Football Articles
Turd Soup for the Sunshine Pumping Soul
Posted by CloseToJumping on December 7th, 2008 under Football
Someone else can write the “Do We Realize How Good We’ve Got It” post for this season. In fact, I feel like I’ve read a minimum of 20 of those sappy bawlfests already this past week. I want to wallow in the mire comprising all the elements that still anger me right now.
Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of things to be excited about as a result of this season. The WRs improve every year under Kennedy. The secondary will continue to get better. McCoy is probably not human. The team played as a team and the sum was greater than the parts. The impact of two young coaching hires was profound and has massive, positive, long term ramifications. It was a fun team and a fun season. Mack Brown did his best coaching job ever. Nonetheless, this is still our winter of discontent.
Strength of Schedule Matters, No Matter How Many Times Mack Brown Says it Doesn’t
No one forecast before this year that Cincinnati and TCU would be significant players within the BCS and harmful for us as a result of those teams being on OU’s schedule. What anyone besides people with their head in the sand could have told the guy on the street is that if you’re not going to win all of your games, you had better be playing some impressive teams. No one can or should rely on their own conference to carry them with the computers. Brown effectively espouses this position every time he’s asked about who we should or shouldn’t play. Even this year, the Big 12 schedule wasn’t enough and in normal years, the Big 12 isn’t quite this strong. You have to play someone in the non-conference slate.
We don’t have to have Ohio State or USC on the schedule every year. What you do need is a minimum of two teams that have a prayer of being good, another team that will be competitive within a top 10 conference, and then a throwaway, but absolutely of the D1 variety. Texas did not do that this season and Texas isn’t doing that next season and Texas isn’t doing that the season after that. Arkansas was fine, but no one ever viewed them as helping beyond the mid-level team from a power conference. Rice cannot be counted on to drive your SOS. They helped, as an anomaly, but FAU and UTEP absolutely did not. Next year, the non-con consists of UTEP, Wyoming, Central Florida, and Louisiana Monroe. Arkansas bailed for 2009, sure, but there were better options for a replacement. Texas literally has to be perfect next season or there is no shot of a national game appearance. The Big 12 will be down some and that doesn’t help. In 2010, it improves a little with UCLA, but there needs to be another team like that or you are hoping to be lucky.
Brown is convinced that UT doesn’t need to play a good non-conference schedule and he’s kidding himself. We are exposed to the same risk next year that we have been exposed to, and porked by, this season. OU next season plays Miami and Tulsa, and they’re in talks to play BYU. Ohio State and USC play each other. Florida plays FSU every year. Somebody is playing somebody every season and we’ve decided to stop doing that. Not only does that put a lot of risk with the computers, it hurts us with fan interest, it hurts with recruiting interest, it hurts with being in the Heisman hunt, and it hampers our ability to be on the conscience of the national sports scene. There is a lot more downside to scheduling weak sisters than not.
We Are Not in the Title Game Because of One Play
Folks can cite 50 reasons why we should or shouldn’t be in the title game, but it comes down very simply to one play, and no, Michael Crabtree wasn’t even involved with this play. Put simply, if Blake Buckner makes the popup, 5-year old skill-level interception to seal the game against Tech, McCoy has the Heisman on lockdown and we’re undefeated. Instead of that being the case, we’ve got computers and voters slapping us in the face and watching us cry. On top of that, we’ve got a guy who will be doing little more than taking up space against opponents with better people on the bench behind him for 3 more years.
Buckner is clearly going to be the next Rashad Bobino. You can watch the ATM film 10 or 15 times if you like, you still will not see this guy making a play. Not only that, he was missing plays and tackles 15 and 20 yards down the field at times. He is an active liability, adroitly taking himself out of plays. When he and Bobino are on the field simultaneously, we are effectively playing 9 on 11.
Not Understanding the Rules of the Game Makes One Pathetic, Not Sympathetic
By not playing the game within the confines of the current parameters and then complaining about the rules afterwards, Brown has helped create his own computer poll and voter problems. The system is very clear and has been for some time. You have to win and win big when you have a chance to step on someone’s throat. Not doing so and then whining about the very system that the program has already agreed to playing within is complete and utter negligence. Moreover, not going nuts on the scoreboard against coaches like Mangino and Briles and programs like ATM earns you no value with your fanbase; those opponents on future occasions; recruits; or your current team.
The definition of “sportsmanship”, like so many things, has changed. Which is worse?
a) Shutting things down by the early 4th quarter, putting in the 3rd stringers and then talking about how much worse you could have beaten your opponent, condescending them in the post game?
Or
b) Giving your opponent your best from beginning to end, scoring as you please if they can’t stop you, and letting everyone judge you off of that performance?
Note that ATM, Kansas, and Baylor all kept playing their starters, continued passing the ball, and never stopped attempting to score. Two of those teams eventually did score, while we sat on the ball. Ignoring the simple, understood fact that many voters do not watch most of the games and only look at final scores is either ignorance or stupidity. When someone knows the rules of engagement and willingly ignores them, they deserve whatever comes their way. I guess if you really believe that Brown let off the gas because he really felt for the opponent, as opposed to concern about what folks would say about him and his “sportsmanship”, then this argument falls flat. If you’ve followed the program with open eyes over the Brown era, you can’t really be seeing it that way.
Don’t Be Fooled By the Middle-Aged Mouthbreather Behind the Curtain
McNeese State alums unite! One of you walks amongst the gods of college football, ruining careers and fanbase joy. The complaints on Greg Davis continue and they damn well should. This guy spit the bit against Tech and he never fails to attempt to lose at least one game for us each year. His gameplan against ATM was an atrocity and precisely the kind of stupid shit that he’s built his brand upon. His 2nd down playcalling is hilariously bad even by the prior standards he’s set for himself. Whatever gains we’ve seen on offense this year can and should be attributed to the influence of Applewhite. Let’s hope Davis leaves when Brown does, and that Applewhite is then happy to replace him.
I am perpetually amazed by the credit that is almost forced upon Davis by members of our fanbase and occasionally the media. He’s not a terrible OC by the college standard. There is simply too much ineptitude in college coaching for that to be realistic. That considered, the guy is absolutely mediocre. Our talent on offense vacillates between excellent and elite. It has not been elite this year, except in the one place where it matters, QB. We’ve got great talent outside of that, but it is not otherworldly, as we’ve seen in years past. At the same time, no matter the overall talent make-up in a given year, the problems with the offense are usually the same. We’ve got no running game. We struggle in short yardage situations. We have no knowledge of going for the throat with the ball in our hands, as witnessed on 2nd and short and immediately after turnovers. We could be doing a lot worse, that I don’t really doubt. We could also be doing a lot better, and of that I am certain.
If we play Ohio State in the Fiesta, you can take it to the bank that we will play down to their level on offense. Instead of going out and calling an aggressive plan, utilizing McCoy’s wizardry and the offenses strengths with the passing game, we’ll look as if we’ve regressed and belong in the Big 10. We’ll see 3 yard outs, zone reads with the back perpetually running sideways, and we’ll hear warrior stories from the announcers about Freeman and Laurinaitis.
Rooting for OU is Buffoonery Taken to Artistic Levels
Some folks will tell you that how loud you cheer at home or online makes no difference towards the outcome of the game. I am in complete agreement. What it does do is shame the rest of us for associating with you until you figure out a way to redeem yourself. It is difficult to get motivated to want to talk football with some of our fans after their behavior leading up to and during recent games. There is no need for us to recount individual names here or in our personal lives, we simply know who they are and despair at their existence. The only conceivable way that this taint can be washed off is with stripper perfume and lye.
Beyond the embarrassment that folks rooting for OU have brought to themselves and their families is the simple fact that karma is a hateful bitch and you might have very well damned us all into fandom hell. Before the campaign was pimped out to us by satan’s imps to cheer for OU against Tech, we were looking at a much rosier situation for this season’s outcome. Now it appears that the cheering for OU has broken the 6th seal of the apocalypse and the world is coming to an end. Bradford is going to win the Heisman, OU is going to play for the national title, and Jamarcus McFarland is going to commit to the okies. Someone needs to go out and sacrifice a live chicken to Jobu to straighten out this wrinkle in the space-time continuum or plug the hole creating the vortex with 400 pounds of Mangino.
We’re splitting hairs in regard to anything else with which we’re unhappy in regard to this program’s performance this year. I am trying hard not to let the weak BS that led OU to the title game to impact my view on this season and it ultimately won’t. I do expect UF to absolutely demolish them in the title game and I hope they do. I hope it is gratuitous in its violence and I hope we hear Florida players screaming havoc and such throughout the game. Should that happen and we do find a way to roll Ohio State, I’ll always look back on this season as one of the most entertaining of my life, even if we did get screwed out of a shot at it all.
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Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches ago
I like my wine in a box…. I like my wine in a box GIIIRL
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Sailor Ripley commented on the blog post Did Rick Barnes use a plant last night to distract KU players? ago
We commented on the lass during telecast. Thanks for, getting this up, so to speak.
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Mister Mike commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches ago
Sailor’s sponsoring it? Holy shit…that likely means goats, togas, and lots of cheap wine.
Welcome to the network!
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czarcw commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 25 seconds ago
Our hoops team is the basketball version of Major League.
Jake Taylor = Damion James
Pedro Cerrano = Dexter Pittman
Willie Mays Hays = Avery Bradley
Roger Dorn = Justin Mason
Isuro Tanaka (Major League II) = Dogus Balbay
Rube Baker (Major Leauge II) = Jordan HamiltonIf Craig Way starts drinking whiskey during the broadcasts, it’ll complete the analogy.
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Farmer Ted commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches 2 minutes ago
Nice job with this – and welcome to the network, on behalf of Better Off Red. See you at the Fantake retreat in Vegas that Sailor Ripley is sponsoring this summer!
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J Rog commented on the blog post Game Day: Spurs vs. Lakers Open Thread 7 minutes ago
Fell apart in the fourth quarter again. Can’t give up 28 points to close out a game. Spurs, Longhorns….heartache once again.
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Farmer Ted commented on the blog post Thoughts on the win in Austin 10 minutes ago
Nice job Hiphop. Very nice to win what is probably the toughest game on the schedule handily, although the Hawks obviously caught UT at a good time.
The Morningstar FT was terrible and hilarious. He said the ball was wet, which clearly means Texas was cheating somehow. Would the second chance off balance leaner
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Nickel Rover commented on the blog post Another night, another would-be hero 10 minutes ago
I don’t think McCoy played anywhere near the level of Suh and the numbers make it clear that he did not. Suh had twice as many tackles (77-31), sacks (11-5) and nearly tackles for loss (22-14.5). Suh also broke up 10 passes, if he gets stonewalled on the rush he doesn’t allow it to take
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skymonkeyhorn commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 12 minutes ago
We are bound to the past no matter how great the past is, we are bound to fail if we do not look to the future.
The End -
J Rog wrote a new blog post: Missed Opportunities: Spurs vs. Lakers Recap 17 minutes ago
Whiskey. Tango. Foxtrot. This game was served up on a silver platter for the Spurs and they managed to fumble it like a Minnesota Viking in the playoffs.
I think perhaps Will Ferrell can describe my emotions on the current state of the Spurs season better than I.
The Spurs hung around for most of the
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slugfest commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 20 minutes ago
EP, I get your point, but I don’t think the fact that Texas hasn’t won a tourney came as an underdog doesn’t support it. Teams are favored because they are better. The odds that they win are greater than those who are not favored. It’s not like Texas goes into games with a secret weapon
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Mister Mike commented on the blog post Did Rick Barnes use a plant last night to distract KU players? 24 minutes ago
I think KU should demand an immediate investigation. Find someone to get to the bottom of this.
I volunteer myself.
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Trips Right commented on the blog post Top 8 Teams in College Hoops 28 minutes ago
Georgetown?
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RRR commented on the blog post Thoughts on the win in Austin 28 minutes ago
Good write up, hiphop. I love the versatitility of the Morris twins on defense. Xavier Henry is probably the key to a big run in the tournament. If he starts hitting open looks, the inside game will really open up. Post to post passing is fun to watch.
It’s pretty nice when
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Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 31 minutes ago
PB, just talking. I’m not ready to replace him but something has to change. The comment about playing 3 on 5 three quarters into the season is just astoundingly bad.
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Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas 41 minutes ago
Here is more info on Frazier. He is such a great player, and Arkansas needs to land him in a big way.
http://www.kiehlfrazier15.com/Home.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow1mOrMQXYw
These Highlights are from his Sophomore year, and he had a bigger and better 2009. OH MY!
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Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas 41 minutes ago
Here is more info on Frazier. He is such a great player, and Arkansas needs to land him in a big way.
http://www.kiehlfrazier15.com/Home.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow1mOrMQXYw
These Highlights are from his Sophomore year, and he had a bigger and better 2009. OH MY!
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Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas 41 minutes ago
Here is more info on Frazier. He is such a great player, and Arkansas needs to land him in a big way.
http://www.kiehlfrazier15.com/Home.html
These Highlights are from his Sophomore year, and he had a bigger and better 2009. OH MY!
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Trips Right commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 43 minutes ago
It takes more time…unless you’re a Kentucky fan.
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RRR commented on the blog post Mid-Season Thoughts and OU Pre-Game 45 minutes ago
Thanks Trips. I’m hoping for lots of Willie Warren trying to be Sheron Collins. TMG in sync is the scariest thing to face in Norman. That or we get beat up on the boards which seems to be recurring theme of Texas Tech road games.
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slugfest commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 45 minutes ago
I don’t think it’s a case of RB not being able to coach, or doing a poor job of coaching. If you read the entirety of Katz’ blog post, he clearly sounds like a coaching searching for answers — answers that come in the form of players contributing, doing what they are coached to do.
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Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post John Pelphrey’s Unconventional Approach 53 minutes ago
I agree that an NIT bid would be acceptable this year, but that if the Razorbacks can get to 20 wins they will have a very good chance at the NCAA Tourney.
Our RPI is bad, and we have no signature wins.
However, we have 8 games left on the SEC regular season schedule. If we
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Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post John Pelphrey’s Unconventional Approach 53 minutes ago
I agree that an NIT bid would be acceptable this year, but that if the Razorbacks can get to 20 wins they will have a very good chance at the NCAA Tourney.
Our RPI is bad, and we have no signature wins.
However, we have 8 games left on the SEC regular season schedule. If we
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Blake Stansbery commented on the blog post Recruiting the Trenches 57 minutes ago
TP welcome to the network.
I like how you broke this down, and identified which positions history shows a high star ranking has proven to be important. I personally feel that after what all the recruiting sites dub their top players that there is a major falloff. We all love that the recruiting sites bring
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Art Vandelay commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 57 minutes ago
Groundhog Day said:
February 9th, 2010 at 10:00 am“How can everyone on the team have worse basketball sense than my 5th graders? Honestly? We are the dumbest bunch I have ever seen. We weren’t earlier in the year. Hell, Bradley was smartest player, by far, in any of the summer h.s. games. Now he plays
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Farmer Ted commented on the blog post Petrino Building Fence Around Arkansas 1 hour ago
Good stuff JA. But the Huskers call dibs on any dual threat QB named Frazier thankyouverymuch.
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Hiphopopotamus commented on the blog post Did Rick Barnes use a plant last night to distract KU players? 1 hour, 2 minutes ago
I’m convinced.
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skymonkeyhorn commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 1 hour, 7 minutes ago
“No, but I became a man in Juarez.”
I bet in your fantasy you were the donkey in the show ? No ?“Eight Dollar drink-and-drowns, and cans that merely say “beer” in Juarez will turn anyone into a man”
That is why Trips was drinking river water by the bridge for too many years. In the -
Darius Pourceau commented on the blog post John Pelphrey’s Unconventional Approach 1 hour, 8 minutes ago
I don’t think we have to win the SEC tourny necessarily. If we make it to the SEC Tourny championship game and have won about 20 games, I would say a tourny bid would look likely. But that is a pretty big task. I know no one cares about the NIT, but that wouldnt be
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Nordberg commented on the blog post Texas Hoops vs. Kansas: Post-Mortem 1 hour, 13 minutes ago
I like Varez Ward, but he doesn’t seem like the magical missing piece to me. And we’ve got like 15 other guys on scholarship. Losing Varez Ward shouldn’t turn the season into a trainwreck.
Barnes’ “we’re going to fix it” quotes are starting to remind me of Greg Davis talking about fixing the running game. If
Groundhog Day said:
December 7th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Blake Gideon, not Blake Buckner, and I happen to agree with you on all points especially regarding our scheduling. Does anyone out there actually enjoy making a trip to Austin to see a drubbing of Florida Atlantic?
DrkBgrk said:
December 7th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
no thank you.
RichUT said:
December 7th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Hey Groundhog….you ever heard of Bill Buckner?
Groundhog Day said:
December 7th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Yes, a little slow on the uptake Rich. I thought he was possibly referring to Dan Buckner.
t1climb1 said:
December 7th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Groundhog Day,
See “Fever Pitch”.
Newy25 said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Re: Blake Gideon
He made the key 3rd down stop in the OU game that forced their last punt. Before he was KO’ed against Kansas he made several critical stops as well. Your venom is mostly unfounded and I hope this was an exercise in sarcasm.
Parlin Hall said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Great work here, CTJ, and yet another reason this is the best college football blog going.
Viciously efficient prose featuring, inter alia: an image of Mangino plugging up a wormhole; a string of correctly-used semi-colons that identifies the writer as someone not to be messed with; an allusion to ‘Richard III’; and a winning reference to “stripper perfume.” Plug in “get” eight words from the end and it’s perfect.
The General said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Teams that should be scheduled because they are going to be ranked much higher than their football prowess.
BYU, Utah, Boise St, TCU, All mid level SEC teams in a normal year (Arkansas, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Tennessee, Auburn), UConn as long as they have Edsall, Cinci as long as they have Kelly, Boston College, Tulsa (as long as they have Graham), Virginia Tech (overrated), Notre Dame (because Weis will eventually figure out how to win 9 games and still be a mediocre football team), Florida St (overrated), Miami (overrated), top level Big 10 schools, Top level pac 10 schools.
CloseToJumping said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:24 pm
By the way, the link below is to the votes of the coaches. Art Briles went ahead and voted us 5. Glad we coasted on him and showed him some good “sportsmanship”.
Mack Brown voted Florida ahead of us. That’s just dumb.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/graphics/coaches_fb_poll_2008/flash.htm
Stuck in MN said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Blake Gideon would never have been in that position if Greg Freaking Davis knew how to manage a goddamn clock. I have no doubt I’m setting myself up for some vitriol from CTJ, but I think we need to lay off the poor kid.
Coaches screwing up are fair game, kids that loaf are fair game, but a kid that makes a physical mistake while giving his all should get a pass.
CloseToJumping said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
I understand the handwringing over Buckner. People can disagree with the opinion and call me anything they wish. I am sure Craig Curry is sticking pins into my voodoo doll somewhere right now.
Newy25 said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:38 pm
What about Earl Thomas who lazily ran by Crabtree on the last play? Isn’t that Buckner-esque? If he comes in and nails him at worst Tech has to score on the last play and at best time expires with Crabtree and nothing but his dick in his hand to show for it.
Levander Williams said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Good stuff here. It captures a lot of my thoughts and chronically un-sated frustrations with this team.
If you asked me in August whether I’d be happy with 11-1 and a trip to the Fiesta Bowl, I’d have asked you to hand over your car keys and bong. Suffice it to say, we’ve drastically exceeded my expectations, but the sting of getting passed over by OU doesn’t pass easily and, in many ways, I feel like we still could have done better, mainly on offense.
On the scheduling angle – this is one of the last straws that motivated me to give up my tickets (2006 was our last year after 12 years). I got really tired of Belmont expecting me to pay $3k annually for four seats to watch four games (out of six) of Texas decapitating crappy teams for at least $50-60 a head. Still, if we do even just one of a handful of things differently vs. Tech (Gideon’s INT, tackle Crabtree, burn more clock on our last TD drive, not throw a pick six down deep in our end, etc.), we are sitting undefeated and this entire line of discussion is moot.
Like many of Mack’s quirks, I don’t see him breaking with precedent and attempting to pull in an Ohio State/Florida/LSU/etc. type team that could beef up our SOS and, frankly, test our mettle/identify opportunities for improvement before conference play opens. I’m convinced that playing OSU early in 2005 – and struggling to win – was a galvanizing point in that team’s development, and I believe it gave them a lot of confidence to understand how to be champions.
I have hope that the coaching staff will be successful in using the lost tiebreaker as motivation to go out and kick the snot out of whomever we play in the Fiesta Bowl, and they carry that forward into 2009. They did that to a fair extent after the debacle in College Station in 2007, and we will have a hell of a lot more to play for this time around.
Mike Gundy said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Write about me……….. I’m a man!!
p said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Newy25-
The difference between Earl Thomas, and Blake Gideon is simple.
Thomas makes plays with the occasional freshman mistake. Gideon is always positioned correctly, but never makes plays.
Levander Williams said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
So Leach ranks OU#1, Tech #2 and Texas #5. What a cock. I guess Briles is still pissed that Kendal didn’t more playing time.
Interesting that OU’s OOC opposing coaches put them #1 (Patterson, Willingham), as did Mike Price for us. Lots of PAC10 love for USC.
Fuck you Howard Schnellenberger.
Kafka said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:54 pm
CloseToJumping:
I admire your passion and energy. What you write is usually entertaining and this post was no exception. I agree that cheering for OU is a crime against nature. UT should stop scheduling patsies because the games are so boring.
You are right that Blake Gideon’s drop of an easy pop up cost UT a chance at the national championship. We don’t need to kick him while he is down because he will be kicking himself about that play for the rest of his life.
I’m glad that Mack does not run up the score. Second and third teamers get a chance to play. It keeps the first teamers from getting hurt and gets the substitutes valuable experience.
Getting screwed in the BCS should motivate Mack to lead the way in changing the Big 12 tie-breaker algorithm and to work for a playoff in Div 1 college football. Once there is a playoff, style points will become much less important.
You could also eliminate the humans entirely and simply rely on the computers to rank the teams. In the computer rankings, margin of victory is not an input. If we do rely on the computers, the algorithms they use need to be published so that the ranking process is totally transparent.
Dutchie said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I still never buy the Earl Thomas is at fault argument. Last I remember, Tech had a TO left, and Crabtree caught the ball with around 4-5 seconds left on the clock. Now granted, the Tech kicker could choke, the snap could suck, a lot of things could happen. Hell, even more unlikely is Earl takes 4 seconds to tackle him. I agree Earl really shit the sheets, but as soon as Crabtree got his mitts on that ball, the game was over in my mind.
I was under the impression that schedules are set nearly 6 years out, and there wasn’t a ton of wiggle room after they had been set. Can anyone fill me in to how the process works a bit better?
The General said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
GD wouldn’t get a pass for starting Blake Gideon over Christian Scott, but I am still willing to give Muschamp the pass on this one since I agree with every other strategic and personnel decision Muschamp has made.
He sees the practices and thinks Blake Gideon should get more snaps. That is good enough for me. The rest of our secondary has shown the ability to drop anything, so there is no reason to assume that another player would not have dropped the ball or been in the correct position to get a chance to make a play.
The General said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
By the way, CTJ, great post. I agree with everything.
honskillet said:
December 7th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I agree with your SOS but I think the throw away team can be D II. Chattanooga was for OU and it didn’t hurt them because 4 out of the 6 computer polls are not robust enough to handle the scheduling of D II teams. Who nows, if OU had played Wash St instead of Chat maybe they would have lost a .01 or two.
honskillet said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Oh and everything else you have written identifies you as an ass.
Groundhog Day said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Also, Butch Davis had OU ahead of Texas despite claiming in 2000 that Miami should have played OU in the NCG over FSU due to identical records and their head to head match up.
Everyone should make a copy of this poll so coaches who might complain in the future about head to head scenarios can be judged by their actions in this poll.
I also love how Urban Meyer had his team ranked #1. Is it possible to have a matchup with my two least favorite coaches in football? I’ve always disliked Meyer, but I have grown to really dislike Stoops (I used to respect and like him) in the last few weeks. I can’t believe I will be rooting for a Meyer coached team
Great vote by Briles….what a tooljob.
Bob in Houston said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:15 pm
I agree with Stuck in MN… manage the clock and Gideon doesn’t even have to make the interception.
I’m not gonna pin this season on a freshman when the coaches are right there to be pinned.
Newy25 said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
P-
You and I will have to disagree. Gideon made plenty of plays this year for Texas including the most critical stop in the now meaningless Red River Shootout err Rivalry game.
p said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
Newy25-
hardlymarvin said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
In the game after tech, one of the announcers stated that Earl Thomas claimed to hear a whistle, which would explain his play somewhat. I have to wonder if the whistle in question came from the stands
RansomStoddard said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:40 pm
Greg Davis is good for at least one loss per year and this year was no different. But in defense of the scheduling, who knew that Arky was going to be so shitty? And Cincinnati is clearly the worst BCS team in recent memory. The fact that the gooners get credit for beating that dreck shows just how fucked up the system is.
SlickStreet said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I’m less venomous with regard to GD these days, though I admit as well to not giving him the virtual A+ some might bestow on him. Overall, good job this season, though.
Man, you and I are totally on the same page regarding the nonsense of “rooting for” OU. My mantra, “it’s always good when OU loses” for Texas.
Like it or not, they’re THE rival for us.
Levander Williams said:
December 7th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
Considering our history with Arkansas, I question why the hell we would ever consider scheduling them. Questionable upside to winning, big downside to losing.
Scheduling middling teams with ‘history’ seems to be right up Mack’s alley. Empty sentimentality + low probability of losing = safe & comfy.
How about some OOC teams that have actually won something of consequence in the last 10 years?
Scott Fan said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
CTJ nice piece of work
yea I called Buckner a white boy on Hornfans at the beginning of the season and got banned.
We have to find a spot for Christian Scott, maybe as an outside LB. The Dude can hit.
CloseToJumping said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Ransom–
I reference the notion that it’s difficult to give OU a ton of credit for scheduling Cincy in the original post and agree with your point. It isn’t about any prescience from OU to get Cincy and TCU on the schedule. It’s about getting enough teams every year on the schedule with a prayer of helping your schedule out, which is what OU did.
Arkansas was a fine selection. That is one with which I have no beef other than the stupidity of putting another team on the schedule that declares jihad against you. It worked out this time on that front, at least.
The problem is that the other 3 games had no hope of adding to the SOS for the team. Rice ultimately did, in a stroke of good fortune, but that happens once every 100 years, hence the hopelessness.
Folks need to understand that the only hope Texas has of playing for it all next year is to go undefeated. Even that might not be enough if other schools do same against better schedules. Any loss from Texas next year has us in the same spot as 2008 or worse. The non-conference slate for 2009 is an unfortunate, embarrassing joke, especially since Texas has a history of playing anyone anywhere. Brown has shut that down.
Kafka–
You and I don’t see some things the same way, as you state, but I appreciate your position.
I don’t think the computer gurus would agree on posting their algorithms, as that’s giving away the secret sauce that has them being valued. One of the things that can be done that is very simple is to require the coach votes to be revealed each week. Or remove the coaches poll altogether and replace it with another human component.
One thing that has to be looked at and some folks are saying will be reviewed is defining how the Big 12 Title Game determines its opponents.
Newy25, p, Dutchie, & The General–
In regard to the Earl Thomas/Gideon stuff, I usually find myself going with the simplest answer being the right one. I did that here on Gideon front. Thomas went to sleep on that final play, as some reference, but that final play doesn’t happen if the pop-up is caught.
Also, Dutchie, on the scheduling of opponents, they are done 5-8 years in advance often times, but there are regular instances of teams scheduling each other inside of that, including great programs doing that.
StucknMN and Bob in Houston–
Ultimately, a bird in hand is better than 2 in the bush. At the time of the score, getting in the end zone was the fundamental issue. If it were a certainty, I agree with not scoring too soon. However, given our problems scoring that close to the end zone, punching it in on that play wasn’t a given. I am not defending Greg Davis, but I do see the logic in just trying to get the ball across the line.
p said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Newy25-
Have you ever noticed that when the ball is in the air, Gideon is never around. I can list situation after situation where he could have made a play but couldn’t get there. Instead I will list a few for you to reference.
1)Dez Bryant is lined up on the short side with Beasley defending. Gideon is lined up with his left foot on the hash. Robinson drops back with no play action, and lobs a ball right over Dez’s head. Bryant catches it and takes three steps before Blake gets there.
2)3:40 mark of the second qtr vs Tech. Britton is lined up on the short side with Curtis on him. Harrell, once again with no play action, pumps up a deep ball for Britton. Just watch Gideon struggling to get over there to help. If Curtis doesn’t get him, there is no chance Gideon will get there as he is far behind by that point.
3) 2nd and 25 vs KU at the 5:24 mark of the 2nd qtr. Briscoe runs a flag or post corner(forgot) and rubber arm Reesing floats a pass up for him, but Gideon gets there two steps after he catches it. The helmet catch up the sideline, same thing; two steps too late!
Now cut to the 6:55 mark of the 4th qtr to see how Thomas handles that same situation. The receiver’s feet don’t even touch the ground before Thomas arrives.
Hawaii said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
especially since Texas has a history of playing anyone anywhere.
We’re still waiting.
Cincinatti said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
We beat your ass Hawaii and we suck!!!
CloseToJumping said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
That’s the point, Hawaii. Brown was running things at that time. It was an embarrassing PR gaffe.
Newy25 said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
P –
I am not trying to argue who has more potential between Thomas and Gideon. But to suggest he will be the next Bobino and he “never makes plays” is a ludicrous statement. If you want to break down the Tech game we gave up like 567 first downs – most of them through the air so I think going after Gideon alone for alignment issues is somewhat myopic. Our entire defense could not execute their coverage responsibilities for the better part of 3 quarters.
If you want to pick on a Texas player that really never makes plays and it a total liability talk about Beasley. I realize his skin color and recruiting ranking might make this impossible to do but that kid does not have the physical tools to play corner for a legit mational team like Texas. Gideon has a definte role in our defense even if it is not as a starter.
Most people jumped and yelled for Ben Wells to play over Gideon and I could not even begin to imagine the train wreck our defense would have been if that had been the case.
Texas fan said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
CTJ, you are an interesting poster; however your attack on a public board of a current Texas player is reprehensible.
Stuck in MN said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
CTJ- certainly puching it in on that play was not a given, and we should definitely have taken the bird in the hand. My problem with clock management is that we snapped the ball 3 times with the clock running and at least 15-20 seconds on the play clock when we were inside the 20 or 30.
when you have 3 timeouts, 2 1/2 minutes left and you are inside the 30, you are either going to score or you are going to be stopped on downs. you will not run out of time. Therefore, you should be running the clock down as much as possible, especially against a team like tech.
Ag_in_TX said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Did y’all see that Leach voted Tech #2 and y’all #5.
This whole system is a cluster fuck of epic proportions.
Bobby Jack Akina said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Yes, Leach put UT #5. So did Art Briles. Combine this with the coaches’ All Big 12 team and you get what starts to look like a disturbing pattern.
I’m not a big fan of Mack’s annual team motto, but I’ll vote for “Big 12 Delenda Est” for 2009.
Bobby Jack Akina said:
December 7th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Oh, and Mack voted Florida #1. WTF?
p said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Newy25-
Where have you been? We have been on Beasley all season.
The comment wasn’t about alignment issues, race, or anything other than not being fast enough to get over there and help. After all, that is a safety’s primary job. I agree Gideon was probably the best option to start the season.
We all know Beasley is contact shy, loses the ball in the air, and is just NOT physical enough.
Lastly, it’s not just the Tech game that I was talking about. In my opinion it’s been every game. The only ball Gideon has gotten his hands on all year was a tipped pass. Everyone else, as bad as they might be, has defended a pass or two this season. Turning teams over is what it’s all about. We only have 6 picks this season. Probably the least for a team of our caliber.
Bob in Houston said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Yeah, it made me think… Mack is still calling it the way he sees it, I guess, and every other coach is playing the system as hard as he can.
That scheduling bugs me also, CTJ. It’s a factor in me not being interesting in tickets, but the obvious story is that Mack is getting what he wants, and so is Dodds (max revenue).
It’s something like having something done fast, cheap and well. You can have two of the three.
They’re making max money with an easy schedule, or they can have a shot at the BCS without going undefeated. Of course, if the B12 goes through a season like the B10, then Texas turns into Penn State.
Hookah said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Yes, we should have been starting Scott or Wells, both of whom gave up basically free touchdowns to Baylor, all year.
RansomStoddard said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:34 pm
Where was all this caterwauling about scheduling when we played Ohio State? Bottom line is nobody thought Arky would be horrible this year or that Cincinnati would be anything other than horrible. Just like nobody dreamed that head to head means nothing in the Big 12. All we can do now is beat the ever-loving shit out of Ohio State and hope Mack isn’t just recruiting off the Super 100 of Texas Football Magazine-again.
DBH said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Nice summation, CTJ.
I’m not ready to throw Gideon under the bus, but the rest of it is pretty much spot on.
The unvarnished truth is that Greg Davis’ mind-numbing stupidity in Lubbock has cost us another conference title and shot at a national championship. His employment continues to be unconscionable and unforgivable. The sooner Muschamp takes over for Mack, the happier I am.
mr. horn said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Ohio State was scheduled before Mack got here.
My only hope is that Mack will defer to Will from here on about future scheduling and I think Will will want a more respectable schedule.
If OU loses most of their good underclassmen, they just won’t be very good next year. Tech won’t either. Okl. State and us are going to be the class of the league. So, we are going to have almost zero chance of getting a truly meaningful win. If the balls don’t bounce our way with the other big name conferences, we could be Auburn next year — 13-0 and out of the hunt. And frankly, if so we’d have far, far less to bitch about than we do this year.
DBH said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Newy,
It’s good to see your perspective on things here at BC.
Bob in Houston said:
December 7th, 2008 at 6:50 pm
Ransom, no question that OU got lucky with Cincinnati and (to some extent with) TCU, and Texas got lucky with Rice. Washington was supposed to be a quality game for OU, and Arkansas was for Texas. Problem is that Texas doesn’t even seem to be trying, while OU announced a string of contracts last year, I think it was.
Seems like Ole Miss will be decent by the time the play, and UCLA will be better. It won’t be anything to crow about, though…
Johnny Knoxville said:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
CTJ, I’m gonna go out on a limb here guess that you are a miserable prick in your personal life.
Not that everything you said above is wrong by any means…I’m just sayin’…
hopefulhorn said:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
ctj–I enjoy your posts immensely. What’s not to like about the usually well-thought-through howl at the moon?
In this case, aside from valid points regarding scheduling, you go a bit far around the nihilistic bend for my taste. Would you have had our first team in the Missouri, Baylor, Kansas and A&M games to the bitter end like Visor Boy does with OU in order to ring up as many “style points” as possible? Would it have embarassed you at all to see Colt not only still in those games long after they were settled but throwing deep with 4 minutes left ahead by 30+? Where do you draw the line?
I would agree with you that Mack the Nice could stand to bring a little more nasty in a number of ways (why else is Will Muschamp’s temperament as vital to us as his defensive expertise?). I just don’t think running up the score is one of them.
I seriously doubt that Mack is naive enough to think calling off the dogs against beaten foes will win Texas poll votes from opposing coaches. Unlike Visor Boy, who appears to be completely untroubled by such ethical niceties, I suspect Mack sits the staters late in blowouts mostly because he honestly thinks it is the right thing to do.
“Values” like sportsmanship are mainly talk right up to the point where acting out of them costs you something. I’m not advocating going looking for opportunities to play the honorable martyr. Still, there need to be some things that an honorable individual won’t do, whatever the short-term payoff, because to do them would result in a diminshing of self in a much more personal way than the perceptions of others could ever bring about.
If this makes me a sentimental old fool, I’ll live with it.
(The Original)Tim said:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:47 pm
When will a UT fan actually man-up and admit that Texas Tech completely dominated the entire game?
Until the last 4:00 mins of the game UT only had 2 offensive scores and both of those were due to blown coverage.
Jordan Shipley’s return should have been called back, a flag was thrown, Texas Tech’s #53 was about to lay Shipley out til he got hit in the back. Refs get a text message from Big 12 commissioner saying to let UT have the TD because we can’t let our precious UT get blown-out.
3rd and long Colt’s getting pressured and throws up a complete prayer way over the receivers head, WR and CB(Wall) have their hands on each other defensive pass interference. Herbie was using UT flavored floss all night and still stated that the call shouldn’t have been made.
Tech’s 2nd to last drive Crabtree gets an absolute terrible offensive pass interference call against him and stalls an easy scoring drive for Texas Tech. The replay clearly shows Crabtree never touches the CB, the guy slips and Crabtree gets the flag.
Sure you could pick apart the game film and find 2-3 offensive holding calls that Tech got away with, but nothing to the extent that UT got. The refs literally handed UT 21 extra points, the game should have been a blow-out and UT should have dropped further than they did.
As UT fans you will whine and complain about Gidions dropped int, or that you lost in the last .01. The fact is that you didn’t belong on the same field as Texas Tech that night and are clearly not a better team. Because of your name recognition you are graciously getting to play in a BCS game. Texas Tech has the exact same record at UT and OU and has to play in the Cotton Bowl.
If there is anyone that has the right to complain it’s Mike Leach and the Texas Tech football team. What do you hear out of them? Nothing but respect, and the players saying that they had there chance on the field and blew it. Texas Tech is a class act, and deserves more than the media, UT fans, and bloggers whining about the last second play in Lubbock.
Texas Tech is a better football team than Texas and have proved it on the field!
Newy25 said:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
DBH-
It has been a while. Thanks for the kind comments. Like you I am not ready to throw a kid under the bus because he had to start as a true freshman. It is not his fault we recruited so many busts (criminals) at this position between 2005-2007.
Barry Switzer said:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Shut Texas Tech Toad Tim
You got your asses handed to you by over 56 points.
Enjoy the Cotton Bowl you loser
Bob Stoops said:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
where do I sign up to lose my fifth BCS bowl game in a row?
Ex-pessimist said:
December 7th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
What people are not understanding is that, yes, no one thought Cincy would be good this year or Washington would be bad this year, but some of the computers at least grade teams based on the strength of the conference they’re in, and both of those teams are in BCS conferences. Now this year, TCU makes up for the fact that Washington sucks, but at least OU had 2 BCS schools scheduled. Texas has yet to do that unfortunately.
What? said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Cinncinatti and TCU will get their asses handed to them by their bowl opponents
Texas crushed TCU last year
NorthDallasSooner said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
I know you guys don’t want to hear from my folk right now, but something CTJ says here even hits us heathens….You guys have such a fucking great program, facility, tradition and all those other things that everyone WANTS to see you tee it up with big and less big shots in non-con. Was there a better regular non-con in season game this DECADE than the UT-Ohio State game in Columbus in ‘05?
Everyone is entitled to one or two puffies a year, especially when playing in a league like this, but Mack really has to change this philosophy ONE GAME per year. I know you guys would rather see the heavyweights and light heavyweights when you fork over the dough for the home tix and schedule road trips. Remember in the ’90s when you at least where playing the likes of UNC, Virginia, Notre Dame and Penn State. None of these would beat you more that one out of ten times in the past few years but they’re names. And trips to Tobacco Road, Monticello, Touchdown Jesus and Happy Valley have to be more interesting to you than UTEP and Reliant Stadium.
As I’ve said here before, I don’t hate UT and want OU and UT to be considered the two best programs in the country because it adds to what we have and elevates the profile of the conference. DeLoss should push Mack’s hand on this.
BonghornFand Lag said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
AMEN to the whole post. And just when, exactly, are we going to stop blaming our atrocious running game on the OL having some kind of skewed feng shui misalignment of aesthetic personalities and other such bullshit, and actually call a spade a spade?
We haven’t recruited (successfully anyway) a game breaking stud RB since Ricky Williams. Charles? Sure, he was OK – but I’m talking about someone who can play a non-backup role on Sunday and maybe even make the Pro Bowl (like Priest and Ricky).
You can run block with the best of ‘em and that won’t make Ogbonnaya a 1000 yard, 10 TD rusher. I’m still not sold on Fozzy, either.
Stuck in MN said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
“Texas Tech is a better football team than Texas and have proved it on the field!”
Ahhh, the Tech degree. I has missed you Tim.
anonymous said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
NDS:
I think it might be as much DeLoss as Mack; he wants the extra revenue from scheduling teams that will not demand a return trip.
BonghornFand Lag said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Tim,
Tech sucks. Texas doesn’t. Sorry, I wish they (tech) didn’t, because like STUPEs, you guys make our conference look bad by having no defense and relying on the refs to NOT call holding on your OL. But only a shitty team goes and lays an egg that big when they don’t have a nice, comfy home game for the first time in 3 or 4 weeks. How many of your super-stud OLmen will be playing on Sunday? I wonder.
But shorter, I’ll admit that Tech is a better team on the same day that I tell someone that OU *doesn’t* *STILL* suck.
Enjoy tha Cottin’ Bowl, chumps.
BonghornFand Lag said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:36 pm
And yes, before anyone comes out and says it: I AM STUPID.
I was one of the IDIOTS, and I am going to have to post under a new alias now, who actually…choking back gag reflex and pounding a shot of tequila…rooted for the land thieves against Tech.
I repent. I am SOOO GOD DAMNED SORRY!
BonghornFand Lag said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
All BS aside, why is it exactly that we have replaced a home and away with Ohio State with the likes of UTEP?
Ostensibly we’ve got the same decision makers in place. What’s changed?
Serious question.
(The Original)Tim said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
How many of the 2008 UT offensive Line will play in the NFL?
4 of Texas Tech’s offensive line will play in the NFL, all but Hamby.
Texas Tech’s defensive line embarrased the 2008 UT offensive line, a safety on the first offensive play, and treated Colt McCoy like the Rag doll he is.
BonghornFand Lag said:
December 7th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Tim,
I heartily disagree with you on Tech’s OL-men. I guess only time will tell. As a point of fact, holding *IS CALLED* with frequency in the NFL.
As for Tech’s D-line, they really just embarrassed Davis’s pathetic ability to script and stick to the stupidest plays for any given situation. I mean, come on. We’ve been through this already. An I-formation with Ogbannaya taking the ball 7 yards deep in the end zone to start the game?
And please remind me: when’s the last time Mack complained about officiating? I certainly remember Leach’s rant in Austin last year – it made the NYT. But complaining about the other team and refs gets old. You guys were one Pop Warner INT drop away from being a 2 loss team. And you wonder where the love from the BCS is.
Why’d ya’ll have to go and lay such a huge egg in Norman? That was just pathetic.
BonghornFand Lag said:
December 7th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
Meanwhile,
I’m sure Harrell will be a great used car salesman in Lubbock or Amarillo.
Black Scholes said:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:34 am
I find the voting by the coaches pretty telling in many ways. One thing it tells me – what a surprise in college football now – is that the system has absolutely no integrity. The conclusion as to what other coaches think of Mack is pretty self-evident.
I’m not ready yet to tag Gideon as Bobinoesque. Give the kid another year. Plus, that Bobino thing is a bell hard to unring.
The point about how to play late in a game already decided is not about leaving in starters gratuitously, it’s about when you do go to the bench to allow those kids to execute the game plan and have their opportunities. I’ve always felt this issue – and how we handle back-ups in general, QBs in particular – has been annually been an area of poor performance by this staff.
Otherwise, pretty much captures my frame of mind.
NBMisha said:
December 8th, 2008 at 4:36 am
Agree with most of the OP, and two overall thread themes in particular:
- More astute scheduling
- Letting, helping through play selection, late game back ups kick ass.
And, for gods sake, Texas and Mack have to stop whining. Or making sounds that people interpret as whining. Why not just say, “fuckyou”, and be done with it.
scottyc5 said:
December 8th, 2008 at 6:29 am
“(The Original)Tim
December 7, 2008 at 7:47 pm ”
This may be the single stupidest post I’ve read on any message board, ever. That is not hyperbole. Dude — any team that lost by 40-something points on national TV just needs to shut up about BCS, getting screwed, national TV, etc. Man, I wish I hadn’t read that post.
Nordberg said:
December 8th, 2008 at 6:36 am
The Gideon stuff was chickenshit.
Agree with the rest though.
J.R.69 said:
December 8th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I’ve said this before, but I’ll say it again:
The difference between the Royal and Brown Eras at UT:
Royal was highly respected and his teams were feared. Mack Brown, not so much in either category.
glf69 said:
December 8th, 2008 at 7:31 am
I don’t understand how you all have the time for this board. You should be working out or working on your teams game plans. You are obviously either players or coaches.
Minnesotahorn said:
December 8th, 2008 at 7:36 am
“Oh and everything else you have written identifies you as an ass.”
His personal associations are far more damning.
Great stuff CTJ and congratulations on this having its intended effect. Let’s see:
Scheduling – Yeah, I’ve had a problem with it for some time and do more so now that we’ve got four non-con games. A first game tune-up and a Rice are fine with me but you’ve got to have two BCS conference schools with ‘The University of,’ to start their names for all the reasons you mention. Everyone points to the tOSU win and that was certainly great but it can be hard to predict elite status five years out. Schedule yourself two that have a shot and you’ll likely be rewarded. The stated preference of playing programs roughly on our same academic plane is frustrating and disingenuous.
Blake Gideon – The guy’s solid and that’s exactly what we needed to start the year. Solid. Christian Scott’s got by far more potential and should’ve been worked in more than he was.
Greg Davis – He’s progressed so much in his time here that we can call him average. Bitchin’.
OU – duh.
T 2004 Ring said:
December 8th, 2008 at 8:30 am
As one who played for both Reese and Robinson, the Gideon hate was some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever read.
austintxusa said:
December 8th, 2008 at 8:30 am
Again, I vote for you to live up to your name. Please jump. Blaming Gideon is so fucking immature and short sighted as to be beyond belief. Of course you fall into the same camp and the other short sighted “fans” that blamed Buckner. It wasn’t game 7 of the WS. Have a happy life hater.
exuLt said:
December 8th, 2008 at 8:50 am
The problem with not scheduling weak sisters for our NCG is it gives Greg Davis a chance to cornhole us before the season gets really started. I cringe before every game with a quality opponent, including this upcoming one with Ohio State, because I know we’ve empowered a village idiot to propagate his mediocre handicaps.
My reading comprehension skills must be down this morning because I laughed at your “Buffoonery Taken to Autistic Levels” and “sacrifice a rubber chicken to Jobu”. And strangely enough, it works for me. Especially considering how much MB stumps for redress after the fact. That’s starting to lose style points, perceptionally. Definitely; definitely.
Huckleberry said:
December 8th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Has nobody mentioned that we scheduled Utah for this season?
They bought out of the game after TCU joined the MWC. Yes, we should have replaced them with someone better than Florida Atlantic, but still.
Aggie Lurking said:
December 8th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Interesting that you got jobbed by so many Big XII coaches (Briles’ vote does really look bad).Gundy’s vote would have been interesting too.
As has been stated all conferences should have a uniform tie breaker and you guys should kick the shit outta osu ’cause nobody likes them anyway.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 10:20 am
When Mack made his plea to the AP voters during the OU/OSU game, I wonder if he considered that the logic that should have held UT above OU in the polls is the same logic that should make Tech the BCS selection over UT. Take the other one out and you have the head to head. I know…I know, it’s the BCS ranking, not the conference ranking… but shouldn’t they be in harmony? No sour grapes here, though…fuck the bighorn fag. Cotton is a nice bowl, and 11-1 is a great season by anyone’s standards, not just Tech’s.
Huckleberry said:
December 8th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Can you give me the verbatim transcript of his “plea” during the OU/OSU game?
And your logic is impenetrable. The head-to-head should be ignored for Texas/OU and then used for Texas/Tech. Brilliant.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Sorry, I misread that. It’s Bonghorn, not bighorn. That’s really funny. Like “Longhorn”, but “Bong” instead of “Long”. Like a bong you smoke weed out of. Funny play on words, Dude. Weed is cool.
Black Scholes said:
December 8th, 2008 at 10:39 am
“Has nobody mentioned that we scheduled Utah for this season?”
Had completely forgotten that. Good point.
I think a ‘W’ over Utah would have changed events dramatically.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 10:41 am
That isn’t my logic, Huck. It was Mack’s. Since Tech was out of consideration once they plummetted after OU, Mack’s arguement was that he beat OU on the field. That same logic could be used when asking if the Fiesta bowl should select UT or Tech. Two 11-1 teams from the same conference who settled it on the field. I personally think Tech and Texas got the shaft and both should be in BCS games. I also think it’s a luxury to be 11-1 and have something to complain about. That’s a great football season and one to be proud of.
Huckleberry said:
December 8th, 2008 at 10:48 am
You don’t get it. You are saying that the logic should be used after it wasn’t used. We are in a world where the logic wasn’t used. Now you want it used in the second situation even though it wasn’t in the first. That’s ridiculous. The only commonality would be Texas getting the short end of the stick. If that’s the criterion you want, just say so.
And the Fiesta Bowl had no choice in the matter. We finished #3 in the BCS standings. By rule, Texas was in and Texas Tech was out. Another commonality. BCS standings were used in both situations. There were only two possible final answers if consistent logic was used.
1.) Drop one then use head-to-head. Texas goes to Kansas City. Then Oklahoma goes to the BCS. Texas Tech is in the Cotton Bowl.
2.) BCS only, head-to-head not used. Oklahoma goes to Kansas City. Then Texas goes to the BCS. Texas Tech is in the Cotton Bowl.
Texas Tech was in the Cotton Bowl no matter what.
DBH said:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
“It has been a while. Thanks for the kind comments.”
Newy,
It’s only appropriate that we should cross paths on a thread offering turd soup to sunshine pumpers. In that spirit, please send my regards to PFD and JG!
4th and 5 said:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:11 am
I don’t know who you are (The Original)Tim, but man is that some funny stuff. I’m cracking up at work. I think a mention of teh bowie knife would really make your points more understandable though…
Tim's Bleeding Vagina said:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
“Cotton is a nice bowl, and 11-1 is a great season by anyone’s standards, not just Tech’s.”
Very true considering it is the best season in tech history. Your standard is more of the 9-3 alamo/holiday variety.
trkhorn said:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Re:OOC scheduling
As a national program, we are now as big if not bigger than Notre Dame. As great as they are, programs like OU, USC, Florida and even tOSU are not quite in our league in terms of ratings and overall love/hate appeal, from a pure media/fan interest standpoint. This may or may not last. It definitely WON’T last if we continue to schedule crappy OOC games while these other peer programs schedule and play big-time OOC games(or, as CTJ points out, a handful of at least decent games) which in turn affects TV ratings, BCS standings, recruiting, national presence, season ticket sales, you name it. What a shame, the incredible job Mack has done building the program, only to give up ground based on his flawed philosophy re: OOC scheduling.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Huck, I get it. I understand the process, and do believe UT was hosed. BTW- I was the one telling you guys it would happen before the Tech OU game, and was consistently “schooled” by the posters who really think they know the BCS. People were using homemade algorithms and shit to prove that OU wouldn’t pass UT. I understand the BCS bowl selection process and how it is completely independent of conference ranking. My point was, the 1st rule is the #1 and #2 will play for the BCS title. After that, (BCS rank aside) Tech had a stronger claim to the Fiesta Bowl than Texas because once you satisfy the 1st rule, you have Tech and Texas with the same record, and Tech winning on the field. Since the BCS rank is the only thing that matters, it’s a moot point. Both Tech and Texas lost with the same argument.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Vagina- we could have lost 2 more games and gone to the same bowl we’re going to, so it’s a little anti-climactic for us. 11-1 is a great season by your standards too, but the cool thing about our 11-1 vs. your 11-1 is that your 1 is Texas Tech.
intellectual type said:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Better a once every six years loss to Tech than a loss to OU.
Nordberg said:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Yeah, so much better for you that your loss was a 40 point ass-kicking to OU. How great for you guys.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
Eh, we still get to scoreboard you for a year. That loss hurt, Norb, but it’s funny comming from you… Here’s another funny coming from you:
Nordberg
November 21, 2008 at 12:00 pm If Tech keeps winning, we’re fucked. No Big 12 title, no NC game. And there’s a decent chance that the only thing we need is one Tech loss and we play for the national championship. How any Texas fan could pull for Tech is beyond me.
Bottom line: Tech loses tomorrow, and Texas is the new #2 in the BCS.
Nordberg said:
December 8th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Um, I was right. If Tech had won out they’d be playing Florida right now. I mean, it’s cute that you either saved that or went back to find it, but I was right.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Even funnier:
redpants
November 21, 2008 at 12:25 pm And No means No. There is no CGC for Texas. OU WILL JUMP YOU IN ALL POLLS WITH WINS OVER TECH AND OSU. Your nightmare scenario is OU winning out. It just so happens that that is Tech’s nightmare scenario too becasue we would be going to the Cotton bowl.
Nordberg
November 21, 2008 at 12:28 pm
Or, OU wins out and Texas wins the Big 12 and plays for the national championship. That could very well happen too.
I’m not sure you understand the BCS math as well as you think you do.
CloseToJumping said:
December 8th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
You were right theoretically and you were wrong in actuality. Tech in the national title would have been livable. That was pretty much everyone’s (continued) point on the stupidity of rooting for OU. What happened, actually happened, man. The what-ifs are cooked.
Nordberg said:
December 8th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Jesus this site is becoming unbearable.
redpants, are you aware of how slim the margin was between OU and Texas last week? And like you said, that was our worst case scenario. Texas’ best shot was OU beating Tech, and then either staying behind Texas (which we missed by a cunt hair) or losing to OSU. Tech beating OU would have basically stamped their ticket to play the SEC champ. Given the odds, what I said was 100% correct. “That could very well happen too”.
Vasherized said:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
thread hurt head.
redpants said:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Yes I’m aware of the margin and your reasoning is fine…but you did root OU into the National Championship Game. :)
Settle down, I’m just drawing you offsides a little.
Black Scholes said:
December 8th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
I wonder if Baylor fans will be as annoying as Tech fans if they ever start winning consistently?
The bar has been set pretty high however thanks to tim, redpants and the rest of the scurvied crew.
SausageFest said:
December 8th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
CTJ – I’d have to agree that you’re dumping too much blame on a true frosh safety playing in a young secondary in a night game at a violent away-game location. Yes, it was a floater that should’ve been caught. Yes, I wish I hadn’t broken my glasses bearhugging and tossing my buddy around like a ragdoll, under the misinformed presumption that Gideon caught the falling feather. However, am I the only one that recalls Earl Thomas getting hit square in the numbers right at the goalline by a Harrell pass not 2 or 3 plays prior to the Gideon flub (it would seem so)? I can’t find it archived anywhere, but I definitively recall bemoaning Earl’s drop as a possible game-saver prior to Blake’s attempt. Bottom line to me: our secondary is VERY young, but it will grow in leaps and bounds in the off-season, and truly be a strength for our team next year. This, pending the removal of Deon Beasley from our roster (sorry, ChrisA…)
Strong arguments with your other points, though. I concur.
Oh, and Christian Scott is gonna make one hell of a linebacker…please.
Tim's Bleeding Vagina said:
December 8th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
“Vagina- we could have lost 2 more games and gone to the same bowl we’re going to, so it’s a little anti-climactic for us. 11-1 is a great season by your standards too, but the cool thing about our 11-1 vs. your 11-1 is that your 1 is Texas Tech.”
and just like aggy, that is all that really counts for the techtards.
The Tortilla Retort » Blog Archive » Mack Brown Seen Taking Golf Lessons said:
December 8th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
[...] of Texas head football coach Mack Brown was seen on the golf course in Lakeway this morning taking lessons from PGA and UT legend Tom [...]
redpants said:
December 9th, 2008 at 8:06 am
That’s handy. When you win you get to scoreboard us and when you lose you get to act like you have more important things to worry about. Men at UT like to have it both ways.
Tim's Bleeding Vagina said:
December 9th, 2008 at 9:19 am
no doubt you have scoreboard. just like we have scoreboard on ou. and as we have learned, it doesn’t count for jack shit under our screwed up system. we are in a better bowl game than you and ou is in a better bowl game than us.
Nordberg said:
December 9th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Enjoy your rare opportunity for “scoreboard”. Congrats however on your “Best Season Evar!!lolz!!!111″ (copyright Texas Tech athletic dept.) and your mid-level bowl game.
redpants said:
December 9th, 2008 at 10:16 am
All true, Mr. Vagina. Thanks Norb. We are enjoying it and we appreciate your hearty, sincere congratulations. We are just Texas Tech and we don’t expect national championships. We love our little team of over-achievers on the Plains. We are the Daniel LaRussa to your Cobra Kai dojo.
Bob in Houston said:
December 9th, 2008 at 10:21 am
“When you win you get to scoreboard us and when you lose you get to act like you have more important things to worry about.”
Leach now 2-7 vs. Texas, Tech 7-13 the last 20, as best I can tell. How should it be treated by Texas fans?
Nordberg said:
December 9th, 2008 at 10:37 am
“We are the Daniel LaRussa to your Cobra Kai dojo.”
Could’ve done without Crabtree’s crane kick to the face at the end, but otherwise I like the analogy.
redpants said:
December 9th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Bob- exactly as we are. If UT fans respected Tech, they wouldn’t be UT fans, and if Tech fans didn’t bitch about not getting respect, they wouldn’t be Tech fans. Since we won the last game, I get to demand respect, and you get to not give it to me. We’ve got a good thing going, so don’t fuck it up.
Bob in Houston said:
December 9th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Gotcha.
Jeff said:
December 10th, 2008 at 2:02 am
Scott will start over Gideon next year. Trying to plan SOS years in advance is pretty tricky. What if Notre Dame were on the schedule? Rice is a hell of a lot better than them. I do think they should at least attempt schedule one traditional OOC power a year if possible, but it takes two to tango. And, like ND, Michigan, Miami and FSU show pretty conclusively is that you may not get a damned thing from it in terms of SOS.
CloseToJumping said:
December 10th, 2008 at 8:02 am
If we had another BCS team on the schedule coupled with Arkansas, or even one overall for 2009, the odds of it positively impacting the SOS compared to say, UTEP, or Louisiana Monroe, are significant. In the original post I said you’ve got try to get two and at least at that point, crossing your fingers isn’t futile. OU went bust with Washington, which was a real anomaly, but they were rewarded with the other BCS pick, Cincinnati. When the deals were done to play those teams, UW was the one that got the hype. They mitigated risk in ways in which Brown is currently not.
BevosBoss said:
December 10th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Mack Brown has been playing this “game” with his OOC scheduling for 21 years now. He has no interest in scheduling anyone of substance. His luck ran out this season.
Here is a list of every OOC game played during Mack Brown’s final 9 seasons at North Carolina. You won’t find much competition on this list, including 3 Div.1-AA opponents.
VMI
(2)Kentucky
(2)Navy
(3)S.Carolina
Miami,(OH)
UConn
Cincinnati
(2)Army
William & Mary
Furman
(2)Ohio
UTEP
(2)Tulane
(2)TCU
SMU
(2)Syracuse
(2)Louisville
Houston
Indiana
Stanford
Oh, and his AD forced him to play an (8-5)USC team in a PigSkin Classic for the money.
What do Arkansas, UCLA, OleMiss and Wyoming all have in common? All 4 (at the time of scheduling) were programs in turmoil with HCs firmly on the hotseat. It was no coincidence.
Prior to UT going to Columbus in 2005 Mack Brown said, “We (current Texas administration) didn’t schedule this game and we don’t want this game. This was done 10 years ago and if we could get out of it, we would.”
Jeff said:
December 10th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
UCLA in 2010 and 2011 could turn out to be scraps with Neuhei$el at the helm and Ole Miss is looking very salty. Mack’s not doing anything different from anyone else.
Fred Akers said:
December 12th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Blake Gideon is the new Craig Curry.