Texas Longhorns 21, Iowa State Cyclones 23
A bitterly disappointing loss in Ames, Iowa last Saturday. I was despondent. I was even more down after reading the post-game reviews on the Interwebs over the next couple of days. Between that and work, I nearly mailed it in for this week’s edition. But then I noted Tom Herman’s comment from his Monday presser, about Texas fans being unhappy with the Horns’ 6-4 record: “They have every right to be unhappy if they are true supporters. We have not played to the level of our expectations…they have every right to have that opinion.”
Well, I am unhappy. I am particularly and primarily (almost exclusively) unhappy with the coaching. Starting with the end of the game, when it would appear that on fourth and 4, as Iowa State lines up for a go-ahead field goal with 2:12 in the game, the players were not told to make absolutely certain there are no penalties. Even an offsides gives Iowa State a first down. Even if ISU makes the field goal, we have over 2 minutes with the ball in Sam Ehlinger’s hands to get a touchdown or another game-winner from Dicker the Kicker. But nope, two guys jump offsides, and on top of that, ISU missed the field goal. First and 10, they get some yards, and with 4 second left the Cyclones beat the Longhorns.
Then I watched the video of Malcolm Roach answering questions. My heart breaks for Roach, as I am pretty sure if he and the rest of the team had been reminded of down and distance, he and Ossai would not have jumped, and Texas would have won, or would have had a heck of chance to win, the football game.
Texas DL Malcolm Roach on the offsides penalty that set up Iowa State's game-winning FG:
"I was just trying to make a play for the team and block the kick."
"I probably never felt like that after a loss before."
Credit Roach for showing up today and answering every question. pic.twitter.com/pu4k00Aise
— Jeff Barker (@JeffBarker_) November 19, 2019
A bit more on the game below, but the Horns have a bigger task on their hands this week.
Also, for the record, I am still a very big Tom Herman fan. I think he is going to do great things here. I was on many email and text threads over the weekend, as usual, and I was carping about the coaching. Someone said something to the effect of “You think you can do better?”. No. Of course not. I think Tom Herman can do better. He can. And he will.
Texas Longhorns vs. Baylor Bears
Texas and Baylor meet for the 109th time Saturday. The game in Waco kicks off at 2:30 p.m. (much to Toto’s and Joe’s relief), and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1. Brian Custer play-by-play and Robert Smith with the analysis. Same guys we had last week in Ames. Wonder what they did to get back-to-back games in Ames and Waco? On the Longhorn Radio Network as always with the Voice of the Longhorns, Craig Way, Roger Wallace, and Quan Cosby. As an aside, about 9 minutes of Quan Cosby highlights:
Texas leads the all-time series, which started in 1901 with a 23-0 Texas shut-out in Waco, 78-26-4.
Good Stuff
As Thanksgiving approaches, I am trying to be more thoughtful about gratitude. I am grateful for my faith, my family, and my friends. And my vocation, and all that it entails. Long days, a lot of work, but the friendships I have made and the opportunities my law practice has afforded me are boundless.
I am especially grateful at the moment for time with my grandsons and daughter last weekend, as Kathryn brought Peter and Micah to Austin for a short visit.
“You simply will not be the same person two months from now after consciously giving thanks each day for the abundance that exists in your life.” Attributed to Sarah Ban Breathnach.
Jim Nicar: 137 years ago on November 17, the laying of the cornerstone for Old Main. Interesting stuff:
November 17, 1882:
Despite terrible weather, a great ceremony marked the setting of @UTAustin's Old Main cornerstone. It was symbolically filled with newspapers, coins, locks of hair, and a lucky charm to ward off rheumatism.
The Cornerstone: https://t.co/4N1kFhPlPY pic.twitter.com/9ZY98wku6G
— Jim Nicar (@JimNicar) November 17, 2019
Watch this bobcat jump across a river.
A bobcat (Lynx rufus) jumps over a river with a single leap pic.twitter.com/B1STupjuGV
— The Unexplained (@Unexplained) November 21, 2019
Rice won a football game. 31-28 over Middle Tennessee. Owls were 14.5 point underdogs.
These highlights (courtesy Brad Hawley):
This one’s going in the ridiculous touchdown Hall of Fame 🤯
(via @Hudl | @LynnBowden_1) pic.twitter.com/RXRSHiFTxX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 22, 2019
Sports interviews can be wickedly entertaining.
🐴 Our @bathrugby preview with @JoeMarler took an unexpected turn…
🏆 Join us for @ChampionsCup rugby at The Stoop on Saturday – tickets and hospitality: https://t.co/KJc7HQb4Yx #COYQ pic.twitter.com/k2B7qAtw72
— Harlequins 🃏 (@Harlequins) November 20, 2019
And lastly this. First, I didn’t know UT Permian Basin had a football team. Second, I don’t know why they are named the Falcons instead of the Frackers. Would be useful. Anyway, this amazing gesture as a guy hands the ball to his teammate, who is a senior, so he can score his first college touchdown.
All-American and senior Chris Hoad goes out in style thanks to the amazing and classy play by John O'Kelley! @espn @ESPNCFB @notthefakeSVP @SportsCenter @CollegeGameDay @ESPNAssignDesk @LoneStarConf @NCAADII @NCAAFootball @UTPBFootball #SCtop10 #FalconsUp pic.twitter.com/bEEvmkiggD
— UTPB Athletics (@utpbfalcons) November 17, 2019
By the way, I do know who “TAMUK” is. That is Texas A&M Kingsville, formerly Texas A&I, alma mater of my friend Dean Lammert. Definitely nice to see UTPB and Texas Agricultural & Mechanical Kingsville keeping the rivalry alive.
Texas Longhorns Basketball
Texas entered the AP Top 25 and the Coaches Poll at No. 22 this week after getting wins over Cal Baptist and Prairie View A&M (sounds like the Texas Agricultural & Mechanical non-conference football schedule, doesn’t it?). They played Georgetown in Madison Square Garden Thursday night, and after a solid first half led the Hoyas 42-37. But the second half was a nightmare, as Texas got in foul trouble (bad officiating), got into another long scoring drought, and just simply got beat as Georgetown outscored the Horns 45-24 in the second half to post a 82-66 win. Texas will play the California Golden Bears Friday afternoon, tip at 4:00 p.m. I need to remember to set the timer on my Betamax.
Texas Longhorns Volleyball
After reeling off 14 straight wins, the No. 1 Texas Volleyball team dropped the match in Waco Wednesday night, 2-3. Last home game of the season is Saturday night at Gregory Gymnasium, 7:00 p.m. with Kansas. Go Horns!
Longhorns vs. Bears
As noted above, Texas has dominated the series with the Bears. After that first game shutout in 1901, Texas would beat Baylor 48-0 in 1903, 58-0 in 1904, 39-0 in 1905, 27-11 in 1907, 27-5 in 1908, 1-0 in 1910 (Baylor forfeited), 11-0 in 1911 (Dave Allerdice’s first year as head coach), 19-7 in 1912, 77-0 in 1913, and 57-0 in 1914. Baylor got its first win over Texas in 1916, beating Texas 7-3, which was the only Southwest Conference loss for the Horns that year (they still won the SWC).
Tom Herman has won both of his games over Baylor here at Texas, and it would sure be nice to see that mark move to 3-0. To do that, he is going to have beat one of the best Baylor teams in many years, and one of the better defenses in the Big 12. A big task for a team that has slipped more than anyone expected this year, and whose offense is sputtering.
Baylor’s offense is led by Charlie Brewer, of Lake Travis, who is having a solid year. Fifth in the Big 12: 195/292, 2,532 yards, 18 TDs, and 5 picks. 66.8% completion rate, 8.7 yards per attempt and 12.98 yards per completion, averaging 253.2 yards per game. He has also run for 9 TDs, which ranks him fifth in the Big 12 for rushing scores. That is ahead of our leader, Ingram, who has 6.
Brewer’s main target is Denzel Mims, a 6-3, 215 point wide receiver (he’s hurt, but probable), who is 4th in the Conference, right behind Duvernay. Mims has 50 catches for 767 yards and 10 TDs, averaging 15.34 yards per catch and 76.7 yards per game. Tyquan Thornton is another tall wideout, 6-3 and 176, with 35 catches for 613 yards and 3 TDs.
The Baylor rush attack is a twin-headed monster, with John Lovett and JaMycal Hasty. Lovett (6 foot, 212) has 86 carries for 537 yards and 4 scores, Hasty (5-9 and 205) has 82 carries for 503 yards and 4 scores.
The top four tacklers on the Baylor defense are all linebackers: Terrell Bernard (83 tackles, 37 solo, 3.5 sacks), Jordan Williams (58, 27 solo, 1 sack), Clay Johnston (58, 35 solo, 2.5 sacks), and Blake Lynch (52, 32 solo, 4.5 sacks). James Lynch, a 6-4, 295 pound defensive tackle from Round Rock, leads the Bears with 8.5 sacks for 49 yards. Cornerback Grayland Arnold has 4 interceptions.
Baylor is good. In Matt Rhule’s first year, BU was 1-11. Last year, BU finished 7-6, a remarkable turnaround in one year. And as we all know, they are 9-1 this year.
This season is remarkable for Baylor, but let’s not look past the fact that their first three wins were over Stephen F. Austin (56-17, and that’s an FCS win), UTSA (63-14, and the Roadrunners are not good in their own league), and then 21-13 sort-of squeaker over Rice [Texas beat Rice 48-13], which just won its first game of the year. They barely got past Iowa State, 23-21 (sounds vaguely familiar), but then beat a decent K State team in Manhattan 31-12 [Texas was 27-24 over KSU]. 33-30 over Tech. A very good 45-27 win at Oklahoma State (in my opinion, their best game of the year [Texas beat OSU 36-30]). Then a close win over West Virginia 17-14 [Texas beat WVU 42-31]. Another close one (3OT) over Texas Christian 29-23 [UT lost to the Frogs 27-37, which is the worst loss on our resume], before losing in the Meltdown at McLane last week, 31-34 to the Land Thieves [Horns lost 27-34 in the RRS]. Based on the common opponents, Baylor has the edge, but it isn’t that big of a delta.
The Statistics
First Ranking is National, Second Ranking is Big 12.
Offense
Statistic |
Texas |
Baylor |
| Rushing Offense | #68, #6 – 161.1 ypg | #44, #5 – 180.7 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #15, #4 – 300.6 ypg | #38, #5 – 263.6 ypg |
| Total Offense | #20, #5 – 461.7 ypg | #35, #6 – 444.3 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #17, #3 – 36.1 ppg | #26, #5 – 34.9 ppg |
| First Downs | #10, #2 – 25.3/game | #32, #7 – 22.8/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #104, #9 – 27, 160 yards | #104, #9 – 27, 156 yards |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #68, #4 – 59, 228 yards | #100, #9 – 68, 244 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #6, #2 – 50.7% | #46, #5 – 42.5% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #86, #8 – 46.7% | #57, #5 – 55.6% |
| Red Zone Offense | #13, #5 – 92% / 76% | #52, #9 – 86% / 65% |
| Long Run Plays | #35, #4 – 59, 10, 3, 1, 1 | #45, #6 – 55, 23, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1 |
| Long Pass Plays | #11, #3 – 123, 38, 15, 8, 5, 2, 1 | #47, #5 – 102, 42, 17, 9, 4, 3, 1 |
| Long Scrimmage Plays | #10, #3 – 182, 48, 18, 9, 6, 2, 1 | #41, #5 – 157, 65, 27, 13, 7, 5, 2 |
Note the 20+ yard running plays – Baylor has 23, Texas has 10.
Defense
Statistic |
Texas |
Baylor |
| Rushing Defense | #53, #5 – 144.4 ypg | #39, #3 – 137.2 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #126, #9 – 305.0 ypg | #57, #4 – 219.0 ypg |
| Total Defense | #110, #8 – 449.4 ypg | #40, #3 – 356.2 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #84, #8 – 29.9 ppg | #24, #1 – 20.5 ppg |
| Sacks | #95, #9 – 17, 85 yards | #12, #1 – 33, 188 yards |
| Tackles for Loss | #63, #6 – 60, 194 yards | #16, #1 – 75, 276 yards |
| First Downs Allowed | #110, #8 – 22.9/game | #58, #4 – 20.5/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #69, #5 – 39.7% | #89, #9 – 41.9% |
| Fourth Down Conversions | #86, #5 – 46.2% | #57, #10 – 63.2% |
| Red Zone Defense | #114, #7 – 90% / 58% | #47, #1 – 81% / 49% |
| Long Run Plays Allowed | #62, #5 – 49, 12, 4, 2, 1, 1 | #33, #3 – 42, 11, 8, 2, 2, 1 |
| Long Pass Plays Allowed | #129, #10 – 122, 44, 19, 13, 7, 3, 2 | #44, #3 – 84, 19, 6, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1 |
| Long Scrim. Plays Allowed | #126, #10 – 171, 56, 23, 15, 8, 4, 2 | #39, #3 – 126, 30, 14, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1 |
Other
Statistic |
Texas |
Baylor |
| Turnovers | #29, #3 – 4F, 8I : 12 | #57, #6 – 9F, 5I : 14 |
| Turnover Margin | #32, #3 : 16:12, 0.40 | #16, #1 : 21:14, 0.70 |
| Forced Fumbles | #107, #6 – 5 | #7, #1 – 14 |
| Penalties | #103, #9 – 73, 648 yards | #86, #8 – 66, 553 yards |
*Based on total number of penalties.
I couldn’t think of any place this article really fits, so here. This piece on unsportsmanlike penalties. Interesting.
Match-up Comparison
Texas Offense |
Baylor Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 161.1 ypg | 137.2 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 300.6 ypg | 219.0 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 461.7 ypg | 356.2 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 36.1 ppg | 20.5 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 25.3/game | 20.5/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 50.7% | 41.9 – 3rd Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 92/76 | 81/49 – Red Zone Defense |
| LRP – 59, 10, 3, 1, 1 | 42, 11, 8, 2, 2, 1- LRP Allowed |
| LPP – 123, 38, 15, 8, 5, 2, 1 | 84, 19, 6, 2, 2, 2, 2, 1 – LPP Allowed |
| LSP – 182, 48, 18, 9, 6, 2, 1 | 126, 30, 14, 4, 4, 3, 2, 1 – LSP Allowed |
Texas Defense |
Baylor Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 144.4 ypg | 180.7 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 305.0 ypg | 263.6 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 449.4 ypg | 444.3 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 29.9 ppg | 34.9 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 22.9/game | 22.8/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 39.7% | 42.5% – 3rd Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 90/58 | 86/65 – Red Zone Offense |
| LRP Allowed – 49, 12, 4, 2, 1, 1 | 55, 23, 10, 4, 3, 2, 1- LRP |
| LPP Allowed – 122, 44, 19, 13, 7, 3, 2 | 102, 42, 17, 9, 4, 3, 1- LPP |
| LSP Allowed – 171, 56, 23, 15, 8, 4, 2 | 157, 65, 27, 13, 7, 5, 2 – LSP |
What jumps out on the basic stats? For me, two things. First, the two offenses are fairly evenly matched, especially in total offense (Texas 461.7 ypg, BU 444.3 ypg) and scoring (Texas 36.1 ppg, BU 34.9 ppg). Second, how phenomenally better Baylor’s defensive stats are compared to Texas, other than the Texas rush defense. At this point we have pretty much played similar teams (although we had LSU pre-conference), and without a doubt, Baylor has a much better defense than Texas.
The ESPN Matchup Predictor has Baylor with a 62.6% probability of winning.
If Texas comes out and has a crappy offensive game plan like we had for most of the Iowa State game (excepting the three scoring drives [75 yards, 80 yards, 89 yards], which accounted for 244 of our 327 yards of offense), Baylor will beat Texas by a couple of scores. If Texas comes out with a game plan like they had and executed against K State, Texas has a real chance to win the game. But.
But, Texas has to play better and smarter on special teams. If there is one great flaw in this year’s team, in my opinion, it is special teams. All year long. Bad decisions on returns (kickoffs and punts), bad returns (recall we had negative yardage for the season on punt returns until 2 games ago), and bad coaching (the offsides against ISU on the field goal attempt). And, I might add, puzzling decisions not to put the special team in on fourth down in field goal range and get points, especially early in games. Nope, Texas does that stuff again, and it won’t be good.
I understand Coach Herman’s desire to establish the running game, and I saw the stats about what happens when we run the ball a certain number of times per game versus when we don’t. But every game is different, and sometimes you have to go with what is working in that game. If Texas can’t get the run game going Saturday, but the passing game is clicking, then throw the ball. Especially that pass where Sam dumps it over the middle to a running back. And mix in more RPO to have the run available if Sam sees the right defense. One intelligent observer told me that Texas ran one (1) RPO play in Ames. Sam Ehlinger is a brilliant quarterback with all the tools to execute run-pass options. Let him do it.
Going to be a good football game in Waco Saturday. I think it is decided by one score, maybe a field goal. Young receivers are going to have to step up again (CJ still out). Lots of pressure on Brewer. If Texas plays defense like most of last week, and offense like I know we can, and then win the turnover battle, the Longhorns can win. But they are going to have play one of their best games of the season.
Official Preview:
https://texassports.com/news/2019/11/18/football-preview-at-no-13-13-baylor.aspx
Game Notes:
https://texassports.com/documents/2019/11/18//Texas_Week13_Notes.pdf
Previews:
Wes Crochet on BON:
Scipio Tex, Inside Texas ($):
https://insidetexas.com/forums/threads/baylor-football-preview.89570/
Good preview from Ian Boyd on Inside Texas
https://insidetexas.com/inside-the-gameplan-battle-on-the-brazos/
Jason Suchomel on Orangebloods:
Duvernay
Devin Duvernay has 87 catches for 1,017 yards. Averaging 11.69 yards per catch. He is now fifth on the single season receptions list, having passed Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Ahead of him are Jordan Shipley (89 in 2008), Quan Cosby (92 in 2008), Kwame Cavil (100 in 1999), and Jordan Shipley (116 in 2009). If his stats hold true Saturday and against Tech, he will probably finish the regular season with over 100 catches, in second. He is already in the top 10 in yards in a season, with a real shot at finishing the season in second place all-time (again, behind Jordan Shipley). And yet he didn’t make the semifinalist cut for the Biletnikoff Award. Such BS.
Longhorns 21, Cyclones 23
There is no way to more simply summarize the ISU game than this: inept offense and bad decisions.
As noted above, 244 of our 327 yards of offense came on just 3 drives (74.6%). The first 6 Texas possessions of the game were:
- 3 and out, 3 yards
- 3 and out, minus 1 yard.
- 6 plays, 23 yards
- 3 and out, 2 yards,
- 6 plays, 17 yards, and the turnover on downs at the Iowa State 22.
- 3 and out, 9 yards.
In the first quarter, Texas managed 1 first down, had 8 yards on 7 carries, and Sam attempted 5 passes, completing 3 for 22 yards. 30 yards in an entire quarter.
The most frustrating for me in that first half was not our inability to pick-up a first down. It was our failure to get points off a turnover. Iowa State was up just 7-0 when D’Shawn picked off Purdy at the Cyclone 36. RoJo actually picked up a first down on 2 rushes, and Texas had first and 10 at the ISU 29. Then on third and 3, we get one yard on an Ehlinger run. Stuffed. So what do we do? Go for it on fourth down and run Ehlinger again. We needed 3, and RoJo had runs of 5, 5, and 4 on the series, and Ingram had picked up 3. And I am pretty certain Dicker could have made that field goal. 7-3 Texas with 9 minutes to play in the half would have been nice, especially given the loss was by 2 points.
To the Horns credit, after that turnover on downs, they held Iowa State to a 3 and out. But the next Cyclone possession was much like their first scoring drive: a well-executed series with good runs from Breece Hall and solid passing from Purdy. The fact that we held them to a field goal, and that Campbell called 2 timeouts on the drive which left 47 seconds on the clock for Ehlinger, was a blessing. 10-0 after the FG.
The drive which Texas executed after the ISU field goal was one of the best we have had this season. After running 16 times (I think) over the first 29 minutes and 13 seconds of the game, and netting very few yards, Texas went into an up tempo pure passing game, and Sam completed passes to Duvernay (17 yards), Eagles (33 yards), Duvernay (11 yards), and Texas had first and ten at the Cyclone 14. Then that amazing catch by Eagles that was ruled a touchdown after review, and Texas closed to 7-10.
WHAT A GRAB BY @_BrennanEagles_!#ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/zTOksEHwPT
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 16, 2019
Photo from Texas Football:
The second half was heartbreaking. First, we open the period giving up a 75 yard touchdown on the very first play, wiping out whatever momentum we had from the TD drive at the end of the first half. The Texas response is 3 incomplete passes and a 3 and out, but I was glad we were throwing the ball after the success we had in the prior possession. I was surprised Duvernay wasn’t targeted on those, but then again Eagles was having a good game.
Iowa State then put together a quick scoring drive, getting a field goal to make their lead 20-7.
The next two Texas drives were 3 and outs, and after 3 offensive possessions in the third quarter, Texas had gained 4 yards.
Texas got the ball with 2:40 to play in the third, and that’s when we moved the ball again: 11 pass plays. No runs. And it ended with a 22 yard TD pass to Ingram. That seems to me to be a pretty good indicator that Texas needed to throw the ball. A lot. Maybe a whole lot. 20-14 Iowa State with 10 seconds gone in the fourth quarter.
Texas held on the next series, and got the ball back with 12:20 to play. Okay, we did get yards on the ground. Sam rushed for 10, 13 yard pass to Ingram, and then another 9 yards from Sam. After no gain by Keaontay, 9 straight passes, 6 complete, and 81 yards (we had an offensive PI, so it took 81 yards of offense to get from the Texas 43 to the Iowa State 7. Fourth and goal, and Ehlinger to Epps for the score. 21-20 Texas with 5:37 to play. By golly, we were going to pull a rabbit from the hat and escape Ames with an almost miraculous win. Quite the play:
ICE in their VEINS. 😤🤘#ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/smmWBLWoyi
— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) November 16, 2019
Sure enough, Texas gives up a big pass but then holds. After the Cyclone punt, Texas has the ball at its own 15 with 4:01 to play. Rush for no gain. Rush for no gain. Incomplete pass stops the clock. 61 seconds used (ISU burned a timeout, wisely). Naggar with a heck of a punt, and despite 3 minutes left, I thought surely Texas could hold Iowa State with them starting on their own 18.
The defense had actually played pretty darn good. It was obvious the healthier DB corps was making a difference. Yes, the busted play to start the second half, but outside of that, it was pretty decent, especially taking into account how good Brock Purdy is. Well, he showed us how good. 15 yards to Jones, 22 yards to Pettway, then Sterns gets called for DPI (bad call IMO, but after the s#itshow I’ve watched with Big 12 officiating this year, the bad calls and bad no-calls in the ISU game just seemed par for the course). All of a sudden, ISU first and 10 and the Texas 30. You know the rest.
Highlights from the Big XII (6:18). For some inexplicable reason, at a crucial moment in highlights from the fourth quarter, they have some plays from K State-West Virginia game. Totally screwed up. Big 12 officials must have helped edit this one.
Highlights (10:30):
Anthony Rizzo on BON.
Scipio Tex – Postmortem on the Offense ($). Maybe one of the harsher ones he’s written in a while:
https://insidetexas.com/forums/threads/iowa-state-postmortem-offense.89533/
Dustin McComas on Orangebloods ($):
An interesting analysis of the offense after the performance in Ames. The author is still high on Sam Ehlinger, as am I, noting that Ehlinger is a Heisman-quality quarterback. Not sure how he divined this, but it is interesting: “A review of interviews with both head coach Tom Herman and offensive coordinator Tim Beck reveal that they have been coaching Ehlinger to make throws into tighter windows and take more chances with the football. They are not satisfied with a good play, or a check down for a few yards – they want him to push the ball into coverage in order to make the explosive play. They are asking for a perfect play, consistently.”
Dustin’s weekly column on Orangebloods is always a good read. Of particular interest this week was his analysis of final scores in the Tom Herman Era. Bottom line: yes, they all seem to be close. Four wins by 30 or more (one of those was a 31 point win over Baylor in 2017), 8 wins by 10 or more, 11 wins by less than 10 (3 by less than 3). Five losses by 3 or less; five by 10 or less; and just four by more than 10. No blow-outs (for which I am grateful). Average margin of final score in wins: 35-20.6. Average margin final score in losses: 26.7 – 33.1. Average margin of results overall: 31.9-25.3.
Juan Heisman Tailgate
Our last tailgate of the year will be an early one, the Friday after Thanksgiving for the match with the Sand Aggies (sorry Ben). The game is at 11:00 a.m., and we will be serving breakfast tacos and have most of the usual array of adult beverages, including Dulce Vida Bloody Marias. Trust me, tequila for breakfast is very good for you. Anyway, on the outside chance I don’t get an email out next week with the short week and Thanksgiving, we will be there to close out the 2019 tailgating season with a win!
Polls – Week 13
CFP: Louisiana State, The Ohio State University™, Clemson, Georgia. No. 5 is Alabama, followed by Oregon, Utah, Penn State, the Land Thieves, and Minnesota rounding out the top 10. Baylor at 14, Notre Dame at 16. Okie State at 21 and Iowa State at 22 (you’re welcome). Southern Methodists at No. 25.
AP Top 25: Louisiana State, The Ohio State University™, Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, Oregon, Utah, Land Thieves, PSU, and Florida. Baylor drops to 13. Notre Dame at 15, Southern Methodist at 21. Okie State at 22, and Texas Agricultural & Mechanical in at No. 24.
Coaches Poll: Bayou Bengals, The Ohio State University™, Dabo Tigers, UGA, Roll Tide, Ducks, Land Thieves, Utes, Penitentiary State, and Go Gata. Brazos Baptists at No. 13. L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac at 15. Southern Methodists at 21. Okie Aggies at 23, and Texas Agricultural & Mechanical at 24. San Diego State is 8-2 and No. 25. Texas not even receiving votes.
This Week in College Football
CFP ranking for teams.
Big XII – Week XIII
No. 21 Oklahoma State (7-3, 4-3) at West Virginia (4-6, 1-5). 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2. Okie Aggies favored by 6, and the over/under is 55. I think the Cowboys cover.
Kansas (3-7, 1-6) at No. 22 Iowa State (6-4, 4-3). 11:00 a.m. on FSN. Cyclones favored by 24.5, and the over/under is 58. Iowa State will win. Not sure they cover.
Kansas State (6-4, 3-4) at Texas Technical (4-6, 2-5), 6:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. Impressed that the Sand Aggies are favored by 2.5. Over/under is 56.
Texas Christian at No. 9 Oklahoma. 7:00 p.m. on FOX. Land Thieves are favored by 18, and the over/under is 64. That’s a big line, especially against Gary Patterson and the No. 1 defense in the Big 12. Take the Frogs and the points. Plus, the Land Thieves may have to get a new fight song soon, as it appears Boomer Sooner is not PC:
Top 25 – Week 13
The day starts with the biggest game of the day, No. 8 PSU at No. 2 The Ohio State University™, 11:00 a.m. on FOX. PSU has the one loss, Buckeyes undefeated. Ohio State favored by 18.5, and the over/under is 59. The Clash in Columbus. My favorite was the Clash at Shea Stadium, and this song in particular:
Western Carolina at No. 5 Alabama as Roll Tide takes a break before the Iron Bowl. The WCU Catamounts are 3-8 and are not good. 11:00 a.m. on ESPN, and best I can tell you might be able to find a line around -57 to -61, depending on the book. Amazing. The college football world waiting to see how Mac Jones leads the Crimson Tide.
No. 15 Auburn hosting Samford. 11:00 a.m. on the SEC Network. War Eagle favored by 48. That is Samford from Birmingham, not Stanford from California.
No. 10 Minnesota at Northwestern. 11:00 a.m. on ABC. The boys in Evanston looking for their first Big 10 win. Not happening Saturday. Gophers favored by 13.5 and over/under is 39.5.
No. 17 Iowa gets Illinois at home. 11:00 a.m. on BTN. Iowa favored by 15.5, and the over/under is 47. Illinois is better than usual, but I think the Hawkeyes get the win and cover.
The Holy War (Catholic Version). Boston College (5-5) at No. 16 Notre Dame (8-2). 1:30 p.m. on NBC. Irish are favored by 20, and the over/under is 65. Notre Dame leads the series 14-9, and the Irish have won 5 straight. Notre Dame has actually won 6, but the 2014 win was vacated. Streaky series, as BC won 6 in a row before this Irish run.
Not often that the Texas State Bobcats get mentioned in the Top 25 section. But they are heading to Boone, North Carolina to play No. 24 Appalachian State. App State favored by 29, and the over/under is 51.5.
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical at No. 54 Georgia. 2:30 p.m. on CBS. Bulldogs are favored by 13, and the over/under is 44. Tough game for the ags. But an enormous win if they can pull off the upset. I am guessing they don’t. Georgia with the top rushing defense in the SEC, having allowed just one rushing touchdown this season. Half of Texas Agricultural & Mechanical’s touchdowns have been on the ground. Texas Agricultural & Mechanical might cover.
No. 13 Michigan at Indiana. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN. As noted last week, Indiana having a good year, but expect them to drop to 4-4 in the Big 10 after Michigan wins on Saturday. Wolverines favored by 9.5, and the over/under is 53.5.
No. 23 Southern Cal and UC Los Angeles, 2:30 p.m. on ABC. A great college rivalry, as the cross-town rivals will play (officially) for the 87th time, but I don’t think that includes the 2 vacated wins following the Bush mess. Southern Cal leads 47-32-7. Winner of the game gets the Victory Bell (an old Southern Pacific railroad locomotive bell). Good luck to all my SC friends. Trojans favored by 13.5, and the over/under is 66. Southern Cal in second place in the Pac-12 South, so they have a chance to compete for the title. Will need some help, but have to win this one.
No. 25 Southern Methodist at Navy. Both teams 5-1 in the American and tied with Memphis atop the American West. Mustangs have the one loss to Memphis, and Navy also lost to Memphis and then took the beating from the Irish last week. Navy favored by 3.5, and the over/under is 67. This will be an entertaining game, as Navy has the number 1 ground attack in the nation, and the Southern Methodists have the No. 7 passing offense.
Purdue at No. 12 Wisconsin, 3:00 p.m. on FOX. Badgers favored by 24.5, and the over/under is 48. Wisconsin to win.
No. 18 Memphis at South Florida. 3:00 p.m. on ESPNU. Tigers favored by just 14.5, and the over/under is 60.
No. 1 Louisiana State welcomes Arkansas to Death Valley. 6:00 pm. on ESPN. Conference records are mirror image: 6-0/0-6. Pig Sooey. Tigers favored by 42.5, and the over/under is 70. Not sure Orgeron will run the score up that big, but maybe. Hope so. Geaux Tigers!
Temple at No. 19 Cincinnati. 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Cinci 6-0 in the American and on top of the East. Bearcats favored by 10, and the over/under is 45.5.
No. 6 Oregon at Arizona State. 6:30 p.m. on ABC. Ducks undefeated in conference, Sun Devils 2-5 (5-5 overall). And Oregon only favored by 14. Over/under is 53. Taking the Ducks in this one.
No. 7 Utah at Arizona. 9:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 1. Utes 6-1 in Pac-12 play, Wildcats 2-5. Utah favored by 22.5, and the over/under is 57.5. Good late game.
No. 20 Boise State at Utah State. 9:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. The Mountain Division of the Mountain-West conference is tight. Boise at 6-0, Utah State and Air Force both at 5-1. If the Mormon Aggies can get the upset, it could be interesting. If you are interested in the Mountain West. Broncos favored by 9, and the over/under is 52.5.
Other Games of Interest This Week
Midweek MACtion. Eastern Michigan destroyed Northern Illinois 45-17, and Ohio rolled over Bowling Green 66-24. Wednesday, Miami kept the Akron Zips winless, 20-17. Looks like Miami will play for a MAC Championship. Buffalo 49-30 over Toledo.
Thursday night, NC State and Georgia Tech played in Atlanta. Both teams entered with a single conference win, so not exactly a marquee game for the ACC. The Ramblin’ Wreck survived, 28-26.
Saturday
Liberty at Virginia, 11:00 a.m. on ACCNX. Cavaliers favored by 17, and the over/under is 55. Go Hoos!
Mercer at North Carolina, 2:30 p.m. on ACCNX. I saw a post from Coach Mack Brown that the game was sold out, making it a full season of sell-outs for the Tarheels at home. Nice work Coach. ESPN didn’t list a line, but Vegas has it Heels by 39, and the over/under at 64.5.
Rice hosts North Texas in Houston. Could this be a second win for the Owls? 2:30 p.m. on the NFL Network (?). Owls are 6.5 point home underdogs, and the over/under is 55.
Speaking of 1-9 teams: UTEP is 1-9. New Mexico State is 1-9. One of them will have a second win after they play in Lac Cruces Saturday afternoon. New Mexican Aggies favored by 7.5, and the over/under is 56.
Big Game! Cal at Stanford, 3:00 p.m. on the Pac-12 Network. The oldest college football rivalry in the West, which began in 1892. Stanford leads the series, 64-46-11, and the Cardinal holds the longest winning streak at 9 (which is current; will be 10 in a row if Leland Stanford Junior University can win this one). The Cardinal favored by 2.5, and the over/under is 39.5.
Florida Atlantic at UT San Antonio. 5:00 p.m. in the Alamodome. Roadrunners are 20.5 point home underdogs, and the over/under is 70. Ouch.
Oregon State at Washington State, 8:00 p.m. on Pac-12 Network. Cougars favored by 10.5, and the over/under is 76.5.
The Week that Will Be: Through the Looking Glass
From HornMafia:
This week’s viewing schedule:
Washington & Lee
The Generals closed the 2019 campaign with a 34-31 win over Shenandoah. A 6-4 season, our fifth straight winning season. Josh Breece gained 151 yards finishing the season with 766 yards on 188 rushes, 8 touchdowns. 3,710 rushing yards in his career. Can’t wait to see what Breece does in his senior season.
Last Week in College Football
Big XII – Week XII
The big game in Waco was indeed exciting. Baylor had a 28-3 lead, and they still led the Land Thieves 31-10 at half. In a display of good coaching, Lincoln Riley and his staff came out of halftime and destroyed the Bears. 24 unanswered points, as Jalen Hurts went off on Baylor. He would finish with 297 yards passing and 4 TDs plus 114 yards on 27 carries. Some amazing stats. Since 1937, before Saturday, the Sooners had trailed by 21 points or more only 12 times, OU was 0-12 in those games. And these nuggets from HornMafia on the BC: “The Bears only ran 16 plays for 69 yards in the second half (two of those resulted in turnovers), while Oklahoma ran 58 plays. And this one final fun note: teams were 0-162 since 2014 (the first year of the CFP), when trailing a CFP-ranked team by at least 25 points. They’re now 1-162.” Land Thieves 34, Baylor 31.
Kansas at No. 22 Oklahoma State 31-13 over Kansas. Line was 17.5. Useful.
Texas Christian gets even on the season at 5-5 with a 33-31 win over the Sand Aggies on the South Plains. Frogs were favored by 3.
West Virginia stunned Kansas State in Manhattan, 24-20. Wildcats were favored by 14.
Top 25 – Week 12
No. 1 Louisiana State took care of business in Oxford, beating Ole Miss 58-37. The line was 21. Impressive.
Notre Dame destroyed Navy, 52-20. Navy came into that game ranked No. 23 with just one loss. The line was just 9, and the over/under was 54.
Wake Forest was ranked 3 weeks ago, and Clemson showed why they are No. 3. 52-3 over the Deacs. I really thought the 34.5 line was high. What a beating.
Michigan 44-10 butt-whipping of Michigan State. We think we are having a tough year. Spartans are 4-6, 2-5 in the Big 10. They finish with Rutgers and Maryland, so they might get bowl eligible.
Alabama 38-7 over Mississippi State, covering, but way off the total of 63.5
Georgia is really good. And Auburn is probably the best 3 loss team in the country after losing at home to the Bulldogs 21-14. Georgia scored a touchdown in each of the first 3 quarters, then War Eagle rallied for 14 in the fourth. Bo Nix did score on a 2 yard run, the first rushing touchdown UGA has given up this year.
Indiana 27, PSU 34.
Florida 23, Missouri 6. I thought the 7 point line was low. ü
Wisconsin 37-21 over Nebraska. I thought the Huskers might cover the 14.5 line, but no.
The Ohio State University™ 56-21 over Rutgers.
Iowa beat Minnesota 23-19, but recall Hawkeyes were favored by 2.5. The Gopher Dream Season ends, and Iowa gets the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy.
Charlie Strong’s Bulls nearly pulled off the upset, but Cinci scored 10 in the fourth to get the 20-17 win. USF covered.
Memphis 45-27 over Houston. Cougars now 1-5 in the American, 3-7 overall. Tis a pity.
Appalachian State 56-27 over Georgia State. GSU actually led 21-14 after a wild first quarter, but all App State after that.
UC Los Angeles is another program with a great history that has fallen on hard times. Utah beat the crap out of the Bruins, 49-3. Line was Utes by 21. But the over/under was 52. Dang.
New Mexico 9, Boise State 42. Broncos cover. ü
Oregon 34-6 over Arizona. Ducks were favored by 27.5. Nice.
Other Games of Interest Last Week
Army drilled Virginia Military Institute 47-6.
Washington State 49-22 over Stanford, more than doubling the 10.5 point line.
Rice with aforementioned 31-28 win over Middle Tennessee.
Southern Mississippi 36-17 over the UTSA Roadrunners.
Air Force 38-21 over Colorado State.
Southern Cal with a big 41-17 win over the Golden Bears. Cal has to win the Big Game to get bowl eligible,
I have been very negligent in leaving out the Incarnate Word Cardinals out of my “Other Games of Interest”. My apologies to the Elf, Head Coach Eric Morris. Much tougher year this year, as they are 5-6 overall, and gave the New Mexican Aggies their first win of the season, 41-28.
Speaking of, Texas Agricultural & Mechanical got a big win at Kyle Field over South Carolina, 30-6.
Ivy League Football Report
By Lonnie Schooler
And now the denouement!
In the topsy turvy world of college football, which world is even “topsier and turvier” in the Ivy League, after the results of this past weekend, what was accepted as “up” is now “down”, and what was “down” is now “up”. In other words, to the extent anyone bets on Ivy League games, they would have lost their shirts and other articles of clothing if they had bet the favorites.
Results of Games on the weekend of November 16:
As the weekend began, Dartmouth sat alone atop the League, having vanquished the Princeton Tigers the week before in a match played at Yankee Stadium and shown on national TV. By defeating its only “serious” opponent for league supremacy, Dartmouth seemed assured of the League championship by winning out in the final two weeks to stay undefeated. Dartmouth hosted the Big Red of Cornell, which had one League victory to its credit.
Alas, probably looking ahead to the finish line, the Big Green of Dartmouth apparently had a monumental letdown, and allowed Cornell to win its first road win against a ranked Ivy League team since 1950, 20-17, and its first win against Dartmouth since 2008! After going ahead 17-12 in the 4th quarter, Dartmouth yielded a 24-yard touchdown pass from Cornell QB Rickie Kenney to WR Owen Peters with about 5:30 to play in the game, and also allowed Cornell to get a 2-point conversion. That score held up for the win.
The next stunning result occurred in Upper Manhattan, site of the skirmish between the winless (in League play) Brown Bruins and the Lions of Columbia. The Bruins amassed their big-gest offensive output of the season, and prevailed 48-24. The game was not as close as the score indicates, because Brown dominated the game throughout after jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Regrets to Mr. Sharkey, and congrats to Mr. Babcock.
The third stunning upset occurred in Cambridge, where the Penn Quakers had journeyed to play the Crimson of Harvard. Penn had not prevailed in a game at Harvard in several years, and was trailing at the half, 13-10, and again at the end of the third quarter, 20-17. In the last quarter, Penn quarterback Nick Robinson connected on a long pass to WR Rory Starkey, who scored the go-ahead touchdown with just a couple of minutes to spare. The Fighting Quakers prevailed, 24-20.
The final stunning upset of the weekend occurred in New Jersey, where the pre-season favorite, and only once beaten, Princeton Tigers hosted the Bulldogs of Yale. Princeton came into the game with the highest rated defense in the League, to combat Yale’s highest rated offense (which had just prevailed, 46-41, in a barn burner against Penn the week before). Yale QB Kurt Rawlings lived up to his advance billing, completing six touchdown passes, and the Yale rushing attack combined for over 300 yards of rushing. Yale easily succeeded, 51-14, and the game was not even as close as the score would indicate, with Yale jumping out to a 30-7 lead at halftime, and cruising with three more touchdowns in the second half. Congrats to Mr. Nondorf on what has shaped up to be a great season for Yale.
SCHEDULE FOR WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 23:
The schedule for this final weekend’s games is as follows (all times CDT):
Dartmouth travels to Providence to take on the Brown Bruins at 11:00. Columbia to upstate New York to tangle with the Big Red of Cornell at 12:30. Penn concludes its season by hosting Princeton at Franklin Field, with kickoff at Noon.
And the premier game of the day, as it usually is, will be played in New Haven, where the Yale Bulldogs will host the Harvard Crimson in their annual season-ending rivalry in a game starting at 11:00. First place (or a tie for first, depending upon what happens with Dartmouth) is at stake, as Yale has only one loss in League play, and there are no post-season conference tournaments nor tie-breakers in the Ivies. This game, fittingly, will be broadcast on ESPNU.
THE MOST FAMOUS HARVARD – YALE GAME.
By the way, as I have mentioned in past years, all true football fans will enjoy visiting (or re-visiting, as the case may be) the splendid documentary “Harvard Beats Yale 29-29,” about the most storied game of this rivalry, the 1968 clash at Cambridge that resulted in a 29-29 tie. Harvard miraculously achieved this tie by scoring two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions in the last 1:45 of the game.
The documentary is worth a viewing. The game featured Calvin Hill, Yale’s All-America running back (later of Dallas Cowboy fame and, later still, of recognition as the father of Grant Hill) and Tommy Lee Jones, a Harvard offensive lineman (whose roommate was Al Gore!) among others. You will want to find that part of the documentary that discusses the girlfriend of one of the Yale players. I think you will recognize this girl (just saying).
Enjoy your football this weekend and thanks again to Tim Taylor for allowing me to append this important weekly update to his wonderful columns about UT football. Good luck to the Horns the rest of the way.
Music
Sinners and Saints this week.
My old buddy, Jackson Taylor (and the Sinners)
Whiskey Drinking Song:
Long Legs & Long Necks:
Cocaine
Thursday night, I saw on Instagram that Shane Smith & the Saints barely escaped their burning bus on the way to a show in Lubbock. Shane and his fiddler, Bennett Brown, are among my favorite artists. I don’t know if they will have a way to contribute and help them out, but will let the readership know as soon as I can. They lost everything.
All I see is You:
Dance the Night Away
Suzannah
Highway
God Bless Texas
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. 2019. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
**Cover photo by Damon Rushing.
On Twitter: @tctayloratx
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You can contact me by mail: Tim Taylor P.O. Box 5371 Austin, Texas 78763-5371