A Season in Review...

The first part of the 2007 Season Review is posted below. I started writing it a few days ago so it published it based on when I started writing. I'll work on moving it to the top but in the mean time...just click HERE to open up the post.

Crabtree First Team All-American

Rivals.com has published their All-America Team and Micheal Crabtree leads the way for the WR corps along with Jordy Nelson of KState. One of many honors we can expect to see for Crabs in the coming weeks.

Working on the season recap...should be out later today.

Art Briles to be named Baylor head coach

DMN's Brian Davis is reporting that Baylor is hiring Art Briles as their football coach. The reason I bring this up is because many people have mentioned that Briles would be interested in the Texas Tech job if it was to become available. However, I don't blame him for taking the certain job here rather than waiting around on something uncertain.

I'm speculating here...but I wouldn't put it past Briles to have contacted Leach to find out where he stands on the UCLA and Arkansas job. Remember that Briles didn't make a decision after meeting with Baylor and instead returned to Houston for a day. Like I said...just speculating.

As a random side note...I mentioned to a friend that Briles is going to Baylor and that I hope Leach doesn't leave because we would've just lost our lead candidate. His response, "We'll get Norm Chow in Lubbock if Leach leaves." Nice thought...but it would never happen...

Oklahoma vs Kansas in the Fiesta Bowl

If Oklahoma wins the Big 12 Championship on Saturday, it would likely face Kansas in the Fiesta Bowl according to the Dallas Morning News.  

TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL: If Missouri beats Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game and goes to the BCS national championship in New Orleans, the Fiesta has indicated it will select Kansas to replace the Tigers as the game's Big 12 anchor. KU could face either Arizona State or Illinois.

If Oklahoma beats Missouri on Saturday, the Fiesta has indicated it would still select Kansas to face the Sooners in an all-Big 12 matchup. The teams did not meet in the regular season.

In other news, it appears that Texas Tech will likely head to the Gator Bowl to face Virginia, though Clemson is still a possibility depending on the outcome of the ACC Championship game. 

Mike Leach to ????

The rumors about Mike Leach leaving Texas Tech have started up again.  Two schools rumored so far...

Arkansas

UCLA (assuming Dorrell is fired after the USC game this Saturday)

This info is from ESPN Insider so I can't post the article.  However, UCLA was reported by College Football Live today and 103.3 FM in Dallas (ESPN affiliate) mentioned that Arkansas is very interested in Leach.  

In related news, Baylor is rumored to have offered Houston HC (and former Tech RB's coach) Art Briles a contract paying $1.8 mil/year.  However, Michael Murphy of the Houston Chronicle says the Bears have no official offer on the table...yet.

Dream Bowl Matchups for 2007

ESPN.com's Andrew Feldman lists his Top 10 dream bowl matchups for 2007...look who comes in at #3:

3. Texas Tech vs. LSU: I know this would never happen, but I'd love to see Tigers fans -- and brass -- exposed to the twisted brilliance of Mike Leach. The Red Raiders' coach isn't one of the guys mentioned often as a possible successor if LSU's Les Miles bolts for Michigan. Plus, it'd be fascinating to see how the nation's sixth-rated pass defense coped with everything Leach threw at them. His teams are 4-1 in their past five bowl games and have been held under 38 points only once. Of course, that was by the one SEC team he played (Alabama).

Also...a tip of the cap to #9 as I have a rooting interest in Wake Forest these days!

The 2007 season recap is in the works. Right now I've written the first 3 games so hopefully I can finish it by Wednesday depending on my available time. My recent aquisition of NBA2k8 for PS3 is sure to slow down my blogging progress. Check back soon!!!

2007 - Season Review (part 1)

Well we've wrapped up the 2007 regular season now so I thought I would do a game-by-game review of what went on this year. There were high's and low's..."typical Tech" moments and a few moments that we haven't seen in the Mike Leach era. So without further ado...here we go!



Texas Tech 49 @ SMU 9 – Michael Crabtree introduced himself to the Red Raider Nation and America alike on this national TV broadcast on Labor Day. With 12 catches for 106 yards and 2 TD’s (including an impressive 42 yd catch and run that would become his “signature” throughout the season), MC’s debut in his hometown of Dallas was merely a sign of great things to come. (1-0, 0-0)

Fan Feeling – Crabs impressed everybody! The defense looked very good against what was expected to be a “good” SMU offense (we’ve since learned otherwise) that some experts (see Rivals and Scout) had picked to upset Tech. New guys on O-Line looked good in their season debut.



Drink – Two pints of Sam Adams Summer Ale @ Ginger Man in Uptown Dallas. Celebrate a nice victory...the sun coming out at the end of the Labor Day...and the end of summer. It's football season baby!!!



Texas Tech 45 vs UTEP 31 – Thank god for Crabtree, Amendola, and EMo. Those 3 caught everything thrown their way and helped Tech overcome a 28-17 halftime deficit vs the Miners. The defense on the other hand was overpowered by an underwhelming UTEP offense for most of the game before finally making a few stops in the 4th quarter to preserve the win. (2-0, 0-0)

Fan Feeling – This Michael Crabtree kid is good…like REALLY good. We’re staring a 7-5 or 6-6 season in the face right now as the defense is going to be torn apart in the Big 12. Not only was the run defense non-existent, poor tackling in the secondary allowed for the Miners to take an early lead and make big plays out of nothing. Do we even have a linebacking corps??? Maybe they can be used to support our DL…that would be a pleasant surprise.

Drink – 2 glasses…no better make it 3 of your choice hard liquor on the rocks at Adolph's. The "scenery" there is all that this team deserves at this point.



Texas Tech 59 @ Rice 24 – Crabtree has his first ridiculous statistical game. 12 catches, 244 yards, and 3 TD’s (highlighted by a 74 yd scamper in the 2nd quarter) leads to this blowout victory. The Tech defense is par for the course in playing one poor half against an overmatched opponent before settling in and remembering that they’re playing in the Big 12 for a reason. Tech moves into the Top 25(3-0, 0-0)

Fan Feeling – I’m sitting in a bar in Atlanta, GA watching this game. Everybody else there is watching Florida/Tennessee while I watch the GH 2 MC Heisman campaign slowly begin to take shape. Both guys have huge days in Houston and Tech plays it’s 3rd “home game” of the season…though only 1 game has been in Lubbock. Oh...and yay...we're the C-USA Champs!!!

Drink – 2 or 3 (I don’t remember how many) pints of Sweetwater Blueberry beer. It’s native to Atlanta and since I was in the ATL (for Georgia Tech vs Boston College) that day…it’s what I drank. I highly recommend you give it a try next time you find yourself out that way.

Texas Tech 45 @ Oklahoma State 49 - This game was depressing yet presented a ray of hope for the team. They lose a shootout in the final seconds when Crabtree can't hold on to a pass in the endzone on 4th down. The offense played great all game...but this game was the final nail in the coffin of the Lyle Setencich era. Leach made a very bold and unorthodox move by parting ways with Lyle mid-season. This leads to Ruffin McNeill being named as the interim Defensive Coordinator. (3-1, 0-1)

Fan Feeling - Oh well...another season of hope is gone. As I said to my fiance that day (we were in Vegas watching this game), "Well...there goes the National Championship." On the bright side, we have a new defensive coordinator so maybe that gives us a glimmer of hope for the rest of the season.

Drink - 1 Rampaging Gutbuster...wait...better make it 2 after seeing the drop on ESPN again. For those not familiar, this drink is 1 part absinthe, 1 part Bacardi 151, 1 part Jaegermeister, 1 8 oz can of Red Bull. Chill all ingredients until Red Bull is slushy. Pour Jäger and Absinthe over ice into a TALL glass, swirl. Add Red Bull slowly down side of glass, then ignite shot of 151 and drop it in. Drink while frothing.

Texas Tech 75 vs Northwestern State 7 - This is our token 1-AA beating game. I didn't go to this one (went back to Vegas for a wedding) but didn't really miss much. It's hard to take much from a game like this...other than the $$$ taken by NW LA for coming to the Lbk to receive their annual beating while helping to assure us of a winning season and bowl game.

Fan Feeling - No feelings one way or another. The defense performed well statistically, but that is as much a seperation in talent as anything else. As long as this game doesn't end with us giving up 28 points and 400 yards...then the feeling is indifferent.

Drink - Grey Goose...lots and lots of Grey Goose...and some Belvadere and Patron Platinum. Not because this was a top shelf victory or "one for the trophy room"...but because I was in Vegas and partying at places I couldn't otherwise afford to party. Many thanks to Mark and Sunny for a great trip, fun wedding, good nights in the VIP areas at the clubs....and LOTS of free, premium alcohol!!! Best wishes to you two!!!


This is the end of Part 1 of the review. I've covered the emergence of Michael Crabtree, the human-like qualities that emerged at the end of the Okie Lite game, and the coordinator change that ultimately played a part in the direction of this season. I'll be back with the rest of the season later.

Tech beats OU...in pictures (part 2)

Had time to work a few more pictures this morning...remember to click for bigger images.

Tech beats OU...in pictures

I'll get these posted as I go through them...here's a few to start with (remember you can click on them for bigger images):

Crabtree named Biletnikoff finalist

Texas Tech Media Relations Dept.

Texas Tech wide receiver Michael Crabtree (Dallas, Texas/Carter) became the first freshman finalist in the 14-year history of the Biletnikoff Award, when the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation named the Red Raider sensation one of its three finalists for the 2007 award Monday.

Crabtree will join Kansas State's Jordy Nelson and Michigan's Mario Manningham in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 6, for the 2007 Home Depot College Football Awards Show, which will be aired on ESPN. Crabtree is the first Red Raider ever selected a finalist for the prestigious Biletnikoff Award, which is presented annually to the nation's top receiver.

The rookie phenom has led the nation from the beginning of the season to present, amassing 1,861 yards and 21 touchdown catches on 125 receptions. All three totals top the national lists, while each is also NCAA freshman records. He has ten 100-yard games to his credit this season and, with the bowl game remaining, is one shy of the NCAA record currently held by former Pacific receiver Aaron Turner (1991).

Crabtree has seven multi-touchdown games, including five with three touchdowns and a pair of games with two. He needs 139 yards to become only the second player in NCAA history to accumulate 2,000 yards in a season and 200 yards to break the NCAA single-season yardage mark of 2,060, set by Nevada's Trevor Insley in 1999.

Crabtree will get an opportunity to improve on those numbers when the Red Raiders participate in the upcoming bowl season. Tech will learn its destination and opponent when bowl invitations are extended Dec. 2.

Bowl Scenarios

There are 2 possible scenarios for the Red Raiders this bowl season; the Gator Bowl or the Alamo Bowl. I guess there is always the off chance that the Cotton or Holiday could break tradition and chose Tech…but it won’t happen so we won’t consider it as an option. Here is breakdown of what has to take place in the next 2 weeks and where that will land Tech.

Gator Bowl

First and foremost, if the Big 12 lands 2 teams in the BCS then Tech will end up in the Gator Bowl as the #5 team in the conference (a spot that they have locked up). They end up here because 2 teams go to the Fiesta (Big 12 champ) and another BCS bowl (at-large spot…must be Top 14 in Final BCS Rankings). Then the #3 team goes to the Cotton, #4 to the Holiday…and Tech makes a New Years Day bowl in Jacksonville. The most likely scenario is this:

- Kansas/Mizzou winner beats Oklahoma for the Big 12 Championship and earns automatic bid to the Fiesta Bowl.
- Texas (who doesn’t make the championship game and lost to BlowU earlier this year) will be chosen as an at-large team because (coming off a victory over A&M) they’ll be 10-2, on a 6-game winning streak, and likely ranked in the Top 10 in the BCS standings. This makes them the most likely choice as the BCS bowls typically shy away from taking at-large teams that lost their last game.

As a side note, the first ride of the Masked Rider was at the 1954 Gator Bowl. You can watch a Youtube video HERE of that famous ride!

Alamo Bowl

This one gets a bit trickier and isn’t as likely to happen…though Tech’s win on Saturday could actually “improve” their chances of falling to the Alamo Bowl instead. However, I would prefer (for selfish reasons) that Tech go here so I can go to this game in person instead of watching on TV. Plus the possibility of playing Michigan, Penn State, or Wisconsin looks a lot better to me than Clemson/Virginia in the Gator. I wish that Wake Forest could somehow be in the Gator but it won’t happen. The most likely scenario is this:

- Oklahoma/Texas wins the Big 12 Championship and earns the automatic bid to the Fiesta Bowl.
- BOTH Kansas and Mizzou are passed over as at-large teams. If Kansas gets to the Big 12 Championship, I wouldn’t be surprised if somebody still takes them as an at-large as long as they don’t get blown out by OU/Texas. While they have no football tradition, they have a great basketball tradition and typically travel very well.
- This puts the Big 12 Champ in the Fiesta, #2 in the Cotton, #3 in the Holiday, #4 in the Gator, and #5 in the Alamo.

There is another scenario that puts TT in the Alamo Bowl. If the Gator decides not to take a Big 12 team and instead chooses to take a Big East school (likely UConn)…then Tech would end up in the Alamo Bowl as the #5 pick (assuming 2 go to the BCS) or the Insight Bowl is only 1 team makes the BCS.

What to expect this week...

Since the season is over for Tech (until the bowl game at least)...here's what you can expect in the coming days from me:

- Game-by-game recaps of the 2007 season
- Photos from the OU game. I think I took a few "keepers"...but my laptop is still down. On my way to Best Buy to buy the part "I've been told I need" to fix it...we'll see what happens.
- Breakdown of the 2 possible bowl scenarios...Gator and Alamo. I should have them up this aftenroon.

Check back with me tonight and/or tomorrow and hopefully I'll have something for you to look at. Don't know if I'll get any pics posted tonight or if it will be tomorrow...but either way I'll get them to you some way. It was a special night in Lubbock on Saturday and I hope a few of my photos can capture the excitement!

Good times in the Lbk...

Had an awesome night...tired and have to drive back to Dallas tmrw. I got my camera back so I'll get some good shots of the game and ensuing post game fun posted when I can (still don't have my laptop up and running). In the mean time...enjoy this photo. I call it...Micheal Crabtree, professional BA!!!

LA Reed Suspended for Oklahoma game

WR Reed suspended for Oklahoma game

01:41 AM CST on Thursday, November 15, 2007
By BRANDON GEORGE / The Dallas Morning Newsbgeorge@dallasnews.com

Texas Tech junior wide receiver and key special teams player L.A. Reed has been suspended for the Oklahoma game Saturday because of a violation of team rules, coach Mike Leach said.

Reed's status will be reviewed after he completes his one-game suspension.

Leach didn't specify why Reed was suspended. Reed did have an altercation with fellow Tech receiver Eric Morris near the end of the first quarter of Saturday's 59-43 loss at Texas.

Saturday's Game to be a national broadcast

For Immediate Release

Nov. 15, 2007

LUBBOCK, Texas - ESPN and ABC Sports has announced that Saturday evening’s game between Texas Tech and No. 3 Oklahoma will be shown live to the entire country. The two teams kickoff in the primetime spot on ABC at 7 p.m. (CT). Saturday’s game will be available in all ABC markets regardless of whether customers subcribe to cable systems and it will make it the largest single viewed game in the Mike Leach era. Texas Tech has played nationally televised games under Coach Leach on cable systems such as ESPN, FSN, TBS and the NFL Network but never a nationally televised game on ABC Sports.

As of Thursday morning, only a few hundred tickets remained for Saturday’s game and can be purchased through the Texas Tech Athletics Ticket Office at (806) 742-TECH

NOTE - TT website is showing to be sold out but Seth at Double T Nation is selling his tickets as he is unable to make it to the game. In you're interested click HERE to e-mail him

Mid-week predictions...Gameday to Lubbock???

Driving to work this morning...Mike Greenberg on ESPN's Mike & Mike said something to the effect of "College Gameday presented by Home Depot...this Saturday they will be in Lubbock, Texas as the Texas Tech Red Raiders take on the Oklahoma Sooners."

However...the Monday morning e-mail I received about gameday said that it's in Ann Arbor for Michigan vs Ohio State. Their website this morning still shows the same thing. I'm trying to get confirmation on their location. They send out a follow-up email on Thursday mornings so we'll see if that shows any change. I'll get to the bottom of this...

Here's a prediction from College Football News on this week's game. These guys are never afraid to pick an upset...

Tech to the Gator Bowl???

(from Ivan Maisel's weekly espn.com column found here)

Gator Bowl Rumblings

If you thought one-win Notre Dame would have no effect on the bowl selections this year, think again. The lure of a recovering Fighting Irish team in 2008 or 2009 might convince the Gator Bowl to take 7-5 Texas Tech this season. Here's how the Gator Bowl's trick box works:

The Gator Bowl is in the second year of a four-year contract with the Big East and the Big 12. The Gator will take a team from the Big East in two seasons and a team from the Big 12 in two seasons (an ACC team will be on the other side of the bowl). Keep in mind that when Notre Dame does not make the BCS, it participates in the Big East's bowls.

Last year, Big East runner-up West Virginia played in Jacksonville. That leaves two seasons for the Big 12, one for the Big East. For that alone, it stands to reason that the Gator would lean toward the Big 12 this season.

In one of the two seasons the Gator picks a Big 12 team, it may choose ahead of the Cotton and Holiday bowls, the league's top two non-BCS bowls. With four highly ranked teams in the Big 12 -- No. 3 Kansas, No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 5 Missouri and No. 13 Texas -- this would seem to be the obvious year to take advantage of that clause.

But here is where it gets tricky: If the Big 12 sends two teams to the BCS, the Gator may not move ahead of the Cotton and Holiday bowls to make its choice. Since two Big 12 teams appear headed to the BCS, that means the Gator would get the fifth pick in the league. That would appear to be a Texas Tech team that is 7-4 and playing Oklahoma this week.

The Gator could return to the Big East, where the second pick could be Cincinnati or UConn, both of which are 8-2 and must play Syracuse and No. 6 West Virginia in the next two weeks. But if the Gator takes, say, a 9-3 Cincinnati, the bowl is committing itself to the Big 12 for the next two seasons and precluding itself from access to Notre Dame and the Big East.

If you think Notre Dame is in too deep a hole to get back to eight or nine wins in the next two years, then you take the Bearcats this season. If you want to keep your options open, you take the Red Raiders. Gator Bowl president Rick Catlett said he would consult with CBS, which televises the game, and make his decision.

I'm still here...

and just as I tried to tell you that my laptop is fried and work is blocking me from blogspot...my post "wouldn't post"...so you're getting a condensed version now. Back later with some info on Tech's bowl possibilities...New Years Day anyone???

Big 12 Roundtable....from over in the corner

Have some extra time this afternoon...so I decided to answer the questions from this week's Big 12 Roundtable:



1. With only two or three games left, how are you feeling about your season? Disappointed, elated, surprised, a little violated?

Others may disagree, but I'm fairly content with this season. Before the year started, I expected 7-5, hoped for 8-4 (win against Okie Lite or CU), and would have been elated with anything better than that. I remember being excited about the 2008 season before this one even started. The prospect of returning 10 offensive starters (losing Amendola) and the entire OL had me counting down the days until Sept 08. Looking at where we are now...with 7-5 being the worst case scenario, I have to say that I'm content with this season.



2. I have to ask, how do you feel about the (possible) buyout of Fran at Texas A&M?

I'm downright depressed. Yes the Ags had started to slip into mediocrity under the last few years of RC...but Frantastic took it to an entirely new level. Also, that's when the Aggot beatings really jumped up a notch so that was always a plus. Maybe we'll all get lucky and they'll "steal away" Greg Davis from Austin!



3. We’ve picked coaches, players, stadiums and everything else from other teams. Now, we get down to something even more near and dear: mascots. If you could pick another Big 12 mascot other than your own - who would it be and why?

My first thought was Bevo...but that's simply because it's the best mascot in Texas without his very own mustache. However, I would have to go with Ralphie for real animal or Herbie Husker for costume...because there's nothing cooler than playing with a mascot team on NCAA 08 and having nothing but 7 ft tall QB's and WR's!



4. Unexpected Greatness, Unexpected Suckage. Who surprised you this year? Who did you get really excited about, only to be let down? (The first Roundtable asked who was the face of the franchise - do you still feel that way?)



Greatness - Sam Bradford (damn...BlowU found another QB), Kansas offense (about time you guys covered a spread), Mark Mangino in HD (mmm...beefy), Michael Crabtree (absolutely love watching the progress he's making at WR. He's going to be really special by the time he heads to the NFL...even if it is after 2008.), Mizzou defense (glad to see you're finally supporting your O, cant wait to see it on a consistent basis at TT), DC Lyle Setencich leaving Tech (nobody ever thought that Leach would let his close friend and mentor leave during the middle of the season)

Suckage - Callahan vs Franchione (who had their farewell tour begin first???), Jorvorskie Lane (stop making bold predictions, stop thinking you're a feature back, get in shape), Mike Goodson (not really your fault...McGee won't pitch and Fran only calls plays that have you getting the ball horizontally), Graham Harrell (you put up sick stats vs the cupcakes but become easily flustered in the must win games...accept the fact that when you throw it 50 times/game...YOU WILL THROW INT's...learn to bounce back), Okie Lite (what happened to the hype), and Texas' defense w/o Chizik



5. I told you there would be booze. Characterize your team by the beverage of your choice.

Texas Tech is most definitely Johnny Walker Blue Label. We're right there at the bottom rung of the premium ladder but when put up against the best Macallan, Chivas, or Glenfiddich...we always seem to fall flat on our faces. Plus (in true Tech fashion) the Blue Label is just expensive enough to look classy and pretentious...but just affordable enough that you can find yourself forgetting how you arrived at such a drunken stooper only a few pours later.

Lightning Round

- Big 12 Loves - Jamaal Charles, Michael Crabtree, Mike Gundy (etched in youtube history), Chase Daniel, Frantastic (PLEASE come back for another year), Stephen McGee (keep after it buddy), Colt McCoy, Graham Harrell (but only if you grow a pair), Taylor Potts (a Tech fan's best friend) Mike Goodson, Purify from CU, Mark Mangino, Sam Bradford, DeMarco Murray, Kansas, Boone Pickens

- Big 12 Disses - Jorvorskie Lane, Graham Harrell (if you don't grow a pair), BlowU (I'll save it for next week...thanks for covering), Guy Morriss (it was nice knowing ya), Frantastic (I'll hate you for leaving), anybody that hires Frantastic, Greg Davis (because it's easy), any idiot who writes TCEH instead of TECH. Learn to spell...(insert sarcasm/rolled eyes here)

Pick'em (straight up)
Colorado @ ISU - Colorado
Texas A&M @ Mizzou - Mizzou
KState @ Nebraska - KState
TTU @ Texas - Tech (homer pick)
Baylor @ BlowU - BlowU
Kansas @ Okie Lite - Kansas

Pick ‘em (vs spread)
Colorado @ ISU (+4) - ISU is improving...don't care...Colorado 28 ISU 20
Texas A&M (+19) @ Mizzou - Mizzou will be up by 21+ at the half. Mizzou 48 A&M 14
KState @ Nebraska (+7.5) - I shouldn't do this...give me the Huskers. KState 28 Nebraska 24
TTU (+ 7.5) @ Texas - Tech keeps it close long enough but can't stop the run...I'm gonna play homer here. Wait until just before kickoff to take them as the number will keep going up. Texas Tech 41 Texas 38
Baylor (+38) @ BlowU - This one is too easy. Bears losing Big 12 games by 31 and BlowU is better than average. BlowU 55 Baylor 10
Kansas @ Okie Lite (+6) - Kansas' will have to win a shootout...they'll still do it with a late FG but won't cover. Kansas 45 Okie Lite 42.

Rank ‘em
1. Oklahoma
2. Kansas
3. Missouri
4. Texas
5. Texas Tech
6. Colroado
7. Kansas State
8. Oklahoma State
11. Iowa State
12. Baylor

Undeserving of a rank - Nebraska, Texas A&M

I'm removing the flags from the banner...

I've decided to remove the flags from the banner for now. As we all know, this season essentially comes down to these two games. With both, you're 9-3 and will end up in the Holiday, Gator, or maybe even Cotton Bowl. Win 1, you're likely in the Holiday or Gator (assuming the Gator takes a Big 12 team this year). Win neither game, and you're hoping the Alamo wants a 7-5 team to take on Penn State or Purdue. This quote from Graham Harrell earlier this week sums up the situation:

"We've had a whole year, the whole season just about, to get ready,'' quarterback Graham Harrell said. "It'll be two fun games - get to go down to Austin and then OU, ranked where they are right now, is going to come here the next week, so we're looking forward to the challenge.''

That's it folks. No beating around the bush. Forget about the annual Aggot beating, the blowouts over Conference USA and the ridiculous numbers GH and Crabs put up, and the heartbreaking/depressing/demoralizing losses to Mizzou and Colorado. Win these two games...and the season is a success and momentum is squarely in the corner of Texas Tech heading into 2008. Lose both, and it's the same old story we're used to. The fair weather fans will gripe even louder that Leach is the problem (boy do they not know anything), that Graham is a no-talent whiner (true...but he's also the most prolific QB is Texas schoolboy history), and that the defense is weak (what do you expect when they have to practice against Leach's offense? You can't let them loose in practice or you won't have any receivers on Saturdays). Also, the rumors about Leach leaving for a bigger program will grow even louder...though I suspect that happens regardless of the outcome of the next two games. It's game time kids...get ready! Back with more football stuff later...

Ideas for tomorrow...

Since I'm no longer going to Austin...I need to find ways to pass the time while watching the game. I'm working on a list of rules for our drinking game tomorrow. So far these are the leaders in the clubhouse:

1. Every time Texas has a run of 10 or more yards…you drink.
2. Every time Tech drops a catchable ball…you drink.
3. Every time they show Leach with a “what the hell is going on?” look on his face…you drink.
4. Every time they show Mack Brown giving his inspirational clap to a bunch of criminals…you drink.
5. Every time Colt McCoy scrambles for 10 yards…throw something at the wall…and then you drink twice (see Rule 1).
6. Every time Graham Harrell begins to pout, whine, complain, throw his helmet, etc...you drink.
7. Every time Graham Harrell throws an interception...you drink.
8. Every time Crabtree has a great run after the catch...you turn on "Crank That Crabtree"...and you drink.
9. Every time Jamaal Charles is talked about for his speed, track speed, being the fastest guy on the field, etc...you drink.
10. Every time the announcers call Tech's O-line "The Great Wall of Lubbock"...you pray to God that ABC doesn't renew their contract for next season...and you drink twice (those guys need more alochol to reach the same level of intoxication).

Any others I should add to the list???

No HD for the Texas game

The game was listed as being in HD earlier this week....but today ABC but out their coverage map and (according to http://www.hdsportsguide.com/) there will be no HD in Austin. The Big 12 sure got the hose on HD games with ABC this season!!!!

Tickets are gone...

found somebody to buy them and I think he's pretty neutral. Undergrad at Tech, MBA at Texas, lives in Austin, kids are in school at Tech. That seems like a reasonable enough fan IMO. Now I have to figure out what to do on a Saturday...

Tickets to Texas game for sale

I have 2 tickets that I need to sell for Saturday's game in Austin. I bought them through the TT Athletic Office so they are in a Texas Tech section. The seats are Section 126 Row 20. I also have a parking pass for the Manor Garage. The Manor Garage is right next to the stadium and is the closest possible parking area that one can purchase. Currently this pass is at a ticket office in downtown Austin a few minutes from the stadium. You can pick it up there on Saturday morning or I can have it mailed to you. I believe they said it is $12 for 2nd day or about $16 for overnight.

Please make me an offer if you are interested. I paid $226 for everything originally but am willing to accept less as long as I know that the tickets will be used. Your offer will include both tickets and the parking pass. Thanks for the help!

To go to Austin...or not to go...

We bought tickets to this game back in the summer...but I'm not sure if we're going to go anymore. I put the tickets on eBay in hopes of getting around what we paid back for them. Maybe a buddy and I will head down there and scalp on Saturday. Anybody want a pair of tix in one of the TT sections?

Fran gets canned...

Fran is going to be bought out by the Ags...he’ll finish the season at coach. This quote from their athletic director cracks me up:

"The Aggies are embarrassed right now," athletic director Bill Byrne said in October. "This has been a very unfortunate incident we do not want to experience again."

Good luck getting Tommy Tuberville to leave Auburn. IMO, the A&M job would be a step down for him at this time.

Who's the best conference again???

I mean I know that the Big 12 isn't very good...but then I look at the latest BCS standings:

1. Ohio State - Big 10
2. LSU - SEC
3. Oregon - Pac 10
4. Kansas - Big 12
5. Oklahoma - Big 12
6. Missouri - Big 12

If we go down a bit further we find Texas somehow hanging in there at #14. So the Big 12...the conference that isn't very good...has 3 of the top 6 and 4 of the top 14 teams in the country??? Here is a confernce breakdown of the Top 15:

Big 12 - 4 (Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Texas)
SEC - 3 (LSU, Georgia, Florida)
ACC - 2 (Boston College, Virginia Tech)
Pac 10 - 2 (Oregon, Arizona St)
Big East - 2 (West Virginia, Connecticut)
Big 10 - 2 (Ohio State, Michigan)

Yes...Oklahoma has already beaten Mizzou and Texas...and Kansas and Mizzou play in a few weeks with the winner likely meeting BlowU in the Big 12 Championship game...but for the first week of November...we'll take the recognition.

The Big 12 is getting screwed

Geez...send a freakin HD camera to a game. I didn't expect both games to get it...but you would think ONE of the games in the state of oklahoma today would've been in HD. Wait nevermind...we're talking about oklahoma. When it comes to tecnological progress, they're slightly behind Lubbock!

Not much needs to be said really about the Tech game today. The offense was efficient and the defense did what was needed to thrash the Bears. Crawford was impressive out of the backfield...especially as a receiver.

I got my AT&T U-Verse service turned on today. So far it's pretty good. They even have Fox SW in HD which was a nice surprise since it's not on their channel list as HD yet. The only downside is that I only get 1 HD stream...which means if I'm recording something in HD that I can't watch anything else in HD until the recording finishes. Oh well...it saves me about $50 vs having Dish Network and then getting internet elsewhere so I'll take it...for now!

This is just ridiculous!!!

Now Websense is blocking Blogspot from us at work...though I'll have internet back at home on Saturday so I'll be back to blogging soon. Right now...I'm posting from the local Whataburger as that's the only free wi-fi spot in Midlothian. Sad times indeed...I'll be back on Saturday!