Red Raiders 49-24

This team is ready.

The maturity is there. The confidence is unmistakable, and for a change, it isn't arrogance. The leadership on this team is the difference this year.

Tech is playing its best football right now. This is a team that has been nothing short of dominant in the last 6 quarters of football its played.

Mark it.

This is a team that started off pretty slow, worked out some kinks, and has been slowly building up steam to this point. In previous years, Tech started out strong, and unfortunately, lost steam when the games began to count.

A lot of it was imaturity. Some of it was the way the coaches handled everything. There were players who were lazy and all about themselves. You can point to a number of things, but the bottom line is that previous teams weren't all on the same page. There were different agendas.

Not anymore.

This team is ready. It understand it's one game at a time. It also understand that this is a business, and you must respect your opponent.

Texas is a great team with great players and coaches. Tech's program is pretty good too. In my eyes, the Horns are just catching Tech at a bad time. Texas can't win a shoot out - its overmatched. And playing in the Hole is icing on the cake.

The Red Raider will roll the Horns in the HUB.

College Game Day Signs

My personal top 5:

(in no particular order)

1)Mack Hearts Land o' Lakes

3)HOOK 'EM Bible!
4)Bevo Likes Bulls
5)Welcome To Lubbock!
Signed,
Alamo Mike

Something You'd Never See in the HUB

Jerrod

Dallas Morning News

QUICK STUDY
Jerrod Johnson has played 13 games this season – five as starting quarterback – yet the sophomore already owns two of the top four passing games in Texas A&M history:
Yds.	Player	Opponent	Year
419	Jerrod Johnson	Kansas St.	2008
399	Dustin Long	Kansas	2002
385	Branndon Stewart	Colorado	1996
381	Jerrod Johnson	Iowa State	2008
367	Dustin Long	Tex. Tech	2002

Tech/UT Notes

A Tech win on Saturday would be #500 all-time for the program, and the first against a #1 team

While Tech is 0-7 vs top-ranked opponents, Butter Teeth is only 3-2 at Jones T&A (interesting - has he lost twice anywhere else?)

Tech is currently tied for the nation's longest win streak at 10 games

Officals from every BCS game have requested media credentials for Saturday

Look for Tech's newest kicker, Matt Williams, to possibly attempt kicks under 40 yards

Saturday's weather: clear and sunny, 76/48

1976

It was the last time the US elected a Jimmy Carter

It was the year Apple was formed

It was the year U2 was formed

and....

It was the last time Tech won its first 8 games to start the season

I have a weird feeling

A&M beat Iowa State tonight 49-35. The Aggies were pretty much able to score at will, yet gave up almost 600 yards of total offense to ISU. Blake, I have to ask you, is this how it felt being a Tech fan for all those years of electrifying offense combined with "Red Carpet Defense"? I really do feel like our offense is starting to click with Johnson at the helm (tonight 31/39 for 379 yds and 4 TD), and they are getting better. Just a glimmer of hope really. I realize we were playing Iowa State, so don't take this the wrong way, and my point isn't entirely complimentary.

A&M is terrible this year, so I'm just trying to mine out bright spots for the future. On offense, I like Jerrod, Tannehill, Jamie McCoy, and Jeff Fuller. Even Cyrus Gray is promising, since Goodson has completely disappeared. I didn't see what his injury is, but he didn't play a down tonight (update, he did not suit up, due to an MCL sprain suffered against Tech). On defense, there isn't much to get excited about. I like Von Miller at LB, and Trent Hunter at DB. Michael Bennett is great, but he is a Senior, so no hope for the future there. Kellen Heard is in a big Junior slump, and the only other potential bright spot is Patterson at DT.

J-train scored another TD tonight, adding to his own career TD records at A&M. I also heard the most dubious "record" is about to be broken. It took me a minute to decipher it, when the commentator stated that Cyrus Gray is about to break the A&M record for single season kickoff return yardage. Just a cloaked reminder of how many times the other team gets to freaking kick off these days.

Anyway, enough rambling for tonight. I just was happy about a win, but it felt surreal to have that kind of a win with a Texas Tech-like box score.

Magnum, out.

KU: Post-Game Analysis

KU: Halftime Analysis

Tech Note: New Kicker Cleared To Play

Texas Tech special teams coach Clay McGuire said Tuesday that kicker Matt Williams will be given consideration to kick extra points and field goals this week, a day after he was cleared to participate this season. Tech's choices at kicker for Saturday's game at Kansas are freshman Donnie Carona or Williams, McGuire said.

Williams came onto the Red Raiders' radar during their Sept. 20 game against Massachusetts when he made a 30-yard field goal during a between-quarters promotion.

He was invited to join the team the following week, though Tech coach Mike Leach thought he would have to sit out the season. Williams transferred to Tech from Tarleton State, where he made a brief attempt to walk on but never kicked in a game.

According to Tech officials, Williams was granted a one-time exception to the NCAA transfer rule because he was neither recruited by nor ever on scholarship at Tarleton, facts that required confirmation by the Tarleton athletic department. That enabled him to be eligible immediately at Tech.

Tech received the confirmation in writing and cleared Williams on Monday.

"He's had three or four weeks now to get back in shape,'' McGuire said. "He's doing a good job. He's a confident kid. He's real smooth. He's looked good so far.''

McGuire said the choice between Carona and Williams will be made based on how they look in practice this week.

McGuire said sophomore punter Jonathan LaCour, who also kicked in high school, isn't a consideration, because his punting average has dropped from 42.6 yards last year to 37.6 this season.

"Right now, we need him to get his punting going like he did last year,'' McGuire said. "We want him concentrating on that and only that.''

Tech has had seven placement kicks blocked this season. Carona is 3-for-7 on field goals and was replaced last week by senior Cory Fowler, but Fowler had two extra points blocked - and one returned for two points - in the team's 43-25 victory Saturday at Texas A&M.

Land of Collie Wrap-Up

It was another great trip down to Aggyland. A few key faces were missing this year, but overall a fantastic Rooster Bowl - complete with a hard-fought victory at Kyle Field.

I knew this one wouldn't be that easy, and it wasn't. The Collie Davidians who were at the game were loud, but I think it's safe to say that the better team won, which is fortunate, because past (way past) history suggests that it isn't always what happens.

A few game notes:

This was my 5th game at Aggy, and there was more red in the stadium than I've ever seen. Loved hearing the "Raider Power" chant echo down from the flag pole level of the Zone late in the game - great job!

Any Aggy who complains about the last TD should stuff it - Aggy has done the same thing to much lesser opponents, and as recently as twice in 2006 - with both games being at home. If you're angry, then be angry at your coach for quitting with 5 minutes left in the game.

I found it quite amusing that Halliburton is a scoreboard sponsor at Kyle - Whoop!

Speaking of Kyle, I had the best experience ever this time. Our seats were on the 34, 13 rows off the field. We sat 2 rows behind punter Justin Brantley's family, who fortunately for the Red Raiders, touched the ball 5 more times than JaPorky Lane.

I will admit that Mel and I did accompany Teddy K to Midnight Yell Practice. Although I swore I would never go back after being cussed out the last time in 2002, we felt it was appropriate to step up in place of Magnum, who at that point was completely out of the equation. I was very surprised to see that Everything That Is Aggy has tightened the screws on the Yell Leaders. Although still unfunny, it was bearable this time. Maybe it was just the vodka...

Pics to follow a little later.

The truth about Roosterbowl.

It's rooster eve...is anybody out there?

As I sit here (alone in my attic) and knee deep in empty cans of keystone light...there is one simple and sad thought that comes to mind.

What happened to this rivalry?

As much as I hate to admit it, it is the aggies who are to blame for the lackluster energy level surrounding this game. We are a shell of our former selves. So much so that I am not even sure Tech fans circle this game on their calender anymore. Years ago, Tech fans lived to beat A&M...nowadays, they expect it.

These are dark days for Aggie fans. On one hand, I am tempted to watch the game by myself (drunk and alone in my attic) to escape post game ridicule. On the other hand, I know that we have nothing to lose. We have hit rock bottom...Tech could win by 50 and it would not phase me.

BUT WHAT IF....

We could somehow win this game. The entire season would be ruined for the RedFaders. Dreams of a conference championship game would be over, and the season would be spoiled. Sadly, this is all the aggie fan has this year. This is a no lose situation for us...

...but a win would do a lot to restore the luster of roosterbowl, and that is important.

October surprise

My wife has had some unfortunate health issues surface, which will threaten my attendance at RoosterBowl. She is in the hospital and feeling much better, but my priorities are with her and Madi, and if forced to choose, the answer is easy (I said in an earlier post that I wouldn't miss this game for the world, but I will miss it for Shannon). My only hope at this point for RoosterBowl XI, is that Shannon is discharged from the hospital tomorrow, and is feeling good enough for me to get up very early Saturday and drive down for some tailgating and kickoff. If that does not work out, then I know I can count on Teddy K to carry the Aggie RoosterBowl torch without me.

Please keep Shannon in your prayers, and be assured that this does not appear to be related to her prior brain surgery, and is not a return of her health issues from last year. Just another freaky medical mystery for which she is now famous.

High Five: Texas Tech-Texas A&M

Dallas Morning News highlights their "top 5 significant RoosterBowl wins" for each team.

Reality

I know Aggy is terrible this year, and Tech is pretty good. I also know that everyone seems to think Tech will drill Aggy this year in the Land of Collie. Unfortunately, the reality - as well as history - is that it may not be that easy.

Here are the results of the last 5 games (10 years) at Pyle:

2006 Tech 31-27 (last minute bomb wins game)
2004 Aggy 30-24 (OT loss)
2002 Tech 48-47 (OT win)
2000 Aggy 33-15 (soundly defeated by 5 loss team)
1998 Aggy 17-10 (Aggy wins Big XII)

The point I'm trying to make is that this game is certainly no gimme - at least judging by recent history. Aggy may have lost to Arkansas State this year, but it will show up to defend its home field against a team it hates. Ask the Longhorns how their trip out there played out last year.

Tech lost to North Texas High in 1999 the game before it beat #5 Aggy - both games were played in the HUB.

FLASHBACK: 2001

"There may be an individual or two that got out of hand. For the record, I think our fans are better than the Aggie fans." Mike Leach, November 5, 2001.

This quote came AFTER Tech AD Gerald Myers and Tech President David Schmidly had publicly condemned the actions of Tech students, who tore down the goalpost and shoved it into the visitors section, inciting a brawl. In Leach's defense, maybe by "better", he meant better street-fighters.

Tech/Rooster Bowl Notes

Corona has officially been replaced. I'm interested to see what Fowler can do - he's been in the program longer, so hopefully he has a little more focus. Although clearly not Tech's only weak area on special teams, extra points are crucial. (see 2002 Rooster Bowl)

Here's an interesting one: Tech leads the Big 12 (3rd nationally among current Top 25 teams) in football graduation rates at 79%. Aggy comes in at #8, 56%. Will be interesting to see how that one gets spun...

Rooster Bowl IX will be aired on ESPN Classic this Thursday at 2pm.

Updated forecast for Saturday: clear, sunny - 78/52.

FLASHBACK: 1999

The Fightin' Texas Aggies, defending Big 12 Champs and ranked #5 in the nation, rolled undefeated into Lubbock. No one expected much of a contest from the pitiful Red Raiders, 1-2, and coming off an embarrassing loss to the Mean Green of North Texas State. Everyone fully believed the Aggies would steamroll Tech.

Not so fast. This rivalry can be unpredictable, and strange things can happen. Tech held on to a slim 21-19 upset of the #5 Aggies that Saturday, while I desperately tried to get updates to my pager, while attending Shannon's best friend's wedding (I'll never understand why anyone would get married in the fall, but that's another post.) A&M went on to an 8-4 season, with embarrassing losses to OU, Nebraska, and Penn State, but none was more devastating than the upset in Lubbock.

My point in this post, is that I ALWAYS hold out hope for a win. They play the game for a reason, and it's games like this, where I know my attendance brings the possibility of witnessing an incredible upset. I know Aggies who are fed up and refusing to attend, but I wouldn't miss it for the world. I will always see the world through Maroon Colored Glasses, and hold a whiff of hope that on any given Saturday, against any opponent, the Fightin' Texas Aggies will bring victory.

Regarding Aggy Response:

"Tech isn't known for their camaraderie or being civil, from stories I've heard," one Aggie said. "I believe they're just taking jabs at whatever they can get at. I'm just ready to beat the hell out of Tech!"

Crap. I think the terrorists just won.

A&M Rolls On!

COLLEGE STATION -- The A&M Consolidated Lady Tiger volleyball team won its tenth District 12-5A football game on Tuesday evening with a 3 sets sweep of Killeen Ellison.

Shelby Dickson led the way with 12 kills, while Karla Gilbert added 6 kills in the 25-12, 25-8, 25-15.

Hillary Parker added 23 assists while Kelsey Kinley chipped in 6 digs and 3 aces.

The Lady Tigers improve to 10-0 in District 12-5A play and 26 and 7 overall.

A&M Consolidated travels to Killeen to face Shoemaker on Friday.

Regarding Aggy:

Tech’s upperclassmen didn’t take shots Monday at Texas A&M, their next opponent. But they also didn’t tread lightly around the subject of the Aggies and their unique traditions.

“I’ve never been a real big fan of it,” Tech inside receiver Eric Morris said. “There’s a lot of them when they come marching in before the games: I guess the ROTC. I don’t know what it is, really - the fake army, which I don’t know if that’s a good thing to say.

“But there’s a lot of them, march around the field forever and all kinds of chants. I don’t know what it means, but they have great tradition there, so you have to respect that. Their fans get into it. It’s a great atmosphere to play in.”

Senior center Stephen Hamby said he’s looking forward to playing in Kyle Field, because he gets a charge out of fans “telling me I’m terrible.”

Hamby, who’s known for his humorous personality, figures the A&M crowd will take care of that. “They’re supposed to be classy fans or whatever. They’re not,” he said with a smile.

“I’ve been in their stadium before. They do the hiss thing. That’s about as far as they say they go. But I’d rather have somebody tell me I’m terrible than tell me I’m great.”

Hamby said he’s had a relative in A&M’s corps of cadets.

“My brother-in-law was in it, I think,” Hamby said. “Needless to say, he wore a kilt to my sister’s wedding. They’re just a different breed down there. I’m not too enthusiastic about their whole thing they’ve got going. … Every friend I’ve had go to A&M turns out different when they come back.”

DE Bennett will play Saturday/Ryan Tannehill sidenote

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Defensive end Michael Bennett, suspended for the Kansas State game for a violation of team rules, will practice today and is expected to play Saturday against No. 7 Texas Tech.

This is a relief. Brother of pass-dropping Cowboys tight end Martellus is our best defensive player (what Emmitt might call "a diamond surrounded by trash"). We will need him to put some pressure on Harrell.

On another note, this is an interesting RoosterBowl nugget for you. A&M freshman receiver/backup QB Ryan Tannehill grew up a Tech fan. His dad, Tim Tannehill, played receiver for Tech from 85-87. Ryan played QB at Big Spring, and grew up idolizing Kliff Kingsbury and BJ Symons. He wanted to go to Tech but was not recruited by Leach.

"I grew up a Tech fan, but right now, I'm not proud of it," Tannehill said. "Right now, I'm just worried about taking them down."

Ryan has a freshman record 12 catched for 210 yards last week against K-State.

This year's location is set!!

(click above to enlarge)

Olsen Field RV lot, Space 12 (amazingly, the same EXACT spot we had in 2006!)

Printable MAP of RV lots

Printable MAP of Olsen Field RV lot

Opening line

Red Raiders by 21

Rooster Break-Let's Padre!

Anyone who knows what I mean by "Let's Padre" is old. It's of course a Spring Break reference from the late 80's, and since I'm officially on Rooster Break, it seemed appropriate.

Anyway, in spite of the current state of Aggie Football, I am very fired up about RoosterBowl XI, and that the time is finally upon us. Since I missed RB X, this one is extra special. I can't wait to see what the line is on this game, which pits the 6-0 Red Raiders, who will be ranked in the top 5, against the woeful 2-4 Aggies, who have only managed to beat Army and New Mexico (even those were close).

Tech showed some signs of mortality yesterday, with a close, OT win over Nebraska in Lubbock. A&M, as bad as they were, showed some signs of life, and certainly showed some fight, in the loss to Kansas State. We were unable to stop the Wildcats in the first half, and gave up the usual special teams TD with a blocked punt going the other way for 6.

This week we will have back one of our few quality defensive players in Michael Bennett, who was benched this week for "violating team rules" (shouldn't that bench the entire offensive line? There has to be a rule requiring them to BLOCK!). Also back in the starting lineup will be Mike Goodson, who sat out the first quarter vs. K-state. According to Coach Sherman, Goodson "had trouble finding his way to class" last week.

The only bright spot this week was the explosion of the A&M passing game under Jerrod Johnson, who threw for 419 in the loss. 210 of those yards were to backup QB Ryan Tannehill. Johnson also ran for 68 yards. With him in the lineup, combined with the running/catching threat of Goodson, plus receiving threats Tannehill and Fuller, we have to be able to move the ball against Tech. The question is can we slow down Tech's attack. Certainly A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines has done it before, in the Alabama Cotton Bowl win over Tech. Avoiding the big play will key, which A&M has been prone to give up all year. My prediction is that someone will emerge from this game as a legitimate Heisman contender.

Flashback! 2001

Commandancy of Section 15
Jones Stadium, Nov. 3rd 2001

To the People of College Station & all Agro-americans in the world --

Fellow farmers & 12th men -- I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Techsicans under Leach -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 60 minutes & have only given up 12 points -- The enemy demanded passage out of the stadium, otherwise, the fans are to be put to the goalpost, if the section is taken -- I have answered the demand with binoculars, & we are still humping it proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender, or go to my car. Then, I call on you in the name of RC, of Reville & everything dear to the aggie character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements every hour & will no increase to three or four thousand before they decide to go get some dinner and something to drink. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain as long as possible & then run to the newspapers and tell them I work for the governor.

Victory or Shreveport!
William Barret McKinney
Chf. Gomer, Comdt.

No Guts, No Glory....

Wow.

Still unsure how to digest this one. Nebraska showed up and deserves a lot of credit - as do the Red Raiders for not packing it in. Tech maintained its focus, and made it happen in the end.

I'm real happy about only committing 2 penalties for a change. Unfortunately, the personal foul was complete garbage, and almost played a part in the final score. Pelini whined all game, and finally was handed a gift with that one.

Special teams continue to be a major concern at this point. Sooner than later it will cost us a game if corrections are not made, and I'm talking about all facets; not just the kicking.

Game Time Set...

....11am, and televised on FOX Sports. Forecast at this time is 82/65, with a 20% chance of rain.

It's a perfect time slot, as Aggy will not much time to plot before kick-off. If this were a home game for the Red Raiders, I would prefer a night slot for the exact same reason.

Let's Not Start...

Being 5-0 and #7 reminds me of Winston Wolf's famous deadpanner.

Just like my previous entry, nothing has been won yet. I've seen 5-0 a few times, and I've heard all of the lofty projections before as well. Not once, however, have I seen it come through.

Although a nice win in Manhattan, I think Tech should be somewhere around #12 right now. I can count a few teams that we might not be able to beat with how we've performed thus far. Then again, I could be wrong. We'll see....

Hello, calling special teams....Is anyone there? Masonry? Where's that damn hippy clerk?

Back to Earth

Looks like I picked a good game to attend last weekend against Army, as it will be one of the few wins of the season. There is simply no point in my rehashing the mauling at Stoolwater yesterday, so I won't bother.

I updated the poll at the right, asking whether A&M will get bowl eligible this year. Early in the season, I would have voted yes. Obviously, things have not started out as any Aggie fan planned.

For A&M to become bowl eligible, we must have 6 wins against FBS opponents. At 2-3 right now, and three top 10 teams (OU, UT, Teck) remaining on the schedule, that pretty much means we must get the four needed wins from the other four games left: K-State, @Iowa State, Colorado, and @ Baylor. Could it happen? Sure, but I voted no. I think all of those games are winnable or losable, and running the table on them in the shape we are in is damn near impossible.

Honestly, I think we will go .500 in those 4 games, and get an upset between Tech and Texas. That would put us at 5-7 for the season, which I would be very happy with at this point.