Good Morning Longhorn Fans!
Texas 38, Baylor 7
A much needed win, on the road, in conference. Regardless of Baylor’s record and bad football, Texas needed that win, and as the day played out we found the Horns tied for second in the Big 12. Of course, 4 are tied for first (Land Thieves, Okie A&M, Texas Christian, and Iowa State), and we are at 3-2 with West Virginia. My suggested click of the week: Defensive highlights against the Bears: https://youtu.be/4pfGaYut2n0
Texas Longhorns vs. Texas Christian Horned Frogs
Huge game for the Horns in Fort Worth. Texas and the Toads square off in Amon Carter Stadium at 6:15 p.m. Saturday night. Texas Christian comes in sporting a 7-1 record, a #8 ranking in the CFP, a #10 ranking in the AP poll, and an attitude that wore thin a long time ago. The game will be broadcast nationally on the Entertainment & Sports Programming Network. Bob Wischusen (PxP), Brock Huard with analysis, and Allison Williams on the sideline. Of interest, Wischusen went to Boston College and his classmates includes Joe Tessitore and Jon Sciambi, also ESPN guys. Not a bad crew for those of us watching from home.
The game will be broadcast in the greater Manchaca-Jolleyville Metropolitan SMSA on Bob Cole’s KOKE FM 99.3 and the Horn, 104.9. If you want to listen and don’t have radio access, I highly recommend getting the KOKE app. Really easy to use. And you get to listen to Craig Way.
The Vegas oddsmakers have Texas Christian as a 7 point favorite.
HOUSTON STRONG!
Congratulations to the Houston Astros, 2017 World Series Champions. A great win for the Astros, for Houston, and for Texas. Such a good story with the 100+ loss seasons as they built a team to win a championship, and then did it. Lots of respect for Jeff Luhnow, and for Reid Ryan and all the management. An incredible baseball team analytically built largely around little Jose Altuve, who should win the AL MVP award, and guys like George Springer (first round, 11th pick, 2011), who won the Willie Mays World Series MVP trophy; Carlos Correa (first overall pick, 2012); and Louisiana State’s Alex Bregman (second overall pick, 2015). A huge summer trade for a great pitcher – Justin Verlander. But like most championship teams lately, they added a secret ingredient – a seasoned veteran who could bring wisdom and maturity to a young, hungry clubhouse. And I am really glad it was Carlos Beltran. A future first ballot HOF’er, 2017 was Beltran’s twentieth year in the Show. He started with the Royals in 1998 as a 21 year old, and in the last two decades, he has built a resume that includes Rookie of the Year, nine All-Star games, three Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, and what I believe is the highest honor for a major league baseball player outside of MVP, the Roberto Clemente Award, in 2013. But he had never won a World Series ring. He has one now. And so does H-Town.
Yes, my first team is the Cubs, but I am a Texan, and if Fox Sports Southwest would show the Astros instead of the Rangers, I would be really happy (sorry WW). One reason I enjoyed watching the Astros this year, and especially their post-season run, is because they were built similar to last year’s Cubs (albeit a different path). Some great young stars (Houston’s noted above; Cubs: Bryant, Baez, Russell, Soler, and Rizzo [although he was an “old man” by last year]), a seasoned, beloved veteran (David Ross), and a mid-season pitcher (Aroldis Chapman).
Congratulations Houston. Happy for the Astros, for the long-time fans, and for Texas. History Earned.
JDRF
Okay friends, especially all who ask “How much is a subscription to your newsletter?”. There is not a cost, as you now know. I do this because I love The University of Texas, Longhorn football, and college sports (and maybe, just maybe, because I am a tad eccentric). But, I do ask for you to thoughtfully consider requests for donations, especially last week’s ask for JDRF from my daughter Mary Elizabeth, excerpted below.
November marks National Diabetes Awareness month–a month in which communities across the country work to bring attention to diabetes and its impact on millions of Americans. Nearly 1.25 million Americans are living with type 1 diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas no longer produces insulin. The causes are not fully known, and there is currently no cure. Type 1 diabetes has life-altering and life-threatening impacts.
Since its inception in 1970, JDRF has funded virtually every major breakthrough in type 1 diabetes science. Today, they are the world’s largest funder and supporter of T1D research. People with type 1 would never benefit from JDRF-funded innovations without its incredible donors. Fund A Cure is JDRF’s auction of giving and the backbone of our Hope Gala fundraising. Every dollar of these donations goes directly to research, making a direct impact in the lives of those living with or affected by T1D. It is 100% tax deductible.
In light of National Diabetes Awareness Month, please consider donating to our Fund A Cure campaign using this link. JDRF’s urgent mission is one that is near and dear to my heart, and I would be forever thankful for your support. -Mary Elizabeth
https://jdrf-capitol.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/DCHopeGala2017/FundACure/tabid/886358/Default.aspx
Let’s end T1D. Please help. Thank you to those who donated. It really means a lot to me.
Horns and the Brazos Baptists
Oxford Mississippi was cool and crisp last Saturday morning, and after a very late and great meal at City Grocery Friday night, Charles and I elected to push our trip to the Grove to post-game and enjoy a relaxing morning of college football on the television. The decision paid off, as the Longhorns played a solid, complete game and soundly thrashed the Bears, while on a separate screen we suffered through Ole Miss blowing a 31-7 lead to lose to Arkansas 38 – 37. Ugly.
True story, and Charles will back me up: Before the first play, I told Charles that I had dreamed that Texas scored a defensive touchdown on Baylor’s first possession. A minute or two later, I was wondering why I was in Oxford instead of Las Vegas! DeShon Elliott made my dream come true with a 43 yard pick 6 on the third play from scrimmage. (Can’t swear to it, because dreams get a bit mangled, but I think it was Elliott on a pick 6). Anyway between that and my hypothesis on the final score (45-10; Texas had a touchdown called back on Carter’s run in the third quarter – a holding call on Cuney. Baylor went for it on 4 and 6 at the Texas 22 in the fourth, down 31-7 with 10 minutes to play. Why not put 3 points on the board?), I had a good day on the prediction front.
Richard “Preemption” Suttle probably hoped I would skip a review of the game, but no such luck.
The aforementioned DeShon Elliott Pick 6 was a great start. The rest of the first quarter was ugly and a bit troublesome, as we all know how dangerous a slow start has been for Texas the past few years.
But on their first possession of the second quarter, the Longhorns got it in gear. Buechele directed a really nice drive that started on our own 10 yard line, with some Carter rushes, some great passes and catches. The drive’s passing game included 2 10 yarders to Collin Johnson, a 14 yarder to Lorenzo Joe, and that really nice 15 yard touchdown pass to Lil Jordan Humphrey. 14-0.
To Baylor’s credit, they answered next possession, after a Texas PF on the kickoff gave the Brazos Baptists the ball at mid-field. A blown coverage, a beautiful Brewer pass, and a really nice one-handed catch by Blake Lynch set up the Bears at the Texas 3, and they punched it in for a 14-7 game.
A couple of series later, a great Texas defensive stand aided by Baylor fail: second quarter, Texas up 14-7, and Baylor got the ball on their 38. Bears had a 4 and 2 at the Baylor 46, and the long snap went through the punter’s hand like [struck by editor], and Texas got the ball on the 28, from whence Shane scampered untouched to put the Horns up 21-7. That was game. Well, technically the half-time score, but the game was over. Texas had confidence, better athletes, and a much shorter rap sheet.
Some defense by both teams to start the third, in which period the only score was an 18 yard field goal kick for the Horns. Anyone else surprised when Herman didn’t go for it on fourth down at the Baylor one yard line?
Toward the end of the third, down 24-7, Baylor went for in on 4th and 2 at their own 28. Nope. Texas thus had the ball as the final quarter started, at the Baylor 19. And 5 seconds into the fourth, Toneil Carter ripped off a 19 yard run, and Texas was up 31-7.
The Longhorns put up their final score, well, actually Daniel Young put up the final Texas score, as the game drew to a close. The final Texas drive started at the Horns 49, and Young rushed for 19, 1, and 31 to put the finishing touches on a Longhorn victory.
Another stellar defensive performance, as the Texas Defense held Baylor to a net of 31 yards rushing. The amazing stat behind that stat is yards lost by Baylor: 86. They actually managed to rush for 117 yards, but Orlando’s attacking, rampaging defense had eight men involved in tackles for loss and sacks, led by Malik Jefferson with 2.5 TFL for 20 yards. Elliott and Jefferson both had 8 tackles to lead the team, and Hill and Johnson each had 6 (Hollywood also had a forced fumble), with Hager and Locke with 5. Hager was an attacking beast again, with 2 tackles for loss for 7 yards. John Bonney with a nice game – 3 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Baylor’s Brewer and Smith did combine for a respectable day passing, 21 for 38 and 218 yards.
Other highlights: Texas running backs combined for 143 yards rushing, and Shane Buechele added 55 on the ground while going 27 of 34 for 256 yards in the air. A very, very solid performance and Exhibit #1 why having two starting quarterbacks is almost a necessity. Ten Longhorns caught passes, with LJH leading the list with 5 for 55 and a touchdown. Joe had 3, Johnson had 6 (we will really need him this weekend in the Fort), and Leonard had 3. Very nice spreading. Also of note, two catches by Cade Brewer, who is having a very nice season.
Great game highlights:
Jason Chilton’s offensive highlights:
Reviews
nobis60 Shooting from the Hip:
https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2017/10/28/16564318/shooting-from-the-hip-texas-38-baylor-7
Great videos by nobis60:
https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2017/10/29/16567932/the-speed-rush-texas-o-and-d-vs-baylor
And his chalk talk:
https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2017/11/1/16592686/chalk-talk-the-dirty-dime-does-in-baylor
Wescott Eberts
Longhorns and the Horned Frogs
Texas leads the overall series 62-24-1, but Gary Patterson is 4-2 against the Horns (4-1 in Big 12 play), and the last three games with the Frogs have been about as ugly as it gets. 48-10, 50-7, and 31-9. I don’t even want to go research to see if there is worse string of beatings in recent history.
Gary Patterson is a difference maker. Some amazing stats: Since he got to Texas Christian (2001), the Horned Frogs have the best record in the State: 156-54 (Texas is 2nd with 151-62). Since 2005, they have the best record of all private schools in the country, ahead of Southern Cal, Brigham Young, Stanford, and Notre Dame.
Texas Christian entered last weekend ranked in the top 5, and a win in Ames might have put the Frogs in the top 4 in the first CFP ranking. But they ran into that surprising Cyclone defense, and the 14-7 loss to Iowa State may have ended any purple hope of competing for a national championship. The Texas win this weekend will seal that.
Prior to last Saturday, Texas Christian was enjoying a splendid season. 63-0 over Jackson State, a 28-7 win over Arkansas, and a 56-36 crushing of Southern Methodist set the table for Big 12 play. Patterson and his kids didn’t disappoint, as they started conference play with a big 44-31 win over then No. 6 Oklahoma State, in Stillwater. The Frogs followed that with a 31-24 win over No. 23 West Virginia, and then cruised through the Kansans, 26-6 over K State and 43-0 over KU.
Other than last week’s disaster in Ames (a 7.4 QBR), Kenny Hill (#7) is the heart of the Frog offense. He is ranked fifth in the conference in passing, with 158 for 233 (67.8%), and 1,863 yards. 15 TDs passing against 5 interceptions, averaging 232.9 yards per game. I am assuming Orlando watched a whole lot of film from the ISU game, and that there is a spectacular plan in place to shut him down. Malik Jefferson has probably had some input:
https://twitter.com/TexasFootball/status/926207594401878016
Frog rushing attack is led by sophomore Darius Anderson (#6) out of Rosenberg. 5’11” and 205, Anderson has 627 yards on 103 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per rush, with 6 touchdowns. But he is just part of the story. Texas Christian has run for 1,560 yards this year, and Kyle Hicks (#21) has 72 carries for 394 yards, averaging 5.5 per touch. Big Sewo Olonilua (6’3”, 225, #33) has 161 yards on 39 attempts, and he has 6 touchdowns. Kenny Hill has 203 yards gained (a net of 111, but with quarterbacks you have to look at the gross when thinking about their running).
Hill spreads the ball around. Diarse and Turpin have 23 catches, White has 22, and Reagor has 19. Hicks with 12, and Austin and Nixon each with 11. Their stats break down as follows:
- John Diarse (#9), 23, 367 yards, 2 touchdowns, averaging 16 ypc.
- KaVontae Turpin (#25), 23, 236 yards, 1 touchdown, averaging 10.3 ypc.
- Desmon White (#10), 22, 248 yards, 3 touchdowns, 11.3 ypc.
- Jalen Reagor (#18), 19, 308, 4 touchdowns, 16.2 ypc.
- Kyle Hicks (#21), 12, 106, 8.8 ypc.
- Jaelan Austin (#15), 11, 157, 14.3 ypc.
- Shaun Nixon (#3), 11, 113, 1 touchdown, 10.3 ypc.
The Texas defense will need to have yet another heroic game for the Horns to stay in this game. I think they will. Locke out will hurt, but I think the rest will step up. Expect another game with lots of attacking. Nickel often, and Hager lined up at that DE spot chasing Kenny Hill.
Defensively, the Frogs are led by #32, linebacker Travin Howard, a Longview Lobo. The senior has 60 tackles, 39 solo. 6.5 TFL for 18 yards, and an interception. Senior safety Nick Orr (#18) has 43 tackles (27), 3 TFL (19 yards), and two interceptions. #31 Ridwan Issahaku, another safety, has 40 tackles (27), 5 TFL (21 yards), and an interception. A linebacker and two safeties with 14.5 tackles for loss for 58 yards? Their top defensive ends, #9 Mat Boesen and #15 Ben Banogu, have 34 and 32 tackles respectively (20 and 21 solo). Boesen has 4.5 TFL for 29 yards, and Banogu has 9.5 TFL for 34 yards. That is some defense. This scares me the most, given our offensive line troubles.
The Statistics
Offense
| Statistic | Texas | Texas Christian |
| Rushing Offense | #78 – 153.9 ypg | #37 – 195 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #28 – 278.4 ypg | #50 – 251.4 ypg |
| Total Offense | #46 – 432.3 ypg | #33 – 446.4 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #46 – 31.3 ppg | #22 – 37.3 ppg |
| First Downs | #30 – 22.6/game | #38 – 22.4/game |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #84 – 51, 222 yards | #61 – 46, 155 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #43 – 43% | #2 – 53% |
| Red Zone Offense | #113 – 74% / 56% | #64 – 85% / 67% |
| Long Scrimmage Plays | #25 – 127/10+; 39/20+; 11/30+ | #31 – 125/10+; 38/20+; 20/30+ |
Defense
| Statistic | Texas | Texas Christian |
| Rushing Defense | #12 – 109.6 ypg | #3 – 77.3 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #105 – 261.1 ypg | #55 – 209.5 ypg |
| Total Defense | #49 – 370.8 ypg | #10 – 286.8 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #33 – 21.0 ppg | #8 – 14.8 ppg |
| Tackles for Loss | #46 – 69, 208 yards | #39 – 55, 253 yards |
| First Downs Allowed | #31 – 17.9/game | #13 – 15.5/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #7 – 26.1% | #8 – 27.4% |
| Red Zone Defense | #27 – 76% / 44% | #3 – 63% / 37% |
| Long Scrim. Plays allowed | #51 – 105/10+; 41/20+; 14/30+ | #13 – 84/10+; 29/20+; 17/30+ |
Match-up Comparison
| Texas Offense | Texas Christian Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 153.9 ypg | 77.3 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 278.4 ypg | 209.5 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 432.3 ypg | 286.8 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 31.3 ppg | 14.8 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 22.6/game | 15.5/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 43% | 27.4% – 3rd Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 74% / 56% | 63% / 37% – Red Zone Defense |
| LSP – 127/10+; 39/20+; 11/30+ | 84/10+; 29/20+; 17/30+ – LSP Allowed |
| Texas Defense | Texas Christian Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 109.6 ypg | 195 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 261.1 ypg | 251.4 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 370.8 ypg | 446.4 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 21.0 ppg | 37.3 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 17.9/game | 22.4/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 26.1% | 53% – 3rd Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 76% / 44% | 84% / 67% – Red Zone Offense |
| LSP Allowed – 105/10+; 41/20+; 14/30+ | 125/10+; 38/20+; 20/30+ – LSP |
This is probably the best defense we will play this year. And we may be one of the best defenses Texas Christian faces this year, although I have to give a tip of the Open Road to Iowa State. Texas leads the nation with 5 defensive scores, but the Frogs are tied for 5th (with 19 schools) with 3 defensive touchdowns. Texas Christian is materially better than the Texas defense in pass defense, red zone defense, and defending long plays. But we all know our red zone efficiency is really bad, a combination of failed fourth down attempts and missed field goals.
So, what are my conclusions? Same story: Offensively, we have to protect the quarterback. Whether it is Shane or Sam or Jerrod, we have to block better. If I am reading the stats and history right, there will be a lot of blitzing. Given our difficulty blocking 3 or 4 rushers with 5, we will have to have a running back or tight end (or someone – I think Malik would be great but I don’t think he can play both ways for an extended stretch) in the backfield picking up blitzers and the rushers who get past the first line of defense. [Okay, since I am not a coach, I can think about crazy stuff: Malik is really smart, has good football sense and wisdom, and is a heck of an athlete. Who better to read a defense and knock the crap out of a blitzing safety or corner than Malik Jefferson? I don’t know, but we have to do something to protect the quarterbacks and give them time to find receivers.]
Texas Game Notes:
http://texassports.com/documents/2017/10/30/09_Texas_Football_Notes_2017_TCU.pdf
Texas 21, Texas Christian 17.
Texas Christian University
The roots of what is now Texas Christian University go back to post-Civil War Texas. Two veterans of the War, brothers Addison and Randolph Clark, started a children’s preparatory academy in Fort Worth known as the Male & Female Seminary in Fort Worth in 1869, which they operated from 1869 to 1874. The Clarks were preachers in the Restoration Movement.
Despite the early success of the Clark brothers’ school and their dreams of establishing an institute of higher education, Fort Worth was booming, mainly because of the Chisholm Trail. The area of town around the property the Clarks had acquired for their college became cowtown’s vice district, filled with saloons, gambling halls, dance parlors, and houses of ill-repute. By 1872 this area of Fort Worth had acquired the nickname of “Hell’s Half Acre”. For more on Hell’s Half Acre, I recommend this article on the Texas State Historical Association website: http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hph01
The Clarks feared that this negative environment undermined the young school’s mission, so they decided to relocate to Thorp Spring, a small community near the frontier of Comanche and Kiowa territory. So in 1873 the Clark brothers founded AddRan Male & Female College in Thorp Spring. TCU recognizes 1873 as its founding year.
In 1889 AddRan College formed an official partnership with what would become the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and was renamed AddRan Christian University.
Inexplicably, the university relocated to Waco from 1895 to 1910. The institution was renamed Texas Christian University in 1902. It was during this 15 years’ of wandering in the Waco wilderness that TCU entered the ranks of intercollegiate football and adopted its school colors of purple and white.
In 1910, the main building burned to the ground, and before they started rebuilding, some smart Fort Worth businessmen offered the university $200,000 and 52 acres of land if they would move back to Fort Worth. By my estimation, that $200,000 is about $4.5 million in today’s dollars. I looked at a couple of tax valuations in the area a few years ago, and I am guessing that 52 acres of land is worth way more than $50,000,000 now. Not bad. The campus now occupies about 272 acres.
The rest is history as Texas Christian University has become a highly regarded national university, a history that includes a couple of students there in the 1920’s, my paternal grandparents, the great Texas amateur golfer Leon C. Taylor and my dear grandmother Thelma Lawrence Taylor.
Some wealthy families and people in the lists of notable Texas Christian alumni, including Kyle Bass (Hayman Capital Management) and Winthrop Paul Rockefeller.
My favorite famous non-athlete alums include Dan Jenkins, a great writer (not just a great sportswriter), Skip Hollandsworth of Texas Monthly fame, and Bob Schieffer.
Some legendary names: Davey O’Brien, Sammy Baugh, Bob Lilly.
And one that is close to my heart: Jake Arrieta.
Your trivia for the day: On Gilligan’s Island, The Professor held a Ph.D. from Texas Christian.
Juan Heisman Tailgate
Make plans to attend the Kansas tailgate on November 11. The 5:00 start will allow for a great November afternoon of great food, wine, beer, and fellowship. Trust me, this is going to be an epic tailgate. Plan on a great meal.
Polls
AP Poll: Georgia, Alabama, Notre Dame, Clemson, OU, Ohio State, PSU, Texas Christian, Wisconsin, Miami (FL). Okie State at 11, Iowa State at 15, and Louisiana State at 19.
AP Poll: Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Clemson, PSU, OU, Miami (FL), Texas Christian. Oklahoma State at 11. Iowa State at No. 14.
Coaches Poll: Roll Tide, Georgia, Buckeyes, Clemson, Miami (FL), PSU, L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac, Land Thieves, Okie Aggies. Texas Christians at 11. Cyclones at 16.
This Week in College Football
Big 12 – Week 10
This. Is. The. Week! Baylor at Kansas. One of you will be winless in the Big XII no longer. Bears favored by 7.5!!! But an over/under of 61.5? 11:00 a.m. on … Nope. Not televised. Stunner.
K State at Tech at 11:00 a.m. on FS1. Both 4-4, this will be an interesting game. Sand Aggies favored by 3, and the over/under is 63. Good luck Tech!
No. 15 Iowa State in Morgantown to play West Virginia. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2. West Virginia is a 2.5 point favorite, the over/under is 60. Iowa State wins this and they have a real shot at the Big 12 Championship Game. We will see what Holgo has to say about that.
Bedlam! One of the best rivalries in the conference that isn’t played in October at the State Fair of Texas. No. 5 Land Thieves in Stillwater to play the No. 11 Okie Aggies. 3:00 p.m. on FS1. Identical records at 7-1 and 4-1, this game will also probably eliminate a team from playing for the Big 12 title. Vegas says Cowboys by 2.5. Tough one to call. The Land Thieves pass defense is not so good, and if Mason Rudolph has a good day the Pokes win easily. If Baker Mayfield puts the Sooners on his back, Land Thieves by 7. Over/under is 76. Either way, the winner gets the coveted Golden Mobile Home Trophy.
This Week in College Football – Top 25
Friday night, No. 23 Memphis at Tulsa, 7:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Tigers favored by 13.
A big Big 10 Game to get things going Saturday morning with No. 7 Penn State at No. 24 Michigan State. 11:00 a.m. on FOX. Nittany Lions favored by 9.5, and the over/under is 48. I will be pulling for the Spartans, but think that Penn State will prevail.
No. 15 Auburn at Texas Agricultural & Mechanical. 11:00 a.m. on ESPN. By Saturday, it will have been 762 days since Texas Agricultural & Mechanical beat an SEC West opponent at Kyle Field. War Eagle favored by 15, over/under is 52. Good luck aggies.
No. 9 Wisconsin continues to win, and they should do so again Saturday morning in Bloomington. Indiana and Badgers at 11:00 a.m. on ABC. Wiscy favored by 13.5, and the over/under is 48.5.
No. 16 Mississippi State continues the $EC tradition of stepping out of conference in November with a home game against 2-6 Massachusetts. State favored by 32, and the over/under is 56.5. 11:00 a.m. on the $EC Network.
No. 1 Georgia (sounds nice, doesn’t it?) gets the Cocks between the hedges. As one might expect, the featured 2:30 p.m. game on the Columbia Broadcasting System. What will most likely be featured is a big beat down of South Carolina. Bulldogs favored by 23.5, and the over/under is 45.
No. 3 Notre Dame at home with the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest is 5-3. 2:30 p.m. on NBC. Irish favored by 14, and the over/under is 55. Not sure if they will win by 14 or 40, but I do expect Notre Dame to rush for about 350 yards. ND is #6 in rushing, averaging 318 yards per game, while Wake is #89 in rush defense, allowing 184 yards per game.
No. 4 Clemson with a nice road test in Raleigh against No. 20 NC State. 2:30 p.m. on ABC (so that is 3 great games at 2:30 p.m. I will be watching from Taylor, Texas, enjoying Texas Beer Co. beer and the grand opening of the brewery). Wolfpack is undefeated in ACC, so this is a really important game for Clemson with both national and conference implications. Expect Dabo to take care of business. Clemson favored by 8, and the over/under is 51.
No. 6 Ohio State at Iowa. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN. Buckeyes favored by 18 over the 5-3 Hawkeyes. The over/under is 52.5. This would be a gigantic upset.
Really big game in Pullman, with No. 21 Stanford and No. 25 Washington State. Cardinal looking to win the PAC12 North, but they will have to get this one to stay in the hunt. Leach and his Cougars favored by 2, and the over/under is 55.
Another good football game at Southern Methodist University, with the Mustangs hosting No. 18 and undefeated UCF. 6:15 p.m. on ESPN2. I noted last week that ESPN said there were a bunch of tickets for the Ponies’ Friday night game available starting at $6. Wasn’t trying to be mean, just funny. Sadly, photographic evidence provided by a good friend confirmed the pitiful attendance at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on October 27, 2017. ESPN says 727 tickets available Thursday night starting at $18 (well, that’s better than $6). C’mon Southern Methodists, show up and support your team. UCF favored by 14.5, and the over/under us 73.5!
Game of the night is in Tuscaloosa. No. 19 Louisiana State at No. 2 Alabama. 7:00 p.m. on CBS. Good rivalry between two great SEC schools. Crimson Tide favored by 21. They are #2 because they don’t have a win over a ranked team (well, Florida State was ranked #3 when the season started, but that just doesn’t count now when you look at it). Over/under is 48.5. Good luck Tigers.
No. 13 Virginia Tech at No. 10 Miami (FL). 7:00 p.m. on ABC. Hokies are actually 2.5 point road favorites. Hope so. Over/under is 50. Good luck VPI.
Some nice late night PAC 12 games.
Oregon at No. 12 Washington. 9:00 p.m. on FS1. Ducks are 17.5 point underdogs to the Huskies. Only reason I will watch this is because I have a soft spot for Stanford, and the Cardinal needs Washington to lose. Over/under is 53.
Two ranked teams in the Coliseum. No. 17 Southern Cal hosts No. 22 Arizona. 9:45 p.m. on ESPN. Trojans favored by 7.5, and the over/under is 73. A very nice game to close out Saturday night, most likely with a big cab.
Other Games of Interest This Week
Thursday night while writing, I watched Navy at Temple. Middies were an 8 point favorite. Owls with a big 34-26 win over once-ranked Navy, now 5-3.
Friday night, UCLA and Utah bring 4-4 records to the table, 8:30 p.m. on FS1.
East Carolina at Houston, 11:00 a.m. on CBS Sports Network. Cougars favored by 24.5, and the over/under is 64.
Georgia Tech at Scott Stadium to play Virginia. Wahoos are 10 point underdogs at home. 2:00 p.m. on the ACC Network.
Rice at UAB. 2:00 p.m., but not televised. Rice 10.5 point underdogs.
Texas State hosts New Mexico State. 2:00 p.m. at Bobcat Stadium. New Mexican aggies favored by 10, the over/under is 57.
Army at Air Force, 2:30 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network. Black Knights with a better record, the Falcons favored by 6.5.
Ole Miss at Kentucky, and the Rebels are looking for a second SEC win. Kentucky coming off the win over Tennessee, and the Cats are 4 point favorites. Over/under is 63.5. Ole Miss needs a win. Hotty Toddy!
UT San Antonio on the road, all the way to Miami. Roadrunners and Florida International, 6:00 p.m. at FIU Stadium. UTSA favored by 4.5.
UTEP at Middle Tennessee. Miners are still looking for a win. Unfortunately, they didn’t schedule Baylor this year. MTSU favored by 17.5, over/under is 45.
Minnesota at Michigan. 6:30 p.m. on FOX. Stunning season for the Wolverines. Michigan favored by 15.5, and the over/under is 41.
National Previews
The Week That Will Be: Down the Stretch
Bill Connelly.
Last Week
Big 12 – Week 9
Okie State and West Virginia played a barn burner, as expected, blowing past the 73 o/u by 16 points, as the Cowboys posted 50 points, 20 in the fourth quarter, to put away the Mountaineers 50-39 (and covering). Okie Aggies stay in the hunt to play in the Deathstar on December 2.
Kansas State 30-20 over Kansas. Meh.
Well, I ended up not watching Texas Christian and Iowa State. Charles and I headed to the Grove as soon as the Texas game wrapped up, and we spent a couple of hours absorbing the very best “tailgating” experience on college football. So I was following the score on my handheld cellular device. Damn. Congrats Cyclones.
Texas Tech didn’t even cover. Land Thieves 49, Sand Aggies 27. Did hit the over.
Last Week in College Football – Top 25
Memphis swamped Tulane, 56-26. Cover, and over.
Wild game in the Horseshoe, as Ohio State rallied in the fourth quarter with 19 points, as J.T. Barrett when nuts in the final period, 13 for 13, 170 yards, 3 touchdowns. Buckeyes win 39-38.
Georgia rolled the Gators, 42-7.
Wisconsin beat Illinois 24-10. No cover.
Notre Dame with another big win over a ranked team, 35-14 over then No. 14 NC State. Irish covered.
Miami (FL) struggled to beat 1-win North Carolina, 24-19. The Hurricanes are the worst undefeated team in FBS. I think they would 3-2 in the Big 12, best case.
Clemson 24-10 over Georgia Tech.
Washington took care of business against UC Los Angeles, 44-23, covering.
What the hell Michigan State? Losing 39-31 to Northwestern? Guess that is why Vegas only had the Spartans favored by 2.5.
Congratulations Major Applewhite! Cougars beat South Florida 28-24. Good win for Major.
UCF 73-33 over Austin Peay
Washington State was favored by 3 at Arizona. The Wildcats have found something to get going, and they found the endzone a bunch. Cougars destroyed 58-37.
Southern Cal no problem beating Arizona State 48-17.
Other Games of Interest Last Week
How about that conference win for the Southern Methodists? 38-34 over Tulsa. Paid attendance of 14,930. Come on Dallas. Y’all can do better than that. Those kids are playing decent football.
Ole Miss with a brutal loss to Arkansas, as noted above, 38-37. Ouch.
Michigan back on track with a 35-14 beating of Rutgers.
Virginia loses at Pitt, 31-14.
Colorado beats Cal, 44-28.
Rice nearly covered the 13 point line. Louisiana Tech 42, Owls 28.
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical with another home SEC loss, 35-14 to Mississippi State. For the record, I picked Texas Agricultural & Mechanical last week. Don’t hate.
Air Force strafed Colorado State, 45-28.
Virginia Military Institute loses to The Citadel, 21-3.
UT San Antonio covers UTEP, 31-14.
Washington & Lee Generals
W&L with another ODAC Win, 17-14 over Randolph-Macon. 392 yards rushing, and zero passing. 62 rushing attempts (they did try 5 passes, just didn’t complete any). Josh Breece with 199 yards, averaging 7.4 ypc and with both W&L touchdowns. Collin Sherman added 88 yards on 10 carries, for a very nice 8.8 yards per rush average. A three way tie at the top of the ODAC with Shenandoah and Hampden-Sydney, setting up a huge final game of the season on November 11 between the Generals and Shenandoah, assuming we get past Bridgewater on Saturday.
Bridgewater College is up valley from Lexington, affiliated with the Church of the Brethren. A Christian denomination with origins in the Schwarzenau Brethren (German: Schwarzenauer Neutäufer or “Schwarzenau New Baptists”) that was organized in 1708 by Alexander Mack in Schwarzenau, Germany. The Brethren movement began as a melding of Radical Pietist and Anabaptist ideas during the Protestant Reformation. The first of its churches in the United States was established in 1723. One of the 3 “peace churches”, along with the Quakers and Mennonites.) By the way, last Tuesday, October 31, 2017, was the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. A Mighty Fortress!
The Eagles are 4-4, but only have one ODAC win, over Emory & Henry. This should be a win for Washington & Lee. 1:00 p.m. at Wilson Field. Glad we are a running team. Rain and a high of 55.
Game Notes: http://www.generalssports.com/sports/fball/2017-18/releases/Bridgewater_Notes
Good Stuff
- I really like Shaq. https://instagram.com/p/BbBNqOOgbU0/
- Reminder again about Honor Flight. If you know a veteran from WWII, Korea, or Vietnam, please consider honoring him or her with this opportunity to visit DC with Honor Flight. http://www.honorflightaustin.org/
- Mobile Loaves & Fishes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7KElAV6ZQs&sns=em
Ivy League
IVY LEAGUE REPORT FOR NOVEMBER 4, 2017
By Lonnie Schooler
Before recounting for one and all the wondrous events of Ivy League football this past weekend, and the thrilling action to follow, this writer is obliged to pause and take note of an historic moment: THE ASTROS WON THE WORLD SERIES!!
From this writer’s perspective, the long and heavy hand of a history regularly marked by defeats and disappointments has now been lifted from the shoulders of Astros fans. In my case, the story begins in the first week of April 1962, when I attended the third ever game played by the Colt 45s. They won, sweeping the then lowly Cubs, and we all thought that this would be a harbinger of many successes to come.
It only took another 55 years for that dream to become reality. Congrats to all of us, as this also marks the first World Series triumph for the State of Texas.
Back to business: Several spirited contests marked gridiron action in the Ivy League last weekend, including one major surprise.
Results of Games on the weekend of October 28:
Cornell visited Princeton in a nationally televised game. The Big Red stunned the Tigers, 29-28, as Nickolas Null kicked a 43-yard field goal with 48 seconds left to seal the victory. Princeton, a co-champ in 2016, has now officially fallen on hard times in fourth place, while the surprising Big Red are now in a three-way tie for first with Columbia and Yale.
Dartmouth journeyed to Cambridge to do battle with the Crimson of Harvard Dartmouth had been tied for first until its loss the week before to Columbia, and Harvard had already absorbed two losses in league play, giving the appearance of a triumph for Dartmouth. Alas, the Big Green went up 14-0, but could not hold the lead as Jake Smith threw three touchdown passes to lead Harvard to a 25-22 victory.
The Fighting Quakers of Penn traveled to Providence to meet the Brown Bruins. Nick Robinson passed to Justin Watson for two first quarter touchdowns (including an 80-yard reception on the first play of the game), and Penn held on to defeat the Bruins 17-7 (the other score on a 51-yard field goal). Brown re-mains winless in league play, while the defending co-champion Quakers are uncharacteristically already out of contention, having absorbed three league defeats.
The game of the week occurred in New Haven, as the Columbia Lions ventured up I-95 to take on the Yale Bulldogs. Columbia has been the class of the league thus far this year, going undefeated in league play and overall in its first six games. In a major surprise, Yale jumped out to a 16-0 lead, and held on to prevail, 22-6. The win boosts Yale into a tie for the lead with Columbia and Cornell, now each with one loss.
SCHEDULE FOR WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 3-4:
The schedule for this weekend’s games is as follows (all times CDT):
Brown takes I-95 south from Providence to New Haven to con-front the Yale Bulldogs at 6:00 P.M. on Friday evening, in a game nationally televised on NBC Sports.
On Saturday, Harvard rides to upper Manhattan to do battle with the Columbia Lions at 11:00 A.M. Princeton takes the quick jaunt to Franklin Field in Philadelphia to face the Fighting Quakers of Penn at 11:00 A.M. Cornell takes the long ride to the hills of New Hampshire to confront the Big Green of Dartmouth 11:30 A.M.
Enjoy your football this weekend, now that autumn is in full bloom, and congratulations once again to the Astros!
Longhorns Basketball
We are a week away from tipoff. Friday November 10, 7:00 p.m. against New Hampshire. I will be there. Section 49, Row 25, on the aisle by Section 48. Let’s have a beer at halftime.
God Bless Texas.
Tim Taylor
Tailgating before Home Football Games:
Lot 38, East of Sid Richardson Hall.
HOOK EM HORNS!!
© Timothy C. Taylor, Sr. 2017. All Rights Reserved (as to original material).
On Twitter: @tctayloratx
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and: www.Facebook.com/Juan.Heisman