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Tracking Baylor – Week 3, The Futility of UHfan, etc.

Posted by CloseToJumping on September 23rd, 2009 under Football

I married a woman from the British Isles earlier this year. She’s half Irish, half British. She’s constantly at war with herself and most religions, which is nice. Anyway, I am off to Ireland with her tomorrow and was thinking green, so the obvious progression is that eventually the Baylor pick I’d made to open the season would come to mind. I am not sure what I’ll miss more about this weekend’s games, the titanic UT/UTEP matchup or the one everyone has been talking about, Baylor versus Northwestern State. Not since Florida versus Charleston Southern has a nation stood on edge in this manner for a regular season college football game. Oh well, I will kiss the Blarney Stone and wish for a Baylor 8-4 record as I do so, or something. Either that, or HenryJames’ death by an attack of Howler Monkeys.

One week after starting off right against the Demon Deacons, the Baylor Bears came crashing back down to earth against the UConn Huskies. Prior to the season, I’d anticipated things being the other way around in the first two games, but I underestimated UConn’s apparent ability to simply “reload”. Right. Anyway, UConn’s front 7 on defense is actually legitimate. Greg Lloyd’s son is very good, as is the rest of that group. They beat the absolute shit out of UNC’s OL two Saturdays ago. It was embarrassing and frustrating, given that I had UNC -4.5. I figured UConn would wind up on the outside of the bowl season this year, but in the weak Big East, maybe they have a 6-6/7-5 kind of shot. Regardless, Baylor is now 1-1.

I was talking with ChrisApplewhite the other day and his take on this Baylor team is that, irrespective of the UConn loss, 8-4 is starting to look like the low side. He then went on a tangent about Art Briles having a significant schematic and strategic advantage in every game he coaches and I started to check out of the conversation. Regardless, I am in agreement with the guy that Baylor is still on track to pull off the decisive winning record. The win against Northwestern State this weekend will put them at 2-1 but will tell us nothing. So be it. These threads are as much a delivery mechanism of things that interest me around the world of CFB as they are about Baylor.

On to other stuff…

Guess who has the nation’s most prolific offense, yardage-wise, after their first two games? If you guessed ATM, you pretty much cheated, but whatever.

ATM’s best player, Jeff Fuller, broke his fibula against Utah State on Saturday. I didn’t hear much about this, which is a testament to how miserably far that program has fallen. That considered, it will be interesting to see how it impacts their team. They play UAB this weekend, and UAB has a nice QB but they’re not very good. My guess is that the loss will play a bigger role against Arkansas and Okie State the following weekends. ATM’s thickest position may be WR, but Fuller was really one of the only guys on that team that push for playing time on squads like UT’s this season. It will hurt them, no doubt.

—-

Our friends up north in the Land of Joad have now played nine true Freshmen extensively over the last two games. Jamarkus McFarland has something like 3 tackles in the last two games. They start a true Frosh on the OL. The 8 man football LB is now a threat to push for playing time. I don’t know how relevant any of this is for this year. What I do know is that part of that push has to be in regard to what is going to happen to the Sooners after this season. They could lose up to 16 starters with some early entries. Whatever the Sooners are this season, they’re going to be worse next year. Playing as many true Freshmen as they are cannot be spun into being a good thing for OU. They are thin in some important areas and near future isn’t looking much better.

—-

Jahvid Best played like the best offensive player in the nation this past weekend. I don’t know if the guy continues to perform at that level or not, but if he does, he will deserve to be a Heisman contender. This will be especially true if McCoy and Tebow continue to play like they did on Saturday. I like Cal. They’re a good team. I don’t know who Kevin Riley will lose to for them this year, but it will remain their biggest threat for winning the Pac 10.

—-

Matt Millen not only calls games on Saturday for the Big 10, but he’s an analyst on Sundays for NFL broadcasts. I have a firm belief in God, but the previous sentence makes me halfway question my convictions. This guy was a meathead on the field, he’s one of the worst administrators in the history of the NFL, and he sounds like personified liposuction fat in the commentators booth. The concept that he’s earned more per year than virtually any reader or poster on this site, and continues to do so, is terrifying. I am protesting language until he is off the air.

—-

UH has sold out its 32,000 seat stadium this weekend for the Texas Tech game. All 12 UH fans have come out of the woodwork on the radio call-in shows in Houston. They’re demanding respect, dammit!!! I heard one guy today call in on Charlie Palillo’s show on 790 and he asked about the likelihood of UH moving to the SEC if they can maintain their success. The guy was dead serious and he got relatively indignant when Palillo politely told him no effing way. On another channel, one of the radio guys themselves ranted about how UH was ripped off during the forming of the Big 12 and he blamed, tadaaaaahhhh, Texas. Of course. The Evil Empire is responsible for keeping UH down, as opposed to their own operational ineptitude. They’re also now talking about having a shot at the national title and BCS and, naturally, Texas is in the way there as well. Next in line is the topic of why Texas refuses to play UH in any sport. They can’t understand it.

What really sucks about UH is that they’re located in Texas. They fit the Okie profile perfectly. They’ve shown the proclivity to cheat with impunity. They’re cheapshotting scumbags. They’re utterly oblivious to their own misdeeds and take great pains to justify or deny any transgression created by their players. I usually enjoy their futility, but their rhetoric right now is at an all decade high.

I watched Tulane play Tulsa a few weeks ago. They showed a clip of the cheapshot that ended the Tulane QB’s year last year (I think the Tulane guy is named Joe Kemp and the play can probably be YouTubed). Of course it was a UH player, going full speed about 3 seconds after the whistle blew, shattering the QB’s clavicle in 12 places. He received only a flag and then Kevin Sumlin defended his play after the game. This isn’t much different than the UH basketball player stepping on Chase Buddinger’s face or the UH defensive players trying to wrench Cedric Benson’s ankle after each play late in the 2000 game. UH is a 4th rate school in every possible way when it comes to athletics. There are few better things to root for our program right now than Tech beating UH, and thoroughly, on Saturday night. It dims the problems with the schedule after they beat OSU and it puts them properly in their place, which is nestled firmly between the sandy bottom and the whale shit resting on top of it in the ocean of college athletics.

Thoughts?

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37 Responses

  1. BEHorn said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 10:50 pm

    Which of these does not belong:

    A. Construction workers
    B. Gunfighters
    C. Hells’ Angels
    D. Taylor Potts.
    E. None of the above.

    Answer = “D” – Potts has a MUCH better ’stache than any of them. Wreck ‘em Tech!

  2. Sailor Ripley said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 pm

  3. Fried Rice said:

    September 23rd, 2009 at 11:22 pm

    I thought you were “protesting language” until he is off the air? What’s all that stuff underneath? I guess you meant language typed by your fingers. I wish my farts were as eloquent.

  4. NateHeupel said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 12:02 am

    “Whatever the Sooners are this season, they’re going to be worse next year. Playing as many true Freshmen as they are cannot be spun into being a good thing for OU.”

    Worse next year? Hard to say until we see just how bad this year’s going to be.

    Playing so many true freshmen? Not a good thing for this year, for sure. A GREAT thing for next year, though. Who are the early defections you see adding up to 16 starters leaving?

  5. parlin said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 5:00 am

    When you land in the almost deserted Dublin airport, start your language protest by waving a copy of “Ulysses” in the Custom official’s face while shouting “Ever hear of punctuation marks?”

    Ireland will have her madness and her weather still. And Baylor goes 5-7.

  6. Levander Williams said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 5:00 am

    Return of the front-running UH fan. Like the swallows returning to Capistrano.

    People talk about Aggies having an inferiority complex vis-a-vis Texas: they’ve got nothing on UH. At least it’s not basketball season, when we have to listen to Tom Penders grind his axe with Texas on the morning talk circuit and complain about why we’re too afraid to schedule games with UH.

    I’ll give some credit to Sumlin for continuing a decent team that Art Briles more or less put back together. But I think their euphoria will be short-lived since its essentially based on the win over OSU, andI think that victory should be viewed as more of an indictment of the Cowboys’ ‘over-rated-ness’ than the Cougars’ emergence I think they’ll come back down to earth this week after Tech gets done with them.

  7. nordberg said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 6:29 am

    Can’t really put my finger on why, but I swear I’m looking forward to the Tech/Cougar High game more than the Texas game. And I’m actually going to the Texas game. Weird.

  8. stuckinmn said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 6:31 am

    I had no idea CTJ was married. I guess I pictured the eternal bachelor (in an I’m way too rowdy to find a girl to settle down with way, and not in a Henry James way). At least he married an Irish girl to dilute any drinking and anger management issues of offspring.

    And I’m still looking good on the 6-6 prediction for Baylor.

  9. Callkevin said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 6:50 am

    Congratulations on the wedding, CTJ! And I salute your Irish bride. Enjoy Ireland. I’ve been twice, but the closest I’ve come in the past 25 years was drinking beers with 67-year old JP Donleavy and his 23-year old girlfriend at The Ginger Man bar on 4th’s grand opening.

    And a fun read, of course.

  10. Capt. Insano said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 7:35 am

    Somebody explain to me the history of that picture. I have never seen it before but it looks hilarious.

  11. TXinDC said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 7:46 am

    “Oh well, I will kiss the Blarney Stone and wish for a Baylor 8-4 record as I do so, or something.”

    Do NOT kiss that stone. The local hooligans have their own tradition of pissing on the stone after, well, getting pissed. Unless your penchant for watersports with your wife extends to any and all of the Irish nation.

  12. Vasherized said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 7:52 am

    A man of genius makes no mistakes. His errors are volitional and are the portals of discovery.

  13. Vasherized said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 8:10 am

    British Beatitudes … Beer, beef, business, bibles, bulldogs, battleships, buggery and bishops.

    Maybe they’re also Baylor fans?

  14. Sailor Ripley said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 8:34 am

    Pogue mahone, CTJ. Plenty of craic to be had. Sláinte!

  15. BatesHorn said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 8:45 am

    Where am I going to get my Gideon hate if you’re on the road?

  16. bizzle said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 8:50 am

    Fuller wouldn’t need to “push for playing time” as he would instantly be a co-#1 with Shipley. Don’t let the ineptitude of our program fool you into thinking he’s not the most talented WR in the Big XII not named Bryant.

    And I hope Sumlin’s years with Stoops haven’t worn off on him too greatly. He was a great dude who the players loved in his time in College Station (although anyone on this site could have replaced Dino Babers and gotten better results).

    Plus his little mini-fro is freaking sweet.

  17. Al said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 9:00 am

    I heard one guy today call in on Charlie Palillo’s show on 790 and he asked about the likelihood of UH moving to the SEC if they can maintain their success. The guy was dead serious and he got relatively indignant when Palillo politely told him no effing way.
    ————–

    As the 13th UH fan, this bit was classic. I think that qualifies at cart before horse or something like that.

    At least it’s not basketball season, when we have to listen to Tom Penders grind his axe with Texas on the morning talk circuit and complain about why we’re too afraid to schedule games with UH.
    ———————-

    I’m more into ROFLing about Penders having his best/deepest team ever for the umpteenth straight year. Some of Cougar Nation has actually tuned that out…umpteen years ago. Then, you have the rest that you speak of that hang on is every word and still believed that Penders plucking off rejects from the NE USA while never offering a schoolie to that Goodson kid who went to Gonzaga (he was interested in staying home) was worthwhile.

    As for Okie Lite, no less overrated than last season. UH led for a half in Stoolwater until they realized they were Briles’ recruits and in no short order started another round of fumblitis and forgot they beat Okie Lite at home in ‘06. So, that Tech beatdown might be one that Tech receives. They are night and day when it comes to home-road play.

    Good day.

  18. Vasherized said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 10:15 am

    bizzle,

    Desmond Briscoe just kicked you in the head. Did you feel anything?

  19. Capt. Insano said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 10:43 am

    Anybody know the history behind that photograph?

  20. Marshall Dillon said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 10:53 am

    Lack of class must be in the UH genome. Back in my drug-crazed youth (I forget the year for obvious reasons, but late 60’s to mid 70’s sounds about right), I went to see UH play Tulsa at the Astrodome. Tulsa guys all had the flu and were outmatched anyway. Late in the 4th, UH put its starters back in so they could reach 100. They did, 100-7 iirc. Classy, real classy.

  21. nordberg said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:04 am

    “Fuller wouldn’t need to “push for playing time” as he would instantly be a co-#1 with Shipley. Don’t let the ineptitude of our program fool you into thinking he’s not the most talented WR in the Big XII not named Bryant.”

    Hard to say. We might have Fuller hanging out on our bench with Malcolm Williams. Talent doesn’t really translate to results on the field in our offense.

  22. UTomlinson said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am

    I’m going to have to disagree about the Tech game this weekend. I’d love to see UH beat them down. Screw conference respect. OU and Tech could lose every game from hear on out, and I’d be happy.

  23. Ag_in_TX said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:08 am

    Seriously, you believe that Jeff Fuller is “one of the only guys on that team that push for playing time on squads like UT’s this season”?

    Seriously, put down the orange kool-aid. Christine Michael would be your burnt ornage messiah down in Austin. Jamie McCoy would be your best tight end. Von Miller would be the greatest pass rusher in the nation (oh wait – he already is). And Trent Hunter would be starting at safety.

    Just off the top of my head, those are four guys besides Fuller that not only would be vying for playing time, but starting. I could probably come up with more, but it’s after 5:00 P.M. somewhere and I need to start drinking….

  24. nordberg said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:18 am

    An eight point win over Utah State certainly does wonders for the confidence down there.

  25. Tim\'s Bleeding Vagina said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:41 am

    “Von Miller would be the greatest pass rusher in the nation (oh wait – he already is).”

    stats are for losers and tools. lots of ags i know keep quoting von’s sack stats to me, but none are willing to wager that he will be in the top 10 at the end of the year. i wonder why…

  26. KilgoreTrout said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:50 am

    I lived in Ireland from 2003 – 05. This time of year has pretty good weather, but then again that is no guarantee. Always bring a rain jacket and umbrella with you where ever you go. The Guiness is better there than here, but after awhile I gave up and went back to American beer. The pints are a beer and a half so keep that in mind. It takes awhile to understand them, especially if they’re pissing drunk and talking really fast with a lot of slang. Fair play to ya, as the Irish say. Stay away from the blood pudding for breakfast. The rashers are good however.

    Dave

  27. t1climb1 said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 11:57 am

    “Jamie McCoy would be your best tight end.”

    And so would that slightly retarded kid from Life Goes On. That’s because in case you haven’t noticed, we don’t even have one. Every time we think we have a player at that position some part of his body explodes and we are back to the Flex Set as our base offense.

    You get no points for McCoy. If Irby were healthy I venture to say he would be better. If Grant were healthy he would certainly have the potential to be. We never got to find out.

  28. bizzle said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 12:33 pm

    Fuller poops on Briscoe.

    For anyone that has actually seen Baylor play: is Phil Taylor making any plays? Or just being very large and running around?

  29. uthookem said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    “And so would that slightly retarded kid from Life Goes On.”

    His name was Corky, homey. However, Wilford Brimley MADE that show.

    Hook ‘em!

  30. yojimbox said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    You guys don’t understand UH’s M.O.:

    UH wins games they have no business winning, but lose games they have every right to win. Thus, Tech will blow them out this weekend. Put money on it, it’s gold.

  31. t1climb1 said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    “His name was Corky, homey. However, Wilford Brimley MADE that show.”

    True story UThookem, years ago I actually went on a couple of dates with the blonde that played the older sister (the original girl, she was replaced after a couple of years). It was cool because of her brief flirtation with fame until I realized she was one of the most fucked up people I have ever met. Never seen anyone that felt more guilt and self loathing than her for simply being human.

  32. t1climb1 said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    Wilford Brimley huh?

    I see what you did there.

  33. bighornfan32 said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    Only an Ag would get indignant at “Fuller was really one of the only guys on that team that push for playing time on squads like UT’s this season” and then name four people. Notice he said guys, which is the plural version of guy. As in more than one.

    And McCoy might indeed be better than Greg Smith, who’d happen to be third string if Irby and Grant weren’t decimated.

    Hunter might be better than Gideon, who was 2nd string until it was made known that Scott is too cool for school.

  34. Maroon Machine said:

    September 24th, 2009 at 6:41 pm

    thanks for taking it easy on Ag In Tx.

  35. callkevin said:

    September 25th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    ” the blonde that played the older sister (the original girl, she was replaced after a couple of years). ”

    I’m guessing we’re talking about Monique Lanier, who was replaced by Dallas-native Tracey Needham. IMDB and Google are good.

    [img]http://static.ulike.net/img/01_Life_Goes_On.jpg[/img]

  36. Colby Black said:

    September 27th, 2009 at 3:52 pm

    _

    Robert Griffin done for the year.

    well … that’s all she wrote.

  37. raoulduke said:

    September 27th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

    That really sucks. Bad deal for that kid.

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