College Confidential

Thursday Night Bender: Reveille Wants To Get Away For A While

A&M just completed coughing up a 14 point lead, twice, to lose against Okie State in Stillwater, 38-35.
This is what young teams do - they play well, they shoot themselves in the foot, they play bad, and they lose.
I thought A&M would barely win. Instead, it barely lost.
A&M showed everything it had, including fighting back when considerably kicked on the road.
But, who cares? The Aggies lost, again.
This is not going to be a fun week for Aggies QB Jerrod Johnson. The Big 12 Preseason QB of the Year at times looked so good on Thursday night, and at other times was unmistakably bad.
He completed 40-of-62 passes for 409 yards with 5 TDs. 
But it was his 4 INTs and lost fumble that was returned for an OSU TD is what people can, and should, remember.
He put the Aggies ahead big. He was a reason they lost the lead. He's the reason they came back to tie the game at 35 with 2:54 remaining. He's the reason that OSU had the chance to win at the end when he threw a wretched pass when his team was near midfield and driving towards a game-winning field goal try. As a senior, Johnson should have seen his receiver was blanketed by several defensive backs and there was nowhere to throw the ball; OSU defender Shaun Lewis easily picked it and returned the ball to set up the game-winning kick.
This is one week after JJ threw four picks against Fla. International at Kyle Field.

We did learn some things about the Aggies on Thursday night.
1. There is something decent here, but the fact is it's a year away.
2. OLB Von Miller is quick off the line, but I'm not a big fan of how wide he goes off tackle to pursue the passer. It could be his ankle, which he injured in Week 1.
3. The Aggies can beat a lot of teams, but they're penchant for beating themselves is going to kill them. I don't expect that to change until next year.
4. The OLine has promise, but true frosh LT Luke Joeckel looks like a true frosh.
5. TE Nehemiah Hicks is going to be a stud.
6. The A&M defense can pressure all it wants, but unless it gets home and gets to the QB their DBs are going to be exposed. No one can hold coverages forever.
7. The Aggies are going to score one major upset.

- Mac Engel

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@MacEngelProf

Jerrod Johnson's Heisman Chances Look As Good as Case Keenum's

Wow ... what else can Aggies QB Jerrod Johnson can do to top this? Another pick? Another fumble? Maybe he can sack himself in the endzone for a safety. This is an almost impressively painful display of self-inflicted error.
Johnson has nine turnovers in the past two games, and this game isn't even over yet.

- Mac Engel

Good Thing We Didn't Say Wrecking Crew

A&M's defense that was so effective in the first half against the Cowboys in Stillwater suddenly looks very '09ish. OSU has scored two early touchdowns to tie the score at 21.

- Mac Engel

We Can't Say "Wrecking Crew" Yet ...

Thoughts from watching A&M's game against Oklahoma State at the half; A&M leads, 21-7

- It's agreed we can't say "Wrecking Crew", but we can agree this defense is not and will not be the massive liability it was in 2009.

- OLB Von Miller still doesn't have a sack, but his pressure in the first quarter was a big reason why Terrence Frederick sacked OSU QB Brandon Weeden and caused a fumble to set up the Aggies' first TD.

- Aggies WR Jeff Fuller is now A&M's all-time career leader in TD receptions with 20.

- Aggies D coordinator Tim DeRuyter has made a huge difference with this team. The Aggies D is continually sniffing out what OSU wants to do.

- Okie State has demonstrated it's 3-0 record and gaudy offensive numbers are more a result of weak competition than reflective of ability. The Cowboys are average.

- Mac Engel

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@MacEngelProf

Would TCU Or Boise State Go Undefeated in the SEC?

Stuff You Can't Live Without In Preparation to Sit And Watch Texas Colleges this Weekend

10. TCU Needs To Start Rolling People Right Now
I can't help it - coach Gary Patterson may revile the idea of style points, but these things are a necessity if you don't play in an AQ league. The TCU-schedule bashing is just beginning, regardless of outcome until the Frogs play Air Force and Utah. The Frogs really need Oregon State to start winning, the same as SMU and Baylor.
Even if that happens, TCU's detractors will start drinking herbal tea to take care of their vocal chords as they dispel the idea that Boise State and TCU would go undefeated in the SEC.
10.45 Would TCU or Boise State Go Undefeated in the SEC?
The question is valid. The answer is probably no. How do we know that? Because few teams, if ever, do in that semi-pro conference. But ...
10.34 I'm Tired of This Argument
In some leagues the conference schedule is weaker than other years. Take, for instance, the Big 12. The conference appears slightly down this season, so would TCU or Boise State go undefeated against the Big 12 this season? Given how UT, TT, A&M look, I wouldn't say no. Or what about The Big East or ACC? No one can convince me that this Boise State team or that TCU team could not run the table in those pretender leagues this season. You can throw Utah in the conversation, too, when it comes to winning the Big East or ACC.
10.01 Calm Down - This Isn't a Rip Job on TCU or Boise
Only a very few teams can go undefeated in a football season, in any conference, in any league. This is strictly a percentages argument.

9. The Save Todd Dodge's Job March Must Include a Win Saturday
The Mean Green are coming off a big win last week against Florida Atlantic on the road; they are home this week against 1-2 Louisiana-Lafayette. UNT is a 4.5 favorite this week. UNT is 4-3 against La-Laf. but lost the last two at Fouts Field.
9.433 QB Riley Dodge Really Needs to Run Out of Bounds More, or Just Be Willing to Eat Sacks.
The Mean Green are down to its third QB - Dodge. If he goes down, it will be up to SO Chase Baine.

8. SMU Can Begin To Make a Push To Win C-USA.
The Ponies are better than I thought. That doesn't mean they're great, but they have a decent core that should only improve. Expect them to handle Rice easily this Saturday. SMU's "big" game will be on Oct. 23 against a Houston team that has plenty of reasons to quit, but hasn't.
8.01 It's Been A Long Time Since SMU Opened a Conference Season 3-0.
If the Ponies win this game, they will, and their next game against Tulsa, they will be 3-0 in a conference season for the first time since 1986. This 3-0 is a lot cheaper than that 3-0, too.

7. UTEP Is Going to Save Mike Price
The head coach of the Miners was thought to be pretty much fired before the season started. But the Miners are going to be 4-1 after they beat a winless New Mexico team on Saturday on the road. Now, if the Miners lose, fire up the "Fire Mike" talk.
7.45 Expect the Miners' O to be Better
SR QB Trevor Vittatoe has been decent, but the return of RB Donald Buckram from a preseason bruised knee injury could make the Miners a threat to the top spot of the conference. He played last week for the first time this season and rushed 13 times for 59 yards.

6. TT Needs to Open a Venti Sized Container Of Whoop A#@ in Ames
The Red Raiders are at a season-defining juncture over these next two weeks - at Iowa State and against Baylor in Dallas. TT is 5-1 against ISU in Ames since the two teams joined the Big 12.
Tech needs to win these next two games to dispel the notion, which I firmly believe, that the Red Raiders are down and headed for a major transition period.
A loss in either two games and the good people in Lubbock and across Red Raider Land may quickly tire of TubberBall.

- Mac Engel

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@MacEngelProf

Texas-OU: Scouting the State Fair - No To Deep Fried Cookie Dough

Tried the Deep Fried Cookie Dough (left) last night at the Texas State Fair. Skip it. As much as I heart fried food, the Deep Fried Oreo and Deep Fried Snickers are better. And better for you. I'm sure the caloric intake of the Deep Fried Cookie Dough is only slightly better than a 24-piece McNugget meal with super size fries and a 44-oz. Diet Coke (don't want those extra calories).
It's a painfully heavy and chewy experience, yet I managed to eat just about all three.
But having kept a promise to only indulge in one deep fried cuisine I made a rather large mistake of passing on the Deep Fried Beer (below).
The two dudes who ordered it said it definitely tastes like beer, and that it was good. It's a small-shaped pastry with beer inside. And because that's not enough calories, they drop melted cheese over the top.
As David Letterman once said of Deep Fried Butter, "This is why people hate us."

- Mac Engel

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Big 12 future football schedules set

Big 12 officials have announced the league's future conference football schedules, which will feature a nine-game round-robin schedule for all league teams, effective next season.

The announcement came today and there are some selected situations where league teams will be playing in an opponent's stadium for two consecutive seasons. Examples: Texas Tech is at Oklahoma this season and again in 2011 before the Sooners make their next visit to Lubbock in 2012. Oklahoma plays at Oklahoma State this season and again in 2011.

For Tech, the schedule switch means that -- effective in 2012 -- the Red Raiders will have home games against Texas and Oklahoma in the same season in even-numbered years. Tech will have a home game against A&M in odd-numbered years.

For Texas and Texas A&M, the future schedule tweaks were minimal. And all schedules remain fluid, pending the desires of TV networks to move games to different dates. As things stand, the new schedules released today do not include games on the first Saturday in December, when most other leagues wil be playing conference championship games.

Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe said he anticipates moving one or more games to that December slot on an annual basis to maximize exposure and the value of television rights agreements. 

To find your favorite team's future schedule, follow one of these links:

Additional information on the schedule building process behind today's announcement: 

http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&ATCLID=204998673&DB_OEM_ID=10410

 

Future conference football schedules for all Big 12 teams are available at:

http://www.big12sports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10410&ATCLID=1522978

 

 

James Marsden Went to Okie State But Take A&M's Martha Madison To Win

Week 5 of the college football season begins tonight with Validation Thursday in Boone Picken's Playground: Texas A&M (3-0) vs. No. 24 Okie State (3-0). In case you live under a rock, which if you do what do you pay in property tax?, the game starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be carried by the four lettered. This may be reason for me to use the DVR and delay watching 30 Rock.
Both teams got fat off Twinkie schedules. Both teams have big time runners in OSU's Kendall Hunter and A&M's Christine Michael. Both teams are looking to prove their records are for real. Both teams have coaches who are feeling some heat.
Both schools feature "pretty people" celebrities as alums; OSU has actor James Marsden and A&M features soap star Martha Madison. (Go with MM)
As much as A&M's Oline worries me, I'm going with Aggies D-coordinator Tim DeRuyter to hit the "kill switch" and for the Aggies defense to be able to make some positive plays.
Vegas has OSU favored by 3 points, but I say the Aggies win ... barely.

- Mac Engel

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It Takes a TCU Showgirl 90 Minutes To Get Ready

WEEK 5: CHEERLEADER CHAT

Name: Leah Colburn, TCU Showgirl
Age: 19
Year: Sophomore
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Houston
Favorite Color: Green
Glee or Reality TV?: GLEEEE
Favorite word: Azerbaijan
Favorite workout song: Untouched by the Veronicas

Mac Engel: What do you want to be when you grow up?
Leah Colburn: I have always wanted to be in the medical profession ranging from Vet to Doctor; I knew medicine was right for me.

ME: Did you play sports before going into cheerleading?
LC: I have played many sports such as volleyball, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics, but I have been dancing since I was 2 and a half.

ME: What's the worst injury you've sustained performing?
LC: Performing a tap dance, I rolled my ankle so badly I blacked out and it still acts up today.

ME: As a rule of thumb, are cheerleaders high maintenance?
LC: YES, but not as high maintenance as their moms :)

ME: How long does it take for you to get ready to go out?
LC: It depends on whether or not I have to shower.  Without showering I can be ready in 20-30 minutes, but with showering I'll take about an hour to an hour and a half.

ME: How long does it take for you to get ready to go to class?
LC: I've got the routine down to about 15-20 minutes

ME: How long does it take for you to get ready before performing?
LC: Before games, it usually takes me about an hour and a half!

ME: Are those outfits you all wear as uncomfortable as they look?
LC: Oh yes they are, at least in my opinion there is only one comfortable outfit we wear.

ME: Does it ever feel weird being stared at?
LC: Well, at games it's not very weird because that is what we are there for, but when walking through campus randomly in Showgirl hair, make-up and outfit, the staring can get awkward.

ME: You all wore those cool "TCU" boots made by Justin in the Fiesta Bowl - did you get to keep them, and do you get to keep the outfits you wear and other stuff?
LC: I have them in my closet right now! They are custom fit to our feet so no one else can wear them! Right now I only wear them for games, but when I graduate, those will be my official TCU gameday shoes.

ME: What is the hardest part about being a cheerleader?
LC: The time commitment. During football season we only have two days out of the week that don't have showgirl requirements.  It can become frustrating, especially freshman year, when your friends can get together all the time and go out while you are working your butt off at practice!

ME: Time to show us how smart you are by picking games.
ME: Florida at Alabama
LC: Alabama

ME: Oklahoma vs. Texas
LC: Oklahoma

ME: TCU at Colorado St.
LC: TCU

ME: Boise St. at New Mexico St.
LC: Boise...yuck

ME: Stanford at Oregon
LC: Oregon

ME: Kansas at Baylor
LC: Baylor

ME: Any last words of advice to the little girls out there who want to be cheerleaders?
LC: Keep pushing and practicing, but the most important thing is believe in yourself and have confidence!

- Mac Engel

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@MacEngelProf

TCU People Wary of Moving East

Several members of the TCU athletic department staff expressed trepidation over a potential move to The Big East.
The trepidation is that TCU has figured out how to be wildly successful in the MWC in every sport but men's basketball, and a shift to a new conference will mean another adjustment and transition period. One coach told me there are no guarantees that the level of success the school has attained in one league will translate to another.
As far as geographically speaking, people at TCU didn't express much feeling either way regarding long flights. For more than a decade, TCU teams have grown accustomed to the idea of flying to places such as Louisville, Hawaii, Fresno and Laramie for conference games.
There is a feeling given the way the MWC is getting ready for a large shakeup that should an invitation be extended by the Big East that TCU would have no choice to not only think long and hard about it, but likely accept.
When the MWC began moving, it had on its hands a football lineup likely on par with the Big East, at least. It looked like it had a conference good enough to qualify for AQ status with the BCS. It was a schedule that included TCU, Boise State, Utah, BYU and Air Force. But then BYU announced it was suddenly Notre Dame, and Utah left for the Pac 10's millions. Suddenly a conference that had three non-AQ BCS teams wasn't looking so dominant. Despite the recent additions of Fresno State and Nevada, losing Utah and BYU hurt.
TCU wants to be in an AQ league, and the Big East offers such a description. The Big East has eight football teams, and wants a ninth for scheduling. Villanova, which is a member of the Big East's loaded and deep basketball conference, has been mentioned as the additional team. Villanova's football team is currently one of the top programs in the FCS (I-AA) level.
But 'Nova could be a problem.
In men's and women's basketball, the Big East already has 16 teams. Adding TCU would be a wrench to that schedule. The conference would have to add another school as well to make the basketball side work.
And then there is the issue of continuity. If TCU leaves the Mountain, it would be the fifth conference the school has been affiliated with since 1995 - Southwest Conf., WAC, CUSA, MWC and then the Big East.

- Mac Engel

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@MacEngelProf