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

------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Merry Christmas

------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Pictures updated!

I updated the pictures page with pictures from this years' festivities. I only had about 30 pictures, so please submit your additions to the collection.

Magnum

New War of Words?

Asked about dealing with the altitude in A&M's upcoming game in Boulder, Aggie coach Mike Sherman replied, "Well, Lubbock is a pretty good altitude up there. There's a lot of hot air up there too."

FYI:

My new Mac Book Pro departed it's Shanhai assembling area yesterday morning at 10:35 am, via FedEx. Scheduled Austin delivery is this Monday morning. Will have plenty of thoughts to share once it's here.

Ouch...

This one definitely left its mark...

I knew the streak could not possibly last forever, but I certainly did not believe this year would be the year. Apparently, I was not alone in that regard either.

At any rate, aggy showed up, played hard for 4 quarters, and deserved this victory. Congratulations.

Aggies 52 Red Raiders 30

Joe with Midnight Matador

Photo taken by the "Masked Rider"

------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Updated BCS Top 5:

1) Florida - not too tough to figure this one out

2) Alabama - wonder how McElroy would've fared in the HUB had he kept his oral com

3) Barack Obama - the Linguistic Wizard could leap frog 'Bama by inserting a few more powerful words into his repotoire

4) UT - Colt has been mediocre this year thus far

5) TCU - need some Christians to offset all of the Jews in this poll

High Five: Texas Tech-Texas A&M | Texas A&M Aggies News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

High Five: Texas Tech-Texas A&M | Texas A&M Aggies News | Sports News | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News

08:46 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 21, 2009

From staff reports

Texas Tech wins

Oct. 7, 1995, Red Raiders 14, Aggies 7, in Lubbock: Texas A&M entered the game as the No. 8 team in the country and enjoyed a 29-game conference winning streak. But with the score tied 7-7 with 30 seconds left and the Aggies driving, Texas Tech linebacker Zach Thomas picked off a Corey Pullig pass and returned it 23 yards for the winning touchdown for the unranked Red Raiders.

Oct. 5, 2002, Red Raiders 48, Aggies 47 (OT), in College Station: Unranked Texas Tech rallied from 18 points down in the fourth quarter to push No. 23 Texas A&M into overtime. Dustin Long had seven touchdown passes for A&M and Kliff Kingsbury had five for Tech, but two kicks determined the difference. John Pierson missed his OT extra-point try, and Robert Treece made his.

Oct. 2, 1999, Red Raiders 21, Aggies 19, in Lubbock: With tailback Ricky Williams unable to go, Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes moved fullback Sammy Morris to his spot. Morris gained 170 yards rushing against No. 5 Texas A&M and its top-ranked run defense, and the Red Raiders rallied from 10 points down to score all 21 of their points in the second quarter for the upset.

Sept. 30, 2006, Red Raiders 31, Aggies 27, in College Station: Trailing with 2:12 left and 80 yards ahead of him, Texas Tech sophomore quarterback Graham Harrell went to work. A drive that included an interception overturned by replay and an 11-yard catch by Jarrett Hicks on fourth-and-5 ended with Robert Johnson's 37-yard touchdown catch with 26 seconds left for the win.

Oct. 25, 1997, Red Raiders 16, Aggies 13, in Lubbock: With 19 seconds left, unranked Texas Tech had a chance to break a tie with No. 20 Texas A&M with a successful field-goal attempt. But Texas Tech senior kicker Tony Rogers, a backup until Jaret Greaser was injured the week before, had to try a 47-yarder with a tricky 24 mph wind. His kick glanced off the left upright and went through.

Texas A&M wins

Nov. 13, 2004, Aggies 32, Red Raiders 25 (OT), in College Station: For the second time in three years, Texas A&M and Texas Tech were going to overtime in College Station. Courtney Lewis went 25 yards on an option play to give Texas A&M the lead on the first play of overtime. Then, on fourth-and-9, Byron Jones knocked down Sonny Cumbie's pass to the end zone to secure the win.

Oct. 3, 1992, Aggies 19, Red Raiders 17, in College Station: Texas A&M kicker Terry Venetoulias was having a tough day. He had missed a 43-yard field goal attempt and an extra-point attempt earlier to keep unranked Texas Tech in the game. But with one second left and down by one, Venetoulias made a 21-yard field goal to keep No. 5 Texas A&M undefeated.

Oct. 1, 1994, Aggies 23, Red Raiders 17, in College Station: Texas Tech turned two interceptions by Zach Thomas and Marcus Coleman into 10 points and scored on a fake punt to lead No. 10 Texas A&M 17-7 at halftime. But the Aggies rallied with two 1-yard touchdown runs in the second half. Texas Tech's final shot to the end zone went through Field Scovell's hands to end the upset threat.

Oct. 6, 1990, Aggies 28, Red Raiders 24, in College Station: Texas A&M senior halfback Darren Lewis rushed for 232 yards and the Aggies had almost twice as many first downs as the Red Raiders, yet Texas Tech was still in it until the end. With 2:12 left and Texas Tech facing fourth-and-13, Texas A&M defensive back Kevin Smith picked off Robert Hall to secure the win.

Oct. 24, 1998, Aggies 17, Red Raiders 10, in College Station: No. 25 Texas Tech scored its 10 points off of two fumbles by Aggies quarterback Randy McCown, but the defense saved the day for No. 8 Texas A&M. Texas Tech quarterback Rob Peters was sacked five times and his offense managed only 205 yards. The Red Raiders' last hope was a pass to Donnie Hart that he caught out of bounds in the end zone.

Let The Streak Begin...........

Sherman was the aggy offensive line coach in 1995 when Pullig threw the pick that was heard 'round the world. The game was tied with less than a minute to go when Zack returned it 23 yards for the win.

"Yeah, I remember throwing a pick to Zach Thomas," Sherman said. "I threw the same pick [at Green Bay] when he was in the NFL when we played against him at Miami. He's kind of been a nemesis for me over the years, and just someone I really respected, starting back with his days at Tech."

This $@%* is Real

Leach is 7-2 versus aggy, and unbeaten at home. In fact, none of the current seniors have ever lost to aggy.

Says Marlon Winn: “My redshirt (freshman) year, the first year we traveled down there, I remember the touchdown catch Robert Johnson made in the end zone to seal the game (31-27). I felt the rivalry between the two teams and how we just snatched the air out of the stadium. I enjoyed the feeling. They come here the next year, and kind of the same thing happens. It’s something that, when you go into practice that week, you remember those kind of things, and you don’t want to be the team that ends up losing to Texas A&M, who of course is a great team."

Sheffield out two to three weeks with foot injury | Red Raiders

Sheffield out two to three weeks with foot injury | Red Raiders

Shared via AddThis

Uh oh.....

if head to head is any accurate barometer....

Texas Tech is to K-State (66-14) as K-State is to Texas A&M (62-14).

I don't think head-to-head is necessarily a good predictor, but clearly Tech is pulling it together, following back to back losses with the K-State blowout and a dominating win over ranked Nebraska in Lincoln, while A&M is still struggling.

With a night game in Lubbock looming, the Aggies had better put this lost behind them and get ready to correct the "funk" they found themselves in in Manhattan.

Leach 101

Is it possible that I am paying more attention to recent "Leach-speak" than Bake?

Asked about his "game-time decision" to start Taylor Potts or Steven Sheffield vs. Nebraska, Leach commented that the media should not "do anything to diminish the excitement and anticipation of a game-time decision, because I think that would screw up the whole thing, and then we'd be less big-time around here and that would certainly be disturbing to everybody."

Wine + Mac Book =

Muy malo....

Will be up and posting a lot of garbage pertaining to the White Jumpsuit Gang asap!

Night game in Lubbock!!

Official kickoff time of 6 pm has been announced for RoosterBowl XII.

------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Roostermobile in the house!

Got the Roostermobile booked today. It's a DOUBLE slide-out with bunk beds! Check out the specs HERE.

Mangini = Rocket Scientist?

So Crabs had to enlist the brilliance of MC Hammer to, uh, hammer out the details with the 49ers?

Really? The MC Hammer? Maybe Vanilla Ice was all booked up.

(And I don't exactly remember Hammer being remembered for his financial wizardry)

Seriously though - this is a good thing for both parties. SF needs a big threat receiver, and Crabs needs some dough so he can start paying his handlers back. He also needs to get back onto the field where he simply dominates.

Being somewhat of a cynic, I have always wondered if this ridiculous hold-out had anything to do with his injury. Maybe he needed the rehab; fully knowing that he would essentially get the same amount of money a few months later with a better-healed foot. Who knows...

At any rate, hopefully his foot is good enough now that he can get into playing shape and contribute. Singletary emulates everything that is good about the NFL, and he has SF looking pretty decent thus far.

Here's to a bunch of Crab-Grabs late in the season!

Fuller Expected Back In Two To Three Weeks

Looks like A&M will have our best receiver, Fuller back in time for RB12!

Fuller Expected Back In Two To Three Weeks

Shared via AddThis

Glory days

Ran into Coach Slocum today at a pre-game party!

------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

Beat the Hell Outta Arkansas!

------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

A must read for any football fan

I'm a huge fan of A&M's QB, Jerrod Johnson. Maybe I was a fan for all the wrong reasons. What an incredible story.

TEXAS A&M QUARTERBACK JERROD JOHNSON'S STORY IS THE BEST YOU'VE NEVER HEARD

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.

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

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.

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.

this is weird

short lived, I'm sure....

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.

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!

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...

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.

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...)

#25

Baron Batch is coming off a season in which he carried 113 times for 758 yards and seven touchdowns and caught 45 passes for 449 yards and a TD.

“I’m ready to go, ready to rock and roll, to get it started,’’ the junior from Midland said - 2 1/2 weeks after suffering an elbow injury in practice.

Rooster Sighting

Finally feeling the football season coming on...

It took a trip to Aggieland, but I finally feel like it's football season. Yesterday morning I made an early drive to College Station, and got to campus in time to watch 2 hours of practice. I'm feeling pretty good about the team making some serious improvements over last year, even though I'm realistic enough to know it may not reflect much in the win column. The Dallas Morning News projects A&M to finish 5-7, with conference wins only over ISU and KSU. I am really hoping for 7-5 with a couple of upsets, but would honestly be okay with 6-6, if the wins were over the right teams.

I was very impressed with the offense. Jerrod Johnson is back at QB, with Tannehill and Fuller returning at wideout. Fuller is a beast, and will be one of the top receivers in the conference this year. I had no idea how massive JJ was until I was standing 20 feet from him. He is listed at 6'6", but I think he's taller than that. Tannehill was taking snaps at QB as well, but it seems decided that JJ will start at QB and Tannehill will play receiver.

Cyrus Gray and Bradley Stephens are both back at RB, and Gray is slotted to be the starter. He looked great in practice, but all the talk seemed to be about true freshman Christine Michael. Everyone is saying he is very special, and could be starting by October. Powerful runner with breakaway speed.

Offensive line looked good too, but maybe that was because they were blocking the Aggie defense. It's really hard to tell when it's Aggies vs. Aggies, but still, I'm ready for September 5th!!!!

September Texas Monthly Cover:

Should be an interesting read, although TM is a nothing short of a rag. I especially love the 75 pages of vacation ads in every issue.

All in all, pretty good pub for the HUB though.

Crabtree

I guess he should have just stayed in Lubbock....

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texastech/stories/080709dnspocrabtree.39a1e40.html

Aggy on Aggy Crime

The culprit in a break in at the Texas A&M football complex has been found, but no charges will be pressed in the case.

The person, who University Police will not identify, admitted Wednesday morning to taking eight sets of the football pads and name plates from lockers in the A&M locker room. Surveillance footage was used to nab the suspect.

Authorities say there were no signs of forced entry, so the person involved had access to the facility via a key pad entry code.

The person agreed to return the property he still had, though two pads were reportedly thrown in a dumpster and can't be found. The culprit will repay the money for the lost pads.

Besides stolen property, powder was spread across the room and athletic tape was used to spell the phrase, "The Eyes of Texas Are Upon You," which are the first words in the University of Texas alma mater. A UT logo was also made using tape.

The tape job initially led to thoughts that Longhorn enthusiasts had been the perpetrators, but University Police Chief Elmer Schneider says the person was connected to Texas A&M in some way, and acted alone.

"It was a personal issue that the person chose to act out in an inappropriate manner," Schneider said, added that the person was upset over some set of circumstances.

The A&M Athletics Department has decided not to press charges.

let's play some American Football, eh?

Former Tech QB Harrell signs with CFL team

08:30 PM CDT on Thursday, July 16, 2009

Associated Press

REGINA, Saskatchewan – Record-setting Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell is headed to the CFL, having signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday.

Harrell is the NCAA Division I career leader in touchdown passes but wasn't drafted by the NFL. His workout with the Cleveland Browns did not result in a contract.

Harrell had to fight the perception that his numbers were the product of Texas Tech's offensive system and he didn't have the arm strength to succeed in the NFL.

The Roughriders are already two games into their season and have three quarterbacks on their roster. Their starter is former North Carolina quarterback Darian Durant, who had only four career CFL starts coming into the season.

Alamo Mike's Last Stand?

A&M faculty vote 'no confidence' in chancellor
Rebuke of Mike McKinney adds new turmoil shortly after Elsa Murano was forced to step down as president.
By Ralph K.M. Haurwitz
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF

Thursday, July 02, 2009

When the chancellor of the Texas A&M University System addressed the Faculty Senate last week, he described the faculty as "the mind and conscience" of the university, with a voice that can open wounds or heal them.

"I have a sincere desire to see our relationship move beyond the adversity of the recent past," said Chancellor Mike McKinney, who went on to quote Scripture as well as Shakespeare as he urged faculty members not to reignite disagreement over A&M's leadership.

Despite McKinney's overtures, the Faculty Senate voted 55-9 Tuesday to approve a resolution expressing no confidence in his leadership. Earlier, an online poll by the senate found that, of more than 1,300 faculty members responding, 83.5 percent had no confidence in the chancellor.

The votes have no official impact. The A&M System Board of Regents has exclusive power to hire and fire the chancellor, who oversees a statewide network of academic campuses and state agencies, as well as a health science center.

The faculty's action nevertheless amounts to a sharp rebuke of McKinney and, indirectly, of the regents. Faculty Senate officials said this was the first time they had passed a resolution of no confidence in the chancellor, or even considered such a resolution.

Rod Davis, a spokesman for the A&M System, said Wednesday that McKinney and the regents would have no comment on the vote.

The developments come a little more than two weeks after Elsa Murano resigned as president of the College Station campus under pressure from the regents. Murano, the first Hispanic and first woman to lead the university, had taken issue with a sharply critical performance evaluation of her by McKinney.

Asked what prompted the vote of no confidence, Robert Bednarz, a geography professor and speaker of the Faculty Senate, said, "I think his statements about the nature of shared governance and how decisions are made are in opposition to what most faculty think is the most productive way to make decisions."

Shared governance is the practice of consulting closely with faculty members, staff members and other stakeholders before making major decisions. It is a widely accepted principle of higher education administration, but McKinney at times has essentially said he takes his marching orders from the regents.

Bednarz said some faculty members also thought the regents and chancellor didn't consult sufficiently with the faculty before expanding a rule on background checks for new employees and before trimming the list of financial firms with which university employees can place retirement money.

It's unclear what effect the no-confidence vote will have. McKinney, a physician and former state legislator, is a friend and former chief of staff of Gov. Rick Perry.

Regents Chairman Morris Foster — like the other regents, a Perry appointee — has said McKinney has "my full support."

"There's got to be communication and clarity of roles and purposes, as well as candor and openness, for faculty to feel comfortable that governance and leadership are in good hands," said Richard Novak, senior vice president of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges.

The search for a new president, assuming that it's not done in haste and that faculty members are part of the search committee, could heal wounds and rebuild confidence in leadership, Novak said.

Foster has said that faculty members would be involved in the search, which he hopes to complete within six months, a short timeline for such a search.

rhaurwitz@statesman.com; 445-3604

More From The Admiral:

Posted: May 12, 2009
Sporting News staff report

In an interview with BitterLawyer.com, Pepperdine Law School graduate and Texas Tech coach Mike Leach proposes a playoff system for college football that would essentially grant every team postseason play.

Acknowledging that his plan is "not one that anyone would probably go for," Leach told the website about his vision for a playoff system.

"This business of a four-team playoff or an eight-team playoff is just stupid. I think you have to cut the regular season to 10 games," Leach said. "Then I think you need to invite a lot of teams (maybe 64) into a playoff, but you'd let the rest of the teams continue in an NIT-type deal so that they could play another six games or so, which they need to fund their programs.

"The simple fact is that we act like a playoff system in college football is a unique idea. It's not. Bowls are unique. All levels of college football except for Division I have a playoff, and other sports do it, too."

Asked what other changes he might make to the game, Leach said he would like to see a speaker in the quarterback's helmet like the pros use. And in the NFL, he said, "they need wider hash marks."

Asked if he ever uses his law school training as a college football coach, Leach said, "Someone once put it to me like this, and I agree with this take. A law degree — and really any form of higher education, but especially a law degree — is all about problem solving. I use it every day in that sense. Because you don't always know the answer to something, but the great thing about legal training is that it teaches you how to solve the problem when you don't know the answer.

I Guess Deep Down Aggy Isn't That Bad...

Aggie spirit lives on even when the faithful are gone

Austin Soviet-Statesman
Tuesday, May 12, 2009

They're putting in a new cemetery space for Aggies in College Station, which makes you wonder. Since it's a tradition for Aggies to stand up through a whole football game, will they bury them upright and at attention?

Hey, this would be kind of a green move because it would conserve space and help fight global overpopulation.

They say there's no such thing as a former Aggie, and that once you are one, you're happily branded with that designation for life. Aggieness is harder to get rid of than a bad tattoo. But the new cemetery opening up in a few weeks proves you wear this badge for eternity.

I can hear St. Peter now. "Nice boots, pal. Really nice boots. What's the deal with the sheep?"

The Memorial Cemetery of College Station will have a section called the Aggie Field of Honor. The first phase will have 2,900 burial spaces, although non-Aggies are welcome there, too, if you really want to be buried in the middle of a bunch of Aggies. It's probably a good idea to mix, though. Nearly 3,000 burial plots — that's a lot of burr haircuts.

Some 350 spaces have already been sold. Former Aggie football great John David Crow has bought spaces, said Ross Albrecht, the marketing supervisor for the cemetery. Former Aggie football coach R.C. Slocum is planning to buy a spot, Albrecht added. He said they have yet to hear from Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who was an Aggie yell leader when he was in school.

Maybe Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is going to buy his space for him after the Republican primary.

The Aggie part of the new cemetery is decorated with a circular, concrete, tilted A&M logo. Vaults holding cremains will be marked with a dark red, almost maroon granite, Albrecht said.

Wouldn't the cemetery be even more festive if they included one of those UT outhouses like they used to stick on top of the Aggie bonfires?

What surprises me about this is that nobody's come up with this before. If it says A&M on it, you can sell it to an Aggie. Why didn't I buy a couple of acres outside Bryan about 10 years ago and start digging? I could be rich by now.

Oh, the municipal cemetery will also have a non-Aggie section for those who would rather be buried away from the Aggies. A 4-foot-by 9-foot grave site runs $2,000 in the Aggie section, and just $950 in the regular municipal section.

So why does it cost an extra $1,050 to get planted in the Aggie part? "It's just really the prestige," Albrecht said. I wonder if Aggies can get a price break if they buy season tickets for the whole family? And why not? The football team has been playing dead for the past couple of years.

But the big fashion question becomes should an Aggie be buried there with his senior boots on or off?

Actually, this Aggie cemetery is a pretty good idea for College Station tourism. Let's face it. The night life out there at the graveyard will be on par with the current club scene in the rest of College Station. No offense to the Dixie Chicken, of course.

You know, it's easy to make fun of Aggies because their traditions seem pretty goofy to non-Aggies such as myself, who just don't get it. But let's give the Aggies their due and admit that they manage to show a spirit that simply isn't equaled by the University of Texas. Who else but Aggies would have buried their deceased dog mascots so they can see the football score inside the stadium?

On the other hand, why not a cemetery in Austin for UT fans who have shuffled off to that great OU Weekend in the Sky? How about a cemetery for Longhorn faithful where each grave is marked with a full-sized plaster Bevo? Or a high-dollar Mack Brown plaque, embossed in gold, that comes with a Nike swoosh on it?

John Kelso's column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Contact him at 445-3606 or jkelso@statesman.com

My new hairdresser

------------------------
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T