Sunday, October 16, 2005

When is the last time?

When is the last time...

...Texas Tech was ranked in the top 10? I can only find the final polls. Blake mentions 1976, but in the final poll they were 13th. That gives us no indication of how high they got during the season.

...Tech and A&M met with one or the other ranked in the Top 10? I am guessing 1995? We all know what happened there.

...The Top 10 team won the Tech/A&M matchup in Lubbock? What was A&M ranked in '93 in Lubbock? They finished top 10 that year, but they were 2-1 going into Lubbock, so I doubt they were top 10 at the time.

This is going to be an interesting second half of the season. I think Tech has a legitimate shot to upset UT on Saturday. The Horns are a 14 point favorite right now, but that line will tighten up just on the betting volume in Lubbock frat houses.

Tech has not faced a defense like UT all year. The speed of UT's defense will be a new challenge for Tech, but Leach will have a good gameplan, no doubt, and UT hasn't seen anything like Tech's offense all year either. I can't believe I am saying this, but this may be the toughest defense Vince Young will face all season. This will be one of the best games of the year.

If Tech can pull off the upset in Austin, Blake's prediction of undefeated that he backpedaled out of may actually materialize. They would still have to face competitive teams from A&M and OU, but both games are in Lubbock, and Tech will be heavy favorites in both.

6 comments:

Magnum said...

to answer my own question, it was 1977 when Tech was last ranked in the Top 10. September 12, 1977, to be exact. Ironically, the slide to unranked by season's end began with a September 24 loss to the Aggies in Lubbock, 33-17.

http://texastech.collegesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/101605aac.html

bake said...

Actually, the Ags were ranked #5 in 1999 when Tech beat them on a last second FG.

The 1977 game painted a grim picture that many Tech fans will never forget (or forgive) - the Aggies standing over our star QB, Rodney Allison, celebrating as he lay contorted on the turf - in obvious pain. (turns out he had a broken leg)

As an 8 year old, I remember asking my Dad why they were so happy that they hurt him. I still remember his response.

bake said...

Looks like the Ags were ranked #6, and Tech #7, coming into that game in 1977.

Magnum said...

Ags, do not ever complain about Tech fans being rude, or insulting, or throwing batteries, or kool-aid, or tearing down a goalpost, or starting anything at all. It simply isn't true, and nothing like that ever happened. You Aggie fans are just whiners.

The real victims are the Tech fans, who are still smarting from the Rodney "King" Allison incident. Maybe reparations are in order for these atrocities of the sordid Aggie past.

On another note, it doesn't seem that the Top 10 team in this rivalry can win at Jones STD Stadium. Good omen for the Ags in Roosterbowl VIII.

bake said...

REPARATIONS! REPARATIONS!

Signed,
George C.

Anonymous said...

blake, that story about you and your dad was really touching. I look forward to hearing more scarring stories about your childhood. Some things about your personality now are starting to make more sense.