTSA win this one.

Oregon on the Farm to play Stanford.  8:00 p.m.  Pac-12 Network.  The Cardinal favored by 24, and the over/under is 61.

Good late game from the Coliseum.  Cal at Southern Cal.  9:30 p.m. on ESPN.  Trojans favored by 5, and the over/under is 47.5  Fight On.

Previews on the Interwebs

HornMafia from the BC, with the Week That Will Be: Level Land

https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2018/11/8/18074710/the-week-that-will-be-level-land-texas-longhorns-football

Viewing Guide from Burnt Orange Nation:

https://www.burntorangenation.com/2018/11/8/18076908/college-football-viewing-schedule-week-11-game-time-televsion

Bill Connelly with advise for those who enjoy the sporting life.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/11/8/18073620/college-football-picks-week-11-2018-predictions-odds-spreads

Big 12 Week 10

Iowa State with an easy 27-3 win over Kansas.

It was a barn burner in Amon G. Carter Stadium.  Kansas State 13, Texas Christian 14.  Hey, the Wildcats covered!

A wild one in Lubbock.  Land Thieves 51, Sand Aggies 46.  Tech covered, and they smoked the total by nearly 20.

Last Week in College Football

No. 1 Alabama was a 14.5 point road favorite in Baton Rouge and shut-out the Tigers and doubled the line, winning 29-0.

Clemson crushed Louisvile 77-16.  And I thought the 39.5 point line was big.  Funny.

Notre Dame was favored by 10 at Northwestern.  31-21 Irish.

Attawaytogo Michigan!  42-7 over Penn State

Georgia doubled Kentucky, 34-17.

Pittsburgh with the upset win in Charlottesville, 23-13 over the Wahoos.  Darn.

Well, I was wrong about Nebraska.  They played a heck of game, losing at Ohio State, 31-36.  Good cover.

Washington State escaped with 19-13 win over Cal.  I thought the 9.5 point line was low.  Nope.

Syracuse 41-24 over Wake Forest.  I thought that line at 6.5 was ridiculously low.

War Eagle!  Auburn 28, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 24.   Whoop!

Purdue with another upset, this time 38-36 over Iowa at Purdue.  Vegas was right, as they had the Boilermakers as 3 point favorites. I was wrong.

Florida State at No. 21 NC State.  2:30 p.m. on ABC.  Wolfpack favored by 9, and the over/under is 53.5.

Boston College with a nice road win over Virginia Tech, 31-21.

Florida to win and cover?  Wrong again TCT.  Missouri with a huge 38-17 win over Florida in The Swamp.

“Can Herm Edwards get another upset?”  Yes.  Arizona State 38, Utah 20.  Wow.

Mississippi State 45-3 over Louisiana Tech, covering the line.  The over/under was 48.5.

Fresno State hammered UNLV 48-3.

Other Games of Interest Last Week

Tough sledding for the Rebels this year.  South Carolina with the 48-44 win over Ole Miss in Oxford.  Bummer.

Southern Methodists with one of the biggest upsets of the year, 45-31 over Houston.  And I thought the line in favor of the Cougars at 14.5 was low.  Glad I didn’t bet last weekend.

UTEP wins!  UTEP wins!  34-26 over Rice.  There are not any more winless schools in the FBS.

UAB clobbered UTSA 52-3.  Ouch.

This Week in Schadenfreude.  LSU stars.

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2018/11/5/18061914/week-10-reaction-lsu-alabama

Texas Basketball

The Horns returned to the hardwood Tuesday night, and they got going in the second half to cruise to a 71-59 win over Eastern Illinois.  The win was nice, but the best was the return of Andrew Jones.  What a great victory for that young man.  Welcome back @DrewdotCash

 

Texas plays Arkansas Friday night at 6:00 p.m. at Fort Bliss in El Paso.  The game is on ESPN.  I would love to see the Horns beat the Hogs.  Preview here:

https://texassports.com/news/2018/11/7/mens-basketball-preview-arkansas-armed-forces-classic.aspx

I harbor a deep-seated dislike of Arkansas Razorbacks sports teams.   But this cheers me up.  Pig sooey.

 

Back to basketball.  I am going to include my own take on this mess soon.  But if you want to get a quick look (okay, it is a long read, but worth it) at the situation with paying runners or street agents or shoe company reps or whatever you want to call them, check this out.  A black eye on college sports.  NCAA has to quit punishing the innocent before they are even charged, much less proven guilty, while allowing the obviously guilty to enjoy the fruits of their cheating and lying.

https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-self-poster-child-ncaa-absurdity-230011367.html

Which makes a nice transition to a place where honor was paramount…

Washington & Lee University

Tough loss last weekend to the Hampsters.  20-24.  W&L falls to 5-3 overall and 3-3 in ODAC play.  H-S threw for 262 yards to W&L’s 13.  A bit of a disparity, but not unexpected.  The Generals ground game was great as always, as W&L pounded out 310 yards to 75 for Hampden-Sydney.  I am guessing 2 fumbles and 76 yards in penalties contributed to the loss.

Washington & Lee closes the season at home on Saturday with Shenandoah.  1:00 p.m. Blue Ridge Mountain time.  The Hornets are 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the ODAC.  I think W&L will close out the season with a win.

Game notes:

http://www.generalssports.com/sports/fball/2018-19/releases/Shenandoah_Notes

IVY LEAGUE REPORT FOR WEEK 9 (NOV. 9-10, 2018)

By Lonnie Schooler

The League’s head-to-head schedule continued in full swing last weekend, as the eight teams squared off against each other to determine who can reach the top of the heap.  One candidate (Princeton) has now emerged as the frontrunner.

RESULTS OF NOVEMBER 2-3 GAMES:

The games last weekend featured some close calls and some exciting football.

The weekend kicked off with a game on Friday night high above Cayuga’s waters in Ithaca, New York, where the Penn Quakers took on the Big Red of Cornell, a game nationally televised on ESPNU.  Penn QB Ryan Glover rallied Penn from a 7-3 deficit with two touchdown passes, and ran one in for a 20-7 victory for the Fighting Quakers.

On Saturday, the Columbia Lions squared off with the Harvard Crimson in Cambridge.  Columbia was coming off a big upset win over the Yale Bulldogs, and were presumed to provide a competitive challenge to the Crimson.  Alas, it was not to be.  Harvard QB Tom Stewart passed for 393 yards and five touch-downs (tying a Harvard school record), and the Crimson rolled to a 52-18 victory.  Stewart’s touchdown production included passes of 97, 85 and 75 yards, representing the three longest touchdown passes in one game in Harvard history.

Also, the Bruins of Brown traveled down I-95 to take on the Yale Bulldogs in New Haven.  Yale QB Griffin O’Connor had a big day, throwing for 436 yards and four touchdowns, as the Bulldogs dominated Brown by a score of 46-16.

Finally, in the marquee matchup of the weekend, indeed, the season, the Big Green of Dartmouth journeyed to Princeton to tangle with the Tigers in a matchup of the two unbeaten League teams.  Though trailing in the 3rd quarter, 9-7, Princeton rallied to prevail 14-9, as its quarterback, John Lovett, scored on a pair of short runs.  Coming into this game, Princeton was ranked No. 18 and Dartmouth No. 24 in FCS standings.

Princeton now stands alone at 5-0 in conference play, followed by Dartmouth at 4-1.  Penn and Yale are in third place, tied with 3 wins and 2 losses (Yale beat Penn in their head-to-head matchup).

Harvard and Cornell follow at 2-3.  Columbia is in 7th place at 1-4, and the Brown Bruins stand alone in the cellar as the League’s only winless team in conference play.

SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER 10:

League conference play continues in earnest this weekend, the second to last weekend of action in the League this year, with all games being played on Saturday, and all being broadcast on ESPN Plus (all times shown are Central Time).

At 11:30 A.M., the Columbia Lions travel north on I-95 to square off with the Bruins of Brown in Providence, in a match-up of the two bottom teams in the League.

Also, at 11:30, first place Princeton journeys to New Haven to take on the Yale Bulldogs.  Yale has scored some impressive wins this year, but will likely have its hands full with the league-leading Tigers.

In the marquee matchup of the weekend, the Harvard Crimson travel to Philadelphia to confront the Penn Quakers at Franklin Field at Noon.  Yours truly will have the opportunity to witness this game in person (for the first time in decades), as it is Homecoming at Penn.  A Quaker win will help it solidify its grasp on 3rd place, but the Quakers will be in for a battle given Harvard’s performance against quality opponents this year.

Finally, the Big Green of Dartmouth travel to upstate New York to tackle the Big Red of Cornell at 12:30.  Dartmouth has a very strong team, and will be looking to strengthen (and guarantee) its position in the standings.  A Dartmouth win assures the Big Green of no worse than a second place finish in the League.

Enjoy your football this weekend, now that there is a little bit of a nip in the air in Houston.

Music

I am recycling this from a couple of years ago, due to time constraints.  Good stuff.

Plenty of music connections for Lubbock, with Buddy Holly,

Buddy Holly & His Crickets, on The Ed Sullivan Show:

Buddy Holly – Maybe Baby:

Not directly tied to Lubbock, but certainly forever linked with Buddy Holly, the great Richie Valens and La Bamba:

The Day the Music Died (short documentary):

Which leads to American Pie. One of my all-time favorites

And the annotated version, which is pretty darn interesting:

Mary Elizabeth & Parker

So, this newsletter is a bit shorter than usual, as my beloved daughter Mary Elizabeth will marry Parker Fleming Saturday night.  Parker is a fine young gentleman, and we are so happy for these two wonderful young Christians.  If you are of the praying sort, please say a prayer for Mary Elizabeth and Parker as they enter into marriage, that they may be blessed with joy.  Thank 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.  2018.  All Rights Reserved (as to original material).

www.jw.com/ttaylor

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