For the Year: 35-36-1 (.493) ($460) ATS 51-21 (.708) SU
What we learned last week:
We learned that Tate Forcier can be a good baseball player. He threw three interceptions in six attempts in one stretch in the fourth quarter on Saturday, a batting average of .500…
We learned that Les Miles is a good liar, but the camera never lies. Lester insisted that he didn’t call a spike play with one second left on the clock on Saturday, but the camera caught him making a spike motion on the sideline, unless he was trying to fix his watch…
We learned that Jeremiah Masoli is a hell of a quarterback and should be a frontrunner for the Heisman next year along with Tim Tebow, who will still get mentioned even though he will be a fullback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers….
We learned that Oklahoma has quite a reclamation project on their hands if they want to get back to losing BCS bowl games. The Sooners are now 1-5 on the road this year, and have ONE win against teams with a winning record…
We learned that Texas will be facing Nebraska at The Death Star for the Big 12 Championship, and the way national commentators talk, the Longhorns shouldn’t even bother to show up, because the Blackshirts defense is every bit as good as it was in 1996…when a Longhorn team nowhere near as good as this one ran all over it. Hmm….
And finally, we learned that Colt McCoy and the rest of the senior Longhorns know how to go out in style. That was quite a show to watch on Saturday, but hopefully it won’t be the highlight of the season.
Anyhow…
It is that time of year again, the time where you stuff yourself with turkey and dressing while listening to your Uncle Ned tell you stories of Aunt Francine’s bad back and how he has to dress her every morning until you lose your appetite for pumpkin pie. So before we lose the will to live, let’s remember what we are thankful for this year:
To Ben Alexander, thanks for stepping up BIG TIME this year. A lot of people, myself included, was worried about the defensive line coming into the year, but the line stepped up and you were a big part of that.
To Ryan Bailey, thanks for this on an awesome day:
To Deon Beasley, thanks for your persistence. This could have been a lost year for you, but you dug yourself out of hole and have contributed big-time since you have come back.
To Clark Ford, William Harvey & Mac McWhorter, thanks for going from a walk-on to scholarship player, earning it on the field and off the field.
To Chris Hall, thanks for your work on the offensive line, and the humor in the locker room.
To Lamarr Houston, thanks for stepping it up to become a big-time player this year. You’ve had some personal hardships, but you used them as fuel to get better, and the NFL will jump all over themselves to get you on their teams.
To Sergio Kindle, thanks for your production on the field and your leadership abilities. We’ll all enjoy watching you on Sundays next year.
To Hunter Lawrence, thanks for stepping up this year and locking down the kicking game. There was a lot of shuffling at that position in the last few years, but you took the job this year and never looked back, and I have never felt uneasy when you’ve come out to kick a field goal. Here’s hoping that that translates to the NFL.
To Charlie Tanner and Adam Ulatoski, thanks for your continued leadership on the field and your work on the offensive line. We couldn’t have accomplished what we’ve done on offense the past two years without the work being done up front.
To C.A. Vergari, thanks for your work on the scout team. It isn’t a glamorous duty, but it is a necessary duty, and thanks for doing so much for so little in return.
To Roddrick Muckelroy, thanks for wrecking shop on defense. You’ve been one of my favorite linebackers ever on the 40 acres, and wish you all the luck in the world at the next level.
To Jordan Shipley, thanks for giving up your body for this program. Many made jokes at your expense (I raise my hand, too) after your first two years were wiped out by injury, but you’ve gone from high school legend to forgotten man to UT legend because of your determination to make it work. I really don’t remember you dropping a pass this year. From orangebloods everywhere, thank you for that, and we’re rooting like hell for you to make it at the next level. And we know you will.
To Colt McCoy, thanks for sticking with us until we recognized your greatness. Even after your fantastic freshman year, some were wanting the other guy, and you kept producing until we finally realized you were the guy. You came in as a three star recruit from a 2A high school, and you leave as college football’s all-time winningest quarterback, a legend in your own right at this school and most importantly, a good man who doesn’t let all of that go to his head. We’ll be watching you on Sundays next fall as well.
To Kansas University, thanks for not firing Mark Mangino last week. Firings are depressing, and we’re glad that he didn’t eat all the turkeys.
To the Tailgate Tents, thanks for lasting us all of these years. We’re uncertain of your future, but a lot of great times went on under those tents, and we’re glad that they can’t talk. Godspeed on your journey to tent heaven.
To the Excellence Playa Mujeres, thanks for getting mine and Robbi’s mind right for football season. We had a great honeymoon at this fantastic resort, and we can’t wait to go again in 2010…and take some friends with us this time.
To T-Pain, thanks for the great iPhone app.
To Pedialyte, thanks for your part in helping sick children across the country, and thanks for getting our quarterback healthy.
To Lala’s, thanks for providing the venue for the greatest airband performance of all-time, according to Kanye West.
To the Hilton Anatole, thanks for the Bloody Mary bar. If ABC and the universities are going to keep on insisting scheduling our game at 11:00 AM, it is good to know we have a friend at 7:00 AM to help us recover from the night before.
To Reggie the Scalper, thanks for the great tickets to the Kansas game. Of course they were counterfeit and we almost got kicked out of the stadium, but those were the best seats I’ve had for a Texas game in a long time and I appreciate it. Hopefully you use that money you earned for good.
To the readers on Burnt Orange Fan Zone, thanks for taking the time each week to read the column and provide your kind thoughts. There have been some great discussions over there this year, and who can ask for more than that. You’ve got a great community over there.
To the other posters on LMFZ, thanks for sticking around. The board doesn’t seem to get much traffic these days, but I’d like to turn that around, and hope you stick around.
To the Anonymous Readers of The Week That Will Be, thanks for your time and energy every week. I know this column gets forwarded every which way, and I’m glad that everyone seems to enjoy it so much. This year has been by far the easiest year to write the column, and it is because I know how much everyone appreciates it.
To Michael Drakes, thanks for the duty and service to this country that you have chosen to give to all of us. We had a great time this year getting to know you, and look forward to seeing you at tailgates and boat parties in the future. You are one of us now, and we won’t let you forget it. Semper Fi.
To Chris and Stephanie, thanks for making it to several tailgates and for having us at your house several times as well. It is always a good time with Chris and Steph, and we can’t tell you how glad we are that you guys are in our lives.
To Gould, thanks for the easiest $50 of my life! But also, thanks for your humor and goodwill. We love you and Nathalie and wish you luck on your other bet this year.
To Marlon, thanks for being a good friend to all of us. We’ve missed you these past few tailgates, and hope that everything is well and that we’ll see you around more.
To Timms and Jordan, thanks for giving Chay shit, and thanks for helping out at tailgate set-up a few times this year. We were never shorthanded this year, and you guys were always eager to help, and we appreciate it.
To Schmoopy Becky, thanks for showing us a good time in Stillwater. We hope we reciprocated the move when you came down to Austin, and we look forward to seeing you at Chay’s Christmas party.
To hornsfan44, thanks for your continued service to this country and for sticking with us on the board, as well.
To Collin, thanks for all your help with the tailgate and for introducing us to the greatness that is Plucker’s Trivia Night. And thanks for giving me a good laugh every time I see you.
To Jerry, thanks for all your help with the tailgate and for welcoming us to the Plucker’s Trivia Night crew. We like to give you shit about the Redskins, but you’re a good dude who is always concerned about our well-being, and we appreciate it.
To Pickle and Mark, thanks for being you. We love you guys, and we know it is going to be a good time if Mark and Pickle are there. We hope to see you in Arlington and LA.
To RC Horn, thanks for all your help at the tailgates.
To Blondie, thanks for the continued love for the blog!
To dahorns, thanks for your continued love for the UT tailgating scene. We like like-minded individuals, and you are certainly one of those. You’re also a good man, and we wish you and the family all the best.
To Reinheitsgebot, thanks for always giving me a laugh at the tailgates. I always enjoy talking football with you, and wish you all the best.
To TheDean176, thanks for bringing Chandler to a game and introducing another one to a great tradition. We offer congratulations to you and Krista and wish you the best of luck in the years ahead.
To Bevo71, thanks for sticking it out with us. I know you’ve had some hard times the past couple of years, but we appreciate the love that you have for this great university and are always glad to see you around.
To AtlLonghorn, thanks for your contributions to the board and for keeping me entertained with your sports updates on Twitter. I’m not sure what happened to your weekly column, but I always enjoyed it and hope it is back next year.
To eochs, thanks for continuing to keep this board up and running. Congratulations to you and Jessica, and we wish you guys all the best. Hopefully your future includes a trip to Austin.
To Makaveli, thanks for having us over to a game watching party this year and inviting us to another one. We always have a good time with you guys and hope to see you more in the coming year.
To U2-Horn, thanks for your contributions to this board and Shaggy as well. I always enjoy reading a good U2-Horn post.
To all of those that contributed to Michael’s TX/OU Fund, thanks for your generous contributions. I know this is a tough year for everyone financially, but sending a new Marine to his first TX/OU game was a very rewarding experience. I wish everyone could have seen his face all day, he had a great time.
To Music City Mafia, thanks for your contributions to the board. I hope all is well with you and your girls.
To Janet (Pickle’s Mom), thanks for sticking with this motley crew. We always enjoy seeing you around, even if we might be acting like idiots at the time. But at least we made it a year without Drew throwing your chair in the creek.
To Pope, thanks for coming to the tailgate. This year seemed like a quiet year for Pope, but I guess we still have a few more games left to leave a lasting impression.
To rtapia, thanks for being a good tailgate neighbor, which we all know is more important than being an actual neighbor. We hope to tailgate next to you guys for years to come.
To my future employer, thanks for the job!
To BarryBnds, thanks for adding some spice to the board. Sometimes we like to sit around and tell each other how pretty they are, but you like to tell us differently and sometimes we need it. I’m disappointed that you guys didn’t make it to a game this year, but there is always Arlington…
To Markaholic, thanks for the Tito’s and for sticking around the board. We know you have your hands full but we’re going to have to ask that you make a couple more games next year!
To Mr. Peabody, thanks for the fun stories on the board. You almost turned into a stranger this year, don’t let that happen. We didn’t see you in Austin, but hopefully we’ll see you guys again soon.
To OKC Longhorn, thanks for giving me an outlet to vent during Longhorns/Cowboys games via text message. And most of all, thanks for giving us shelter when we decided in the middle of the night to drive up to Stillwater and didn’t arrive in OKC until 4:45 in the morning. You’re a good man, Todd, and I wish you all the best. Just don’t yell out Ernest Borgnine in public anymore.
To El Aitch Bee, thanks for making it down to a game this year. It was good to see you, and hope to see you again soon.
To BevoisaSoxFan, thanks for bring little Pili by a few tailgates this year. It is easy to see why you couldn’t make it to more! Thanks for everything you do for us, you’re a good man, Arch. We wish you and Sylvia all the best.
To Bucharest, thanks for stepping it up big time this year. You were always a regular tailgate contributor, but this year you helped us out by securing the Tito’s for every game and by getting kegs for a few tailgates. We really, really appreciate it. We’ll have to go grab a beer sometime that isn’t consumed in a state of Texas parking lot.
To hornbybirth, thanks for always being there when we need help. You guys have become a big part of this group over the last couple of years, and you’re always willing to help out a buddy, and that is appreciated.
To 12ozLongneck, thanks for not thinking we were out of our minds when we called you at 9 PM and asked if you wanted to go to Stillwater with us. Thanks for making the trip with us and for being a good friend. We hoped to see more of you this football season, but we’ll see you around, I’m sure.
To Ben & Lindsey, thanks for sticking it out. Thanks Ben for showing up every Friday for set-up and providing the masses with free alcohol on Saturdays. We wish you guys the best and hope to see you again soon.
To Ernest, thanks for being a good friend. I could not talk to you for a couple of months but pick up the phone and it is like old times. We need you at more tailgates next year, however.
To beam,coke&horns, thanks for the satellite hook-up every week and for providing high comedy at TX/OU and every other game as well. You crazy.
To 93Horn, thanks for all that you do for the tailgate. From having to tow two objects to and from the tailgate every week to cooking our food to being the chief loader and unloader of the trailer every week to being the treasurer on gamedays, it is all appreciated very much.
To Vicki, thanks for being there for all of us. You truly are a special lady and I’m not sure what we would do without you. From providing us with food, to alcohol, to good stories with punchlines we never would have seen coming, to dance partners, to a smile on a Friday afternoon when we pull into the lot, it is all very much appreciated, and we all love you very much.
To Bob & Marie, thanks for everything that you do. From Bob providing us satellite pointing expertise to providing us with cigars or to Marie telling us to get over whatever is troubling us and be happy because it is GAMEDAY to always giving us a hug when we need it, we don’t know what we would do without you guys, either. Thank you for all that you do and all that you provide, and we’ll miss you guys in Arlington.
To Eric, thanks for the ride to Stillwater! It might have cost you a few days of grief from the wife, but it was well worth the camaraderie and excitement that we encountered along the way. Thanks for all that you do as a friend, and we all hope that for your sake your 2010 is better than your 2009.
To Seth, thanks for going off and getting better educated so that it appears that someone in this group has some ambition other than drinking beer in a parking lot. We’re so happy for all that has come to you in the last year and wish you and Valini all the best.
To Chay, thanks for continuing to be the idiot that we all know and love. You also provided a lot of help at tailgate set-up this year and was willing to help when we needed it at other times as well. You’re a good guy who is often the sparkplug for this group, and whether or not that is a good thing is certainly up for debate.
To Jeremy, thanks for providing us humor when we need it and help when we need it as well. You went a little MIA at the end of the year, but you have a lot of things on your plate this year. Congratulations to you and Stacey, and we hope to see Boy Rodriguez at a tailgate very soon.
To Drew, thanks for being the best man in my wedding. That was a huge responsibility but you took it and knocked it out of the park. Thanks for all that you do for the tailgate and for us personally. Let’s make Pasadena a trip to remember.
To the Driggers, thanks for throwing my wife the wedding that she always wanted. And even though the groom is just a prop piece on these days, I enjoyed it as well. Thank you for your continued support and for being the coolest parents-in-law that a guy could have.
To my family, thanks for the support that you gave us throughout this year. It isn’t always the easiest of times, but we get through it. Thanks for inviting Robbi into the family with open arms and for letting Drew snore on your couch during OU weekend.
To Robbi, thanks for being the perfect wife that a guy in my situation could have. From initiating the late night trip to Stillwater, to insisting that we buy plane tickets to California early, you do things that other wives just don’t do. Thank you for your support during what has been at times a troublesome year, and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you and the McCoy and Shipley off-spring.
To all of our friends and family, thanks for your support this year. It was a great year, but it was also a year of hardship and heartbreak, and we couldn’t have made it through all of it without your support. I honestly don’t think we could ask for a better set of friends, and we mean that.
FACEBOOK NEWS FEED
Jimmy Clausen is wondering if the he can take a seeing eye dog on the field with him on Saturday.
Mark Mangino is headed up to the Children’s Hospital to make fun of the Leukemia kids again.
Toby Gerhart has joined the group How Long Until The National Media Starts Calling Toby Gerhart “Touchdown Toby”?
The Houston Texans have joined the group F Vince Young.
Devin Hester got a little carried away with his New Moon love.
On to the games...
Notre Dame @ Stanford -10.5:
What was once a promising season for the Irish has turned into disaster as they have lost three in a row and will likely be looking for a new head coach yet again after the season ends in a mediocre bowl. Stanford, meanwhile, is headed in the other direction. Despite a loss to Cal last week, the Cardinal are deemed a program on the rise with some young talent.
This should be a shootout. The Cardinal have a great running game and the Irish can’t stop the run. The Irish have a great passing game (if their quarterback can open his eyes), and Stanford can’t stop the pass.
I can see Stanford running away with this game, but I think Jimmy Clausen is going to the NFL after this season and is motivated to perform in front of a national prime-time audience. Stanford hasn’t won a game in this series since 2001, so they have that to contend with as well.
Stanford 34 Notre Dame 31
ATS – Notre Dame
SU – Stanford
Florida State -24.5 @ Florida:
Florida State has won four out of five, but have feasted on below average competition, while Florida is winning games, but in not always pretty fashion.
This one has not been pretty in recent years, with Florida winning by 30 last season and by 33 the year before. Florida State hasn’t won a game in this series since 2003.
I don’t see it being much better for FSU this time around. EJ Manuel hasn’t been good in place of Christian Ponder, and he’ll face his toughest defense yet against Florida.
Florida 44 Florida State 17
ATS – Florida
SU – Florida
Alabama -10 @ Auburn:
The Iron Bowl. Auburn had won six in a row until last year’s 36-0 Alabama win, a game where the Crimson Tide ran for 234 yards and ended Tommy Tuberville’s era at Auburn. Enter Gene Chizik, and many are left wondering if he will be over his head.
I don’t see Auburn having much of a chance in this one. They have some nice stats this year, but the defense they will face on Saturday is easily the toughest defense they’ll play this year, and on defense, they have struggled against the run, which Alabama will be able to exploit quite easily.
Alabama 27 Auburn 10
ATS – Alabama
SU – Alabama
Nebraska -10 @ Colorado:
Colorado is playing better after a disastrous beginning to the season, but they are still playing out the string with uncertainty following the program. Nebraska is hoping to fine-tune their offense before a match-up with Texas in Arlington next weekend.
Colorado’s offense is going to have a hard time here. Nebraska’s defense hasn’t given up more than 17 points in the last five games, and it isn’t happening here, either.
Nebraska 27 Colorado 10
ATS – Nebraska
SU – Nebraska
Oklahoma State @ Oklahoma -10:
QB Zac Robinson is expected to start for the Cowboys, which will of course be very good news for them. The Cowboys are fighting for a BCS bowl bid, which would be huge for their program.
Oklahoma is reeling, losing two out of their last three games and probably just wishing that this season would be over with. The Sooners have won 29 straight at home, but have their work cut out for them with an Oklahoma State team that is winning games with their defense. The OSU run defense is 4th in the country, and outside of the Texas game, they haven’t given more than 28 points since an early October trip to Texas A&M.
The line is the way it is because Oklahoma is Oklahoma and OSU is OSU, but I think the Cowboys take a step forward here, and frankly I wouldn’t be surprised to see it get a bit ugly.
Oklahoma State 31 Oklahoma 24
ATS – Oklahoma State
SU – Oklahoma State
Texas -21 @ Texas A&M:
The Aggies have won 2 out of 3, they have won 8 out of the last 13 at Kyle Field….blah blah blah blah BLAH.
Forget it.
That is the national media just hoping for some drama to end the season, and it isn’t going to happen.
But that isn’t to say that it is going to be a cakewalk. The Longhorns will have to bring their best game to College Station. The Aggies have scored at least 31 points in every home game this year, and have the balance between Jerod Johnson’s passing ability and the running game of Gray/Michael to keep Texas guessing.
But this is Will Muschamp we are talking about here. This isn’t Duane Akina in 2007 trying to account for the Aggies, this is Will Freakin’ Muschamp, and I think I’ll trust that he’ll keep the Aggies in check.
On offense, the Longhorns should be able to move the ball at will. The Aggies are ranked 100th in the country in total defense, giving up 157 rushing yards a game and 259 passing yards a game. If the Longhorns protect Colt McCoy (a big if considering the Texas offensive line woes and the Aggies proficiency at rushing the passer), he should have a big game.
Colt McCoy is looking to become the only Texas quarterback to ever win 12 games in back to back seasons…and he gets it here.
Texas 48 Texas A&M 17
ATS – Texas
SU – Texas
Random Hot Dallas Chick
For entertainment purposes only. Save your money for turkey and dressing.
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