At Least We've got Football...

From the sounds of it, I'd say we've got just a few more months before society crumbles around the globe....the good news is we've still got our college football. So just for these few minutes, hopefully I can take your mind off of the current financial woes around the country with some mindless dribble around the great world of sports. So here we go...

Texas at Kansas:
Let's see, away game for an exhausted and very beat up Texas team....on the plains of Kansas.....in cold weather.....on Kansas' senior day. Anyone else a bit worried about this one? I am, but just a tad. On the flip side, Reasing has regressed quite a bit over the past few weeks, throwing equal number of INTs to touchdowns (maybe even a few more) - he's getting next to zero help from his offensive line which doesn't bode well considering that Texas' defensive line may be the best component of this Longhorn team. And their special teams are horrible (prediction alert: Texas will score a TD on special teams this weekend).

Seriously folks, as badly as Texas needs some big-time style points right now, I'll take a victory. I've given up on any prospect that the Horns can sneak into the Big 12 title game so I'm holding out for a BCS at-large bid. To do that, we need to just win. We should have Orakpo back for this one and clearly, based on last week, Cosby is feeling just fine. The loss of our starting center (and the release of our backup....idiot) is pretty key. If you want a silver lining there, like last year, we can say we're getting some experience for our underclassmen. Otherwise, this may hurt a bit. Our offensive line has grown less consistent as the season has gone on and this doesn't help - I expect to see Colt running for his life a bit this weekend.

Nothing would please me more than to have a big 30-point victory here, but I just don't see it happening. Want another silver lining? This is our second straight 11am kickoff so that is a good thing. Texas doesn't typically do well in early games, but this continuity (even if for only 2 weeks) will be good. I've said it before and I'm saying it again - just get me to that bye week.

Texas - 51
Kansas - 34

Other Notes from the World of CFB:
Not a ton of notable games this weekend so I'll do some random observations and predictions...

• Upset Special: Auburn over Georgia. This will save Tubberville's job...for one more year.
  
• Interesting battle between Disney (espn) and Fox for the TV rights to the BCS games - should espn win the bidding war, it would mark the first time that a major sporting event was broadcast on cable. What does this mean? Not a lot except that the rich guys are quite happy with the BCS model and are willing to pay a ridiculous amount of money to put it on television. You can read more about it here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/stewart_mandel/11/13/bcs.contract/1.html
• Upset Alert Part Two: Illinois over Ohio State. I don't know, I just have a feeling about that one.
• The Aggies visit Baylor this weekend - anyone else think we could see ANOTHER Baylor victory here? I don't know if upset is the word to be honest, but don't be shocked to see the Bears take it to the porous Aggie defense.
  
• Every day that goes by is another day that I think Leach is headed to Tennessee. His stock has to be higher than Kiffin's at this point. Hell, his stock may be higher than most any other candidate's at this point.
  
• Another point on the KU/Tx game - if you will recall, the last time Texas visited Lawrence, KS, there were some fireworks. Let me refresh your memory: Texas was vying for a BCS at-large bid and a loss at Kansas would have ended that hope. Kansas played a tough, hard-fought game and it came down to the final minutes of the game when a phantom pass interference call ended Kansas' hopes. And yes friends, it was a phantom call. Needless to say Mangino was pissed - even going so far as to say that call was made purely for "money" reasons - Texas getting into the Rose Bowl (which they did) would mean more money. Anyway, point is this, Kansas will be hungry to avenge that loss so buckle up...
• Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma fans, you had better route for Okie State this weekend - a loss at Colorado would be disastrous for all parties involved.

NFL Notes:

• My continued poor performance in my pick 'em game is really something else...
• HUGE win for the Jets last night - will certainly make things interesting for that division down the stretch. I'm still giving the Pats the slight edge, but we'll see.
  
• I don't know, I just don't see a semi-healthy Tony Romo being *the* difference with the Cowboys given their schedule down the stretch. They travel to DC this weekend and then get a couple of patsies at home before closing with the Steelers, Ravens, Giants and Eagles (Philly and Steelers on the road).
  
• I think the Titans finally go down this weekend - still a hell of a group there, but you can't win them all.
  
• Speaking of the Titans, word out of Nashville is that VY isn't doing much to improve his image amongst his teammates. You know, maybe he was thrown into the mix too early and maybe Fisher is a tough guy to play for, but f'ng grow up Vince. This may be one of the biggest busts in recent NFL history. It's so shocking to see his behavior now compared to the role he played at Texas as a leader. Crazy. You really get to see someone's true colors when they have to face adversity. I say a lot of his issues center around the people he has surrounded himself with - close family friends typically don't know how to manage the business of football players, that's why we have agents.
  
• How disappointing have the Saints been thus far? I think their resurgence was nothing more than a mirage. We're learning now that Shockey has and continues to kill himself with this attitude and work ethic; the defense still has tons and tons of holes; offensive line is questionable at best; etc. I wonder how much longer/more leeway Payton will have.
  
• San Francisco, St. Louis, Seattle and Detroit - All teams that will have high draft picks and who *desperately* need a QB.
  

Non-Sports Thoughts for the Week:

• How is it possible that people STILL don't know the rules/procedures when flying on a commercial flight? Are the rules kind of dumb? Yea, some of them. Does that mean you can argue your way out of it? No. If you try then you are an idiot.
  
• There are few things that are more fascinating than people watching in Las Vegas. Seriously, I can sit alone at a table/bar and just watch people for hours and hours on end.
  
• Is there anyone within the senior leadership ranks of this government (regardless of party) who has any f'ng idea what they're doing? Anyone at all?

That's what I got folks. Things are tough all over out there, I know (my company just announced they are laying off 5-6K employees), so keep your head up, crack open a beer (probably a Natty Light given this economy), and enjoy some football.

Radio Days

Well folks, I didn't see one lick of college football this weekend, but I was able to listen to some of the Texas game and some of the Tech game which was nice. I'm not going to pretend that I know all the ins and outs of this weekend's games, but I thought I would share some of my thoughts as we head into the last few weeks of the season - I'll also give a quick look at this crazy Big 12 south division.

Observations From the Weekend...

• Great news Penn State fans - you no longer need to concern yourself with getting "screwed over" by the BCS.
• This Tech/OU game could very well be for all of the marbles in the heisman race.
  
• Sounds like that LSU/Bama game was a good one - I don't care if LSU is down this year, it's never easy playing in Baton Rouge.
  
• Anyone else out there worried about Texas traveling to Lawrence this weekend? Defense continues to give up large chunks of yards while the offensive line has gone from damn good to inconsistent. I don't know...I'll say it again, just get me to the bye week.
  
• Florida, Tech, Oklahoma - who's playing better ball than these guys right now? I say no one. Alabama has the luxury of holding the top spot vs. climbing for it. What can you say about Bama - they just keep winning. I think their run ends with Florida, but maybe not - how happy are the Bama alums/admins with that hire? Texas and USC are still very good, but haven't looked as impressive the last couple of weeks (NO Trojans, your wins over the Washingtons don't count). After that the drop off becomes significant.
  
• You know, there's a damn good chance that the Aggies come into Austin on Thanksgiving with a chance to become bowl eligible with a win...I'm just saying.
  

Big 12 South:
Texas Tech - Daaaaaaaaaaaamn. I couldn't see anything that was going on in this one, but from what I heard it sounded like it was one of those nights when everything went right for the Red Raiders. You think these guys can taste a shot at a national title? I sure do. They get a week before they travel to Norman. Rest is always good, especially this time of year, but I wonder if Tech wouldn't rather keep the machine moving - they've got a ton of momentum and mojo going on right now and I'm betting they would love nothing more than to go ahead and travel to Norman and play this weekend - I promise you this, OU is very thankful they have this week off as banged up as they are. Of the tough games they've played this year, Tech has yet to face a team of the big-time caliber away from Jones Stadium so the game in Norman will be very interesting, but may also prove to be a very good test for these guys. Remember Texas fans, that game in Lubbock was the first "real" away game that Texas had played against upper echelon competition. We shall see...

Oklahoma - Believe it or not I think these guys are just as much in the driver's seat as Texas Tech is. A win in Norman in two weeks, followed by a win in Stillwater the next weekend, and these guys are likely in the Big 12 title game....where they always are. Of course this is up to the computers, voters, etc., but if I'm a betting man this is the scenario I'm envisioning. BUT, those are some big "ifs". OU is pretty banged up as they'll be without their 2 best defensive players against Tech and I can't emphasize enough how important that is - linebacker Ryan Reynolds used to own the middle of the field (where Tech does a good chunk of their damage) and now it looks like they'll be without their leading pass rusher and I don't need to tell you how important that is for any team facing off against Texas Tech. The good news for OU? They've got their offense in tact and should be ready to put up some big numbers of their own. Not only is this a huge game for these two teams, it's also a big game for 2 of the top 3-4 heisman candidates so look out there. I know I can't wait for this one...

Texas - Well, they did what they had to do. Texas quickly jumped out to a 14-0 lead and just like that it was tied at 14. Good news is Texas quickly pulled away from there. Sounded like the Horns did what they needed to do - got a win in dominating fashion and made very few mistakes. I did hear that Colt threw 2 INTs (missed both of them) so that's not good, but obviously didn't make much of a difference. Unfortunately I think Texas is the odd team out in terms of a shot at a conference title. It's possible they could sneak in, but not likely at all. Should the south end in a 3-way tie of 1-loss teams, I imagine they'll give the nod to the Sooners - they lost their game earlier in the season and bulked up their strength of schedule later in the season. So Horns fans, set your expectations now, should they win out, they'll likely get the nod. Don't bitch, don't complain - that's the system and frankly can't argue with it. BUT, these Longhorns are in a nice position to secure an at-large BCS bid. Where this will get interesting is when the mid-majors come into play....that could throw a wrench into things. I digress....Look, this Texas team is pretty banged up right now and I can't imagine there's a team out there that needs an off week quite as bad as these guys do. Just one more game and you'll get your off week my friends. Texas needs to continue to go out and take care of their business - win your games in dominating fashion and I promise you they'll get what they deserve. Kansas is coming off of a drubbing to Nebraska and they still control their own destiny to an extent - if they win out they'll be in the title game. They'll be pumped to take on Texas this coming weekend and so we need just one more week of good, hard practices and a dominant performance. And memo to Colt - settle down dude, I don't like this trend of throwing picks for TDs (Baylor almost returned one of his INTs to the end zone).

Oklahoma State - Buh-bye. Man, I don't remember what asshole proclaimed you guys as the second best team in the south division, but what an idiot he was.....Seriously, it never sounded like these guys got anything going on that Tech game. We'll see what happens when the Sooners come calling on the last game of the year (and it may not matter much at all), but I can't see these guys slowing down Bradford and company. As easy as Tech moved the ball on these guys, OU will likely move it with the same level of ease. Thanks for playing OSU.

That's what I got - I'll be traveling this week, but back at it on Thursday in time for a preview of this weekend's games. Enjoy the week.