Texas - OU

Texas wins. Enough said...

Ohio State

The build-up for this game was crazy. Everyone thought this might be the game of the year, but Ohio State is as good as advertised and Texas had their troubles on offense. If you remember the game last year, the Texas defense allowed 22 points and allowed only 2 more points this year. Our offense seemed to lack the intensity we have seen in the last 21 games.

I didn't feel very well before the game so everyone else headed out before me and I spent some lay around time in front of the TV trying to feel good enough to get there. I headed out before half after one unsuccessful try by Kristin to drive me to Memorial Stadium...thanks K.L. I pulled into a premium spot and walked to the stadium arriving just after Ohio State goes into half with a nice lead.

To say the stadium was packed was an understatement. 89,422 were packed like sardines into a stadium meant to hold a few less people. The student side of the stadium where we cheer from was standing unless there was a band on field or a the change at quarter. There was a guy standing behind us that was not sure whether he was standing or sitting or feeling any pain. I know he wasn't feeling any pain.

The sea of orange was like a crushing wave when the longhorns would do well and a collective sigh of dispair when the horns would give up a big play. The end of the game was different than many of the students have felt, since the horns had not lost a home game since the second game of the 2003 season. Many stayed and paid their respects to a staff and a team that had given us a great run for the last few years.

Colt McCoy will be back after gaining much needed experience. His poise in the face of the constant pressure of media and attention lobbed upon him before the game will make him a better leader.

Thanks to Annalee and Evan for a great weekend. Thanks to Clay as well...

Texas vs North Texas Sept 2, 2006

Arriving at 8 pm into Austin, Texas on the evening before the opening of college football at the University of Texas can be somewhat anti-climatic unless you are headed to the home of Evan and Annalee McCord. It also helps to have your trusty GPS unit sitting next to you as you watch the change in elevation from Houston to the almost 1000 foot elevation in parts of Austin. The game is scheduled for 11:00 am so Evan and I decided the best time to leave would be about 9:30. We left on time and with Evan driving like a maniac...made it to the 10 dollar lot with 10 cars to spare.

To really see the stadium for the first time since I left campus in 1982 was really fun. The music, people and the numbers of "happenings" in and around the stadium make it more of total experience than just another football game. I was appropriately attired so the orange shirt that used to be an occasional wear, was everwhere, so I fit in...for once.

The newly installed big screen is called the "godzillatron" and very appropriately named as well. It was like watching your TV at home from your stadium bench. Another thing that really stuck out was how college football within the stadium has become so much more commercialized since '82. Everwhere you look is an advertisement...even the tickettakers were sponsored by someone.

The Horns won 56-7 on Saturday and left the impression to the national sportswriters that even though Vince Young is gone, we are still going to be a good team this year. We play Ohio State next Saturday and the oddsmakers have made us a 2.5 point favorite. Just the heat alone will give us some kind of advantage. It was hot in the stands and my favorite daughter-in-law decided game one would be the best game to check out the first aid station just in case her father-in-law would ever need to check it out himself. Her stay was short and after a quick cooldown she was able to return to active duty.

We headed out at halftime leading 28-0 and drove over to a place near the homestead and had some good food and libations. It was a great day in Austin and the Horns smashed some real mouth on the field.

Sunday night found my brother, his wife and me watching a great entertainer at Gruene Hall...Charlie Robison. He puts on quite a show. See you next year Tom and Tracy.

Stay tuned to this blog for updates during the season. Buckeyes are going down!