Category Archives: College Football

Posted on October 14, 2015 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, October 14, 2015 – And Then There Was Coach Stallings – Part Two of The Alabama-Aggie Connection

Paul “Bear” Bryant was not the only Texas A&M football coach who won the war of player attrition and changed the way people think and work. The Aggie Football team had 132 players when 30 year old, first year head coach Gene Stallings arrived in College Station in December 1964. When the Aggies opened the season against the University of Houston in October there were 57 players listed in the program.

Bryan Eagle – Oct. 11, 2015

The members of Stallings’ first team celebrated their 50th year reunion the weekend of October 11 2015.

Bryan Eagle – Oct. 11, 2015

Like Bear Bryant, Stallings was called in to change the football attitude at Texas A&M. Like Bear Bryant he believed in hard work and physical demands. Stallings was a Junction Boy and was an assistant to The Bear in Alabama and now he was coming home to his alma mater to be the head coach.

Stallings had the players take a physical education class for those wanting to be coaches. He taught it. As player Jim Singleton said “Junction was two weeks. But we had to put up with him for a whole semester.”

Stallings converted four rooms on the second floor of G. Rolle White into workout rooms for the spring training and drills. In the fencing room (there was a fencing room?) players ran in place for 15 minutes. In the wrestling room there would be 15 minutes of drills. In the third station, the players head butted each other. In the fourth room they “rested” while they lifted weights.

In 1965 the Aggies went 3-7. In 1967 Stallings and The Fighting Texas Aggies won the Southwest Conference. The Aggies won The Cotton Bowl in 1968 beating Bear Bryant and the Crimson Tide of Alabama.

The Cotton Bowl would be Stallings’ only bowl victory as head coach at Texas A&M. After a stint in the NFL, he would take over the head coaching position at Alabama from Bear Bryant in 1990 and win the National Championship in 1992.

While there are those who know Coach Stallings for his football greatness, it is his greatness off the field that also makes a difference. His only son, John Mark Stallings was born with Down syndrome. John Mark, also known as “Johnny” died on August 2, 2008 due to a congenital heart condition. Two facilities at the University of Alabama are named for the younger Stallings. The Stallings Center that serves as home to the RISE Center for young children with disabilities was built in 1994. The equipment room in the University of Alabama football building was built and dedicated to Johnny Stallings in 2005.

Gene Stallings – A great man on all fields of play. http://coachgenestallings.com/

Oh – one more thing – BTHO ALABAMA!

Material taken from The Bryan Eagle, Sunday, October 11, 2015

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Posted in College Football, Education

Tagged Alabama, college football, Crimson Tide, Gene Stallings, SEC, Texas A&M, Texas Aggies; football

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 – The Junction Boys – And The Legends Begin

Posted on October 13, 2015 | 4 comments

Tuesday, October 13, 2015 – The Junction Boys – And The Legends Begin

When it comes to football The University of Alabama and Texas A&M University are more closely aligned than TAMU and tu ever were. You might call the Bama/TAMU connection a critical junction in college football.

Someplace between San Antonio and El Paso in the Texas Hill Country is a town called Junction, Texas. In 1954, the newly hired football coach of Texas A&M, Paul, Bear, Bryant took approximately 100 players into the wasteland of Junction for a football camp to toughen them up. The Texas Hill Country was experiencing the worst drought conditions in history. Temperatures hit the 100 degree mark before noon each day. Note this drought was surpassed only by the recent Hill Country droughts as the worst in Texas history. The “field” was dirt, rocky and filled with sticker burrs. Practices began at 8:00 am and ended at 11:00 PM daily.

Those who were there at the end of the ten days of the camp are called The Survivors or The Junction Boys. Those who remained formed the core of the undefeated unit that won the 1956 Southwest Conference championship.

The 1954 Texas Aggies went 1-9 for the season. It was Bear Bryant’s only losing season as a head coach. Yet, he would always cite his 1-9 A&M team of 1954 as his favorite.

Bear Bryant would leave Texas A&M to take the head coaching and Athletic Director positions in 1958 at Alabama. He took one of The Junction Boys with him as an assistant coach – a fellow from Paris, Texas named Gene Stallings. Read about Coach Stallings tomorrow.

Read the full story in The Junction Boys: How Ten Days in Hell with Bear Bryant Forged a Championship Team by Jim Dent.

Oh yeah – one more thing- BTHO Alabama!

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Posted in College Football

Tagged Alabama, college football, Crimson Tide, Gene Stallings, Paul Bear Bryant, Texas A&M, The Junction Boys

Monday October 12, 2015 – Columbus Day Monday After Saturday College Football Awards

Posted on October 12, 2015 | 2 comments

Monday October 12, 2015 – Columbus Day Monday After Saturday College Football Awards –

Our awards today are sponsored by the article “A” for those who become scared when they see large, unfamiliar words and stop reading.

The first award is the Class Act Award. This award goes to LSU’s Leonard Fournette for his articulate and well-done post-game interview showing his support for the people of South Carolina and offering his game jersey up for auction with proceeds going toward the flood relief efforts. Perhaps every impact player in the SEC could make an offer.

LSU wins the Best Southern Hospitality Award for being the Visiting Team in Baton Rouge. I thought it was most hospitable for the Tiger Band to play the Gamecock Alma Mater and Fight Song – Especially when you spelled L-S-U on the field while playing them. Sweet.

I suppose no one cared enough to notice last Friday that I got Lawrence and Manhattan, locations of Kansas and Kansas State, respectively, backwards. It obviously did not impact Baylor who gets a Most Points Scored Award for blowing away Kansas 66-7. I did not watch the game in its entirety. Did Kansas score during a Baylor timeout or before Baylor returned to the field after half-time? Note to Kansas – Basketball season officially begins next weekend.

TCU obviously was as confused as I was on Saturday since the Frogs did not show up ONCE again until the closing moments of the game. You win A Poo Poo Undies Award for scaring your fan base and an Activate the Boykin Magic Award. But the magic is becoming shaky causing a Poll Phrog Slipping.

To THE University of Texas, I award The Win One for the BEVO Award for beating Oklahoma. BEVO – I do hope you are feeling better because the team, the coach, THE University and the alums certainly are. Way to go. If you only do it once, this was the game to do it!

To the OU Kicker – Teal Shoes? Fashion Blooper Award going toed you!

The Offensive Fun Fest Award goes to Texas Tech and Iowa State for scoring 66 and 31 points respectively. Uncle Will Muschamp, have you looked at either of these schools? They don’t seem to play much defense either, so may you could be there.

Oklahoma State – you once again receive a Poo-Poo Undies Award to having to win it again in OT.

The Ugly Uniform Award goes to The University of Tennessee. I would never Volunteer to wear that. You looked like orange highlighters or characters from the science fiction movie Tron.

To the Nebraska Cornhuskers – you receive The Heartbreak Again Award for losing for the fourth time in the final seconds of the game as Wisconsin kicked a field goal.

The Individual Heartbreak Award goes to Georgia running back Nick Chubb. Hope you are back in action soon.

The Award for Suddenly on the Radar for teams I did not care about in the beginning, but do now is shared by the following:

Michigan – Wolverine Rising.
Utah – This is the non-Mormon, or Mormon Alternative to the other one – BYU.
Clemson – Tigers
Oklahoma State – 5 – 0. Go Pokes! Pistol Pete is silently slipping up on teams.
Florida – Chomping in The Swamp.

And last and certainly not least this week for sure:

The Crimson Tide of Alabama rose over those pesky Razorbacks finally drowning them in fourth quarter to win 27-14. This week I award The Tide the Columbus Day, Rand McNally, MapQuest, GPS, and all Navigational Systems Award.

And all points are set toward College Station, Texas and Kyle Field. Your arrival time is estimated to be five days and 43 minutes. Turn left on George Bush Blvd. Your destination is the gigantic stadium on your right. Have a nice day.

And now a Dr. Hunter check for understanding. Our word today was the article “A.” Please give a word that begins with that letter.

ALABAMA.

Good.

Now use it in a sentence.

BTHO ALABAMA!

EXCELLENT!

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Posted in College Football, Native Texan

Tagged Alabama, Baylor, LSU, SEC, TCU, Texas Aggies; football, Texas Tech, University of Texas

Friday, October 9, 2015 – Where Did the Football Games Go?

Posted on October 9, 2015 | Leave a comment

A Wall Every Texan Should Have

If you need to work in the yard, visit the sick, go shopping or any other reasonable Saturday activity, this would be the Saturday to do so. There is not much happening on the college football gridiron.

Our 11:00 games begin with Baylor live from Manhattan, Kansas on Fox1. The Bears will play the winless Jayhawks. Let the Baylor Band play the first quarter.

Opposite the Bears, the annual Red River Rivalry takes place on ABC at 11:00. The Oklahoma Sooners seem to be on the rise while the Texas Longhorns – well, they just seem to be wishing and hoping and thinking and praying. In addition to being 1 – 4 for the season, now BEVO is ill. What else can go wrong for THE University? Bevo, I hope you are feeling better soon. I am sure the Aggie vets will take good care of you.

I am not sure either one of those games are worth getting up for.

The afternoon and evening games from the Big 12 provide Texas Tech and Iowa State at 2:30 with no TV coverage. Two relatively potentially exciting games could be the 6:00 West Virginia vs Oklahoma State on ESPN2 and TCU vs Kansas State in the Battle of the Purples at 6:30 on Fox.

Onward through the fog to the SEC, we find the schools from the Magnolia State – Ole Miss playing New Mexico State @ 11:00 and Mississippi State playing Troy 3:00. Both games are on the SECN. Georgia should have no problem at Tennessee at 2:30.

LSU will host South Carolina since South Carolina is still underwater. The time says 2:30 on ESPN. Florida and Missouri might have an interest level. They play @ 6:30 on SECN.

The only game of interest is the 6:00 PM ESPN broadcast of Arkansas and Alabama. Don’t look for an upset in Tuscaloosa. Please Pigs, do not make The Crimson Tide angry. The Tide is coming to Aggieland next Saturday.

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Monday, October 5, 2015 – Monday After Saturday College Football Awards

Posted on October 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

Monday, October 5, 2015 – Monday After Saturday College Football Awards

Our Monday after Saturday College Football Awards are brought to you today by the word “amphigory.” Amphigory is a noun meaning “a meaningless or nonsensical piece of writing, especially one intended as a parody.” A quote – “it is the mother of all miscellanies, aka an amphigory, a medley, a pot-pourri, a gallimaufry, a salmagundi, and omnium-gatherum, a vade mecum, a smorgasbord. Robert McCrum, “God bless you Mr. Schott, The Guardian, December 7, 2002. (Dictionery.com)

Yes, all of those words will be on your assessment exam because they so describe Here’s What I’m Thinking and I have no idea what most of them mean. – Vade mecum?

But if that don’t describe the chaotic weekend of college football… Here is your ado, so further it by reading on.

To the horrible broadcasters of the Texas Aggie/Mississippi State game on the SECN – Brent Mushmouth and Jesse Palmer. What is the deal? Are you somebody’s brother-in-law? Son-in-law? Do you have video of people? I am not certain, Mr. Palmer, but I think you are supposed to give equal time to both teams. Did you not even pick up an A&M media guide? You get the Mute Button Award.

The Most Points Award goes to the Baylor Bears 63- 35 over Texas Tech. I do not think these bears are going into hibernation anytime soon.

However, it is a tie for Ugliest Uniforms between those bleached-out TCU lavender tops and the drab grey, olive and yellow uniforms of Baylor. Who is your uniform rep? Stevie Wonder?

There are several Poo-Poo Undies Awards that go to:

Michigan State
Ohio State
Oklahoma State

For having close games and scaring the poo out of your fan base. That # 1 Spot is looking very shaky, Buckeyes. Larry Culpepper is watching.

FYI – It was accurratte, that the officials from The Big 12 apologized for the bad calls by the referees. They were not accurrette when they established the line of scrimmage. The Spell Check Award goes to The Big 12. Is that accurratte?

The Pepto-Bismol for Dismal Awards goes the teams that were upset: These are:

UCLA – by Arizona State
Ole Miss by Florida
Notre Dame by Clemson
The State of South Carolina by Floods

Speaking of Dismal – The Train wreck Award goes THE University of Texas. I have no other words to say save – it could get worse. OU+CH = OUCH next Saturday. Next week UT players can tweet at half-time and call for Uber to come pick them up and just head on over to the State Fair of Texas.

Auburn wins the Dionne Warwick award for knowing “the way to San Jose.” Now do you know the way back to the SEC?

The Rain and Let’s Build an Ark Awards goes to:

Ole Miss vs Florida – the Florida team had the flu all week; the Swamp floods and the Rebels sink.
Notre Dame vs Clemson – Death Valley floods and the Irish sink.
Georgia vs. Alabama – The Tide was even Rising from the sky.

And to The Crimson Tide of Alabama I am giving them the William T. Sherman Award as they “…sing the jubilee; hoorah, hoorah, the flag that makes us free; while we sang a chorus from Atlanta to the sea – While they were marching Through Georgia.”

And to The Fighting Texas Aggies – I am awarding the Reveille is so much prettier than Bully Award. Not to mention she does not drool and she wears clothes.

The QB of the Game Award goes to Kyle Allen of Texas A&M. The stats on passing leaders:

D. Prescott 20-34 for 210 yards.
K. Allen 25-41 for 322 yards, 2 TDs.

Or as Palmer would say: Prescott was edged out by Allen.

The Aggies have an open date next Saturday and Alabama entertains the Pork and beans from Arkansas.

But then … Coming to Kyle Field on a station near you – Alabama vs Texas A&M – October 17. BTHO Alabama.

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Posted in College Football, Misc., Native Texan

Tagged Alabama, Baylor, Big 12, College Football; Texas Aggies, Crimson Tide, Ohio State, Oklahoma State University, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Longhorns, The University of Texas

Friday, October 2, 2015 – Snarky Friday Football and Big Boy Pants

Posted on October 2, 2015 | 1 comment

Friday, October 2, 2015 – Snarky Friday Football and Big Boy Pants

This weekend is time for the college football teams to put on their big boy pants. Jeb Bush was not referring to football when he said he would be putting on his big boy pants. (Such articulate presidential candidates we have.) He was referring to Donald Trump’s comments about him and Marc Rubio. Still I suppose that is better than Donald Trump screaming bull!#$% during a professional speech. What a diplomat he will make. But back to football.

Campus tour 7.5.2014 2014-07-05 099 (800x600)

Intellectual salon of College Station where Texas A&M students and Former Students spend hours drinking in knowledge.

These are the games that have meaning. These are the teams that can upset the best offensives and defenses. These are the games that begin to count toward championships, trophies and bowl games. Now it is time to bring “Your “A” GAME”’ to every game.

Our Saturday morning begins with THE University of Texas vs TCU @ 11:00AM on ABC from Fort Worth. Could be a bloody Mary morning for either team and on national TV too! Fear the Frog and Hook’ em Hippies! Stay Strong. You can do this!

Don’t forget to toggle over to West Virginia and Oklahoma on Fox1 @ 11:00. Time to start looking at the Sooners and the Mountaineers.

The 2:30 time slot goes to Texas Tech and Baylor on ESPN2. Should be a high flying, big scoring game in Arlington at Jerry World. Watch out Baylor; Coach Kliff always has something up his GQ sleeve. There is always the State Fair and fried butter.

But the 2:30 time slot of great interest goes to the TIDE of Alabama and the Bulldogs of Georgia on CBS in Athens. Athens – so named after the ancient Grecian city. Watch out for Poseidon – the ancient Greek god of the water. Poseidon carries a three-pronged weapon called the Trident. It can create earthquakes, tsunamis and destructive tidal waves.

Poseidon was also known to cause certain forms of mental disturbance. I guarantee you that if this Poseidon Adventure turns Alabama and the Crimson Tide upside down, and they lose 2 games, there will be all forms of mental disturbances in Alabama and in the SEC.

At 3:00 one can watch Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University from Stillwater (that is in Oklahoma) on Fox 1. One can also tune into San Jose and Auburn on the SECN. Or one can take a nap in preparation for the six o’clock time slots.

I guarantee Uncle Will Muschamp and New England poet named Auburn Tigers – if you take this game long and into the Aggies’ game that follows, we will come after you!

Better be up and prepared for the 6:00 games. How many screens do you have? All of these games could be worth watching. I have a smart phone; two tablets, four TV’s and ESPN3.

Arkansas and Tennessee at 6:00 on ESPN2 from Knoxville. Coulda, shoulda woulda been a good programming move early in the season, but now I bet ESPN executives wish they could switch to LSU and Eastern Michigan. (Read: bigger viewing audience = more$$$= more exposure for LSU’s Leonard F.)

LSU/Eastern Michigan @ 6:00 on ESPNU from Baton Rouge. Run Leonard Run! Leonard Fournette is fun to watch.

Ole Miss and Florida @ 6:30 on ESPN from Gainesville. Let’s see if the Rebels bring their waders to the Gators in The Swamp. Never trust a team from Florida.

And The Fighting Texas Aggies host the Mississippi Bulldogs in Kyle Field at 6:30 on SECN. This could be confusing – both wear maroon and white. Both have live mascots. Bully and Reveille? A bulldog and a princess. But Dak Prescott? Now he is scary. Are Mississippi State fans going to bring those damn cow bells?

Going to be a test – leave pennies!

BTHO Mississippi State. WHOOP!

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Posted in College Football, Politics

Tagged Alabama, Baylor, Big 12, college football, Crimson Tide, Leonard Fournette, LSU, SEC, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Aggies, The University

Monday, September 28, 2015 – A College Football Weekend for the Ages

Posted on September 28, 2015 | Leave a comment

Monday, September 28, 2015 – A College Football Weekend for the Ages

It was indeed a college football weekend for the ages. I know the Aggie/Arkansas game alone aged me at least two years. With the chaos that reigned, we do not need an ado to further, so here are my Here’s What I’m Thinking Monday after Saturday College Football Awards.

Our Monday after Saturday College Football Awards post is brought to you by the word “minimax.”

No, minimax does not refer to the old chain of grocery stores in the South. Neither does it refer to a feminine hygiene product. It is a “noun that means a strategy of game theory employed to minimize a player’s maximum loss.

This is the principle of minimax: assume that the worst may happen and act accordingly; remember that lightening always strikes twice in the same place. This is a basic law known to all successful gamblers. William S. Burroughs, The Adding Machine, Selected Essays, 1993.” Sunday’s Word of the Day – Dictionary.com

It was also the game strategy employed by the Arkansas Razorbacks against Texas A&M. But first, please have the following teams line up to receive The Poo Poo Undies Award. This award is given to the following teams for scaring the crap out of its fans and/or for just crapping out completely.

LSU – Otto the Orange proved much harder to squeeze that originally thought.
TCU
Texas Tech
THE University of Texas
Oklahoma State University
Texas A&M
Ole Miss – Really? Vanderbilt? BTW – Vandy, you get The Ugly Helmet Award. How many more designs can you put on a football helmet?
Alabama – not exactly scary, but the Tide is still a bit low.
Oregon

Please have all of the centers and kickers – yes field goal and punters – line up for The What’s the Point Award for missing crucial field goals and extra points or creating safeties.

Otto the Orange from Syracuse
Texas Tech
THE University of Texas
Texas A&M

The Most Points Scored Award goes to Baylor University. Yes, 70 to 17 is impressive, but it was still Rice. But given the way the other Big 12 teams are playing maybe it’s all gravy from here on out for the Bears.

The Duck Duck Gone Award goes to Oregon for losing to the soaring Utah Utes.

The Dumbass: Do Your Homework Award goes to the half-time announcer who asked “What’s a Ute?” The University of Utah uses Ute as a nickname with permission from the Native American Utes Tribal Council. In 1996, again with permission from the Ute Tribal Council, Utah introduced “Swoop” – a red-tailed hawk, a bird indigenous to the state of Utah.

Speaking of Ducks, the Tide Rolled over the Duck Dynasty from UL Monroe. The Tide still seems to be low and/or rolling out. Ouch – AP Poll Ranking – # 13 – with Georgia in Athens this weekend. UGA!

The Free Falling/Uncle Will Muschamp Defense Award goes once again this week to Auburn. This is what happens when your mascot is named after a dopy New England poet.

The Why Are You Still in the Top 5/6 Award is shared by TCU and Notre Dame. Really? I know the Frogs are injured and barely hopping, and you barely won

On a botched snap by Texas Tech that resulted in a safety
On a freak Tippy Tippy Bang Bang in the last seconds
You almost allow The Band play with multiple laterals and
Your defense allowed 52 points from an unranked team.

And Notre Dame? Just because the Pope has been in the United States does not mean you should be in The Top 10.

And to THE University of Texas – Yes, the refs were from The School for Blind and Visually Impaired; yes, there are still many burnt orange bright spots, but I must give the Horns the Streets of Laredo Award:

So beat the drum slowly and play the fife lowly and

play the death march as they carry me along.

The award for Does this Three -Point Margin of Victory Make my Ass Look Big? goes to TCU and Coach Gary Patterson.

Two individual awards this week: First to the Texas Tech quarterback Patrick Mahomes for heroic and knee hurting courage to give your all.

And to Leonard Fournette of LSU I am giving the Wow, You Are Fun to Watch Run Award. Could there be another Heisman Award headed toward the LSU Tiger trophy case?

And now may I have the final awards’ package?

Arkansas – the state that gives us Mike Huckabee and The Clintons.

Minimax – “noun that means a strategy of game theory employed to minimize a player’s maximum loss.

Was this your coaching strategy, Coach Bielema? Playing keep away from the opponent’s offense almost worked. The thing about the hurry up and spread offensive is – when you don’t have the ball, the other team scores quickly and often.

The Assume the Worst May Happen Award goes to Coach Bret Bielema of Arkansas. The worst did happen.

The Poise under Pressure Award goes to The Fighting Texas Aggies.

Lighting Always Strikes Twice in the Same Place Award goes to The Fighting Texas Aggies.

So it wasn’t exactly an “ass-kicking in Dallas.” I guess you are saving yourself for the remainder of the SEC.

Stop Whining: You Lost – Maximum Loss Award goes to the Razorbacks of Arkansas. See you next year.

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Posted in College Football, Native Texan

Tagged Alabama, arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Big 12 Conference, Bret Bielema, LSU, Oklahoma State University, Ole Miss, SEC, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Aggies; football, Texas Tech, The University of Texas

Friday, September 25, 2015 – Snarky Friday Football

Posted on September 25, 2015 | 6 comments

Friday, September 25, 2015 – Snarky Friday Football

My weekend teams and Here’s What I’m Thinking about them.

Georgia v Southern @ 11:00 AM on SEC – Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

UGA, UGA, YUKA to 11:00 AM games. One has to start so early to be drunk by that time.

LSU v Syracuse – @ 11:00 on ESPN – Carrier Dome, Syracuse, NY

The Syracuse mascot is an anthropomorphic orange. Who besides me, Dr. Sheldon Cooper and the DeMarsion know the meaning of “anthropomorphic?” The Orange’s name is Otto. Otto the Orange. (Just Google it)

The LSU mascot is a live Tiger. The Tiger’s name is Mike the Tiger.

http://www.mikethetiger.com/pictures.php Mike the Tiger eats oranges like grapes. Otto the Orange – oh I can’t stop laughing.

Northwestern v University of Central Arkansas @ 11:00 AM on ESPN3 @ Turpin Stadium – Natchitoches, La.

Well, one team will have a win in the W column.

Baylor v Rice @ 2:00 on Fox Sports @ McLane Stadium – Waco, TX

Do you have the same scheduler as TCU and Ohio State? You are aware The Committee is watching. So is Larry Culpepper, the Dr. Pepper guy. I think he has the deciding vote.

Ohio State v Western Michigan @ 2:30 on ESPN2 – Ohio Stadium – Columbus, Ohio.

See above about The Committee watching. I am thinking the Buckeyes better buck up and show some points on the scoreboard.

THE University of Texas v Oklahoma State @ 2:30 on ESPN @ DKR Memorial Stadium – Austin, TX.

Cowboys v Longhorns – a clash of the oranges – not Otto – Depends on who shows up.

Alabama v UL Monroe @ 3:00 on SEC – Bryant-Denny Stadium – Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Pretty sure the Tide is going to roll over the Duck Dynasty. Watch out for the tsunami.

Texas Tech v TCU @ 3:45 on Fox @ Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, Texas

Beware The Wayward Wind. It’s a restless win. Coach Kliff is in an ass-kicking mood and TCU is playing the ghosts of the Southwest Conference.

Vanderbilt v Ole Miss @ 6:00 on ESPNU @ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium , Oxford, MS

Given that William Cutbirth Faulkner is one of my favorite authors and one of the greatest Southern writers in American Literature, it would only be natural that I would selection Faulkner residential writing home of Oxford as the possible winning team; this of course is because in all honesty Vanderbilt should be playing Rice whereas the two academic powerhouses can play on a level playing field.

The above sentence is understood by those who read WCF and English/American Lit Majors.

Mississippi State v Auburn @ 6:30 on ESPN2 @ Jordan-Hare Stadium – Auburn, Alabama

Go Bulldogs. Uncle Will, we are so looking forward to your visit in College Station. We wanted you to know College Station topped the list of most exciting towns in Texas yesterday. Really!

http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/College-Station-named-6524394.php

Texas A&M v Arkansas @ 6:00 on ESPN – @ AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX

This is the start of SEC play. A&M almost ran out of time last year. Texas Tech has pissed off the Hogs.

In honor of Texas Tech kicking ass last weekend with their hurry up, spread offense, I am proposing that Aggies wear our Ray-Bans to be cool like and in honor of Coach Kliff and the hurry up, spread offense to help remind Arkansas of last week. FYI – Arkansas, the Aggies run a hurry up, spread office and the Aggies have a defense.

Oh yes – here are some special uniforms designs.

http://www.goodbullhunting.com/rcb05/2015/9/23/9379285/aggies-texas-am-special-uniform-arkansas-bielema-photoshop

BTHO Arkansas

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Posted in College Football

Tagged Auburn, Baylor, College Station, Kliff Kingsbury, LSU football, Oklahoma State University, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech, The University of Texas

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 – Three Down and More to Go

Posted on September 22, 2015 | 2 comments

Tuesday, September 22, 2015 – Three Down and More to Go

There is a story on Yahoo this morning that lists the 33 best college bars in America. ttps://www.yahoo.com/food/the-33-best-college-bars-in-america-129221427571.html

I have no idea what the selection criteria were, but I certainly would have liked the assignment to determine the bars. Especially if it involved visiting each one.

Here are three I have visited.

Texas A&M Dixie Chicken In the A&M community, your college ring isn’t truly “blessed” unless it’s been through the Aggie Dunk. That involves ordering a 32oz mug off Dixie Chicken’s taps, bathing your ring in that beer, and then chugging the glass for good measure. It’s the kind of bar ritual only a college mainstay like Dixie Chicken has going for it, even if it was born out of accident.

Hmm. I seem to have several photos of The Chicken. It would almost suggest that I spent much time there.

University of Texas-Austin Cain & Abel’s The name would imply this bar is home to a UT-Austin chapter of Fight Club, but when you’ve got $1 beers every Tuesday, it’s all brotherly love. Cain & Abel’s is best known for its Texas Teas (a riff on the Long Island) and H-Bombs (Hideous liqueur and Red Bull). They’re frequently on special, and frequently the cause of regret the next morning.

Sorry, no photo available. Probably one of those “Deny it unless there are pictures” times.

Oklahoma State Eskimo Joe’s Don’t be alarmed by the maniacal grin on that guy in the sign. It’s just Joe, and he probably looks like that because he dipped into EJ’s always $2.50 well drinks. The bar/restaurant/clothing shop has been an integral part of OSU since it first opened its doors in 1975 – the proof is in the annual anniversary bash, which is so big, it regularly spills into the streets. Stillwater’s “jumpin’ little juke joint” also has a long history of live music. Acoustic nights are every Wednesday, but if you’re more into the electric scene, you can catch those acts on the weekends.

Must plan a road trip to Nebraska.

University of Nebraska Duffy’s Tavern If you’ve never seen one of these in the wild, did you even go to college? You definitely didn’t go to Duffy’s, which raises the bar on the undergrad Saturday night go-to by boasting 29 different fishbowls. Those are $14 during Monday happy hour, but the best special might be Tuesday’s $1 tallboys. Mostly because it’s called Dad’s Beer Night.

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Posted in College Football, Misc.

Tagged College Bars, Dixie Chick, Eskimo Joes, Oklahoma State University, ring dunk, Texas A&M

Monday, September 21, 2015 – The Monday Morning After College Football Awards.

Posted on September 21, 2015 | 2 comments

Sculpture at Bush Library – 2015

Today’s awards are brought to you by the word “enervate.”

Assessment before Instruction – our vocabulary word is “enervate.” It means to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor.” So many teams were enervated this weekend.

So here are my awards for Week Three of College Football Season.

The Keep Calm and Keep Practicing Award goes to the Texas Aggies. In some cultures, such as East Montgomery County, this award is known as the “That Dog Ain’t Ready to Hunt” Award. This does not refer to Miss Reveille as she is from the herding group and also does not like get her nails messed up.

To the Texas Tech Red Raiders – I award the Shredded Pork with Extra Bacon Bits Award for Kliff Kingsbury kicking some koach’s pig butt with his komments. Way to go, Kliff.

In the Hippie Bowl between the school formerly known as Berkley and THE University I give the award for “Close, But to the Right” to THE University for the missed extra point that would have tied the game and possibility sent it to OT. You did not know Cal once known as Berkley? I suppose all those protesters from the sixties resulted in the name change.

The original name University of California was frequently shortened to California or Cal. UC Berkeley’s athletic teams date to this time and so are referred to as the California Golden Bears, Cal Bears, or just Cal. Today, University of California refers to a statewide school system. Referring to the University of California, Berkeley as UCB or University of California at Berkeley is discouraged and the domain name is berkeley.edu. Moreover, the term “Cal Berkeley” is not a correct reference to the school, but is occasionally used. Berkeley is unaffiliated with the Berklee College of Music or Berkeley College.

Note: Any grammatical errors in the preceding paragraph come from Wikipedia.

THE University is also awarded The Many Bright Burnt Orange Lights for showing life and a near comeback. The interval of the loss was one point.

The Interval Award is shared by TCU and Ohio State. One would think the #1 and #2/3 team could have a larger interval between the score when playing lesser teams. The Committee is watching.

BYOB – The Bring Your Own Bench Award goes to Auburn. This is awarded to the team that does not want to sit on the benches provided. Auburn proposed to bring its own cooling benches. When told that there was not enough power in Tiger Stadium, Auburn staff proposed to bring their own generators. Finally the Baton Rouge Fire Marshall said, “NO! You can sit on the same benches as the LSU team does.” Does Auburn have heated benches for the winter time?

The Great Defense, Uncle Will Award goes to the LSU Tigers for scoring on the second play of the ball game.

My Favorite Player Name Award – goes to Malachi Dupree on the LSU team. Now ain’t that a cultural masterpiece of confusion?

The Hindenburg Award for “OH THE HUMANITY!” goes to Alabama and their fans. I am not sure the Tide ever rolled in. Ole Miss enervated the Tide. Don’t start singing Bon voyage to you, new Titanic just yet. There could be a tsunami waiting for somebody.

The final award is the comparison between the Auburn Tiger and the LSU Tiger as portrayed by the half-time PR clip. One is stuffed into a mascot uniform and one is a live tiger that scares you even on TV.

The Stuffed Tiger Award goes to the LSU Tigers. According to the PR clip, the Auburn Tiger originated from Oliver Goldsmith’s poem The Deserted Village. “Sweet Auburn, loveliest village on the plain, …” It takes you about 100 or more lines to “where crouching tigers wait hapless prey.”

The LSU Tigers take their name from the Louisiana Infantry men known as Louisiana Tigers for their tenacity and ferociousness during battle.

Not mentioned in the video, but clearly noticeable in the photograph to anyone who knows their history or has seen Gone With the Wind, were the uniforms of the Louisiana Infantry. They were known for their red head gear, blue tops and striped pants. Company B of the Tigers wore distinctive uniforms similar to the French zouave, with straw hats or red cloth fezzes, blue-striped chasseur-style pants, and short dark blue jackets with red lacing or tombeaux. You can read more about the Louisiana Infantry on Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9th_Louisiana_Infantry

So Auburn takes its Tiger name from a long, dopy, whimpey poem from the 1770’s read by American Literature majors only. Auburn has a stuffed Tiger.

LSU takes its Tiger name from a tenacious fighting unit from the 1860’s and has one of the most bad ass mascots in all of college football that eats stuff tigers for dessert. No wonder Auburn was enervated.