Young to Enter NFL Draft

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Via the Statesman...

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

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

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

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

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

Texas 41, USC 38

By Byron LaMasters

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

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

Go Longhorns!

Rose Bowl Open Thread

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

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

Hook 'em!

Rose Bowl Open Thread

By Damon McCullar

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

UT vs. USC!

By Byron LaMasters

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

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

This is getting boring; PLUS: Barton tackles the BCS

By Jim Dallas

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

The USC/UCLA game better be more interesting.

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

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

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

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

Bring the pain

By Jim Dallas

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

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

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

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

UT Women's Soccer

By Matt Hardigree

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

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

[...]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This is the game that never ends...

By Jim Dallas

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

Wrong.

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

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

Go Astros.

Update: It ended. White Sox won in 14.

Astros Are National League Champs

By Matt Hardigree

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

(Photo: Houston Chronicle)

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

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

World Series!

By Jim Dallas

'nuff said.

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

By Phillip Martin

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

Beat Atlanta to win the Division Series 3-1.

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

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

What a game! GO 'STROS!

Texas Juggernaut Rolls Over OU 45-12

By Damon McCullar

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

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

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

Red River Rivalry Open Thread

By Damon McCullar

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

ASTROS WIN THE WILD CARD!

By Phillip Martin

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

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

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

Go' Stros!

Texas Wins 51-20 over Mizzou

By Damon McCullar

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

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

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

Shall we blame Mack Brown, or shant we?

By Jim Dallas

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

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

Baseball Blogging 2005

By Andrew Dobbs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Texas Wins 51 to 10, OU loses to UCLA

By Damon McCullar

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

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

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

When the Saints go marching out?

By Jim Dallas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Texas vs. Ohio State Predictions

By Phillip Martin

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

My pick? UT wins, 26-24.

HOOK 'EM.

Texas Wins 60 to 3, TCU Bests OU

By Damon McCullar

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

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

Seven Cheers for Lance

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

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

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

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

"Vive le Tour! Forever," Armstrong said.

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

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

Texas Finishes Second in Sports Academy Directors' Cup Division I

By Damon McCullar

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

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

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

Important News

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

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

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

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

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

Horns win College World Series Championships

By Jim Dallas

w00t.

Texas Golf

By Byron LaMasters

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

The end of one season, the beginning of another

By Jim Dallas

Congratulations to the Tar Heels.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time to stop talking and start playing, I guess.

An even lighter note

By Nathan Nance

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

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

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

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

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

By Nathan Nance

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

Believe me, there is some celebrating in Waco tonight.

Who's No.1?

By Nathan Nance

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

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

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

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

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

Poor Aggies, Part #3

By Byron LaMasters

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

Football metaphors!

By Jim Dallas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#9 Texas 75, #6 Oklahoma State 61

By Byron LaMasters

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

New job

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

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

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

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

Rooting for the home team

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

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

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

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

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

Rose Bowl Pictures

By Byron LaMasters

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

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

Here's pictures of two fourth quarter Longhorn drives:

A third quarter Michigan drive:

And the pregame flyovers:

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

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

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

Update: More pictures at Prochein Amy via Trackback.

That's what I get for rooting for Oklahoma

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

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

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

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

Rose Bowl Pictures

By Byron LaMasters

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

Rose Bowl Thoughts

By Byron LaMasters

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

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

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

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

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

Cotton Bowl Round-Up

By Jim Dallas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rose Bowl Bound

By Byron LaMasters

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

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

Tech Shocks Cal in Holiday Bowl

By Byron LaMasters

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

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

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

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

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

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

Johnny Oates, R.I.P.

By Byron LaMasters

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

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

Ah, man that sucks

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

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

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

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

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy

By Nathan Nance

Guest post by Nate Nance

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

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

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

Roses are Burnt Orange

By Byron LaMasters

Nathan shares the good news...

We're smiling here in Austin tonight.

I have another reason to smile. I'll be in Los Angeles on January 1st -- I used my American Airlines travel voucher to go visit a friend over New Years, so I'm currently looking at Rose Bowl ticket prices...

I Demand A Recount In Ohio!

By Jim Dallas

58-48... Bengals?!?

"It was crazy," said the Bengals' Rudi Johnson, who ran for 202 yards and two touchdowns. "Just crazy."

The 106 combined points were the second most in an NFL game, trailing only the Redskins' 72-41 victory over the Giants on Nov. 27, 1966. Until Sunday, the most points in a game since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 was 99 - Seattle beat Kansas City 51-48 in overtime on Nov. 27, 1983.

By far, though, the most fulfilling game of the day was watching the Texans stuff the Titans (or as I like to call them, the fake Oilers versus the ex-Oilers), coming from waaay behind to win the game 31-21 in Houston. In part, though, the spectacle occurred because the Titans offense completely melted down in the second half, with three big turnovers.

Poor Aggies

By Byron LaMasters

Well, it just wouldn't be Thanksgiving weekend without my writing a Poor Aggies post. However, it's really "Poor Longhorns" again this year. Yeah, we beat the Aggies again in one of the more bizarre football games (at least the first half) I've ever seen -- how often are three missed (combined) extra points followed up by 44 and 52 yard field goals? And what's up with a one-point safety?

Still, we put together a damn good football team. The 26-13 score doesn't give justice to the degree that the Longhorns dominated the last three quarters of the game. If we had a timeout at the end of the first half, and had been a bit less classy at the end of the game, that 26-13 victory could have easily had been 40-6. Go back and give us a couple of touchdowns against Oklahoma (ok, I know that's asking a lot), and we'd most likely be competing for the national championship come January. Coulda, woulda, shoulda won't a change thing. But it's also not fair that one of the best football teams in the country has to hope that some computer formula will arbitarily rank us ahead of California to even get a BCS bid. That's just about as stupid as creationism if you ask me. The system needs change, and its good to see Mack Brown leading the fight.

"This is one of best teams in the country," said Texas coach Mack Brown. "This team deserves to play in the BCS and if they don't, then we don't have a system (that works)."

Amen to that.

Update: More thoughts at the People's Republic of Seabrook.

I'm Thankful For Rich Alumni

By Zach Neumann

I was going to bitch about Iran tonight, but I find this story about UT Alum Joe Jamail a lot more entertaining (and less depressing). The NY Times writes:

Of the more than a dozen statues peppering the University of Texas campus here, one glorifies the first native-born governor, two pay tribute to deceased American presidents, and others honor Confederate leaders. Another statue is poised to join the cast on Friday, honoring a graduate who is a successful trial lawyer. The subject, Joe Jamail, a Houston alumnus who has donated $21.7 million to the university and its athletic programs, already has one bronze likeness at the law school and his name is on several campus sites. The newest statue of Mr. Jamail, who won billions of dollars for Pennzoil in a landmark suit in the 1980's, is scheduled to be unveiled inside the football stadium before the annual game against archrival Texas A&M. "It is absolutely appropriate to say thank you," said William Powers Jr., dean of the University of Texas Law School. "He is an avid Longhorn sports fan." But not everyone looks forward to another likeness. The statue, a donation from the law firm of Vinson & Elkins in Houston, makes Mr. Jamail the only person with two on the 350-acre campus, university officials say, and that distinction has rankled some faculty members. "One is enough, with due respect to whoever," said a journalism professor, Gene Burd. Professor Burd added that, at a time when public universities are desperate for money because of fluctuations in state financing, the new statue sent the wrong signal for people "who see this as another white male capitalist." "Considering all the talk about other statues, it is almost asking for a demonstration or incident," he added.

I’ve got no problem with white-male-capitalists, especially when they keep our football team on top. Speaking of which, I’m calling tomorrow’s game for Texas, 35-21.

Happy Thanksgiving

By Jim Dallas

Go Colts!

Red Sox Win!!

By Andrew Dobbs

For the first time in 86 years...

THE BOSTON RED SOX ARE THE WORLD CHAMPIONS

The curse does not exist. Yankees suck. John Kerry will be President.

The last time this happened we were in a relatively unpopular war... World War I.

Though it was not a presidential election year, an internationalist intellectual Democrat- Woodrow Wilson- was president (much like the man we will soon elect).

God, I am so excited I can barely breathe.

Congratulations to all of the guys that made this possible- Curt Schilling and Manny Ramirez (my two favorite players) especially. This is absolutely amazing.

I'll stop now, but go Sox!

Nine Innings Away From Glory

By Jim Dallas

Cards vs. Astros on now.

Attention fundraisers. I'm too busy watching Game 7. Don't bother me.

There is a God

By Andrew Dobbs

Red Sox win in 7, greatest accomplishment in baseball history. Now, time to reverse the curse!

Smile

By Byron LaMasters

I've had a busy day, so I'm taking a day off posting, but everyone ought to be happy tonight:

Astros 5, Cardinals 2. (Feel better, Jim?)

Texas 28, Missouri 20. (Too bad I didn't make a bet with a Missouri fan.)

The Jinx

By Byron LaMasters

There's all the talk about the jinx and the Boston Red Sox, but it's easy to argue that we've got 'em beat here in Texas.

The Texas Rangers have played in Arlington for 33 years.

Number of playoff series won?

Zero.

The Houston Astros have played in Houston for 43 years.

Number of playoff series won until last night?

Zero.

Combined, that's 76 years of Texas baseball without as much as a playoff series victory... until last night.

Red Sox fans could say it's nothing compared to an 86 year World Series drought, but at least they've won a frickin' playoff series since then.

Anyway, congrats to the Astros for breaking their jinx last night... everyone in Houston seems to be happy.

A Modest Proposal

By Andrew Dobbs

Whereas Texas' defeat this Saturday was largely the product of Texas native Adrien Peterson's ungodly performance, I have a modest proposal to prevent future acts of treason and betrayal such as the execreble Mr. Peterson's.

1. If you are a high school athlete in Texas and decide to go to any school in Oklahoma, Nebraska, Arkansas or Louisiana, your family will be imprisoned for 25 years without parole, their assets will be liquidated and the money will be used for scholarships for athletes at the University of Texas.

2. If you ever return to Texas, you will be sent to prison for life without possibility of parole.

I decided against punishing those who go to Texas A&M in order to get bipartisan support in the legislature. Any takers?

Full Crimsonification

By Byron LaMasters

We'll be back in burnt orange on Wednesday night. For now, though, we'll have to live with my best attempt of BOR in crimson and cream. I'm using #990000 for crimson (although I'm welcome to suggestions of a better crimson). That's what they use over at Sooner Sports, so I figured that it would be acceptable. God, this looks ugly.

Update: If you can't stand to view the crimson, you can view everything in burnt orange, here.

The Crimson and Cream Report?

By Byron LaMasters

That's what we could be next week, if OU wins today. We know it won't happen, but if the unimaginable does happen (again), we'll be the Crimson and Cream Report for three days next week.

That's my bet with Keith Gaddie of Sooner Politics. If UT wins, we'll have the pleasure of viewing Sooner Politics in burnt orange.

Here's what Keith has to say:

Byron LaMasters, guru of Burnt Orange Report.com and I have a friendly wager on the OU-Texas Game. If OU wins, BurntOrangeReport goes Crimson and Cream; if UT prevails, SoonerPolitics will be a lovely shade of Burnt Umber for a few days.

And Keith's comments about the debate are priceless:

I am not going to comment on the debate for at least 72 hours, except to make this one observation: I am very pleased to hear that George Bush will not appoint any justices to the Supreme Court who would seek to uphold slavery . However, I do need some firewood, so I may be driving down to Crawford to pick up a rick or two.

And in case anyone is curious, we're not the only ones with a friendly wager over sports this weekend.

Boi From Troy and Pathetic Earthlings have a friendly wager over the USC / Cal game.

Update: Ouch. Shutout. That's 0/4 in my four years at UT. Get ready for Crimson and Cream on Monday.

Damn. And the burnt orange on Sooner Politics would have looked so good.

The Okkies are up to it Again

By Byron LaMasters

On the eve of Texas / OU, here's the latest from Oklahoma:

Their tourism brochure?

Take a look.

They've now been recalled, but it's still a revealing look at what people do for fun in the Sooner state.

"Durin the summer, Oklahoma is hotter than two rats fuckin in a wool sock. This makes it a good time too do some inside shoppin. Whether your looking for bathtub gin or used guns, Oklahoma ain't known as the KMart of the Midwest for nothin".

"Lots of satates got rules about where you can exercise your constitutional right to shoot shit. Well, not here in Oklahoma. Bring your gun and keep what you kill!"

"While lots of states has has tryed to deny there heritage, you can join us for annual celebrations of the old South, a great time in our history. Spend the day watching reinactments, then spend the night gettin drunk as ten indians at the confederate ball"

Full story on CNN.

Via Mark Twang.

Don't Donate to Brad Carson Anymore

By Byron LaMasters

Ok, I'm done cheerleading for Brad Carson. I'd give to some one else. I'll recommend Tony Knowles, Betty Castor and Ken Salazar.

If Bush had his way, the Astros would be at home tomorrow night

By Byron LaMasters

If George W. Bush had things his way, instead of playing Atlanta tomorrow night for the first game of the NLDS, the Houston Astros would be sitting at home watching the playoffs, or heck, maybe the debates.

Boonville Blog explains:

If it was up to George W. Bush the poor Red Sox and Astros would be home and we would not have an extra round of exciting playoff baseball. 27-1. It hurts when Bud Selig (yes, Bud Selig) has history on his side and you don't. George Steinbrenner, Peter Angelos and the rest of the owners were all correct. George W. Bush was wrong. Can you imagine baseball without the wild card. Sigh. This man is clearly unfit to be president. Will the Kerry campaign please take a stand on this!

Yup, Bush was the sole vote against the Wild Card:

Major League Baseball's decision in 1993 to realign its leagues into three divisions and include the team with the next-best record in the playoffs was considered heresy by the purists, particularly because it copied a concept from football, of all things.

The only baseball owner to vote against the change, which took effect in 1994 before the postseason was canceled by labor strife, was from Texas.

"I made my arguments and went down in flames. History will prove me right," said then-Rangers owner George W. Bush, whose foresight led him to bigger and better things.

"This is an exercise in folly."

Hmm... I'm sure that John Kerry would disagree. Go Red Sox!

(I'm an honorary Red Sox fan this October, beacause growing up in Dallas, I grew up a Rangers fan, so its hard to bring myself to be too excited about the Astros. There's no way I'd ever cheer for the Yankees, and well I figure that the Rangers curse won't end until the Red Sox take care of theirs. Plus, it might even bring some good karma to the Kerry campaign).

Keep Hope Alive

By Jim Dallas

During torts class today, about half the class (as far as I could tell) was paying only intermittent attention to the lecture, instead watching the Cubs lose to Cincinatti through the magic of streaming video. (On the other hand, I was barely paying attention because I kept falling asleep; I've gotten on to a really weird sleep schedule, and the "causation" chapter isn't exactly barn-burning excitement.)

At any rate, it's Wild Card Season, and the Astros are now in first place, with the Cubs and Giants a half-game down.

The Astros play the Rockies next, and if they blow up now, I'll be even more heartbroken than usual.

Oh yeah, the first presidential debate is tonight.

How can we possibly be expected to learn in such an environment?

The National Past Time

By Jim Dallas

According to wire reports, the Montreal Expos will announce today intentions to move to Washington, D.C.

A FOX Sports poll asks readers what the team's name ought to be changed to. I vote for "Republi-crats," only because every team named "The Senators" has ended up leaving Washington. And we all know the Republi-crats will never stop playing "insider" baseball. So it seems like a good-luck-charm sort of thing.

Baseball Blogging

By Andrew Dobbs

I know that Kuff is usually the one to do the blogging on our national pastime but as a fellow fan of the Thinking Man's Game, I feel the need to pontificate on my predictions for this fairly exciting end of the season.

My beloved Boston Red Sox have clinched a playoff spot for the second year in a row, maintaining a 6 game lead over Anaheim in the Wild Card race and sitting only 3 games behind the Spawn of Satan in the AL East. There is an outside chance that Boston could end up winning the division- they play the cellar dweller Devil Rays and the lackluster (yet still threatening) Orioles to close out their season. The cursed team that only a pedophile or communist could love, on the other hand, has a 3 game series against the AL Central Champs- the Minnesota Twins. Minnesota is the beneficiary of a weak division, but Johan Santana is almost a lock for the Cy Young and is pitching like nobody's business. After a rocky start, Santana will close out the regular season with a record of 20-6 and an AL best ERA of 2.62 and an AL best 260 Ks. New York lost two big ones to Boston and while they have home field advantage against the Twins, their starting rotation is hurting without Kevin Brown (his 2/3 IP, 6 Hit, 4 ER performance on Sunday was pathetic at best) and there is a chance that Boston could walk away with a division championship.

But is that what the Sox want? For all of their strengths, the Oakland As or the Anaheim Angels (whichever one wins the startlingly competitive race for the AL West) are both better teams than Minnesota. Unless they eclipse Minnesota in win percentage, the AL East champ will face off against the best of the AL West. It might be better for Boston to win the Wild Card, face off against Minnesota and quickly dispose of the Twins while the Yanks get bogged down against Oakland or Anaheim. The problem would be that Boston would have to start out against New York at Yankee Stadium- always a tough venue- if this is how it unfolds. Still, one way or another, Boston has a real shot at the pennant. New York will likely be the favorite (though Boston led them in their regular season series this year for the first time since 1999), but Boston followed by the AL West champ and then Minnesota in that order all have good shots. Anything can happen with the caliber of playing all of these teams are putting up.

But the real story isn't the AL- it's in our pal the National League. Four teams are still concievably in the hunt for the Wild Card spot (Chicago, San Fran 1 GB, Houston 1.5 GB and San Diego 3 GB). The late-breaking Giants have the good (or perhaps bad) luck of facing both San Diego and the division leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, with LA getting a vacation in the form of a four game series against the second to last place Colorado Rockies, I suspect LA will find a way to hold onto the lead in this division. Chicago is 1 game into a 4 game series against the depressing Cincinnati Reds before a 2 game shot against the 13 season straight NL East Division Champs Atlanta. Chi town will likely win the Wild Card, as I don't see Houston passing them in the NL Central.

But Wild Cards and the NL East and West Champs might as well wait until next year- this is the year of the Cardinal. St. Louis has by far the best record in baseball- a full 6 games better than the second best New York Yankees. With power hitting from Albert Pujols and other worldly fielding from Jim Edmonds, every position on the team is stocked with a rock star. They are about 14 games better than .500 on the road and since they will almost certainly play the NL West champ, their 21-9 record on the season against teams from that division is rather revealing. I have no doubt that they will find a way to win the NL pennant and I suspect that they will be favored in the Series. Their pitching is only so-so (their ERA leader- Chris Carpenter- is 17th in the Majors, their win leader- Jeff Supan- is 10th and their K leader- Carpenter- is 25th), their defense and hitting should put them over the top.

My final prediction? Boston wins the AL pennant (wishful thinking? perhaps...), St. Louis the NL and the curse will live on with the Cards beating the Sox in 6.

So some good ball should be going on in the next month or so, I hope to have some more posts on my other passion (besides politics, women, food and sleep)- sports- in the future.

And remember kids... Yankees Suck!

Hook 'Em

By Byron LaMasters

No Owen, it's not Rice's year... again.

Time for the real season to start. Go Horns.

Lance Kicks Alpe d'Huez's Ass!

By Andrew Dobbs

Austin represents, baby! Alpe d'Huez is the toughest route in all of the Tour de France- 9.6 miles of hairpin turns, most named for fallen riders of the past. It rises sharply from the ground, the grade averaging almost 10%. For the first time this year the Tour made the trail an individual time trial each of the riders leaving the post one at a time, Armstrong (the yellow jersey holder) left last. His nearest opponent, Italian Ivan Basso left 2 minutes before him and Armstrong went so fast he passed him up and more than doubled his previous lead, all but locking up a record 6th victory.

For those of you not in Austin its hard to understand the love this town has for its favorite son. Every business has a "Go Lance" sign, the buses run "Go Lance" on their marquees. Lance Armstrong owns this town so it is exciting to see him doing so well.

Congrats Lance, here's to 6th in a row!

Back in the CWS Championship

By Byron LaMasters

Hook 'em! We're back in the CWS Championship Series:

Trailing 5-0 after the top of third inning, the Longhorns' offense connected on a season-best four home runs to help No. 2 Texas (58-13) rally to its 27th come-from-behind victory of the year with a 7-6 win over No. 5 Georgia (45-23) in front of 17,500 fans at Rosenblatt Stadium during the semifinal round of the 2004 College World Series on Wednesday, June 23. With the win, the Horns advance to the CWS Championship Series and will now play for a national title for the second time in the last three years.

[...]

Up next, the Longhorns will now play either Cal St. Fullerton or South Carolina in the best-of-three CWS Championship Series, which begins on Saturday, June 26 at 6 p.m. Central. Notably, each game of the series (June 26-28) will be televised by ESPN.

Go Horns!

Yay Pacers

By Jim Dallas

I usually don't care much for the entire NBA eastern conference, and frankly I don't care much for the Lakers or the Timberwolves either. But my buddy Dave is in town this week and is a big Pacers fan, and I guess it tends to rub off.

After getting out-played in games two and three, the Pacers came back to pound the Detroit Pistons 83-68 tonight in game four.

<Rasheed Wallace>The Pistons will not win game five. I guarantee it. You can write.</Rasheed Wallace>

Of course, I get the feeling whoever wins the eastern conference title will get to be the sacrificial lamb to L.A., but one can always hope.

Easter christians and the NBA Playoffs.

By Jim Dallas

The Houston Rockets clinched a spot in the Western Division playoffs Friday by beating the Denver Nuggets. It's the first time they've made the playoffs in five years, which means its time to drag out the Rockets paraphernalia again (but keep the Mavs stuff on stand-by just in case; after all, it's not about who wins, it's about who gets to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves...).

Meanwhile, it's Easter, and I probably ought to try to go to church tomorrow since it's only been, umm, since Christmas.

Why mention all of this? So I can make a torturously metaphorical comparison between bums like me who don't go to church enough, and umm, bums like me that don't watch enough basketball.

We know which team we're for, we know who's gonna win the big game, but that's really about it, and we like it that way.

Now, if I could just sprinkle in some colorful anecdotes about amiable foreigners and free trade, I'd have written an entire Tom Friedman column... praise!

UPDATE: In fairness, both Friedman columns this week are amazingly anectode free.

Longhorns Lose

By Byron LaMasters

Well shit.

Oh well.

Upsets Abound; Texas to face Xavier Friday.

By Jim Dallas

Three cheers for UAB, who knocked off Kentucky 76-75.

Sweet 16, Baby!

By Byron LaMasters

We're there again!

After a stingy defensive effort in a 66-49 victory over Princeton in round one of the 2004 NCAA Tournament on Thursday, No. 12 Texas' (25-7) offense shined in the Longhorns' 78-75 second-round win over No. 18 North Carolina (19-11) on Saturday in Denver's Pepsi Center. The victory sends UT to the NCAA "Sweet 16" for the third year in a row. Texas will play the winner of Sunday's Mississippi State-Xavier game in Atlanta's Georgia Dome on Friday, March 26 at a time to be determined.

I was able to catch the last five minutes of the game at this restaurant in the French Quarter. Beating UNC is, well, pretty cool.

Back on Track

By Byron LaMasters

My second basketball game this season was a vast improvement from the first. We just beat the shit out of OU, and retired T.J. Ford's #11 while we were at it. Good times...

TiVo Users Like Janet's boob

By Byron LaMasters

This is hilarious:

Janet Jackson's nearly bare breast during the Super Bowl halftime show was the most replayed moment measured by TiVo Inc. in its short history.

The TiVo service, which allows users to pause and do instant replays of live television, found that Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" attracted almost twice as many viewers as the game highlights.

San Jose-based TiVo did not release specific numbers. It has measured Super Bowl viewing patterns since 2002. The data was gathered on a zip code basis from an anonymous sample of 20,000 TiVo households.

It's funny how the FCC flips out (DOC file), but people voting with their TiVo machines must have liked what they saw. As for the incident, I was more amused than anything else. I've always thought that Americans have a silly prudishness about decency guidelines, but then again I understand how someone watching the show with their young children might be reasonably offended.

Damn! UT Loses...

By Byron LaMasters

The first UT basketball game I went to this season was the Longhorns first loss in Austin in 25 games. Geez!

Don't Cry for Me Oklahoma

By Jim Dallas

Despite losing to K-State, Oklahoma finished 1st in the BCS rankings this year.

Although personally I think an LSU/USC matchup would have been more fun to watch.

In other news, despite being ahead of OSU in the polls, Texas slipped behind Ohio State to sixth place, based on some computer polls shafting the Longhorns. As widely expected, this was enough to get screwed out of a BCS bowl invite, and again Texas will go to the Holiday Bowl. Again. (Darnit).

The BCS is just plain evil... and Kuffner and Kevin Drum agree!

Don't cry for me Oklahoma,
The truth is you don't belong here
Your loss to K-State, made us irate
BCS hopes gone, maybe next year

Cowboys stomped.

By Jim Dallas

With 20 seconds left, the Miami Dolphins just picked off a pass in the End Zone to seal a 40-21 win. The Dolphins and Cowboys are both now 8-4.

I'm still impressed b the Cowboys' record this year, even if I'm glad to see them lose (and especially today on this very Happy Thanksgiving).

Mavs Aquire Antoine Walker

By Byron LaMasters

I'm excited. He's one hell of an upgrade over Raef LaFrentz, who the Mavs signed to a $69 million, five-year contract before to average eight points a game... Don't ask me why. Anyway, Go Mavs!

I won't be watching

By Byron LaMasters

Kos is right. I won't watch the World Series. I was ready to watch 7 games of Cubs vs. Red Soxs, but Marlins vs. Yankees? *Yawn* Maybe next year. Maybe next century....

Ouch

By Byron LaMasters

This hurt. I turned it off at halftime. Ugh.

Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Cubs Win!

By Byron LaMasters

Well Kos ought to be happy. Tonight, the Chicago Cubs won their first postseason series since 1908. So if the Cubs win the NLCS we'll get to see if a meteor will take out a small country as Kos predicts. We'll see. Either way, go Cubs! It's hard not to root for a team that's been bad for so long (which I have first hand experience with growing up as a Texas Rangers fan).

Huh? Rush Limbaugh at it Again

By Byron LaMasters

Huh?

"Sorry to say this, I don't think he's (McNabb) been that good from the get-go," Limbaugh said in unscripted remarks. "I think what we've had here is a little social concern in the NFL. The media has been very desirous that a black quarterback do well, black coaches and black quarterbacks doing well. There is a little hope invested in McNabb, and he got a lot of credit for the performance of this team that he didn't deserve. The defense carried this team."

Conservatives just aren't good at covering football. Dennis Miller is kind of funny, but he would make you scratch your head every five minutes on Monday Night Football. As for Rush Limbaugh, you'd think he longs for the days when he could keep Blacks "in their place". Ugh. It's comparable to some of the actions of YCT. YCT suggests that all minorities benefit from affirmative action. Rush suggests that Black coaches and Black quarterbacks are recipients of affirmative action. That's even sillier. Affirmative Action does not exist in sports. Teams do whatever it takes to put the best team out on the field and win.

Shit

By Byron LaMasters

Arkansas beat us. This sucks, but at least its not a conference game, anymore. As long as we can beat Oklahoma...

It's Lance!

By Byron LaMasters

Hell yeah! It may seem like a broken record, but I'm still amazed with his story every year he wins the Tour de France. Congrats to our hometown hero, once again.