Happy Thanksgiving Longhorn Fans!
Texas 28, West Virginia 14
The Texas Longhorns showed up at Milan Puskar Stadium ready to play, and they executed. An absolutely stellar job by the defense and one of our better games on the offensive side of the ball in a long time. Connor Williams is a beast and made an enormous impact on the offense. 233 yards rushing. Best this season other than San Jose State (406 yards). No sacks allowed. And the defense, especially against the run: West Virginia (161.8 rush yards per game coming in) was held to 56 yards on 29 attempts. Dana Holgorsen said Texas has the best defense they have faced this year: https://youtu.be/VvkwXASrCU8?t=1m33s
The Longhorns are bowl eligible. Congratulations to the team and coaches.
Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Texas Longhorns
Well, we better enjoy Friday. For those of you who paid attention a few weeks ago, the 2018 schedule is out, and there is not going to be a football game in Austin next Thanksgiving. Nope, Texas plays Kansas in Lawrence.
As for the game, this will be the 67th meeting between the Longhorns and Texas Technical. Texas leads the series 50 to 16 (30-6 in Austin), and with the College Station aggies off in the $EC, it is nice to play another Texas state university each year; who we dominate. Whoop!! Not the rivalry we have with Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, but a nice mostly fun rivalry.
Kickoff is 7:00 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on FOX with an excellent crew: Timmy Brando and Spencer Tillman in the booth and Holly Sonders working the sideline.
On the radio in Austin on Bob Cole’s Austin Radio Network: KOKE 98.5 and The Horn 104.9. KLVQ 94.5 in Malakoff, and KWMC 1490 in Del Rio.
A big, big Juan Heisman Tailgate Party Friday afternoon, more information below.
Texas favored by just 10, and the over/under is 55.
Good Stuff
- Senior Day. God bless these kids who stuck it out: Poona Ford, Antwuan Davis, Armanti Foreman, Naashon Hughes, Dorian Leonard, Jason Hall, Mitchell Becker. Also Tristan Nickelson, Garrett Graf, Kendall Moore, Kaleb Smith, and Robert Willis. Davis, Hughes, and Becker are fifth year seniors and playing for their third head coach (no guess on the number of coordinators!).
- A fabulous collection of Texas Longhorns football photos from Sports Illustrated. This is worth your time: https://www.si.com/college-football/photo/2017/11/17/texas-longhorns-football-history-players-coaches
- Back to Altuve. This is great. https://www.texasmonthly.com/the-daily-post/the-best-thing-in-texas-jose-altuves-letter-to-j-j-watt/
- DeShon Elliott is a finalist for the Thorpe Award. A big game Friday might lock it up, especially another pick 6.
- Michael Dickson is a finalist for the Ray Guy Award. He deserves that award for sure. Y’all need to vote. The kid from Alabama is way ahead: http://rayguyaward.com/vote-for-2017-ray-guy-award-winner/
- A very short WV highlights: https://twitter.com/TexasFootball/status/932813323975847943
- Like seeing stuff blown up? Thanks to Hawley for this excellent link for the implosion of the Georgia Dome. https://deadspin.com/georgia-dome-blowed-up-real-good-1820603333
Longhorns vs. Mountaineers
Well, some people don’t like tooting their own horn. I am not always one of those people when it comes to the Horns. Connor Williams being back had a huge impact, more than I could have imagined. Add Sam’s return and an absolutely stellar job by the defensive players and coaches, and my prediction for the game turned out to be very conservative.
Both offenses were sluggish early, as Buechele didn’t click as he started and then played a second series (14 yards of offense). The Texas defense was not sluggish, as it forced a 3 and out, had a nice stop on the next series after 19 yards, and then The Play: West Virginia drove the ball from their 18 to the Texas 1, aided by an absurd unsportsmanlike penalty (it is tackle football) on Texas a 34 yard pass into Texas territory. Third and goal at the one and primed to take the lead, Grier sprinted for the corner and Brandon Jones knocked the daylights out of him, dislocating the ball and Grier’s finger. Gruesome. But, it was a fumble into the endzone and Texas ball, and a huge, huge game changer. Sorry the kid got hurt so bad. Would have liked to see him play against the Land Thieves this weekend. Anyway, the first quarter ended with no points on the board.
Ehlinger got going in the second, as Texas opened the quarter with the ball and Sam with the great drive to put the Horns up 7-0. Last 6 plays: Sam to Joe, Sam rush, Sam rush, Sam rush, Sam to Moore for the score. 91 yards on 11 plays. It was really well called and executed, and my gosh Connor Williams can block.
Chugunov couldn’t get the Mountaineers into the endzone, and Texas got the ball back on the UT 13. No problem for Mr. Ehlinger. 87 yards capped with a 20 yard touchdown pass to Chris Warren from the H-Back position (he looked good there). 14-0 Texas, which was the score at halftime.
A not so great drive to start the second half when Texas got the kickoff and had the momentum. But things progressed and Texas had a nice drive working with first and goal at the 5. Got to learn to eat the ball. I think he has. 94 yards the other way and all of a sudden we had a ballgame at 14-7. Some back and forth and good field position play, and then Texas forced WVU to punt from their 18 and RHM with a good return to set Texas up in Mountaineer territory at the 46. Daniel Young had a very nice game (85 yards on 12 carries), but that 36 yarder to the 10 was really good. Porter punched it in from there and it was 21-7 Horns.
Fourth quarter in Morgantown can be tough for visitors. By then, the locals have been getting after it pretty good (not just moonshine: https://instagram.com/p/BbuwPPQD8vh/). But Texas opened the final frame with a fourth down stop. However, next Mountaineer possession was not so great. A really questionable roughing the passer and targeting call on Breckyn Hager (and no call on the facemask on him) put WVU first and 10 in Texas territory. A 30 yard pass completion to the Texas 17, and five plays later it was a one-score game.
One of those plays that is not in the main box score and doesn’t show up in the stats, but good Old Lorenzo Joe was paying attention on the ensuing kickoff, as Holgo attempted the onside kick. West Virginia could have had the ball and momentum, but heads-up play by Joe as he recovered the ball, and Texas was the one with good field position instead of the Mountaineers. No score on that drive, but the next possession came quick as a beautiful pass rush on third and 10 as Gary Johnson got to Chugonov. Fumble forced, big Chris Nelson alertly covers it up, and Texas is first and goal at the 6. Daniel Young 2 runs later has Texas up 28-14 with 5 minutes to play.
That one little series is emblematic of the shifting tides at Texas. Teams that don’t improve all season don’t make that happen. They don’t get the onside kick thanks to a selfless senior. They don’t get the bull rush and forced fumble. As big as the Jones hit was to stop that first score for the game, that stretch of plays in the fourth quarter in Milan Puskar Stadium may be more important in defining this year and our future. The tough overtime losses, the game we woulda-shoulda-coulda had in the Cotton Bowl, and then at that moment a tough upper tier opponent in the fourth quarter at their house. A mixture that might have broken the other way for some teams, and maybe Texas teams of the past. But not Coach Herman’s team. A really, really great win.
Sam’s passing numbers were a pedestrian 136 yards, but 12 for 19 is good. He did rush for 68. Oh yeah, and he caught a cool pass from Heard and took it for 23.
In addition to Young, Porter had 53 yards, and he, Ehlinger, and Young all averaged over 7 yards per carry.
Reggie Hemphill-Mass was our leading receiver, 2 for 58 yards, and L’il Jordan Humphrey had 4 for 28. Young had 3 catches. Warren and Kendall Moore the only TD catches.
Davante Davis, Gary Johnson, and Malik Jefferson each had 7 tackles, followed by Antwuan Davis with 6 and then Elliott, Jones, and Hall with 5 each.
So we hold one of the best offenses in the country to 7 points and 56 yards rushing plus 239 in the pass game. Our offense executes well. Special teams play was fine, as Dickson was his usual All-American self.
A+ for the Horns!
Reviews of West Virginia
nobis60 Shooting from the Hip:
https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2017/11/18/16673576/shooting-from-the-hip-texas-28-west-virginia-14
Jason Chilton’s video of the Offense against WVU: https://youtu.be/Cmhn9y_aTPs
And his video of the defense: https://youtu.be/_AuOF9YE5iY
Wescott Eberts on BON:
Texas Tech vs. the Longhorns
The Sand Aggies come to Austin after getting shut down by Texas Christian. 327 yards, only 153 passing (how they got 174 yards rushing is a mystery).
Tech started the season 3-0, beating Eastern Washington 56-10, Arizona State 52-45, and Houston 27-24. A close home loss to Oklahoma State 34-41 was followed with a thrashing of the Jayhawks, 65-19. 4-1 looked good, and I thought Coach Klif and the Elf had the Sand Aggie aerial attack working well with Nic Shimonek. But Tech dropped four in a row: 35-46 to West Virginia, 13-31 to Iowa State, 27-49 to the Land Thieves, and then 35-42 to K State. A rebound against Baylor at Jerry World, 38-24, then last week’s rough 27-3 home loss to the Frogs.
Nic Shimonek (#16) has started all 11 games this season for Tech. Really good numbers: 292 for 426, with 28 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. 3,451 yards, averaging 313.7 yards per game. Completing 68.5% of his passes with a QBR of 154.53. In a conference with some really great quarterbacks, Nic Shimonek is fourth, behind Rudolph, Mayfield, and Grier.
Nic Shimonek’s favorite receivers: #2 Keke Coutee, from Lufkin, has 73 catches for 1,074 yards and 9 touchdowns, averaging 14.7 yards per catch and 97.6 yards per game. Dylan Cantrell (#14, from Whitehouse) is the only sand aggie receiver to start all 11 games, and he has 778 yards on 65 receptions, averaging 12 yards per catch and 70.7 yards per game; 6 touchdowns. #13 Cameron Batson has 54 catches for 448 yards, 4 TDs. 8.3 yards per catch and 40.7 per game.
Top rusher for Texas Technical is #4 Justin Stockton, who has 649 yards on 107 carries; 6.1 yards per carry, 4 scores, and averaging 72.1 yards per game. 5’10’ tall and 205 pounds, he is the prototypical sand aggie running back. #24 Tre King also has 4 touchdowns; 118 carries, 575 yards, 4.9 yards per carry. #32 Desmond Nisby has 7 touchdowns; 258 yards on 56 carries.
Defensively, the Red Raiders are much improved, relatively speaking. #7 DB Jah’Shawn Johnson leads in tackles with 82, 55 solo. #40, LB Dakota Allen (transfer from East Mississippi Community College), has 80 tackles, 43 solo; 4.5 TFL for 26 yards and a sack. Also 2 interceptions for 36 yards, he’s good in coverage. #1, LB Jordyn Brooks has 76 tackles, 45 solo. D lineman Eli Howard, #53, has 8.5 tackles for loss for 47 yards, including 5.5 sacks. #9 Tony Jones has 5.5 TFL for 22 yards (4 sacks). Justus Parker (#31, DB), has three interceptions for 59 yards.
Four different Raiders have attempted field goals: Barden (4-8), Ewton (1-3), Cluck (1-2), and Hatfield (2-5). Coach Skinny Pants, we feel your pain.
The Statistics
Offense
| Statistic | Texas | Texas Tech |
| Rushing Offense | #90 – 144.2 ypg | #82 – 148.8 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #37 – 266.0 ypg | #10 – 326.3 ypg |
| Total Offense | #56 – 410.2 ypg | #18 – 475.1 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #59 – 29.7 ppg | #26 – 35.0 ppg |
| First Downs | #63 – 21/game | #9 – 25.2/game |
| Sacks Allowed | #113- 31, 206 yds, 2.82/g | #76 – 23, 182 yds, 2.1/g |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #105 – 73, 301 yds, 6.64/g | #58 -62, 271 yds, 5.64/g |
| Third Down Conversions | #74 – 39.3% | #19 – 45.5% |
| Red Zone Offense | #108 – 76% / 62% | #128 – 65% / 53% |
| Long Scrimmage Plays | #37 – 163/10+; 52/20+; 18/30+ | #11 – 190/10+; 57/20+; 26/30+ |
Defense
| Statistic | Texas | Texas Tech |
| Rushing Defense | #8 – 109.6 ypg | #59 – 157.7 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #104 – 251.1 ypg | #124 – 280.5 ypg |
| Total Defense | #36 – 360.7 ypg | #107 – 438.2 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #32 – 21.2 ppg | #99 – 32.5 ppg |
| Sacks | #30 – 27, 192 yds, 2.46/g | #97 – 17, 134 yds, 1.55/g |
| Tackles for Loss | #47 – 69, 291 yds, 6.27/g | #119 ‑ 45, 214 yds, 4.09/g |
| First Downs Allowed | #24 – 17.8/game | #120 – 24.6/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #4 – 27.5% | #101 – 43.1% |
| Red Zone Defense | #27 – 78% / 47%* | #63 – 83% / 68% |
| Long Scrim. Plays allowed | #50 – 143/10+; 55/20+; 13/30+ | #118 – 184/10+; 58/20+; 18/30+ |
* Opponent TDs in Red Zone is #15 in the country
Match-up Comparison
| Texas Offense | Texas Tech Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 144.2 ypg | 157.7 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 266 ypg | 2803.5 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 410.2 ypg | 438.2 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 29.7 ppg | 32.5 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 21/game | 24.6/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 39.3% | 43.1% – 3rd Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 76% / 62% | 83% / 68% – Red Zone Defense |
| LSP – 163/10+; 52/20+; 18/30+ | 184/10+; 58/20+; 18/30+ – LSP Allowed |
| Texas Defense | Texas Tech Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 109.6 ypg | 148.8 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 251.1 ypg | 326.3 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 360.7 ypg | 475.1 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 21.2 ppg | 35 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 17.8/game | 25.2/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 27.5% | 45.5% – 3rd Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 78% / 47% | 65% / 53% – Red Zone Offense |
| LSP Allowed – 143/10+; 55/20+; 13/30+ | 190/10+; 57/20+; 26/30+ – LSP |
Texas Game Notes:
http://www.texassports.com/documents/2017/11/20//12_Texas_Football_Notes_2017_Texas_Tech.pdf?id=9433
Texas preview:
http://www.texassports.com/news/2017/11/20/football-hosts-texas-tech-friday-for-senior-day.aspx
Sam Ehlinger is officially the starter for the Horns on Friday. Expect to see a lot more of Young and Carter, with Warren in the H-back, at tight end, and providing extra protection for Sam. Collin Johnson starting at XWR, and RHM and LJH are “or” at the HWR. Lorenzo Joe, Devin Duvernay, and John Burt all “or” at the Z, but sure hope Joe gets the start on Senior Day. He has earned it.
After watching the West Virginia game and Connor Williams, predicting this week is a lot easier than it might have been. Sam Ehlinger will have another good game, the Horns should run for about a buck 75 or more, and the defense will not be out-maneuvered by Coach Skinny Pants and the Elf. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see an historic performance by the Texas defense.
Texas 42, Tech 14.
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Juan Heisman Tailgate
TamaleGate 2017! Going to be huge pachanga at Juan Heisman on Friday. Tamales, queso, and salsa from Rose Marie Hagman, hopefully some Frito Pie, lots of venison sausage, and plenty of Texas Beer Co. cold beer. Plus Dulce Vida Tequila, makings for Trops (Horns Up, Trops Down – Happy Thanksgiving Donnie Williams!), and other adult beverages. We will have food and cocktails ready by 3:30 or so for anyone who wants to get there and get the party going early. Well, you know us, the cocktails will be ready long before then. Tech fans welcome.
Polls
CFP Poll: Alabama, Miami (FL), Clemson, Oklahoma. Then Wisconsin, Auburn, and Georgia. Notre Dame at 8. Ohio State at 9, and Texas Christian at 12.
AP Poll: Alabama, Miami (FL), Land Thieves, Clemson, Wisconsin, Auburn, Georgia, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Texas Christian. Okie State at drops to 18.
Coaches Poll: Roll Tide, Canes, Clemson, Wiscy, Land Thieves, War Eagle, UGA, TOSU, L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac, Southern Cal. Texas Christians at 13. Okie A&M at 21.
This Week in College Football
Big 12 – Week 13
No. 12 Texas Christian (9-2, 6-2) hosts Baylor (1-10, 1-7, and grateful for Kansas) in Fort Worth on Friday. 11:00 a.m. on FS1. Frogs favored by only 24.5. Over/under is 51. Should be a beautiful day in Amon G. Carter for the Revivalry. Texas Christians lead the Baptists 53-52-7. Last year the score was 62-22. Don’t think it will be that close on Friday.
Saturday, Kansas has a last chance to win a Big 12 Conference game in Stillwater. Yeah, I snickered when I wrote it. No. 19 Okie State and the Jayhawks kickoff at 11:00 a.m., game on FS1. Line is only 41. Over/under is 70.
A really good game: Iowa State (7-4, 5-3) and the K State Wildcats (6-5, 4-4) play in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2. Wildcats favored by 3, and over/under is 49.5
Baker Mayfield and No. 4 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1) finish the regular season at home in Norman. Baker will not start and will not be a captain for the game. Tip of the Stetson Open Road to Coach Riley. Land Thieves play the West Virginia Mountaineers. Going to be tough for Holgo and his boys without Grier. Sorry that was such a bad injury. 2:45 p.m. on ESPN. Land Thieves favored by 22.5, over/under is 68. Didn’t see a prop bet on whether Mayfield sits one play or two.
This Week in College Football – Top 25
Thank goodness for the Egg Bowl, which gives us college football on Thanksgiving Day. Ole Miss needs to beat No. 14 Mississippi State to get bowl eligible. Oh wait. Never mind. Sorry Rebels fans. Anyway, it would be nice to finish the season at .500. 6:30 p.m. Thanksgiving on ESPN. State favored by 14.5, and the over/under is 65.5. Go Rebs! Hotty Toddy!
Friday:
Pittsburgh hosts No. 2 Miami (FL) at Heinz Field. 11:00 a.m. on ABC. Tough season for Pitt, as they come in 4-7 and 2-5 in the ACC. C’mon Panthers, win this one for my Uncle Bill. Please. Canes favored by 13.5.
This is probably a rivalry game, in which I have zero interest, except that I am pulling for Charlie’s South Florida Bulls to beat No. 15 UCF so that the Group of 5 doesn’t have an undefeated team. 2:30 p.m. on ABC, and I predict one of the worst viewer ratings since … Oklahoma-Kansas last week. UCF favored by 10.
Big game for Virginia (6-5, 3-4) as they battle No. 25 Virginia Tech (8-3, 4-3) for the Commonwealth Cup at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. 7:00 p.m. on ESPN. Should be a beautiful fall night on the other side of Afton Mountain. Hokies favored by 7. Cavaliers with the upset? Hope so!
Saturday:
Great games and great rivalries!
Starting in the Big House with The Game, where Michigan and No. 9 Ohio State play at 11:00 a.m. on FOX. Buckeyes favored by 12.
Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate in Atlanta at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Georgia and Georgia Tech tee it up at 11:00, broadcast on ABC. Big game for the Bulldogs if they want to stay in the hunt for the CFP after they beat Alabama in the SEC Championship game. Tech is just 5-5 but a good team. Georgia favored by 11. Go Dawgs.
East Carolina at No. 20 Memphis, 11:00 a.m. on ESPNU, Tigers favored by 28. Meh.
Iron Bowl! One of the top games of the year, No. 1 Alabama at No. 6 Auburn. This has to be one of the most bitter rivalries in college football. 2:30 p.m. on the Columbia Broadcasting System. Bama undefeated of course, and the Tigers at 9-2, 6-1. But a win over Alabama and the play for the SEC Championship. No question in my mind that the SEC champion gets a playoff spot. Crimson Tide favored by 4.5.
No. 5 Wisconsin in Minnesota for the Battle for Paul Bunyan’s Axe. Which replaced what in today’s game would be hands down the best rivalry trophy – the Slab of Bacon. Badgers undefeated, and Gophers are 5-6 and 2-6. Wisconsin only favored by 17. But it is a Big 10 game, and so who knows on the spread. Badgers will win.
No. 10 Penn State at Maryland, 2:30 p.m. on BTN, PSU favored by 22.
No. 23 Boise State at Fresno State. 2:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network. Boise favored by 7.
No. 16 Michigan State at Rutgers, 3;00 p.m. on FOX. Spartans favored to win by 14 at High Point Solutions Stadium, and they should.
No. 22 Northwestern at Illinois, 3:00 p.m. on FS1. Wildcats favored by 16.5, and Northwestern will win and cover.
No. 3 Clemson and No. 24 South Carolina in the Palmetto Bowl. 6:30 p.m. on ESPN. Clemson favored by 14. Clemson to win.
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical at No. 18 Louisiana State. 6:30 p.m. on the SEC Network. Baton Rouge should be awesome Saturday, as the weather forecast is great and the tailgating will probably start Friday night, if not sooner. Tigers favored by 10.5, over/under is 50. Rumors that this will be Sumlin’s last game. Hope not. Geaux Tigers!
Huge game on The Farm, as No. 8 Notre Dame and No. 21 Stanford play for the Legends Trophy. 7:00 p.m. on ABC. Irish a slim 2.5 point favorite, and the over/under is 57. Not sure that Notre Dame can back into the playoff at this point, but I know they can’t if they lose to the Cardinal. Go Irish!
No. 13 Washington State at No. 17 Washington, identical records of 9-2 and 6-2, and I think the Cougars could play Southern Cal for Pac 12 title if they win (but not the Huskies, as they lost to Stanford). 7:00 p.m. on FOX, which is way too early. Was hoping for a late kickoff for Saturday night.
Other Games of Interest This Week
A ton of Friday games, as noted above.
Navy at Houston, 11:00 a.m. on ESPN, both already bowl eligible. Cougars favored by 4.5.
Texas State at Troy. Bobcats have 1 Sun Belt win, Troy has 1 Sun Belt loss. 3:00 p.m. on ESPN3. Troy favored by 25.5. Tough year for Texas State.
University of California Berkeley vs. University of California Los Angeles in the Bear Bowl. 9:30 p.m. on FS1, and UCLA is favored by 7.
Saturday:
Florida State and Florida are both 4-6. Not sure the last time both of these teams sucked like this. 11:00 a.m. on ESPN. FSU favored by 5.5
Louisvile and Kentucky, 11:00 a.m. on SEC Network. Cardinals favored by 10. Go Cats.
5-6 Indiana at 5-6 Purdue. Oh boy. 11:00 a.m. on ESPN2.
Tulane at Southern Methodist (6-5), 11:00 a.m. on CBS Sports Network. Forecast is sunny and in the 70’s. ESPN says 1,387 tickets available from $5. C’mon Dallas. Ponies favored by 7.5.
Duke at Wake Forest, 11:30 a.m. on ACC Network. Wake favored by 12.
North Texas at Rice. Noon. Poor Owls with just one win.
UTEP at UAB. Miners have no wins. UTEP 20 point underdogs.
Vanderbilt and Tennessee, 3:00 p.m. on the SEC Network. Both 4-7, both 0-7 in the SEC. Ouch. Vols favored by 1. Loser of this game is going to have a long, long winter.
UT San Antonio (6-4, 3-4) in Ruston to play Louisiana Tech (5-6, 3-4). 6:30 p.m. on ESPNU. La Tech favored by 2.
Colorado and Utah with identical records of 5-6 and 2-6. Tough year for both. 9:00 p.m. on FS1. Utes favored by 10.4 at home in Rice-Eccles.
Utah State at Air Force, 9:15 p.m. on ESPN2. The Academy favored by 1.5.
Last Week
Big 12 – Week 12
Texas Christian had no trouble in Lubbock despite Kenny Hill’s absence, as the Frog defense throttled the Red Raiders. Nic Shimonek was 17 for 33 with 137 yards and a pick, resulting in a QBR of 12.4. Texas Christians win 27-3, covering.
Iowa State got back in the W column with a 23-13 win over Baylor. Line Cyclones by 9.5 points, and I was right and Scott Van Pelt was wrong.
Baker Mayfield continued to do well while actually on the field, but his sideline behavior needs work. The Land Thieves had no problem with Kansas, winning 41-3, but young Baker did have a problem. Unfortunate. https://twitter.com/5thYear/status/932663100330868736
Bill Snyder and K State with a great road win over Oklahoma State, 45-40. And the Wildcats were 20 point road underdogs. Okie Aggies fought back valiantly with 20 in the fourth, but KSU held on for the win.
Last Week in College Football – Top 25
Not a lot of drama last weekend
Alabama 56-0 over Mercer.
Clemson 61-3 over The Citadel.
Virginia played Miami (FL) tough, but the Canes turned it on in the third quarter to squash the Hoos 44-28.
Wisconsin stays perfect, 24-10 over Michigan.
War Eagle 42-14 over ULM.
Georgia 42-14 over Kentucky. Dogs covered.
Heck of a game: Navy and Notre Dame. Cold and raining, the Irish fought for a 24-17 win over the Middies.
Ohio State 52-14 over Illinois.
Nebraska gave the Nittany Lions a scare, but PSU 56-44. Huskers cover.
Louisiana State handed Tennessee its seventh loss of the season 30-10, and the Tigers covered.
Wonderful game in the Coliseum. Southern Cal 28-23 over UC Los Angeles. And Mora got fired as the Bruins were 5-6 and 3-5 in the Pac 12. UCLA did cover.
UCF 45-19 over Temple.
Hail State! Mississippi State 28-21 over Arkansas.
Michigan State 17-7 over Maryland.
Great game between the Utes and Huskies. Washington prevailed 33-30 over Utah.
Vegas had then No. 19 North Carolina State a 1.5 point at Wake Forest. I couldn’t figure it out. But they were right. Demon Deacons beat the Wolfpack 30-24.
Memphis laid the whip to the Mustangs, 66-45.
The Big Game was big. Stanford beat Cal 17-14. No cover and way under.
Air Force does down at Boise State, 44-19
Utah covered at Washington, losing 30-33. Yep.
Other Games of Interest Last Week
Ole Miss fell to Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, 31-24. All kinds of offense in the first half, as the Rebels led 24-21 at half. Looks like Coach Sumlin may keep his job. Or so I thought.
Rice covers! Owls lose 21-24 at Old Dominion.
Louisiana Tech doubled up UTEP, 42-21, and covered.
Brigham Young lost at home to U Mass, 16-10. Now 3-9, it is hard to fathom how far BYU has fallen.
Texas State covered, only losing 12-30 to Arkansas State.
Florida wins over UAB, 26-7.
Houston lost at Tulane, 17-20.
A big shootout in Denton, as the Mean Green beat Army 52-49. Line was UNT by 2.5.
Marshall at UT San Antonio. 6:00 p.m.
Washington & Lee Generals
W&L fell to power house Mount Union 21-0. The vaunted Generals ground game managed just 220 yards. Although the defense held the Purple Raiders to a season low 80 yards passing, it wasn’t enough. Josh Breece had 169 yards and finished the season with 1,825 yards and 18 touchdowns on 237 carries. Nice work Mr. Breece. On to lacrosse season.
Music
I love Texas country music, especially the last 10 or 15 years of artists who I like to think of as the Robert Earl Keen music tree. Two of those artists went to Tech, Pat Green and my friend Cory Morrow. Spent an extra hour Tuesday listening to music.
Texas on My Mind: https://youtu.be/yXOlDtuWH0k
Are You Sure Hank Done it This Way: https://youtu.be/3ls3yhkJomo
Pat Green, West Texas Holiday: https://youtu.be/9JHknlVnW64
Pat Green, Carry On: https://youtu.be/iZUHcKVG5hY
Pat Green, Take Me Out to a Dancehall: https://youtu.be/ijGdyMXPqyc
Cory Morrow, 21 Days: https://youtu.be/mlMwnjqPhE0
Cory Morrow, Big City Stripper: https://youtu.be/h0Q3aJq-EPU
And last, one of my very favorites, Cory with Nashville Blues: https://youtu.be/gypndO2NPqI
Ivy League
Yale beat Harvard 24-3 and won the title. Columbia 24-6 over Brown to complete one of their best seasons in a long time. Penn edged Cornell 29-22. Princeton’s tough 2017 ended with a 44-54 loss to Dartmouth.
Longhorns Basketball
Got to see the whole game with Lipscomb last Saturday. Mo Bamba is amazing. Horns won 80-57.
The Horns are in the PK80 tournament in Portland, Oregon for the Thanksgiving holiday. On Thursday they play Butler at 6:00 p.m., and the game will be on ESPN2. Friday we play either Duke or Portland State at 2:00 or 4:30. We will have that game on at the tailgate.
The women are still undefeated. The play in Vegas this weekend. Game against LSU Friday.
Longhorns Volleyball
They just win. No. 2 Texas plays OU Wednesday night at Gregory, 7:00 p.m. On LHN.
Happy Thanksgiving
So grateful for my family and friends, especially my brothers from W&L and my brothers in the Juan Heisman Tailgate Crew. Best wishes to all for a blessed Thanksgiving.
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.” ― Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer
Living with an attitude of gratitude!
God Bless Texas.
Tim Taylor
Tailgating before Home Football Games:
Lot 38, East of Sid Richardson Hall.
HOOK EM HORNS!!
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2017. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
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