another booger eater joins Chase Daniel

When you are in attendance at ANY event that is on national TV - it should not have to be pointed out to you that there are cameras live all over the pace - and that the intertubes are ready and waiting to be sure your booger eating is on display for all eternity...

I'm just doing my part to educate the masses:



This fella joins Chase Daniel as 2007 "Caught on Tape" booger eaters...congratulations to both of you on your achievement.

http://ramblingraiders.blogspot.com/2007/10/hard-hitting-mizzou-preview.html

there's no crying in football people

Christmas YouTube Dump

CBS Gator Bowl Preview:



Thanks to skattershooting for uploading this gem from the 5A Division I State Final game:



That's Jim Rackley at his best - and his worst. Having grown up in the shadows of D W Rutledge and Jim Rackley I can tell you that is a normal day on the sidelines for The Rack.

Emily Jones was flustered. I know some of our readers are taken with Emily - sorry that this video doesn't reveal some of her best features.

But Saturday was Trinity's day, as the Trojans came away with a 13 - 10 win.

Will I apologize?

When something is not a failure but a success and you call it a failure...well that may deserve an apology.

How about when you call something a failure but...

Nevermind...

I called Brian Mayes out and he couldn't tell me the I Like Mike fund was working on spending the money charitably. He feared that it would give away the surprise of the event and I can understand that.

The I Like Mike Fund was not a failure.

While I don't regret calling Brian to the carpet and asking for a little accountability, it turns out my timing was just dreadful and now I have a bit of egg nog on my face.

No biggie. It won't be the last time that will happen I'm sure. I think Brian handled all this pretty well and so I apologize to him for being an ass.

So - to the real story at hand. The I Like Mike Fund raised about $5000 and worked with the Tech coaching staff to use that money to purchase food for the less fortunate and they distributed that food on Saturday.

"It doesn't surprise me that coach Leach would not take the money to pay his fine,'' Mayes said. "This really was always a symbolic gesture to tell coach Leach that, We appreciate your passion for the university. This is our way of showing our passion for you as a coach.' ''

Leach called today's event "a chance to enjoy the holiday season with our fans and those less fortunate than us.''

"We've got great support here,'' Leach said. "Our fans show a lot of commitment to us. We wanted to show our commitment to them, so together we're committed like the pig.''

Mayes said that he plans to keep the fund drive open and wants to use donations for other charitable purposes on an annual basis. Some of the money left over this year, he said, will be used to help send underprivileged children to a Tech game next season.

You gotta love Mike Leach getting in a poke at the commitment of the pig. That guy is a sound bite machine. You also have to love it that Coach would take time out of his busy schedule to deliver the goods himself. He could have easily asked that the money be donated to the Food Bank or to a shelter - but he got in there and went to work himself.

As other fans from rival teams come read these pages - we know this is just one example of why we fight to keep Coach Leach in Lubbock. Even with all his warts - he's a hard working guy - and a man that connects with the fans and the students personally. May he remain at Tech for a very long time.

So again - I look like the Grinch and Brian Mayes looks good - although it's clear his intent was never to trumpet his own name. I hope you continue to come back and read the blog every now and then Brian, maybe one day our paths will cross IRL and I can buy you the beverage of your choice.

Let's not forget that the real winners are a bunch of folks who got a little extra to eat over a cold Christmas weekend, and let's not forget to thank those that gave.

We here at DT! wish all of you a Merry Christmas! Please be safe out there.

(Even if you are a Big 12 official.)

Manny to see game action?

Detroit Free Press

Injuries may provide an opportunity for Manny to get some playing time in the upcoming Lions game against the Chiefs on Sunday:

"Mulitalo on Friday was listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Chiefs at Ford Field. Marinelli said if Mulitalo is out, Blaine Saipaia and Ramirez likely will rotate at left guard. Ramirez was a fourth-round pick out of Texas Tech this year. "He's tough from what we saw. He's been tough all year," Marinelli said. "That's what we liked about him. He's a good pass-blocker ... and he's worked hard. He's got the mental makeup."

I hope those with Sunday ticket will get us an update on how Manny does - we wish you the best big guy - Wreck 'em.

Checking up on the Cavaliers

No, not LeBron's - the Cavs in Virginia...

Looks like The Sabre has found some Mike Leach material and we encourage all of The Sabre's readers to come to DiscoTech! and use our search function to find all kinds of Mike Leach craziness.

Looks like they haven't found Mike Leach as the weatherman - that will be fun.

Here's just one of our posts on The Head Pirate (aka TSO) for your enjoyment:

http://ramblingraiders.blogspot.com/2007/05/mike-leach-compendium.html

Al Groh probably isn't good at chess

The former Tech coach loves to wear his sweatshirts
with the sleeves pushed up to the elbows

...that's not the reason he's probably not a chess player - it's just something I noticed when looking for pics of him...


Coach had his pre-Gator Bowl practice press conference on Tuesday. Several Virginia area media outlest were there to cover the event and share their take on Virginia's preparation for the bowl matchup against the Red Raiders.

After reviewing these articles, Coach Groh may need to take a course in strategery from GWB.

From the News and Advance in Lynchburg, Virginia:

Kansas State coach Ron Prince, a UVa assistant for five seasons, figured to be a good source on Texas Tech. Not so. Despite being in the Big 12, Prince's Northern Division Wildcats have not faced the Southern Division Red Raiders in either of his two years in Manhattan. They do next year, however.

"I told him, 'This is screwy,'" Groh joked. "'They're in your conference and we're going to be able to help you more than you can help us.'"

Coach.

Use the internet much? I'm sure you and Coach Prince had a nice visit and all - but you could have learned that K-State is "off-rotation" from any number of wonderful places call "internet sites."

The News and Advance does a good job recapping Coach Groh's short stay in Lubbock and the circumstances that brought him through town:

One of the many stops in Groh's career was at Texas Tech, where he was a linebacker coach for Rex Dockery in 1980. As has been the case throughout his career, it had a lot to do with Bill Parcells.

Groh was Parcells' defensive coordinator at Air Force from 1978-79 before Parcells left to be defensive coordinator for the New York Giants.

That prompted Groh to join Dockery's staff in Lubbock in 1980. Dockery, who was the Red Raiders' head coach from 1978-80, had been the schools offensive coordinator prior to that. The defensive coordinator at that time? Bill Parcells.

Dockery left for Memphis State in 1981 and Groh was hired by former West Point coaching pal John Mackovic to be Wake Forest's defensive coordinator. But Mackovic left two months later to be the Dallas Cowboys' quarterback coach, making Groh the Deacons' head coach. He was there from 1981-86 and went 24-40.

Back to Groh's pursuit of defensive strategy...this time from The Roanoke Times:

Virginia football coach Al Groh has no better source for information about pass-happy opponent Texas Tech than his old University of North Carolina coaching colleague, Gary Darnell.

Darnell is in his second season as Texas A&M's defensive coordinator but he's a little busy right now.

Darnell is serving as the Aggies' interim head coach for their Alamo Bowl matchup with Penn State.

"When I spoke to him, it was, 'OK, I've got a couple of minutes,'" said Groh, who said Darnell told him, 'I'd like to talk to you some more but we've got to go to practice.'

"I'm waiting for the return phone call. It's a little bit overdue from when it was promised. What would appear to be our best resource is not cashing in yet."

Okay Virginia. Since you haven't figured out how to find our schedule online, let DT! help you out with the result of Darnell's defensive strategy against Tech:

Here's the boxscore in case you missed it.

I thought you said that Virginia needed to keep Texas Tech from scoring points? Here's a tip Gary Kasparov can get on board with: Coach Darnell may not be the guy to ask about keeping Tech out of the endzone.

Finally someone in the Big 12 did give Al Groh some advice - and while this coach was not mentioned by name - I wonder if Coach Groh finally decided to call someone that actually played Tech and *gasp* maybe even beat us...

From HamptonRoads.com:

Among the suggestions Virginia coach Al Groh has heard from friends in the business on how to slow the Texas Tech offense is this one, provided by an unnamed colleague who has faced the Red Raiders:

“He said his plan was to put the best basketball players on the field that he had,” Groh said Tuesday.

I would rank this just ahead of whatever Coach Darnell might actually suggest. Basketball players might be fun to play against.

Charlottesville's CBS affiliate has their broadcast video available featuring the mighty Groh at the mic...

Maybe the weird strategy of dial-a-coach is partly responsible for Groh ending up on Stewart Mandel's list of "5 Worst Football Coaches." Mandel wrote this piece before the season kicked off (it was published 7/11/07) and so it's interesting now to see how prescient most of the list is...

#2? Coach Fran.
#4? Coach Doba @ Washington State
#5? Karl Dorrell

His "Just Missed" section includes Bill Callahan, Chan Gailey and Houston Nutt.

Stewie definitely swings and misses after excellent performances this season by Coach Groh, Tommy Bowden, and Ron Zook.

DT! Heather Dinich of ESPN.com reports on the loot that the bowl participants will be given this year. The Konica Minolta will be handing out Oakley Thumps to all the players. That's a $200 gift. Not a Nintendo Wii (BCS Championship Game, Holiday and Poinsettia) or an iPod Touch (Las Vegas Bowl). But it's no commemorative watch.

DT! The LA Times released their rankings and picks of bowl games today. The Gator clock in at the 12th most intriguing matchup. Just ahead of the Alamo and just behind BC versus Michigan State in the Champs Sports Bowl. Good grief. I'm concerned I might be taken to the ER by my wife to get me out of a coma if I watch the Champs Sports Bowl.

DT! I don't know who Chip Ramsey is, but I like this line:

Texas Tech scores like an oilman in a cat house with a roll of $100 bills. Virginia had a nice season, but really. Take Texas Tech.

Wreck 'em.

Not his best side...

Maybe it's a bad camera angle or the lighting...

Your captions are welcome in the comments area...

Everybody's All American

I couldn't keep track of all of these different teams - I hope these links and a special spreadsheet I put together help out...

AP also notes in their press release:

The last freshman to be an AP All-American was Oklahoma running back Adrian Peterson in 2004.

Sporting News

AFCA

AFWA

Walter Camp


Because I'm a visual learner - I created this document for you - hope it helps you sort through the maze of All American Teams and the rare company that Michael Crabtree has joined this year.

Only seven players made all five All-American first teams. While I have no idea about this from a historical perspective - it is nonetheless an incredible achievement. When you look over the list you'll see some players that were omitted from only one list (Matt Ryan instead of Tim Tebow say the Coaches Association......really?) and so can't make the claim to be on all 5 lists.

Some players only made one list - but clearly are incredible players - I think Xavier Adibi is amazing and yet can't believe he's only made one First Team...

Thanks to Seth for showing me that Google Documents is cool and easy...


EDIT: Reader noted that Sedrick Ellis of USC was named to all 5 teams as well - I need an editor...Thanks for the fix.

Crabtree and Harrell awards, ranking the bowls, etc

DT! More plaudits for Mr. Crabtree (and the first for Graham Harrell):

Red Raiders.com

Crabtree was named Freshman of the Year and he received the Paul Warfield Award, like the Biletnikoff, given annually to the nation's top receiver.

Crabtree joins Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell as an honoree of The Touchdown Club of Columbus. Harrell was awarded the Sammy Baugh Trophy as the nation's top quarterback. He is the third Tech quarterback to receive the award, after Kliff Kingsbury in 2002 and B.J. Symons in 2003.

All of the post season awards are wonderful and have already raised the profile of the program, recruiting is seeing a definite improvement already, and all I want for Christmas is a Big 12 Championship.

A true test awaits Crabtree in the Gator Bowl and next year. The target will be n his back - and he will get measured for a new hat size - let's all hope that it's the same hat size he wore in the Spring of 2007.

DT! I didn't do it - but this outfit did...

South Carolina's "The State"

Gator Bowl clocks in at #15 - I haven't had much time to think about other bowls that might be more exciting...

Just thought you guys might want to see it...

DT! Brian Mayes has asked me to contact him in the comments section of the post below. Brian, in case you couldn't tell I already contacted you. I'm asking you to contact me.

Of course whatever you tell me will be reported here immediately, so why don't you craft a communication in your own words and send it to me. That way I can't be accused of bending the facts.

You've brought yourself into the public forum - and need to be accountable.

Dear Brian Mayes,

An exercise in self-gratification

How's that "I Like Mike Fund" going?

One of the things I'm really a big fan of is accountability. You can't just go sending off press releases - getting your idea promoted by the likes of ESPN and The Dallas Morning News and then expect that we would just forget?

Those major media outlets have moved on - the "I Like Mike Fund" is of no interest to them - they're busy with bowl games and NFL Playoffs and whatnot...

Not me.

You got some 'splaining to do, Lucy.

So let me do some guessing and see how close I am - and if I'm wrong - you send me an e-mail to the blog - make sure you send that to discotechblog@gmail.com.

Let's start:





How close am I?

Please tell me I missed the press release you sent about the planned picture with coach Leach and yourself holding a big check.

Now, please tell me you sent everyone their money back.

And tell me Plains National Bank has helped you in this effort. Nice deal on their part getting a little free publicity. PNB has been a big supporter of Tech over the years - so they should be first in line to be sure that no Tech alumni were harmed in the making of this farce.

So Brian, tell me I'm wrong.

We're waiting.

Wes Welker and The Masked Rider

Want to read a short biography? I should note that it is a well written biography. Jim McCabe of the Boston Globe brings us a great story about Wes and his rise to prominence and nationwide man-crush status (Link to NY Times blogger Mark St. Amant).

I should also note that it's a bit long - so grab a beverage and enjoy.

Yes Welker

Oh Wes, we knew you when.

My favorite bit of McCabe's article:

In his four years at Heritage Hall, Welker had scored 90 touchdowns in an assortment of ways - 53 on the ground, 27 on passes, 7 on punt returns, and 3 on interceptions. For good measure he had added 35 field goals, 165 extra-point kicks, and four 2-point conversions. Use your fingers, toes, and calculator, and you'll get 818 points in 49 games, an average of 16.7 per. Oh, and by the way, as a defensive back he made 190 tackles, had 22 interceptions, and 9 fumble recoveries.

Is that all?

Now - about the Masked Rider...

Kevin Burns happens to be Seth's man-crush at the moment - and he may have already commented on this in my absence...

Kevin Burns "Sanctioned" by Masked Rider Advisory Committee...

For those that haven't been keeping up - years ago this same committee deemed it unsafe to ride across the Jones at full tilt with the reins in your mouth and not in your hands. I can understand that. Last thing we want is to lose a Masked Rider. I get the felling Kevin's a better horseman than that though.

I think Kevin's legend grows as his mustache does. Anyone that saw him on national TV busting tail across the field with his guns up - well that was just awesome.

The man in the black hat...the lawman who breaks all the rules and steals all the ladies hearts...

Kevin Burns is trouble.

"Tell them I'm comin'! And Hell's comin' with me! You hear?!? Hells' comin' with me!"

Crabtree - Consensus All-American

From RedRaiders.com:

Texas Tech wide receiver Mike Crabtree on Friday achieved consensus all-America status with his inclusion on The Sporting News all-America team.

Consensus status is conferred players who make a majority of the five teams recognized by the NCAA — The Associated Press, The Sporting News, the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and the Walter Camp all-America team.

Crabtree, who leads the nation in catches (125), yards (1,861) and receiving touchdowns (21), has made each of the first three all-America teams that have been released. The AP and Football Writers will announce their teams next week.

Crabtree is Tech’s eighth consensus all-American, according to athletic department research. The others are center-linebacker E.J. Holub (1959-60), wide receiver Dave Parks (1963), running back Donny Anderson (1964-65), defensive tackle Gabe Rivera (1982), punter Mark Bounds (1991), linebacker Zach Thomas (1995) and defensive end Montae Reagor (1998).

Also on Friday, Tech defensive tackle Colby Whitlock and linebacker Brian Duncan were named to freshman all-American teams by CollegeFootballNews.com. Whitlock was a second-team honoree and Duncan a third-team choice.

Congrats Crab. Now go help the team get a Big 12 title.

The Texas Tech Connection

It's really amazing how many connections there are to be made. Especially out of DFW.

Really - as I've contributed to this blog - even over the short time we've done it - I have become more aware of the influence that Texas Tech has had on people. How so many amazing people have come through Lubbock and go on to other endeavors. As Techsans we really do bear our banner far and wide.

While I was away I made a few jobs through various airport terminals. Only a week ago today - I met a college football legend in person. Once again I was humbled. Humbled by his grace and his charisma. And humbled because I really know so little about Texas Tech.

I was at DFW at our C Terminal gate reading my magazine as I noticed an older fellow and his wife sit in front of me and my wife. When someone is wearing a throwback jacket with "SBC Cotton Bowl" embroidered on it - and a rolling suitcase with the same logo on it - well, I pay attention.

I knew his face but couldn't place it right away - and this was going to kill me so I had to get some more clues. Clue number one was the big ring on his right hand - a championship ring of some sort - with a green rock in the center. Okay - I THINK I know who it is - because I'm not gonna make a fool of myself - I may be flying American, but I'm not a total idiot.

So when we are boarding the plane, I happen to board in one of the first groups - this fella is in the later groups. I sit on the aisle so that I might get the final clue, and as he rolls on by, I read the name on his luggage tag and confirm that I was right...

It dawns on me - I think I'm the only sonovabitch on this plane that knows who this guy is! Shazaam - I know I am the only guy on the plane who knows who this guy is!

So do I bother him? I don't want to. I have a history of acting very un-James Bond when I'm around guys like this. Maybe one day I'll tell the Tim Duncan story - on the other hand maybe I should just keep that one to myself...

Anyhow - the plane lands and we're at baggage claim - I reach for my cell phone which is in my left pants pocket and tell my wife that I'm going to snap some photos - she tells me I'm nuts - we spent all that money on that NICE camera - I better use that one...but I still haven't decided if I'm going to "bother" him.

Fate intervenes.

His luggage is passing right in front of me as he makes it to the conveyor belt. He's clearly miffed that he's going to have to wait for it to make the round again...I know I would be as well.

So here goes...I make eye contact with him and suggest non-verbally that I'll get the luggage for him. He's clearly thankful.

So as he approaches me he tells me "Thanks. I appreciate that."

BJB: "My pleasure - it's an honor really. I'm pretty sure I'm the only guy in this airport that knows who you are - would you mind if I got a picture with you?"

Legend: "Not at all. Would be happy to."

BJB: "You don't mind if I wear this hat do you?"

Legend: "Not at all, after all, I coached at Texas Tech you know. Even got my first coaching job coaching at Lubbock High. My wife is a Tech graduate and was head cheerleader at there."

BJB with jaw on floor: "Did you know ____ _____? He's my uncle and was head coach at Lubbock in High in the 19__s."

Legend: "Of course - you uncle is a good man - and a good coach."

And so on and so forth as we discuss why he's made this trip - and what we're up to. What a pleasure it was to meet Grant Teaff.

Grant Teaff. I got to meet Grant Teaff. As soon as I got home I pulled up his bio at the College Football Hall of Fame site:

Grant Teaff played football in the 1950's at Snyder, Texas High School, San Angelo junior College, and McMurry College. He was a center and was team captain at all three levels-high school, junior college, and senior college. In later life he was a famous speaker, and he often said "I fell in love with football. At age 14 I said my life goal was to be a football coach." A football coach indeed. Grant Teaff had this record: 1956 assistant coach Lubbock Texas High School, 1957-59 assistant McMurry College, 1960-65 head coach McMurry, 1966-1968 assistant Texas Tech, 1969-71 head coach Angelo State, 1972-92 head coach Baylor. He was 23-35-2 in 6 years at McMurry, 19-11 in 3 years at Angelo State, 128-105-6 in 21 years at Baylor. His total for 30 years: 170-151-8. The Baylor job earned him national recognition. When he arrived, the Bears were considering dropping out of division I football. In 5 years they had won only 7 games while losing 43. Teaff persuaded them to keep trying. His team won two southwest Conference titles and were in 8 bowl games. He was named the conference Coach of the Year 6 times and in 1974 was national Coach of the year. He was chosen 12 times to coach in post-season all-star games - the East-West Shrine Game, Blue Gray Game, Hula Bowl, and Japan Bowl. Teaff served one year as Baylor director of athletics. In 1993 he joined the American Football Coaches Association as executive director. In this job he continued his impact on the game of football and the way it is coached and administered.

On another note - I learned this week that a former Texas Tech coach will be walking the sidelines as the enemy on January 1 in Jacksonville - Al Groh.

From Al Groh's bio at VirginaSports.com:

From 1973-77, Groh served as an assistant at North Carolina where he coached Lawrence Taylor, whom he later coached with the Giants. He joined Parcells at Air Force in 1978 as defensive coordinator before moving to Texas Tech in 1980 and becoming head coach at Wake Forest in 1981.

Interesting that there is also a Bill Parcells connection as well since Bill Parcells was also at Tech.

I'm thinking DT! may need to work on a Texas Tech coaching tree - that would be quite an undertaking - but it sure would be fascinating.

Crabtree is a happy guy

Away for a few weeks...

...I come back and you guys have Coach packed and shipped off to UCLA and/or Arkansas...

I doubt it...

More to come later - I have a good story to share.

Glad to be home again...

Surf's Up for Coach Leach?

Tech's new promo piece...

Back from the Holiday

1974 Peach Bowl
Texas Tech 6 - Vanderbilt 6

Want to impress your friends and make yourself more attractive?

Of course you do.

So I found the key - coacheshotseat.com

A seriously great site dedicated to the pursuit of "Who's next in line to get the axe?"

At the blog portion of the site they give good insight to the reports that Mike Sherman may be the next Aggie HC:

Could Texas A&M actually be about to hire Mike Sherman as their new head football coach? If they are, then the people involved in this decision have a basic misunderstanding of what faces a college football coach in 2007. If A&M wanted a guy with no personality, someone not very dynamic on the recruiting trail, and a person that is totally out of sync with what being an Aggie is all about, then they could have kept on Dennis Franchione.

In Harris’ story he lists the final 3 candidates as Bob Davie, Chris Peterson, and Mike Sherman. Bob Davie? Davie was 32-25 at Notre Dame, which is a place where you have to work to not win 9 games a year. Chris Peterson? Would Chris Peterson actually consider the A&M job, or was his name just thrown into the mix to make it look like this was a thorough search. If Peterson was indeed a candidate, and would take the job, then A&M would have been hitting a home run, because he is exactly the type of guy that A&M should be hiring at this moment in time.

Then you get to the last name, Mike Sherman. Mike is a great guy, he had a nice run at Green Bay, but he has not coached in college since 1996, and that might as well be 1976 with the way the game has changed in the last 10 years. If indeed Mike Sherman is hired at A&M, it would be fascinating to find out the reasons that he got the job, and just who inside the A&M power structure championed Sherman.

Agreed, from my perspective.

And then news from ESPN that AD Tom Osbourne would like to bring back "smash mouth football" (my words) and makes a nice little underhanded right hook at ex-coach Callahan:

Callahan junked Osborne and Solich's triple-option for the West Coast offense, and the Huskers seemed to lose their hard edge. Under Osborne and Solich, some of the most ferocious hitting occurred on the practice field. Under Callahan, practices in full pads were uncommon.

Osborne said he also wants the new coach to embrace the atmosphere, which means showing respect for the program's past, being visible and building the trust of fans and players.

"You want somebody whose word is good," Osborne said. "It's very important in recruiting that the players trust you. That what you tell them is going to happen.

"You want somebody that knows football and has a good work ethic. You want somebody that can motivate. Some people know football, but they really don't get people to play hard for them. Again, I'm not saying that's the case [with the previous staff]. But you've got to get players to play hard."

Those years as a politician have served Tom well - he's "not saying" that the previous staff was a pile of horse crap - but they sure smelled like it didn't they Tom?

No word on the Baylor job - the media in Waco have not been able to create the frenzy they were hoping for I suppose. Lord, if the hire Glen Mason and his electric iron-on teeth I'll have a lol-fest the size of the Insight Bowl.

Maybe some of you recruiting junkies can tell me if any of the recruits mentioned in this article could switch to Tech from Baylor - and if they would improve our class...

An old SWC matchup will be re-kindled at the behest of Jerry Jones and his pocketbook - I never really took the time to form an opinion about the relocation of the Aggie/Tech series to Jerryworld - it seems that the Aggies and Hawgs will bring in an extra $1 Mil or so to their already rich programs if it's on par with the agreement reached between the Kansas/Missouri Border War.

I like the idea of an extra $1 Mil for our program - and would support a non-conference game at Jerryworld - but sure would hate to see a conference rivalry moved out of Lubbock.

Thanks to EDSBS for this classic video from this weekend - this is why we need to look at a national officiating pool - for quality calls:



Tech Mens BB upset the Zags and then couldn't overcome Butler's amazing three-point shooting. I watched the Final on my DVR today - I was impressed with the talent that we have coming in these days. Coach Knight (both of them) have been able to recruit some amazing talent to Lubbock, I think we'll know more about this team in a few weeks. Right now I think we're going to be able to pull some more upsets this year.

I'll actually be in Manhattan soon - so I plan to pull a Mike Leach and drop in on "The Donald." I plan on telling him I'm a Texas Tech satirist blogger who is offended by his letter to Donna Sha-Na-Na. I'm sure I'll get right in. Maybe I'll get a call from him a few weeks later and I can invite him over for some whiskey and try to talk him into getting me a guest spot on The Apprentice.

cue announcer guy: "He's a regionally read sports blogger from Texas and has turned his back on Google Ads, he'll be gone by the second commercial break."

Back to the letter - uhhhh....Trump - you still have the check from the USFL settlement, no?

I do like that he sticks up for his friends - his habit of "I told you so" letters is tired, however.

Lastly, from Coaches Hot Seat - Mike Leach's contract. He only gets an extra 100 Gs for winning the MNC - kinda low IMO.

Happy Thanksgiving Raiders (and readers)

We're glad you've come by this year and visited us...

Be safe out there.

And remember - Tech knows turkey...

Clint Brown doesn't have a lucky T-Shirt - he has a lucky cowboy hat...

Late congrats to Sally Kipyego - who "dominated" the cross country national championship - for her repeat title.

basking in the glory

HT to Every Day Should Be Saturday for linking us up - and while we were there we noticed this Paul McGuire awesomeness - secondary HT to icanhascheezburger.

For those of who didn't get to see the game but enjoy the Goin' Band - here you go - get your monster dance on and sing along:



A group of "North Texas Businessmen" have formed the "I Like Mike" fund. The fund is intended to be a grassroots effort to support Coach Leach and help him pay his $10,000 fine as assessed by Dan Beebe, Big 12 Commissioner.

These fellas have been busy little worker bees as they have e-mailed this blog to ask us to mention the effort - even ESPN has picked up the story via the AP.

So Brian, here's your pub via DT! - but you may not like the programming after this commercial is over:

Donations should be sent to the “I Like Mike” Fund set up at Plains Capital Bank in Lubbock at PO Box 271, Lubbock, Texas 79408. You also may bring your donation to any Plains Capital Branch in Texas or contact Brian Mayes at 214-208-5842 or ilikemikefund@gmail.com. Donations are not tax deductible. All proceeds raised above $10,000 will be donated to the Texas Tech athletic department to help fund football tickets for underprivileged kids during the 2008 season.

I think the idea is totally ridiculous by the way. Mike Leach makes $1.6 Mil this year. From what I can tell he's old enough to vote, drive a car all by himself and buy liquor at Bob's.

If I want to demonstrate support for the program I give money to the scholarship fund - make that check payable to the Red Raider Club. Get the tax deduction and make a difference to the athletic program as a whole.

Don't get me wrong - I support Mike Leach - but he's a big boy who puts his britches on the same way everybody else does.

Anyone that would like to get an idea about Tech Athletics from a business standpoint should take a few minutes and watch this program that was featured on the Nightly Business Report.

The Business of College Football - video link midway down the screen in the section "Reports."

The entire program barely broke even last year. Mike Leach will be just fine - let's be sure we're supporting the tree and not the branches.

Big HT to skuzzbukit of raiderpower.com who brings us some fantastic stuff from ESPN and Mark Schlabach - apparently one of many delusional Aggies has given us even more material:

Sadie (Waller, TX): Why has Texas A&M had such trouble finding a halfway decent coach? With our talent, there's no reason we shouldn't be contending for the national championship every year. It's one of the top 3 jobs in college football. What's the problem?

Mark Schlabach: Sorry, it's not one of the top three jobs in the country. When you have to fight a program like Texas in your own state, that eliminates the A&M job from the top 10 in the country, in my opinion.

---

Will, Raleigh, NC: If aTm isn't in your top 10, what are your top 10 programs?

Mark Schlabach:

1. LSU
2. Florida
3. Michigan
4. Ohio State
5. USC
6. Texas
7. Oklahoma
8. Florida State
9. Georgia
10. Notre Dame

Here's the link for ESPN Insiders who want the full chat transcript. (??? skuzzbuckit indicated it was an Insiders only event, but I pulled up the link just fine *shrug*)


Lastly, another DT! thank you to snipe5150/BottomLine5150 for editing and uploading the Donald Trump team introductions from Saturday night's game.



Wreck 'em.

Gator Bowl Bound

Well, it looks like it at this point.

At one point during the Oklahoma game on Saturday, my buddy and I started discussing Tech's bowl possibilities. We decided that we would either end up in Jacksonville for the Gator Bowl, or in San Antonio for the Alamo Bowl.

I lamented in the fact that I did not bring my Alligator Skin Boots to throw onto the field to give the Gator Bowl people a hint (would've gone nicely with Mike Leach's new hat). Guess I didn't have to!

LINK

The Gator Bowl definitely will invite Texas Tech to its New Year’s Day game if the Red Raiders are available to them with the fifth pick from the Big 12 Conference, Gator Bowl president Rick Catlett said Monday.

The Gator Bowl choosing Tech will be contingent on two factors: Two teams from the Big 12 making the BCS and the Cotton and Holiday bowls taking a pass on the Red Raiders.

Catlett said his game will take Tech if the Raiders are available with the fifth pick from the conference.

Why my mouth is dry and my burps taste like whiskey

I woke up this morning.

That's a start. Trust me.

I started in on a new bottle last night just about the time "The Donald" was announcing our offense. You know, right after the interception that GH threw, not 5 (or so) plays into the game.

I figured, well if it's going to go down like this - I'm going to be drinking.

Soon after, the drinks to numb my pain turned into celebratory pours of the bottle. That my friends, is what it's like to be a Texas Tech football fan. One moment you're looking for painkillers, the next minute you're screaming in joy. I think we're all going to need some counseling after this season.

It should come as no surprise that this Texas Tech team contributed to a record that typifies not only our season, but the national college football scene also. Now that an all-time record 11 teams who had been ranked in the top 5 have fallen to unranked teams, it's only fitting that Texas Tech would figure into another record.

Before we get too much further along in the discussion of records being broken - let's be sure not to forget Alex Trilica who locked up the all-time XP scoring record last night with 227 XPs in his career at Tech - and further extended his consecutive XP streak as well. Even more impressive was Trilica's resurgence as a long distance threat, again.

Now some thoughts on the game -

DT! Tech needs to play with a lead. Their offense needs it and their defense requires it. It's why we want the ball to start every game - and why I was shocked to see Tech oversome a deficit to start the game and get back on track - it was the first time I can recall against any of our better opponents that we were hit in the jaw - and hit back.

DT! What happened to Anthony Hines? Lost in all of the unfortunate OU injuries was Hines being helped off with what looked like a tore-up knee. :gunsup

DT! Anyone wondering why Aaron Crawford is starting over Shannon Woods? For the first time since Hendo I saw a Tech back *gasp* shedding tackles and fighting off tacklers instead of falling down at the first sign of trouble. I think this kid is going to be good for the program.

DT! Not to throw water on the fire, but there was some stuff that we did that frustrated me. At :34 seconds to go in the 3rd quarter Parker intercepts Halzle. The score is 34-13 at the time - a three touchdown/possession game. We have the ball at OU's 7 yard line. We are a passing team, I get it...but RUN THE FREAKING BALL! If they stuff us, so what? March Alex out there - take the free 3 points and make it a 4 possession game - and run some more ticks off the clock! Leach needs to take a class in game management. The next time we get the ball we can throw the ball all over the sandlot - but when you consider all the factors - 3 straight running plays is the better call.

DT! E.J. Holub was awesome on TV - he's the granddaddy of Texas Tech Football. It's good to see him healthy and looking well.

DT! I thought Danny Amendola's mom was hot - and I thought she witnessed the moment that her son would be tragically paralyzed. Luckily, her son is a tough kid with extremely good flexibility in is cervical spine. Thanks to ttuchieffresh for the pic.

DT! Can somebody get Sam Bradford some Accutane or some Proactiv? Help a brotha out, please.

DT! Harrell my man - let's work on figuring out why so many of your balls are getting knocked out of the air.

DT! The whole offense played well in the first half, but has yet to demonstrate that they can make adjustments and dominate for an entire 4 quarters. I think the youth of the team is the direct cause of that - but think that the offensive line not giving up any sacks was huge.

DT! Looks like it will either be the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl in Jacksonville or the Valero Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. It's still a little to early to tell, but we want to beat the best team available - wherever that might be. You can keep up with ESPN's bowl projections here. The Gator Bowl is a New Years Day bowl game - so I always prefer that - playing on New Years Day on CBS (or on any other major network) is still more exposure and prestige.

DT! The rankings are out as I write this - and the coaches like us a little better than the writers. No shocker there. USA Today #24, AP (unranked, #26 in total votes). Auburn is the only other 4 loss team in the rankings.

Thanks to Spotted for the images.



DT! Forgot to mention - Coach Leach thinks we're all characters in Eraserhead or something:

"One thing I’ve always liked about this place is you’ve got the great college atmosphere, but it’s got a little bit of that NFL flavor with some characters mixed in,'' Leach said. "It’s like a college atmosphere mixed with a David Lynch movie, so it’s really pretty cool.''

DT! Also - about 50,000 lucky shirts and dresses were born last night...please be sure to wear them when Texas comes to town next year, please.

Thanks to Don Williams for those tidbits...

Houston's (un)Clear Thinker

Again, another case of an anti-Texas Tech voice "calling out" Coach Leach on the issue of the officiating. Gasbag Tom Kirkendall can't see the forest for the trees.

Tom should read newspapers - this was in the DMN on Monday (big thanks to one of our readers, Charles, for pointing this out to us Monday):

Without naming him, Leach took issue with referee Randy Christal, an Austin resident, working the game.

"This is the second year in a row that an Austin resident has negatively affected the integrity of the officiating," Leach said Saturday. "I think it's disturbing that Austin residents are involved in this."

In 2005, when Texas Tech defeated Oklahoma, 23-21, in Lubbock on a disputed touchdown by Taurean Henderson, the line judge in the game was Kelly Deterding of Lubbock.

When asked about that 2005 situation and if officials should be barred from working games in their hometown, Leach said, "My comments on Saturday pretty thoroughly answered that question."

On Monday, Leach said he'd like to the see the replay official be independent of the crew working on the field.

"Ideally, they wouldn't even know one another," said Leach, who on Saturday even suggested having "out-of-conference officials" work Texas-Texas Tech games.

This jewel from Tom made me sick:

Stoops' maturity is one of the many reasons that he is a better and more successful coach than Leach.

But let's be sure not to mention he's also able to recruit to one of the most successful football programs in the history of college football. Don't let a thought like that interfere with your "Clear Thinking."

Stoops is one helluva coach - no doubt about it. His "maturity level" has nothing to do with this.

Don't let the facts get in the way Tom. :wink

We need more first downs - less controversy

The most controversial call of the game

Thanks to "RC" for e-mailing me this pic - and before you ask - yes, it's "that" RC - he also happens to be a big fan of Tech now that his team isn't doing so well.

In unrelated North Division news - the battle of the T-Shirt has begun:

http://www2.ljworld.com/blogs/lawrence_news/2007/nov/13/mizzou_shirts/

Also in my inbox last night we received some nice comments from fellow blogosphere veterans Midwest Coast Bias. Brandon found us through Bear Meat and asked if we could link him up - so I, of course, said "we really don't like people from Nebraska - we throw expensive batteries at you people because you're bigger than we are."

Riiiight. Because that's how we Red Raiders roll. We're like....mean pirates.

So you'll find his link to the right in our Big 12 blog roll because he agreed to pay me a large sum of money. A sum so large I'll be at Starbucks this morning instead of the Speedy Stop! Because that's how I roll.

Some "new" La Ventanas showed up the other day - this pic below happens to be from the 1957 edition. The Bad Boy Baller from Borger rolled into town the year before and started showing everyone how a flat top is supposed to look - I think even the Marines took lessons.

Moving on - it's OU week

1. We lost the game - the Red Raiders of 2007 couldn't score more points than UT.
2. No one on this site is blaming officiating.
3. We do hope that the Big 12 makes an effort to clear up potential conflicts of interest.
4. Coach Leach was fined and "warned."

Thanks for hearing my case as I laid out in the last post - I don't know if it's right or not. We may never know. I hope that this episode - which has already caused more negative image problems for the football program can be put behind us.

Let's talk about the Sooners.

Kickoff looks to be 7:15pm CST. The game will be aired on ABC nationally - and will be in HD - fo sho.

At present OU is favored by 8 to 8.5.


For your reading pleasure:

Land Thieves
Crimson and Cream Machine
Sooner Stats
Sooners Blog
The Sooner Schooner

Message Boards:

Sooner Fans
Sooners Illustrated

OU Athletics Site:

Sooner Sports


Alright?

Question for Sooners - is Sherri Coale getting better looking? The pics of her at the recent press conference make her look about 5 years younger (Sooner Sports link).

And a request - pics of Stacey Dales looking wonderlicious would also be helpful.

I gotta bug out - and may list some stats later - although every time I do we get killed - so I probably won't.

It's all becoming more clear

Colorado's Famous Fifth Down

No new news on the Mike Leach "tirade" today. Don Williams of the A-J reports this afternoon that Big 12 Commissioner Don Beebe was traveling today and will be more than likely announcing a "response" (my words) tomorrow.

Given a day of thinking about this situation a bit more - and reading all of my favorite writers in traditional media and on the web - I think I may have cracked this case and would like for you to put aside any preconceived notions and put away your school colored glasses for a bit.

Let's gather the facts and define our terms and then let's try and connect some dots...

First, let's look at what was said and take note of what wasn't:

First - the video from Fox Lubbock HERE. This is the entire presser from start to finish.

Here's audio of the "rant" and I don't exactly know what some of those pictures are doing in the video - just listen and try to ignore the picture of Zidane because I still can't figure out what the hell that has to do with any of this - you'll see - roll tape...



The rest of the rant not featured above is detailed in the A-J's post game article also by Don Williams:

"I've been in some games that were poorly officiated, and I've never commented on it in eight years,'' Leach said. "But something needs to be said, and I'm going to say it. Something's got to change. The thing about it is, last year in this instance I bit my tongue, and I regret it. This whole do everything status quo, and oh my gosh the conference might fine me ... Sometimes it's just the right thing to do, and sometimes things aren't going to change unless somebody stands up and says something.''

Leach said an Austin resident on the crew "affected the integrity of the football game, and that's unfortunate.''

He declined to say of whom he was speaking.

"Let me try to keep this as impersonal as possible,'' Leach said. "But am I condemning the crew? Hell yeah, I'm condemning the crew.''

"The timing of when things happen is critical,'' Leach said. "We're getting ready to march down there and really make a run early in the second half and we were prevented from that happening for us, and it was prevented by officiating.''

Leach spoke calmly and referred to notes he'd made to himself when discussing the plays.

"Unless this can change, the Big 12 Conference needs to take a serious look at having out-of-conference officials officiating the Texas Tech-Texas game and perhaps other games where there is proven to be a bias by officiating. Does the bowl picture enter it? I don't know. Does the money involved with it enter into it? I don't know. But all anybody has to do really is look at the film, and it's apparent.''

Asked if he expects to be coaching in Tech's home finale next week against No. 4 Oklahoma, Leach said: "Yes, I expect to be coaching. If it's atrociously bad as this one, we'll be talking again. But I'm not standing for this.''

Already today, Betsy Blaney of the AP reports that Leach is standing behind what he says - but Coach Leach has already noticed that some of it is not being taken in its "full context" (Leach's words).

We'll get back to Betsy because her story makes a jump in logic that I made on Sunday morning in my post here, in the Don Williams article quoted extensively above and Gabriel's Horn has made it as well. It's only natural. Except that we miss the bigger issue and need to see the "full context."

Listen, Leach was flat wrong during the section of the video where he calls out those specific plays that took "two touchdowns off the board." I think he's seen the video by now and has probably seen that those plays were called correctly - but the other calls (Crabtree catch/no catch and the Harrell late hit) he'll never see any other way.

What wasn't said? Other than he didn't single out any official by name or position on the field...

The replay booth - so now let me introduce you to the "unnamed source" that is "Pablo." Pablo is a guy or gal that posts on Seth's blog, Double T Nation. This "Pablo" by all accounts appears to be pretty close to the program and has historically posted relevant information about the program on DTN that has always been substantiated later either in the MSM or on the field. Like it or not, the anonymity of these blogs can be criticized but every once in awhile there is information out there that can be shared like this that's important and sheds new light.

Other side of the story - it can't be substantiated. I've read plenty of "anonymous sources" on the interweb - and all you can do is judge them by their record. If that's the test - "Pablo" has an outstanding record.

Here's where you can find his full comment (it will be near the bottom of the page under the bold heading "Momentum buster").

Here's the bits that I think are particularly revealing and which put a whole new spin on the "rant." I also think these comments make not only the reason for the rant more understandable but connect the dots in a meaningful way.

(Also note that I have corrected some spelling and added emphasis when I copied his comment to DiscoTech!)

Leach is right that officials who have obvious connections to a school should not be allowed to officiate that game. Two officials on the squad, the review official and a line Judge were ex Texas grads. Another was from Texas A&M and one was from Oklahoma. The rest were from back east.

What the main complaint Leach has is that when you have officials working a game they may help their school. Oklahoma is helped by a Texas win, as well as Texas is helped by a Texas win.

So you have 3 of the five officiating that could be in a place to skew their judgment if they wanted to.

So Leach is right that the officials should not be allowed to call games which their school might benefit. In other words, NO officials who have graduated from a Big 12 school should be allowed to call a Big 12 game. That is the issue.

Complaining about bad officials is not the same as complaining about a bad outcome. They are two different issues. Sometimes a bad official costs a game by their call which make these issues the same. But in this case, a Tech loss and bad officiating is not the same thing nor is the reasons behind the issue.

What Leach is up set about is that there were places in the game that should have been properly reviewed. They were not. It took Leach to call twice for a review to actually get the review.

Leach would have reviewed the McCoy fumble downed and TD call but could not. It could not be reviewed because Tech was out of reviews and the official in the both did not call for one.

What people do not understand is that in the official review booth there is a Texas coach and a Tech Coach along with the official and two official Technical people who work the equipment.
Leach called the coach in the booth to ask what the hell was going on in the booth and to ask the question.

When the review official in the booth is screaming for Texas and high fiving the Texas Coach for every Texas event it just well made Leach mad which would have made any head coach mad who learned of this.

So in this case the issue is not about sour grapes about the loss. Its about fixing a problem that should never have happened in the first place.

How about that?

That sure explains a LOT.

It explains why the conversation at midfield with Mack Brown was a long one - why 90% of the conversation happened directly in the ear of the other - and why Leach appeared to be doing most of the talking.

I imagine it went like this: "Mack, your team beat us down today and you and your team deserve the win. What I'm about to do in my post game presser has no reflection on you or your team. I've got to do what I think is best for us - and I'm going to rip Big 12 officiating as big a hole as I can."

It explains why Coach Leach wants us to be sure be see the "big picture" and focus on the "full context."

It explains why he would be willing to pay a fine or even be suspended. It also demonstrates the trust that he feels the administration has in him. While he may not have had the express permission of Gerald Myers to drop this bomb, Leach is not a dumb guy, he knew when presented with his side of the story he had to be sure he could sell the goods to Gerald Myers and not lose face.

I think Coach Leach wanted to be sure he got a conversation with Don Bebee - and I'm guessing he did, or will.

Leach is an attorney, people. His downfall is that he may be too smart. I'm guessing he waited until he had all the evidence he felt like he needed before he pushed his chips into the pot on this one. (Again, the Line Judge in the OU game 2 years ago was from Lubbock - I wish he would acknowledge that, but based on his argument he's got to be willing to live with that. I don't see your coach stepping up and calling a spade a spade here ...)
Notice that every article written thus far draws a straight line from Leach's disgust with the officiating to specific calls made on the field. I did it on Sunday - even the AP reporter Betsy Blaney goes straight from "called the officiating a complete travesty" to "Leach was upset when officials disallowed two touchdowns..."

Those two statements happen to be correct when read independently of another but the writers and readers miss the bigger point entirely when you do that.

Leach is more concerned about officiating in the "global" sense - this game just happened to be the one that typified it more than others for him. The great majority of his talk didn't even focus on this game - it was on how to fix officiating as a whole.

So lets take Coach's comments for what they're worth - an angry guy that was fired up that his team lost. He's seen by now that a couple of the calls he mentioned in his presser were the right ones. Just be sure you don't miss the point that he's trying to make - and "Pablo" could not have said it better:

"Complaining about bad officials is not the same as complaining about a bad outcome. They are two different issues."

Now it's Don Bebee that has some explaining to do.