Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Then and Now

I'm as disappointed as any other Tech fan for losing to Houston, but I also realize it's not the end of the world either. It's not like losing at home to North Texas, or on the road in Albuquerque. Coug High is a pretty good team. I really enjoyed watching its offensive execution. With that said, Tech definitely blew it, and unfortunately, as "trap" games go, there's usually controversy and a possible fallout when the end result is not what was expected.

Potts was subpar at best. I guess if I wanted to, I could suggest he was suffering from post-concussion syndrome (ala John Mackovic 1994...) from being hit helmet to helmet the week before, but I won't. He just isn't there yet. He hasn't had the experience, and he just made a lot of poor decisions, and unfortunately, those decisions did not do much to help the offense.

This reminds me of where Harrell was in 2006, his first year to start. I was at the Mizzou game, and he was awful. Back to back picks returned for TDs. There were a few boos when he walked off the field, so he decided to throw his helmet and flip off the crowd. He completely lost his cool, and was benched for a series. Todd steps in, and immediately leads the team down the field to score. Harrell returned, but really shouldn't have, in my opinion.

Potts was rattled much the same way. He was frustrated, and lost his cool after the failed 4th and goal. It was obvious. Near the end of the game when the Coogs were about to score, the cameras caught him standing on the sideline with that deer in the headlights look. In fact, another player had to grab him to get him to go find his coach to prepare for the final drive. I knew after that camera shot, it was over. It seemed to me that Potts had already conceded - like they were down 20 points instead of just 1.

Harrell would have been at Leach's side already - chomping at the bit. Not the Harrell of 2006; the Harrell of 2007-08.

Key words here: maturity as a player.

This was only Potts' 4th game to "play" in quite a few years - 4 to be exact. This level is much faster, and adversity can come at any time, and against any foe. He's learning how to respond every single week. He'll get better - in fact, I truly believe he'll be better than Harrell once he settles in. Unfortunately, we're 1/3 into the season, and there's not really any time left for error. These next 8 games are crucial.

Death Star

Aggies meet Arkansas Saturday night at the "Death Star" in Arlington. Locals in DFW have started referring to the new Cowboys Stadium as the "Death Star". I believe this was started by the great Gordon Keith.

Monday, September 28, 2009

Leach 101

is it okay for me to make a contribution to Bake's "Leach 101" series? I hope so, so here goes. This is my first, and may be my last....

"I think that a guy who plays college football gets enough attention," he said. It's "a bunch of narcissists that want to sit and type stuff about themselves all the time. We'll put mirrors in some of their lockers if that's necessary but they don't have to Twitter."

Mutiny! Players turning on Leach?


Mike Leach suspended "indefinitely" a team captain yesterday. Senior lineman and all-American candidate Brandon Carter was suspended and stripped of his captain status for "violation of team policy". There could also be pending action against senior LB Marlon Williams, who used his Twitter account to take a shot at Coach Leach for being late to a team meeting on Sunday.

LINK

UPDATE: apparently, Williams is not too fond of Crabtree either. Here's one of his tracks called "Crab is Scary": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qmyAI6vfyo&feature=related

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Cougar High avoids "trap"

Maybe this was a "trap game".

The #17 Houston Cougars were a slight favorite (-1) in their home game against Texas Tech on Saturday night. Still flying high from their upset of #5 Oklahoma State on the road in Stillwater, the Cougars were definitely vulnerable heading into a "trap game" with the dangerous Red Raiders coming to town, ready to right the ship after last week's loss in Austin. It took a Case Keenum touchdown in the final minute to beat Texas Tech 29-28, and move to 3-0 on the season. With back to back road losses to ranked opponents, Tech falls to 2-2 for the first time since 2002.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Roosterbowl lore

Bake left me a voicemail this morning, and his message reminded me that tonight's matchup between Texas Tech and Cougar High has some Roosterbowl history woven in. What Bake mentioned, was that UH offensive coordinator Dana Holgorson was previously the offensive coordinator under Mike Leach at Tech. What Bake failed to remember (or mention), was the significance of UH head coach Kevin Sumlin in Roosterbowl history.

During the 2002 season, Kevin Sumlin replaced Dino Babers as A&M's offensive coordinator. Sumlin was the mastermind of the famed "Gulf Coast Offense", and his first game as OC was in Roosterbowl V, Cinco de Rooster....also known as "the Shootout", which Tech won in double overtime, 48-47.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

this is weird



short lived, I'm sure....

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Leach 101

Hey Mike - how lucky was Tech that Blake Gideon dropped that interception on that final drive on the play before Crabtree scored?

"I didn't think he would catch it, for one," Leach said. "And for another, it's always interesting to me that they highlight that play because I can probably rattle off 10 other things that would have allowed us to win by more. So I don't see that as particularly significant."



For starters, the clip that wasn't called that freed Shipley for a TD on a punt return.

Sunday, September 13, 2009

season predictions by Magnum

Yes, after several years of resistance, I am fully embracing the "Magnum" moniker. Now that the chest hair has gotten even fuller, and is sprinkled with gray, and impossibly, I have gotten even more handsome, it is just unavoidable.

2009 is finally here (no, I don't operate on a "calendar" year. My year begins on the first Saturday in September), and this is the year we will begin to see the turnaround for the Aggies.

9/5: New Mexico
This one is already in the bag. A 41-6 victory for the Aggies

9/19: Utah State
This is a softie visitor to Kyle, and a nice tuneup win

9/26: UAB
See above

10/3: Arkansas
Officially this is the "Southwest Classic". The first in a 10-year neutral site series at the new Cowboys Stadium in Arlington. I've also heard it called ham & Ags or Bacon & Ags, which I think it kind of funny. A&M will shock the world to go 4-0 with a close victory over this SEC foe.

10/10: Oklahoma State
Hmm, seemingly unwinnable even a couple of days ago, but Okie Lite was dropped by Houston in Stillwater yesterday. They are beatable, and the Aggies could pull this one out at Kyle. Ags will be very confident by this time, and pull out another win at home to go 5-0.

10/17: @Kansas State
Easy win over the Wildcats in Manhattan to go 6-0, and earn their first ranking of the year.

10/24: @Texas Tech--ROOSTERBOWL XII
Undefeated Texas A&M travels to Lubbock to play undefeated Texas Tech (yes, Tech will beat whorns in Austin) on national TV in a night game in Lubbock. Ranked, Nighttime, Lubbock stacks the deck against the Aggies, but they will defy the odds to go home 7-0.

10/31: Iowa State
Win, 8-0

11/7: @Colorado
Win, 9-0

11/14: @Oklahoma
No, I'm not this optimistic. Aggies come back to earth with a loss in Norman. 9-1.

11/21: Baylor
Don't even think about it. Aggies bounce back in the Battle of the Brazos to move to 10-1.

11/26: t.u.
Aggies win again on Thanksgiving night, moving to 11-1. OU loss costs us the South title.

No, I haven't been smoking anything, but the Maroon Colored Glasses are thick.

Looking forward to a great season!

Friday, September 11, 2009

Guv Goodhair & His Gang = Hard At Work



Texas Tech regent Mark Griffin was asked to resign his position from the university system's Board of Regents last week because of his support for U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's campaign for governor, The Avalanche-Journal has learned from multiple sources.

Rice/Tech 1985


What an ugly game.

12 combined punts, Rice coach Watson Brown gets caught picking his nose on the Raycom broadcast, and James Hamrick kicks a 57 yard field goal with 18 seconds left to lift the Owls to a 29-27 victory before 28,000 disgusted fans.

Moore no more...

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Leach 101:


So, how balanced is a team that opens up its season with 405 of 445 total yards through the air?

"I'm proud to say we're probably the most balanced team in the nation. Balance has virtually nothing to do with rushing as opposed to passing. It has to do with your ability to get the ball in all your players' hands. We had 10 receivers touch the ball and three running backs. So if you run across anybody any more balanced than that, I'd like to meet them."

2009 Red Raiders:


Although I believe Tech will be better overall than last year, that may not factor into its final record.

Losing early in September and staying focused for the rest of the season is more desirable than winning every game until November, and then completely falling apart.


Sept. 5, 2009 University of Mother Teresa
A cream puff to open up with - what's new really?
Hopefully a good way for Potts to shake the butterflies.

Sept. 12, 2009 Rice
More of a stiff test before the first road game to Austin.
Final opportunity to work out kinks before Horns game. Expect
to be pushed for a quarter.

Sept. 19, 2009 at Texas
Am really happy this game moved up to September - Austin
traditionally is deflating, and I'd rather lose early here
than in November. (see Horns 2008) I do, however, believe
Tech can win this one - UT has EVERYTHING to lose.

Sept. 26, 2009 at Houston
A good road-test in front of what seemingly should
be a predominately scarlet/black filled stadium. This
one could prove to be a beartrap if the Horns game gets
out of hand - or even if it doesn't, and the unexpected
happens.

Oct. 3, 2009 New Mexico

Final pre-season game - after this one, we'll
know for sure who can do what. This one should/will get
out of hand.

Oct. 10, 2009 Kansas State

Expect a game much like 2005 - tight early, but the
Cats are in over their heads this year.

Oct. 17, 2009 at Nebraska
Another tough road game - could come down to
the end like in 2005.

Oct. 24, 2009 aggy

The streak won't continue forever, but it is
safe for now. Big win.

Oct. 31, 2009 Kansas

Tech is better than KU at home even if Reesing has
a monster game.

Nov. 14, 2009 at OK State

This is the one we really need - haven't beaten
these choads in Stoolwater in a while. An important
game that could very well decide which direction this
team goes headed into the home stretch.

Nov. 21, 2009 Oklahoma

Although still a beast, I like Tech at home against
Blow U. Jones T&A will prove to be the difference.

Nov. 28, 2009 at Baylor

Could very well be a lot of points scored by both teams - Tech is the better
team and should win big.

Friday, September 04, 2009

Arrgh!



Who needs a tax-free weekend to kick off the new school year when you can just get a freshly customized parking spot instead?

(I still think it should say "Admiral Leach", however...)