Good Morning Longhorn Fans!
Red River Shootout No. 112: Texas Longhorns vs. Oklahoma Sooners
The Longhorns and the Land Thieves meet for the 112th time on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Texas holds a 61-45-5 record. The Sooners are coming off a disastrous home loss to Iowa State, snuffing any hope of a playoff spot. Texas is, of course, coming off a thrilling double overtime win over Kansas State.
Some of these videos have been in my newsletter in years past. Length of each is noted.
Red River Shootout – 10 minutes, but good. https://youtu.be/FV_moBUl5Gg
Rites of Austin – 5 & half minutes. Some good commentary from the great Robert Heard. https://youtu.be/d5zcZmy35Js
Red River Rivalry – about 90 seconds – https://youtu.be/p6ZhGfwj1JI
Red River Rivalry – 4:30. https://youtu.be/4ET5QWzd-98
Jordan Shipley’s kickoff return against OU – https://youtu.be/-aLUWAzDAfc
This week Coach Herman said: “There is a lot of positive energy in that locker room right now. I’ve had numerous players tell me – Coach, this is as close as we’ve been as a team in a long, long time. That feels good.”
Yes. Yes it does.
Saturday is my favorite day of the college football season. Nothing in football, outside of watching Texas play for a National Championship in the Rose Bowl, compares to Texas and the Land Thieves in the Cotton Bowl. Not just the game, but the whole day. For years, we have been saddled with an eleven o’clock in the morning start, but that has only cut short the amount of time we have to enjoy the State Fair and one of the great spectacles in college football; it hasn’t cut short the fun. With the 2:30 kickoff, we will be back to a wonderful pregame, where we get corny dogs for lunch instead of breakfast, and Horns fans and Sooners fill Fair Park with Burnt Orange and Land Thief Crimson. A great rivalry celebrated by many more than the 100, 100 or so who will fill the historic stadium, united not only by the mutual hate upon which we tend to dwell, but also on each fan base’s love for a truly amazing rivalry that pits two great college football programs in a mystically special game. A game which creates legends and which ends, no matter who wins, with more fun and cold beer and corny dogs at the State Fair of Texas. I suspect most of you have been to a Texas-OU game. For those who haven’t, it should be on your bucket list.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Joe Tessitore, one of the best in the business, has the play by play, and Todd Blackledge will provide color and analysis. We will be blessed to have Holly Rowe on the sideline. For those of you who don’t know, Holly has been battling cancer for a couple of years. She is a warrior, and it makes me happy to see her working hard and doing what she loves, and doing it well. Texas radio broadcast with Craig Way, Roger Wallace, and Quan “Hit Man” Cosby can be heard nationally on Sirius channel 132, XM 199, and online channel 953. Bob Cole’s Austin Radio Network in the greater Austin-Pflugerville Metro area. [104.9 FM and 98.5 FM, and the Mighty 1490]
Best Tips of the Week
- Follow @TexasFootball on Twitter and Instagram. I could put in 10 links every week to great posts. Here is a great example of the stuff they are putting out: Texas linebackers. https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ4wf0TB8el/
- This one of my longest emails ever. Didn’t intend it to be this long when I started writing Sunday night. But here we are. Hate Week does this to me. Lots of hours on the Interwebs, lots of time remembering. So thanks for bearing with me.
- Let’s have a beer and a corny dog in Dallas. Meet me at Big Tex about noon. I will have on a burnt orange shirt, Wranglers, Redwing boots, and a Texas cap. You can’t miss me.
- This isn’t an OU video, but I found it tonight. Don’t think I have shared it before. Less than 5 minutes, and good: https://youtu.be/VuzOpvHgNu4
K State Wildcats vs. Texas Longhorns: 40-34 in Double OT!
What a game. So many great moments, a few tough ones, and in the end a joyous Eyes and lighting of the Tower on a beautiful night in DKR Texas Memorial Stadium.
It was a dominating performance by Texas.
- Texas doubled K State on first downs, 32-16
- Texas out rushed K State, 166 to 140
- K State averaged just 3.6 yards per rush.
- Third down defense continued to be outstanding. K State was 2 for 11
- Ertz was sacked 3 times. Despite the Texas Offensive line situation, Sam was never sacked.
Individual performances? Sam Ehlinger for sure. The Kid was our leading rusher and in the game, with 107 yards. Long of 24, and he averaged 5.4. He attempted 50 passes, completing 30. 380 yards and two touchdowns. The only interception was on the bomb in the first play from scrimmage, which just didn’t matter. Sam turned in the highest yardage total for a quarterback in Texas history. Number 11’s 487 total yards is bested only by Jerrod Heard’s 527 and Vince Young’s 506. I know Coach said repeatedly in his press conference that he hadn’t made a decision on who was starting this Saturday, but I just can’t imagine Sam Ehlinger not walking out on the historic field of the Cotton Bowl and, well, making some history. [And for the record, I wouldn’t mind seeing Juice getting some snaps too. In the presser, Coach kept saying, why tell OU who my starter is? Make them game plan for 2. Well, why not say Heard is getting snaps, and really get in Mike Stoops’ head. Okay, that isn’t a pleasant thought, but you know what I mean.] Oh, and Sam knows how to say thanks. How about donuts for the offensive line?
https://twitter.com/KevWash630/status/917438138699730944
Of note, Reggie Hemphill-Mass was our leading receiver, with 12 catches for 121 yards.
The Texas defense was stellar. Brandon Jones with 11 tackles (9 solo), and a TFL. Malik right behind him with 10 (6 solo, 2 TFL). DeShon Elliott is a mid-season All-American, and he had 6 tackles 1.5 TFL, .5 sack, and another interception. Roach and Naashon Hughes next, with 6 and 4. Great to see the defensive line with those numbers. And Charles Omenihu had a great game, with that huge tackle and stop.
Only real issue is the place kicking situation, with Rowland missing a chip shot early in the fourth and then the 45 yarder with 2 seconds left that would have won the game in regulation. Herman said at his Tuesday presser that Rowland went 15 for 15 in practice. Just need to get that to translate to game day. Points will be at a premium on Saturday, and every chance to get 3 needs to be converted.
On a less than positive note, I thought the low point in the game began at the end of the first quarter, when Texas could not convert a first and goal from the K State 3. In his presser, Herman said he’d do it again (go for it, instead of kicking), and that he hates kicking short field goals. I get it. But, part of that equation is that if you don’t score, you force the opponent to start in the shadow of their own goal posts, force a quick out, and then start again with good field position. Didn’t work out. In one of those mysterious coverage issues, the Wildcats had an 82 yard touchdown pass on second down (not a long pass, but a long run). Perhaps we should call those blown coverage blips a “covfefe”?
The good news was Texas answered with a most excellent 71 yard touchdown drive, with Sam 5-7 and a Kyle Porter rushing touchdown. 10-7 K State. But K State responded with similar drive that was keyed by a 39 yard pass play that got the Wildcats to the Texas 30. 17-7 K State. Trading blows like heavyweights (an apropos metaphor for Sam Ehlinger in this game), Texas punched back with a 78 yard drive, which concluded with a beautiful 33 yard pass to Chris Warren III. 17-14. A great defensive series (Roach’s big sack on Ertz) had KSU punting from their 14, and Texas set up at midfield. LJH with a good catch, some good runs by Ehlinger, and Texas closed the half with a 21-17 lead.
Texas got 3 on their first third quarter possession, extending the lead to 24-17. Some good Bill Snyder field position play resulted in a K State possession that began at the Texas 34. 3 minutes later, tie game. KSU had possession as the Fourth started, and got 3 to take the lead. That next series was when Rowland missed the 27 yarder wide left. I think those of who us score any sport put an asterisk in the book there. But Rowland redeemed on the next Texas possession with a 34 yard FG to tie. DeShon Elliott intercepted Ertz as K State drove for the win, and Texas had a chance. Ehlinger’s 11 yard rush (one of his many physical runs) had us in position to win, but Rowland missed the 45 yarder.
OT was fantastic. How many of you thought about how USC opened overtime in LA, with that quick first play scoring pass? KS tied, and we sent to the second OT. That KSU offensive possession is a mystery, given that is Bill Snyder’s team. Two penalties had the Wildcats second and 23, and good defense left K State with a 53 yard field goal, which they missed.
Texas closed with a great series. 12 yards to Collin Johnson to the 13, Sam rushes 9 to the 4. A couple of plays later was the Sam Push, with Ehlinger handing the ball to Warren, then turning to see the scrum and lunging in, shoving the pile into the endzone and the Longhorns to Victory.
I have re-watched the game a few times. I will always remember this game not for the hits on our quarterback, but for the hits our quarterback delivered. The play where Sam flattened the K State defender, the lowered shoulder as he approached the sideline. Lots of very physical runs.
Sam, you are the man. You have won our hearts. Now go beat the hell out of OU.
Game highlights: https://youtu.be/GzNAZExTo9c
Red River Shootout
Oklahoma was expected to be undefeated and ranked as high as #3 this Saturday. Iowa State changed all that. But it doesn’t change what the Land Thieves did the first four games of the year. 56-7 destruction of UTEP (who is winless, so not a good metric). Then a huge road win against The Ohio State University, 31-16, punctuated with Baker Mayfield’s planting of the OU flag in the middle of the Horseshoe. Then a thrashing of Tulane, 56-14. The Sooners closed September with a surprisingly close game in Waco, coming back to win 49-41. Take out the Buckeye upset, and this is not an impressive resume. I think Saturday we will know a lot more. And I hope what we know then is what I think now.
For the first time since 1947 since both teams had coaches in their first Texas-OU game as head coach. More on that game below. Amazing.
I have spent a lot of time thinking about this game. More than usual. I may be over thinking it, but I think this may come down to one person, and whether or not Texas contains him: Baker Mayfield. Despite the ISU loss, he is still one of the best offensive players in the nation, probably the best college quarterback, and still in the Heisman hunt. Let’s hope that changes on Saturday. Mayfield has thrown for 1,635 yards and 15 touchdowns. 327 yards per game. NOTE: Zero interceptions. Mayfield has completed 74.6% of his passes, 100-134. He has only run 74 yards, and 57 of those were in last Saturday’s loss to Iowa State.
Baker Mayfield hasn’t thrown a pick, but he hasn’t played DeShon Elliott and DBU yet.
Mayfield, in addition to being well-known to those who Serve and Protect in Norman, is well-known to Texas. This will be his fourth game against the Horns. His first was as a freshman sand aggie, and this is his third as quarterback for the Thieves. He’s 1-2. But, as we say, toss the record books. He’s a tough competitor and a winner (Lake Travis, state champs), but we have seen and beaten Heisman hopefuls before.
Don’t forget about the Land Thief transfer from Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, Kyler Murray. He has played in 3 games, gone 13 of 14 for 252 yards and 2 scores. Also a threat to run. Denizens of the Disch saw Kyler this spring, as he played for the Land Thieves baseball team. He went 0 for 4 in Game 1, with two strikeouts; didn’t play the rest of the weekend.
Mayfield spreads the ball around. Five Sooners with more than 50 yards receiving. Mark Andrews (#81, tight end) leads with 355 yards. 19 catches, 18.7 ypc, 71 ypg. 2 touchdowns. Next is CeeDee Lamb #9, 17 catches, 307 yards, 18.1 ypc, 61.4 ypg, 4 touchdowns (long of 82).
Dimitri Flowers is third in receiving, and he is the Land Thief fullback. 6’2” and 247 pounds, No. 36 has 263 yards and 16 catches. 16.4 ypc, 2 scores, 52.6 ypg. Long of 52.
Marquise Brown, #5, 230 yards on 14 catches. 16.4 ypc, 1 score, 57.5 ypg. Long of 87.
Jeff Badet, #2 (how appropriate), has 262 yards on 13 catches. 20.2 ypc, 1 score, 52.4 ypg. Long of 51. Twelve more sooners have at least one catch.
Todd Orlando has his work cut out for him. I think we will be ready.
OU rushing attack is a bit different than we have seen in the past, given Mayfield’s success. Top rusher is #4 Trey Sermon, a prototypical Land Thief running back at 6 foot, 220 pounds. The freshman from Georgia has 373 yards on 61 rushes, 3 TDs, and 6.1 yards per carry, with a long of 60. Abdul Adam, #23, has 372 yards, with a long of 99. He has done that on 25 carries, averaging 10.6. Marcelius Sutton (#21, 5’8”, 192) has 118 yards on 20 carries with 2 scores.
Linebacker Emmanuel Beal (#14) is the leading Land Thief tackler, with 36 tackles (18 solo), 2 TFL, and a half a sack. But the guy that does a lot of damage is Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, DE/LB. No. 31 is big and fast, redshirt senior out of Alief Taylor. 31 tackles (20), but 9 tackles for loss for 43 yards and 5 sacks for 25 yards. Herman-Beck, Inc. has to have an answer for that. As noted below in the stats, this defense does negative damage – lots of TFL, lots of sacks. What they don’t do, and what I hope continues, is intercept the ball. 2 picks, both by #11 Parnell Motley. The cornerback also has 23 tackles (3 TFL)
The Statistics
Offense
| Statistic | Texas | Land Thieves |
| Rushing Offense | #58 – 175.8 ypg | #36 – 202.6 ypg |
| Passing Offense | #29 – 288.2 ypg | #5 – 384.4 ypg |
| Total Offense | #33 – 464 ypg | #1 – 587 ypg |
| Scoring Offense | #35 – 35.6 ppg | #6 – 44.6 ppg |
| First Downs | #13 – 25.2/game | #8 – 26.8/game |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | #54 – 30, 110 yards | #33 – 26, 88 yards |
| Third Down Conversions | #18 – 48.3% | #13 – 48.9% |
| Red Zone Offense * | #122 – 70% / 57% | #25 – 91% / 83% |
| Long Scrimmage Plays | #44 – 83/10+; 26/20+; 8/30+; 3/40+ |
#7 – 109/10+; 40/20+; 16/30+; 12/40+ |
* The first % is scoring percentage; second is touchdown.
Defense
| Statistic | Texas | Land Thieves |
| Rushing Defense | #18 – 105.2 ypg | #33 – 123.6 ypg |
| Passing Defense | #98 – 249 ypg | #80 – 232.4 ypg |
| Total Defense | #42 – 354.2 ypg | #44 – 356 ypg |
| Scoring Defense | #50 – 23.8 ppg | #45 – 23.2 ppg |
| Tackles for Loss | #104 – 26, 115 yards | #79 – 30, 117 yards |
| First Downs Allowed | #22 – 17/game | #52 – 19/game |
| Third Down Conversions | #9 – 25% | #76 – 38.9% |
| Red Zone Defense | #25 – 73% / 53% | #120 – 94% / 44% ** |
| Long Scrim. Plays allowed | #49 – 66/10+; 24/20+; 8/30+ | #28 – 58/10+; 17/20+; 10/30+ |
** Not so good, but based on stopping touchdowns, they are tied for #21
Match-up Comparison
| Texas Offense | Land Thieves Defense |
| Rushing Offense – 175.8 ypg | 123.6 ypg – Rushing Defense |
| Passing Offense – 288.2 ypg | 232.4 ypg – Passing Defense |
| Total Offense – 464 ypg | 356 ypg – Total Defense |
| Scoring Offense – 35.6 ppg | 23.2 ppg – Scoring Defense |
| First Downs – 25.2/game | 19/game – First Downs Allowed |
| 3rd Down Offense – 48.3% | 38.9% – 3rd Down Defense |
| Red Zone Offense – 70% / 57% | 94% / 44% – Red Zone Defense |
| LSP – 83/10+; 26/20+; 8/30+; 3/40+ | 58/10+; 17/20+; 10/30+ – LSP Allowed |
| Texas Defense | Land Thieves Offense |
| Rushing Defense – 105.2 ypg | 202.6 ypg – Rushing Offense |
| Passing Defense – 249 ypg | 384.4 ypg – Passing Offense |
| Total Defense – 354.2 ypg | 587 ypg – Total Offense |
| Scoring Defense – 23.8 ppg | 44.6 ppg – Scoring Offense |
| First Downs Allowed – 17/game | 26.8/game – First Downs |
| 3rd Down Defense – 25% | 48.9% – 3rd Down Offense |
| Red Zone Defense – 73% / 53% | 91% / 83% – Red Zone Offense |
| LSP Allowed – 66/10+; 24/20+; 8/30+ | 109/10+; 40/20+; 16/30+; 12/40+ – LSP |
Of all the games that are hard for me to analyze objectively, this is tops. God I love beating OU.
Their defense is better than I thought, but 2 of their games were UTEP and Tulane. But it looks like our passing game is better than their pass defense. Thus, my first key to the game is Texas executing well on first down, getting us in second and 6 or less, and giving us a chance to work the short passing game.
I don’t think OU gets close to their offensive output average. Yards or scoring. The Texas defense is playing well, and I think Malik and Naashon and P.J. and Poona will be real leaders, as Texas will win or lose based on the defense. We will not let them run wild on us, and our pass defense gets better every week. The second key is limit the explosive plays. Look at what OU has: 109 over 10 yards, 40 over 20, 16 over 30, and 12 over 40. That’s amazing. Averaging 8 plays a game with plays over 20 yards? We can’t allow that.
Offensively, I am assuming Sam starts. But either way, the question is will Tim Beck call another great game last week? Hope so. Can we get the running game going? I think so.
Texas Game Notes:
http://www.texassports.com/documents/2017/10/9//06_Texas_Football_Notes_2017_Oklahoma.pdf?id=9303
The Official Preview from Texas:
http://www.texassports.com/news/2017/10/9/football-ready-for-at-t-red-river-showdown.aspx
The line is OU by 8.5, and the over/under is 64.5.
Texas wins this 42-31. Hook Em!
(For the record, I wanted to predict 63-14.)
Previews
Game Plan: Containing the Oklahoma Offense (this is not about tactics and strategies of the Norman Police Department)
https://www.burntorangenation.com/2017/10/12/16463654/game-plan-containing-the-oklahoma-offense
Chalk Talk: The Texas Offense Gets Fun, from nobis60
https://www.barkingcarnival.com/2017/10/11/16458724/chalk-talk-the-texas-offense-gets-fun
Jason Suchomel on OrangeBloods:
I think you have to subscribe to OrangeBloods to get this one. The Tunnel, courtesy of Charles Taylor.
https://twitter.com/KevWash630/status/917438138699730944
1947 Game
This is the 70th anniversary of one of the more infamous games in the series which, not surprisingly, is infamous in part because of the behavior of the Sooner fans and the fact that the referee had to be taken off the field at the end of the game in a police car, for his own safety. As noted above, this is the first time two new coaches have met in this rivalry since 1947, but that 1947 game is not known for being Bud Wilkinson’s and Blair Cherry’s first game. Of course, Wilkinson would go on to become one of the best coaches ever with the Streak, while Blair Cherry, who had been an assistant to Coach Bible for a decade before taking over as head coach, had a nice 4 year career, 32-10-1. Cherry retired after a SWC title in 1950.
Of note, Coach Cherry’s team included Bobby Layne and Tom Landry, while the Sooners had an All-American named Darrell K Royal.
Anyway, ESPN’s Jake Trotter has a nice article up on the game, and I defer to his excellent narrative. And let’s hope the Land Thieves get Siscoed again this year.
Texas, or Oklahoma?
Texas: https://youtu.be/PilBKRz5B0c
“No sport is more uniquely Oklahoman than noodling”. https://youtu.be/1JxD1jWp99o
The State Fair of Texas
We all know that part of the fun of the game and being at the State Fair of Texas is the fried foods. This year is no exception.
The Big Tex 2017 Choice Awards.
- Winner – Best Taste – Savory & Most Creative: The Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger.
- Winner – Best Taste – Sweet – the Gulf Coast Fish Bowl
- Savory Finalists included: Deep Fried Chicken Noodles Soup on a Stick, The Tamale Donut, and the Surfin’ Turfin’ Tator Boat.
- Sweet Finalists included: Fat Smooth, Fried Texas Sheet Cake (how could that lose?), and my personal favorite – Deep Fried Foot Loops.
- Semifinalists included: Crawfish Lollipop, The Tamale Donut, Deep Fried Bacon Wrapped Mozzarella with Jalapeno Ranch, Deep Fried Root Beer Float with Dragon’s Breath, and Fried Sloppy Joe Flautas with “Not Cho” Fries.
A couple of these have to have explanation.
The Gulf Coast Fish Bowl is “A whimsical beverage featuring all the flavors of your favorite tropical coast, with a kick! Your drinkable aquarium begins with Nerds® candy gravel. Next, the drink is iced and filled with a specially-formulated blue alcoholic punch. Swedish Fish® swim through the ice while a pineapple slice serves as the lid! Each sip brings a stream of crunchy candy and tropical punch up the straw causing a flavor explosion that transports you beachside with every sip!” I best that specially-formulate blue alcoholic punch is a really quality cocktail.
The Funnel Cake Bacon Queso Burger: “Begin with two funnel cakes that are fried to a golden crunch (aka “buns”). The first funnel bun is topped with a juicy, freshly-grilled burger patty, a heaping helping of crispy bacon, and gooey queso!! It is completed with another funnel bun and generously dusted with powdered sugar.”
The Tamale Donut is “ake a traditional tamale and turn it into a not-so-traditional donut! Our “Classic Pork” Tamale Donut starts with slow-cooked pork carnitas, blended with authentic “made-from-scratch” masa. Each dish is hand-formed into the donut shape and fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The “Classic Pork” Tamale Donut is finished off with a drizzle of homemade creamy jalapeno salsa.”
See them all here: https://bigtex.com/food/choiceawards/
And here: https://bigtex.com/food/newfoods/
The cardiologists of Texas say THANK YOU BIG TEX!
Juan Heisman Tailgate
We had an outstanding tailgate party. The Barksdale Trophy for the KSU Game goes to Jim Stone. Outstanding Early Crew leadership and work. Lots of friends there, and we put out a pretty great spread. Big thanks to Texas Beer Co. and JD Gins. We had the Blonde and Amber there, and they were both quite excellent (no, you dirty minded old man. Their Blonde lager and Amber ale). Looking forward to another great tailgate for the Okie aggies in 8 days!
OU Memories and Streaks
Thanks to everyone who responded. Some really great stuff, and unfortunately more than I can include.
As for games attended, I am pretty certain Frank Denius has the known record. I think it is well over 60.
Judge Lee Yeakel will be attending his 55th in a row and 56th overall. The records speaks for itself.
Didn’t hear from SuperFan Scott Wilson. Assume he’s in the 40-50 range.
Brad Laughlin: Many of y’all know Brad or know of him. He’s the CFO of the tailgate, the beer whisperer, and one of the nicest men in the world.
Tim –
I started attending Texas/OU games in 1968, midway into Darrell K Royal’s career at Texas, when I was 11 years old. My grandfather had played for UT and always had the option as an ex-player to purchase tickets to games he wanted to attend. Over the years, I have attended 49 straight games going into this weekend and have certainly seen a lot. Some pretty dang hot, others down right chilly. I have learned that you can throw out the records because the game is a great “evener” of the teams. Case in point: we have a record of 23 wins, 23 losses and 3 ties in my first 49 games. There were plenty of exhausting, great games, but the ones I really remember are:
- 1969 Nat’l Championship year. Amazingly, we actually had more passing yards (215) than rushing (161) in the win. Street threw all but 1 of those completions to Cotton Speyrer. We had a real All-American backfield with Bertelson, Koy, and Worster joining Street. As thrilled as I was with the 27-17 win, I never wanted to face a backfield of Jack Mildren and Steve Owens again
- 1976 – Lots of defense. Erxleben kicks 2 FG’s to give us a 6-0 lead. OU scored a tying TD with under 2 minutes left but a bad snap resulted in a failed PAT
- 1977 – Horns lose 2 QB’s (Aune and McBath) early in the game and insert an unknown Randy McEachern in the 2nd Randy runs for his life on 14 keepers as he and a fella named Earl Campbell lead us to a 13-6 win
- 1984 – in a 15-15 tie, Horns score on a TD, safety and a couple of field goals on a very wet and cold afternoon that featured 16 punts and only 347 yards of offense – for both teams
- Great efforts by players such as Ricky Williams who had 234 yds rushing in a ’97 win, 4 straight wins by Peter Gardere in ‘89-’92, and 103 yds rushing by freshman Edwin Simmons in ’83.
More than anything, the atmosphere is great with the smell of Fletcher corn dogs, the taste of cold beer in wax cups and the beautiful sight looking down from Gate 2 into the throngs of fans.
_____
Trey Hoffman:
Headed to Dallas for my 54th straight year with a bus load of Horn fans from Houston. Some memories which stand out.
- Street taking Texas down the field in the two minute drill in the first year of the wishbone.
- Gardere wins four straight.
- Johnny Walker for the win!
- Lasher wide Left…..cocky little guy wasn’t he?
- Switzer walking off the field while yelling at the refs and wearing a Beat Texas hat. Only night game in the series history….or at least it seemed that way.
- Who the hell is Butch Hadnot?….and where has he been?
- Applewhite to McGarity, 98 yards.
- First UT overtime game in history.
- Stoned at the goal line by Stonie! ESPN play of the year.
- “He’s a speedster”….Charles to the house.
- Bomar gets rocked.
- Case with the upset.
- Jordan Shipley destroys the Sooners….with an assist from Quan.
- Earl hurdles a Sooner on his way to ending a long losing streak.
- Edwin Simmons vs. Marcus Dupree……until Richard Peavy showed up.
- Sooners lead in routs, Texas leads in pulling the upsets.
_______
What’s amazing is how many of us have almost exactly the same mental highlight reels. Stoney Clarke’s stop on the goal line, Shipley’s great return, and of course the Rhett Bomar blast that led to a beautiful Big Man Rod Wright rumble (less than 10 seconds, for those of you not clicking):
And for me, this hit by Quan Cosby: https://youtu.be/cbSaXAEoYvQ
Polls
AP Poll: Alabama, Clemson, PSU, Georgia, Washington, Texas Christian, Wisconsin, Washington State, Ohio State, Auburn. OU at 12, Southern Cal at 13, Okie State at 14. Notre Dame at 16. Texas Tech at 24. Navy at 25
Coaches Poll: Roll Tide, Clemson, Nittany Lions, Huskies, Georgia, Wiscy, Texas Christians, Buckeyes, Wazzu, and Miami (FL) at 10. Land Thieves at 12, Southern California at 13. Okie A&M at 14. L’Université de Notre Dame du Lac at 19. Navy at 24.
This Week in College Football
Big 12 – Week 6
Texas Christian and Kansas State have an 11:00 kick in Manhattan. Purple on purple violence is always ugly. Stunned that Texas Christian was only a 4.5 point favorite Monday night, even on the road. FS1. Line was at 6 late Thursday night, with an over/under of 50. Frogs win this and stay undefeated.
Texas Technical heads to east to West Virginia. Also an 11:00 a.m. kick, this game on ESPNU. Sand aggies are 4-1, and Mountaineers are 3-2. Both 1-1 in Big 12 play. WVU is a 3.5 point favorite, and the over/under is 75. After seeing how well West Virginia played in Fort Worth, I tend to think that is a good line. Hate to pick against Kliff and Eric, but my guess is West Virginia wins this and covers.
Also at 11:00 a.m., Kansas and Iowa State play at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames. No broadcast television. Cyclones favored by 23, and the over/under is 64.5. I am believer in ISU. I think they take this easily.
Kicking off opposite the RRS at 2:30, Baylor and No. 14 Oklahoma State. FS1 from Boone Pickens Stadium. Baylor still winless. Okie A&M favored by 26, and the over/under is 68.5. I think the line is high, so look for Baylor to almost cover.
This Week in College Football – Top 25
Another Friday night with two big games.
No. 2 Clemson at Syracuse, 6:00 p.m. on ESPN. Lots of orange in the Carrier Dome Friday night. Unfortunately for the Cuse, probably lots of Clemson touchdowns too. Tigers favored by 20.5, and the over/under is 56.5. Syracuse is 3-3 and 1-1 in the ACC. Expect undefeated Clemson to roll. Sorry Phil.
No. 8 Washington State at Cal Berkeley. 9:30 p.m. on ESPN. Can’t wait to see some of this Coach Leach game after dinner at Javier’s with Ivan and Blade. Tony, I am going to keep you up late watching football! Cougars undefeated, and Cal is 3-3 with wins over Texas Agricultural & Mechanical, Weber State, and Ole Miss. Since then, they have dropped three straight to Southern Cal, Oregon, and Washington. Winless in PAC 12 play, and Wazzu will probably keep it that way. Washington State favored by 15, and the over/under is 54.
No. 17 Michigan coming off the stunning home loss to the Spartans heads to Bloomington. 11:00 a.m. on ABC. Indiana with 3 non-conference wins and 2 losses in the Big 10. Wolverines favored by 7.5, and the over/under is 46.5. Still think Michigan is really good, and expect them to win and cover.
No. 20 North Carolina State at Pitt. 11:00 a.m. on the ACC Network. Wolfpack 5-1 and 3-0 in conference, Panthers 2-4 and 0-2. NC State favored by 11, and the over/under is 54.
Purdue at No. 7 Wisconsin. 2:30 p.m. on the Big Ten Network. Undefeated Badgers favored by 17 over the Boilermakers (3-2/1-1). Over/under is 15. Wisconsin should win, and I think they cover.
No. 10 Auburn in Baton Rouge. Louisiana State coming off the big upset of Florida. This is the 2:30 national game on the Columbia Broadcasting System. Auburn favored by 7, and the over/under is 43.5. Who knows? Maybe Coach O pulls a miracle. Geaux Tigers!
Georgia Tech at No. 11 Miami (FL). 2:30 p.m. on ABC from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Canes favored by 6.5 and o/u is 51.5
No. 25 Navy at Memphis. Always nice to see one of the service academies ranked. 2:45 p.m. on ESPNU. Navy is undefeated, and Memphis is 4-1 (1-1 in conference). Tigers 3.5 point home favorites, and the over/under is 72. Navy is #1 in the country in rushing offense, averaging 414.2 yards per game. Memphis defense is #94 in rushing defense, allowing 187.2 yards per game. I think I will take Navy and the points.
East Carolina at No. 22 UCF. I know, Central Florida! Undefeated. 6:00 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network, UCF favored by 36. Over/under is 70.
No. 1 Alabama hosts Arkansas at Bryant-Denny. 6:15 p.m. on ESPN. Crimson Tide favored by 31.5, and I hope they cover that by a couple or three touchdowns. Over/under is 53.5. Roll Tide!
No. 4 Georgia home between the hedges with Missouri. Undefeated Bulldogs should whip the 1-4 Tigers (0-3 in SEC). Vegas agrees. Georgia favored by 30, and the over/under is 56.5. I think Missouri is loving the Southeastern Conference.
Nebraska is a 24.5 point home underdog to No. 10 Ohio State. Seems pretty high to me. 6:30 p.m. on FS1. Good luck to the Huskers. Over/under is 58.
Okay, I am confused about the schedule. But I think Cinci and South Florida are playing at 6:30 Saturday night. ESPNU. Bulls favored by 23.5, and the O/U is 65.
Utah coming off the tough loss to Stanford, and they face No. 13 Southern Cal in the Coliseum. 7:00 p.m. on ABC. Trojans favored by 13, and the over/under is 52.5. Fight On!
You beat Michigan and you get ranked. No. 21 Michigan State at Minnesota (3-2, 2-0). 7:00 p.m. on Big Ten Network. Surprised the line is only Spartans by 4. Over/under is 40. Bet the house on the Spartans.
Boise State (3-2) at undefeated and No. 19 San Diego State. 9:30 p.m. on the CBS Sports Network. Aztecs favored by 6.5. Over/under is 43. This might be the week SDSU loses.
No. 5 Washington at Arizona State. 9:45 p.m. on ESPN. Undefeated Huskies are a 17.5 point favorite over 2-3 Sun Devils. Over/under is 56. Washington should win.
Oregon at No. 23 Stanford. 10:00 p.m., and I can’t believe there isn’t a national telecast. Cardinal favored by 10.5.
Other Games of Interest This Week
Eastern Michigan at Army, 11:00 a.m. on the CBS Sports Network from Michie Stadium. Army at 6 point favorite.
Brigham Young at Mississippi State. Hard to believe BYU has one win. Don’t think they get their second won this weekend in Starkville. Hail State favored by 24. 11:00 a.m. on SEC Network.
UNLV at Air Force. 1:00 p.m., Falcon Stadium, USAF Academy, Colorado. Air Force favored by 7.5.
Going to be a beautiful day in Oxford I bet. A 2:30 kick for Ole Miss against Vandy. Should be a great day in the Grove. SEC Network. Ole Miss favored by 3.5. Over/under is 55.5. Hotty Toddy!
Virginia at North Carolina. Wahoos 4-1 (1-0), and Tarheels (1-5, 0-3). 2:30 p.m. on ACC Network. Cavaliers favored by 4. Over/under is 50.5. UVa should win this easily.
Akron at Western Michigan, 2:30 p.m. on CBSSN.
Miami at Kent State. Redhawks 9.5 point road favorites. 2:30 p.m. on ESPN3.
Houston at Tulsa, 3:00 p.m. on ESPN News. Cougars are favored by 13.5. Good luck Major!
UT San Antonio at North Texas. 6:00 p.m. on ESPN3. Roadrunners favored by 2.5.
UTEP still looking for a win. At Southern Miss this weekend. Miners are 23 point road dogs. Over/under is 52.5.
Texas Agricultural & Mechanical in the Swamp to play the Florida Gators. Apparently, Florida is wearing this: http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/20973366/florida-unveils-new-gator-inspired-uniforms. 6:00 p.m. on ESPN2. Gators favored by 2.5. Over/under is 50.5. Gig Em!
Apparently, Sumlin is still on the hot seat. https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/12/16465354/james-franklin-texas-a-m-coach-search-rumor
National Previews
The Week That Will Be: The New Guard
Viewing guide:
Bill Connelly. Not happy that he’s picking against us.
Interesting note from Bill on Tom Herman when he’s an underdog:
https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2016/11/18/13674378/tom-herman-houston-underdog-louisville
Last Week
Big 12 – Week 6
Well, Iowa State did cover that 4 touchdown line. The Cyclones blew into Norman and, well, I know tornado jokes are not polite and are not supposed to be funny anymore. But damn. Lincoln “Trailer Park” Riley with a tough loss in his rookie season. 38-31, and it wasn’t because Baker had a bad game – 306 yards and two touchdowns. The problem for the Land Thieves was the other team’s quarterback. After the Weirdo took a leave, Kempt started for the Cyclones, and he passed for 343 yards and 3 touchdowns. Have to give a salute to Joel Lanning here. I failed to note in my ISU newsletter that the former quarterback was playing defense this year. And playing it well. He had a good game against us. So, anyway, he played both ways on Saturday in Norman. Started on defense, and finished second in tackles, with 8 (4 solo, along with 1 TFL and a sack). He also went 2 for 3 for 25 yards passing, and rushed 9 times for 35 yards. Lanning for Heisman!
Texas Technical went to Lawrence and went to town. 65-19 Sand Aggie West Texas butt-whipping. And Nic Shimonek’s arm was not the key. He was a mundane 233 with 2 scores and 1 pick. Instead, the offensive geniuses on the Tech staff ran the ball. They ran the ball. 213 net yards rushing, and 5 touchdowns on the ground. Something new going on in Lubbock, and it makes me a bit nervous.
Texas Christian continues to show their strength, as they stay perfect with the 31-24 win over West Virginia. Frogs are really good.
Last Week in the Top 25
Going back to just listing the results in poll order.
Alabama withstood the aggy surge, beating Texas Agricultural & Mechanical 27-19.
Clemson likewise with a middling win, 28-14 over Wake Forest.
Did I mention Oklahoma lost to Iowa State, 38-31?
PSU 31, Northwestern 7.
The Georgia Bulldogs continue to roll, with a solid 45-14 win over Vandy.
Biggest upset of the day that did not occur in Indian Territory? Michigan State 14, Michigan 10. Stunning.
Wisconsin stays undefeated on the road in Lincoln, beating Nebraska 38-17.
Okay, Ohio State destroyed Maryland 62-14. I am taking the position that means nothing this weekend in Dallas. This is a different team of Longhorns than the one that played Labor Day weekend.
Mike Leach and Washington State stay undefeated with a huge road win at Autzen Stadium, downing the Ducks 33-10.
Pool Ole Miss. Lost 23-44 at Auburn. Landsharks are 2-3 and 0-2 in the SEC. Going to be a long year, at least for road games. Home in Oxford, there is always the Grove.
Miami (FL) stays perfect, beating now 1-3 Florida State 24-20. There are bad years (e.g., 2010), but this is looking really ugly for the Seminoles.
Southern Cal thumps bad Oregon State, 38-10.
Hokies beat the Eagles of BC, 32-10.
San Diego State 41, UNLV 10. I was wrong about the Vegas oddsmakers. They had this at 9.5. I guess no one really knows who SDSU is. Maybe next week I will have time to explore the Aztecs.
Leland Stanford Junior University with a very nice road win over the Utes, 23-20. Talk about a team regretting some early losses. Cardinal should probably be in the top 10.
Notre Dame 33, Tar Heels 10. Irish rolling.
Ed Orgeron is mystical. Or a mystery. Lose to Troy (more later), then on the road in the Swamp against a ranked Florida, and Louisiana State wins 17-16.
Central Florida 51-23 over Cinci. Going to investigate UCF soon too, although as I write, the Cubs have regained the lead in D.C. Next week’s plans may be changing.
Other Games of Interest Last Week
Huge win for Virginia to open conference play, 28-21 over Duke. Covered too.
Bowling Green beats Miami 37-29. What the hell Jimmy U? We didn’t get to catch up this week, maybe we need to have a beer at Wrigley Field next week and discuss.
Texas State hammered at home by Louisiana Monroe, 45-27.
Air Force downed by Navy, 48-45. Middies stay undefeated.
Army blasted Rice, 49-12.
Southern Methodist lost at Houston 35-22. Sorry McCune. Hard to be for Houston, but I am for Major Applewhite.
UT San Antonio suffers their first loss, losing 31-29 to Southern Mississippi.
UTEP oh so close! Lost 15-14 to Western Kentucky. Miners did cover.
Washington & Lee Generals
Lots of great reports on a beautiful Parents Weekend in Lexington. The Dobsons had their usual big time, and pictures from the Tex-Lex Party made me really happy. Christine, someone said they talked to you or Lily, and now I can’t remember who it was. My brother John Northington was there, visiting Professor Bovay. Lots of other Alpha brethren in attendance as usual, including Jeff Hamill, Usher Winslett, and I think Randall Hudson. Yes, I miss W&L. Miss my brothers too.
The Generals with a good 28-21 win over Washington University. Classic W&L: 29 first downs, 25 of them rushing. 36 yards passing, and 433 yards rushing. QB Matt Sgro ran for 146, and RB Josh Breece also eclipsed the century mark with 125.
Really big game with Guilford this Saturday in LexVegas. Generals and the Quakers both looking for an ODAC win to get even. W&L holds the series edge, 17-13, having won 6 of the last 7.
Game Notes: http://www.generalssports.com/sports/fball/2017-18/releases/Guilford_Notes
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs and Nationals split the first two games. Unlike my intent, we did not tune into the Cubs game at Juan Heisman. Texas Christian fans were a bit insistent, and frankly, we were having so much fun I decided to enjoy the tailgate party. Good decision.
So, tonight’s email would have gone out earlier, but what a game from Nationals Park! Cubs win! Cubs Win! So pumped. 9-8 tough fought win.
Now, we get to go to Los Angeles and face the great Clayton Kershaw. First pitch is Saturday night at 7:08 p.m. from Chavez Ravine. TBS. I will be listening to Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer with the call as a enjoy a fun drive home to Austin.
Houston Astros
The Astros with a great series over the Boston Red Sox to move on to the American League Championship Series. Jose Altuve finished the ALDS with a .533 average, 5 runs, 3 dingers, 4 RBI, and an OPS of 1.765. He deserves the MVP. With the Evil Empire’s defeat of the Indians, Astros got the home field advantage, with the first game Friday night in Houston at 7:00 p.m. Surprised to see there are lots of really good seats on StubHub for under $400. Would love to be able to hear Big Dog Ed and Tommy argue about the Yankees and the Colt 45’s. Go Stros!
RebuildTX
I am proud to announce that the Juan Heisman Tailgate and friends have made a $1,000 donation to The Rebuild Texas Fund. You can too: www.RebuildTX.org
Also, if you missed this last week, my friend Rick Cavender has a new song out about our great state and our people and resilience.
Music
Django Walker.
Texas Longhorn: https://youtu.be/jTD13tkPXTM
Texas On My Mind: https://youtu.be/POuxHl8HqBw
Cross Canadian Ragweed. Boys from Oklahoma. Not politically correct
Little Texas – God Blessed Texas.
And finally, once again in honor of that flight home from Lubbock with El Jefe in 2010, The King with Amarillo By Morning. One of my favorite Texas football memories.
https://youtu.be/SE68Zw5lN-8?list=PLC7BB6D9F16F4A091
Cool Stuff
A cool video from @TexasFootball on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZt0JmyBRZj/
Longhorns in the NFL, Week Five:
http://www.texassports.com/news/2017/10/10/football-longhorns-in-the-nfl-week-five.aspx
Salute to the Florida Gators. 90,000 in The Swamp singing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down”
Never, in my life, did I think the Brigham Young Cougarettes would have a dance routine video go viral and make it to my newsletter. Then again, I have seen a lot in 2017 that I never would have believed could happen.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaEXlXmDgx4/
Ivy League
Lafeyette at Harvard, 11:00 a.m.
Princeton at Brown, 11:30 a.m.
Holy Cross at Yale, Noon.
Dartmouth (4-0) at Sacred Heart, Noon.
Bucknell at Cornell, Noon.
Penn at undefeated Columbia, 12:30.
Last week, Columbia beat Marist, 41-7. Stetson Hatters beat the Brown Bears (sounds like a children’s book), 17-13. Penn doubled by Central Connecticut, 42-21. Princeton with a big 50-30 win over Georgetown. Harvard with a 14-17 loss at Cornell. Dartmouth rallied with 14 in the fourth to down Yale, 28-27.
Longhorns Basket ball
Mo Bamba, our biggest recruit since a KD, was on LHN’s Texas GameDay. Good stuff (and thanks Charles):
Longhorns Volleyball
Jarrett Elliott and the Volleyball team are No. 5 in the country, and just had a big 5 set win over No. 9 Kansas in Lawrence. Looking good again. Watch them on LHN sometime. It is good.
God Bless Texas.
Tim Taylor