A&M vs. LSU

This is the Cotton Bowl I was hoping for. A&M will play the highest ranked opponent of any bowl team in the Big 12, versus #10 LSU.

A&M vs LSU facts:

• First meeting between the teams was in 1899 (A&M 52, LSU 0).
• Teams have played 49 times
• LSU leads the series 26-20-3
• A&M is 10-4-2 when facing LSU in Texas, which includes games in College Station, Beaumont, Galveston and Dallas. The rest of the games have been played in Baton Rouge, except for a 1944 Orange Bowl matchup in Miami.
• The only post-season matchup between these teams is the 1944 Orange Bowl, a 19-14 LSU win.
• Harvey Williams, blue chip RB recruit from Hempstead, TX was an early commit to A&M in 1986, and shocked the nation by a last minute, signing day switch to LSU. Legend says he changed his mind after hearing someone sing the Aggie War Hymn in line at a McDonalds.
• The first game I ever attended as an A&M student was the season opener against LSU in 1987, a 17-3 Aggie loss. (A&M went on to win 10 of the next 11 games, including a 35-10 Cotton Bowl blowout of Notre Dame and Heisman winner Tim Brown. The only other loss that season was in freaking Lubbock, of course.)
  
• A&M won the last 5 meetings, from 1991 to 1995. Average margin of victory during that streak was 18.4 points.
  
• Greg Hill debuted vs LSU in 1991 as a redshirt freshman, and torched the Tigers for 212 yards in a 45-7 Aggie rout.
• A&M's closest game in 1994, outside of the embarrassing tie vs. SMU, was the LSU game, where A&M was trailing 13-9 with 7 minutes remaining in Death Valley, when Leeland McElroy scored the game-winning touchdown on an electrifying 59 yard touchdown run.
  
• 'Lectric Leeland McElroy had 359 all-purpose yards against LSU in 1995, including 229 on the ground, leading A&M to a 33-17 victory.
  
• LSU reneged on the home/home contract early (1996), after a five game losing streak to the Aggies, and still owes money to Texas A&M University for the early termination to the contract.
  

Cotton

Aggies Get Their Cotton-pickin' Bowl Invitation

likely to face Bama or LSU. I'm hoping for LSU!!

11/25/10

(NIV)Psalm 75:4
To the arrogant I say, `Boast no more,' and to the wicked, `Do not lift up your horns

Coog High = Home of the Shocker

A few Houston facts:

• The Astrodome still sucks (in fact, the Bad News Bears were the only thing that ever made it cool)
• aggy killer Kliff Kingsbury is co-offensive coordinator
• "Luv Ya Blue" is still stupid
• If you're a Houstonian, I'm wondering how it feels to reside in the Crotch of Collie Station?

Gonna Be a Cold Night in Hell...

Can't really think of what would be worse - hitting my bare toes repeatedly with a hammer, or sitting in a frigid DKR on Thursday night. 

For the first time since 1996, I'm hoping Whorn loses this game.  I just don't trust it at 6-6, with Tech's bowl destination still up in the air. 

Let's put it another way: if Whorn petititioned the UN to award Saudi Arabia and/or Iran to win a women's rights award, it would happen. 

Aggies continue to roll!

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When the Saints Come Marching In...

Anyway, just to be clear, Tech plays the Weber State Wildcats this Saturday; not the University of Mother Teresa Fightin' Billygoats as previously reported. Who is Weber State? Hell if I know, or care - but here's what I found:

• Weber is actually pronounced "Wee-ber" (not BBQ..)
  
• Located in Ogden, Utah - sister city of Lake Charles; located in the Emerson Valley, at the base of the third Winchester Mountain range
  
• 2010 record is 6-4; needs a W to make the playoffs
  
• "LDS; not LSD!" is the unofficial rally cry
• Football team has 32 players on its roster who already have children; 11 are grandfathers
  
• School president actually started a petition in September to drop Tech from the schedule because Lubbock is "too liberal"
  

3-5 First Season Conference Record: Tubs Walking in Leach's Shoes

Not much of a game if you like the team that had the best uniforms this past Saturday, but that seems to be the norm in Norman - regardless if your name is Leach or Tuberville.

If anyone had told me in August that after 10 games, Tech would be ahead of Whorn in the standings, I would have been pretty excited.  Who knew that a .500 record overall would be the measuring stick?

(...and being 3-5 in conference sucks)

Two games left.  A couple of wins, and it appears a return to the Cotton Bowl is possible on January 1, although assuming anything this season is certainly not a safe bet.

(and to be more precise, the game featured at the Cotton Bowl on New Years Day is officially known as the Ticket City Classic)

One thing that's beneficial about moving the Whorn game up in the schedule is that you get a non-con late in the season.  Tech needs one about now, and Leach was always pretty good at scheduling some one's JV.  Let's just call this one a glorified practice in order to get ready for Coog High Thanksgiving weekend.

The whole team needs it - beginning at the top, and all the way down.

interesting stat

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Remember Sessums!

Battle of the Brazos lore: Unsolved Mystery, 1926

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texasam/stories/111310dnsposherrington.365be90.html

The Hills of Mobilehoma Await...

Some interesting facts regarding our neighbor to the north:

• Its name comes from the Choctaw word "oka oma", which translates to "mobile home destroyed by tornado"
  
• Spitting on the sidewalk is illegal/spitting on or at opposing teams and its fans is encouraged
• It's the only state Arkansas can make fun of
• It's also illegal for a bar owner to allow a patron to simulate having sex with a buffalo inside his establishment
• In 2004, became the first state to limit the amount of psudoephedrine to be legally purchased to 9 grams within a 30 day period
• Between 2006-2009, meth labs almost quadrupled (148 to 743)

And the only one that really matters come this Saturday: BlowU hasn't lost a home game since September 3, 2005: 36 straight wins at home.

Never Gets Old......

Texas Tech/Wounded Warrior Photos:

Official Texas Tech photos of the evening:

Texas Tech Supports the Wounded Warrior Project

Freedom isn't free.

Sticks Starts/Tech Wins

OK, so it wasn't that black and white..  Then end result, however, was definitely Scarlet and Black.

Sticks did get the start, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, couldn't get anything going at all.  It wasn't all his fault though, as this 2010 offense has been nothing short of offensive in the first quarter this season.  3 and out. Sacks.  Penalties and turnovers.

The correct answer is: D) all of the above.

Potts comes in, and at one one point was 14/18, with 148 yards passing and 3 TDs.  Wow.  That's the beauty of having a couple of highly experienced QBs on the roster - when one isn't getting it done, you can send in the other one. 

Or maybe it was because Potts had the word "Freedom" on the back of his jersey this week.  Last year it was "Nick".  Kidding aside, Potts came in and played really well.

Let's be real honest, however - the real reason Tech was still in the game was the DEFENSE.  After giving up 2 long runs for scores early on, it tightened up, and held Mizzou to basically nothing the rest of the game: 95 yards passing, and 120 yards rushing through the final 3 quarters.  Not bad at all for a defense that's so decimated, its having to import players from the other side of the ball just to be able to compete.  Hats off to Willis, his coaches, and the Boys.

Big win for the Red Raiders.  All of the ingredients were in place before the game, and all that was needed was pride and a lot of effort. 

Time to head north of the border.

#25 Aggies on a roll

Wounded Warrior Project

“We just look forward to come out and try to play a hell of a game. It’s going to be a great atmosphere, a night game. We get to wear the Wounded Warrior uniforms, so I think it’s going to be a lot of excitement.”
- Tech DL Colby Whitlock

woundedwarriorproject.org

It's a 4 Game Season...

This Saturday: #12 Mizzou
November 13: #11 BlowU
November 20: University of Mother Teresa
November 27: Coog High

That's what's left of 2010, and sitting a 4-4, things are a bit precarious.  Tech hasn't had a losing record after 9 games since 1993, so we're definitely in uncharted water.  It's unfortunate, but it's also reality.  Accept the hand that's been dealt, and move forward.

In short, Potts just hasn't gotten it done.  I like him a lot - he's a tough kid.  He's taken a lot of hits, and has been the subject of a lot of ridicule.  He hasn't complained once.  In response, all he's done is put his helmet back on, and buckle his chinstrap.  To say his character is strong is a huge understatement.

With that said, it's time for Sticks.  4 games left, and really, Tech needs 3 out of those 4.  Sticks just brings something different to the table.  I see it on the sideline every week.  This whole team needs a spark, and I believe starting #1 can do that. 

This game tomorrow night is the most important game of the year.  Tech must win this game.  It has all of the ingredients to be a huge upset.  Night game in the HUB - in the cold.  Black Out.  It's all right there for the taking. 

We'll see.

Batch: Wounded Warrior Project

 Another gem on perspective/life from #25:


Saturday we lost to Texas A&M. OK, moving on.

This Saturday we are sporting different jerseys for the Missouri game in honor of the wounded men and women of the armed forces. This is for an organization called the Wounded Warrior Project. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game. The more I have thought about what The Wounded Warrior Project means, the more I realize how fortunate I am to get to do what I do every week and that is play a game. Not only do I get to play a game, I get to play a game that I love. Not only do I get to play a game that I love, I get to play a game that pays for my education.

According to the website antiwar.com, there has been a total of 4,427 people killed (3,496 in combat) and roughly 32,900 soldiers injured since the war in Iraq began. I have been enrolled at Texas Tech for more than 1,700 days playing football and pursuing my education. So for every day that I have been enrolled in school at Tech,an average of almost 3 people have died and 19 were injured. I get to play a game. You get to watch and cheer. While I put on my cleats, shoulder pads and helmet to go to play a game, someone is putting on their combat boots, flak jacket and dog tags to grant me the freedom to do so. People give their lives to grant us this freedom. If that’s not humbling, I don’t know what is.

That’s why I say that football is not life. It drives me crazy when I hear people say, “Football is life.” Football is a game. Football is entertaining. Football is fun. Football is not life. I just want to thank everyone who is in the armed forces.

If for some reason you’re not in a good mood today, cheer up because a feral cat could have chased you to your car this morning (happened to me last week). I’m going to go ahead and declare this day the best day ever? Seriously take a minute to think about why today is awesome (insert time to think here). Ok, I’ll tell you why today is the best day ever. The reason that today is the best day ever is because you are reading this column! Before you start to think “real cool Baron way to be humble” let me explain. For you to be able to read this column that means that you woke up today and are alive. You can’t complain about being alive, it sure beats the alternative! You’re alive if you’re reading this and that is a blessing. Don’t go through the motions. Tomorrow is far from guaranteed. Enjoy your ride!

As of late Saturday I was stumped on what to write about. I was seriously close to closing my laptop and calling it a night, but in ordinary fashion my writer’s block was removed from a seemingly random event (thanks, God). I received a text message from a Dallas area code that wasn’t intended for me, and this is what it said, ”Enjoy the ride, it doesn’t last long!” I texted back the random person asking whom they were and if their text was intended for me. Quickly they realized they texted the wrong number explaining that one of their friends was about to ride “Mr. Freeze” at Six Flags. Thanks random Dallas person! You just made me realize something really awesome; hopefully I can put together my thoughts so they make sense.

Here we go! Follow along.

Ok, so if you have ever rode Mr. Freeze at Six Flags you will know that it doesn’t last that long. It’s a pretty quick roller coaster ride, and it almost seems like it’s over before it starts. It doesn’t last long but can seriously make you puke (I had a friend this summer who Mr. Freeze dominated).

When you get on Mr. Freeze there are two things that could happen:

1) You will have a blast, hold your hands up in the air in typical roller-coaster fashion and enjoy every moment of the ride.

2) You will be scared to death holding on to the front rail, eyes closed, and praying for the ride to be over (and then puke afterwards).

It’s always interesting to see people’s faces after they get off the rides at Six Flags because you can tell if they had a blast or if they were terrified and regret getting on the ride.

The football season is more than halfway over and my college career is coming to a close as well. I have been in Lubbock for five years now. Last week one of the guys on the team said this “B-Batch, you’ve been here forever, I was you for Halloween… in the 9th grade!”

I graduate in December and I’m about to start another chapter of my life. My ride is about to be over in Lubbock, and before I know it I’ll be waiting in line to get on another ride in a different amusement park.

“Enjoy the ride, it doesn’t last long.” Those words are so true! Just like Mr. Freeze, life flies by and can make your head spin. You can either enjoy every moment of it with your hands held high, or you can be strapped in clinging for dear life, eyes closed, not enjoying the ride at all and regretting that you ever got on.

I pray that when my ride is over I can say I had a blast; hands held high with my eyes open the whole way (even if I threw up a little).

So enjoy your ride! Throw your hands up in typical roller-coaster fashion, and don’t be afraid of puking because sometimes certain rides can do that. This week’s food for thought is short and sweet: Are you enjoying your ride or holding on for dear life? Wreck em’ and God bless.

Recap:

Well, it was another highly successful Rooster Bowl.  Thanks to everyone who showed up, and participated.  This one definitely was the best - so far, of course...

And congratulations to the Ags - you showed up and defended your home field.

A few quick thoughts:

• To whomever brought the baby wipes: own it
• To Old Man River: enjoy your self-righteousness - it bodes well for you and your physical appearance
• To TRay: now that you've won 2 straight, I expect you to show up next year
• To The Texan Lounge: we need our own personal key cut for the front door
• To Carlos: next time let Real Deal be the black sheep of the party
• To Ronald: just show up next time so you don't waste time with calls and texts
• To Little Debbie: no more excuses from you - and we'll probably need to park in front of your mom's house again next year
• To all: the first batch of photos have been uploaded onto the photo page

To be continued...

Final

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obviously

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It's on

Lot 50, space 49. University Drive at Polo Road, by the Bonfire memorial.

Hot tub is hot and beer is cold.

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(BTW.....)

The Brazos Bears still have Whorn, BlowU, and aggy on its schedule. I believe it's reasonable to assume that Sic 'Em will win 2 out of 3...

Rooster-Week diaries

This is the most distracting week of the year for me. I'm like a kid working over an Advent Calendar as Christmas Day approaches. It's hard to work, hard to sleep.....I keep wanting to start packing up the car, only to realize that there are still days until my departure.

Now, the day is almost here. I'll start staging tonight, and after a long day of work tomorrow, will direct the Jeep to the South at 5 pm.

• Hot tub? check
• Water source? check
• Tickets? check
• RV pass? check
• Surprise logo item? CHECK

See y'all tomorrow.

Leach/Tuberville: 1st Year; 7th Game...

Tuberville won his 7th game 27-24 in a place Tech had never won before. In fact, historically speaking, Tech has lost to some really bad Bison teams in Boulder in the past.

Leach, conversely, lost 50-0 to Nebraska in his 7th game as head coach. In Lubbock.

Not sure what all of this means, but I've just grown weary of the "Leach did this" and "Fire Tubs" crowd. And yes, Nebrasux was a pretty strong program back then, but this past Saturday was a big gut check, and the team came together a little bit and showed something. What happens this week will either confirm what I believe to be true - a team finally coming together - or will simply be a continuation of what's been going on all season, which is nothing short of complete disarray.

Tuesday's Scratch:

(Weisberg; RB V - aka Cinco de Rooster)

Notes:

Updated Forecast: Friday 75/46; Sat 79/59

aggy: Fat Mike still "undecided" at QB

O Update: Franks breaks foot - out this week

D Update: Bullitt and Perry practicing with surgically repaired hands; Hyder/Ford (hammys) questionable this week

Rooster-week is here

Yes, it's finally here again. RoosterBowl XIII is only 6 days away, and the line has opened with the Aggies as a 5 point favorite at home. Both teams are sitting at 4-3, and unranked, but are both coming off big road wins. Sadly, the highest ranked teams in Texas are TCU (4) and Baylor (25), and this game is for 5th in the South. No TV for RoosterBowl this year, which should make for one of our best years ever.

Tech just scored a big road win over Colorado. Say what you want about the Buffs, but winning in Boulder is never easy. A&M won by 35 on the road at Kansas, for their first victory in a televised game since October of 2008. Aggies have been turnover free for two straight games, and now have a full blown QB controversy, with Johnson and Tannehill splitting time under center. The makings of another memorable RoosterBowl.

I'm ready, and this shit is real, so bring it on!

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Be Vewy Vewy Quiet....I'm Hunting Ralphie

Pre-Game Notes:

• Ralphie is actually a chick, and weighs in at around 1300 pounds.  When running across the field, Ralphie can reach speeds of up to 20 mph
• Tech's D loses 2 more: Hyder (DL) and Bullitt (DB) both had surgery after the Xerox game for broken hands
• Bison also has concerns on D - Smith is out; possibly will play 2 Freshmen in the secondary
• Have noticed lots of grumbling here in Boulder - Hawkins is definitely out after this year.  Rumors circulating in the dispensaries are the McCartney is coming back to rebuild Bison
• Forecast is constantly changing, but it appears the early morning rain will not happen.  Wind will pick up to about 10-15, and game-time temp should be mid 50s. 

watching the Rangers close out the Yankees to move on to the Series

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Rooster-week is fast approaching

I'm not quite sure what to say, but I know I need to say something. RoosterBowl XIII is right around the corner, and I am pretty fired up. We have already secured our tickets, and for once, they are very good seats. Hot tub is reserved and ready to go. We have an RV spot, sans water source (but we'll figure that out later). Bake has the RV reserved. We're ready to go. Sure, both teams are 3-3, but this is set to be the best RoosterBowl ever, so count on it.

Remembering some RoosterBowls past, I am right now recalling streaking in a parking lot, hot tub nudity, tijuana whore bus, flashing at Duddley's, ankle mounted alcohol monitors, towed cars, and fly infestations. You just can't make this shit up.

Ready to rock out.

Are You Going To Drink That?

 Batch has been writing a weekly piece for the HUB paper all season.  He's a pretty good writer, and I enjoy his insight.  Normally I would not choose to post any of his stuff, but this one seems different - dare I say a bit Tony Dungy-esque?  Operative word: perspective.

We are at the midpoint of the season, and we are straddling the fence at 3-3. This past Saturday we lost to Oklahoma State at home. I think this might have been one of the more frustrating losses just because I know how hard the team has been working for the past few weeks. If someone had told me that at this point in the season we would be a 3-3 football team, I wouldn’t have believed it. However, the record is what it is, but there is still a lot of football left to play.


This week we head to Boulder, Colo. to take on the Buffaloes. This is a pivotal point in our season because we have our backs against the wall. I love it! I’m the type of person that loves high-pressure situations where it requires a clutch performance. It’s like the tenth frame in bowling when you’re down by 29 pins and need to strike out! Yes, I just used a bowling reference.


I think the Rolling Stones had it right: “No, you can’t always get what you want; you can’t always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well you just might find. You get what you need.”


With that being said, there are three types of mentalities people can have. Some people have the pessimistic glass half empty mentality. Some people have the optimistic glass half full approach. My mentality is neither. My approach is this: “Are you going to drink that?”


The “are you going to drink that?” mentality is something that I have had to grow up having. It’s the realization that nothing is given and success is not appointed. It’s the “scrappy” mentality. The “scrappy” mentality knows that every day you have to go to work with your lunch pail and hardhat. It’s not being too good for crumbs that are left behind after a banquet because the “scrappy” mentality is always hungry. When the “scrappy” mentality sees a cup left out, whether it is half full or half empty, it asks, “Are you going to drink that?” because the “scrappy” mentality doesn’t know when its next drink will be. The “scrappy” mentality takes nothing for granted.


I am a firm believer that hard work always pays off. Sometimes it might not be when or how you might have imagined, but it always pays off. This week a fan asked me, “So how is the team feeling? The season is lost, huh?” I sat and thought for a minute before I responded, “Absolutely not”. There are still many more cups left to drink.


The easiest thing in the world to do is quit on something. Quitting takes zero effort. Quitting can even be justified with excuses and legitimate reasons at times. When someone quits at something they can even lie to themselves by saying that what they quit on wasn’t that important. To those people with that mentality, this is what I have to say: If it was important enough to start, it is important enough to finish. Don’t quit. Hold on, cling to what is yours until your fingers cramp, and once your fingers cramp switch hands.


Saturday a Rutgers University football player named Eric LeGrand was paralyzed from the neck down after a hit on a kickoff. I encourage everyone to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers. After hearing this news everything was put into perspective for me. Most fans don’t like to hear that winning isn’t everything, but it’s not. I’m sorry if that busted your bubble. Football is a game, just like ping-pong. Don’t get me wrong, I love it and it’s important to me, but it’s a game nonetheless.


Life is real. Life is what matters. Helping and investing in others is what’s really important. In this day and age it’s easy to get caught up in the hype of the moment. It’s easy to consume our minds with winning and losing when neither is what life is about. When winning or success becomes everything it’s easy to quit when that is not attained. I challenge everyone to invest. Not in the stock market, but in people. When all is said and done, that’s what it’s about, because when you really think about it, someone invested in you. What you invest in others is the return for your investor. Are you cheating someone out of their investment? Are you a thief? This week’s food for thought is several “gut check” questions.


1. Who invested in you?
2. Are you making a return on their investment?
3. Are you finishing what you started?


And last but not least: Are you going to drink that? Because if not, pass it my way! Wreck em’ and God bless.

Nanoo Nanoo

Bison was 15-39 while Mork and Mindy was on the air ('78-'82)

Rocky Mountain High

Colorady facts:

• Only one of 2 Division I teams that have completed a 5th down (kept the final drive alive to defeat Mizzou in 1990 - its National Championship year)
• Official school colors are actually silver and gold, with blue being officially added in 1981, the very year this photo was taken against Tech in the season opener - blue was dropped completely in 1988, after being relegated to sleeve stripes in 1985.  Black jerseys became the new tradition at home in 1985
• Bison has won 16 National Championships in skiing
• Has no baseball team 
• Legal to possess up to 2 ounces of grass, with a prescription of course

Breaking News...........!!

RoosterBowl XIII to kick off at 2:30 pm, CDT.....

Game will NOT be televised.

Only 13 Days to Rooster the 13th...

Is this....

A) Taylor Potts, after he throws for 450 yards and 5 TDs?
B) Anyone whose unlucky enough to bunk up with the Donald?
C) Teddy K, when the Wolf's Lair trap has been successful?
D) Rooster Red, if reality dictates He has to stay in Carrollton, I mean Dallas, for another year?
E) Both A & B
F) All of the above
G) None of the above

Tech/Xerox State 2003

Well, I just watched it again this morning - and it still sucks.  There is an interesting tidbit, however, from that day:  if memory serves, it was Fletch's wedding day as well....

 Melba and I watched the debacle at Two Rows on Greenville. 

Somehow I missed missed Fletch's wedding.   I was able to rebound, however, in true Red Raider fashion: I was the first arrival to the reception at Southfork...

D = Decimated...

Much has been made of Tech's D this year - actually, for several years now.  Much of it's deserved, but this year is a whole different animal.  There's a new coach and a new scheme - and it will pay huge dividends once it gets going.  Unfortunately, this year is the trial run - aka the Character Building year...

Through 5 games all of that has proven to be true: young players who are athletic, aggressive - and unfortunately, equally untested, and immature.  Big plays and big mistakes = growing pains.

They're getting better at understanding what their collective roles and responsibilities are, but injuries and suspensions are continuing to to plague their efforts.  Guys have to step up.  The season is not even half over yet, and the biggest games are coming up pretty quick.

The run down:
Scott Smith: JC transfer, who was a one-man wrecking crew against the Whorns: suspended for the season.
Audrey Barr: Another DE done for the year: knee surgery
Fehoko, Ford, Agoucha, Wade, and Mitchem: banged up and questionable

That said, guys like Bullitt and Porter are getting a lot of playing time, which is good.

I'm on board with Willis and the guys.  I know they work their butts off, but it's not enough.  More is expected, and it's expected starting tomorrow against Xerox State.  This game has all of the ingredients to be a defining point in this season for the defense - a game that can instill confidence, and set the tone for the home stretch.

so far...............

Five games in, both Tech and A&M are sitting at 3-2.

True to form, A&M went 3-0 to start, tried to give one away to a bad team (FIU) at home, then lost to two ranked teams away from Kyle. Aggies have lost both televised games, including Thursday night @Okie Lite. That game featured four INTs and a fumble by Jerrod. The fumble was returned for a TD, and proved to be the difference in the game. Turnover troubles continued with 3 fumbles inside their own 40 vs. Arkansas at the Death Star. JJ threw his lone INT on the final hail mary trying to tie the game at 24. Defense is improving every week, and if we can get back the offense of 2009, we may really have something.

Tech has been on more of a roller coaster, beating SMU and NM, before losing to a bad Texas team at home, and getting Cycloned in Ames. They bounced back beating a good Baylor team at the Cotton Bowl last weekend. Tech's weak spot looks to be defense, while the offense continues to roll, scoring 35 or more points in all but the Texas loss. We were supposed to expect a big year from Baron Hanspard, but the running game was non-existent until the Baylor game, where Hanspard turned in 97 yards.

Looking ahead, either team could be 5-2 or 4-3 headed into the RoosterBowl. Tech has Okie State at home, and Colorado on the road. I think Tech split this with a loss to Xerox and a win in Boulder. Aggies play their third consecutive ranked opponent Saturday, hosting Mizzou. this one could go either way, but I'm predicting a win (assisted by the 12th Man), followed by a win on the road vs the pathetic Kansas Jayhawks.

this outcome will pit 5-2 A&M at home against 4-3 Tech. Regardless, I expect a great matchup this year at Rooster the 13th. A very competitive game will be won by the Aggies, with the defense and the home crowd giving A&M the edge.

Turning Point

Texas A&M @ Oklahoma State, Thursday night, 7 pm

This is truly going to be a turning point for the Aggies. We are still basically unproven, and sit exactly where we were this time last year, headed into a marquee game. in 2009, the Aggies lost EVERY televised game. Tomorrow night is a road game against a potentially explosive (also untested) team, nationally televised on ESPN. If we win this game, I think it speaks volumes about the kind of team we have, and how different we are from last year. If we lose, it's probably "same ol' Aggies" for 2010.

If we win the turnover battle, we should win the game. I think our defense is the real thing, and we should be able to contain the "greatest show on turf". If we can play our game offensively, and avoid turnovers, we should win handily.

My prediction: Aggies 31, Cowboys 24

Thud....

                                           Welcome to the Show, kid

                                           Mid-way through the 4th

                                                   Should have brushed with Crest

                                           Pistol Offense?

                                           Pistol Offense!

36 days to Rooster the 13th......

.....and I am an army of one. Where the hell are Bake, T-Ray, Fletch, and most importantly, Ted Kennedy?

predictions 2010--by Magnum

yes, we're two games in, and I'm just getting to this. Obviously, I would have picked wins for both teams in the first two games, so I'll just skip those, and predict the remaining 10 for each.

Week by week for both teams:

9/18
Tech vs. longhorns
I rarely pick against the Red Raiders when it's a night game in Lubbock. Local stores are already sold out of tortillas and D-cell batteries, as Tech fans get ready for war. Tech wins this game by double digits. buy stock in goalpost companies this week. They're about to make a sale.
A&M vs. FIU
Aggies close out "Bill Snyder Scheduling for Dummies" with another runaway win.

9/30-10/2
Tech @ Iowa State
Tech romps the hapless Cyclones
A&M @ Okie Lite
Aggies fall behind and engineer a 4th quarter comeback for the win.

10/9
Tech vs Baylor (Dallas)
sorry Faders, I'm picking Griffin and the pesky Bears for the upset in Fair Park
A&M vs Arkansas (Cowboys Stadium)
A&M avenges last year's loss with a two touchdown win. Johnson puts on a clinic for Mallett with 400+ passing and 100+ rushing.

10/16
Tech vs. Okie Lite
Gundy's hair and the greatest show on turf are too much for the Faders. Cowboys gain 400 on the ground in a win.
A&M vs. Mizzou
Tigers don't stand a chance, as the Kyle Field mystique is back. Aggies roll in front of a record crowd.

10/23
Tech @ Colorado
Tech bounces back and steamrolls the pitiful, stoned Buffalos, making Bake's trip worthwhile.
A&M @ Kansas
Aggies destroy the Jayhawks

10/30 RoosterBowl 13 Tech @ Texas A&M
Tech keeps it closer than last year, but the Aggies roll with a 10 point victory.

11/6
Tech vs. Mizzou
Blaine Gabbert and company are too much for the Raiders. Another loss in Lubbock.
A&M vs. Oklahoma
Sooner jinx continues for the Aggies, losing a close one at home.

11/13
Tech @ Oklahoma
Avalanche buries Tech in Norman.
A&M @ Baylor
this is a home crowd in Waco for a runaway Aggie victory.

11/20
Tech vs. Weber State
Tech wins in a rout
A&M vs. Nebraska
Big 12 matches top offense versus top defense. Aggies win a low scoring affair at home, setting another attendance record, 24-17

11/25-11/27
A&M @ Texas
Aggies win big in Austin, beginning a new era of Aggie dominance over the horns, and a turn of the recruiting tables. Win secures the Big 12 South and a rematch with Nebraska in the Big 12 title game.
Tech vs. Houston
Tech defense pulls it together for a close win to close out the season bowl eligible at 7-5.

12/4
A&M vs. Nebraska (Cowboys Stadium)
Johnson loves the national stage this year, and this time the Aggie victory is never in doubt. Aggies win Big 12 title for first time since 1998.

Get Whitey!

Word has it that Tech will be wearing all-white on the road tonight, including white helmets. The last time the Red Raiders sported a white helmet in a game was December 28, 1974, against Vanderbilt in the Peach Bowl. The final score was 6-6. 4 field goals. Offensive-laden it was not... Offensive it apparently was to anyone watching on either side.

Speaking of 1974, here are some interesting facts I dug up regarding that year:

Was the first year that the Masked Rider was a female

2-1 against ranked teams (defeated #6 Whorns 26-3; lost to #16 aggy 28-7; defeated #9 Arizona 17-8)

Had 2 ties that season - the other was to "New" Mexico (which was a little more "New" in 1974 apparently: 21-21)

Held Xerox State to 0 (that's zero) passing yards (once held aggy to zip passing as well in 1954. For those of you keeping score at home, that would translate to 44 Before Rooster, or simply 44BR)

Finished the season averaging 293 yards per game on offense (221 ground; 72 air), and the defense averaged 279 per game (206 ground; 72 pass). Final record was 6-4-2.

Brad Aggie Predictions

SFA
As this game is already in the books, making a prediction seems a little lame. Obviously, I had the aggies winning big. Glad they took care of business and didn't let a bad team hang around (like previous Aggie squads). Aggies 48 - SFA 7

ULALA
Aggies come out flat, and it looks bad for A&M at halftime. Just when you're ready to call for Sherman's head, the aggies get it rolling in the second half and win by 13. The "ugly" win gives Sherman the needed ammunition to blast his team for sloppy play. Aggies 29 - ULALA 16

Florida International
In response to Sherman's insults, Aggies come out fired up and ready. Offensive puts on on a show with 5 TDs from Jerrod, and a solid defensive showing. Tannehill gets in at QB for the bulk of the 4th quarter showing the Ags what they have to look forward to in 2011. Aggies 66 - FIU 16.

@ Oki State
The first road trip of the year is filled with excitement as both the Cowboys and the Ags are undefeated. A raucous Stillwater crowd rattles the aggies early resulting in turnovers and missed opportunities. The aggies completely outplay the Cowboys but can't seem to put them away. As the game wears on, the ags pile up time of possession; and the worn out OSU defense falls apart. Christine Michael has the best game of his career. Aggies 41 - OSU 31

Arkansas
The aggies are undefeated and Arkansas is coming off 2 straight losses to Georgia and Alabama. Ags come out overconfident and they pay the price. A late surge by Ryan Mallett and company turns into a heartbreaker for the Aggies. Razorbacks 38 - Aggies 34

MizzouJerrod Johnson's showdown with Blaine Gabbert turns into a laugher. Johnson is simply flawless putting the tigers into an early hole. Forced to play catchup and throw on every down, Gabbert gets clobbered by the Aggie defense, ultimately knocking him out of the game. Tim Deruyter's defense has it's best showing of the year. Aggies - 38 Tigers 20

@ Kansas
Another solid game for the Aggies taking care of business rather easily against an overmatched KU Squad Aggies 41 - KU 17

Texas Tech
Both teams come in ranked (with only 1 loss a piece). Tons of excitement and hype around 2 high powered offenses sets the stage. Tim DeRuyter's defense puts on a clinic for stopping Tech's run and shoot offense. Taylor Potts is ultimately benched after his 4th turnover. Aggies use their running game to grind down the Tech defense late and seal the game. Aggies 37 - Tech 24

OU
A maligned OU program stumbles into college station as a 7 point underdog. The overconfident aggies keep it close, but can't overcome turnovers and special teams miscues. Despite some 4th quarter heroics from Johnson, the aggies come up short in a heartbreaker.OU 28 - Aggies 27

@Baylor
Ags come out with a vengeance against Baylor and win handily in Waco. The game is over by halftime, as most of the Baylor fans leave early. Aggies 42 - Bears 16

Nebraska
The best offense in the south takes on the best defense in the north. The aggies come out angry with their status of being underdogs at home leading by 10 at halftime. The Huskers battle back and take a lead into the 4th quarter. The Aggies retake the lead forcing the huskers to run a two minute offense to get in FG range. Huskers try an ill-fated 54 yard field goal at the end of the game leading to an Aggie W. Aggies 27 huskers 26

@ Longhorns
For the first time in the history of the Big 12, an invitation to the Big 12 championship is at stake between Texas and the Aggies. Win, and your in...it is that simple. In another classic battle, the teams go back and forth all the way to the closing gun. The horns take a 3 point lead with 1:40 left on the clock. The game is now completely in Johnson's hands...this will be the defining moment of his career if he can pull it off. The aggies zip down the field getting within FG range. Christine Micheal makes an incredible run putting the Aggies inside the 5 yard line. Suddenly, the aggies are no longer playing for the tie. They have 2 or 3plays to score a TD and win. On a play action bootleg, Jerrod takes it into endzone himself for the win. Aggies 34 - Horns 30

Roostermobile: Locked and Loaded

Plenty of room for debauchery - vacuum not included.


Ted Kennedy still has his personal Wolf's Lair.


What to look for..

Predictions:

Keeping with tradition, my annual predictions are a week late. (I still would've picked Tech over SMEW if I had posted these last week, however...)

SMEW:
June Jones is in a perfect position, other than the fact he's surrounded by concrete and no sand. (of course, metaphorically speaking, there's more sand in Dallas than most anywhere else...) Anyway, the Ponies will be pretty decent this year, mostly because of a weak conference, but with 73 different bowl games this winter, count on them being in one. Tech by 21.

@"New" Mexico:
ABQ is never a desired destination, but then again, neither is any place in the state (and I use that word loosely) of New Mexico. Seriously, all it takes is one visit, and you'll wonder why the word "New" is used to describe anything there. The Lobos hate Tech, and are jealous, which I find slightly amusing. They fired Rocky, and their governor actually understands Kim Jong il. That alone tells anyone how FUBAR the whole place is. Tech by 28.

Whorns:
As much as I despise Butterteeth and his used car salesman act, his BS will have his team believing they can actually win. I like our young secondary more than I respect their QB who cried on national TV against 'Bama. Expect him to dink and dunk all night, while Potts throws at will. In fact, I think we'll see more than one QB with a puke-orange cow on his helmet on this night, as I expect Gilbert to get his feelings hurt and have to pull himself out of the game. Tech by 10.

@ISU:
Know nothing about the Cyclones. Don't really care either. Ugliest uniforms and cheerleaders. Who cares if you have a caucus. You're pretty low on the chain if that's your claim to fame. Tech by 24.

BU@Cotton Bowl:
Brazos may be pretty pesky, but I'm counting on Tech's D to be really salty at this juncture of the season. Griffin is plenty good, but he can't win the game by himself. At least I don't think so - I did say the same thing about Vince Young in 2005... Anyway, Sick 'Em will play tough, but Tech should roll in this one in front of a home crowd. Tech by 21.

Xerox State:
What happened, Gundy? Is the truth about your true talent beginning to shine through? I knew you were a fraud just by looking at your haircut for the first time. You'd be more interesting if you had been hanging around with Sutton's crowd the last couple of years. FYI: I know of a good Realtor in Stoolwater. Tech by 28.

@CU:
My first trip to Boulder! Should be Tech's first win in Boulder too. Unfortunately, previous trips to the Rockies have been full of really poor efforts, and many losses to really bad Buffalo teams. No doubt TT will have these guys ready to play. The Black Hole can cause some problems, especially at night. Possible trap game, although I still think in order to beat Tech, Ralphie would have to line up in the backfield, and have lots of Stickum applied to his mane. Tech by 10.

RB XIII @aggy:
HUGE game for both teams. aggy will bring the biggest crowd of the season out for this one, while Tech will bring everything it has, including the red pants. Tech plays well in the Land of Collie, and seems to find a way to win close games. This will be the biggest game of Fat Mike's career, and his sheep humping breathren will be loud. Both offenses should be explosive, and I like Tech's D to make a few more stops, and force JJ into his customary bad decisions. Tech by 14.

Mizzou:
What a time to be Tiger. Everyone hates you in the Big XII, but we all know that Missouri is such a crap hole state anyway. Who goes there on purpose besides Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton? Hell, even Porter Wagner would stay way. Anyway, the Tigers have no clue who they are, and this could be dangerous. I'm glad the game is in the HUB, as it could be fairly intersting. Tech by 14.

@BlowU:
Landry Jones isn't all that. I do like Demarco Murray though. It's a tough place to play, but why not? Anything is possible in this deadbeat state. Tommy Morrison once landed a role in a Rocky movie. The Flaming Lips are celebrated as the greatest thing since the invention of the trailer park. (the Flaming Lips suck, btw..) And lastly, Barry Switzer is legendary here. Anything is possible. (I keep telling myself that..) Finally a W in Norman. Tech by 7.

The last 2 games are wins too.

Week One

well, week one is in the bag, with wins across the board for the Big 12, with the lone exception of Kansas, who kicked off the Turner Gill era with a 6-3 loss to North Dakota State.

the Aggies started fast in front of a record opening day crowd of 81,287, driving methodically to the redzone, then stalled out and missed a FG on a botched snap. The slow start continued for 10 minutes, until a Christine Michael TD with 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter. Once A&M finally scored, they were off to the races, with a 48-7 win, including an interception return for a TD by Dustin Harris. A&M only punted once after the 1st quarter. JJ threw for 322 yards and 2 TD's, plus ran for another, and Christine Michael had over 150 yards, including over 100 on the ground. Depth at receiver looks great, as JJ was able to spread the ball around. Most impressive was the defense, who held SFA to 265 yards and 7 points. Weak opponent, but dominating win by A&M.

Tech had their hands full with SMU and June Jones, but again, the defense was impressive. They intercepted SMU three times, and held when it mattered, and closed out an 8 point win in Lubbock on Sunday. This game was never truly in question. The Tuberville era started where Leach left off, with Potts throwing for 359 yards and four TD's on 53 attempts, while racking up <100 yards on the ground. In a pirate hat tip to Leach, TT even mixed in an ill-advised attempt at converting a 4th and long. The Red Raiders were 0-3 on fourth down and missed two field goals.

Glad the season is underway, and both teams are 1-0.

Exerpts From the 2010 Haters Guide:

(from Deadspin.com - edited...)


The relevant teams:

5. Texas: Oh, you Austinites. So @#$%^^ pleased with yourselves. Ooh, loogit us! We have indie movies and indie music and indie food carts and indie pencils! You know what? I don't like indie things. I don't like Animal Collective. I saw Half Nelson, and it was a piece of #$%^. I like movies and songs that look and sound like they cost more than four dollars to make. And if they come hipster-free, then all the better. You people are the $%&*$# Williamsburg of Texas, and that isn't a compliment. Though I do like that Sam Acho. It's like his last name is a suffix for all good Latino things: macho, nacho, muchacho, Comacho, borracho… Great name. But you are still ASS.

6. TCU: Every year, TCU plays archrival SMU in a game known as the Battle for the Iron Skillet. Oooh! Hold me back! YOU TALK ABOUT A RIVALRY! I can't wait to see which uptight *&%$# Texas &$%#@& school this year gets to lay claim to a T-Fal nonstick pan. WHO WILL FRY THE FIRST EGG OF SWEET VICTORY? Count me in!

7. Oklahoma, 8. Nebraska: I don't even know why we bother to differentiate states like Oklahoma from Kansas or Nebraska. Shouldn't these all just be lumped into one giant, *&%$# state? We don't even have to call it a state. We can just call the US Central Territories. It could appear on maps as a giant black block. Just ignore this section, world. Mind our appearance while we renovate so that it doesn't look like the arid, man-zombie landscape it currently is. We'll replace it with a Michael Kors outlet store by 2015.

My personal favorites:

2. Ohio State: Oh, sweet #$&$ *&%$#, you people again? Haven't you people pissed away enough titles? Shouldn't you be banished to NAIA so that we don't have to see you lose the national title by 47 points to an SEC team? It's because of YOU that people from the South are actually starting to feel good about themselves again. That is crap.

I've been to Columbus. It's the kind of place no one would ever live voluntarily. You either live there because you can't afford to live anywhere else, or because the judge put a travel restriction on your DUI probation. Tear the roof off a $%#@*&% Houlihan's, expand the size of it to 50 square miles, and that's Columbus. Just one big generic pile of *&%$. They should have just named it "City."

10. Virginia Tech: I'm really tired of this team being a "dark horse" national title contender. Pencil them in for 10 boring-as-@#&* wins and a forgettable bowl victory and let's never speak of them again. Know why every analyst creams his jeans watching your special teams? Because watching your offense is like trying to watch two fat people *&%$##$^ without lubricant.

20. Florida State: Well, well, well. Look who's in charge now. They finally pushed out Bobby Bowden and replaced him with… Jimbo Fisher. Really? You entrusted a storied program to a dude named Jimbo? Did he promise you a free fried possum in exchange for the job? Enjoy the cellar of a forgotten conference, East Alabama.

22. Auburn: No one cares. Bama will plow you like Charlie Sheen's third escort of the evening

25. West Virginia: WHO'S UP FOR SOME COUCH BURNIN' AND UNCLE-BONIN'?

Happy Birthday, Fletch!

One of my dear friends for (gulp) 29 years.... We love you!

It's Week #1!

Bo Pelini giving us a sneak-peak of his Halloween 2010 costume


We made it... Goodbye summer, and hello excitement - football is finally officially here.

My season predictions will be posted later this week, so for now I just have a couple of lingering questions, as well as some random thoughts.

1) Both UT and OU each received one vote each for #1 in the first AP poll. Really? From who?

2) Louisiana Tech travel to aggy on September 11. The Bulldogs ranked #91 in passing last year, but Sonny Dykes will most certainly improve on that. Will be watching (or at least listening..)

3) East Carolina opens with 2 home games - Tulsa and Memphis - before traveling to #10 Va Tech, and #18 UNC in consecutive weeks. Here's hoping the Pirates fare well. Riley is in a perfect situation to hone his skills.

4) Wondering what the odds are in Vegas that Pelini has some kind of aneurysm at some point before December.. Defininitely King Penis of the Big XII

5) Probably RichRod's last season in Ann Arbor. What a colossal mistake hiring him was. I love it.

No more "No More Potts"?

Taylor Potts was named starting QB for Texas Tech yesterday, after a fall camp battle with Steven "Sticks" Sheffield.

Potts has a special place in RoosterBowl history, as the "slow and statue-like" QB who was pulled from RB12 with fans chanting "no more Potts". Incidentally, this was also the first time in school history where Tech fans were heard chanting "no" to anything related to pot, or that sounds like pot.

How many turnovers will it take for rabid Tech fans to start their chants again?

XII

Amendola!

The Ram's Danny Amendola returns a punt for a TD on Saturday against the Vikes. Although he only returned one punt for a score at Tech, who can forget his clutch heroics against OU and Nebraska in 2005?

Tune In, Turn On...

NEW YORK — Former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach will call games on television as he pursues a lawsuit over his firing from the school.

Cable network CBS College Sports announced Monday that the colorful, opinionated Leach will work as an analyst.

Leach will team with play-by-play announcer Roger Twibell on CBS College Sports, which airs Mountain West, Conference USA and service academy games.

State of the Rooster: 75 Days and Counting

Thank God football is here. The World Cup's been over for a month, and baseball still sucks. The best part? Magnum and I will in the HUB one month from today holding a board meeting in preparation for the October festivities.

A lot has happened since I last checked in - new coach, and a new attitude. That's good. Same administration too. Not so good. Maybe it was time for Leach to move on, but it certainly wasn't handled well - by either side. And the ugliness continues...

Nothing really new with aggy. New coordinators, preemptive excuses for 2010 failures, and some new sheep jokes. I'm already packed and ready to head out to the Land of Collie in a couple of months for what should prove to be the largest crowd ever to witness an ass-whipping, courtesy of the Scarlet and Black.

All in all, it's going to be a great season, regardless of Nebraska and Colorado bolting. Tech has 4 straight wins against the Huskers, so I can understand the disparity in Lincoln. Might have to make a trip to Boulder this year. Tech has never won a game there, and this will be the final opportunity - at least for a while, anyway. If Leach winds up there, it could make for an interesting non-con match up at some point.

Speaking of bolting, I was in favor of the PAC 10 move. It's over for now, regardless of who's to blame, and all of that other finger pointing. The best way to hedge your bet for the future is to win. Win a lot.

With all of that said, I can't wait for the Sunday of Labor Day weekend! It really can't come soon enough.

Good way to start your Monday

Crossroads

Lot's of talk the last 7 or so days regarding the looming breakup of the Big 12. First, Nebraska and Mizzou to the Big 10.....then just Nebraska, with Missouri left on an island. Then Baylor and Colorado jockeying for that last spot that would make the PAC-10 the "PAC-16". After Colorado accepted a solo invite, effectively neutering Baylor's chances, we have started to see cracks in the remaining five: Texas, A&M, Tech, OU, and Oklahoma State. A&M is the only team to exert any level of independence from "daddy", refusing to let Texas call all the shots. Good for A&M, for not following what Bake calls "the flock", and being UT's willing prison bitch. Since A&M showed some backbone, it looks as though the Sooners are also entertaining a break to the SEC with A&M.

As of yet, there is no offer for A&M, but the SEC Commissioner was reportedly in College Station today.

All the talk seems to be centered around the end of Texas and A&M's near 100 years in the same conference, and the potential crumbling of a century old rivalry, in which each team mentions the other in their fight song. Certainly A&M and t.u. would continue their annual Thanksgiving day game, even as a non-conference matchup, right? Seems that UT may be trying to leverage A&M west, by saying they would not schedule A&M in any sport as a non-conference opponent. This is political jockeying, but I'm certain of one thing: UT is DEAD SET on going to the PAC-10, and I don't think they will do otherwise. Their President is a Cal alum, and can't resist the idea of circle-jerking with his elitist west coast buddies at Berkeley and Stanford.

In the end, I hope A&M does what's best for the school. If we break from the pack, I will accept it, but there is much I will miss. I will never forget my first Thanksgiving night game at Kyle Field in 1987. As it had been so many times, the winner would go home with bragging rights, as well as the SWC title and a Cotton Bowl berth. A&M was the better team that year, having lost only to LSU and Texas Tech. Texas was an underdog, but gave it a fight, just as you would expect, and the game came down to the final quarter. As the Aggies sealed the victory, I could see cotton floating in the Kyle Field lights.

What will bring me great sadness will be the impact of that move to the RoosterBowl. Clearly, playing in different conferences would end this annual contest between the Aggies and the Red Raiders.

Therefore, it is in defense of this RoosterBowl tradition that I hold so dear, that I am advocating to hold together, expand, or whatever it takes, the Big 12 Conference. This is the only way to keep all of our valuable traditions intact....especially the unique tradition of RoosterBowl.

Guns Up Charlie

Why do I automatically think of Teddy K whenever I see a photo of Charlie?

Rooster White

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