Burnt Orange Report

Young to Enter NFL Draft

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Via the Statesman...

Vince Young announced Sunday that he is skipping his senior season as quarterback for the national champion Texas Longhorns and will enter the NFL draft.

"I've decided to enter the draft this year and go to the NFL," Young said in a news conference on the University of Texas campus. "I know that everybody is behind me, and I thank God for that. I won't let ya'll down."

Young said he made the decision after meeting with his pastor and family. He vowed to complete the requirements for his college degree.

I can't say that I blame him, though I will be sad to see him go. It's better to go out on your peak and in the world of Football, especially if that is going to likely be your single career, why risk a second year at UT when you could be signed? Thanks for the memories, Vince. That was one hell of a game.

PS. I'm back in Austin now, and realized that I couldn't log into my G-Mail account to read the 100s of e-mails I have. (Not that this is a bad thing maybe...) If anyone else if having an error message come up, it may be because you need to download the latest version of Firefox (1.5).

Texas 41, USC 38

By Byron LaMasters

We won. Hell yeah. Kick ass. Go UT! I'm elated. What a game! And did I mention the Vince Young is amazing? He certainly made his point. And finally, Mack Brown can stand proud to his critics.

I may not be able to join Rick Perry in being proud of his "Texas", but I'll stand with Vince Young and Mack Brown and their leadership this year. Congrats Longhorns! We're damn proud of you...

Go Longhorns!

Rose Bowl Open Thread

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

It's almost here, I'll be offline while watching the game, but here is your place to post updates, comments, and cheer and jeer the game on through the night.

Hook 'em!

Rose Bowl Open Thread

By Damon McCullar

The NCAA National Championship less than a day away. Let's hear your thoughts on the game. Give us your predictions. Here's my thoughts: USC is overconfident! ESPN is acting as if they have already won the game. Also, after losing the Heisman Trophy, Vince Young has something to prove. I think it's gonna be a tough game, but the Longhorns will pull through and win 28-21. Hook'em!

UT vs. USC!

By Byron LaMasters

The stars are aligned, and for once, all is right in college football. The undisputed top two teams in the country will battle for the national title in the Rose Bowl in January. I'm excited. Last year's Rose Bowl was perhaps the best football game that I have ever been to, and I will certainly look forward to the game this year (which I'll likely just be watching from home).

Of course, the BCS system still needs fixing, and UT certainly comes into this game as an underdog, but for now - all is right, and Longhorn fans can be pleased tonight. We're in the national championship game, and no one can dispute that UT deserves to be there.

This is getting boring; PLUS: Barton tackles the BCS

By Jim Dallas

Down at Reliant, it's time for Mack Brown to start suiting up the Band (or maybe the cheerleaders). Colorado just can't catch a break. Except when Texas throws it to them.

The USC/UCLA game better be more interesting.

Meanwhile, Smokey Joe Barton has decided to solve a serious problem facing his constituents:

A House Energy and Commerce subcommittee has announced it has called a hearing on how to repair what it called the "deeply flawed" Bowl Championship Series, designed to crown college football's national champion. "College football is not just an exhilarating sport, but a billion-dollar business that Congress cannot ignore," committee Chairman Joe Barton [R-TX] reportedly said.

The hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday, was termed a "comprehensive review" of the BCS and postseason college football. Barton said he does not have legislation in mind to force a change, but said he hopes congressional hearings will spur discussion and improvements. The supreme irony of this is the fact that, barring a major upset in either of two games being played today (Saturday), this year's championship will indeed be a legitimate showdown between the two acknowledged top contenders for the title, Texas and the University of Southern California.

UPDATE: I see Kuff beats me to the good stuff. Go over to his place, will ya?

Bring the pain

By Jim Dallas

I swear, if A&M goes into the second half ahead (which they could do) -- I'll just choke.

Update: Well, the Aggies blew a perfectly good drive. Still, after all the gloom-and-doom predictions by (and for) the A&M faithful, you'd expect the Longhorns to be up by more than 21-15.

Update 2: I fell asleep in the middle of the second half after it started to look like the game might be in hand. The H-Chron and CNN-SI have write-ups.

Altogether it was, as one commenter notes, a good game. Moreover, it was a game where - despite the rivalry - you really could root for both sides. The Aggies continued a wonderful tradition (by which I mean "playing their hearts out as underdogs," not "losing to Texas") and that's commendable.

UT Women's Soccer

By Matt Hardigree

Many of you may not know that in addition to all of the organizations I headed and the people's lives I touched while at UT, I was also a Texas Soccer Hooligan. That's why it warms my heart to see our women's soccer team doing so well. We often get so caught up in Football and Basketball that we forget how great our team is. This from the Texan:

Texas soccer struggled earlier this season without 2004 top scorers Kelly Wilson and Kelly McDonald, winning just three of its first nine games. Since then, the team found its offensive firepower and won seven of its last nine games, securing a berth in Wednesday's Big 12 Tournament.

[...]

So while the Longhorns have high hopes for this year's Big 12 Tournament and probable NCAA Tournament berth to follow, the future for this Texas team is extremely bright.

"We've come back from being down this year, and we still have that fight in us," Carpenter said. "As we grow, we're going to be even better than we are this year and than we were last year."

For those of you who have never attended a game I must reccomend it for the following reasons:

1. Fast-paced, high-kicking soccer action that will keep you upright the entire game.

2. The low turnout means that getting a good seat isn't that difficult.

3. Texas Sports has a student drawing each game for shirts, televisions, gift certificates and gaming systems. The number of students that enter is low and thus the odds are high.

4. You can meet the team after the game and get autographs and pointers (along with the approximately 200 elementary school kids that show up every game).

5. The only reason you need: they're rocking the burnt orange.

This is the game that never ends...

By Jim Dallas

I woke up from a nap to catch game three of the World Series (the first World Series game to be played in Texas. Ever.). I woke up in time for the 8th inning. I was bummed because I thought I was only going to catch an inning and a half.

Wrong.

It's now the top of the 13th and it's still 5-5. This is the longest World Series game I can remember.

Meanwhile, I'd remind Panda Amanda that it's not paranoia if they're really out to get you.

Go Astros.

Update: It ended. White Sox won in 14.

Astros Are National League Champs

By Matt Hardigree

Woo Hoo! The Astros win game 6 of the NLCS with a convincing 5-1 final score built on small ball, clutch hits and great pitching. I was at Onion Creek in The Hieghts and, oh yeah, there might have been a Houston Chronicle photog there to snap a picture of me and my friends celebrating:

(Photo: Houston Chronicle)

The Caption Reads Astros fans celebrate while watching Game Six of the National League Championship Series Wednesday at Onion Creek in the Heights. The Astros 5-1 victory sends them to the World Series for the first time in the team's history

I'm the one in the blue. Wierdly, we form the red, white and blue of Old Glory.

World Series!

By Jim Dallas

'nuff said.

'STROS WIN!!! 'STROS WIN!!!

By Phillip Martin

CHIRS BURKE HITS A GAME-WINNING HOME RUN IN THE 18'TH!!! UN-BE-FREAKING-LEAVABLE!!!

Beat Atlanta to win the Division Series 3-1.

Down 6-1 in the eighth, Lance Berkman hit a grand slam to bring it to 6-5. Then, with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, catcher Brad Ausmus hit a solo shot that barely cleared the yellow line in left center. What followed was either the most amazing or most boring (depending on what you think of baseball) extra-inning game ever.

Burke's blast in the bottom of the eighteenth came after both the Braves and Astros wore each other down for eight+ innings. The game set several records for a postseason game, including most innings played (18). Obviously, ESPN will have better coverage and stuff. 'Stros face the Cardinals in the NLCS.

What a game! GO 'STROS!

Texas Juggernaut Rolls Over OU 45-12

By Damon McCullar

When the smoke cleared from the Red River Shootout, Texas was triumphant. The last hurdle we have to clear on the road back to Pasadena is the Big 12 Championship. The horns played a pretty clean game this go around. Looks like the team has finally gotten used to one another and used to playing. Should be nothing but smooth sailing from here on out.

In the Big 12, Tech beat Nebraska 34-31, Kansas State bested Kansas 12-3, Baylor was triumphant over Iowa State 23-13, Mizzou topped Oklahoma State 38-31, and Colorado knocked off A&M 31 to 6

The Midshipmen of Navy squeaked one out over Air Force late in the 4th quarter. The final score was 27-24. The Midshipmen are still in the running for the Commander-in-Chief Cup. A win over Army at Thanksgiving will could mean at least the third year running that Navy had taken the Commander-In-Chief Cup. Go Navy, Beat Army!

Red River Rivalry Open Thread

By Damon McCullar

The Red River Rivalry is quickly desending upon campus. This is an open thread for predictions on the game. I'll start with my prediction: 28-14 UT wins.

ASTROS WIN THE WILD CARD!

By Phillip Martin

In a close game, the Astros held on to beat the Cubs 6-4, winning their way into the playoffs and clinching the National League Wild Card. The 'Stros won the Wild Card last year as well, and came within one win of making the World Series.

Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt got the win, giving him back-to-back 20-win seasons -- the first pitcher to do that since Curt Schilling and Randy Johnson did that for the Diamondbacks in 2001-2002. On a team with Pettite and Clemens, Oswalt often gets overlooked by lots of folks in the media, even though he was our opening-day starter and pitched a tough game today to sneak in a win. He now has won more games in the last two years than any other pitcher in baseball.

The Astros will face Atlanta, who they beat last year in the playoffs, on Wednesday for Game 1 of the NLDS. For those diehards, like me, who want to share thoughts/predictions, feel free to leave a comment.

Go' Stros!

Texas Wins 51-20 over Mizzou

By Damon McCullar

Texas won today in their Big 12 opener over Mizzou. The first quarter was the sloppiest football I've seen in awhile. Vince Young fumbled three or four snaps and the Longhorns were plagued by penelties the entire game. They got it together in the second quarter and went to victory, but if they plan to win a national championship they need to tighten down on the disipline and make teams earn yards, not give them up in penelties.

In other Big 12 action it was A&M over Baylor, Colorado beat Oklahoma State, it was Oklahoma over Kansas State, Tech beat Kansas, and Nebraska brought down Iowa State.

In the top 25, Penn State upset (18)Minnesota, (15)Alabama beat (5)Flordia, and it was Michigan over (11)Michigan St.

Shall we blame Mack Brown, or shant we?

By Jim Dallas

The Wall Street Journal (subscription required) says Texas A&M's football team is smarter than ours (their boys averaged a 21 on the Wonderlic test; ours 19.7). This is in addition to their higher graduation rate for their football team.

(The population average is around 20; the WSJ says the "broader population" of job-seekers scored 21 -- although one might assume that including non-job seekers would probably lower the average for the entire population by a point or two).

Baseball Blogging 2005

By Andrew Dobbs

As Hurricane Rita threatens to obliterate half of Texas, I thought that a bit of light-hearted fare would be nice today, so I bring you BOR Baseball. One year ago yesterday I put up a post about my predictions for the end of the season. I predicted Boston in the AL (not even a sure bet at the time), St. Louis in the NL (an easy one) and several other things I was wrong about (like Chicago getting the NL wild card and the Cards winning the series). Still, I love writing about baseball, so here are my thoughts as the season comes towards a close.

The National League is essentially locked up this year. Just a few weeks ago it looked like another free-for-all was to be had with San Francisco gaining serious ground on San Diego in the dismal NL West and several teams clawing their way to a wild card spot. There is still room for some chaos, but every division except for the West is knotted up and next week’s four game series between the Giants and the Padres should decide who gets to be violated by St. Louis in the first round. San Diego could actually have a losing record for the last 11 games of the season and still beat out the surging Giants if they simply win two of the four games at home against San Francisco and only lose three other games. I think that the Padres will pull it out and be dominated by St. Louis in the NLDS.

There are a lot of Houston fans around here, and they have reason to worry. They are two games up in the wild card race, a respectable lead. However, they close out the season with one more game against Pittsburgh, seven games against the Cubs and two in St. Louis. Philly plays one more against Atlanta, then series against Cincinnati, New York and Washington. Houston’s magic number is nine, so assuming they can beat the Pirates today, break just better than even against the Cubs and drop both games to the Cards at Busch Stadium they’ll be 5-5 for the rest of the season. Philly just has to lose four games, which I think is probable. Houston has been playing lights out ball lately, but Philadelphia isn’t too bad either. Still, I think the Astros are going back to the playoffs.

The division leaders in the East and Central are easy—Atlanta (for the 14th year in a row) and St. Louis (who has already locked in a spot) respectively. Houston will start out against Atlanta, a series that will be tough for both teams. However, I see the resurgent Braves with MVP candidate Andruw Jones taking the ‘Stros. St. Louis will manhandle the Padres or the Giants and I think that the pennant belongs to them again. They are too good a baseball team not to be in the Series.

The NL is boring this year, though. I just took three paragraphs to say what everybody knows: St. Louis wins. The AL is where the action is at, as every single division is up in the air and the wild card is also still in flux.

If the Indians can keep their act up and steal the Central from the team who’s had it since April—the Chicago White Sox—then Chicago will be the Wild Card team. This seems to be a real possibility, as Cleveland gets to face off against cellar dwellers in Kansas City and Tampa Bay and then a three game series against Chicago at home. The White Sox, on the other hand, play four games against Minnesota at home and then travel to Detroit for four games before the road trip to Cleveland. If Chicago breaks even against the Twins (a pretty steep order, in fact) and wins three of four against Detroit (shouldn’t be a problem), and Cleveland can simply win their series against KC and the Devil Rays (those are two teams, not a 70s cover band), the three game series will be the deciding factor. Chicago will HAVE to win two of three to win the division. This would be very difficult on the road against a surging Cleveland team. To be honest, I think that Cleveland wins the Central and Chicago settles for the AL Wild Card.

In the West, the gap between one and two is the same, but the Angels are doing better right now than the White Sox and the A’s aren’t as good as the Indians. The Angels get four more games against Texas (one in Anaheim, three in Arlington), three at home versus Tampa Bay and four in Oakland. Oakland gets three at home versus Texas, three in Seattle and that four game series at home versus Anaheim. As long as Oakland wins both of its series against Texas and Seattle and the Angels don’t sweep both Texas and Tampa Bay, the four game series will be the decider. Oakland will need to win at least three games, and possibly all four to have a shot at the playoffs. I think the order is a little steep for Oakland, and while they might still pull it off, I think this division is Anaheim’s for the taking.

Now we come to my division—the East. I am a fan of the Boston Red Sox, and by extension an enemy of all things Yankee. Last night was a bad night. Boston got beat by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the eighth inning while New York eked one out against Baltimore, putting the Yanks atop the division for the first time in two months. Their lead is only a half game, and the season ends with a three game series between the two teams in Boston. As long as Boston can keep the distance between the two a game or less, Boston should be able to take the division, as Fenway is their saving grace. Guys who play for the Sox know that stadium; they know how to win there. New York plays five games against Baltimore (1 at home, four on the road) and three against Toronto in the Bronx. Boston gets three at Baltimore and four versus Toronto. It’s a steep order for Boston, but I think they can do it. Right now, I’d say it is up in the air. New York is playing great baseball, but Boston has tough players. In the end, I’m going to cautiously (and optimistically) choose Boston for the East. I think that the odds of New York pulling away by more than a game or a game and a half and then winning more than one game at Fenway are less than Boston’s keeping up and then taking them out behind the Green Monster.

Boston, Cleveland, Chicago and Anaheim are now in the playoffs. Boston plays Chicago and Cleveland gets Anaheim. I think that Boston’s home field advantage plays well for them, but Chicago’s superior pitching will make that division series tough. Boston went 4-3 in the series this season, hardly a dominating performance. All the stats point to a very even match up, but pitching rules. As much as it kills me to say it, I think that Chicago edges out Boston in the ALDS. Anaheim versus Cleveland will be another tough one, but Cleveland had momentum and better stats almost across the board. I think Cleveland edges them out. The ALCS versus Cleveland and Chicago will be a good one, it will be a tough one, but in the end I think Chicago will edge out the Indians. Better pitching as well as the confidence and momentum from beating out the Red Sox at home should be enough.

The World Series? Easy—St. Louis beats Chicago soundly and finally gets the Championship it deserves. I love writing about this stuff, and hope y’all all get a chance to watch the phenomenal baseball that is going to be on for the next few weeks.

Texas Wins 51 to 10, OU loses to UCLA

By Damon McCullar

The story to night was defense. The Longhorn's defense scored two defensive touch downs and limited the Owls 5-14 pass completions which resulted in 99 passing yards and 5.8 yards per pass. Texas D also limited the Owls to 110 yards rushing at 2.4 yards per carry. Vince Young is still having trouble in the turnover department. He needs to calm down and not throw junk. He threw one interception and another near miss. Is it too early to buy tickets for the Rose Bowl? Sports comentators are starting to talk about a match up between Texas and USC in the National Championship.

In other Big 12 news, (17)OU was upset 42-24 by UCLA. By the numbers, it should have been a close game. Three turnovers, though, sealed OU's fate. OU is 1-2 for the first time since '97.

Conference play starts for Texas in two weeks, as they have a bye next week. We will see what happens.

When the Saints go marching out?

By Jim Dallas

NPR's All Things Considered ran a story today on the now-homeless New Orleans Saints NFL franchise, which, like many of their fans, is now stranded in Texas. Indeed, the Saints has been a major rallying point for our Louisiana neighbors in crisis. Last weekend, you could tell who the evacuees were because many of them were wearing Saints jerseys.

The Saints will play at least four of their home games in San Antonio (where the team's operation has been relocated) this season. But the end of the season may not be the end of the Saints' odyssey; it is likely that the New Orleans Superdome will be demolished and the same logic that is driving the Saints to schedule home games in Texas (rather than at LSU-Baton Rouge) is going to apply equally next season.

The dialogue on NPR seemed to dance around what, by the end of the segment, had become an obvious question -- what if the Saints are never able to move back to New Orleans (which was already a "marginal" football market)? What then? Will the franchise fold, or will it look to make a permanent home in a new city? At the moment, this is something of an insensitive question, but it is growing more and more pressing as the hope of restoring New Orleans to its former glory dims.

If the answer to that question is the latter, rather than the former -- and as a sports fan I am inclined to believe it is -- then a bidding war between cities for the Saints franchise may be imminent. And if that is the case, San Antonio may want to start thinking about what it might do if the Saints hint they want to stay in the Alamo City on a permanent basis (or prepare to fight other possible contenders -- Los Angeles, despite being a perennial failure in its attempts to hold down a football franchise, is vying to get football back).

FOX Sports analyst John Czarnecki thinks that San Antonio can win this fight:

Everyone's first relocation guess is Los Angeles. The Coliseum there has already offered a rent-free deal for this season. Not the Rose Bowl, the Coliseum. Las Vegas would gladly take the Saints in, too, free of charge. But it could end up being San Antonio, where the Saints will live and practice this week and next prior to their regular-season opener in Carolina.

Owner Tom Benson prefers San Antonio, where he keeps a home. But, according to sources, the league is rethinking this option because this could be the perfect time to literally place a franchise in Los Angeles.

It's an awkward, unfortunate, insensitive thing to say, but it needs to be said: San Antonio city officials should be getting ready to go to war.

Texas vs. Ohio State Predictions

By Phillip Martin

OK, everyone, it's 5:00 on Friday, and I'm officially beginning my countdown to the UT-OSU game tonight. As someone who bleeds orange with the best of them, I'm almost jumping in anticipation for the "Showdown at the Shoe" tomorrow night. Anyone who wants to make a prediction, leave a comment, and we'll see who our BOR sports expert is. If you don't pick UT, I'm going to talk to K-T about banning you from the site.

My pick? UT wins, 26-24.

HOOK 'EM.

Texas Wins 60 to 3, TCU Bests OU

By Damon McCullar

Yep, Texas is off on the right foot this season. Vince Young is looking more solid season this year than last. His throwing game and the receiving was really clickin' tonight. Special teams were a little rocky. Rich McGee missed three extra points. The running game was average and the defense looked solid.

In other news, TCU beat OU 17-10. Looks like OU's dominance in the Red River Shootout is over.

Seven Cheers for Lance

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

One last time, "The Star-Spangled Banner" rang out over the Champs-Elysees in honor of Lance Armstrong.

One last time, on the podium against the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe, the cancer survivor who became the greatest cyclist in Tour de France history slipped into the leader's yellow jersey Sunday. This time, it was the winner's jersey, for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year in the world's most grueling race.

He held his yellow cap over his heart as the American anthem played, and his twin 3-year-old daughters, Grace and Isabelle, wore matching yellow dresses.

"Vive le Tour! Forever," Armstrong said.

Half a Million people in Paris heard from now seven time Tour de France winner and Austinite Lance Armstrong.

I can only imagine what Congress Avenue will be like when he comes home to us. Way to go Lance, you inspire us all.

Texas Finishes Second in Sports Academy Directors' Cup Division I

By Damon McCullar

The University of Texas finished second in the final 2005 Sports Academy Directors' Cup Division I standings for the third time in four years. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, the United States Sports Academy and USA Today present the award annually to the best overall collegiate athletics program in the country. Stanford University won the Cup with 1,209.25 points, while the Longhorns amassed a total of 1,075 points. UCLA finished third with 1,074 points.

During the 2004-05 seasons, Texas won two National Championships, four Big 12 Championships and had 50 athletes earn All-America honors. In addition, of the Longhorns' 20 men's and women's sports, UT qualified a team for NCAA post-season competition in 19 of them. Texas was also the only athletics program to have its football team play in a bowl game, both of its basketball teams reach the NCAA tournament and its baseball and softball teams advance to the College World Series.

The Longhorns were aided by 12 overall Top 10 NCAA Championship finishes. Those Top 10 finishes included: baseball (National Champions), women's outdoor track and field (National Champions), women's tennis (second), softball (third), football (fifth), women's swimming and diving (sixth), men's swimming and diving (seventh), men's outdoor track and field (eighth), women's indoor track and field (ninth), soccer (tied for ninth), volleyball (tied for ninth), men's indoor track and field (tied for 10th).

Important News

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

I have important news. No, not the 5 new Burnt Orange Report writers that have now been selected after a long but thorough process. No, not the fact that the new site is nearly complete and nearing launch. More important than that, it’s made me break my traditional barrier to paying attention to any and all sports.

The Texas Horns has won its sixth title in the College World Series of Baseball.

Sometimes there isn’t much else to say except, Hook ‘Em.

Update: Damn you Jim! Making break my oath to be duplicative!

Horns win College World Series Championships

By Jim Dallas

w00t.

Texas Golf

By Byron LaMasters

Like golf? Like Texas golf? Then check out the Texas Golf blog. I'm not a golfer myself, but I'm sure that some of our readers are golfers... so enjoy.

The end of one season, the beginning of another

By Jim Dallas

Congratulations to the Tar Heels.

And now that basketball Madness is over, I can sit back and try to enjoy baseball:

The first official day of work for the 2005 Astros will unfold before a sold-out crowd that could rival the 43,351 who attended last year's season opener.

Activities begin with an 11 a.m. street festival, pep rally and blood drive outside the ballpark. Gates open at 3 p.m, and pregame ceremonies begin at 5:15 p.m.

From there ... well, we'll see. The only certainty is that it will require more faith, on opening day, to be an Astros fan than was required in 2004, when Houston took the field with prodigal pitchers Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte and an unprecedented burst of confidence from the assembled faithful.

This year, with four new starters in the opening-day lineup and outfielder Lance Berkman on the disabled list, the Astros are popular whipping boys for baseball's chattering classes, who on paper see doom and gloom for 2005.

"I don't know that if I might not have agreed with (critics) before I watched these guys play every day in spring training," said Astros manager Phil Garner. "I think if (critics) saw them play every day, they might have a different opinion.

Time to stop talking and start playing, I guess.

An even lighter note

By Nathan Nance

Being a sports journalist, I have to bring up something silly like sports in the midst discussions on abortion and euthenasia. But it really shouldn't surprise anyone.

My hometown team, the Baylor Lady Bears are playing in Seattle Saturday and were seeded second in the Temepe Regional of the NCAA Tournament. While other newspapers would be content to just send a writer and have him file a story or two every night, the Waco Tribune-Herald is not. Whether it is because I am a blogger and on the staff or someone came up with it on their own, I'll never know (I was away blogging the SxSWi in Austin) but the Trib has started a blog.

It's totally sports oriented and Baylor-centric, but I think it it is worth checking out. We have two great writers there, assistant sports editor Jerry Hill and staff writer John Werner, and if anyone can make it work, it's those two. So visit it over the course of the Tournament and give constructive criticisms.

I will be blogging tomorrow's game as well, but from the comfort of one of my favorite bars in Waco, watching it on a big screen with total WiFi access. Then I'm headed down to Austin to hang out with newfound blogger friends to drink the night away and discuss Democratic politics.

Who's No. 1. We're No. 1!

By Nathan Nance

The Baylor Lady Bears win sole posession of the Big 12 Conference Championship with a 79-69 win over Texas Tech tonight.

Believe me, there is some celebrating in Waco tonight.

Who's No.1?

By Nathan Nance

Politics is all fine and dandy, but we know what's really important: College Women's Basketball.

Tonight, my hometown Lady Bears play Texas Tech for a chance to win the Big 12 Championship outright. The game is being broadcast on FoxSW at 7:30 p.m., and it should be a good one. If Tech wins, then Baylor must share the No.1 spot with Tech and UT.

Now, I'm a big fan of Texas sports. Lord knows I've done my share of cursing out the TV when a bad call was made on the Longhorn football team.

But I can't help but root for my hometown girls to win. It would be such a big boost to the program, especially after last year's stunning loss to Tennessee.

So, I'll be watching to see how badly the Lady Red Raiders get beaten.

Poor Aggies, Part #3

By Byron LaMasters

There's just nothing quite like completely beating the crap out of the Aggies. Fun times... it's just a shame that Adam Gracely didn't get a chance to play. Oh well, maybe next time..

Football metaphors!

By Jim Dallas

Ezra at Pandagon reminds us how to react to the blitz:

Democrats need to learn that this isn't a scored debate, the public isn't an attentive judge marking points and evaluating arguments. This game is about volume, about coverage, and about disruption. You want your message out and your opponent's intercepted. The way to do that is not, is never, to engage their charge and answer its particulars. If their push hurts you, the answer is to punch back with something that hurts them worse and titillates reporters more. Because so long as they set the terms of the debate, we'll never win. So long as we keep ADD'ing away from our arguments and chasing their every talking point, we'll never win. Until we begin ignoring their attacks and focusing on our own, nothing we throw will ever stick. And when they blitz us, the answer is always to rush forward at them, not step back and weigh the merits of their offense.

For centrist Democrats! There's only so many time you can option right before you get sacked with a big loss.

For grassroots Democrats! Ground yardage is often the hardest to pick up; it is earned, not given.

For Democrats generally! Always be watching for the fake punt and the misdirection.

For advertisers! You can't get yards through-the-air if nobody's open.

For the risk averse! The team that wins is the team that succeeds in moving the ball.

#9 Texas 75, #6 Oklahoma State 61

By Byron LaMasters

It's always fun to beat anyone from Oklahoma. Go Horns!

New job

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

I just noticed on CNN/SI that Major Applewhite has been named the quarterbacks' coach at Syracuse today.

Applewhite is like my personal hero. I had a hard time believing that the NFL didn't want such an excellent quarterback and didn't take him the draft. I was also always upset that Chris Simms got more snaps than Applewhite did his senior year.

Anyway, I just thought I would update you all on the progress of the best quarterback ever at the University of texas.

Rooting for the home team

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

Most people who know me, know that I'm a big Texas fan. I practically bleed burnt orange.

But I have to give props to my hometown girls, the Baylor Lady Bears, who are now ranked No. 2 in the AP poll. That, of course, is coming off a win against Texas and LSU's bad week last week. But if anyone deserves to be ranked 2nd, it is Baylor.

The Texas Lady Longhorns are ranked 12th, just ahead of Texas Tech. On the men's side, UT is ranked 10th in the AP poll and 9th in the coaches' poll.

This is a guest post from Nathan Nance. He can be reached at nate_nance@yahoo.com.

Rose Bowl Pictures

By Byron LaMasters

I finally sent myself the cell phone camera pictures that I took at the Rose Bowl. They're tiny, but a few of them turned out.

Here's a few taken at the end of the game after the Longhorn's winning field goal:

Here's pictures of two fourth quarter Longhorn drives:

A third quarter Michigan drive:

And the pregame flyovers:

For some better Rose Bowl pictures, here's some places to check out:

Fanblogs
Boi From Troy
Flickr
Yahoo
Mack Brown Texas Football
Austin American Statesman
Lynxus Domain
Comet-Track
Burnt Orange Fan Zone

That's about all that I can find except for Laura Bush and the President showing their support. Laura got her master's degree at UT, but George? He's no Texas fan. That's a bunch of bull. George's a Yalie, not a Longhorn. We rejected him, but not his daughter. Hehe.

Update: More pictures at Prochein Amy via Trackback.

That's what I get for rooting for Oklahoma

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

I was going to cheer against arch-rival OU, but then I thought "I hate the Trojans and I love the Big 12." Silly me because Oklahoma was spanked 55-19 in the national championship game.

The most interesting BCS game was without a doubt UT-Michigan. I really want my money back on all the others, it just wasn't worth it.

This is a guest from Nathan Nance. He can be reached at nate_nance@yahoo.com.

Rose Bowl Pictures

By Byron LaMasters

There's lots of Longhorn fan pictures from the game at this site.

Rose Bowl Thoughts

By Byron LaMasters

Sorry for the delay in posting on the Rose Bowl, as I've been busy in LA. Going to the Rose Bowl was a phenomenal experience, and the game certainly did not disappoint. Unfortunately, I left my camera in Austin, and my friend forgot to bring his, so I had to resort to trying a few low-quality camera phone pictures. I'll post those later if any of them turn out. Boi From Troy has some good pictures of the scoreboard, the pregame festivities and flyover.

Both Boi From Troy in his post, and the Michigan fans behind us at the game mentioned the "sea of Burnt Orange" at the game. Perhaps some may have thought that Texas fans would be a bit less inclined than Michigan fans to travel out to the Rose Bowl, as this was the first time where Texans participated in the Rose Bowl tradition, previously reserved for Big 10 and Pac 10 teams. But considering that football is like a religion in Texas, I would have been surprised if their had not been a "sea of Burnt Orange" at the Rose Bowl. Overall, Longhorn fans were probably in the slight majority, but both teams were well represented.

As for the game itself, Texas fans can thank Vince Young. Young carried the team on a day where Cedric Benson and the entire defense had a subpar performance - and don't even get me started with the kickoff coverage team. Watching Vince Young run is absolutely dazzling. I had not yet had the opportunity to watch Young in person (only on TV), and he's just a thrill to watch.

The Longhorn defense finally started holding the Michigan offence led by Braylon Edwards and Chad Henne to field goals, and due to poor timeout calling / clock management on Michigan's part, we had the opportunity to kick a winning field goal as time expired. I was sitting in row 13 of the end zone where typically reliable UT kicker Dusty Mangum kicked a wobbly kick that I doubted would make it from the second it left his foot. Somehow, it made it through the uprights, the officials in the endzone raised their hands, and we all went nuts. The Eyes of Texas are upon California (and Michigan).

As for the BCS... well, it sort of worked out this year, except for the fact that Auburn won't have a shot at the national title. Texas proved that it deserved to be in the Rose Bowl, and Cal proved nothing in its loss to Texas Tech. The BCS still needs to be changed in favor of a real playoff system, but for now, I'll just savor a great Longhorn victory and the opportunity to see a damn fine football game.

Cotton Bowl Round-Up

By Jim Dallas

I had a wonderful opportunity to go to the Cotton Bowl in Dallas this morning, between the Aggies and the Tennesee Volunteers.

First time (and probably last) I'll get stuck in the Aggie cheering section and accidentally get caught up in the Aggie War Hymn.

Oh, to think of what would have been had I gone to Aggieland instead of Texas (and, for "mild loud," which is how the crowd was described by my Aggie relatives, the Aggie fans are LOUD.)

Anyway, the old man is a Tennessee alumni and Vol fanatic, so that quickly put the maroon visions to rest.

From Tennessee's second possession onwards, it was pretty much a smack-down, with five Aggie turn-overs (compare that to 8 in the entire regular season) and a lot of missed opportunities. Tennessee (particularly Rick Clausen) played a better-than-average game, and A&M's mistakes coupled with Vol momentum combined to seal the Aggies' fate. By the early fourth quarter Big Orange was up 38 - 0, with the only real question whether the game would end as a shutout (it didn't; the Aggies finally scored a touchdown with about 5 and a half minutes left in the fourth quarter).

Nevertheless, there were a few moments where Reggie McNeal looked pretty formidable, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Ags learned the lessons from this season and shock us all when the fall rolls around. There is a lot of talent on that team, as a whole.

Also, Oklahoma State's coach, Les Miles, is departing for LSU.

I'll let Byron do the wrap on the Rose Bowl, since he's there. But here's the cliff-note version: Texas won on a last-second field goal, 38-37, in a very competitive game. Vince Young rocks. Michigan's freshman QB, Henne, rocks. Cedric Benson almost got hurt in the first quarter, but managed to play well (although the stats would say otherwise).

Rose Bowl Bound

By Byron LaMasters

Happy New Year from California. I just got to my friend's place in West Hollywood, and we have Rose Bowl tickets. Even better, is that my whole Rose Bowl trip so far has just cost $110.50 (although since my father gave me $100 before I left, this has technically cost me a grand whopping total of $10.50). I challenge any other Rose Bowl bound Longhorn to beat that =) It cost me $48 for the airplane ticket after my travel voucher, $62.50 for my Rose Bowl ticket (yeah, it's in the End Zone, but in row 13), and free lodging as I'm with my fabulous friend Sam. Ok, time to shut up and enjoy the New Year. I hope that all of yall are doing the same, and whatever you do, be safe tonight.

Here's to a peaceful and [insert your own Hallmark adjective here] 2005!

Tech Shocks Cal in Holiday Bowl

By Byron LaMasters

The Longhorns will still have to prove on Saturday that we deserved to go to the Rose Bowl, but at the very least, Cal doesn't have much of a case in arguing that they should've gone there after losing to Texas Tech 45-31. Mack Brown can breathe one big sigh of relief tonight, even if what really matters is how his team performs on Saturday. Either way, ya just gotta love this:

Cal had been in position to go to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 46 seasons, but was leapfrogged in the final Bowl Championship Series standings by Brown's Texas Longhorns, who ended up in Pasadena to face Michigan on Saturday.

The day the BCS pairings were released, Cal quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Brown "was a little classless'' for begging for poll votes to help his Longhorns, and that the system was "faulty.''

The Longhorns, by the way, beat Texas Tech 51-21 at Lubbock on Oct. 23.

Texas Tech fans mocked Cal with chants of "Overrated!'' in the closing minutes.

Hehe. Sooo, Aaron, whatcha sayin' about classless there? Huh?

Johnny Oates, R.I.P.

By Byron LaMasters

I guess I'll violate Karl-Thomas's suggestion of waiting until tomorrow to post, but I will at least avoid politics on Christmas Day.

Having grown up a Texas Rangers fan, I was saddened to read in the paper this morning that former manager Johnny Oates had passed away. I've been disillusioned from professional sports for several years now - I'll watch the occasional football or basketball game, but I'd prefer to watch college sports as at least some of them are playing for something other than money. Johnny Oates was one of the very few men in professional sports that did it for all the right reasons. Not for money or power, but because he truly loved baseball and the men he coached - a complete class act. May he rest in peace.

Ah, man that sucks

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

All three NBA Texas teams lost tonight. Dallas lost to the Atlanta Hawks, who are now 5-20, the Spurs lost 93-87 to Orlando, which moves them up to 15-10, and the Rockets lost to the Bobcats 90-87, which gives them their 7th win of the season.

I can't believe my Mavs lost to Atlanta, 113-100. It's depressing and embarrassing. I don't know if I can wear my Dirk jersey with my head held high anymore.

This is a guest post by Nathan Nance. He can be reached at nate_nance@yahoo.com

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

Derrick Johnson won the Bronco Nagurski award for best defensive player of the year today. It wasn't a shock because everyone knows how good Johnson is. I mean, 129 tackles, 19 for a loss, an interception and tying an NCAA record with 8 forced fumbles. That's good, good enough to also get Big 12 defensive player of the year.

I'm sure plenty of people reading this blog like Johnson because he is a Longhorn, but he is also a graduate of Waco High, so our paper is full of stuff about him. And he's a likeable guy. So congratulations and good luck with the Bednarik, Lombardi and Butkus awards Derrick.

This is a guest post by Nate Nance. Nate is a sports/news clerk at the Waco Tribune-Herald and writer/editor of Common Sense a Texas-based Democratic Web log. He can be reached at nate_nance@yahoo.com.